Updates on Griese, Ruud

The injury toll from today's game will include quarterback Brian Griese and linebacker Barrett Ruud. Here's what we were able to glean from them in the locker room:

Griese says he sustained an elbow bruise and experienced immediate swelling. You might recall that Champ Bailey head him head on after coming free on the delayed blitz in the third quarter. Griese said it was his understanding that there is no structural damage in the elbow, which is obviously good news.

Regarding Ruud, he was limping around the locker room quite gingerly after sustaining a knee injury in the second half and not returning. He, too, said there doesn't appear to be structural damage, though there is likely to be some swelling and some pain. He will undergo an MRI exam back in Tampa on Monday, but he seemed optimistic after spending a good while with the training staff after the game.

Comments

[Eric]

Pathetic offensive play calling....Defense played up to there ability but Gruden screwed us again....we wont win until we can a QB who doesnt have happy feet and a reciever who can catch the damn ball..........anyone know Bill Cowhers phone number......keep Monte screw Gruden

[Robert]

We will not win many more games due to the fact we have no QB! Jeff or Brian it doesn't matter, 8-9 games max we will win. I'm surprised a foot sprain has kept Galloway out this long. But then again he did go to Ohio State!

Upset Buc fan!

[Drew]

7 years of this offensive BS. I feel like I've been married to him for 7 seven years and have the itch to find something new and exciting.

When will the Glazers wise up, stop listening to Grudens BS exscuses and fire his @$$.

The offense is BORING, PREDICTABLE and just outright BAD.

[Bucsfan]

Eric, looks like you've been waiting to write that. Gruden's offense always has 3 tiers. We don't have a weapon to threaten the 3rd tier, all that's left is the first 2. That's everything within 20 yards. Easy to defend and Denver did that. Our offensive line looked like a bunch of rookies. It doesn't matter what play you call when your guys up front can't block. Disappointing loss but you don't see me jumping ship. Fair-weather fans like yourself are pathetic. Tough loss, Go Bucs! Bring on the Panthers!!!

[Bucsfan]

Wow, you all need to relocate.

[DS]

Where were you haters the last few weeks? gtfo of here. Tough loss, shake it off and look forward to next game.

[DR]

If anyone is paying attention, the rest of the division has improved and I can't say the same about the Bucs.
What Gruden has done year in and year out is nothing. These are Gruden's players and the rest of the division, even Atlanta!, have improved and have more talent and at least play to their talents strengths. i.e. Atlanta doesn't abandon the running game when its working which protects their weakness which is a young inexperienced QB who is getting stronger every week.
The Bucs draft picks aren't having impacts like the other teams in their division and the Bucs easily have the worst offensive coordinator in their division. You gotta score 20 points or more to win and Gruden has proven he is incapable of doing that. His offense is no different than Dungy's offense. Looks more complex but the results are the same. Stats prove it, even in their super bowl year, won by Kiffen's mastermind. Next week is huge.

[Jay]

What happened to the o-line from the last two weeks? Can we really blame it on the thin air?

[Jason]

Are you Gruden haters retarded...? The QB checks the set of the defense and audibles in and out of the called play in the huddle. Are you too retarded to see Griese walking up and down the line and to his backs giving them the new play prior to snapping. You all are retarded... you have no idea the speed of the game nor the defensive fronts nor the freedom the QBs have to audible out of the called play from the sideline. Get over yourselves... you bunch of drunk arm-chair QBs. You have no idea what the called play is in the huddle that came from Gruden... so how the hell do you know that is the play run? You don't... so shut up!

[Jason]

DR... you're an ID10T! Don't you and Romo have a date tonight?

[Saint Bobby Bowden]

Hey, y'all lay off Eric. Now dadgummit, he's just voicing his opinion.
After all, it ain't like he shot the President!

