Garcia improving, Griese to start

Quarterback Jeff Garcia still isn't ready to participate in team drills, but he was moving around a lot better today when the Bucs resumed workouts at their facility in Tampa.

Garcia will not play in Sunday night's game against the New England Patriots. In fact, Jon Gruden just revealed that Brian Griese will start the game.

But Garcia was running much better on his sprained right calf and moved well in some change or direction drills with trainer Todd Toriscelli Friday.

Meanwhile, receiver Joey Galloway continued to recover from a groin strain by working out on an adjacent field. Galloway missed all three weeks of training camp. Also not practicing was tight end Ben Troupe and defensive tackle Jovan Haye. Troupe, it turns out, has a foot injury but should play Sunday, Gruden said.

Last week at Miami, Luke McCown started at quarterback. But Gruden will make good on his promise to shuffle things at the position from week to week, at least during the preseason. That will give he and his staff the opportunity to better evaluate Griese and McCown because both will get playing time with the starting offense.

Comments

[Jay]

Does this mean the end of Chris Simm's playing time? Or are we going to see him against the 3rd stringers again?

[Greg]

We should pass over 70% of the plays. The game does not matter, so we need to see who can play, and work out the reciever position very well. No better time then before the season starts.

[Stephen Blackehart]

I really like Garcia as our QB, but his apparent fragility is becoming pretty worrisome.

We'd best get good looks at Griese and (I know it sounds crazy, but) Simms, because it's a fair bet at least one of them will see some substantial playing time during the season.

I know everyone loves McCown, but I don't know if I believe you can really teach pocket awareness.

I'd love to see Chris make a great come back and be the teams starting QB.

[Vince]

Stephen -- McCown has played in 7 games in 5 years, right? Isn't it a little premature to judge him on "pocket awareness." That's like saying he will always go 20-20 in passing (uh . . . oops . . . I think he did that too . . . in the NO game?)

[tradewinds loser boy moser]

another reason the bucs should have pushed for favre,garcia can be good but he is very fragile,favre is the ironman

[george c. costanza]

"I strained my calf once and also sustained a strained groin in my youth while playing stickball back in Rochester. Those injuries cannot be taken lightly."

-- Malcolm "Gonzo" Glazer

[david kilmer]

Would love to see Simms make a comeback and make this team. Overall,believe with a little more time he is the best QB behind Garcia. This kid is tough and now has much to prove. Mc Cown, from what I can see is talented, but agree the pocket awareness not really there. Can it be taught?, probably not. Rob Johnson ring a bell. Griese will never deliver in the end, but wil break our hearts with ,yes another interception in the red zone.Losing Simms may turn out to be a huge mistake like John Lynch and Warren Sapp.

[Slowmo]

and just a few years ago every one was screaming about Simm's with his batted balls.Just goes to show you fans root for the under dog and not what he really can do

[wizdomheard]

Keep in mind we are still in preseason and we need to get a good look at what we have to work with on the tampa bay bucs 80 man squad. The best observation would be in game time situations. Lets wait and see what Griese has to work with before we judge him too soon.

[brandon is an idiot]

This is a no-brainer.

[brandon is an idiot]

Griese is 42-36 all-time as a starter. That's the best winning % on our roster.

[jeff]

Simms is not intelligent enough to be a starting QB in the NFL. His decision making process is far too slow to be effective on a regular basis. Everybody seems to love this guy just because Gruden was "mean" and didn't go visit him when he was laid up. Remember people, before he got hurt, and when he was the starting QB, he was terrible. He will never be a starting QB in this league unless the starter he is backing up goes down. I don't understand the love affair with a below average QB. Trust gruden folks, he's the best coach in Bucs history and will be in the hall of fame before his career is over. Simms, will be holding the clip board no matter where he lands. The Bucs don't owe this joker a darn thing.

[TexasMack]

More on Simms.
I know it was the third string the other night, but he was the only QB that Gruden called the full offense with. He only missed on one throw that I can remember and we in good rythm. Outside of Garcia, he is the only QB in the last 4 years that could run the whole offense. I watched the playoff game again the other day and Garcia's inability to throw more than 30 yards down the field unless the wind is behind him is a large liability. If he can not set, it is hard for him to pass longer than 15 with accuracy. I lean to greise for helath but thing Simms is our best hope so far. McNown could be great but after all the years watching he still can't run the whole offense. Let see what happens again tonight.

[Rick]

The game is tomorrow night folks....

