If Favre's in, is Garcia out?

Hopefully the Brett Favre saga will resolve itself in the near future, because it's about time we moved on to something else already.

But with the specter of Favre in a Bucs uniform hanging over the head of current starting quarterback Jeff Garcia, we can't ignore the 800-pound gorilla: What happens to Garcia if Favre joins the Bucs?

Perhaps we're getting ahead of ourselves, and I for one remain unconvinced Favre to Tampa Bay is a sure thing for a number of reasons. But it is certainly a legitimate possibility, particularly given Chris Simms revelation to the St. Petersburg Times that general manager Bruce Allen asked his opinion of how Favre might adapt to the Bucs' playbook with limited preseason preparation.

So, if the deal went down, what to do with Garcia? The Bucs could keep him, cut him or trade him. It would seem his current level of disenchantment with the Bucs (stemming from his dead-end contract negotiations) would worsen if he had to give way to Brett Favre and remain on the roster to boot. Would the Bucs be willing to stomach the ill feelings he understandbly would air? Would that affect team chemistry? These are questions the Bucs have to consider -- as much as Favre's salary and ability to learn the playbook even -- when they take stock of any opportunity to land Favre.

As for the concept of trading Garcia in the wake of Favre's potential arrival, he certainly would have value on the market when and if another team's starting quarterback suffered an injury. Being the veteran he is, he likely could step into a team's offense and function with little turnaround time. If the price was right, the Bucs might be willing to part with a guy they once billed as one of the missing pieces to their offensive puzzle.

The final option would be to release Garcia, but that would seem a last-resort decision. The Bucs would rather recover something for last year's starting quarterback if he became expendable. But we know this much: the Bucs currently have five quarterbacks (Garcia, Simms, Brian Griese, Luke McCown and Josh Johnson).

They can't all stick around, especially if Favre comes aboard.

[Favre photo: Getty Images, Garcia photo: Carrie Pratt, Times files]

Comments

[Nate Dogg]

Why not just trade Favre for Garcia straight up?

Green Bay doesn't have a QB that's worth anything behind Rodgers. Why not have a good insurance policy behind him in Garcia?

All in one fell swoop, you get an upgrade at QB for the Bucs, the Packers remove their problem, and we remove our problem (Garcia's contract cries).

So if we're really serious about this, why not do it now so that way Favre has the best chance to learn the playbook?

[Vince]

I know many will disagree, but the Bucs don't NEED Favre. He may play better than Garcia, but I just think Jeff Garcia is ready to have a gigantic year with Tampa, and if Tampa wants to help its chances, it should be looking at the Wide Reciever corps, which it may have already improved, not an upgrade at Quarterback.

The clock is ticking...

[Jerame]

What about the interceptions? You know how bad Gruden hates interceptions. I dont know if our D can dig us out of those kinda holes.

[Tim]

I agree with Vince that the Bucs don't need Favre. Garcia performed well last year and was a big reason why they made the playoffs. With an improved O-line and another year under his belt, Garcia should be even better. Besides, who needs a wishy washy QB and absorbed a big contract that partially be given to Garcia. NO FAVRE!

[Tom]

I agree with Vince and Tim. I don't think this Favre saga is good for the team. T

The last time I checked, we have a Pro Bowl QB who led us to the division title last year. It was the lack of production from the WRs that was our downfall.

Besides, who knows if Favre will quit on us like he did to the Packers. I wouldn't want to go to battle with a guy that can't even make up his mind whether he wants to play or not.

[Tom]

That said, something is seriously brewing. No way do you let your starting QB miss training camp to attend a 1973 reunion of Gavilan College!

I wouldn't even let Tom Brady skip camp much less Jeff Garcia. Especially with a new group of offensive players.

[JC]

Didn't Favre already say that he didn't want to play in Tampa? That it was too hot?

[Kurt]

How can anybody say you would rather have Garcia than Favre? You're kidding yourselves. If we get the chance we better hop on it! This guy is a league MVP who will win those games that Garcia lost last year...yeah, you remember...Lions, Jags & Giants, and that's not mentioning the numerous games he missed due to injury! Favre would take this team to the next level with a sandlot playbook. He'll drop 15 TD's to Galloway and watch how resurgent Clayton will be. He makes average receivers pro-bowlers. Stop kidding yourselves and support what's best for our team...SIGN BRETT FAVRE!!!

