Bruce was lovable, but this is what's best

Bruce Gradkowski is an easy guy to like. He's affable and charming, the kind of guy who gets along with everyone -- even us beat writers.

As a result, the human in you hates to see a guy like that get dumped. But let's face the undeniable fact here: this was inevitable. Ironically, it might also be the best thing that could have happened to him.

Gradkowski was not going to make the final roster. That much I think we all agree on. With every recent exchange I've had with him, it felt like there was an 800-pound gorilla in the room. But the alternative to being cut now was enduring a brutal training camp with next to no playing time in the preseason, only to be out of a job just prior to the regular season.

That's a bad time to get cut. Hitting the market now at least gives him a better chance to land on his feet as teams continue to evaluate their quarterback lineups. I think someone might scoop him up at some point because he has played a lot more football than most quarterbacks with two years of experience. I don't expect he'll be anything more than a No. 3 quarterback, but a paycheck's a paycheck, right?

What an odd sequence of events his time in Tampa Bay was, too. He went from a starring role -- okay, fine, maybe it was just a starting role -- as a rookie to forgotten man a year later in 2007.

On a related note, a byproduct of the Gradkowski move is that we now have a little more clarity on the status of Chris Simms. As it stands, unless the Bucs can swing a trade for him -- and there's been nothing to suggest they can -- Simms looks bound to the Bucs at least through training camp. They seem unlikely to release him now that Gradkowski is gone. The plan was to take five quarterbacks to camp, and Simms is No. 5. Of course, I suppose he could opt to not show for camp, but then again, he doesn't really have a lot of leverage, though he has been boycotting offseason workouts to force the team's hand.

And, for the record, I'm going to go ahead and predict the Bucs will keep four quarterbacks on the active roster for a second straight season. I get the sense they like having Brian Griese around and I think he is absolutely the backup if Jeff Garcia goes down. At the same time, I don't get the sense they're ready to give up on Luke McCown, who has shown some real promise despite his tendency to make critical gaffes. And, finally, rookie Josh Johnson will get plenty of time to develop, so he figures to stick around for awhile.

Regarding the re-signing of Jerramy Stevens to a one-year contract, I don't have to rehash his past troubles nor do I think I need to take a firm position on the decision. You'll have to make up your own mind on that one. I will, however, say this: if he makes one wrong move, the Bucs have to sever their ties and cut (pun intended) their losses. To his credit, he has undergone a lot of alcohol counseling and stayed clean last season. Maybe the Bucs saw enough to believe he can do it again.

With that said, I'll just throw this out there: the Bucs, and Jon Gruden, in particular, loved what Stevens did last season. Still, they opted not to re-sign him until nearly June. And when they did, they announced it via a quick press release sent out after the end of business and long after the evening newscasts were on the air. Perhaps it had something to do with this.

Comments

[George L. Hicks]

I think Tampa cut the wrong QB. I think Tampa should have let go Simms & McGown and Not bring back Stevens untill after the summer camp had been complete. To really see which TE's would be there. I think it should have been QB's with Garcia,Griece, "G" and Johnson. But that is why The Coaches and GM make those hard decisions. If Tampa keeps Simms, Then give him a chance to compete for starter or backup slot.

[Vince]

You may the QB depth chart backwards. The Bucs probably brought Griese in as insurance against McCown not living up to expectations. The Bucs must think McCown has potential to be a "quarterback of the future" or they would have drafted a QB in the early rounds. McCown will likley beat out Griese for the 2nd spot.

[JR]

anyone who things bruce gradkowski should still be on this team or that he is not the worst quarterback on the team is just not right in the head.

[Earl]

There is no way that McCown is the #2. Griese played really well in Gruden's system and I bet he gives Garcia a run for his money, especially because of the contract disputes. I really liked Gradkowski, but in all seriousness, he had nothing to offer this team. Too, this Simms stuff is getting crazy. I like him, but I hope he gets cut or traded (preferably traded). The Buccs need to begin the season with Garcia, Griese, and Johnson.

