What's the plan at quarterback?

One of the issues that got the most attention during Bruce Allen's press conference was the team's impending decisions at quarterback.

I asked Allen to address the team's track record of changing quarterbacks every year to two years and whether using that method has been detrimental to the offense. It's a topic many have been asking about on this blog. Here's what he had to say:

"We're going to use the method that is best available for us. If we're picking at 19 (in the first round) and there's somebody that fits our demographics that we think belongs in our system, who can lead this franchise for a decade, I promise you we're going to draft him. But we're also going to draft him if that happens to be a defensive end or a running back."

But the team's obvious reluctance to do this under coach Jon Gruden suggests it won't happen. The Bucs haven't drafted a quarterback earlier than the fifth round under Allen. They did draft Chris Simms in the third round under Rich McKay, but that was believed to be against Gruden's wishes. Regardless of how that turned out -- and the results weren't great -- at least some attempt was made to develop a quarterback. Circumstances are certainly a factor in why individual decisions were made. But there doesn't even seem to be an acknowledgement from Allen or Gruden that the lack of consistency at quarterback has held this team back and has left its future in doubt.

It's mystifying that Tampa Bay has made significant efforts to solidify many other positions with long-term solutions -- Barrett Ruud at MLB, Davin Joseph at RG, Arron Sears at LG, Alex Smith and John Gilmore at TE -- but has ignored the position that even Gruden admits is the most critical in all of sports.

Is this the year that changes? Time will tell.

Comments

[thecandidate]

I think some good questions were asked and Allen ducked them... I see now why this frachsise is in the position that it is in... The QB situation next year will be the same, a swinging gate system...

[Nick]

Bruce Allen should change try out for the "riverdance" with the way he tapdances.

[OAR]

How did he duck them? Also what qb's were drafted or were available for us to draft(good ones) in the years we had high drafts?

[Nick]

OAR, you're missing the point. How do you know QB's are good when they come out of college. The highest projected ones could be the worst ie Ryan Leaf, Alex Smith, Matt Leinart. You think Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan are doing good because they were good in college? No. The organizations and coaches know how to develop and teach and coach. Something these morons don't want to do or can't do. Every year is scotch tape (Greise, Garcia).

[Paul]

What we need is for Superman to leave Florida, Drop to the bottom of the 1st round and Let Tim lead us to another Championship just like he lead Florida last night. Im not even a Gator fan, but that guy does nothing but win and put up all the players around him. He is like a Sarg in the Army pumping up the troops every week to get ready for battle and he does it week in and week out. The guy is a born leader and that is what we need in Tampa.

[Robert]

I say we see what happens. The front office knows we have to make some big time moves and I think this is the year. We have most pieces in place, but we really need an interior D lineman, a franchise QB, and a good, fast receiver. If we improve in those three spots as well as making improvements in other areas I will be really happy and think everybody should be quiet and be fans. I wonder how good all of us would be if we ran a NFL squad for 1 season. I wonder how all of us would communicate to the media. These guys tell you what you need to know and nothing more. What do you want Allen to do? Come out and say, " okay these are the guys we are going after in FA, and this how we plan to draft." That's not how it works.. Watch what happens in FA and in the Draft.. If we stink it up there, then every one has a logical beef, but until then I hope My GM makes the right Decisions for MY team that I love to watch! We are counting on him whether you like it or not and we should all support our Franchise and hope they make the right decisions! So Allen, get out there and make some moves! Right now we have what looks like a very tough schedule next year!

[thecandidate]

Nick,

I totally agree with the scotch tape example. That is clearly what we have here. The entire league knows it, and that is why at the QB position this team will never be taken serious. Who the hell game plans for Brian Griese and Jeff Garcia... Come on guys be real, call it what it really is...

[OAR]

Nick, it's called great running games. Flacco had McClain(900 yds), McGehee(700 yds), R Rice(500 yds); while Ryan had Turner(1700 yds) and Norwood(500yds).

