Jon Gruden: Too early to name a Week 6 QB

Bucs head coach Jon Gruden said at his weekly press conference that it is too early to tell which quarterback will get the nod for Sunday’s game against NFC South rival Carolina. Starter Brian Griese left Sunday's game against Denver with an elbow injury and Gruden said Griese is questionable. While Jeff Garcia has struggled with injuries as well, he would be the choice is Griese is unable to play.

"We're going to address the quarterback situation as soon as we get all the facts," Gruden said.

"Obviously health is going to be an issue. Jeff did some good things. His health has been an issue and his return to health is something we're excited about. We'll evaluate and let you know on Wednesday."

While the Bucs only scored 13 points against Denver, Gruden didn't point a finger at his quarterbacks. Instead, he gave credit to the Broncos' defense.

"Brian played pretty well and Jeff played pretty well," Gruden said. "Denver used some strange tactics yesterday. They've been a man-to-man team throughout the first month of the season. Yesterday they rushed three 23 times. I thought under the circumstances both quarterbacks did some good things."

The only other player Gruden mentioned as questionable was linebacker Barrett Ruud. Ruud suffered a knee injury and was replaced by Adam Hayward.

Rodney Page, Times staff writer

Comments

[6 points and a clump of crap]

I think Jon Gruden's offense is GREAT!
Love the way they just took apart that great Bronco defense!

Gee, if they are only rushing 3 on 23 plays, and you noticed this was happening, maybe you needed to run the ball at them until they started worrying about the run more, and then you might see some open receivers down field. Time to see if Hooters needs a cook!

[Monte K.]

So much for the great mastermind on offense. Seems like the D is always bailing them out

[Steve]

i thought we were a rushing team?

[JP]

"Denver used some strange tactics yesterday."

Yeah, they played a 2-deep scheme with 8 in coverage. That's really inventive.. ..at Pop Warner level.

Will someone get this joke out of the building already?

[TEDDY RUXPIN]

6 points and a clump of crap IS WHAT YOU ARE 6 points and a clump of crap !!

[Blaze 84]

This offense doesn't take off without me

[JOhn]

They rushed 3 on 23 plays yet STILL GOT HOW MANY SACKS AND QB KNOCKDOWNS? OMG we suck!

[Tom]

If they only line up three on the D-Line, then hit them with E.G and maul them with a two TE set. It is becoming increasing clear that Gruden does not know how to adjust his game plan for what the defense gives you. It happened in the playoff game last year where the G Men made the adjustments, but we didn't.

Tom, I thought Gruden was this genius coach? Sounds like you are changing your tune. It is about time you woke up and saw what was really going on. And where is Bobbyd at? What do you have to say about Gruden now? He can really coach em' up cant he? Nice gameplan, nice adjustments, nice overall offensive day, isnt it Bobbyd?

[I QUIT!]

Gruden says...

[Dark Side]

This fool gruden always has some excuse to make himself feel better! If this pathetic broncos D could get that much pressure rushing 3 then they werent doing something strange... gruden didnt adjust! I alwsys gave him some slack, but no more, he has to go! And by the way, Garcia is our best option, but I would like to throw McCown in there and see what happens. We already know what Garcia and Griese have, and its not enough.

[DR]

Gruden has been doing this now for 7 years. Denver knew exactly what was coming, a lot of dink and dunk crap, and Gruden bailed them out because his ego won't let him change what he thinks is the greatest game plan.

Monte Kiffin-Head Coach
Lane Kiffin-Offensive Coordinator
Raheem Morris-Defensive Coordinator

What more could you ask for?

Look Gruden was a fine head coach for the Bucs but his time here has passed. It is time for some changes.

[DR]

If they keep playing the way they are playing right now, next week will be ugly and over fast.

[Bill]

While Gruden sucks, Garcia and Griese are worthless, our o-line is porous, and our defense can't get critical stops, it is important to note that only 8 teams have 4 or more wins in the league, and we have a shot at taking a share of the division lead this week. Try keeping things in perspective!

[STIXX]

PERSPECTIVE?! We had the ball on their 18 yard line before half time and did the `ol` fashioned pitch to the right with DUNN.Why didnt he go into the endzone with a pass at least twice? We had 20 seconds on the clock,plenty of time to try, we settled for the field goal. Man GRUDEN may have been an offensive guru 5 years ago but his time is over, the game of football has passed him by. And I was rooting for GRUDEN for along time..he needs to be replaced by BILL COWHER. At least then GRAHAMN can run the ball and we can win more games. Instead of this dink and dunk bullcrap that everyone knows we`re doing. My daughter who`s 13 said they need to run the ball more! OH BROTHER!!

[Ken in Edmonton, Canada]

Two syllables to maybe fix this offensive mess - McCown.