[Darren]

Garcia is a great guy and I hate to see his contributions being ignored, but he isn't Brett Favre.

If the Bucs' knock'em dead defense is combined with Favre doing his thing behind the Bucs' strong offensive line,... they will be unstoppable! Monte Kiffin will need to call a Gator flop at the beginning of each half - just to give the other team a chance.

[Kinn Corn Karn]

I agree with Nate Dogg......trade Garcia for Favre and get it over with! Garcia probably wouldn't be our starter following this season, so it doesn't really matter if Favre only plays one year. I'll tell you one thing, Favre coming to Tampa would fill the seats and attract alot of National TV exposure, which I'm sure is being discussed by the Glazer's!

[Tom]

Kurt, football is a team sport. Favre benefit just as much from Grant, Driver, etc. as they did from him. I'm not taking anything away from Favre's ability to play, just that he's become a self absorbed egomaniac. Even the Packers fans are sick of him.

Garcia showed us that he's willing to lay his body out for the extra yard. Favre doesn't want to go where it's too hot. Who do you want to block for?

[CEW]

He's not coming to the Buc's. The Buc's did their due dilligence in keeping the doors open, and quite frankly I think the interest is a message to Garcia.

[Marc]

Trent Dilfer. Mark Rypien. Brad Johson. Superstar quarterbacks? No. Just as many Super Bowl rings as Favre? YES! We could have Tom Brady, Joe Montana, it doesnt matter if only one reciever on the roster can CATCH THE BALL!!! Garcia will take us farther this season than Favre could, simply because he knows the offense and the guys he is throwing to. This isnt fantasy football where you can just drop a guy in people!

[Michael]

Tom, I wouldnt say the Packers fans are tired of Favre. I thought they were too, but there was a pole on ESPN.com, whou would you prefer to have as your teams starting QB, Brett Favre, or the current starter, and it was a landslide vote for Brett Favre in Wisconcen.

[Joe Pool]

Garcia the Pro Bowl ALTERNATE. Whiny ding-dong needs to finish out this contract and be happy about it! This should get very interesting as camp goes along. Watch and see what kind of deals Bruce Allen makes. Prepare to be suprised!

[Nick Kosmitis]

Garcia showed great leadership in the regular season, I respect him for that. He shows up everyweek, but lack of arm and happy feet, no defense will respect. The games different during the playoffs. If your horse in the backfield can't tote rock, you can't win with just short micro managed passing game. Jeff juice the arm!

[Nick Kosmitis]

Do the Deal! Get Brett!

[James]

A few responses to previous statements in some of the above posts...

1. Why would Tampa players/fans feel like Favre would up and "quit" on them? IMO, there's NOTHING in his past that suggests he ever has before or will again. FYI, Brett Favre retired soley because he felt like it was what the Packers organization wanted most this offseason, an easy way out in making Aaron Rodgers the starter if you will. So like a gentleman he gave them thier wish. Now the Packers FO should return the favor to Favre by releasing him. I guarantee a fresh start will invigorate (sp?) Favre's passion and bring him to play atleast two more seasons.

2. Some of you keep refering to a newspaper article that quoted a source close to Favre who said he wouldn't want to play in Tampa because it's "too hot". Now me personality, I'll stick to the words that come directly out of Brett Favre's mouth and leave it up to you guys to peddle what some newspaper hack received from a "source". Plus, Brett Favre disliking hot weather is in direct contrast with him living in hot azz Southern Mississippi... another reason to take what said newspaper hack has "quoted" with a grain of salt.

3. I agree and would also love the national spotlight Brett Favre would undoubtedly bring. Not to mention how he would single-handedly fill all of those empty seats I saw last year.

