Gruden backs Griese despite interceptions

Jon Gruden backed quarterback Brian Griese while acknowledging that he has to cut down on his turnovers during Gruden's news conference Monday at One Buc Place.

Griese had a 36.0 quarterback rating after completing 15 of 30 passes for 149 yards and three interceptions during Sunday's 30-21 win over the Packers. He has thrown six interceptions the past two weeks, both Bucs' wins.

''You've got some real good stats there,'' Gruden said. ''You know he's 3-0 as a starter; how about that? We've played two very good defenses. The Chicago Bears on the road -- he was the player of the week for us last week. He threw a couple interceptions yesterday and we can't have that. He knows that. But he's a winning quarterback for us and we're going to rally around him, continue to try to improve on his strengths and try to clean up a couple plays that hurt us last week."

Gruden said Griese made a ''good decision'' on his first interception, which was tipped by wide receiver Michael Clayton into the hands of Tramon Williams. "He missed the throw a litle bit,'' and "Nick Collins made a superb play'' on the second, Gruden said.

On the third, which Charles Woodson returned 62 yards for a touchdown and 21-20 Packers lead, ''I think Brian telegraphed it a little bit,'' Gruden said.

''I credit Green Bay to a degree, but we've got to make better decision-making,'' Gruden said, "and w'ere going to work toward that later this week.''

Gruden said Griese rebounded from the interceptions to make a couple of big plays down the stretch. He also liked the way Griese commanded the running game.

''I got a lot of respect and confidence in Brian Griese,'' Gruden said. "There’s three or four throws he’s made the last two weeks that have hurt us and there are about thirty five or forty throws that have really helped us. He made some throws yesterday after the third interception that were big time plays. They changed the game in terms of field position.

''He made some decisions in the running game that were outstanding. So there is some areas I think that are very clear and obvious that we need to clean up. He knows where I stand and where our team stands on turnovers and we got to clean that up, and we’re going to work our butt of this week to get that done.”

Gruden said the Bucs will "split the reps up and get all three guys some work'' in preparation for Sunday's game against the Broncos. He said the Bucs will need all three of its quarterbacks, including  former starter Jeff Garcia, at some point this season.

"Garcia was our starter and might be our starter again at some point in time,'' Gruden said.

Gruden expressed ''some concern'' about the right elbow injury that sent safety Sabby Piscitelli to the sideline in the third quarter. Gruden hoped to have more information about the severity of the injury later today.

Offensive linemen Arron Sears and Jeremy Trueblood also left the game with injuries. The team will update its official injury list on Wednesday, Gruden said.

Comments

[Clifford]

All we can hope for is that Clayton is not dressed for this week's coming game.

[TexasMack]

Taking the chance of becoming the target of infantile tyrads…..So basically it sounds like if Greise throws no INT’s next week, then everyone will be happy because we get the advantage of a down field thrower, calmness in the pocket, passes that hit receivers in stride 80% of the time and no drama that the team mates have to endure because the “formal leader” of the team isn’t walking around with a chip on his shoulder. With Greise I have confidence in his game closing ability even if he puts us in the situation the first time. If you want to key referring to history, with Garcia, he’s thrown game ending interceptions in the last 3 games he’s played which makes me serious nervous if we have to come from behind – and he doesn’t seem to have the ability to put us ahead while the Football Gods have shone on The BUCS as Greise as the leader (look at Tillman’s penalty and Rodgers injury). It’s obvious that Gruden is gonna do what he is gonna do. I can tell there are a lot of fans here who just come on board fans in the last ten years or so or you’d really understand the quarterback history at Tampa. Call it the Culverhouse-Williams curse but real BUC Ball has always been about Defense. Doesn't mean we have to stay that way, but that's the identity of these team since the Orange Crush days. So in the mean time let’s get some enjoyment out what is going on – no matter if its with baited breath or not. That’s what being a fan is all about.

[Bruiser]

You people complain way too much as a forever Bucs fan I hope they keep on winning I dont care who is the better Q.B. as long as he keeps us in the W column. Turn overs happen to even the Best Q.B. in the league, the only thing that really matters is The final score which was Bucs 30 Packers 21 so until they loose shut up

[bobbyd]

By the way 3bucs, Brett Favre is 2-2 this season. Griese is undefeated. I'm just saying....

[Cupa Cabra]

You morons would complain regardless, even if the team was 4-0. What then? Gripe about Gruden getting "tubby"?

[Adam]

Griese inherited a team in Week 2 with NO LEGITIMATE RECEIVERS and we're APALLED that he his INTs are up? I'm surprised they aren't HIGHER.

[Matt]

If the Bronco's can't stop the run, I wouldn't mind seeing Bennett dress and either Stoval or Clayton sit so we don't run out of running in the 4th Qtr in the altitude.