[George Bush #1]

There all you haters go again. We can still gain first place when we beat Carolina at home next week. Just relax. A lot of pressure was coming from the right side. Did anyone notice? Yes, Davin Joseph was playing and he looked real bad. They should have brought him along slowly and left Zuttah in there. That is why the line looked sloppy. Davin was getting beat on almost evey play. We'll fix it. And for those who keep rippin' the team. Take your (bleep) back to Denver. You like offense right? The #1 offense didn't look too good either. We had a bad day. Maybe you bandwagons didn't notice the game changing play that happened. Kevin Carter's INT. If he had caught that INT at midfield you all would be singing a different tune right now. So, real BUCS stay along for the ride, and BANDWAGONS get ran over.

[Don]

Wow! by reading these comments you would think our record was 0-4. Who really thought we would go 16-0 this year. Obviously the offensive game plan was wrong. You will have days like that in the NFL. Look at the Miami / San Diego game. The Bucs were in this until the very end. Hats off to the Defense for holding thier offense to 16 points. If we play them again we will beat them! We do need to sure up the return game and get some better field position.

GO GET THE PANTHERS AND 1st Place!

[Stephen Blackehart]

C'mon, this is clearly more a case of the team as a whole not travelling well out west. Never in their history have the Bucs done well when flying that far, with the notable exception of the Super Bowl. Yes, Davin was rusty and Griese was continually taking the check-down, but those things are fixable and happen to every team. Sheesh! This is a good team! It's a wonder that no-one can appreciate it when they have something good. Are we the Patriots or Giants? No, but still easily a playoff-level team. Lots of other towns would love to have that.

[the bandwagon]

WAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!! OUR 3 GAME WINNING STREAK IS OVER!! WAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!

[Bucco Bruce]

Buc Fan only knows how to complain. Even during Super Bowl year, Buc fan complained about crappy line, crappy offense, great defense bails them out again. Buc fan asked Why we gave up Dungy and draft picks for Gruden? Even though Dungy was horrible until he left. Buc fan started 0-26 and is not happy unless Bucs give him something to complain about. He doesn't know the difference between good and bad until the season is over and Bucs (Rays, Lightning and Storm, for that matter) are in the playoffs. Then they are good. Until they lose playoff game, and they are an 0-26 team again...Buc fan is not happy when Bucs win because he can't have a legitimate whine...Oh yeah, Why aren't we playing McCown, Gradkowski, King, etc.? The list of scrub backups that need to be in now, goes on and on. Buc fan is my hero.

[Ralph]

These bandwagon fairweather fans never cease to amaze me. My God. The Bucs lost by 3 points to a good team on the road. Get over it.

[poorlittlepinkus]

come on, fellas. Why the long faces? We're 3-2...wait'll next week.
panthers...3-3 okay... then...
seahawks...3-4
cowgirls...3-5...
Hey, we should beat KC! I mean can't we?

[garett]

Fire Gruden..enough said. He is horrible...is play calling sucks, his game planning sucks...and for god sakes...throw the ball down field! Fire Gruden and bring in Cowher.

[garett]

actually, im taking back my last statement...i dont care who the coach is...just throw the ball down field. throw the ball more than 3 yards on a 2nd and 9 or 3rd and 10. i hope to god we draft a QB...Sam Bradford, Chase Daniel, Stafford, and since im biased, ill take Tebow.

[e]

Gruden insists on journeymen QBs... wouldn't have it any other way... Never spend a decent draft pick on a future QB... we're going to be average for a long time until we do. (should have taken Brian Brohm over Dexter "slickshoes" Jackson.
e

[Jesse]

I have been & still am supporting Gruden, even though I point to him for this loss. Every time the Bucs lose or win, Gruden-haters post the same, predictable stuff; talk about inventive, creative & new. Gruden is a man who stands up to adversity, including all the lame haters out there. He isn't going to back down to ignorant "fans" who think they know football. If you don't like that kind of toughness, well, whatever. No excuses; the gameplan didn't get executed. The conservative run play at the end of the 1st half; why not try to take a shot at the endzone? The lack of urgency on the 90-yd drive; it took 5:22 off the clock. They got beat at the line of scrimmage. It's like what was said when the Bucs ranked 26th in total D; it doesn't matter. Bottom line: Denver is 4-1 & a very good team; Tampa got outplayed & outcoached, & there is no doubt that they can do better. Time to think about a division rival that poses different challenges & schemes. I can't stand Carolina, no love lost between these two, & we'll find out just how good the Bucs are with whoever starts at QB. I believe Tampa can win, being at home helps, but I know Carolina will bring their best.

[Slickshoes Jackson]

The playing surface is bootie-trapped I tell ya, bootie-trapped...

[Charlie "Horseshoes" McDaniels]

Can you say 6-10? I can.

[Vince]

We don't need to fire Gruden, he's one of the NFL's best coaches! Gruden just needs to be more explosive and less predictable on offense! You don't junk your Sports car because it got a little dirt on it!