[Jay]

How can anyone who is Buc fan NOT want Favre as QB?!?Future HOFer, one of the all time passing leaders in NFL history in many stats, and an obvious desire to get one more title, he has as much hunger as Derrick Brooks and Rhonde Barber who continue to hold onto the Super-Bowl dream.If the Bucs can get this guy, they have to do it! Hell, trade 'em Garcia and Greise, if you have to(throw Michael Clayton in as well if it'll ensure the deal)! The Super Bowl is the ONLY goal...personal feelings have to take a back seat.

[Ryan]

who cares??? GO RAYS!!!

[Ryan]

who cares??? GO RAYS!!!

[James]

Who cares?

I nominate Ryan for the "dumbest post of the day" award... oh look... he won.

Yes Go Rays but come on dude, with the Bucs looking to add a future HOF QB who went 14-4 last season and is the same age as our current QB... it's bigger news than the Rays still having 60 games to play.

[ha]

Favre is big upgrade over Garcia. I am bucs fan living in Wisconsin, Packers fans are the worst, According to most of them Favre could walk on water 8 months ago and now they want him to sit the bench, I have rooted against him for 16 years and now have been defending him. *##*$ packer fans! Go get Brett!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Yogi]

We can't sign Favre. Great player but I would stick with Garcia.

[James]

I want to sign Favre just to keep the Cowboys from being plastered all over ESPN every night until they choke again...

Favre, Brooks, Galloway, Barber, Hilliard, Pettigout and Dunn = Dinosour Champions come post Super Bowl XLII headlines.

[mcd]

I, for one, don't want the career interceptions leader here -- especially if it means giving up an important piece to get him.

[earl]

Favre told others he 'preferred' to play and practice in cooler weather. It was pointed out he lives in Mississippi. At the time, he was focused on the Vikings. The choice will not be his if he is traded.

[Football is boring]

dumbest post of the year? How about dumbest story of the year. Here's what will happen. Favre will never come here, and everybody in the sports world spent a week talking about something that will never happen. Back and forth back and forth back and forth. I'll never understand how Bucs management and head coach can keep stepping on players and kicking them around and the Bucs still get more love in this community than the Rays. Oh yeah..because it's football.

[shane]

on jeff being a pro bowl QB didn't a certain QB have to drop out of the Pro Bowl for him to go? What was that QB's name again lemme think lemme think... oh yeah his name is BRETT FARVE. another thing about the post from the Bucs fan in Wisconsin how could you root against Farve? I'm a big Bucs fan too but seriously its Brett Farve we're talkin' 'bout here not Tony Romo(aka Mr.Choke can't wait to see how he blows "D" block up this year). I see no shame in rooting for a HOF QB even if he is on another team(God knows the Bucs don't have one)

[John Klopfer]

The Chris Simms revelation? Or the Chris Simms hoax? I don't want to question the intergrity of Mr. Simms, but why would Bruce Allen ask the opinion of a disgruntled quarterback on the Farve situation? Could it be possible that Chris is trying to make waves? Or is Bruce Allen stupid?

[Timmy T]

Why would the Bucs want Brett Favre when Green Bay doesn't even want him? Keep Garcia. Go Bucs!

[George L. Hicks]

Iam really static that Brett Farve may come to the Bucs and lead them deep into the playoffs. One thing if Farve does come on board. He stands a better chance to beat his old nemis The dallas Cowboys. Plus can you imagine how many games will be switch times late in the season to get the most of the national fans to follow this future Hall Of Fame QB. Why not Tampa, I think every player on this team will be on fire, and there will no tickets available when the bucs play home and away games. The city of Tampa will not imagine the on slaught of Media that will be at every game. And Maybe some of the so call Packers fans may have to change teams if Bucs is the team to land. I hope so. GO BUCS

[DR]

