Wonder if Jon Gruden is watching

I'm sitting here in the press box at Dolphin Stadium in Miami where 23-year-old rookie QB Joe Flacco is handling himself just fine for a guy playing in his first playoff game.

Win or lose, the Ravens have a foundation on offense that they can build upon, and that's because the most important piece is in place: the quarterback.

Flacco was the 17th overall pick last April -- certainly not a can't-miss, Matt Ryan-like choice. There was a chance the move might not work out. The Ravens were planning to let him sit for a year until injuries to Kyle Boller and Troy Smith forced him into action.

But the bottom line is, Baltimore had conviction about the kid, and it went for it.

Bucs coach Jon Gruden says Tampa Bay hasn't had an opportunity to draft a franchise quarterback. To some extent, that's true. But picking a quarterback in the fifth round as they did with Josh Johnson last year isn't showing conviction about a guy. That's more along the lines of taking a chance on a kid who the franchise admits is a project.

Jeff Garcia will soon be 39. Brian Griese isn't the answer. Luke McCown is a free agent and plans to look elsewhere for work. Johnson remains a work in progress.

So, is this the year the Bucs make a play for the franchise quarterback everyone is clamoring for? I'm not sure, but the Ravens certainly are making a compelling case.

Comments

[Jesse]

like who?

[thecandidate]

Josh Johnson...

Lets see what the guy has. He sat and learn the playbook all of last year. This is our problem here, let the guy play... We will never know what we have here. The reality is even if we draft someone, there is no guarantee that they will have the success of Flacco or Ryan. Why not let the guy who sat and learned the offense last year seriously fight for the #1 spot...

[Ish]

Bradford, Harrell, Daniels, Sanchez, Stafford, Davis, Wilson. Just to name a few...

[Dave]

Not only does Gruden not have the patience for a rookie, neither do the fans. Or have they forgotten how they treated Vinny Testaverde, Steve Young and Trent Dilfer. Two of the three have SB rings and Testaverde, under Perkins, never had any type of supporting cast but was blamed for everything including the price of beer at the stadium. Overall, Tampa Bay has the worst and least knowledgeable fans in the NFL.

[Leo In Canada]

Three good backups & a who knows rookie on the roster. The only thing missing is a franchise QB. There must be creative ways to trade for a guy or trade for a better pick if that is necessary.

[thecandidate]

I would like to see what Johnson can bring being in the system now for an entire year. He is athletic, can move in the pocket and he is accurate. Lets face it, Gruden is not going anywhere, why not let the guy seriously compete. I would rather see him play than another 35+ year old quarterback brought in...

[IMISS_No47]

I'm not sure what the plan is behind a 5th round QB who is 4th on the depth chart; that's a roster spot that could have been another healthy RB or D-lineman down the stretch. I'd wager Josh Joshnson never starts a game for the Bucs. With QBs it's go big or go home. Time for the Bucs to bite the bullet and trade up to get a franchise QB. After many years, who will have more of an impact on their franchise: Brady Quinn (who was available) or Gaines Adams?

[Feesh]

I agree with Dave. Tampa fans are not patient with young QBs. Heck, they aren't patient with any QBs, coaches, O-lineman, D-lineman, etc.

After 12 years of sitting in the stadium(s), I have to agree that we do have a large majority of ignorant fans.

[GrudenHater]

I think this is a bad complaint about Flacco--JG runs West Coast offense and he needs a QB that can move around and make decisions. For a rookie, it would take 3-4 years to get comfortable in this system. Just ask McNabb, who was in a similar system from early on.

I wanted the QB from Louisville that Green Bay took in the second round, he can change his targets. I think he could have been a good pick that could have studied this year under Garcia.

Flacco is a good manager in a ball control running offense and he is basically a better Trent Dilfer--he can complete the ball to the receivers. He works fine for a team like the Ravens--Defense dominates, offense is not supposed to screw up. This is way we won with Brad Johnson.

If we had Brad Johnson as a rookie, Gruden would have treated him the same way as Shaun King--he would not have allowed him to learn by making mistakes.

[Garick]

I agree with the comments of those that say it's the FANS here who would not have the patience. Gruden played Garcia this year to win. Had he started one of our younger QB's it would probably have taken time we likely would have had a losing record and zero shot at the playoffs. In turn, the fans would have turned on Gruden in a New York minute and the Glazers might have given him the ax.