[Dave]

I'd start Griese when the regular saeson begins. Make Garcia the backup and McCown 3rd string. Sims should go somewhere where a team will appreciate him. Then we cxan wish he was back when he succeeds.

Baltimore would be a great spot for Sims.

[Brandon]

Anybody that thinks I'm an idiot has never played football beyond the fantasy level.

Does anybody know off the top of their heads the last time Griese started all 16 games in a season? Or actually taken a team to the playoffs or made a Pro Bowl?

He's never played in 16 games because he is made of glass. The last time he did squat with any team was 2001, he made the Pro Bowl in 2000... he's 33 years old with 2 major injuries that have taken away his once average ability.

[Brandon]

If you're an expert on Simms perhaps you should know that there is another "s" on the end of his last name. What happens to Josh Johnson under this nightmare scenario of yours?

[ninja]

Hasn't McClown had a long enough tenure, and ample chances to step up? Wasn't he once reviewed in depth, and crowned the back-up to Simms when they were both healthy? Simms should stick around. He's been paid, and knows the offense better than any of them. I say... Garcia gets hurt early on, Greise comes in, and better produce, or it's Simms time. The combination of the latter two worked well in the past. McClown just doesn't seem to possess the inititive to get hot when he's had chances. He came out looking flat against Miami too.

[ninja killer]

McCown has only gotten a few games to prove himself Ninja Turtle. Give the guy a chance. I can see the statement if it were applied to Grad or Simms because they had many chances and just could not step up. McCown is inconsistent at worst, very promising at best. Put the man in the pocket and let him marinate, if he stinks throw him out, but al least let him marinate.

[The Contributist]

Greg,

You are correct. They should throw at least 70% of the time, use all QBs and make the recievers prove who can make it happen. We know we have a good set of backs. The passing game is the biggest question. Stress it to see what it can do. If they are successful they got a lot of confidence. If they are not, then we know we got some trading to do.

i want to see josh johnson get more reps. just because he reminds me of that guy on Any Given Sunday.. he barely threw any last game.. i guess thats wat happens wen u have 5 qbs

[dylan]

i like how he is letting both mccown and griese go against the 1st string defenses. Should be fun to see who comes on top as #2 QB.

[Michael]

I dont know if Chris simms can be an effective starter.. id rather see garcia or griese at starting qb

[Kevinmills]

“McClown just doesn't seem to possess the inititive to get hot when he's had chances. He came out looking flat against Miami too.”, - Ninja

“McNown could be great but after all the years watching he still can't run the whole offense. Let see what happens again tonight.”, - TexasMack

I don’t get some of these [and others] comments about McCown. He completed 67% percent of his passes for 7.3 yards an attempt and had a 91.7 QB rating last year. Against New Orleans he threw the ball all over the field and completed a perfect, and clutch, game winning TD pass. The guy has no problem putting up yardage and using all his weapons. I’m not sure how that’s not ‘running the whole offense’.

He is guilty of making some boneheaded plays and not getting rid of the ball fast enough on a few occasions. I think he’s only started 5 games in his career. These things may or may not come. But at least make sure your criticism is correct.

As for the preseason game: it was one, and the first, preseason game. I don’t think that’s anything to make a judgment on. It probably didn’t help he was playing his brother and plenty of friends and family were probably there to watch.

[john]

I want to see josh johnson start!

[Southern Pirate]

Geeze, I'm surprise some of the whiners aren't calling for Trent Dilfer's return. Or maybe Shawn King.

[James]

Anyone remember when Kerry Jenkins played all season with a broken fibula?

Man, Jeffy's calf-strain must be ultra-painful.

Jeff is a fragile cry baby who's full of sour grapes. It's his lack of contract that's making his now 2 week calf strain continue to hamper him.

Get real peaple, Garcia is not a Buc, he's a bum.

[john]

james you would be pissed to if they kept million in bouns because they wouldnt let you play the last game of the season.But once the season starts he and joey galloway will be ready to go.

[aaron]

simms is the best qb on the roster, period. you say simms isnt moblie. well, hell garcia cant throw the ball 30 yrds. simms has a cannon. and with an actual nfl quality line now, i bet he would do great.

[john]

Simms isnt half the qb garcia is.But I do belive hes the second best and I hope we keep him as garcias backup.I would cut brain grease and luke mcown.we dont need 4 qbs.I stll wish we would sign chris henry.

Who cares the Bucs are lame!!! And so are the fans!! Fairweather fans boo their home team, that would be the Bucs fans!!