Griese traded to Bucs

Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Griese has been traded to the Bucs.

Terms of the deal were undisclosed, but it is believed to be for a second-day draft pick in 2009. Griese was owed a $300,000 roster bonus Tuesday, prompting the Bears to part ways with their veteran backup. Rather than risk bidding for him in free agency, the Bucs completed a trade.   

It's Griese's second stint with Tampa Bay. He quarterbacked the Bucs to a 5-1 start in 2005 before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. Chris Simms went 6-5 down the stretch, leading the Bucs to the playoffs before a loss to Washington in the NFC wildcard game. In two seasons, Griese completed 345-of-510 (67.6 percent) of his passes for 3,768 yards with 27 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.

Following the '05 season, the Bucs were unable to renegoiate Griese's contract and he became a salary cap casualty, signing with the Bears.

   Ironically, the trade for Griese leaves Simms' future with the Bucs in doubt. He has not played a meaningful snap in about 16 months since undergoing a splenectomy and could be traded or released. The Bucs also have Jeff Garcia, Luke McCown. Bruce Gradkowski and Jake Plummer under contract.

   The Bucs and Broncos have filed a grievance against Plummer, hoping to recoup more than $7-million in signing bonus.

   Simms would appear to be the odd man out. Griese and McCown will battle it out for the No. 2 spot and Gradkowski will have to improve his play to return for a third season.      

   Griese, who turns 33 this month, started six games last year for the Bears and finished with a 3-3 record. His season ended after he suffered a minor shoulder injury Nov. 11 at Oakland and did not play again.

   ""He likes (Jon) Gruden and he was obviously very successful there,'' agent Ralph Cindrich said. ""During the course of this deal, they let it be known they had tried to trade for him a couple times over the last few years.''

   Griese has three years remaining on his contract and will receive a base salary of $1.4-million in 2008, $1.8-million in 2009 and $2.2-million in 2010. Cindrich said Griese could earn an additional $1.5-million next season if he becomes the starter. The Bucs are on the hook to pay Griese's $300,000 roster bonus Tuesday.

   

   

   

Comments

[Hmmm]

interesting....

[JASON]

THE MAN WAS AN ACCURATE PASSER WITH A GOOD KNOWLEDGE OF THE OFFENSE.TWO KEY COMPONENTS JON LIKED. ARM WAS A LITTLE QUESTIONABLE. GARCIA WILL BE GOOD FOR ABOUT 13-14 GAMES SO I LIKE THE MOVE. McCOWN IS A GOOD QB BUT STILL NEEDS SOME WORK ON "FEELING" PRESSURE AND GETTING RID OF THE BALL.

[Festering Infection]

StUpId!!!
one of THE dumbest qb's we've ever had come through here ... GUARANTEED to turn the ball over at the most inopportune time

and we gave up a 2nd rounder for this scrub??? anything more than a 3rd rounder is highway robbery

[Baynerd]

Good move. Griese performed well in Gruden's offense. He not only gives the Buc's an experienced backup but a starter to succeed the aging Garcia.

[Ty Guy]

cool, now we can trade simms somewhere in a package for a wr or a cb. really like chris simms but lets face it, luke mccown is the future qb for this franchise, not simms, and sure as heck not bruce gradkowski. it'll be interesting to see what happens with simms and gradkowsik now that griese's back in the fold.

[Ty Guy]

o yeah, and we gave up a second DAY pick, not a second ROUND pick moron.

THREE FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICKS IS TOO HIGH A PRICE!!!!

[John]

Hey Fester, let's try reading the article again. It's a second DAY pick in 2009, not 2nd round. Good move by the Bucs, which I hope can move Simms in a trade for a WR or CB.

[WiNdOw LiQuOr]

what iz ya Festering Infection, ignorant?
IT SAY A SECOND DAY PICK

[John]

If they can move Simms, wouldn't be suprised to see the Bucs pick up Johnson or Flacco in the draft and dump Gradkowksi.

[JBBuc]

Fester, It's not a 2nd ROUND pick, its a 2nd DAY pick. As in rounds 4-7.

