Garcia dismayed by status of contract talks

Quarterback Jeff Garcia has long been disappointed by the Bucs' apparent unwillingness to renegotiate his contract.

Today, in making his first comments on the matter in several weeks, Garcia was practically fuming over the lack of progress in contract talks with the Bucs while implying he might resort to measures that will pressure the club to address his deal.

"This is a physical game and you want players to go out and give everything they have and lay their bodies on the line, lay their hearts on the line," Garcia said, in an apparent message to team management. "Well, we want you to lay something on the line."

Garcia, 38, said he might not continue to attend voluntary offseason practices, though he was present for today's workout. He stopped short of saying the contract dispute would affect his reporting to training camp or next month's mandatory mini-camp, but he ruled nothing out. Garcia is entering the final year of a two-year contract and will make a base salary of $2-million, which he considers a bargain for a quarterback coming off a Pro Bowl season.

He also made light of other players' struggles to address their contracts, namely running back Earnest Graham, who Garcia indicated is not a priority of management. Graham was not present and has been absent for each of the team's four organized team activity days since last month.

As for Garcia's presence, don't count on him being around much longer.

"There might be a time when I have to stand up," he said. "I hate to do that to jeopardize my teammates because they're out here and I don't want to let them down in any sort of way. But i think at some point, you just want to see the respect (from) up top given."

We'll have more on this story throughout the day, so check back soon.

Comments

[Michael]

The Bucs are in a hard position here. Giving Garcia a big contract/ or an extension would be heading down the same path as Rich McKay. However, if Garcia holds out, Luke McCown or Brian Griese would be the best options for the starting quarterback job. I dont know. Jeff played well, but I cant see a huge contract. Luke played well in his absence, but can he learn not to hold the ball so long, and to keep it up over a full season? I dont know... What would you guys do?

[Chuck]

I would say to add some performance incentives because Jeff deserves to get paid but the Bucs can not break the bank for him

[Another Joe]

Just add the 2 million dollar bonus to his salary he missed out on last year because they rested him the last 2 games. I bet thats all he wants!

[SnookAU]

Jeff Garcia has always played for money first and his teammates second. Nothing has changed. Jeff is 38 and he'sjust realized that football is a physical game? Why didn't he ask for more money before you signed here? Afterall, he had a better year statistically in Philly than he did here in 2007. What a baby. I'd be happier with Griese starting. At least he's not a whiner.

[Edward]

Dude had an OK year. But he's at best a short-term guy because of his age. Football is a young man's game; if he doesn't like his $2M, kick him to the curb.

[Bill]

He signed a two-year deal, he still has one year left. Did he not realize that he might play well, that is what he is paid to do. Now he is pitching a fit to get more money. If he played bad, would we get any money back?? He signed the two year deal, he should live with it..

[James Wilson]

Garcia may be a short term solution, but looking at our QBs, he's definately our best solution.

I can understand his frustration. I think dealing Sims is the key to his contract. Free up Sims 2M and give it to Garcia. Other NFL teams should forget about stealing Sims and make us an offer of a conditional pick in 2009. It is evident the Bucs are resolve in holding Sims until they get a fair offer.

[Ludovic]

I think the Bucs are the team with the most salary cap remaining.
I don't think Jeff seeks a Manning contract, they could give him an extension of 1 year, with a good Signing bonus.

[Mike]

Uh, Bill, not that I support Garcia's cause, but, if a player performs poorly, the teams can cut him. "Contract" doesn't mean the same thing in football as it does in normal life.

[DELdaBULL]

Just give him a two million roster bonus for this year and I think he will be happy.

[Chip]

Garcia should be man enough to keep his mouth shut and not fight this out in the press. He signed a two-year deal. Is he telling us he would taken only $1 million this year if he'd thrown 10 interceptions last season and missed the Pro Bowl?
I don't understand why he has to act like pansy. Fans lose respect quickly for this kind of crybaby behavior. When Garcia says, "...you just want to see the respect (from) up top given," you know it is all about THE MONEY.

[Bob]

Terrell Owens says that Garcia is a switch-hitter.

[Beers]

I'm more concerned with Earnest Graham. He played well and is our best option at RB...

[Harry]

Pay Garcia, These guys contracts aren't guaranteed. He deserves it! The other three guys behind him can't do what he has done. Pay up or get some playmakers on offense because you sure didn't address that issue in the draft and not convincingly enough in the offseason. Garcia and Graham have been the only consistent pieces of our offensively weak arsenal as compared to other NFL teams. As of now do we have any other options??? If we do, please name them. Point made. Pay up!