[DR]

Jason, how many QBs have to run Gruden's offense before you realize he sucks at play calling? If you look around the league, teams are able to pick up RBs and put them in the game that same week. Bennett not playing last year because he doesn't know the play book is one of the most ridiculous excuses ever made. You trade for a guy who doesn't even play. Gruden doesn't call plays to his teams strengths. He calls play the way Gruden wants to. Yes, I referred to him twice in the same sentence, his ego needs another name.

[Brandon]

Let's put the blame for the sacks where they're due. On Griese for the most part. I mean, I know this guy is immobile, but his indecisiveness in the pocket where he just stands there pumping the ball is not fair to ANY of the O-linemen.

On one occasion Griese ran out of bounds instead of just tossing the ball towards the line-of-scrimmage, on another Donald Penn was beaten but Griese did nothing to help him out despite having the pass rusher in his line of sight, and finally he just sat there like a dummy taking the other. The near sack/int/fumble was also his fault, how many seconds does this bum need to get rid of the ball or get on the move? He is awful and hopefully this 4th straight subpar performance will finally convince Gruden that Griese is not an NFL starting QB.

Garcia still looks skittish in the pocket but at least he senses the pass rush (even when it isn't there), can spot and hit an open receiver down the field and can lead this team. Griese is a liability and should be 3rd string.

[Jason]

DR... so what is your point about the QBs? Garcia was an alternate to the Pro Bowl. Griese is 8-2 as a starter. Then you change your point to RBs. FOCUS my friend... it will keep your sentences coherent and make you sound somewhat intelligent.

[BucFanInLargo]

Bucsfan, you are right, tough loss and if we win next week, we are 4-2. Not bad. However, my Buc blinders don't hide that this team has issues. We may limp to a decent record, but the Gruden/Allen regime have not set up for the long term success. Defensively, we'll be OK. However, we have no QB talent of the future and our current QBs are not going to be here long. WR - why did we not get another WR in the off season (trade for Boldin?). Gruden's game plan works with only certain players - and we don't have them. He doesn't seem willing to alter his plays to fit his talent. That's my main gripe. I hope the rest of season is entertaining, right now, it's just frustrating.

[Brandon]

You're right, Jason... but as everybody just loves to say, Griese ALWAYS gets us in the right play, no matter what play was called from the sideline...

and as I like to say, sure Griese may call the right play but he is way too pathetic a QB to be able to execute it. I would rather have Luke McCown in there NOT AUDIBLING and running the called play the best he can do it rather watching Griese call an audible and get us in the right play only to watch him screw it up with his crappy play.

[Brandon]

BTW, for Gruden and any of the other blind Griese supporters (I've always said he was a bum and I've always been right), he was making excuses for Griese being so awful against the Bears and Packers... that's funny, I don't recall any other QB's playing as crappy against either of those two teams this season, just Griese. As a matter of fact, a rookie just went into Green Bay and put up an impressive day one week after Griese looked like a college division NAIA reject.

[Drew]

What are the statistics on TD scores. What percentage of TD scores are the big play. It would be interesting to see where the Bucs fall in this category. Statistically speaking I believe were one of the weakest offensive teams with respect to big play scoring ability.

[Jason]

I don't disagree that this offense is only successful as the person taking the snap... but during the off-season... who was really available to run it? (Don't say Farve... he was not a long term solution). Makes you wish that all that cap space that we have now was available when Drew Brees was available, but DR's good buddy McKay made sure we had funds wrapped up in Gramatica, McFarland and K. Johnson... brilliant. We have the money to pick up anybody we want, but there isn't anyone close to being Pro Bowl type caliber in free agency.

[Brandon]

Luckily for us, Griese's wittle bwuised elbow will hopefully keep him out of action next week, giving somebody/anybody the start and thus putting Griese back where he belongs, on the bench holding a clipboard.