[OAR]

For anybody that wants to read the whole press conference instead of these "select" portions:

http://www.pewterreport.com/articles/view/5093

[bobbyd]

I sense a major Free Agent QB signing this offseason for the Bucs. A "Tiger Woods"-caliber player. Perhaps Sage Rosenfels or Ryan Patrick. Anyone know if Daunte Culpepper is available?

[OAR]

BobbyD, I hope that's sarcasm.

[bobbyd]

It hurts me that you had to ask.

[OAR]

BobbyD, sorry, but with some of the stuff on here, it's the only way not to get in trouble or piss somebody off.

[Valrico Rick]

What quarterback is going to want to play for Gruden? Every quarterback in the league knows what happened to Gruden's "starting quarterback" this year. Only an idiot would want to come here. Jake Plummer gave millions of dollars to the Bucs instead of playing for Gruden. They can paint the deck chairs, and oil the hinges, but he Titanic is still sinking because the captain is incompetent!

[OAR]

Val, Jake hasn't given the Bucs anything yet. Also he retired because he was crying about how the Broncos treated him. 4 yrs, 39-15 record, 71tds to 47ints, got them to Conf championship playoff game and they trade him to start Cutler(9-12 50tds to 40ints no playoffs). And let me ask you wouldn't you rather have had Jake then old short, no-arm, happy feet? I would have loved it.

[Stephen Holder]

OAR, I don't know whether Plummer has actually paid up yet, but those grievances that result in a ruling against a player can be enforced via a civil court filing. The Bucs did this with McCardell a couple years ago. It's basically a lawsuit for the amount of money in the judgment, in this case $3.5 million.

[BucFandango]

Why not just watch the press conference on Buccaneers.com??? You can hear the lies straight from the horses AR$E. Watching college highlights of Josh Johnson shows the Kid has some serious ability. He can move and shake, and drill a bullet in your chest that will make it pop. He was a little tentative in his couple preseason games, but his passes were crisp and on the money. I wanted GruceBag to dial up a QB draw for him or something to show his running ability. He's 6'-2"+, not great but OK, better than little Graci who can't see over Faine when he is bent down. I think the Kid has mad skills, and it's too bad Chucky didn't play him in the Atlanta disaster. Griese managed a whopping 13 points that game. At pick 19, my first choice would be running back, Noshawn Moreno(power back) or Percy Harvin. We need one badly to compliment Graham. I'd trade my 2010 first round pick with Brooks, Barber, Dunn, Hovan & Trueblood to Detroit for their 1'st pick and select Michael Oher, Left Tackle, Ole Miss. Then get FA help for the D line, move Zuttah or Penn to right tackle and hire an offensive coordinator. I would also try to emulate the Ravens' & Chargers' defense and run a 3-4 mostly, but mix up the way you line up on defense. San Diego was brilliant against Peyton Manning. Ron Rivera had an awesome plan. Who's coming and when? Can't audible what you can't read. Take a lesson Raheem. Too often Cover 2 turns into Cover Who? Bruce Allen believes good things come to those who wait, but as was said, only what's left by those that hustle. Good job to Stephen and all the local press for putting Allen on the spot. As usual, he never said how he planned to drain the swamp.

[Jeff]

If the Bucs can land a QB the caliber of Hasselback or Mcnabb, this team would, with their fine O-line, compete for the NFC. Additionally, addressing the defenses' fatal flaw, the d-line, is also a neccissity.

[TriplePlay]

I'm tellin ya the Bucs will make a very strong attempt to grab McNabb but will fail.

It's same ole same ole for next year. Gruden should be fired next year anyway along with Allen. When the Glazers finally act it will be big.

Since we paid tax dollars to support this team I wonder if you could file a public indecency lawsuit against the Bucs for their lousy play???

