Garcia says it is "highly unlikely" he'll play in preseason opener

Injured Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia, out since Thursday with a calf strain, said Tuesday morning that he doubts he will play in Saturday’s preseason opener against the Dolphins.

“I don’t think I’ve been ruled out but I think it’s highly unlikely,” Garcia said after Tuesday’s morning session. "It’s just one of those things. I haven’t practiced in a few days and I’m sure coach wouldn’t want to throw me out there not having practiced.

“Also it’s preseason,” he added. “It’s not a sense of getting ready for this one, but making sure I’m ready for the opener of the season.”

Garcia was on the field for the first time during outdoor team drills Tuesday morning, but was a mere spectator, standing behind coach Jon Gruden as Luke McCown and Brian Griese took most of the reps.

Garcia said he is improving and he didn’t see missing much more time, but admitted being frustrated by the injury.

“It’s just one of those things when it’s down in your leg you can necessarily step back on the field and start pushing yourself,” Garcia said. “Hopefully before you know it, I’ll be back on the field. It’s not happening as fast as I would like it to but that’s just the way these things go.”

Wide receiver Joey Galloway (groin) didn’t practice either. Neither did Jovan Haye (groin). Defensive back Sammy Davis was out with a hip flexor but is day to day.

Bucs coach Jon Gruden said he was pleased with the tempo of practice but saw too many dropped passes and interceptions (He has counted five drops by linebackers this camp). He applauded rookie Dexter Jackson’s route running and speed, saying the quarterbacks needed to do a better job of getting him the ball.

And when asked about the team's first depth chart, which the Bucs had to release per league rules Monday, Gruden didn’t put much stock in it.

“We could change it at lunch,” Gruden said. “We’ve got a long way to go to decide who’s two and who’s three and who’s going to make it and who’s not.”

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

[Photo: James Borchuck, Times]

Comments

[John Jangles]

Looks like Luke McCown vs Josh McCown this weekend.. eh

[Greg]

It might get a little greise too. But no fan farverate.

[G]

At this point, who cares that we will be watching McCown, or whoever. I'm ready for some football! I cant stand watching preseason games for any other team since i couldn't care less about their benchwarmers, but our team... now that will be exciting. I cant wait to see what the o-line does (even if its for a few plays), talib, D. jackson, etc. This is going to be a great year for us. I am even going to patiently wait and not read any headlines about the game so i can watch it when its aired on NFL network and be surprised. Since i live in MD, i dont get the game live. And oh yea, we better win. I know its pre-season but we have to be better prepared than the lowly dolphins at this point with them rebuilding. If we lose, everyone should run gassers for next 3 practices!

[shane]

G we could run our practice squad against the Fins and still beat them(hell oakland could run its entire 3rd string against them and win). Anyone know what the hell a hip flexor is cause I have never heard of an injury like that.

[IMISS_No47]

I have to do the same thing since I live in DC. Thank God for NFL network!

[DR]

The Dolphins weren't as bad as their record showed last year. They lost the league's best player at the time, Ronnie Brown, who had the most yards from scrimmage. They lost 6 games by 3 points!!! So, before you call a team horrible, know what you are talking about.
You guys seem to forget that the Bucs were one year from being horrible. The 1-15 Fins put up better stats last year than the 4-12 Bucs of '06.

[DR]

Did I mention that I am a troll who doesn't know too much about football?
Afterall, there are PLENTY of teams that went 1-15 that really weren't that bad, right? Seriously, I think that they were actually pretty OK ... if they got a break here or there they might have even been a very respectable 4-12!

[Jeff Garcia]

Sorry guys, I'm still a little hurt. As soon as these little ouchies go away I'll be back to play :)

No need to get a durable QB like that yellow-toothed country bumpkin when you've got a guy like me who's so SUPER!

[Leo Canadian Bucs Fan]

Don't shoot me. I am just the messenger! It was just reported up here Green Bay @ Tampa Bay are in VERY serious discussions at this moment to move Favre to Tampa Bay. Our sports reports are usually very accurate and credible.

[Luckygee]

Uhh Ohh .... The yankees just traded for favre so that the Bucs couldn't get him!

YOU'VE JUST BEEN EDUCATED

[John Maddon]

B O O M ...
just like that

BOOM

Brett Favre is so smart he'll memorize the playbook on his flight down to Tampa

I mean, he's BRETT FAVRE for cryin' out loud

[Joe Tommasino]

yo idiot, it's MADDEN ... Maddon is the manager for the Rays you friggin' jagoff

[Shane]

hey guys, I'm sorry for being an idiot when it comes to the NFL and the Bucs. I didn't realize the Dolphins were better than they were despite having 3 different QBs and 3 different Rbs start last season. They even traded their #1 WR after having a horrible start. I'm not sure what his name is because I couldn't name more than 5 WRs that play the game. Hopefuly Baynews9 Sports talk could educate me about the rest of the NFL league that I know nothing about.

[Ken]

hmmm...preseason and Gracia is already hurt but hey we don't need an actual real-life, fully qualified starting QB who holds the record for most consecutive starts, naw, Gracia will get mended up just in time to get hurt within the first 2-3 games...