Favre as the Bucs' QB? It's not Favre-fetched

It's possible Brett Favre could go from Green Bay to Tampa Bay.

The Bucs are defending NFC South champions and have a playoff-caliber defense and offensive line.

Coach Jon Gruden, who loves collecting quarterbacks, was on the Packers coaching staff during Favre's first three seasons in Green Bay (1992-95). Jeff Garcia, who is also 38, is in the final year of his contract with the Bucs.

And, of course, Favre is comfortable running any version of the west coast offense.

On Friday, the Packers quarterback asked in a letter for his unconditional release from the team. He's decided to play this season and has been working out in Mississippi, throwing 50-yard 'ropes', according to one report.

If the Packers don't grant his wish, he will have to write a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and ask to be reinstated. Within 24 hours, the Packers will have to make a decision to keep him on their roster or release him.

It puts the Green Bay front office and coaching staff in a tough position. Favre has won more games than any quarterback in NFL history, leading the Packers to seven division titles in 16 seasons. In the 16 seasons prior to his arrival in Green Bay, the Packers reached the playoffs just once.

After Favre's tearful news conference in March, the Packers haved prepared to move on with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.

They made it pretty clear in a conference call Tuesday with Favre and agent Bus Cook that they want to move forward without No. 4.

But Favre felt pressured to make a decision and the competitive juices are flowing again.

Now the Packers face the possibility of facing him sometime during the season.

There are several other landing spots for Favre if he is released, a few of them in the NFC North. The Minnesota Vikings are a team that appears to have everything it needs to challenge for a Super Bowl, but quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is inexperienced. The Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions also are somewhat unsettled at quarterback.

There has been some buzz about the Carolina Panthers, but general manager Marty Hurney dismissed speculation that Favre was interested in coming to Charlotte. Redskins owner Daniel Snyder always has had stars in his eyes and quarterback Jason Campbell is still developing.

In the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens might be the most QB-needy team. The New York Jets also are a possibility.

Trading Favre would be difficult, at best. He can refuse to report because he wants his freedom. The Packers probably owe him that. But again, they risk facing him in the same division.

It's hard to imagine the Packers not taking Favre back, but it appears there are too many hard feelings.

Would Gruden and the Bucs be willing to chuck their off-season preparation with Garcia and move Favre under center?

Absolutely. There are three quarterbacks in the NFL that Gruden would do almost anything to coach: Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Brett Favre, not necessarily in that order.

Gruden is a guy who loves staring at the back of a player's football card. And unlike when Joe Namath went to the Los Angeles Rams or Johnny Unitas mopped up in San Diego, Favre can still really play.

Favre, 38,  led the Packers to the NFC title game and passed for 4,155 yards with 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Can you imagine how much a player like Favre can energize a football team, especially one like the Bucs who have two home playoff losses in the past three seasons.    

There are a lot of executives experiencing the 'wow' factor right about now. Favre is pressing the issue with the Packers.

Maybe if he gets his freedom and looks around, he might decide not to play after all. That was the case when Dan Marino parted ways with the Miami Dolphins.

But Favre believes he deserves the chance to look around and decide for himself. The Packers probably owe him that much.

       

Comments

[DV]

Wow! Is Christmas coming early this year in Tampa Bay?

[DJ]

IF the packers release,or willing to trade favre the Buc's should do everything in there power to get him.garcia is whineing about his contract they can trade him,and the buc's can trade simms to the cowboys for terry glenn.gruden needs to take a break from his vacation,and try and make this happen.the bucs are just this close to makeing a run to the superbowl,and favre,and the bucs receivers can make it happen.

[JS]

i can only see bret favre playing for tampa when i play madden. bret favre please stay retired, don't come back with another team. That would be stupid.

[Jay]

Having Favre play here would immediately give the offense something it has never EVER had - legitimacy. Couple that with our stifling, stingy defense, and I could not be any happier (unless, of course, we got Chad Johnson too). Seriously. Trade them Chris Simms, a gift certificate for Crabby Bills, and Sammy Davis.

I'm just kidding, no one deserves Sammy Davis.

[James]

Our defense is stifling and stingy?

The Bucs defense hasn't been "stifling" since they could sack the QB consistantly.

And it's been too long...

[Matt]

If Favre could bring Green Bay's 27 points per game to Tampa, we'd be looking mighty good.

[john]

farve and galloway = superbowl!

[Bucsfan]

James - Bucs D ranked 2nd last year...I'd call that stifling

I'd love to see Favre here in Tampa. I'd be first in line to buy the Favre Bucs jersey, I'm all for it!!!!

