Crockett signs; Simms to IR

The Bucs made their next anticipated move this morning, announcing the signing of 34-year-old running back Zack Crockett, a former member of Jon Gruden's Raiders team.

Also, as announced yesterday, the Bucs officially placed Chris Simms on injured reserve.

Crockett, a 13-year veteran, was a former third-round pick of the Colts in 1995 out of Florida State. Last season with the Raiders, he appeared in all 16 games, starting nine, mostly at fullback. He finished the season with 39 carries for 163 yards, 4.2 per carry.

But here's something to keep in mind: We just talked to fullback B.J. Askew, and he seems confident the coaching staff is at least discussing the possibility of using him as a tailback. He once politicked Jets coaches for more carries when he played in New York and did get a handful during a stretch when running back Curtis Martin and others were injured.

We'll follow up on that angle with Jon Gruden later in the day.

Comments

[AL]

Yeah, I remember this one, I think we tried this with Charlie Garner in "03. Why in the world would they sign a 35 yr old RB? There is not a whole lot to be optimistic about this season (again). I sure hope Garcia and Galloway stay healthy.

[Frankie]

WOW! I thought he was retired already, maybe he can sign Ricky Watters, he played for Gruden in Philly. I really dont understand this move, I know we need a FB but what about another RB, my only thinking is they are gonna give the bal to Askew and Crockett as the pure blocker. How about signing a LT??

[Ted]

It's not like they WANTED to sign this guy. They had to. You may not have noticed, but the Bucs lost their 1st RB (Williams) and 2nd RB/FB (Pittman). Crockett fills Pittman's role, simple as that. If Askew goes down, they need a FB. And, he can play from the RB spot. He's pretty good in short yardage, too.

[Daniel]

There is only one fullback on the roster, remember Pittman was the backup to Askew. Also, Gruden's offense is very complicated, anyone signed would take weeks to learn the plays and get accustomed to the terminology. I'm sure everyone remembers Garcia taking weeks before training camp to learn it even though he played in the west coast offense before. You just can't sign a back today and think he will be ready by Sunday. The Bucs also signed RB Gates to the practice squad, a back who spent training camp with the team. I doubt Crockett even takes the field or is activated unless there is another injury to a back. This move seems like an insurance policy, rather than an upgrade or a replacement. How much can a 35yr back old help a team with playoff aspirations?

They needed to sign someone. Everyone knows how thick Grudens playbook is so they obviously brought him in because he is familiar with it. But bash them for it because it is an easy target.

[Bo Jackson]

I hear the Bucs are giving out free money to ex players? I'm in! Seriously I can still play, sign me.

[Sam Gash]

I'll block for Bo!

[Wiggles Nugga]

We should offer a 2nd round pick to San Diego for Michael Turner. Then we should sign him to a long term deal. Cadillac is done and will never come back and be the same. Pittman is old, and I'm not sure Graham is a perennial starter. Crockett is an old black Alstott with dreadlocks.

[Ted]

They do require hips to play though (original equipment only). Sorry Bo!

[Keith]

If they were to go out and make a trade and use upcomming draft picks, then you numskulls would just be complaining on how we gave away picks. Its a no win situation for most of you jerks. For all of you that do have something worthwhile to say and understand football, I am sure you will agree with me.

[mikey]

Wow! Just what we need, another"short yardage" back. In fact, all our backs are short yardage and so are most of our receivers.

[DR]

You're right Keith. Damned if you do and damned if you don't. Its a dream they're stuck in. Why would SD give up a solid back-up under contract to help another team? They won't. If anything, they'll franchise Turner next season. The Bucs and others lost their chance to get Turner in the preseason. Too late. Now you have to resurrect the dead from the NFL graveyard. Oh well, gotta do something.

[Walter Payton]

Who's digging at my grave?

[DR]

I hear Earl Campbell is making some progress down there in Texas, maybe he's available.

