Garcia vs. Bruce: who blinks first?

The more I think about this Jeff Garcia contract dispute, the more difficult it becomes to guess how it will end.

He clearly is peeved about the situation as we told you earlier today. And there are still more comments that you can read tomorrow in the newspaper (or online, if you prefer), like this very telling statement about how this might potentially affect things on the field for him and others, like Earnest Graham.

"I understand (general manager Bruce Allen) kind of has us in a tough situation because we're under contract and we're obligated to play," Garcia said. "But we also understand what kind of contributions we made on the field last year and where people at our positions are getting paid and where we're at. So, it just makes it a real difficult thing to overcome when you think about your emotional and mental approach every day. That's when you can become almost negative and counterproductive to what the focus of the team is because you're caught up in some of the negative situations that are going on above you."

I'm not sure he even took a breath while spitting out that mouthful. But seriously, this isn't a healthy situation. Clearly, it needs to end. But right now, it sure feels like a resolution is a long way off.

So, let's look at the two sides of this coin.

Garcia clearly was the difference in the team last year. He certainly got my vote in the media poll for team MVP. He is the most talented quarterback on the roster, even if he is the oldest. Besides, he didn't play like he was 37 last year, did he? And, of course, as we told you long ago, he is understandably upset about missing out on the incentive money he likely would have qualified for had Jon Gruden not benched him for the final six quarters of 2007. Maybe Gruden should reimburse Garcia seeing how the coach earned his rich contract extension in part because of his quarterback's play. Just a thought.

Now, let's play devil's advocate. (And for you conspiracy theorists who think we have a grudge against anyone employed by the Bucs, no, that's not my subtle way of calling Allen the devil! Besides, Garcia pretty much did that already.) As I was saying, the Bucs have a compelling case, too. Garcia's age is his worst enemy. Any contract renegotiation is likely to include an additional year, if for no other reason than to lessen the salary-cap hit. How much would you be comfortable committing to a 38-year-old quarterback?

Furthermore, the injury risk is very real with Garcia. He's rarely come through a season wire to wire in his career, even going back to San Francisco. Last year was no different. And we're not just talking about the back injury that cost him nearly three games. Don't forget he was knocked out (literally) of the Seattle game at a very critical time, giving way to Luke McCown who managed to squander the Bucs' chances in what was a close game at the time. When a guy takes as many hits as Garcia, his health is always going to be a primary concern.

Lastly, the Bucs know for Garcia, it's quite possibly their way or the highway. Unlike a player such as Chad Johnson, who also wants to get paid, there would not be great demand for Garcia -- at least as a starter -- on the open market. In fact, there wasn't that big of a market for him in 2007 when he signed with the Bucs. That's part of the reason they got him on the cheap.

Hopefully that adds some context to this story. Now, as for who's right and who's wrong, well, that's an unanswerable question. If you ask me what the outcome should be, I suggest that the sides find a workable compromise. Maybe Garcia gets a small raise but agrees to a contract structure that is team-friendly.

Those answers are best determined by people who make a lot more than I do. But this much I know: this needs to get settled sooner rather than later because it will only get uglier. The longer this drags out, the higher the stakes become. Garcia puts possibly the last season of his career in jeopardy. The Bucs will be in danger of having their starting quarterback hold out. Neither is a good option.

Cooler heads need to prevail here -- and fast.

Comments

[Justin M]

Garcia should leave Earnest Graham out of his quotes. Not a good idea there Jeff.
"That's when you can become almost negative and counterproductive to what the focus of the team is because you're caught up in some of the negative situations that are going on above you."---Is this some sort of a weak threat by Garcia? Jeff talks too much.

[The Bull Gator]

Agreed. There used to be an unwritten agreement in sports that you don't talk about another player's contract situation. Whether Garcia is happy or not with his own dealings is one thing. But he should not be mentioning Graham to the media as well.

[Jay]

If anything, Garcia's namedropping shows a pattern of the Bucs not paying their playmakers when the season was expected to be lost. EG stepped up in a big way, and Garcia can say the same. Let's just be completely honest, without either of those two, you're looking at back to back losing seasons.

Speaking of unwritten agreements in sports, there's also the one about free agents, and players willing to take less money for the team. People like Derrick Brooks, Mike Alstott, and Ronde Barber have all restructured their contracts in the past to help the team gain cap space. The understanding is that the team will then go out and spend that money on free agents or other key members of the team to maintain the nucleus of talent. When the team fails to do so, it's almost a broken promise. All these guys play not just for the money, but for the fame, the legacy, the admiration. When you can field a 53 man squad that can bring those intangibles to the stadium year in and year out, it's much easier to let the money go because "it's all about championships". Well, the Bucs have tons of cap space, and have not lived up to their end of the bargain. You have the highest paid center in the league, hiking the ball to one of the lowest paid QB's in the league who is also handing off to one of the least compensated RB's - and that's no knock on Faine - but he's not being asked to lead a franchise, or revive the hopes of a depleted rushing attack.

No one wants to say it, but by paying Garcia and Graham, the Bucs will be earning dividends of good will towards the NEXT big free agent contract. That's the difference between Jared Allen going to Minnesota first, between Randy Moss taking less money to play for the Patriots and why Barry Sanders retired early. They have to believe.

[George C. Costanza]

Now it becomes clear why they signed Griese.

I'd look for the Glazer family to play hardball now that the soccer team has them by the financial shorthairs.

[Valrico Rick]

Garcia is under contract and that is really all that matters. That was a poorly veiled threat to the “positive” well being of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because he is not happy about his contract. He should look in the mirror for the person to blame, because nobody made him sign it. The idea that you can hold next season hostage isn’t a team mentality and I like him less every minute I think about the unprofessional way he is handling this situation. It ends just like it starts, YOU ARE UNDER CONTRACT, SO SHUT UP OR HIT THE ROAD!

