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

[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.