Anyway, This is a completely worthless move. If Gruden can't (or won't) develop a young QB into a franchise player, he needs to take his garbage act somewhere else. McCown showed that he has all the tools in the world and we are wasting time and money on these washed up, never quite was, journeymen. I could type every profane expression known to man and it wouldn't do my frustation justice.

$40 million in cap space and our biggest aquisitions so far are Jeff "Never Been to Hawaii" Faine and Brian Griese Ver2. Way to go Bruce.

You people are CRAZY. The Bucs should never DRAFT a QB. Gruden cannot develop them (or any other offensive player for that matter). They should pick up a solid defender or Desean Jackson in the first round. We should definately cut/trade Graddy and Simms, since they won't be needed.

Garcia, Griese, and McCown are a good trio to have.

[Ray]

Hey Fester, I think you need to read the article again. Griese is for sure a better back up than McCown. Well, as far as Simms is concerned, all I have to say is "good luck to you Chris." I hate to see careers end like that. but, if I have to guess his career is over.

[kevin]

This move is for an extra QB arm during training and I see some QBs moving on to other teams, perhaps even Griese.

[Eric]

Enough with the JOURNEYMAN QUARTERBACK CLUB!
We've got the cap space and the some time with Jeff
starting next year to go after a QB with some potential...
Trade for Brady Quinn???
e

[Jason]

I for one don't have a problem with this move.
If he makes the team that will at least allow the Bucs to get rid of Gradkowski. That in itself makes this a good deal.

[Justin M]

Way too many QBs on this roster. Brian Griese played well for the Bucs in 2004 and 2005. However, he threw way too many interceptions that got returned for touchdowns. Like someone said he is just another arm for training camp. He is no better than Simms or McCown.

[devin]

look this is an ok move trade simms for Larry Fitzgerald to bucs

[Edward]

Just goes to show you... don't ever diss a former employer, you never know when you'll be back :)) Just another journeyman guy in a team full of journeyman guys... but what the heck, this certainly doesn't make them a worse team.

[Jim]

I was hoping the Bucs would pick up Alge Crumpler. They don't need another aging quarterback.

[DR]

Gruden plans on having 5 QBs on the roster this year! HAHA!

[yourmom]

Now boys play nice!

[eric]

Let's call Vinny up too...
Go after Brady Quinn.
e

[cutter]

bring back Namath. Stupid move, very stupid.

[Kurt]

Just remember that the last 8 games the season before he went 5-1 as our starter; Clayton and Galloway were the leagues leading receiving tandom. He was the one getting them the ball. He didn't look spectacular in Chicago, but he did a good job for us. I like the move as it gives us 3 legitimate QB's on our roster.

[John Jung]

Actually, this is a great move. We probably gave a 6th rounder rather than risk losing him in free agency.

We now have 2 decent QBs foe next season. Hopefully, we can trade Simms & get our draft pick back.

As for the draft, we should be taking defensive players the 1st 2 rounds & using our $40+ million in cap space to buy a star WR. Warrick Dunn will be a perfect fit too. He can catch & run the ball which was sorely lacking last season.

So let's review:

Draft defense 1st two picks. Sign a star WR (or trade for Chad Johnson or Roy Williams). Sign Dunn.
Maybe pick up an extra WR like Javon Walker too.

[Paul]

Steve DeBerg got any elibibility left? Where's Chris Chandler these days? FWIW, Griese is a mediocre QB and one of those guys with a penchant for throwing the "bad interception".

[Jay]

GREAT MOVE!!
NOW GET RID OF BRUCE GRADKOSKI TODAY!!

Can some of these quarterbacks play other positions. Is Gruden confused about what quarterback means? It doesn't mean a quarter of the team is a quarterback!

[George Hicks]

Welcome back to Tampa Bay. I think he will give the b/up qb position a run for the money. Experience is experience.

