Bucs, Garcia dodge a bullet

So, maybe Brett Favre isn't on the next flight to Orlando after all.

We've continued to do reporting on Jeff Garcia's injury, and the Times has learned the early prognosis -- that the calf strain is not serious -- has been confirmed. (Watch audio slideshow)

Garcia suffered a right calf strain, according to coach Jon Gruden, who initially expressed optimism that it wasn't severe. But until further examination could be done, that could not be firmly established.

The team has since gotten a closer look at Garcia's injury, and the findings have quelled most fears inside the organization.

That doesn't mean Garcia won't miss some practice time, something that remains a possibility. But it at least indicates this injury is not expected to be a long-term issue for the team.

(Photo: Jeff Garcia is driven off the field in a golf cart. Times photo -- Brian Cassella. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[matt]

who is Garcia or even Favre going to be throwing to?

[Steve L]

Galloway, Clayton, Hilliard, Dunn, Graham, Bennett, Smith, Troupe, Stovall, Bryant (maybe), etc, you know, the receiver types.

[matt]

thats it? I can't blame Favre for not wanting to be a Buc

[Oliver]

I'm glad the Bucs haven't gone after Favre. It seems more like a media thing rather than real speculation on the Bucs' part.

[Kristian]

See every body,it's all ok,no Farve,more reps for every one else at QB and mabey we'll see Josh Jonhson next Saterday in Miami.I like the way Bryant is going about his whole come back and if he can drop his impulsiveness and keep his edge he's going to be a fun guy to watch on and of the field,but all our recievers are looking real good in camp but I haven't heard much on Hillard,but as long as Grudens willing to give the ball to other recievers other then Galloway and tight-ends you'll see we have some talented recievers.

[bobbyd]

Joey runs and catches...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJIZCXIs91A

[Steve L]

Well that’s not entirely “it”, hence the “etc”, I didn’t mention Jerramy Stevens who played well down the stretch for us, or some others (Parris Warren, rookie Dexter Jackson), but I presume that you’re actually asking a rhetorical question and could really care less what the answer is. Your implication however, that Favre would favor GB’s receivers is probably true, which is why the whole fiasco with him is so confusing. Why leave a playoff team that is clearly on the rise? For the Bears? The Vikings?

[matt]

Well I'm sure Favre's first choice would be Green Bay, but since they do not want him, he's left to choose between average teams.

[max]

Matt, have you ever been positive about anything? Must be a miserable existence. I feel sorry for you.

[jeff chick]

next level brett ? or by by johnny boy and allen . see ya

[Steve L]

Matt, you may want to review the Favre scenario one more time. Favre retired of his own accord. GB then moved forward with the QB it acquired the last time Favre teased them with retirement talk. Favre then changed his mind, requesting a full release from his contract. GB, owning his rights said “no” as team executives made a wise business decision. This is not consistent with GB being Favre’s first choice, but then you knew that, didn’t you? Well, perhaps you do now.

[DR]

Steve L., it's beyond confusing. I can't believe anyone feels bad for Favre after he chose to retire after leaving a playoff team that is on the rise. He abandoned ship and he deserves the reaction he is getting from the Packers. The Packers can't treat an individual like he is better than the whole team. He quit and they moved on. They would be stupid to release or trade him at his request.
I feel bad for Garcia who will have to be tied to Favre in every article he is in. Thats gotta irritate you after a while.

[Steve L]

Within the constraints they’ve been given, the Packers have been extremely accommodating. Today’s revelation that they’ll pay him sick $$$ to stay retired and/or trade him to an NFC North team (Bears/Vikes) with appropriate compensation is the epitome of bending over backwards for a player whose rights they still own.

[matt]

I feel bad for the fans of any team whos management trusts Aaron Rogers to lead the team as opposed to Brett Favre.

Steve, Favre requested his release once Green Bay told him he would not be the starter, at that moment the Pack was not his first choice

[Steve L]

Well since this is a Bucs blog first and foremost I’ll trust that there’s not an overabundance of this blog's readers that will be shedding a tear in their beer.

And GB obviously assumed he would not be their starter once he…retired.

[Rich]

could it be that the packers don't believe in the team they have. They don't believe the team they have could beat Brett Favre no matter what team he goes to. If they are that adament about Aaron Rogers as their QB,they are not showing a lot of confidence in him that he can beat Favre, or else it wouldn't be such a big deal to move him,even within the division. They should get the best deal they can and trust thier players to win the games. If they are that scared of him, if he really is that good then they should hold on to him, let him win the starting spot and release Rogers. If Rogers doesn't give them the best chance to win then move Rogers.

[Jeff]

Let the Brian Griese era begin.

[D]

Assuming that Brett even really wants to play in GB is a stretch at best. In the last 3 years the Packers have tried everything to force him into retirement. It hasn't took. He feels slighted by the whole GB/GM/Aaron Rodgers fiasco that he's doing everything in his power to mess and screw with the Packers.

Look at it. Everything he's done this year is a direct "in your face" reactionary move to every perceived affront by GB. He wants to cause them harm any way he can. Not reporting, reporting, retiring, demanding a release, demanding a trade. To say that he only wants to QB a contender, is not looking at the whole picture.

The entire known universe knows that Favre is the best QB in GB the moment he steps on the field. A team who was merely points away from a Super Bowl, wants to go with an unproven Rodgers. No way, dude. There's way more going on behind the scenes.

Brett wants to win, no doubt. But he wants to jam the Packers almost as bad.

[john]

Jeff the rookie josh johnson is better than brian griese.

[jobucs]

It's not Brett.It's 13 million against their cap. Doesn't anyone get it?Anymore, it's always about money. He isn't worth that kind of money. No team in the NFL will pay him close to that. Wait and see.

[joe]

Matt, you are an idiot. I'm sure in your negative little mind, it's all Gruden's fault..

[Bruce]

Kristian,

I'll forgive your run-on sentence but if you can't even spell the days of the week please refrain from leaving public comments.

[JW]

I hope Bucs' fans enjoy watching Brian Griese or Luke McCown run their offense this year, 'cause Garcia is one of the most injury prone QBs in the NFL. At least Favre would be healthy all year.

Gruden dodged a bullet!? DAMNIT, they missed!

[Kurt]

I've got no beef with Griese or McCown. I think both will do fine as starters; especially with that defense.

[Shane]

i will guaran-damn-tee that McCown is the stater next year if(and that's a BIG if) Jeff does what he says he will and retires. McCown has a much bigger arm than Jeff does(and is a lot more mobile) and with JJ waiting in the wings Luke could hold onto the job until JJ is NFL ready(give him 2-3 years). And if jeff has to miss significant time at any time in the season I wouldn't mind having Griese or McCown step up and take a hold of the offense(both have won games for the Bucs in the past).

Hey Stephen any word on the Dallas-Simms trade?