And, what did we sign Stevens for? We already have three good tight ends, each with different abilities that bring a lot to this offense. We do not need Stevens, and this is all the more true given his off the field issues. The Seahawks let him go for a reason, and we need to think about that reason and do what they did.

[Bucsfan79]

We think we have 3 good tight ends. We might just have 3 average tight ends. You can never have enough good competition...."Go Bucs"

[David]

Love the way you didn't "... rehash his past troubles..." by providing a link right to them. Subtle.

Come on, old news is old news. Stevens was incident free, totally clean, and produced on the field when called upon last year. He clearly exhibited that he's trying to put his trouble behind him. Maybe we ought to as well.

Maybe the Bucs saw enough? Whatever.

[Steve L]

A few years ago in the wake of the Pittman incident people were reacting the same way about him. In the recent blog regarding his departure he was practically deified. He straightened up his act after practically everyone (myself included) wanted to see him crucified.

This is what I “know” about Steven’s transgressions: he faced them all (yes, there were several) and either did time or paid money (gleefully accepted one would guess) to pay his debt to society and/or any alleged victim. Time to move on. That he was clean for a year says something. Does it mean he won’t do something again? Of course not. He’s by far the most talented TE on the team and actually made some plays for us last year. If we cut him he plays elsewhere. The Bucs are not the Bengal’s.

As for Bruce, let’s not waste too much ink there. Nice guy, serviceable backup, least talented and/or experienced QB on the roster. The Bucs did him a favor.

[Nick]

Hey Steve, lets face it Garcia is the next guy to leave, the writing has been on the wall since we signed Griese. There's more upside to Simms than Garcia and Griese put together. Garcia being disgruntle over his contract is on his way out. Those poultry numbers he put up last year doesn't cut it. Simms on the other hand is unbeatable when protected ( 7-0 ) last time I checked when sacked 2 or less times. With a much improved OL and giving him the chance to work from the Shot Gun formation makes Chris Simms the best QB on this roster hands down. For all of you Gruden haters that think he can't develop a young QB, you better take another look at Chris Simms. I think Gruden has done a great job with this kid. As a first time starter he went 5-1 against divisional rival in 2005 including winning 3 on the road and like I stated before when sacked 2 or less times he's 7-0. Simms gives this team the best chance to win for the next 8-10 years, not Garcia or Griese. Griese was signed to replace Garcia. You heard it here first.

[Jay]

Nick, I think you meant paltry. Unless you're implying that Garcia has a chicken fetish in which case, you're right, I heard it here first.

I hope Bruce gets picked up elsewhere (New Orleans?) He may not have shined in his first few starts, but I still think he can be a serviceable QB. Good luck!

(P.S. Stay away from poultry).

[George]

Nick, Garcia's numbers had to do with opportunity. The Bucs were a running team last year, and they only had one receiver who could make big plays. His numbers were definitely not "poultry", nor were they paltry given his opportunities. He made it to the Pro-Bowl as an alternate. Griese is not anywhere near the QB that Garcia is. Greise couldn't even beat out Grossman in Chicago... What the hell are you smoking?

[Jack Harmon]

I was sad to see Bruce leave...maybe I might be the only one. But I know this kid HAS a future in the NFL. I have had the pleasure of meeting him on numerous occasions and let me tell you what a well respected kid he is. He was always upbeat. A real gentleman. I remember football back in the days when a player played with "heart and soul" and younger kids looked up to them. And Bruce reminds me of just that kind of player. I wish him nothing but the best in his future. The Bucs lost out on this one...

[DR]

Nothing like having a bunch of below average QBs on the team. If you combine all the QBs talents together, it would result in a mediocre QB. Not that its the Bucs fault. QBs as a whole in the NFL are terrible. I've never seen the QB position so watered down in NFL history. Garcia will get the job done but he won't last the season. You have to be worried about who will back him up. Griese hasn't started a game in how long? Mckown is still bright green and Simms, well, he's just terrible. Why waste time? Cut Simms now. Get Mckown as many snaps as you can in training camp.

[Robb Williams]

Bruce Gradkowski is only 24 years old and his NFL stats arent all that bad. Someone will pick him up. And if you ever met him, you would love him. And by the way, he still holds a few NCAA records. What he did at The University of Toledo was awesome.