[DR]

Holy crap oar, how deep is that sand you have your head in? How can you breathe like that? Jake wanted to play for one coach and that was Kubiak in Houston. The Bucs and Gruden, being the arrogant moron he is, thought heck, lets trade for the guy and he'll play for me. They didn't take Jake seriously and looked like idiots for trading away a pick for a player refused to play for Gruden.
And you're right, Ryan developed great in ATlanta because of who?...Michael turner who would be by far the best RB on the Bucs roster! They needed a RB last year. I like EG and Dunn but Turner would have filled both of their shoes and Caddy could have rested all season.
Who is their long term solution at QB? Garcia and Griese can't get it done and their careers are pretty much over.
What about WR? Galloway is done. Clayton is walking. Hilliard is just there. Jackson...oh yeah, he's a kick returner. Will they be making moves at WR? Boldin can be traded for. Will they go after him? I know they can't talk about it now, but I wonder if he's on the radar.

[Leo In Canada]

As with all teams at all levels of football, the QB is the premier position on the team. The coach knows this, the GM knows this. Heck, the janitorial staff knows this.IF the Bucs can secure or unveil a franchise QB, the future of this team could be extremely bright for years to come. We ALL are aware of the necessity to do something spectacular concerning this void. IF, if, if it is Johnson, great! If not, have a contingency plan. One player could change everything. If he can be secured, the future is bright!

[Russell]

So many questions, so few answers. Typical. I've said it before and I'll say it again.....when was the last time this franchise had an all-pro, franchise worthy QB? How about an all-pro, franchise worthy WR? Sure, Keyshawn was good, but he was no Steve Smith, or Boldin. Even IF they do resign Bryant, the Bucs still need help there. The last good QB we had was Doug Williams and he wasen't even that great until he left the cess pool we knew as the Big Sombrero! Come on! How long do we have to watch the futility at those very important positions? And while we're at it, let's address the RB situation. I love Graham, but he's no gamebreaker. Caddy appears to be parked indefinitely and Dunn is, well, about done. Where does that leave us? The 3 most important skill positions on offense and Allen/Gruden don't seem to have a clue! I sure am glad we used that 1st round pick on Talib last year. All I heard about was how great he looked in camp, but when I saw him in games he looked lost! Good thing we didn't take DeShaun Jackson with that pick like everyone had talked about. He certainly couldn't have helped us! He looks like a stud right now in Philly. Instead Gruallen select the other Jackson that does nothing but keep the bench warm for the starters. Unbelievable! Wake up and smell the coffee Allen/Gruden, or get in the unemployment line like so many other americans are these days.

[drspb]

dude, just look at carolina, atlanta, and n. o., Good, solid QB's and solid rushers. Every year we are scrapping together odds and ends at these positions. Until we get bonafide talent at these positions everything else doesn't matter.

[Jesse]

Who would be realistically available at 19?

[Robert]

MORRENO probably will be and that kis is built for the NFL

[Robert]

KID

[Vince]

There is a reason that none of you people are General Managers in the NFL. Come on people. There are plenty of reasons to be disappointed by the Bucs, but this is not the end of the world. The Bucs have a good core and a lot of cap room. It remains to be seen whether the Glazers will spend the money, but that is not on Bruce Allen. Allen is the one that is reponsible for the strong core and cap room. Granted, he is also responsible for some draft misses and the lack of stability at quarterback, but he took responsibility for that (the people on here that say he was dancing must not have listened to the press conference)and no GM hits on every draft pick.

I understand that disappointed people are more motivated to comments on a blog, but can we all get a grip. Almost every comment on this blog is classic chicken little -- "the sky is falling, the sky is falling, falling is the sky." Yeesh!

[Larry]

Wow, there's a bunch of crybabies in Tampa. Here in Detroit where we have a pitiful situation, you're not getting the boo hoo's like this 9 - 7 bunch in Tampa. Cripes, I'd give my left nut for a 9 - 7 season. These idiots will be on the Falcon's bandwagon soon.

