Gruden continues to deny Garcia rumors

Coach Jon Gruden has tried to avoid getting into specifics when asked about the possibility of quarterback Jeff Garcia being traded.

But Gruden made his most emphatic denial today when asked about the potential for moving Garcia, something that has been suggested and reported in a number of places in recent days.

Asked if the Bucs or anyone in the organization has discussed Garcia with other teams, Gruden said, "I have not. I have not talked to anybody about Jeff. There are a lot of reports out there and if someone ever came to me that had issued a report, I would be happy to address it. But there's a lot of reports out there that are erroneous and incorrect."

So, basically, the reports are not true?

"Not to my knowledge," he said.

You can make of that whatever you want. It wasn't that long ago Gruden was issuing strong denials about the team's interest in Brett Favre, and we all know that wasn't exactly, well, true.

Not calling Jon a liar. Just saying that, oftentimes, where there's smoke, there's fire (i.e. Favre). And right now, it's pretty smokey around here.

Comments

[Drew]

Garcia will be here for the rest of this season.

[bobbyd]

Stephen, totally off-topic, but any word on Davin Joseph?

[shane]

its been five weeks since davin got hurt so i agree with bobbyd we want news on davin and i haven't heard or read anything from espn or nfl.com about garcia being shopped so i'll believe gruden until something proves otherwise

[Ron]

Come on. He's not lying.
He said "I have not. I have not talked to anybody about Jeff."
He wouldn't talk to anyone, Bruce Allen would.

[Stephen_Holder]

Guys, I'm the one who asked the question. When he said "I" haven't talked to anyone, I followed up by saying, "Not you -- the organization." Jon continued down the same line anyway. I don't think it's a big deal, just trying to be clear so you know what's up.

[Stephen_Holder]

Now, regarding Davin, Gruden said he is "questionable to doubtful" for Chicago. I would not expect to see him this week. He only recently got the boot off his foot and is still limping. I think he has a shot to play against Green Bay the following week. You might recall when we first broke the story on Davin's injury, we told you it could take as many as eight weeks. This week is five, I believe.

[Vince]

You Rock Steven!

[Vince]

I mean Stephen!

[Darren]

You bet'cha. The famous Clinton defense.

"It depends what your definition of is is."

Bubba has time off now that Hillary is toast. He must be giving Gruden talking points.

[aj]

We need Davin, the leader of our line. Run blocking would be even better, and they might be able to pass block. Zuttah has been getting abused when he's pass blocking. You can then dedicate a back or tight end solely to help Penn.

[TC]

Darren, It's not Gruden Bubba's giving talking points too......

http://aherdofturtles.blogspot.com/2008/09/i-wonder-if-he-broke-out-cigars.html

[Turk]

Okay you've got a double negative going on here.

"So, basically, the reports are not true?

"Not to my knowledge," he said."

If the quotes are not true Gruden should have said, "to my knowledge." Did he just get you with words Stephen? Think about it...LOL

[Matt]

Its pointless asking Gruden or Allen if they are willing to comment on a Garcia trade rumor.

I feel sorry for Stephen having to report on this team because he can't write what he really thinks about the BS these guys deliver in the press conferences or they'll never let him back into the building.

[Wayne]

Unfortunately I think Garcia is on his way out. I think with Griese as qb we are doomed for the season. He is not going to do anything to win us a ballgame and he sure will not lead us to any comebacks. Garcia has proven he can run this offense. He was a pro bowler last year. Griese was the backup for a horrible bears team. Remember he did get his chance there and look what he did. He turns the ball over way to much. I just hope that after this game against the bears Gruden realizes the horrible mistake he is making and puts JG back in. If it takes us getting destroyed this week for JG to get his job back then I think I may be a bears fan this week. Rather trade one game then the whole season. Sorry to sound so pessimistic but just don't see any upside at all with griese at qb.

[Al Gore]

I started all this when I told you here 2 weeks ago that Garcia would be going to the 49ers. Now I am telling you to use one square of TP after you dookie to save wall street. Crap is hitting the fan people, depression is around the corner. Buhrock can fix it with the Gov taking over everything, including the bucs. Jon Gruden for sports czar. He will fix everything.

[Southern Pirate]

What a bunch of crap. The media is always the last to know they are being played. Farve was texting anyone and everyone and the fools in the media ran with it.