[Hayes]

Too bad Farve would have no one to throw the ball to if he came to Tampa!

[DR]

This is so pathetic! You guys dog young QBs for NOT getting the job done and a veteran like Favre, has NOT gotten the job done! He is 1-3 in his last 4 home games and put up a pedestrian 54 and 55 QB rating in two of them (Falcons and the full moon Vikings) and threw a horrible pick in last year's overtime game against the Giants. His 2 losses on the road were the Pick 6 celebration in St. Louis against a weak defense and the hail mary lob pass to nobody but the Eagles in overtime. This guy has been pathetic in the playoffs ever since his super bowl win.
He's a great QB but by far the most overrated QB of all time. He has blown more playoff games than he has won. I have no idea why he gets so much love from everybody in the media, especially after holding the Packers hostage over the last few years regarding whether or not he wants to retire. The Packers should let him walk. I feel bad for any team that picks him up. I don't think he makes any teambetter, in fact, he could make them worse, especially in the long run. He could throw 29 picks like he did a few short years ago.

[Chris]

And how many playoff games has Tony Romo won DR? I thought so.......why dont you go comment on the Cowboys site and stay out of Tampa's business.

I agree with Chris...

[shane]

My favorite QB playing for my number 1 team, wow farve is something tampa needs a blue-collar attitude to get the young guys to produce and the vets to get things done on offense(he also my finally get the bucs out of the dumps in the passing game too). He could also mentor Luke and Josh in ways that garcia can't(like when to take risks down field).

[shane]

and bucsfan i would be right there behind or in front of you to buy my No. 4 jersey if brett were to come to tampa

[john]

hayes what about joey galloway retard.

[Arun]

When Farve felt pressure, to have to do everything for his young team to get a win, is when he threw pick after pick. He would force balls in tight coverage. When the team around him got better so did his numbers.

Bring in Farve and cut Garcia.

It does have to be sooner than later if Gruden's offense is so hard to get down.

[Jay]

DR, I see where you're coming from, and I can agree with some of the things you're saying. However, every team that meets Green Bay in the post season, or even during the regular season for that matter, knows that the Packers have no running game (and haven't had a consistent one since Ahman Green's hayday), and an average group of receivers. So they key in on #4, and rightfully so. You don't meet average or poor teams in the playoffs, so give them credit for breaking down the Packers year in and year out. Favre likes the gunslinger, take the team upon my shoulders kind of mentality, and while that wins games, it sometimes loses them too. But to be fair, almost everyone you and I know would take him over Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson, both of whom have won Superbowls. That's a pretty telling statement, don't you think?

Conversely, and speaking of Johnson, the Bucs haven't had true leadership, power and charisma from the QB position since Doug Williams. Let's drop some names, since we're at it, and you find the superstar or Hall of Famer. I'm pulling most of these completely from memory so forgive me if I left anyone out.

Craig Erickson
Casey Weldon
Steve DeBerg
Vinny Testaverde
Trent Dilfer
Eric Zeier
Shaun King
Brad Johnson
Rob Johnson
Chris Simms
Brian Greise
Bruce Gradkowski
Jeff Garcia

That's every starter since the 1988 season at the Old Sombrero (coincidentally, the first and only place I've ever seen a Monster Truck rally in my life).

You're telling me that you wouldn't ditch each and every single one of these guys to have Brett Favre, even at the downside of his career?

[Mijail Friedman]

Come on Green Bay let him go! Favre you are welcome here in Tampa. I will also buy #4 jersey no ? ask. Check this out: Favre+TB Defense+Galloway & Offensive Line = Superbowl and Guess what everyone it is here in Tampa! That will make the best year ever! Go Bucs!

[dave]

The packers dont owe Farve anything. They paid him well all those years. The packers owe it to there fans to get the most they can for Farve. Farve is an asset, nothing more.

[DR]

Jay, it wouldn't be an easy decision to take Favre over Brad Johnson or even Jeff Garcia. Both those guys managed the game well and keep mistakes to a minimum. Like someone said, Favre gets that pressure, he slings the ball away and he has a high rate of INTs when he does that. Galloway isn't a good go to #1 WR for a Favre type QB.

[Vince]

"Would Gruden and the Bucs be willing to chuck their off-season preparation with Garcia and move Favre under center?

Absolutely."

Says who, Mr. Stroud? No quotes? Not even a single unnamed source? No offense, but I am not taking your word for it. You think Gruden ran Sapp and the old gang out of town. You think players hate Gruden. How would you possibly know what Gruden would do? Even if Gruden wanted Favre, do you think Allen would allow it? (Oh yeah --you think Allen is Gruden's puppet so I guess this is a moot point for you.)