Right now, no one is going to let Gruden have a year to fool around with some young QB...he has to win now or he's likely gone after next season. The Ravens got lucky with Flacco and he would not have had the same success behind our offensive line like he did in Baltimore.

The best bet, is to trade your 1st and 2nd round pick for a younger, talented QB like Matt Cassel. Will they? Doubtful. I don't see the Glazers willing to eat that kind of salary. They haven't shown they want to win or spend the last 3 or 4 seasons.

[TriplePlay]

Gruden will never put a rookie in. He already did Gradkowski. he doesn't have enough time to play a rookie. The Bucs will go after McNabb - with a multi year expensive contract. This will what Gruden believes will be the answer to this miserable offensive scheme in Tampa. We all know what will happen.

[Grs]

IMISS_No47 Tom Brady was a 6th round pick Matt Cassel was a 7th rounder drafting QBs is not a science it's more of a crap shoot and committment after you draft them. Brady Quinn was passed up by many teams not just the bucs. He finally got to play among men and we all saw how that turned out even after sitting and learning for an entire year. What always amazes me is how the fans always give Monte Kiffin a pass! Every season the draft picks have at least 50% defensive players. In the last 6 years Monte and the defensive coaches have yet to develop a replacement in the OLB position, G. Adams is progressing nicely but he's no where near the level of his predecessors, Talib still too early to tell. Where is the defense? Why isn't anyone calling Monte's "genius" a fraud?

[Noel (Bahamas)]

I feel I have to weigh in on this. Josh Johnson was a specific pick in the draft at QB centered around the fact that he played in a West Coast Offense at San Diego State. His stats and abilities at San Diego State were quite remarkable. Bottom line though, of course if he was such a hot pick, how come no other team drafted him? Is it because he is only a West Coast QB no one wanted to invest time with him to convert him into a traditional quarterback? I believe that the BUCS should make provisions for a quality QB via trade/draft and allow that QB and Josh Johnson compete for the starting job this year. Unfortunately for Gruden, this would probably mean the end of the line if we had a .500 season. But that is what teams do, either invest in a QB for the future, or fix with band-aid QBs. Everyone should take a look at youtube and watch some video of Josh Johnson at San Diego State...it is pretty impressive.

[Noel (Bahamas)]

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/josh-johnson?id=264

Take a look at his NFL profile.

[Grs]

GrudenHater Where is Shaun King today? What did he achieve since the bucs let him go!? Where is Chris Simms? Where is Tim Rattay? Where is Bruce Gradkowski? Where is Rob Johnson? TB fans always expect wine out of water. Where is Chris Simms? In hindsight should we have held on to Brad Johnson until that right prospect either emerged?

[Valrico Rick]

"The Bucs fans are the most ignorant" is the most ignorant statement I have heard on these posts yet! The Philly fans booed McNabb when he was drafted, they didn't even let him play in a game. The Pittsburgh fans were ready to run Bradshaw out of town on a rail during his first season. An intelligent argument is not attacking the the other position by calling them ignorant, it means coming up with something smart to say about the subject. Go away know-it-alls! I'm Done!!!

[GrudenHater]

Grs, I'll tell you this, Chris Simms, Shaun King, Rob Johnson were not drafted by GruAllen.
Since, then they have passed on the following guys, which they could have drafted in first three rounds without moving up. Guys drafted this year could play some day.

2005 - Aaron Rodgers, Jason Campbell, Matt Schaub
2006 - Tarvaris Jackson
2007 - Brady Quinn, Trent Edwards
2008 - Brian Brohm, Chad Henne

I think at least half of these guys will be pretty good for next few years. I wish the Bucs had picked one of them.

[shane]

finally valrico said he's done does that mean he's leaving this blog? and you people who think that josh johnson will never start for the bucs and was a wasted pick you really do need to read that NFL profile that Noel(Bahamas) is talking about. and I do believe that there is a video of josh throwing an absolutely B-E-A-utiful(quote cited from Bruce Almighty) pass at the combine(that was caught) and running a 4.56 40 yard dash(fastest in the combine among QBs)

[Feesh]

Like I said, for twelve seasons I've sat at the Sombrero or at Ray Jay and have heard some of the most moronic things I've ever heard regarding the team and the game of football.