[Robert]

Vince I was preaching the same as you. After watching that press conference I feel better too. Allen said the Glazers will spend the money needed to have a great squad, that they intend on spending that extra cap money on the right guys, and they are going to draft the best players at the time of our picks. He didn't skate around questions.. He told us what we need to know. I say we see what happens and go from there.

[Vince]

Exactly Robert. Gruden/Allen have managed to win with a team that is clearly in a rebuilding phase. A few NFL teams have had recent success with young quarterbacks. Each of those teams, however, have great running games and great defenses. The Bucs are attempting to build both. Absent injuries, the Bucs running tandem of EG and Dunn probably rushes for 1,800 yards. Absent injuries, bad d-line play and the diminished skills of a few older players, the Bucs have an incredible defense. All the talk about developing a young quarterback is fine, but the Bucs have never, with the exception of Williams, had a tremendous amount of success developing young quarterbacks (see Simms, Dilfer, Testaverde). My goodness, the Bucs won a Super Bowl with a veteran quarterback. One thing at a time -- defensive line, younger on defense, maybe another running back, then take the young quarterback. Who knows, with McCown or Johnson we may already have the young quarterback.

[DR]

LMAO!!!! You're dogging people for acting like they are GMs and then you go and say that the Bucs "are clearly in a rebuilding phase". LMAO!!! Holy smokes that is funny. Let's see rebuilding consists of having Griese and Garcia fighting it out at QB, resigning a 30 year old career practice player, signing a 30 something ex player back to the squad while banking on a young RB that had a potentially career ending injury. Then signing the NFL black sheep at WR that turned out nice, while banking on two 30 something vet WRs to get the job done with a younger WR who has been in the dog house for the last 3 years. But it doesn't stop there with the great rebuilding period...They draft a small WR in the 2nd round as a KR who, this is great, never returned kicks before!
Blaming injuries is classic too. If the older players didn't get injured it would have been better. LOL! McCown, a 6 year vet is going to suddenly be a stud. He can't even beat out Griese for a back up spot after taking the majority of the snaps during the week.
Rebuilding would have been getting Turner in the offseason and letting Dunn go somewhere else. Rebuilding starts with a new coach. Its a fact that Gruden doesn't rebuild crap. He should be doing commercials for Johnson & Johnson. Mike Smith and Atlanta is what rebuilding is. They went out and got a RB. They let Dunn walk and replaced him. The Bucs go trash picking. I like Dunn but he is just a back who can only handle 7-8 touches a game. Unless the Bucs do something HUGE, they will be behind the trio of Ryan-Turner-White for the next several years.
To say Gruden is rebuilding just goes to show that you defend him blindly. You can follow him off the cliff like a lemming, but i won't.

[Sunglasses Future]

If only Allen said "We plan to make a run at luring a healthy Brady away from NE. Or perhaps kidnapping Drew Brees" then maybe some of those posting would feel better. Honestly, if there was a specific plan to for an permanent solution at QB did you expect to hear it announced to the world? No offense to Stephen,had to ask this question. But response was as expected and as it should be. No other team when their team is finished would handle it differently.

I just don't think the team wants to spend the money at this position. Perhaps not even at all, depsite the denial by Allen about Man U money. We'll see if they increase payroll

Consider this when concerned about this problem: Bucs glory years (read playoff victories) have been with the likes of Brad Johnson and Shaun King. Some might point to Doug Williams, but I'm not that old. My guess is next year will be Griese, McKown, and Josh Johnson. Money spent on D-line, LB, and WR.

I'm all for getting Tebow, if he plays both ways and takes over middle linebacker. We need intimidation on both sides, used to always have that on D, but who in our front 7 would start for any of these teams still playing? Ruud, Adams, Teen Pup or whatever need to spend the next few months in the weight room.