Green Bay is one of the most respected franchises in sports history. For someone like Favre to blame pressure from the organization for retiring early, I find that to be a cowardly excuse. Even if the Packers did pressure him to make a quick decision, can you blame them? He's been wishy washy for 4 years now and has been holding them hostage. I'm thinking that the Packers figured he would want to stay the QB after having a great season and it would be better to hear it early rather than have the same ol' question linger around all off season. Favre pulls a quick one on them and retires. End of story.
But Favre, who loves the spot light,loves the pity party, who thinks he is bigger than not only the team, but bigger than the NFL, his ego ready play some more, pulls a 180 on the Packers. I like the way the Packers are handling it. They are calling Favre's bluff. Why release a guy who hasn't showed to play ball, and is trying to screw you? It's quite obvious Favre wants to play ball in Minnesota. Too bad for Favre, who must have no brain, uses a Packers phone to call the Vikings up. Wow, what an idiot.
I think the end all will be the Vikings losing a pick for tampering and being barred from having Favre on their team. I think the Vikings are the only team Favre wants to play for and once that opportunty closes, he will go back into retirement. And his last ball will officially be, another BIG CHOKE for an INT. Favre has choked away more games in the palyoffs than he has won. His only SB was with a great running game. He'll sell more tickets but he won't win more games.

[Steve L]

"Iam really static"? "Old nemis"? "Will be switch times"? "on slaught"? Goodness, this blog needs an editor- one with at least a 4th grade education. Anyway...

I for one am not the least bit interested in the "on slaught" of media that would cover Brett "All Time INT Leader" Favre in TB. As I've mentioned elsewhere, his SB was won on a great GB team many moons ago. Since then he's vacilated between "good" to very bad. Well, we have "good" here already. Garcia is more athletic, smarter, cheaper and has a year with Gruden's system under his belt. It's really as simple as that. Favre would be a stop gap at best (which we already have at a discounted rate) and a huge distraction to boot. Let him hand off to Adrian Peterson, or better yet, send him to Carolina so we can get some easy INT's.

[Yoshi]

Shane i love the "D Block" reference from my other comment on the cadillac article (dallas cowboys for those who didnt read it) but i got to disagree with you on this one. I would rather have a quarterback that is more athletic and protects the ball more and knows the offense in garcia than one who is "a gunslinger" and "acts like a kid out there". Dont get me wrong, i think we SHOULD trade for Favre, only to trade him to the bears with some draft picks or maybe an ike hilliard or paris warren so that we can get an unhappy player from THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI in Devin Hester!!! You can never have too many players from THE U!!! That way we get the publicity everyone likes so much (not me personally) an upgrade at receiver and KR/PR and we STILL win more games! And on top of that, he's from florida! Its like a match made in heaven lol.

Just wishful thinking.

[KURT]

>>>I nominate Ryan for the "dumbest post of the day" award... oh look... he won.<<<

DON'T WORRY ... I CAN OUT-IDIOT THAT POST IN MY SLEEP!

[Kurt]

I think everyone here is overlooking the obvious concerning Favre; he can throw the deep ball. He'll throw 15 TD's to Galloway with a sandlot playboook. Sign him.

[Kurt]

>>>he can throw the deep ball. He'll throw 15 TD's to Galloway with a sandlot playboook.<<<

SEE!!! I told you I was DUMB as a box of rocks! There's the proof!
Doesn't anyone else think that a sandlot playbook would work in the NFL against defensive coordinators that are adept at stopping intricate offenses?

[skp]

the run game and defense will carry this team...we wouldn't max out brett's skills here, and his performance and enthusiasm both dipped when green bay started rebuilding and surrounded him with new faces, why would it be any different in tampa?

i think once he realizes that he won't get the same treatment as a rental player in some new city that he did as the heart of the packers, those second thoughts he's been battling will come right back...

the person that we need to get rid of is Chris Sims...
The problem I have with Brett is his $14,000,000 contract

[James]

Who cares what his contract is? The Bucs have the money and need the national exposer he brings. It's been a while since we've been a league-wide favorite.

Someone above said Jeff Garcia was smarter than Brett Favre... can I renig my giving Ryan the "dumbest post of the day" award and hand it straight to the idiot who said that?

Garcia over Favre... only (AND I MEAN ONLY) in a "hottest wife contest".

[Greg285]

People, let's remember one thing here! We're talking about Brett Farve not Ryan Leaf! The Packers were one interception away from the Super Bowl last year and as a die hard Bucs fan, they were closer to the Super Bowl than the Bucs with Garcia....Get Farve!!