As for Griese, I would have pulled him after the 3rd INT both weeks and both weeks he leads us back to victory so it a great thing I'm not the Head Coach.

I love the way the Graham/Dunn tandum and O Line is working. Zuttah although he won't get any Rookie of the Year votes has been outstanding.

[t-ville]

All qbs throw ints especially against quality Ds. The true measure of a qb is whether he can perform in crunch time. Thats when you can tell a qb has 'it'. right now greise is the closest to 'it' we have. GO BUCS!

[Brandon]

Kurt AND Gruden are freaking insane.

Gruden was quoted as saying Griese made some big throws AFTER the 3rd INT... newsflash, Gru... Griese didn't throw another pass after Al Harris took it to the house.

Hey Kurt,

You still think Griese is the PERFECT QB for the Bucs? Again, we have won DESPITE Griese, not because of him, he is awful and everything I said about that piece of dung are true, no arm, can't throw intermediate, can't make plays when D's challenge receivers, propensity give up the Pick-6... we could hae won the last 2 games if we had only had a QB that could have played average... at this point I think Jay Gruden might be a better option at QB than Griese.

[Brandon]

If this were any other position, Griese would be replaced. Nobody with any common sense can sit here and tell us that if our LT gave up 3 sacks a game but because we still won that we shouldn't replace him or if a Rb was getting only 2.8 yards a carry and fumbling twice a game that we shouldn't replace him either... for all of you blind Griese supporters, if this were any other position, not only would the guy not be starting, he would be cut... but because he's the QB and the team wins there's some unwritten rule that you don't replace a winning QB... that's a stupid F-ing rule and that bum Griese needs to be benched for good. The good news is that Griese has never played more than 13 games in a season because he's so fragile, so whenever his replacement comes in we will be able to see how a real QB should play.

[Tom]

Brandon, Al Harris is out with a ruptured spleen.

[Jake]

I have read all the comments on here about Garcia. Griese is the starting QB, but Garcia should not have lost his job.

Bucs were slated for last in all of the pre-season polls last year. Garcia comes in and they win the Division.

Stats 13 games played, 13 TDs 4 Ints, 94.6 passer rating, 63.9 pass. pct, for you dink and dunk fans 7.5 yards per attempt. This time last year Bucs' 3 Wins - 1 Loss

Griese this year 3 games played, 4 TDs and 6 Ints 62.5 passer rating, 55.5 pass. pct, more dink and dunk than you think 5.6 yards per attempt.

Nothing else to say.

[jason]

Yeah - time to fire the coach, time to fire the QB...there's still a chance while they're still 3-1,

quickly now folks... Al Davis will soon be on the market, and so will be the Little Tuna and the Big Cheese.

ya bunch of idiots

[J]

i don't care what all the haters say, but Griese is giving our WRs a chance to make plays by getting rid of the ball on time and just throwing the ball period...garcia often got stuck holding on to the ball, along with happy feet..with the defense that we have this year, why not let Griese be a gunslinger and give our offense a chance for bigger and more explosive plays to build leads in a game..it'll help the defense by making other teams more one dimensional, and it'll put the ball in the air more often for a very opportunistic secondary..i'll take a 2 possession lead at the cost of a few INT's going into the 4th quarter with our defense.

[J]

and I think you all are forgetting who Griese is throwing to..WRs that can't get open in press man coverage..so for Griese to be 3-0 says something..and i say put galloway on IR and get D.Jackson some reps..he's gotta learn sometime..

[bobbyd]

Brandon,
You're wrong on two counts. One, Al Harris didn't even play. And two, the first two plays after Woodson's interception were complete passes of 10+ and and 20+ yards. Perhaps you were watching a different game.

The funny part about this WHOLE thing is that you have the Gruden haters playing both sides of the argument. They complain that Gruden hasn't brought in any talent at WR or QB, but even when he wins with these players, they say he can't coach or call a game. It's politician-style double-talk.

Show some love for your first place Bucs!

[DR]

There you guys go again, bringing up the Cowboys. They lost to a good team and Jason Garrett must have stole Gruden's horrible playbook, not running the ball. Barber 8 carries and Jones 0- that's something Gruden would do. Despicable.
Griese just doesn't look good throwing the ball down the field. Yeah, maybe two of the INTs could be put on the WRs, but still, those throws could have been better. He has thrown some god awful balls.

DR,
"Jason Garrett must have stole Gruden's horrible playbook, not running the ball."

Really? Couldn't one simply argue that even teams as "great" as the Cowboys sometimes get it wrong?

I think it kind of illustrates the point that no team, no coach, no player is perfect... Romo makes mistakes, the Cowboys coaching staff makes mistakes etc.

For some reason, the Bucs hater-morons can only hold up mistakes as their testimony against the team. They fail acknowledge the great plays and great decisions. It's as if they expect perfection across the board.