[Bucsfan]

You're an idiot DR. It was one game. We were outplayed in all three phases of the game and still only lost by 3, not bad. Not enough to fire your head coach over. Offensively, the blame falls on the O-line, period. Not to mention our lack of an elite receiver. Compared to Denver, none of our receivers would see the field! With Marshall, Royal & Stokley? When healthy, Galloway would be 4th, and the rest of our roster falls well short. I think the Defense did ok, not "great", just ok. We did hold them to 16 points. No pressure to speak of and no turnovers. Not to mention Special teams, Jackson is horrible. Those are the things you analize after a game. You fix them, practice them, and improve!

For the record, WE BEAT ATLANTA!!! Case closed.

We are not a BAD team, just need a little tweaking. Not a front office overhall, Morons!!! It was a non-conference loss, whippteedoo! Move on!

[Brandon]

Drew, the stats are most assuredly pathetic, but again, look who has made the last 4 starts... a guy that often averages 5 yards per COMPLETION... Griese is awful, he can't/won't stretch the field, his utterly predictable and has such limited athletic ability that he couldn't keep a play alive, nor throw it far enough, to improvise or hit a true deep ball if he had to.

Hopefully, this will be the last time we see that piece of garbage this season or ever. Gruden's lack of confidence in this weanie was apparent in the closing drives against the Packers and the drive near the end of the half today against the Broncos. Gruden didn't trust this piece of crap enough to try putting it in the endzone just one time... that says a lot. Bench him, cut him, trade him, just get rid of Griese.

[Brandon]

Bucfan,

You have to consider that we did play well defensively, we totally shutdown the Denver running game up until the end, didn't give up ANY big plays... and this was against the #1 offense in the NFL... Obviously, we need to rush the passer better and my desire for a pass rusher over a defensive back in the draft is proving prophetic. We need to rush the passer.

Defensively, we did very well, perhaps better than Denver, we just helped their defense out a lot by starting a QB that should, at all times, be wearing a ball cap and 3 yards off the sideline of the field.

[Ben]

AGAIN...this offense will go NOWHERE without a viable receiving corps. When Antonio Bryant is your number one option, you know you have trouble.

Pull the trigger and get Roy Williams. Who cares if they want a number 1 pick, tampa finally has plenty of youth at its key positions, they can do it.

[Drew]

Have to blame Gruden for the Griese performance. As reported, Gruden had Griese on an even shorter leash this week. Putting it into perspective, if our Bosses came to us and communicated, one more mistake your fired. We'd all be gun shy and unwilling to take a chance even if our instincts told us it was the right thing to do. Granted Griese is a Kama Kazi QB. But he does it well and does it with a brashness about himself. Take this part of his game away and he's just an OK backup QB.

Grudens, fundamental problem is he doesn't manage personalities well. So in a sense, whatever conversation took place during the week to put Griese on notice pretty much contributed to this loss.

In general, Grudens people and management skills SUCK..

[Jason]

Brandon... dude! Not sure if Griese dated your girlfriend or wife, but dude... what the heck did he do to you? I think you all are missing the big picture. With the problems at the QB position and supposed issues with Gruden... the Bucs are still 3-2. 2nd place in the division. All is not lost. BTW... did you all look at the stats from the game. Take a good look at them. They don't look like a team that got dominated like you all are making it sound like. We lost by 3... on the the road... big deal. If I were an Indy fan today... even though they won... they barely beat an 0-3 team... I would be having some serious issues. How can you have a 2-3 record with all of that offensive talent and the "defensive genius" Tony Dungy? That is some REAL issues.

[Jason]

It's called perspective people... try to keep real.

[Drew]

The definition of TEAM is Coaches listen to the Players input and Players listen to the Coaches input.

Guaranteed, Gruden listens to no ones input other than his own EGO's input.

[Jason]

Drew... I wouldn't need my boss coming to me tell me... one more mistake and you're fired to know that I have just screwed up 6 times (ints) to know that I am about another 3 (based on 3 per game) from losing my job. The pressure is not from my boss... I would expect it from him and my teammates... the pressure should be within myself... I have to look at myself in the mirror, watch sportscenter... and hear a bunch a of you yahoos rip me a new one to know that... I gotta play better.