Taking Favre now would be ludicrous. Gruden's offense is not a vanilla West Coast offense. Favre would struggle.

[Greg]

I still think its a stretch, but boy do I hope I am wrong.

[Jay]

DR, I would agree with you on both Johnson and Garcia if the Bucs had a mediocre defense. But it has been this defense that won them a championship, kept them in games, and basically carried the weight when the offense was nothing short of a liability. Hell, Dwight Smith (DB) scored just as many points in the SuperBowl than our #1 AND our #2 WR (Keyshawn Johnson and Keenan McCardell).

I don't believe Galloway is a #1 any more either, (although many people are forgetting how good Bryant was, and can be) any more than Clayton, Stovall, or even Parris Warren are. Clearly, this team has lacked a dynamic, game changing playmaker for as long as I've known them. I think, for all the risks that having Favre could mean, there would be those "holy crap" moments where opposing defenses would actually be fearful of our ability to score at will. That, to me at least, makes him worth it.

[DR]

Jay, gallwoay has never been a #1 WR. Like I've been saying, Gruden should challenge and help Garcia by promoting Clayton to the #1 WR position. He has the size and abilty to make plays against a DB, unlike Galloway. If Favre were to come in, he would need a 6'4" #1 WR to go to in jams. It would be on Clayton to live up to his potential and start catching the ball consistently. If he were to go back to his 80 catch season, that would make the Bucs better before any QB would.
They need to stop treating Galloway like a #1. Glenn wouldn't help this team if they traded for him either.
I think this Favre talk will be pointless too. He's planning on playing with Minnesota since he asked for an unconditional release.

[DR]

Chris, you prove my point. You're comparing a HOF QB to a second year starter. Anybody who says that Romo lost two playoff games obviously doesn't understand the game of football. The Cowboys lost the last two playoff games, and if there is someone to blame, blame the defense and that guy who doesn't guard anyone in coverage, Roy Williams. Romo didn't throw 6 INTs in a playoff game, and hasn't thrown an INT late in a playoff game. Favre has. Favre has played terrible in more playoff games than he has played good. thats a fact, look it up.

[john]

DR your really a retard.Joey Galloway isnt only a number 1 reciver he is a top 10 in the whole nfl.We need brent farve to get him the ball deep.Because nobody can run with joey galloway even at 37 in november.

[Tony M.]

DR, I think you lost two playoff games. When the Cowboys finally cut you, they will be a stronger team because of it. Oh, and we don't have a spot for you in Tampa. Look that up.

[DR]

I'm a retard? Who are the Bucs trying to pick up, Brett Favre or his unknown brother Brent? Galloway top 10 with 57 catches? Are you kidding me? He's in the same sentence with TO, Santana Moss, Plaxico Burress, Roy Williams, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquon Boldin, Torry Holt, Steve Smith, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Hines Ward, Chad Johnson, Braylon Edwards, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, just to name a few??? You would drop Galloway in a heartbeat to have one of those WRs. If you say you wouldn't, you're an idiot.
Great comment tony. Did you just get out of grade school? You, again, bring nothing to the table.

[john]

DR not even one of thoses guys is faster than joey galloway.If youve watched any tampa games at all than youve seen how much he is under thrown i think brent can change that for us.

[DR]

Look at Galloways career numbers and you will realize speed means nothing in the NFL. He's easily covered by "slower" DBs. And Jesus, who the heck is Brent? Are you that dumb?

[Vince]

DR -- ridiculous as usual. Galloway may not have #1 wide receiver stats of other receivers in NFL, but that is a function of offensive scheme. To suggest that Clayton of all people should be #1 is just a joke (You are actually one of those people that likes to say crazy things to get a rise out of people, aren't you?) Galloway is undoubtedly the #1 receiver on this team. With his speed, teams are forced to roll coverage his way, which opens up the underneath stuff that Clayton drops.

C'mon DR -- silly as usual.

[john]

Joeys numbers are very good with all of his knee injuries wrong agian.

[DR]

Vince, did you even think about your argument? So Galloway has been a victim of offensive schemes in Tampa, Dallas, and Seattle? He's caught over 80 balls in a seson one time in his career. Clayton did that his rookie year and has disappeared after his injury his second year. Gruden has not used him ever since. TO always dropped balls throughout his career but his coach never quit on him. Braylon Edwards is the same way. I'm not saying to start Clayton at #1 but at least look at it and challenge him with it. Thats what a good coach does, challenge his players. Clayton and the rest of the WRs aren't used correctly. Gruden is a terrible OC. He's done nothing with the offense since he's been here.
Look at Galloways stats and you will see he gets shut down by any solid CB. The only "great" games he has are against bad defenses. That doesn't help Garcia out.

