Gruden unaware of permission to talk to Favre

Bucs coach Jon Gruden said Friday he is personally unaware of the Bucs receiving permission to speak with Packers quarterback Brett Favre.

"I don't have anything to report other than we haven't had any trade talks to my knowledge,'' Gruden said.

"Brett Favre is under contract, my last understanding, with the Green Bay Packers. We're excited about our quarterbacks. I don't know how many quarterbacks we can use at this point.''

Starting quarterback Jeff Garcia will miss the first two days of practice while attending the renunion of his father's junior college national championship team in Gilroy, Calif.

Gruden said he expects Garcia to take snaps with the first-team offense Monday. But Gruden stopped short of saying the Bucs have no interest in acquiring Favre in the future.

"I'm never going to be a guy who puts his foot down,'' Gruden said. "I work with people. Until we get together and see what the issue at hand...as I sit here today, Jeff Garcia is the quarterback.''

Gruden said it was unfair to Garcia to continue the speculation regarding Favre.

"I love Jeff Garcia,'' Gruden said. "He's a huge reason we got this thing turned around last year. To speculate on all those things us unfair to Jeff. I'll just comment on the guys that are here.''

In other Bucs' news:

* First-round pick Aqib Talib, the team announced, has signed.

* Defensive end Greg White, an exclusive-rights free agent who remains unsigned, has not reported.

* Cadillac Williams will start camp on the physically unable to perform list.

* Seventh-round pick Cory Boyd, who reportedly had a knee injury and was involved in a scuffle with Talib during a rookie symposium, was released.

Comments

[shane]

yes garcia was a huge reason we got to the playoffs but if QB play is a reason to get to the playoffs then Brett would definitely be a huge contributor to this year where we would be a legitimate playoff contender not a playoff pretender. We may also win a game or two in the playoffs this year if brett were under center. Another thing you just know JG's mouth is watering now that he knows he can talk to farve without tampering charges being filed(unlike childress). Farve is JG's favorite QB in the league and JG will be the one doing the talking to get Farve down here not BA(too busy with rooks) or the Glazers(too busy with counting money and Manchester United). Farve in pewter and red in '08 and the Bucs in playoffs(division winners again, reverse the curse!).

[Mark]

I agree Favre gives us the best opportunity to succeed. His competitive nature often results in turnovers, but, that same characteristic wins you games. We should be able to agree that he would have won last year's Bucs team an addtional 2 to 3 games. Our O-line is as advertised the best Buc line ever and we'll have a very stable running game. The D improved last year as they will again this year. Make the move and get Favre, provide the spark and we'll be very stout this year.

[Valrico Rick]

Doo Dah! Doo Dah!

[Tony M.]

Wait a second. Why hasn't Greg White reported?

[An Intrigued Bucs Fan]

Tony, because he wants to be paid like a second-rounder in the NFL (which is never going to happen anytime soon considering he's 29 years old and only has one year of NFL experience). Currently, I believe he makes around $35,000. Though we do need him because, after all, he WAS our sack leader last year.

[Brandon]

Wow, Cory Boyd was released! That was quick.

In other news, has anybody ever noticed that anything written and then signed by Valrico Rick, pretty much stamps it as a badge of stupidity?

[darryl]

gruden is aware he just has to stay professional reason being for one to avoid any tampering,and for two if the deal dosent go through it dosent upset garcia.trust me gruden is praying it goes through.

[Chris]

Incredible they released Cory Boyd already? How many draft picks never see training camp? Not many considering like 90 guys go including an array of free agents. Technically they haven't even seen him play yet? Something more to that story!

[Kristian]

I love everyones little qoutes,"playoff pretenders"come on people you either make it to the playoffs or you dont theres no pretending.Hey I like Farve too but if I recall he lost to the Giant as well,Garcia is a heck of a QB and if he played in the NFL as long as Farve there stats would probley look alot alike so it isn't out the realm that Garcia could win a SuperBowl...

[ToddsBucs1]

To Int. Bucs Fan,No player in the NFL makes 35,000 or less.Try 350,000.He needs to sign cause there is a lot of compation at DL.I like Farve,but would be happy with Garcia.This Bucs line will only get better.I wish they would have given Boyd a chance.Glad to see Allen always gets Bucs picks in on time.Great job Allen.Go Bucs!!!

[miamivex]

Whiner Favre needs to stay retired the should be giving the contract to Garcia He deserves it especially after the work he did last year.. it wasnt enough to get to the Super Bowl but who knows what might happen in his second year as a starter. All Favre is , is locker room drama Stay retired and dont go out like a punk like Montana, and Rice

[Joe Simmons (Slow Joe)]

Boyd was obviously caught in a numbers game, and with all the running backs we already have, why cut someone else to keep someone who has already shown immaturity (in college and at the rookie symposium). He'll get another shot somewhere. Maybe even the Bucs' own practice squad.

[Vince]

Brett is and upgrade obviously, but it's like trading in your Mercedes for a Bentley. Yes, the Bentley is more luxurious, but the Mercedes was getting the job done. Bucs fans should be more interested in why Tampa didn't persue an Elite WR, TE or both!

[DR]

If the Bucs give up a first day draft pick for Favre with 12 QBs on the roster, it would be beyond stupid. Their weakness right now is at WR. They should give up Galloway and a fdirst day draft pick for Bolden or Johnson if they are available. It would be a far greater improvement than getting Favre. They would finally have a legit threat at WR.

[DR]

Gruden unaware of Favre being allowed to talk to teams? What a joke! Gruden probably has a Fathead poster of Favre in his office at One Buc Place. Doesn't Gruden know that we are already on to his constant lying? He certainly isn't saying the Bucs don't want Favre.

[DR]

Gruden should man up and be honest for once. Just say that the Bucs are talking about a possible trade with Green Bay for Favre. The current situation at QB is not where we want to be because we have an unhappy Garcia who wants a pay raise which the Bucs disagree on. Hopefully this situation will be resolved soon so that we can move on. Would there be anything wrong with saying that?