[james]

Maybe john gruden should try to find out whats its like to accually play football and try to score some points first and i don't mean 3 and try to hold it the entire game, only for something to happen and then play catch up ,someone needs to remind him that teams that win games try to get ten yards when they need a first down i am so sick of 1 yard passes when we need ten yards if you take our players , they stack up with the best but if you handcuff them all the time , example we no longer have a deep threat why not? did these professal players all get thier legs cut off, who cares if you get a pass picked off once in awhile as long as you are trying to make a game of it , does he think he is fooling somebody if i know that you are afraid going more than 2 yards deep i will give you 1 yard all day long,you just played one of the worst defenses in the legue and somehow refused try to throw downfield , until its to late! are coaches allowed to fine players who don't hustle, why are our guys walking in slow motion back to the huddle while the clock is running out! that also reminds me of a raider team he coached in the play offs. the times we get inside the twenty we at home know that we will only get a field goal what's really is a sham is that we honesty know that there will be no attempts at the end zone, duh! if we do,does he not think that people that get paid know it too! We could go on and on i know it the same stuff he has heard , you might think after a while some might be right besides you, its either time for an offenive cord. or a new coach.....

[Ray "the homo" Artz]

all these comments make my pee pee tingle!

[Ryan]

Were 3-2 about to play for the division lead, got beat by a good football team on the road, and 90% of the comments are FIRE GRUDEN....people forget we play 16 games not 5. If we win next week are sitting at 4-2 tops in the division then what can you say?? Yes i will say that Gruden played a part in the loss but where was the O line?? Its like when Davin Joseph came in everyone said lets take it easy and let him take 2 rushers. And not making the decision to go for the TD before the half probably cost us the game. We score there go up by 4 then get the ball in the 2nd half we not only have the momentum but that crowd is sitting on their hands.

[Jesse]

You are all bad people for not supporting Gruden. I love him, and sleep in a got chucky shirt. Stop being bad people.

[Ray "the homo" Artz]

Really you sleep in a got chucky shirt? outstanding! you know it had to kill him to put jeff in yesterday, that's why "chucky's" ego will be the downfall of this team this season bank on it!

[Vince]

FOr Examplw, I just watched 3 N.O Saints plays on MNF. Play Action which went away from the "speed guy" to the "other receiver". which went for 50 yards, ending in Minnesota territory. One would think "run the ball" because they were at the 30 yard line. SO what do they follow it up with, none other than another play action pass, and they take 15 yards more for another 1st down. Then they actually run the ball and end up with an 8 yard gain. Talent? Who cares! Play Calling, excellent! This is what Buc fans are complaining about! It isn't all about Talent, it's about keeping the opponent off balalnce! We're true Buc fans that want to see changes to benefit the team!

[Vince]

Then the SAints (who were the play action team in the previous post), followed up a score with an ONSIDE KICK attempt, even though they had a 10-7 lead. The attempt failed, but so what, the Vikings went 3 and out with their predictable play calling, that even though they have the best RB in football, they ended up losing yardage and settling for a field goal. If the Bucs used Saints play calling, they would wreak havoc on the entire league!

[Larry]

Gruden's really got a burr up his butt for Garcia, doesn't he? He didn't have any problem a month ago ruling Garcia out with a much less severe injury that Griese has right now. He just can't bring himself to play Garcia unless he just has to -- good to know our illustrious head coach knows how to use the talent at his disposal.

[Drew]

Bronco's Defense used some strange tactics. What the $@#* does that mean? Gruden your supposed to be an Offensive Genius, capable of formulating and coacing a team to deal with strange defensive tactics. That's one of the weakest exscuses you've ever used. Next thing will be the Sun was in my eyes and the Wind was blowing the wrong. GET OUT OF TOWN, you weak @$$.

[Ray "the homo" Artz]

they will lose next week as well,Gruden is a idiot, he hardly ever makes use of his tight end, alex smith is a good player it's a shame he's on a team that has no clue how to use him. look at the good team's that know how to use there tight ends the cowbows,colts,chargers,etc.keep throwing it to butter fingers clayton i'm sure he'll get the job done! lol

[Jesse]

Stop it with all the Gruden bashing. If you don't stop I am not going to post here anymore. You are all upsetting me.

[Jerry Rice]

i can still bring some heat!

[Ray "the homo" Artz]

why dont u cry about it jesse!f@g

[Ray]

ENOUGH of talking about these losers how bout them Rays ! Red Sox=The Ray's B.i.t.c.h.!

[Jimmie Giles]

dig me up from the grave and i'll show u how to catch a ball!

[DR]

I have herpes.

[Jesse]

I have them too DR, so we should be able to get together. You will need to stop bashing Gruden though, because it really upsets me. My Gruden doll, and your Romo doll will be good together, like me and you.