[JR]

do all you gradkowski lovers realize that all he has done since he started playing in the nfl is regressed. he started out strong in his first game against new orleans and we all thought he was the savior. then it was downhill. this season after another year in the nfl he almost cost us the washington game after garcia got injured.

[Bryan]

Gradkoeski who? You Gradkowski supporters need to seperate the personality from the player. He's not running for public office he's competing for QB. Nice kid and I wish him well, but not here ok?

[Ish Engle]

Simms is VASTLY over-rated! Always has been. True, he's got a cannon arm and pin-point accuracy. BUT (and this but is bigger than Rosie O'Donnell's)he doesn't have a good football head. The game moves too fast for him, he makes critical errors. He has a stretch of a few good games, and then he reverted to the same QB that Sooner fans came to know and love (Sooner fans loved him because he meant Texas would lose!)

He was (AND STILL IS) the worst QB on our roster.

Gruden thought he could help Simms overcome his poor on field thinking, but it is VERY obvious that he's given up. Why waste time? McNown may not have the physical tools, but he's got the head, and THAT right there makes him the better QB.

[Nick]

Hey ISH Eagle, You need to take your LONGHORN loving team and go follow your Applewhite, who couldn't get drafted and end up quiting with New England. Chris Simms has 15 career games under his belt and has proven he has more heart and potential than any Buc on the team. ( 7 - 0 ) when he's protected and Tampa was unable to do that in 2006, because if they did we wouldn't be having this conversation. AHow many young QB in the league that you know go 5-1 in their division including winning 3 on the road?? NONE!!! We all forget Chris Simms was a young QB and the facts speak for themselves. If giving a chance behind the SHOT GUN formation Simms would improve 35%-40%. Chris Simms is a 10 game winner year after year fpr the next 8-10 years not Garcia, Griese or McCown. Simms if healthy will win 2-3 Super Bowls in his career and I hope those SB are with Tampa and not with another team like the other QB's we let go. My money is on Simms and if he shows up at camp Garcia and company are all out of a job!!!

[Ray Auclair]

Garcia or Griese,neither one of these guys are the future of this team.We need one of the young guys to step up.I don't think Simms is that guy.McCown,maybe.I'm not sure that we have found the right guy yet.

[Stephen_Holder]

DR's right on about the state of the quarterback position league-wide. It's absolutely pathetic. Many Sundays I'm having to cover my eyes watching some of these no-name guys around the league.

[DR]

Simms needs to get a restraining order against Nick before training camp. I don't think Simms himself even thinks he's as good as Nick states he is. Sorry Nick, but if you follow Simms throughout the rest of his NFL career, you won't be watching any regular season football games. The preseason is all he has left to look forward to, and after last season, it doesn't look like it is much more.

[Jordon]

Hate to see Grads go...but his career may improve because of it. We've all seen what happens to rookie QB's when they get thrown to the wolves to soon. Best for him to go to another team and learn for a year or two without all the pressure!! This kid can be an NFL QB and I have a strong feeling we will see him develop into a solid player over the next 2-3 years. Remember, Garcia had to leave and go to Canada for 5 years before he was ready to start in the NFL...

[TB]

Way to put it Jordon, I'm with you. We will see Bruce in a few years be a solid QB in the NFL. I can remember way back when ...a kid by the name of Bradshaw that played for the Steelers and was TERRIBLE in the first few years...and look what happened to him. A BIG thank you to the BUCS for letting Bruce go...he'll prove himself..

[jackpc]

Gradkowski is a nice guy but not an NFL quarterback. Gppd luck to him whereever he ends up.

[Randy]

Mr. Holder........a quick note to let you know I think you're the most refreshing new sportswriter on the Tampa Bay beat..........your style, quality and delivery of information has me checking every morning first thing for what's new from you.......I hope you're on the Tampa scene for many years to come!!!!!!.........

[Stephen_Holder]

Randy: You should come around more often if you're going to keep saying nice things like that. I could use a few more like you :)