[Joe D]

Bob,
Are you saying he plays with the other side now and then? Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[Toney]

Garcia is a punk. He can go back to Mexico and play there if he doesn't like it here.

[T]

You sign a contract, you play out your contract. If he keeps complaining, we have Griese who is just as good. Quit being a little girl and just play.

[Justin M]

Garcia talks too much. I can guarantee that Garcia's complaining wont sway Bruce Allen. Is Garcia aware that he is going to be 39 years old?

[DR]

You guys are missing out on his main gripe. Garcia was screwed out of a bonus when they decided, not Garcia's choice, to bench him the last two games. He lost out on $2M! You would be mad too if you got screwed like that. You would be mad if you were getting paid the same as the bum who is on IR. There is no question that if Garcia did not play as well as he did, the Bucs would NOT have made the playoffs. EG was another big reason why they made the playoffs. He has busted his tail trying to prove himself the last few training camps and did an amazing job stepping up when he finally got his chance. That'll be great to have the 2 best players from last year hold out.
I think it's time for new ownership.

DR,
Garcia missed a ton of time to injury. If he didnt play so reckless he would have made his bonus, and he wouldnt be crying about it months later.

[Tony M.]

Pay him. He doesn't have too many more of these and he deserves a payday.

One year extension, 3 million dollar signing bonus, increase his base by 2 million. The Bucs can afford that, but they can't afford for Garcia to retire this year. He needs to train Josh Johnson.

Haters need to shut their mouths and imagine a season without Garcia.

[bdiddy]

i agree. I am more concerned with Graham also. Pay the man.

[Michael Harris]

Should the Bucs negotiate a long term contract for Garcia? Probably not! Should they pay him more than the skimpy $2 Million? Absolutely!!! IF and I emphasize that IF: he is 100% healthy. I'm not convinced that he is; and this may be why the Bucs are reticent to offer him a new contract. Garcia's style of playing, with reckless abandon, would have ended the career of most QB's in the league, many years ago. When he's healthy, he's a VERY GOOD, NFL QB, especially in JG's offense. BUT let's be realistic: he is 38 years old. How many more seasons does he have, where he can operate at his Pro Bowl level? The last two games he played in '07, he wasn't 100% and we saw the results. I like him. Personally, I hope he stays. Toss him an extra million and sign him for two years MAXIMUM.

[DR]

Garcia played wreckless? As compared to what? He should just throw the ball away and out of bounds? He has nobody to throw the ball to. He can't depend on Galloway making a play on the ball. If Garcia didn't create extra time, the Bucs don't win 9 games. He got pulled from the SanFran game because the O-line got embarrassed, they blocked nobody. Garcia and EG should hold out until they get what they deserve. They have done better than the over paid gimps they replaced.

[Lee]

I agree with DR. Without Garcia last year, there is no way we would have made the playoffs. Look at the year before, we stunk. Likewise, Graham really stepped up. He almost had a 1000 yard season too. However, I don't think big contracts are in the works. Garcia is old and Graham had one good year. Depending on what happens with Williams (I don't think he will be playing), if Graham has another good year, well then there is a better reason to get a bigger and better contract. How long is Garcia going to be playing anyway?

[Jonathan]

If he wants some bonus money that he would have received had he played the final two games, then fine. If he was healthy, he should get that money. But if he wants a dime more than that, forget it. All you guys who say he deserves one last pay day can bugger off. He played one ok season and rode Monte's #1 ranked D into the playoffs, then got to the Pro-Bowl by default when poeple ahead of him decided not to play.Garcia has never been more than an average QB and he doesn't deserve squat from the Bucs.

[JG]

Anyone noticed that the only successful quarterbacks under Gruden are all old- Gannon, Johnson and now Garcia. Chucky needs to pay up to save the team from his inability to develop a young quarterback.

[Edward]

Drag ol' #4 out of retirement, hire Mooch as OC, we can have a reunion. All kidding aside, we really do need to pay Earnest, THAT'S a quality guy.

[John Klopfer]

Jeff was certainly a Godsend last season...but he is not the savior. I agree with most that he should get the $$$ he lost because he did not take 70% of the snaps...however he did sign a contract, he should live up to his word. Griese has played well in the Bus system...when healthy and given protection so did Simms. I beleive a more pressing concern is Graham. I'm a bit disappointed that he is a no show.
He did have a good year and deserves an upgrade..but we must remember...one good year has not made him a superstar!