Brian Griese had some bone-headed passes (just as Romo did this week). I completely agree. But an objective person can also see he made some excellent and important plays. I was at the game live, so I finally got to watch it on TiVo last night. There were at least 2 incredible passes he threw mere milliseconds before he got hit (KNOWING he was about to get hit). It's not sexy like a big bomb pass, but they were very good plays that helped his team prolong drives and score points.

[bobbyd]

DR,
Oh, that last post was me. Not sure why it blanked on me.

[Henry]

Griese, should he start the rest of the year, is currently on track for for 16 TD's and 24 INT's. I'll take Garcia's 2007 numbers of 13 TD's and 4 picks any day over that horrible prospect!

If that's too small a sample for you, take a look at their career numbers. Garcia has 150 TD's and 78 INT's. Griese has 118 TD's and 98 INT's.

A lot of you folks posting about this subject act like groupies, like you've got some emotional attachment to one of these guys. Look at the numbers! Stay rational!

[Tom]

On another subject..

I like the way DJax ran with the ball on Sunday. He was much more aggressive hitting his lanes but was patient enough to let the play develop. Let's hope he continues to progress. However, what's up with not letting him field the ball inside our red zone? Are the coaches that scared he'll muff the catch? That's pretty pathetic.

[bobbyd]

Henry,
It's been said over and over again. There is only one stat that matters W-L.

My two biggest arguments are:

1) the stats don't tell the whole story. You actually have to look at individual plays in individual games. There are some things a QB has control over, and some things he doesn't. Griese has been PHENOMENAL in the pocket (sacked 2 times in 3 games). He's making plays when it's most crucial (2 come from behind victories in 2 weeks). Yeah, he's had some bad throws for sure, but he's still making crucial plays. Just to remind you, Garcia had a chance at a come from behind victory in game 1 and threw a pick to end the game.

2) No team ever, ever, ever pulls a quarterback who wins. It's not good for team morale and it's inarguably stupid. So far, the guy is a winner and he has rallied the team around him. Let him roll!

Personally, I felt Garcia was the better quarterback coming in to the season, and statistically, you're right. But at the moment, Brian Griese is finding ways to win games so there is no justification for benching him.

[bobbyd]

Tom,
I think the team is easing him into the process so they can let him mature and learn how to make wise choices. There's no value in putting him in when they no there is no opportunity for a return. And those are some of the biggest chances for a "rookie mistake".

[Henry]

bobbyd,

I agree that W-L is the only statistic at the end of the day that matters. However, it is naive to believe that any team is going to win over the course of the season when the QB throws bushels of INT's. The Bucs got away with it when the Bears' got flagged for a personal foul. They turned a 20 - 3 lead against the Packers into a nail-biter when our QB threw 3 INT's.

I agree that you can't bench Griese after the three straight victories, but the Buc's would have easily walked away with both of those victories had the QB not thrown 6 picks.

I hope that Griese will be more careful with the ball, because I want the Bucs to keep winning. Unfortunately his 11 year history says that he won't. If he loses a couple of games due to errant throws, he'll be on the bench if Gruden has any sense at all.

Watch the Denver game carefully because the Broncos have a terrible pass defense. If we lose that game on Griese's arm, Garcia should start warming up.

[DR]

I agree bobbyd that Griese should keep starting, but he is one loss away from losing it. Like I said, you can't count on the defense to keep the other team from scoring if you keep turning the ball over. If the Bucs defense didn't score against the Bears- Game Over, Bucs lose. Ruud made a great play after Forte dropped a pass and got a turnover there. The defense is the main reason the Bucs are winning. Griese has played well down the stretch but the defense has bailed him out time and time again after turnovers. The defensive ranking doesn't tell the whole story.

[Tom]

Good point, bobbyd.

[Jake M Largo High 10th]

I think Griese is just lost right now. He needs to get his head stright fing his spots, play the way he used to. Let him do his thing he'll come back! With what happens the next game well know to put Garcia up to it or not.

[anti-greasy]

to all the 'idiots', and you know who you are....

does it really have to be...
you don't agree with me so your an iIDIOT, FREAKIN ....., duh, doh, doobie doobie doo IDIOT's, blah, blah, blah,
3-1, YES, 6 int.s pooh pooh, IDIOTS, blah, blah....

d..., learn how to have a semi-intelligent conversation/debate without the 3 year old type name calling...

I'm all for debating the season to date
and what's sad is Jake M in the 10th grade at Largo high has one of the few posts without the name calling being throw around.
Learn from the kid people!

[Gar]

Griese is the 28th ranked "starting" QB in the league.

62.5 passer rating.

ONLY 71 of 128 completions to attempts.

6 interceptions and 1 fumble to 4 TDs.