[Clint]

Nothing like using a band-aid for a broken arm. Nice work Allen. You make me sick. We have a chance to make a decent run at the playoffs and you are not giving Gruden the proper tools to win. I know that Gruden has coached him before, but, what does adding these two backs do to improve the team? Nothing.

[darryl]

Your kidding right? gruden needs to wake up from his glory days in oakland.that was a long time ago.

[Daniel]

Kieth, You do make sense, especially since a good back can be had in next years draft with a third rd pick. A new back also has to learn the offense and protection schemes, how long would that take? Alot people have been screaming for San Diegos Turner, but AJ Smith has made it clear that Turner would not be traded because of the Chargers need to win now, he said he doesn't want to leave the Bolts without a backup if LT goes down. Backs do get injured, look at the Bucs. The Colts made a journey man back look like a stud against the Bucs with good line play. The pressure now falls on the Bucs O-line to step up their level of play or things could get ugly. The Titans defense is a good test for the O-line and the Bucs remaining backs.

[Jeremy]

Everyone who "thinks" they know something about building a football team, or is just taking shots about something they obviously don't really care about, SHOULD SHUT UP! God, what should the Bucs do, go to San Diego and hold them up at gun point until they trade us Turner? Tampa Bay's football fans prove their ignorance every single day with nonsense like this. I hope Crocket scores a game winning touchdown and you all have to chew that one down like you've had to swallow the good start to the season. Be a Bucs fan, or pick another team!

[florida]

I hear that OJ needs some extra cash. Maybe he could help out the Bucs

[florida]

I hear that OJ needs some extra cash. Maybe he could help out the Bucs

[Mike]

Good point Jeremy. I am sure every team has dumba$$ fans though. Look, you can't predict injuries. Our rushing game is 19th in the league so to say that our season is over because we lost these guys is stupid. Sure it hurts, but our playmaker wears #7. Let's give Graham a chance and see what happens. As for Crockett, He is a better pass blocker than any back on our team right now. Probably getting league minimum and we have plenty of cap space. Be a fan, not a hater!

[chas]

Politicked? Huh? Did you just make a verb?

[detroit buc]

its just a short term fix. i am happy we did not give up any picks, but i thought they would sign Barlow. Zack is 35, he can pound the inside , block, catch and knows the system. it is what it is GO BUCS and I hope the Oline can man up and get some push,push

[Michael]

Everyone who thinks is defending the Bucs decision, I agree with you. Tampa used to have good fans. Now they stink. Yesterday, Iread comments on a difrent article calling for the Bucs o fire Jon Gruden. The Bucs are 3-2, not 0-5. Tell me one coach that could have taken a 4-12 team to 3-2 o far. And dont say Tony Dungy. Everyone thinks they know football, and yet you font work for the Bucs. Let me say this. It may be a diffrent sport, but it applys. I heard a call-in show with Lightning GM Jay Feaster. Someone asked him the following. "When you guys traded Modin for Denis, why didnt you just offer Columbus your first round draft pick?" Feasters responce was "Gee, I guess when you talked to their GM, he was feeling more generious then when I talked him. I am going to have to call him, and ask why that wasnt good enough when I offered him that." My point is that you dont know what the Bucs are trying to do. Who knows, they may have offered up a first-round pick to get a running back. If you arnt the Bucs, dont try to run them. Yes, I would have loved a better back, but the Bucs HAD to make a move. Atleast they made a move, and atleast they got someone who can help in the next few weeks possibally. I am going to stick with this team. You doubters can find a new team. Either go to your precious Tony Dungy's Colts, or the Patriots. The Pats always win.

[sonny]

pol·i·tick (pŏl'ĭ-tĭk) Pronunciation Key
intr.v. pol·i·ticked, pol·i·tick·ing, pol·i·ticks
To engage in or discuss politics.

Typical Bucs fan. Learn English.

[Matt]

Hopefully Zack Crockett is only the backup FB and not Bruce Allen's idea of a RB solution.