[James]

I can't believe that I even have to ask the following question but I guess there's just too many nincompoops against the move...

Would the 2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers be a better football team with the addition of Brett Favre?

Only a complete fool would say no. Only a complete idiot fool would argue that the 2008 Buccaneers would be better off without Brett Favre.

Idiot fool on...

[Steve L]

James, only a fool would think that Favre is a smarter QB than Garcia- at least in the context of the Bucs offense (much less in general). Garcia has had to learn more offenses in the last 3 years than Favre has in his career. Favre’s contract would clearly have to be renegotiated as he's quite obviously not worth the 14 mil currently called for (yet another of the numerous reasons the Packers, the team that knows Favre more intimately than any other, has been tripping over themselves to figure out the best way to cut ties with him). And who gives a rat’s a** (sorry, spam filter) about national exposure? Guess what will get us national exposure? Winning. The once lowly Rays have proven that. And they didn’t need a huge salaried gun for hire to do so. No one gives the Bucs brain trust (i.e., the Glazer’s) any credit. Check out Michael Silver’s NFL owner’s poll over on Yahoo for a national columnist’s opinion about that. And finally, as if it needs to be said for the hundredth time (and apparently it does), Favre’s fastballs, however pretty they may still be, ultimately need to be caught. Since there’s going to be a lot of handing off, I think that more than evens things out.

[James]

Steve, why don't leave the football talk to us grown ups?

Garcia is smarter than Favre in the West Coast offense? Are you fuhking kiiding us?

Favre has been in the West Coast offense for 16 years and is truly a gun for hire. Jeff Garcia is the NFL's seasonal band-aid, a true bum for hire.

[Steve L]

Sigh…

Yes James, you’re just dazzling us with your grown up talk. And no, I’m not “kiiding” (as you say) you; Garcia learned a more pure form of the Walsh influenced West Coast offense. I’m sure you know this, and if you don’t, you do now. Regardless, that’s not even the crux of what I was saying. If you re-read my posts with both eyes opened you’ll see that my two main points are: one- we’ve already got our pre- trained stop gap (and once again, let me emphasize that at best, Favre would be a stop gap) and two- the QB in Gruden’s version of the WC offense needs to be both mobile, and make good decisions- neither of which is Favre’s strong suit.

[Kurt]

Why are people posting under my name? I realize that I have to b!tchslap one or two of you every now and again, but using my name points straight to your envy. I guess I should be flattered. And yes, Favre would throw 15 TD's to Galloway with a sandlot playbook because he's still got a rocket for an arm and Galloway is still the fastest player in the NFL! He was open so many times last year and whimpy arm Garcia (although I do like his overall game,) missed him at least a dozen times. I believe Favre won't miss; that's all. If you don't think he's an upgrade at QB, you're just plain stupid.

[Steve L]

Kurt, I’m sorry but I have to agree with your imposter (though I’m not sure why he’s envious), who seems to actually know a thing or two about the game. I would bet you that many of the times you claim Garcia missed Galloway he had rolled out to avoid pressure- pressure that the lead legged Favre of 2008 wouldn’t avoid. Worse, he’d get rid of the ball to avoid the pressure and rack up another of his all time NFL leading INT’s. It’s not that I don’t think he’s an upgrade at QB; he’s NOT an upgrade at QB at this stage of his game. Ten years ago- no question. But Garcia has taken much better care of himself; knows this offense better, is more mobile, is more careful with the football, etc. Don’t get me wrong- I’m not in love with Garcia leading our team, but I have no doubt that he’s better behind center (and what should be a further improved OL) on this 2008 Buc team than another QB who’s skills are clearly diminished and who has to learn a brand new system.

[Kurt]

If Garcia is better then why did Favre throw for 1700 more yards last year in the same West Coast offense? Did you read that? 1700+ more yards over Garcia and 15 more TD's. OMG, that would mean we would probably have gone 12-4 or 13-3 last year. How can you fathom to argue with those numbers and that logic? Just so you know; I like Garcia, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't upgrade in a hearbeat either. All that writing Steve and you completely whiffed on what a QB does.