Garcia a gametime decision
For all of Jeff Garcia's statements this week proclaiming himself ready to go Sunday, coach Jon Gruden didn't seem to share the same enthusiasm after the week's final practice today.
Gruden said Garcia's status would be evaluated after the team's arrival at Reliant Stadium in Houston, and only then will a decision be made on whether the veteran's back injury will allow him to play against the Texans.
"There’s a chance of (Garcia playing) but we’re going to, again, wait until we get to Houston, see how the weather is, see how he feels," Gruden said. "It’s a day-to-day operation right now, but he is getting better and I can only make the decision on Sunday when we get to the stadium."
Garcia maintained Friday he was ready, saying, "I feel good." But when asked whether he thought he would play, he deferred to Gruden. "You'll have to ask Coach on that one," he said.
Reading between the lines here, this looks a lot like a player who wants nothing more than to play and a coach who would rather be cautious and not play a quarterback who is not totally healthy. Surely, it was painful for Garcia to watch Luke McCown light it up last week in New Orleans, and the last thing the 37-year-old Garcia wants now is to sit out another week.
We'll probably not get much of a hint until game day, which is perhaps the way the Bucs want it. For what it's worth, Garcia was said to have participated on a limited basis in practice again on Friday, marking his third straight day of some involvement in practice. That's more than he was able to do last week, when he did not play.
Bucs Beat is the online destination for Tampa Bay Buccaneer fans interested in the latest news about the team. St. Petersburg Times reporters Rick Stroud, Stephen Holder and Joe Smith will provide regular updates. Readers can comment on players, coaches, the front office - all of it.
My opinion is that Gruden should start McCown and see how he performs against any team not named the Saints. Garcia can run the team well and we all know it and count on it. This is not an important game so there is no need to risk the starting QB, but it's a good time to learn more about your young one.
What Gruden should do is find out if he has a backup who is capable of taking over in the event of an emergency, as well as see if McCown is the future of the franchise. Gradkowski still needs to develop his ability to read defenses and pocket awareness, so he's a 3rd option only. As much as it pains us to hear it, the Chris Simms project is on hold for now.
Posted by: Jay | December 07, 2007 at 08:56 PM
"pains us to hear it"???? Chris Simms and I have two things in common: We're both really nice guys; and, we both aren't nfl caliber football players.
Posted by: Nice Guy | December 08, 2007 at 01:46 AM
"pains us to hear it"???? Chris Simms and I have two things in common: We're both really nice guys; and, we both aren't nfl caliber football players.
Posted by: Nice Guy | December 08, 2007 at 01:47 AM
"pains us to hear it"???? Chris Simms and I have two things in common: We're both really nice guys; and, we both aren't nfl caliber football players.
Posted by: Nice Guy | December 08, 2007 at 01:47 AM
I agree with what the second guy said, but not the third guy. He's an idiot.
Posted by: Jay | December 08, 2007 at 09:39 AM
YEP, SIMMS IS DONE HERE, I REALLY WANTED HIM TO DO GOOD BUT HE ALWAYS WORRIED ME. CANT PUT MY FINGER ON WHY. JUST FEEL BETTER WITH COOL HAND LUKE NOW. HE HAD A BETTER GAME THEN SIMMS EVER DID WITH SIMMS BEING PREPARED AND ALL. OFF THE BENCH LUKE BLEW HIM AWAY. SO TRADE HIM FOR SOME GOOD DRAFT PICKS AND PICK UP SOME SPEEDY WIDE OUTS. THATS ABOUT ALL WE`RE LACKING NOW. CANT WAIT UNTIL TOMMORROW, THE BUCS CLINCH THE NFC SOUTH...WOW....!
Posted by: RICH | December 08, 2007 at 01:59 PM
Hilarious Jay!!!
Posted by: Skylar | December 08, 2007 at 06:20 PM