Now Jeff Garcia comes into camp wanting a new contract. So he used the media feeding frenzy to pretend he was upset, as to again get a new contract. Now that he is obviously not in football shape, he's secretly crying to those who will listen and WALLAH!! Garcia being shopped rumors.

What I don't get is, who is stupider, the reports who fall for it, or the fans who read it and believe it's true. I think it's a tie.

[DR]

Gruden denies the rumors... that means Garcia is as good as gone. Garcia better be watching the bottom line on ESPN because he won't get a phone call. Thats how the Bucs operate.

[Garcia Should Retire]

What is all this about? Did Jeffy lose his sack of garlic?

[Southern Pirate]

That's Bull DR, Bucs don't do things that way, no team does. Why would you even make such a stupid and unfounded claim like that? I it another desperate cry for help?

[John Klopfer]

A bit of honesty here? If the Bucs are shopping Garcia, what good would it do to admit. Garcia is already in a stew about not receiving a new contract and about the Bucs listening to the Packers about possibly trading for Farve. If Gruden said yes we are shopping him....and it fails, what would Garcia attitude be? The man is already becoming a distraction....why throw gasoline on his fire?

[Southern Pirate]

Except John Klopfer, neither the Bucs or any of the other 12 NFC teams ever talked trade with Green Bay, that was all media driven and some of it fed by Farve's texts to those around the league. So the Bucs weren't listening, there was nothing to listen to. Garcia simply used the BS flying around to open up the "I'm so unhappy
" act again. And you can bet he is behind his own rumors. If he really wants out, trade him to Detroit.

[Stephen]

Garcia has no room to complain at the moment as both qb's left alot of open players standing with empty hands and other than a few more 3rd down conversions the numbers are quit similar. The bottom line is this offensive system is way to complex and Farve would have laughed all the way to the bank when he got the playbook. Garcia is our best shot to win right now being that in 7 seasons we have been unable to develope a stud at any skill position or bring somebody in that is not at the tail end of his career and alot of that has to do with the system and the lack of honesty and a solid word from the head coach. Players know how organazations run and whats next Alex Smith? LOL!! Either we bring in a QB that can truely run this system or get rid the system that will allow players to make plays. Andy Read and Mike Holmgren seem to be able to put up points in the similar system even with injuries so the Offensive Genius title is soon to be removed or a large "*" needs to be placed by Gruden's name.

[Erick]

Good job Stephen. I think it is kinda naive that teams wouldn't be interested in other teams' offers. This is a business and everyone is looking for a good deal. Not that Gruden is lying, but Allen is probably working the phones like mad.

[G. Michael Reynolds]

People have this entertaining idea that franchise QBs are a right and are easy to come by. Look at a "real" organization (in popular opinion) like, say, the Cowboys or the Packers. How many years were between Staubach and Aikman? Starr and Favre? We can even look at a major market team that has won multiple Super Bowls like the Giants. Who have they had worth noting at the QB position *ever*? Phil Simms and Eli? How many QBs have come through those teams in that amount of time? Top shelf franchise QBs do not come along often. Who do we have right now in the league? Peyton, Brady, Brees, McNabb, Romo, Favre (maybe), Eli (maybe)? How many teams does that leave?

The point is that fans around here have to realize that top level talent along the lines they are expecting and demanding is extremely rare. Gruden probably actually is an offensive genius, however his team in Oakland benefited from some extremely gifted players in the last year or two of their prime (Tim Brown, Charlie Garner, Rich Gannon). That level of player hasn't come through here just yet. Even on defense we've only had that level of talent put together on one occasion. Sapp, Brooks, Lynch, Rice, and Barber all at once might have a little something to do with that title we won, rather than just Monte's defensive genius. Tampa fans need to figure out that you win titles by having an extremely lucky combination of a few hugely talented players with the right coach and the right supporting cast at the right time and not just because fans feel like they should win the title every year. It just doesn't happen like that. Go ask the Saints, Cardinals, and Lions.

[DR]

Southern Pirate, do you recall the Rice release? How many more lies do you have to hear out of Gruden and Allens mouth before you stop falling for it?