When the offense puts up 24 points, yet the defense allows 34, the offense gets booed. Why does the defense get a pass with these fans?

Go to a game and listen to what is said, then tell me that I'm not presenting an intelligent argument.

And please don't ever compare Tampa fans to Pittsburgh fans. Even those who only look at things with their pewter and red goggles on know that Pittsburgh has one of the strongest fan bases in football. We'd be lucky to have a fan base as passionate.

[shane]

GrudenHater you do realize that half of those guys are inconsistent, injury-prone, or unproven right?
Aaron Roders-first year starter too early to tell if he's any good and was inconsistent this year.
Jason Cambell-inconsistent but good at times
Brady Quinn- started one game and got hurt second year player too early too tell
Tavaris Jackson- benched at the start of this season after being too inconsistent for 3 years
Trent Edwards- good QB yet to go a full season as starter and wasn't the same afterr his concussion
Brian Brohm/Chad Henne- both rookie QBs this year too early to tell(college is no measure of how you will do at pro level just ask "Mr. Overrated" Reggie Bush)

[shane]

Amen Feesh I'd buy that for a dollar!

[shane]

oh and i left out matt schuab but i think he may be injured so i guess i'll give him a break(that is unless he doesn't already have one)

[GrudenHater]

Shane, wouldn't it have been nice to see them struggle here with a chance of a bright future?

[Ish]

Why would you want to see them struggle here? You'd just blame it on Gruden and whine that we "wasted" a pick on them.

And to IMiss_47, the reason he sat on the roster all year was that several teams were eyeing him, waiting for the Bucs to try to switch him to the practice squad. During the time he would have been on waivers, he could have been claimed by anyone. He is the future, so the team didn't want him being stolen away.

[Jesse]

If we did look at a QB, who would realistically be available at 19?

[Rodney]

Grudenhater: You do know that Simms was drafted by Gruden. Anyways, Simms is not that good. Johnson however what this post was all about is this. Johnson is the man I really like him watched all the videos on him and he is just incredible. Do I think he will be an elite QB? NO, he needs time to grow and develop. He has a strong arm good mobility but still needs to push that raw talent into something special. Trust me you will see more of him next year and Gruden will be a genius. Personally, I think Gruden being on the hotseat is a good thing for the BUCS because he does things that he usually would not do. Like starting a QB with no experience. You get desperate so you look for anything to provide a spark. If and I do mean IF. If he starts he will be special, not spectacular but special. I think it will be like 20 TD's 7 Int's and a QB rating of at least 80-90. He worked in a NFL pro system at SDSU while Jim Harbaugh was his coach. Harbaugh wanted him also but went with Flaaco because he needed someone then to appease to the fans of a future QB. Harbaugh was a pretty good QB at one time as well so I will trust him. I hope Gruden plays him I really do. He has something all great players have. The "IT" factor. He has it and I think we will see him next year. Because McCown is going to walk to test FA, Garcia will retire, Griese is not the answer. Who does that leave? Oh yeah Johnson. Gruden will go after an older QB maybe even move give up picks for Cassell but all this does not matter unless we get another WR. We need someone like Crabtree, Heyward Bey, Maclin, someone that has deep speed and great hands. I like Crabtree over all of them but after watching Heyward Bey and Maclin play I am warming up to them. Anyways, we need a WR, another QB and another RB, DT, and another OLB because Brooks is done. Maybe a CB but hey that is not much. LOL. Anyways, Go BUCS and Fire Those Cannons next year. Also, for all you Gruden Haters out there. The BUCS do put up points and it's time we realize this. The Bucs used to just put up 10pts and let the Defense win it. Now the Bucs are averaging at least 14 or more a game so don't blame Gruden for everything. He puts up the points we just need the D to step up at the end of the season and the only way that is going to happen is if we get younger on Defense and I think if Morris does not leave we will. Go BUCS. I'm a true fan and always will be. I remember the days when we could not put up any points and we came back like 4 times this year the old team never would of been able to do that. So all you Gruden haters look it up and then think about the players that he has had because the owners do not pony up the bill. If he had a chance to go get quality players he would. Everyone complained about him not getting walker, another WR and another WR. Yeah that worked out for them huh? No he went after Bryant, A. All the fans were like oh my God another Trouble Maker. Um yeah he was one of the most prolific WR's this year and almost won the comeback award. Pennington no talent did but hey that's ok Bryant is going to get paid this offseason and will lead the league in yards and TD's before long. I really hope Gruden/Allen pay the man whatever he wants.