[Jason]

What you described is a cop out and excuse. Griese is a professional and certainly has been around the block to know that only he is to blame for errant throws and bad reads. BTW... did he throw an INT today... did I miss it?

[Anthony]

My prediction is Griese will remain the starter! He's a much better option than Garcia. I just did not feel comfortable with Garcia trying to lead a come back.

My biggest question is WHY IN THE H3$$ IS DEXTER JACKSON NOT INVOLVED IN THE OFFENSE AT ALL? Regardless of how bad he might be they need to occasionally put him out there to stretch the field and loosen up the defense!!

[Anthony]

My prediction is Griese will remain the starter! He's a much better option than Garcia. I just did not feel comfortable with Garcia trying to lead a come back.

My biggest question is WHY IN THE H3$$ IS DEXTER JACKSON NOT INVOLVED IN THE OFFENSE AT ALL? Regardless of how bad he might be they need to occasionally put him out there to stretch the field and loosen up the defense!!

[Anthony]

My prediction is Griese will remain the starter! He's a much better option than Garcia. I just did not feel comfortable with Garcia trying to lead a come back.

My biggest question is WHY IN THE H3$$ IS DEXTER JACKSON NOT INVOLVED IN THE OFFENSE AT ALL? Regardless of how bad he might be they need to occasionally put him out there to stretch the field and loosen up the defense!!

[Anthony]

Sorry didn't mean to post 3 times, my internet connection kept timing out!

[ben]

Offensive Line Sucks due to Bill Muir.

[Larry]

Never been a Gruden fan. Creative offensive mind (if you consider complex creative) but he doesn't seem to adapt well mid-game and never listens to advice from others.

Big problem isn't the QB, it's the play calling. We have a reasonable set of weapons on offense but don't seem to use it to pressure people. With the exception of Galloway we don't have screaming speed but what we have is fast enough. You've got to throw the ball deep 2-3 times a game just to keep the defense honest. Doesn't have to be the old fly pattern, send a TE down the middle or a WR on a deep cross. Don't have to be a world class sprinter to make this work AND we finally seem to have an O-line that can give the QB the 3.5 or so seconds he needs to let that type of play develop.

When the offense plays up tempo and spreads the field we seem to be able to hold our own on offense. Why is it that us lowly fans can see it, but our multi-million $ head coach can't?

[Ish Engle]

If Griese hits Stevens in the 1st (you know, the wide open TE on that play) we have 4 more points on the board, and win this game by 1!

Garcia was hit, yes, but he wasn't sacked like Griese. He showed urgency, fire and drive. Griese showed that he's a manager. Garcia is a driver.

What amazes me most is not DJax being MIA (as amazing as that is), but that a 3-2 team, with both losses being 4 points or less, is this upset about their HC. Do you see New England calling for Belicheat to be fired at 3-1? What about Chicago, Arizona, Atlanta? Heck, Norv Turner has fewer people ripping him at 2-3 with LT and Rivers!

Get over yourselves people! Don't show how stupid you are by calling for an end to winning ways. If we lose the next couple of weeks, then, sure! But right now...calling for an overhaul is just stupid.

[King]

Greise has issues yes, but overall he has done this team more good than bad. From what I saw today was a man scared to commit any turnovers for good reason after the last few weeks INTs. By being scared to not lose the ball, he played way too conservative compared to the last few weeks. This caused him to become predictable with the run and short passes. He also held on to the ball way too long trying to find the safest throw possible causing him to get hurt.

Then they brought out Garcia, whom obviously was out of sinc with his O-line and receiving corps due to not much playing time with them this year. Its a whole differant game to the O-line when they know where their immoble QB is at all times, then having to switch to a more mobile QB and not knowing where he is going to be on any given play.

On Special Teams our return game was pretty bad. Dexter Jackson regressed back to his first week form. The kicking and punting game did well.

The Defense played well not giving up the big play, but again it seemed they playing scared because of giving that up and didnt commit any turnovers, or enough critical stops.