[Brent Favre]

DR bases all of his arguments on stats. It is completely ridiculous. Vince is totally right about the impact that Galloway brings to the team. Opponents are forced to consider him in their defense. He may not have had the most catches this season, but he was still a very productive receiver. For someone who focuses on stats so much, check this one out: Galloway had a 17.8 yds/catch average last year (the only other legitimate receiver above him was Holmes of the Steelers). Now why is this the case? Hmm... probably because of all the deep throws he gets? Favre would be able to capitalize on this threat (Galloway is still insanely fast).

Read this quote:
"I think Joey Galloway has been one of the dominant receivers in the NFL with the Buccaneers," General Manager Bruce Allen said shortly after the 2007 season ended. "Talk about somebody who changes all of the formulas of how you’re supposed to evaluate players and put consideration into age. He is the fastest player on our team and I have a feeling that he is going to be the fastest player on the Buccaneers four or five years from now because we didn’t play anybody faster and more explosive than Joey Galloway this entire year."

Before you bring up an argument, look at all the stats and facts. I wish DR stop posting silly things.

[raw_as_fuq]

Bucs should make a run for Favre. The Packers just said they are not going to release him and they are going to welcome him to back-up Aaron Rodgers! Come on Bucs you cant let Favre be a back-up!

[Jay]

Sorry Vince, but I'm with DR on this one. Joey Galloway is a nice guy, who defies age with his speed, but he does not take contact well, does not block, and will give up on a route if the ball isn't place perfectly in position. The last two seasons prove that beyond a shadow of a doubt, not to mention his performance against the Giants in the playoffs.

Clayton reminds me of a selfless Keyshawn Johnson. His blocks are absolutely devastating, and his work ethic is beyond reproach. He's dynamic, and can bring all kinds of assets as a #1 receiver. Admittedly, he doesn't have blazing speed, but aside from TO and Chad Johnson, who does? Torry Holt? Hines Ward? Those are the guys who deliver, and that's who this offense should feature. I even think Stovall could make a push for it, given the opportunity.

[DR]

Oh no, you got me. A players own GM being quoted saying positive things about his own players. Oh my, this must be the first time in NFL history this has occurred.
Speed really means a lot when your inside the 20. Again, Galloway's speed is so great that he has one season over 75 catches and one season with over 1,100 yards. Oh wow, 17.9 yadrs per catch. Alvin Harper averaged over 18 yards a catch for his career.
There are a lot of WRs in the league with break away speed that nobody can catch. You can have all the speed in the world but when you can't run crisp patterns, what is the worth of your speed? Galloway has had a decent career but nothing extraordinary. He has been such a great help that the Bucs offense was 18th last year. You make no sense.

[DR]

I don't make any sense either.

[DJ]

yea but with brett galloway,and bryant,clayton,and hillard all would look real good they would just have to get use to his laser ball.even if its just for one year you can stamp your tickets to the super-bowl,and its not far to travel this year.

[Vince]

DR & Jay:

My point was only that you guys are commenting on whether Galloway is a true #1. I am saying only -- on this team, absolutely. Got it?

You cannot even say with a straight face, I hope, that Clayton should be the number one on this team or any team? C'mon, that is absolutely hillarious. I like the guy alot, but you do not make a receiver your number one option because he blocks well and has "a great work ethic." What are you guys talking about? Clayton cannot separate from DBs and he has had many drops. He even bought into the whole "great blocker" thing and added a bunch of weight. That just slowed him down more.

Look, this is Clayton's contract year. I bet he has a big year, but what has he done to prepare? He dropped a bunch of weight in an attempt to get faster, right?

Leave it to DR to find a way to blame Gruden. Gruden is to blame for "not using Clayton properly." Clayton was the only option his first year. He got injured (by adding weight, being a great blocker, trying to run over DBs). After the injury, he lost confidence. Why? (I know DR -- Gruden's fault) Because he started dropping and fumbling? Why? Trying to get YAC becasue he is a big guy who runs over DBs. Please.

Jay, I expect strange stuff from DR because he exists out on the Big Dog lunatic fringe (Gruden evil becasue he is not Dungy, ran out Sapp, benched Allstott, etc), but you . . . c'mon man.

