Nothing fishy to Gradkowski story, Bucs say

The Bucs say they aren't playing games with Bruce Gradkowski, despite a suggestion making the rounds on the Internet today.

A story posted today by noted NFL reporter Howard Balzer suggests the Bucs might be trying to use a ploy by announcing on Friday that Gradkowski had been waived but not immediately placing him on waivers with the league office. That could perhaps open the door to a last-minute trade possibility. And, sure enough, Gradkowski was not on the daily waiver wire circulated to NFL teams Friday afternoon.

But general manager Bruce Allen, through a team spokesman, explained to us that the Bucs were unable to request waivers on Gradkowski before the end of business on Friday because they wanted to inform him personally before making his release official. By then, Allen said, the league offices were closed. As a result, Allen added, Gradkowski will be on today's waiver wire, which will be released shortly.

It sounds like a reasonable explanation. But there's a reason this whole thing got my antennae up. It was just last week that the Vikings announced the release of defensive end Erasmus James, only to rescind the action over the Memorial Day long weekend, then executing a trade with the Redskins in which the player was exchanged for a draft pick. We all know the Bucs aren't afraid to try to anything when it comes to personnel moves (just ask Jake Plummer). And, if I understand things correctly, a team has the right to rescind a waiver up until the point the player clears waivers. In the end, I think it's unlikely anyone will give up anything of value for Gradkowski, but that doesn't mean the Bucs won't try to trade him anyway.

We'll get into the particulars of the waiver wire another time, but I hope this is an adequate explanation. If you have questions, mention them in the comments section and I'll address them later, as always.

Comments

[Joe]

Well, the only thing the Bucs should get for releasing him is applause. Grads may be a "good guy" and all, but who wants a team full of good guys? I want mean and nasty guys who hate to lose!!!

[Krutch]

Unless Bruce really starts hitting the weights hard to increase his arm strength, no team is going to make him any more than their 3rd stringer. If he gets another job in the NFL this season, chalk it up to the awful state of quarterbacking we have right now. This guy is ideal for the CFL. Wish him the best....

[Brandon]

Hey Krutch--- fantastic misconception there, though weights can help with arm strength a tad, no amount of weights is going to take a guy with a weak arm and make it strong... basically the relation between a guy's throwing velocity bears no relation to his strength in the weightroom. I can hit 225 on flat for 27 reps and I have a pathetic arm.

[shane]

okay heres what i think BA wants to do he wants to put grad on waivers and offer him and chris simms on the trade block for a conditional(where simms would have to perform to certain standards) sixth round pick that could turn into a 4th rounder

[JR]

difference is no one in their right mind would trade for him, its not like there is going to be a bidding war for his services.

[aaron]

Gradowskis game is more suited for the Arena League, not the CFL. The CFL is a real deal league. We think of them as bums up there but they are, most of them, actually pretty good players. Not good enough for the NFL, but good players. they are just a notch below the NFL players. i would say it is much like fielding a team full of second stringers from the NFL. Good players but not quite the top of the crop.
the Arena league is where grad can do good. he wont have to throw the ball very far. short field is good for him.

[Skylar]

Have you seen the competition at QB in the NFL lately? He'll be on a roster somewhere, I guarantee it. You don't think he could beat out all the QB's on the Ravens, 49ers, Falcons, Vikings, Bills, Dolphins, etc. He's not that bad; just the casualty of the QB numbers game in Tampa. I realize this is a love/hate situation, but if you just look at it from a clear standpoint, he will make an NFL roster.

[mike j]

That James transaction was the first time I have ever heard of waivers being rescinded in football. Common enough in MLB, but not the NFL.

[mike j]

That James transaction was the first time I have ever heard of waivers being rescinded in football. Common enough in MLB, but not the NFL.