[dv7401]

Lets see if we can load up on gray haired QB's! Great move... now McCown can sit on the bench even more, cuz we all know Griese will end up as the #2. Way to improve your potential QB of the futures' chance to get better. As far as Simms, only a GM as retarded as McKay was would trade for him, he's washed up. Now lets complete the day with the signing of 33 year old Dunn. With any luck, the Bucs will be the oldest team in the league, which is great for their future. Maybe we can implement the 5 QB offensive formation? Who needs WR's, TE's, or RB's? Obviously not the Bucs, since they passed on the opportunity to get Berrian, Turner, Crumpler.... they'll sign Dunn though since Gruden liked him 6 years ago.

[Stephen Blackehart]

Paul,
What would an example of a "good interception" be?

Guys,
Relax, would ya? This is a good move, and costs us nearly nothing. We clearly need a veteran backup QB, and despite his flaws, Griese is better than the other guys we have behind Garcia.

You're all just upset because we haven't made a bigger splash in Free Agency. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we still might, and sign some guys that'll be better for the team than the big names we've seen scrolling across the bottom of the screen on ESPN this last few days.

[dv7401]

John Jung.... Griese is NOT a decent QB. His arm is weak, and he chokes under pressure, throwing interceptions at the most inopportune moments. McCown should be starting somewhere, he needs the playing time, otherwise he can't get better. He's got the strongest arm on the team and has pocket presence second only to Garcia. His accuracy and scrambling ability are right there with Garcia's as well. With as much cap space as this team has, I was hoping to see a bit more from the front office this off season. Obvious positions of need have yet to be addressed, other than getting a better Center. Looks like the team is going backwards again... unless they can pull 2 or 3 starters from this draft class, which will take a bit of luck.

Stephen... by "bad interception" Paul was stating that Griese forces passes at times when the team is ahead or down by a touchdown or less, therefore reducing the chances of victory. It's an interception when a pass should be thrown away. Or when the team is just milking the clock... Griese being traded for anything more than a 7th round pick is a bad move. Training camp fodder can be had for less.

Where's Charlie Garner, anyways? Tim Brown is prolly available too.

[BUBBA]

I hear Jack Thompson is looking to come back also.

Any chance we'll get Jerry Rice or Joe Montana this year?

I know there's alot of washed up old pro wrestlers living in Tampa Bay... maybe we can get a few of them to join the Bucs too.

[tech]

Good move, Griese only lost his first game and went 5-0 after that point. He knew how to move when needed and got the ball to EVERYONE. At that point, the NFL thought Tampa was the best team in the NFC. Problems, he didnt do so hot in Chicago. Maybe that was cause of their offense. I rather have Garcia with Griese and McCown doing the back up good. Show Chris and Bruce to another team. It sucks that they had an ok first year with us, but they are unable to perform right now. Move on and look forward to the 08-09 season.

umm... maybe Chicago's offense sucked because Grossman and Griese are mediocre QB's who should both be backups? Just a thought.

Since we all know Allen is a big fan of reclamation projects (Boston, Stephens, etc.) I just can't wait till Mike Vick gets out of prison, you know Allen will sign him to a multi-year contract with incentives such as the "no dog fighting while in uniform" clause... or the "no smuggling pot through airports" clause.

Keanu Reeves looked pretty good at QB in "The Replacements", I say give him a shot... you can never have too many quarterbacks, you know.

[Adam]

What a goof-ball move. Wasted pick and $300,000. The Bucs remind of the moron kid in college who just got his student loan check.

I would rather have seen this: "Doug Williams returns from retirement to QB for Bucs once again". Hell, he can't be any worse than Griese. My Grandpappy is a better QB than Griese. Jared from Subway is probably better, too.

[dv7401]

The sky is falling...

[dv7401]

cool... maybe they can go after this dude next, he fits the mold for being a Buc these days, too...

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7867324/Thomas-arrested-on-Florida-drug-charge

[Justin M]

To to the guy who said Griese lost his first game in 2005 and then went 5-0,

Griese started 4-0 then lost to the New York Jets. Cadillac Williams won the first three games that year, Griese started the season by hitting Sharper for a pick 6. Then he threw a late game INT against the Packers that nearly cost us a win. He was god awful in the Lions game. He got hit hard early and was spraying the ball all over the field. He threw 3 INTs. Bucs won after a controversial replay overturned a TD by the Lions.