[derek]

I think there is a logical solution to this in that by nfl standards garcia is an average starting qb and he should be paid that way.. and as far as length extend him another year and see where he and the bucs are when hes 40... decent pay raise and a little extension.. cant any player in any sport expect anything guaranteed after 40

[derek]

on another note isnt it ironic how bad players dont ever offer or complain how overpaid they are but let a guy have a decent season and they are ready to forget that decent deal they signed before

[Larry]

I think I've kind of lost a bit of respect for Garcia. He signed a TWO year deal and the Bucs are apparently willing to keep him for those TWO years.
Jeff, make contract noises before year 3 not before the 2nd year in what you thought was a fair deal last year.

[Tony G.]

A few comments:
1) Look around, this is not a unique situation in the NFL, this is business, nothing personal.
2) Has anyone thought that when Garcia made his descision to follow the money in 2004, he made his bed for the future? If he had signed here in 2004, he and the team would likely have had more success.
3) He wasn't held out to save money, he didn't miss earlier games because he is soft, unfortunate timing is all.
4) Pay him something, not what he wants, but something, he earned it.

[Dan]

This situation has merit on both sides....I'm glad I'm not the one who has to decide!! First, Jeff HAS been a sprkplug for the team's recovery. Energy and confidence breeds the same from the other guys. And a Pro-Bowl level season does merit something. Sitting him for those past couple games puts the Gruden/Garcia relationship at odds. Only Jon (yeah...probably management, too) knows whether this was a money-saving ploy. But if I were a player, the timing would certainly give me reason to pause. Without resolve, this relationship could erode. But he DID sign for two years...to perform at optimum level, not average or less. Since age is a question, why not extend a reasonable incentive laden deal? I agree he should leave Earnest out of this. However, I do feel Earnest, too, does deserve something for his performance last year, especially after years of a reserve-level contract. You don't want to break the bank, but guys with a potential long future you've just got to keep happy in some way.

[Dudley Doright]

I told you to cut his azz the last time he whined to the press Bruce, now you are letting this diseased player spread more of his cancerous garbage again. Anyone remember what Roy Williams said before the Lions game last year? where there is smoke, there is fire. Cut him now Bruce!

[DR]

If you cut him, what's the game plan from there?
These are the type of problems teams have when they are $20M+ under the cap. Their players know it and so do the free agents.
I think everyone has to agree that Garcia played above his $2M contract last year. He didn't have a great year but he did have a good one that did put Tampa in the playoffs. EG is the same way. He has played well above his low salary. If anything, they should take money away from Caddy's over paid contract and give it to EG.

[Mack]

Yes he's under contract. A contract with incentives that were avoided substantially by the coach's decision. This guy takes chances with his health to help the team(which can't block for crap) win. Gruden laments not having a starter QB for 5+ yrs. DUH! Try paying the guy & maybe providing some protection until those mediocre receivers amble to an opening. OR-Bring back the orange uniforms, cut the guy loose just like Doug Williams, Steve Young et al. Then sit in the NFL cellar, & count your cash-just like Culverhouse.

[Chris]

I agree it's a shame the way this thing is playing out in the media, but I'm also amazed at the blindness of some fans. Garcia's play had alot to do with our success last year. period. Granted ,the bucs have a good core team, but until now, no one had come in and really taken control of that position since Brad Johnson.

Let's face it, the defense is still good, but not at the level of '99 or '02 when they dominated other teams. A good QB is essential.

Pay the man some more money, come to a compromise, absolutely pay Graham.

Good teams have a guy like graham who can pound the rock play after play, and pick up some big plays from time to time.

[JMC]

I agree that Garcia has merit in what he says regarding the incentive he missed out on. However, the guy still made $5 million in 07 and will make $2 million this year. Sure, he made the Pro Bowl, but as a replacement when Favre declined to play. Why pay him more than he deserves? Who will pay him what he's asking for? Everyone wants job security, but at the risk of biting the hand that feeds you? Garcia is a liability at 38 because of his injury history. The guy has heart, but along with that he takes too many risks, which cause him to miss games. From the Bucs standpoint, they're doing what is fiscally responsible for the team. Why commit money to a player who is on his last legs or to a player that has only proven his ability in a season after being thrust into the starting role due to injuries (Graham)? Guys like Greg White and Jovan Haye earned their stripes, no doubt about it, but they have to string together consistent seasons to earn the paycheck. Think of all the bonehead signings, Deese, Steussie, Garner, etc. that didn't allow the Bucs to pursue other players because signings like those were still on the books. Smart move by management to sign Griese, who in 04, threw for 20 TDs and with a QB rating of 97.5. Clayton had his only good season when Griese threw to him.

[JMC]

JMC, EG has proven himself every preseason only to be overlooked for players who have been given huge contracts without proving anything on the NFL field, all rookies, and i'm talking mainly about Caddy. He hasn't lived up to his contract.

[Skylar]

Insightful comments JMC and DR. Also, we should realize that Garcia lost those incentives not to management, but because of his poor decision to go head first on the second play of the game. Had he made it through that game, he would have reached all his incentives.

Also, I think as fans, we tend to jump the gun. What's the hurry to sign these guys anyway? They're already under contract and could very easily get injured during the offseason. We have until next season to get new contracts worked out (barring hold-outs.) In the case of a hold-out, then you make it a priority. Patience is a virtue for a reason.

[Vince]

Any truth to the rumor that Garcia is "all about the money." He certainly does not come across that way, but I saw a report that says "money issues" have been a common problem?