[Jay]

Vince, to have full disclosure, I have always been a big Keyshawn fan, so the trade with Dallas for Galloway did nothing to impress me from the very beginning. I'm sure Galloway is a nice guy, but yes, he always seems to be injured at the most inopportune times. Is he the Bucs #1 guy? Yes, and that's not necessarily a good thing. He can't play flanker, or in the slot, so I'm not impressed with his abilities to separate from a CB running a fly or post pattern. When he does, that means a 7 step drop, lots of time from the line, and a QB that can get it there. While the line has improved, the QB situation has not. Ironically, the only guy on the roster who had the arm to do that was Simms. Grads couldn't, Garcia and Griese can't, and I'm not sold on McCown.

So that means that this team has a #1 receiver that will get maybe 4 or 5 catches a game, and usually not on one of his strongest routes. To me, that's a mismanagement of personnel. Clayton /Stovall fit the scheme a little better because of their big bodies and ability to support the run by actually blocking. If they ran routes like Ike Hilliard, there would be no question.

All this comes back to whether or not Favre would be a good fit, and for the reasons I've mentioned, as well as yours, I think he would. Whether Green Bay decides to let him go is a completely different thing.

[DR]

Vince, you don't get it. Galloway doesn't get much separation, thats why he averages only 3.8 catches per game. Atlanta's Roddy White had a better year than Galloway. Like Jay said, he gets separation on posts and flies, which is great for a #2 and #3 WR. A #1 WR doesn't have to have speed. Keyshawn is a prime example. He used his body to get position to receive the ball. He was a great blocker as well which Galloway is not.
I'm not saying that Clayton should definitely be #1, but at least look at it. Nobody can be happy with the passing game last year, especially the WR play. That was a weakness last year.

[janet Herold]

After hearing the new news about the packers saying they wikk play him as back up, I became more upset with the packers. Lets get Gruden and staff to do everything they can to get him here. WAhat a shot in the arm for the bucs, for the community and a new chance for Brett to show what he's got, one of the best quarterbacks ever. We would be so lucky to get him and increase our fan base. Then, we can beat the packers the third week. What a rush!

[john]

DR you dont get it joey gets tons of seperation. It dont show on the stat sheet because we dont have qbs that can throw to such speed.Hes always wide open.OPEN YOUR EYES!

[Cook]

Wait a second fella's, all the old Qb's go to Kansas City right?. Montana did an outstanding job while he was there. Plus Ol' Bono came along thereafter and posted a 13-3 season. Never made it to the big game but it was a lot of fun watching them play. If the Bucs do get Brett all i got to say is Hold on tight and enjoy the ride.
Laters
KCcook58

[MC]

Packer fan here, I'm slowly coming to terms with losing Favre here. I guess I would say a few things.
1. Favre needs a very strong QB savy coach, one that won't be afraid to get on him. I think Gruden is that, if he's not, Favre will toss INT after INT.
2. If TB gets Favre, they should maybe look at getting Koren Robinson. Ya the pack cut him, but they are pretty deep at WR. KR is at least worth a look, and Favre and he are comfortable in the west coast offense.
3. The tricky thing with Farve is I'm not sure how long he wants to play. I think you would need a 2-3 year commitment. This would give you guys time to go after a big time WR. They are all such glory guys that one comes open every year, and you guys have the cap. I'm sure they would line up to play with Favre since he makes all WRs look good, plus it's in Florida..

Good luck, I actually like Tampa Bay, I kinda miss them being in the central, er North... I do actually have faith in Rodgers and I think McCarthy is really a heck of a QB coach

[Jen]

Favre is a legend and as a die-hard Packer fan I can't imagine him in another uniform. I never understood why he retired, he finally has a strong team around him and could actually go to the Super Bowl one last time. I would prefer if he stayed retired, I just don't want to see him look like an idiot. The Bucs and Favre would be weird but I would support him, I like the Bucs, just not when they play the Pack.

[DR]

I don't know why everyone is against me, but I realize now that stats don't reveal everything about a player. And John, in all seriousness, you are the one that made me think about that. This will be hard for me, but I am going to try and open my eyes to the truth of the situation. I like Galloway, he is fast, and Favre would be able to use that speed with that ever strong arm. Farve's arm is like Galloway's speed: even though they are ancient (in terms of NFL age) their skills don't seem to diminish. It has taken some effort, but thanks guys for helping me off my "know-it-all arrogance" train. I will try not to argue about these silly things anymore and instead I will find a Cowboy blog somewhere and comment there. Thanks for having me on here, but I will, from now on, refrain from commenting on this blog anymore.

[Chris Red]

i am so glad that dr has agreed to leave this blog. i am sick of reading his stuff!

[john]

I dont know why DR are is leaving the blog.I just dont like people talking about great players on our team.He must not like joey because he left the cowboys and became a star in tampa.And all they got was bigmouth keyshan johnson AKA the turtle.