[Steve]

Davin is out of the boot week and a half ago...i work in orthopedics and he had a plate put in so it takes about 3-4 weeks to heal the bone and he is right at that point...i say he stays out this week and i bet u anything that he practices next week

[Larry]

It appears that Garcia is this years version of Chris Simms -- dead QB walking. That being said he can still play the game and is, debatably, the 2nd best QB on the team. Bucs fans better hope that other quarterbacks around the league stay healthy between now and the trading deadline.

It would be a disaster to see Garcia get traded away and have Griese go down 1-2 weeks later. Hopefully the Bucs remember that the 'you can't have too many good running backs' rule from last year also applies to quarterbacks.

[Doug]

Thanks G. Michael. That was probably the most coherent well thought out argument i've ever read on this blog. With all the fairweather psuedo fans we have around here who call for Gruden and Allen's head every time the bucs lose, it's nice to hear someone with an original opinion opposed to those who just repeat the local radio personalities agendas.

[Cleveland Browns]

We'll take him...

[Bruce]

Blondie must go! Sooner is better

[NM]

This too is off topic, but with Seattle's many injuries at WR why don't the Bucs pursue some value for Michael Clayton (who has one year left on his deal) and has played in a West Coast Attack his entire career?

[Duane]

thanks for reminding me of Bubba guys. Those were the good ole days. We weren't at war and spending billons of dollars on the infrastructure of an oil rich country that hates our guts and our economy wasn't in shambles due to a pack of republican Wall Street coyotes.

[Duane]

Garcia isn't going anywhere unles the Bucs get a 1 or 2 for him. He's getting paid second string money and Gruden knows the value of a soild veteran QB. Besides, if Greise starts to falter, Gruden will yank him. He has no false loyalty to his players like that moron Dungy. You don't produce, you get the hook.

[Hardhat0038]

Holder, I usually respect you, but you ARE calling Gruden a liar, and you're sying you're not, so does that make you a liar also? It seems me none of you reporters like Gruden because he won't bow down to you and tell you the garbage you want to hear. I think persoanlly it makes you guys mad when he wins games, because every year you start all that B.S. before the season even starts, then we lose the opener and it really starts flowing, god I'm sick of the Bay Area sports writers, between you guys and the fans, if I were the Glazers, I'd be looking for a new city, Right after the Rays move.

[Hardhat0038]

'Southern Pirate, do you recall the Rice release? How many more lies do you have to hear out of Gruden and Allens mouth before you stop falling for it'
Are you even for real? If you bring that up as a point DR, then it would just be countered with.. WHERE'S SIMEON PLAYING NOW?
Then you look like the idiot you are..

[Southern Pirate]

Easy, Bruce never lies to me. Just because you don't know all the facts, it doesn't make it a lie.

DR, you are an idiot. Again, as I stated, no team releases information to the media about releasing a player till the player and his agent are informed. What in the hell does Rice have to do with that?

This "Management is Evil" and the poor players are "Picked On" and "Abused" is some to the dumbest stuff I have ever heard. Are you practicing to become Niner and Raider fans? Players come and go, get over it.

[Southern Pirate]

Cleveland Browns, you had him. Don't you remember that 0.0 Quarterback rating he had against the Dallas Cowboys?

Browns pink slip 'skittish' Garcia
Garcia leaves Browns after year of turmoil, criticism and plenty of private scandals.
By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Posted: 2/15/05
http://media.www.bgnews.com/media/storage/paper883/news/2005/02/15/Sports/Browns.Pink.Slip.skittish.Garcia-1294360.shtml
Quarterback Jeff Garcia's tumultuous stay with the Cleveland Browns is over.
The team informed Garcia yesterday that it doesn't want him back and that the Browns will cut ties with the three-time Pro Bowler following one bad season and with three years left on his contract.

Garcia signed a four-year, $25 million free agent contract with the Browns last March after spending five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. But almost from the time Garcia arrived in Cleveland, there were problems.

During the exhibition season, the 34-year-old complained that he wasn't getting enough playing time and that he was having trouble adjusting to new teammates and a new offense. Garcia made things worse by openly criticizing former Browns coach Butch Davis and offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie, complaining that they weren't using him properly.

At one point, Davis called Garcia "skittish" in the pocket, a comment that angered the quarterback and expanded the rift between them.

After rallying the Browns to beat Baltimore in Week 1, Garcia threw three interceptions the next week in a loss at Dallas and recorded a 0.0 quarterback rating -- only the fifth time since 1970 that an NFL quarterback has done so.