Anybody, including the "GURU" himself, want to tell me that this is the QB to lead this team to a championship needs to put down the pipe!!!

3 and 0 as the starter is ONLY because of our defense. The defense won those games even after Griese had given them away.

Wake up and put down the "GURU" Koolaid!!

[bobbyd]

Henry,
"However, it is naive to believe that any team is going to win over the course of the season when the QB throws bushels of INT's."

You're spot on with that. But there's nothing to say that Griese won't get dialed in and start making tighter throws. There's nothing to say he will either though, so that's where I agree with DR that he's going to be on a short leash. If he ends up being the reason for a loss or two, then I would certainly expect Gruden to bench him. Who he would go with at that point would be anyone's guess. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing McCown, but I think Gruden's going to do what he needs to do to keep his job.

[bobbyd]

anti-greasy,
How ironic. You're blasting people for name-calling yet you post as "greasy".

[Elliot]

We would have won by more points if Griese turned around and handed the ball off every time.

IF YOU DISPUTE THAT, THEN YOU NEED TO QUIT DRINKING GRUDEN'S KOOL-AID.

What makes this team good is Monte's great deffense and Grudens good play-calling. What prevents this team from being great is Gruden's inability to develop a great QB.

[bobbyd]

Elliot,
I do not drink kool-aid.

Two questions:
How many wins do you get for winning by 4 touchdowns?
How many wins do you get for winning by 1 point?

Alright sports fans there you have it, Lane Kiffin was just fired as coach of the Raiders. Now we can send Gruden packing and hire Lane.

[Elliot]

bobbyd

I have a rhetorical question for you:

How many times has Griese led his team to the playoffs?
How many times has Garcia led his team to the playoffs?

[intrepid88]

Yeah, ENOUGH with all of the Garcia "put his body on the line" and "probowl QB" talk. Get real, he put his body on the line cuz he scrambles around and gets demolished and we all know the reason he "made the probowl"...As soon as Griese loses we'll see Cool hand Luke!

Bottom line - Gruden knows what he's doing.

GO BUCS!!!

Gruden doesnt know what he is doing; exhibit-A...Bruce Gradkowski.
Fire Gruden! Monte moves to head coach, Lane hired as offensive coordinator and Raheem Morris promoted to defensive coordinator!

Exhibit-B...bringing in Ricky Dudley, Charlie Garner, Zack Crockett, and Tim Brown.

any what about all of the great players he HAS brought in...get real!

Exhibit-C...His choice in bringing in outstanding tackles such as Todd Steussie, Derrick Deese, and Luke Petigout.

Exhibit-D(1)...his not resigning of Joe Jurevicious, who caught 55 passes and 10 td's the following year.
Exhibit-D(2)...releasing John Lynch, four pro bowls made after being released.

Great players such as Jeremy Stevens?

[Dontae]

why is Garcia not staring? he threw one pick in the Saints game Griese is throwing touchdowns to the other team

Or great players like Leon Joe? Or Matt McCoy? Or Matt Stinchomb?

Apparently Garcia isnt starting because "Gruden knows what he is doing"

[anti-greasy]

bobbyd,

i don't eat fried food,
bad for your skin, arteries, heart, colon etc.

hence, anti-greasy

bobbyd:

I do not green eggs and ham, Sam I am.

[GoBucs]

for those of you who like to spend your time complaining about 3-1 Gruden and Greise, get a life! If you want to complain maybe you should be a Browns or Rams fan. Then you would have a right to complain. I'm sure none of you were buying game tickets when Richard Williamson, Ray Perkings, or Leeman Bennett were head coach! You probably have to Google them to even know who they are. To real Buc fans.....GO BUCS!!!!!!!

[YOU PEOPLE ARE MORONS]

Wow, you people think Gruden, sucks... look at Oakland since he left. Is that what you people want the Bucs to become? I can tell you now that if there were a better coach available, Oakland or St. Louis would have signed him by now.

[George Bush #1]

You haters are never satisfied! First you want to win. Then we change QB's and start winning (3-1). Now, we start winning and you want to change QB's again. I mean, you fake Buc fans are never satisfied. You all have to realize that our team has played great. It is a team effort. Griese made mistakes, but also made some good decisions as well. Maybe, you have to look at the fact that the coaching has been awesome due to the fact that we have been able to rally in the 4th quarter and win games. How many of us are used to that? Thank you! Our coaches have done a great job in preparing this team and it shows on the field. Before the year is over our offense and defense will be ranked in the top 10. So, all of you so called Buc fans stop blogging on this site and become Saints or Broncos fans. They have a good QB's right? Isn't that what you all want? A good QB. You haters don't know what the hell you are talking about. 4-1 after Sunday. Cutler will fold under pressure and the running game will gash the weak Broncos D-Line.