[JR]

Garcia is going about this whole thing the wrong way. He should not go complain to the media a la chad johnson. The front office has spent the last four months on the draft and the last two weeks on undrafted free agents and mini camp of course no progress is going to be made on your deal. Training camp is 3 months away, if you or earnest graham dont have a new deal by then, start whining then. For now just get in line and wait ur turn your new incentive based deal will be done by then.
DR, garcia missed out on his chance for that signing bonus by being injured for half of the seattle game, most of the washington game, and all of the houston and @ New Orleans game.

[Stephen Blackehart]

Guys,
Gacia is right to be mad about being screwed out of $2M last year. I'm sure someone told him they'd make it up to him, and now they're not.

He's the best QB we've had here at least since '02. If he turns out better than Brad, then maybe he's the best we've had since Doug Williams.

If we rely on Griese, or McCown, or anyone else on the roster for more than a couple of games...we're screwed. We have a chance to be really good this season, but not without Garcia.

I know that Manchester United lost a lot of money this year, but we need to send the right message to our players: Do right by us and we'll do right by you. Pay the man. Then do the same for Graham, Greg White and Jovan Haye. Do it with incentives if you must, but pay them and lock them into longer-term contracts.

[Rodger]

Hey Jeff honor the contract you have and play football. the threat's are so - GIRLIE and alot of football boy's do it, I say boy's cause men dont make threat's they honor their contract's.

[chris]

Let the Luke McCown era begin! It's got to begin sometime.

[Scott]

No matter what you do for a living,in todays economy be thankful you have a job. Honor the contract. Yes the Bucs should give the $2M bonus. Now that Jovan is resigned lets take care of Ernest and Greg before crybaby Garcia.

[Not impressed]

Does DR stand for drunken rambling's

[ha]

pay Graham, trade Garcia's whinny *ss, No faith in veteran Quarterbacks, lets see the rookie Josh Johnson that has played in Grudens system few years already. Could always go back to mediocre veteran. Lets be exciting, Garcia is hurt too much and 90 on next birthday.

[Brett]

I can't stand seeing all of the one-sided talk here saying that it's all Garcia's fault and that he should honor the contract.

Contracts in the NFL are NOT real contracts. The team could cut him anytime they want to, and you don't get all up in arms when cuts happen for the team to honor the contract!

Garcia got screwed out of his bonus last year by a decision he had NO part in making, and the Bucs need to make it up to him.

[Jimmy Mack]

Please...remember the QB situation before he came? Do we want to go back to that? The prices they charge should insure a quality product on the field. Pay him according to his worth, but do not sign him long term. Release some other QB's to make room for his salary. He probably just wants to know that he the go-to guy in Tampa Bay. Pay him what he deserves to be paid...

[norris]

garcia has always been about the money. he should keep his mouth shut to the media. he could have signed a small deal with us in 2004 and by now would have a large longterm deal like gannon did with the raiders in the late 90's and early 2000, but he took more money with crappy teams like detroit and cleveland. he was short sighted and is now paying for it!!! we first need to wrap up haye and askew longterm and give graham more $ too before we give garcia a raise!!!

[Scott]

This is ALL Gruden's fault. Seriously though, I am starting to see why Garcia is with his 5th team in what...8 years? Is it REALLY all about the team with him or is it all about me...me..me. No more Meshawn, it is Megarcia.

[Matt]

The bucs should just resign him he is a key piece of the puzzle to get us to another super bowl (possibly next year) just like brad johnson did when we won. But since then other QBs have not been so hot and it has been one of the reasons we have been losing the offence is not executing when the defence plays their heart out trying to get the ball back to the offence.

[skp]

he got to the pro bowl by protecting the football...with faine and dunn boosting the run game, the bucs might elect to protect the football by handing it off and let the VERY accurate mccown and his league-leading ypa take his shots as needed...

[kevin from Philly]

Griese is on the same level as Garcia...Just don't make any mistakes...We need a young QB 4 the future...

[Largo]

Grudens a bum get rid of him, Garcia and Graham were the reasons the bucs made the playoffs last year botttom line---------- I dont care of Garcia is 39 in 8 months who cares he is good get him a reciever how bout, reward them for last year if they dont do nothing this season can them both. The bucs didnt draft good either, so there is something wrong in the big picture with the team.

[Stroudsux]

He made the Probowl as the 14th alternate fer crissakes.. Basically by default.. Sure the Bucs screwed him out of his 70% incentive clause and should pay him that, but let's not pay stupid money for an old QB who will most likely not survive this season let alone the next.. Doing this in the press is a bad move on Garcia's part..