Griese's 4th quarter play has been a problem as has his interceptions that seemingly always go the other way for scores or long returns. He is here to compete at QB. Gruden believes in competition at QB. He has it now.

I like hot dogs.

[Malcolm Glazer]

Hey, quit whining... I have to save up money to build Manchester United a new stadium... JEEZ!!!

[Jake Plummer]

Hahahahaha.

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

[Trent Dilfer]

Can I come back too?

[Doug Williams]

If anybody comes back its gonna be me. Besides, they already write my paychecks anyhow.

[Steve Young]

Umm, are you forgetting someone? I like having a job too, you know.

[Radall Cunningham]

So, I hear y'all are in the market for a QB?

[Ryan Leaf]

Hey Gru, can I have a shot?

[Shaun King]

Yo, I'm tired of being assistant manager at Burger King. Can I get a tryout too?

[Jeff George]

Yeah, can I get a tryout?

[Terry Bradshaw]

Now that's funny! Can I get in on the action? I'm tired of Frank Caliendo making fun of me every Sunday.

[Jimmy G.]

Lets give the throwin samoian a call,
Jack Thomson........

[Vince Vaughn]

Come on now people, didn't you get a good enough display of my obvious athleticism when I starred in Dodgeball? I'm your man!

[bubba]

The bucs are like little kids in a candy store. They have money so lets blow it.
This looks like the Bucs of old days with these decisions.

[Str8BucIn]

We have the worst fans in the world. This guy has a great understanding of our offense and he will be a 2nd or 3rd QB so we are set. I hate to say it, but Chris Simms and Bruce Gradkowski are on barrowed time. We might as well trade Chris and get us another draft pick this year. We only have 5(prior to the trade), so getting another one would be great. Let's be patience and let everyone over spend for the BIG names and get guys that we know that will come in an fit what Gruden and Allen are accomplishing.

[Robert]

You have got to be kidding me... wat the heck do we need another QB.. we already have a vetern QB in garcia. we dont need another vetern QB as our backup. this is stupid move. isnt garcia our vet. already? why need another one. i dont understand the bucs front office with this move. it is stupid and makes me sick. i say we have garcia and mckown and have bruce and simms fight for the third spot at QB not trade for another damn QB. the need to focus on getting better at WR and TE and getting a run stopper on the Defensive line!!!! come on guys wake up in the front office.

[klide dikkmunne]

Griese is at best a journeyman boys.
Don't get too worked up over it.
Simms has far greater potential. If he is healthy.

[The Man]

Str8BucIn, I don't know what "barrowed time" is, but I'm sure Simms and 'Kowski are on borrowed time. Trade Simms for a draft pick? Who in their right mind would part with a draft pick for a QB who probably will never get his game back? And no, I don't want to "be patience" as you so elloquently put it, not when I see players we need being signed by other teams. It's not like we don't have the cap space. So nice to see the Glazers profiting from our pain.

[Bruce Allen]

I'm the best GM EVER!!!

[Jim Mora]

Playoffs? Are you kidding me? Don't talk about... playoffs?

[Jim Mora Jr.]

Hey, I know of a great QB for you guys... you just gotta wait till he gets out on work release.

[BetterBucthanbear]

No, Chicago's offense sucked because the bears suck!!

[KGB]

I like the signing. It is a preemptive move, preventing other NFC South teams from getting a decent backup QB. Look around, Who is the 2-string QB's for Carolina, Atlanta and New Orleans?

[Willie Beaman]

Hey Gru, I'm ready for some jumbalaya

[Jon]

You can't have enough NFL level QBs on the roster. When was the last time a QB started all 16 games for the Bucs? All games count equal, if your starter goes down, you don't need a franchise QB, but you DO need a QB who can run your offense. Griese can do that. I think this is just Gruden's attempt to ENSURE that he has a competent backup for once. Simms may or may not be the QB he was in 2005 - if he is, the bucs will keep HIM, if NOT we aren't going to be stuck choosing between McCown and Gradcrapski.