Another area we struggled with this week was dealing with the crowd noise. No big plays on either side of the ball to quiet them down, and the offense was not able to effecively make their overly - numerous adjustments that they are so fond of. They need to work on less shifts, hand signals, and silent counts in practice a little more going into road games.

[john]

how come DR only comments when dallas wins?Anyway they looked like crap today almost losing to the worst defense in the leauge.They have no coaching wade kind of looks like bobby bowden out there.CLUELESS!

Three things sum this game up.

1. Gruden is the WORST OC IN THE LEAGUE and his playcalling was more suspect then ever today.

2. The Broncos knew that blitzing Griese would overwhelm him and our Oline. Griese was in slow motion today and has no receivers fast enough to get separation even on a 5 yard out.

3. We blitzed about 3 times the whole stinkin' day! Then we lost contain about 12 times on Cutler! How do you lose contain when you aren't blitzing?

*Denver gave up 29.5 points to its first 4 opponents. Then Gruden's offense came along...Did the Broncos all of a sudden learn how to play defense and acquire new personnel since losing to the Chiefs? (possibly the worst team in the league) I don't think so...

[Jiggyjoe]

Greise held the ball too long. He was too worried about throwing interceptions.

[DR]

Again, its funny you guys bring up the Cowboys every week. I comment every week on the Bucs regardless.

[BucFandango]

That is a great pisture of Champ on Griese. The look on Griese's face is priceless. It was a close game & an ugly loss. It's all pretty ugly right now, but it sure isn't over, by a long shot. It was obvious before the Season even started that this was going to be a tough game to win. 16-13 & could have been much worse. Say what you want about Chucky, but he isn't on the field playing. Players have to win the games and cut out the mistakes. The penalties are becoming a big problem. We were doomed early on, when Gruden made Griese play conservative because of the INT's. He should have maintained the Gunslinger approach. Garcia looked pretty good and got better as the game wore on. The Bucs should win the next 2 games at home.

[BEENABUC]

It sure was nice to go to a Cowboys game yesterday and see a real offense in real life. I will leave it at that!

[Herb]

I like Griese,

Gruden might be an offensive genius when it comes to creating mismatches, but he's a crappy play caller and field general.

At least when Griese was airing out the ball, we were scoring points to go with his int's. our defense is good enough to deal with a couple int's a game.

Hey John Gruden!!

Get off the QB's backs and let them play their games you control freak.

[herb]

I almost forgot.

has anyone noticed how effective our offense iswhen we have nothing to lose?

[Matt]

Look we're a 9-7 or 10-6 football team this year.

Losing to Denver away would be one of the expected losses. Chances are we'll go 1-3 in the 2nd Qtr and be 4-4 at half way and everyone will be screaming.

But have a look at that tasty 3rd Qtr where we should go 4-0.

[James]

Um... isn't Gruden's offense ranked in the Top-10 in total yards? Yea. it's terrible. (Rolls eyes)

How about the defense not getting a sniff of Cutler much less a sack?

How about the Denver kicker nailing a 55 yarder?

How about the fact that the Bucs are 3-2, about to be playing for 1st place in the South at home on Sunday? I'll be there, with or without you haters.

Oh btw, how about Monte's defense continueing to get bashed in the air and gashed on the ground? Shouldn't some of you guys look at the REAL problems and assess them accordingly instead of jumping straight on Jon Gruden. Do all of you work for the Times or Trib?

[Kurt]

Of course the haters are out in full throttle today! I agree that Griese should be allowed to sling it as we score more than the other team when he does. We have a GREAT defense and need to lean on them more and play more recklessly on offense. Griese looked like someone told him to be cautious all day long. Let him rip coach! We sure could have used Galloway yesterday also as our receivers are having trouble getting any separation. Godspeed Galloway!!! Go Bucs!!!

[jobucs]

DR reminds me of the fat comic book salesman on the Simpsons.