There's a rumor out there that Detroit is shopping Tatum Bell, maybe back to Denver. Doesn't Tampa have some decent contacts in Detroit where we could get involved in the discussion?

Bell is no worse than Moore or Dillon.

Bucs are done unless Ronde gets on the phone and convinces Tiki to come back for a 10 game shortened season. Crockett is straight off the scrap heap. Just another Gruden crony goin' through the motions to collect a check. Did they even look for another replacement? Are former Raiders the only players the Bucs scout. Total downgrade!

I think most are making good points overall. As far as running the bucs or support the bucs or pick a new team, this is what being a fan is all about. I doubt anyone posting on here will say they are deemed to know the in and outs of running a professional football team but as passionate fans, we have opinions on what we would like to see. RB situation is weak all around he league. Kevin Barlow was cut by 2 teams, so obviously he isn't what we think he is. Learning the language would be tough for anyone so if all of the FA are on the same level, you have to go with the guy that has the best opportunity to step on the field first. If the O-Line blocks, the RB should do just fine

[Clint]

I'm very concerned regarding Tampa's status at RB. Caddy suffered a potentially a career ending injury and will be out + 1 year. I think fans have every right to be upset at the Bucs management and question their actions for the inability to sign a better running back then a 35 year old semi-retired fullback.
I as well as many, have been a loyal Bucs fans who has spent hard earned money and time following this team in their ups and downs. Go Bucs!

[drew]

daniel it wont take crockett weeks to learn the offense gruden drafted the guy

[Dwayne]

see wat u guys all fail to realize is just because they signed crockett doesnt mean they think hes tha answer and were done, he a good strong back who carries 2-3 defenders everytime, yes hes old but we need someone who can come in quick and maybe help this weekend cause if askew goes down graham has to play fullback so why not do it for now we have 17 million. we can afford ti sign someone right now who know that playbook thats as thick as 3 phonebooks the deadline is not until next week so they can still make a move cause if they did today guess wat? barlow, turner, or moore wouldnt be able to help this week so why not let graham have a chance to see wat he does then go after someone, damn i swear you guys will never be happy about anything the bucs do, if were 4-1 i bet you would stll complain, and if we dnt get a trade, then everyione should stop cryin because i coulda sworn 2 weeks ago after graham scored everyone said why not let graham start over caddy when i told u that hes good but not better then caddy and now guess wat u all jynx it and got graham as the starter and now you want turner and whoever else to start, so wat do you guys really want cause when sumthing happens u want somethin different, So maybe allen read some comments on here and said hell stick with graham cause the fans want it now u dont want him, stick with wat u want or shutup about it and be a real fan like me and most of the other peole on here.

all of yall need to remember or atleast know , give gruden a chance for god sakes thank your former g.m mckay for messing up the salary cap before bruce got here . so far allen has gave us cap room and theres no good backs out there who are available more less unretired.lets all put our hopes in graham cuz he does show signs of when he was good in florida .Plus we are in the playoffs all we have to do is win this week division this year. carolina 3-2 no delhomme atl 1-3 n.o 0-5

ipromise you if we were 5-0 with cadillac hurt and pittman hurt yall wouldnt be talking all that trash about crockett and gruden .all of you all are fake buc fans , bandwagon jumpers and you talk about the bucs suck cause they lost the colts game. well so did alot of teams in the nfl and theyre fans dont jump ship when that happens bunch of cry babys i swear GO BUCS . GO GRUDEN . GO ALLEN. LETS GET TO THE POST SEASON

[Daniel]

With this being an opinion blog, every fan has a right to voice their concern over the Bucs running back situation. While I don't agree with everyones opinion or over reaction to wins and losses, true Buc fans are very passionate and want to win now. Gruden also wants to win now, he has to, his job is on the line. Does anyone think the Glazzers give him another pass for another lossing season? While I am not in total agreement with this move, I do understand why he made it. The Bucs protection schemes are complicated, Caddy had trouble with them his rookie year and would come off the field during passing downs, his pass catching ability or lack thereof didn't help either. Who could the Bucs sign that would help them in the next three weeks? Who could pick up the offense and the terminology in three weeks? There is a reason Gruden goes with ex-Raiders on offense, they can step in right away. Crockett is a backup, he does not move ahead of BJ Askew or Graham. Crockett may not even be activated this week. It is really up to the O-line now to take charge of the running game.