[D Block]

This is 4 every1 here especially "Nick, Paul, & OAR. U all have great points U do need a good run game (OAR), superman needs 2 fall out the sky & slide down 2 us (Nick), we have been scotch taping the QB situation (Paul). I agrree with all of u, I personally would like 4 them 2 resign Luke McCown & let him & Johnson fight 4 the spot. We all no they won't draft or trade for a franchise QB in the 1st rd. McCown is a blend of Garcia (Scrambling), Griese (Arm Strength) he's been here for a while so Gruden can't lie & say he doesn't know the SYSTEM!!! We don't have a SYSTEM we do have a SYSTEM of not SCORING!!!!!

[D Block]

In the NFl there are not as many bad QB's as u think only terrible QB coaches. Those are the words of Norv Turner last yr. After looking at things with an open mind i have 2 agree with him, he actually had Alex Smith looking good full of confidence. He left & Alex Smith is in a FUNK he goes to San Diego Phillip Rivers looks like a franchise QB. His 2nd yr there Phillip Rivers arguabily has the best season out of all this yrs QB's 30 plus TD's & 11 INT's. Develop Johnson with a good QB's coach & we have a chance to win wk in & wk out. Recycling QB after QB evry yr is the WORST thing u can do as a franchise

[D Block]

LT was not healthy this yr & Rivers Delivered, the chargers don't have big play WR either outside of Gates. They dealt with more injuries then we did but the QB delivered they didn't make excuses. They developed their QB early stuck with him & norv turner has polished him. Gruden & this franchise needs to do the same with Johnson & McCown don't bring in another old QB with bad habits & complain about it.

[Vince]

D Block, the scoring issue is on Garcia. Look at the stats. The Buc had one of the best offenses (yardage) in their history and one of the better offenses (yardage) in the league. Not scoring in the red zone falls on Garcia more than the scheme.

[Vince]

Classic DR. I was not "dogging people for acting like GMs." You need to to learn to read. I was stating that all of the comments are ridiculously critical and on the verge of hysterical. You prove my point with your latest b.s. This comment is hillarious:

To say Gruden is rebuilding just goes to show that you defend him blindly. You can follow him off the cliff like a lemming, but i won't.

I said the Bucs were rebuilding. That should be obvious to anyone. Thanks for proving my point.

[D Block]

McCown has been here longer then Johnson & should have a grasp on the Playbook. Johnson if he is the future of the franchise develop him & play him. Don't complain that he doesn't have a grasp on the system, Jerry Rice, Tim Brown, & Rich Gannon are not waliking through the door. It's time Gruden put up. Coaches work with what they have, it's there job to win & develop the talent of the FRANCHISE

[D Block]

Vince u funny

[D Block]

I wouldn't say they are rebuilding. It's very simple we are not winning like we could or how the fans think we should. Rebuilding is another excuse for tanking it or excepting losses before they arrive. There is only winning & loosing period. In order to win u need good QB play.

[D Block]

If u look at the Playoff picture yr end an yr out those who make it have good QB play. Franchise Qb's not washed up veterans from the early 90's.

[Tony]

The evidence against the current administration is mounting. If NO ONE can understand the playbook then it is not a work of genius, it is a work of self-indulgence. Certainly no big surprise if that's the case.

The Bucs have glaring needs now and with all this cap space, they have a shot at making a splash with some free agents. Free agent's that are reported to be potentially available that could be worth time and money:

1. Julius Peppers-Should be our number one priority. Take him away from a division rival as we shore up our D.

2. Stephen Jackson-A true franchise RB, despite injuries puts up amazing numbers.

3. Matt Cassel-Potentially a franchise guy.

4. T.J. Houshmandzadeh-I'm pretty happy with our WR's right now, but I'm a bucs fan, so how many good receivers have I ever actually seen in my stable. Worth a look.

I prefer to watch our guys develop from the draft, but if you've got the ability to grab a quality, big name guy-do it.

The current mock drafts have the bucs taking a RB, even if you landed Stephen Jackson that's still a good idea.

[DR]

Alright Vince, please explain what exactly the Bucs are doing to rebuild or supposedly have been doing in the rebuilding process. You have brought nothing to the table to back up your claim. I have and I know...that's predictable.