Also, the second day in 2009 will include rounds 3-7. (There is a change in the format from past years - I THINK this change starts this year).

As for claiming Vick, that would not shock me at all. Gruden would LOVES mobile QBs, that's why he might bite on Flacco as well.

[Deacon Jones]

Bruce..I know i'm in my seventies, but age is no factor with the Bucs right? I can still play! Honest! I can improve your pass rush if you're willing to shell out the benjamins baby!

[Tuck]

Wow, everyone seems to have lost his or her faith in Simms already, huh? Keep in mind that he is still young, has some experience, and also has the strongest arm on the team.

The Bucs may not be so quick to let him go.

His injury was no joke. There is no way he could have made it back for last season. I think that this year he will have a great chance to showcase his abilities.

Here's my top three Bucs QB's, (in order).

1) Garcia
2) Simms
3) McCown

[Warren Sapp]

Tuck is delusional. Simms' career is over, just like Carnell Williams'.

[wade]

Couldn't have been that the Chicago offense is just horrible could it? Let's see, Grossman, Griese, and Orton all looked bad up there, maybe it wasn't the quarterback. This guy wins games, and his experience will be vital in developing a young quarterback to take over for Garcia eventually. Garcia isn't exactly the guy you want teaching younger players (he admits he isn't a teacher for younger QB's).

Great comment Adam 5:42. That was classic.

[otaibi]

WHO SAID A SECOND ROUND PICK

NOT COOL MAN

i think the deal is for a 7th round pick in 2009 draft

he will be a back up QB lets wait and see i actually think it is good, it doesnt hurt if we have too many qb's for the right price.

[Jimmy G.]

Montana
Marino
Staubach
Bradshaw
Griese.......

Wow we made a heck of a splash in the free agent market.

[dumb bass]

hey Wade... hate to let you in on the big secret, but Grossman, Griese, and Orton all suck! And how are the Bucs supposed to develop a QB for the future when they sit the younger ones in favor of old gray hairs? You cant just throw a guy like Gradkowski out there... you have to have an eye for actual talent.

[DannyD]

Duhhhhhhhhh,McCowan,was more than capable,Gruden is so stupid,and we're stuck w/him

[danny]

If Gruden has to keep satisfying his own ego,why doesnt he go qb a little league team.His ego is stopping Simms from playing with the Bucs.With a strong arm he'll be leading someone to a superbowl not Griese.What did he do for the bears. Another 7th pick another backup Qb.

[The Man]

A second day pick... can be anything from a 3rd rounder to a 7th... ouch

[Juarrahizio]

!I like for to see greesi play the QB very nice like old time. Buc will win the super boll for the years to come!

[Mike Vick]

Can I get a job application e-mailed to me at the Surry County... never mind.

[The Man]

This just in: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have recently informed NFL Commisioner Roger Goodell that they plan to revolutionize the future landscape of NFL playbooks league-wide. The plan involves implementing a completely new offensive philosophy, in which the team will field an offense made up entirely of quarterbacks. This new wrinkle, combined with the masturful wizardry known as "Jon Grudens' Play Calling", will stifle and confuse even the most accomplished NFL defensive minds. Bucs Defensive Coordinator Monte Kiffen, after meeting with Gruden this afternoon, has released the following statement: "Jeez! I don't know what to say... that playbook makes me feel about as intelligent as John Madden sounds on TV!!!". Roger Goodell could not be reached for comment, however Gruden plans to release more info at a press conference to be held tomorrow at 10am Eastern.

[Michael]

OH MY GAWD......I can't believe we've got the King of interceptions again. I realize he'll be a BACK UP....I'll just spend pre-games on my knees, praying that Garcia stays healthy, so I don't have to suffer through the King of interceptions and bad decisions again. Sheeeeeeeeeese!
Allen.....calm Chucky down. I know this was HIS idea and not YOURS.