[TF]

He knows the playbook, that is the bottom line. This is a smart move, and does not mortgage the future. Good job Allen, now make it work Gruden. Don't listen to the bandwagoners around here folks, they only know what is written on the internet within the last 10-12 years. Things are never perfect, and the games will be settled on the field. Can't wait to see Crockett smack the Cowboys in the mouth.

[aaron]

now all we need is tyrone wheatley and terry kirby and we can have one big happy reunion. this sucks!!

[Tom]

That's great Dwayne. So true. If we win this weekend, it's bc it's Dungy's team not Gruden.

[Tom]

That's great Dwayne. So true. If we win this weekend, it's bc it's Dungy's team not Gruden.

[Tony]

You people are a bunch of idiots. No GM is going to let go of their #2 RB during the season. Michael Turner can be signed as a FA and NOT COST A DRAFT PICK!!! if the Bucs go that route. Crockett is a quick fit into this system. Obviously they must think more of Graham, Askew and Darby than people think. Crockett is their Alstott replacement on the goal and shoert yardage...idiots.

[Daniel]

The Bucs main competition in the NFC south just signed Vinnie Testeverde as a backup QB. 43 year old Testeverde. Crockett is a pup compared to Vinnie. In fact Vinnie will be 44 soon. How would you like to be a Panther fan? David Carr as your starter and Vinnie as the backup, I like the Bucs chances to win our division, who's better?

[DR]

If you pick up a RB and he can't play because he doesn't know the playbook and apparently his QB can't tell him his responsibilities, than he must be dumber than TFS! And thats mental retardation.

[Bob]

As long as they sign Lars Tate, everything will be okay.

[Cadillac Williams, Pittman, Alstott]

2 weeks.. see ya on IR

[Jennifer]

Great!! Just what we need another washed up Raider from Gruden's Raider era. Gimme a break!! I hope Gruden goes away next year along with his ridiculous "Chucky" persona, BAA-BYE!!

[DR]

Bob, you're back. remember that promise, no more verbal BJs for Grudumb okay?

[DR]

How did they sign Crockett who doesn't have a criminal record? He must have promised Gruden he would beat his wife or something. maybe he can beat some sense into TFS.

[TF's mother]

Young man, you better stop causing trouble on these blogs. I told you not to use the computer. Ever since I caught you with lotion and a sock watching watching men's tennis, you are not allowed. My apologies people for my son's stupidity. I blame myself for dropping him a few hundred times on his head.

[Dwayne]

I really wish would stop wanting gruden fired, i bet u guy were mad when we got him in the first place and he won a super bowl, now u want him gone cause we lost, hey TOM during the three week span we won those games did you see any comments about fifing gruden???, not very many as i can remember now we lost a game and everyone wants him gone all you see are comments on here about firing him, how bout the real fans fire all you haters for being a fan, even DR's a cowboys fan and he disses us at times and still manages to give us more credit then some who think they are real fans. i guarantee if they fired gruden which i hope they dont and the next guy came in her and was 3-2 at this point you all would still complain

[DR's Daddy, TF]

Son, don't use other peoples initials like I used your Momma. BTW, that is why she brought her pimply faced joke of a boy to Tampa back when you jumped on the bandwagon. She was chasing me down, and yea I used her a few more years, don't feel bad for the other Daddy, he just couldn't get it done, kinda like your problem now.

[Charlie Brown]

Oh good grief.