When I look at Earnest Graham I want to say three words to him... Errict Undra Rhett

[George L. Hicks]

I really think that Tampa Bay should have given Garcia a Pay raise 1st. Then trade Chris Simms for that 6 of 7 round draft choice. 3. Then after the draft go after Griese after the draft. Right now Tampa again has put themselves in a no win sistutaion Now. I'm sorry but When I heard prior to the Draft they were sold on Mike Jenkins. Now Jenkins will be All Rookie Team. Tampa again screw up. If I was Coach I would have sign Garcia Extention, Get Jenkins and in Rd 2 Get the best WR available not a WR that was not from a big time program. And gettin QB Johnson in Rd-5. I think He would have been available in Rd-6 or Rd-7. If Tampa don't take care of the Veterans that got them there to the playoffs last year. We will go back in being just another team.

[What the Buc?]

I don't feel sorry for either side. Garcia, you knew what you were getting when you signed the contract .. now live with it. As for the the Front Office, do something to enhanace and better the team's chances for this year .. you don't need to chase every free agent or over pay second level talent (see Alvin Harper) and expect them to play like 1st teamer's. In the end, maybe there should be some form of extension or compensation given to Garcia (as has been said previously, he is our "best" option at QB) but at the same time .... don't be oberly generous to him. Yes, Jeff, Thank You for helping the team get back to the play offs ... we did need you but you're 39 and will not be getting any younger. You are only fooling yourself if you think that you're the type of player who can play well into their 40's (here's a clue .... you take so much abuse and you're so damn small ... you're one hit away from missing the season). So .... let's see how things play out ... I'm sure it will get much worse before it gets better (knowing Allen's negotiation style).

[Arun]

Too old for extra years added on period, maybe more money next year, but that's after EG is resigned. If Garcia keeps going off to the media go with Griese until our new rookie can prove himself or Luke just takes the job.

Stop bagging on Gruden! I think he is accomplishing what he set out to do. Watch this O-line take off and the offense with it. Those 4 draft picks we gave up would be in their prime now, so let him continue to prove his worth. GO BUCS!!!

[Nate]

Garcia didn't sign a 2 mill a year contract because he considered himself worth only that much. He signed it (and put in performance thresholds) because he knew he could meet and surpass those expectations. But the Bucs played the trump card--as if to say, "Yeah, we know you're better than what we're paying you, but we're going to figure out ways to keep you from getting paid."

Now, I understand the Bucs' standpoint also. They held the guy out because his style of play was going to get him killed. You may have a bargain at QB, but you don't want him on the Chris Simms plan, either; you want him to play. There's also a reason they have big fancy lawyers to draw up contracts...and in this case, the Bucs have the advantage. In a year where the Glazers aren't rolling in the dough, I can see where Bruce Allen's hands are tied.

But the Glazers need to be careful here. While the letter of the contract is being fulfilled by them, they are ignoring the spirit of that deal. It's plain to see that Garcia deserved his bonus. It's also plain to see that he is worth the $2-5 million you'd end up paying him over the life of the contract, squabbling aside.

If you want free agents to keep Tampa as #2 on their list, keep up the hard line.

Garcia is playing this right. You may call it whining, but it's how you show the team you're serious without putting the team in jeopardy. If he puts off the whining until training camp, then he's left with only two options: hurt the team in the long run or hurt yourself, financially. Playing this threat now gives him and the team plenty of time to talk...and creates a PR blemish for the Bucs if he doesn't show at camp. Think of it this way: if you never knew he had a problem with his contract until mid-July, what would you call him when you find out he didn't report? I'm guessing you'd call him Keenan. I would.

He knows he may not have the advantage in the legality of his contract, but he does have the leverage. What if Garcia doesn't play? Let's say the Bucs do as well as they did without him before, at 5-11. What does the cost the Glazers? Do Bucs fans want a new coach? Do they feel more urgency to overpay a veteran next Winter to upgrade their team? At the very least, are they forced to pay massive guaranteed money to a top-5 pick in the 2009 draft? It's not outside the realm of logic to see that Garcia holds lots of cards here.

The dude is ancient, but totally worth the payday. He's not going to bind you into some crazy contract that sticks us 4 years down the line. We've got the cap room and he deserves the payday. Keep the franchise's nose clean (among the NFLPA) and just pay the man.

[Scorps1]

Pay Garcia the bonus which was taken from him last year, maybe a bit more and get an option for one more year. Then work on bringing Griese and Luke along quickly so that they can be in a position to step in by the end of the season. Garcia might not last until the end of the season. Even if he does he is not the greatest quarterback since Doug Williams... He is not even close to that good. Heck he usually can't make the same team two years in a row.

Sign Graham to a contract extension and pay him accordingly.

Finally don't plan on getting anything for Simms.