[Drew]

Hey fans,

Lots of available cap room this year. The Bucs will acquire through FA and will Draft well and get the PLAYER, the PLAYER, the PLAYER and the PLAYER. Then GruAllen with all their new TOYS will lead us to land of GLORY, the Promised Land, the SUPERBOWL. The FANS in an insane PARTYING FRENZY will tear Tampa apart from one end to the other.

Every GruAllen hater will LOVE and PRAISE them while kissing their @$$E$. This is the PROPHECY of the BUC Faithful.

[Ish]

The Bucs have been working on putting an O-line together and trying to patch the D as it wilts with age.

Yes, Rivers had success, but he also had a solid line. I guess many of you would rather bring in a stud QB and defend him with a horrible line. There is a reason the Bucs went line first -- its smart.

Look at Houston. They had a QB that everyone said was wonderful and a sieve for an O-line. Carr never developed because he got gun shy. By the time the line came together, he was a lost cause. Now, Schaub looks OK because the line is solid.

How anyone could be stupid enough to think that the Bucs are not trying to rebuild is just incredible. The players who SHOULD be stepping up were never drafted because we didn't have the picks. They were never signed because McKay messed up the cap. That sort of thing doesn't count as a detriment for just that season, it ripples into the following years.

Luckily, the Glazers understand this and are allowing Allen to recover from McKay's gaffes.

Not rebuilding?!? Man, are you sharing stuff with David Boston?

[DR]

You Gruden stalkers blame McKay for everything and forget that the Bucs gave up 4 draft picks for a mediocre coach. Again, please enlighten us football fans what the Bucs have done that would be remotely considered as rebuilding. Still waiting for a response. I'm really not waiting...there will be none. The o-line is young but they haven't done anything in any big game. They got outplayed by a team that had nothing to play for (oakland). The d-line is the picture in the dictionary next to disappointment and the antonym in the thesaurus when you look up Tampa 2.

[Ish]

I looked back at our drafts since Gruden got here. Since 2005, when we were back in both the 1st two rounds, we've drafted 3/5 of our O-line, and a patch/replacement player at D-Line, LB, and DB. We also addressed a position of need (kick return) with a player that ALL of the experts (except for the comment posters on this board) thought was a true steal.

And, starting last year when McKay's salary cap nightmare was finally cleaned up, we landed the best O-line player available in Free Agency and a solid WR who should have won Comeback Player of the year.

So, in recap, counting the 1st two picks of the last three years and FA signings, we've brought in an entirely new O-line, a stud LB, a solid DE, a rookie DB who showed major growth through the season, and a Special Teams guy (who blew chunks despite expert opinions about his potential).

Once again, I ask how can anyone seriously think we are NOT in a rebuilding phase?

[Ish]

DR, yeah, and the Packer's line never got outplayed during their Super Bowl runs by desperate nobody teams. (That's sarcasm)

The talk all year from commentators was how impressive the O-line was, especially considering how young it was.

Building a young, cohesive O-line is a stereotypical first step in rebuilding.

So, once again, how can someone NOT know we are rebuilding?

And had a winning season doing it!

[DR]

LMAO! Ish, that is your argument? You discredit experts on the DJax selection and then give them credit back for the o-line argument. You should be a commander in the military with your contradictions. You would do well there. I don't recall any expert saying DJax was a good selection. I heard experts saying that the Bucs reached in that pick and could have gotten him in a later round. No expert ever said that he would be a KR after playing college NOT at that position. Rebuilding usually starts with the glamour positions and the Bucs haven't doen any of that. Taking gambles on players nobody wants like Bryant and Stephanie isn't called rebuilding, it's called desperation. Trading for Jake and then Griese is desperation, not rebuilding. Get a clue and get your head out of your a.....

[DR]

Rebuilding is doing what the Kansas City Chiefs did last year and what the Atlanta Falcons did, and even the Oakland Raiders are rebuilding. The Bucs are not even close to rebuilding anything.