[Larry]

The fans won't have patience if the quarterback, regardless of age and experience, looks out of place or overwhelmed.

What Baltimore did with Flacco was to simplify the offense, particularly the passing game, to the point where he could understand and execute what he was given. As his comfort level increased the passing game was opened up more and more until he pretty much had the entire playbook available to him by the last month of the season.

Flacco wasn't expected to scan the field and look for this 4th or 5th receiver the first week out. He had two, maybe three, options on one side of the field and if they weren't there he was expected to throw the ball away.

What does this mean? It means that John Harbaugh and his offensive staff were willing to work with what they had early in the year knowing that as the player matured they'd be able to implement more and more of their offensive playbook.

Do you think that Chucky would be willing to adjust his offense to what his QB was able to accomplish? There's certainly no track record indicating that he'd be willing to do so. This makes Chucky a typical coach, one who rams his approach down the throat of his players regardless of whether or not they have the talent to execute it. A great coach is one who can adapt to what he has to work with - the Shula's, Landry's, and Chuck Noll's of the world.

Gruden is a good coach, but will never become a great coach without learning this lesson -- any chance you're reading this Chucky?

[Oldcrank]

Arrrrrgh! What a misnomer, BUCCANEERS. We should be called the BUCCANAGED or the BUCCANOLDPEOPLE. How appropriate that we're based in Florida, retirement capital of the world. Gruden is not a teacher, he wants players that he doesn't have to coach. Sadly, we're stuck with him for another year. But, if we could get a good QB coach, offensive coordinator, OL coach we might be able to gasp our way thru another mediocre season. Gruden is still looking for retread QB's. Here we go with Brett Farve again. Hey, Bart Starr is still alive isn't he?

[Oldcrank]

Arrrgh! Buccaneers, what a joke. Should be named Buccanaged or Buccanoldpeople. Rename stadium -Sun City.

[ORLBUCFAN]

There are PLENTY of devoted Buc fans who are the real thing, NOT bandwagoners! I'm one of them. I sat in the seats at Tampa Stadium when the score was 31-0 Detroit (w/a young Barry Sanders) at halftime. It was so futile for us Tampa fans that we spent the 2nd half drinking beer and working on a tan. Weren't many of us in attendance-natch back then.

Gruden has been here 7 years. We are starting to see an offense emerge. It won't be done until he gets up off his egotistical rear and starts calling games like he did in Oakland. Also, get off this Methusaleh-at-QB trip. Let Johnson try. McGown will be gone and I wish him the best. Greise stinks. Garcia is just too old and it shows. I watched the San Diego-Colts game Sat. night & wondered why we don't have a Norv Turner trusting a young Phil Rivers? We've waited long enough. That's for sure!

[ORLBUCFAN]

There are PLENTY of devoted Buc fans who are the real thing, NOT bandwagoners! I'm one of them. I sat in the seats at Tampa Stadium when the score was 31-0 Detroit (w/a young Barry Sanders) at halftime. It was so futile for us Tampa fans that we spent the 2nd half drinking beer and working on a tan. Weren't many of us in attendance-natch back then.

Gruden has been here 7 years. We are starting to see an offense emerge. It won't be done until he gets up off his egotistical rear and starts calling games like he did in Oakland. Also, get off this Methusaleh-at-QB trip. Let Johnson try. McGown will be gone and I wish him the best. Greise stinks. Garcia is just too old and it shows. I watched the San Diego-Colts game Sat. night & wondered why we don't have a Norv Turner trusting a young Phil Rivers? We've waited long enough. That's for sure!

[IMISS_No47]

Grs & Ish - you make good points. I just think keeping 4 QB's on the roster is not a good plan. There's no room for hoarding players on a 53-man roster. Bucs were woefully thin on both lines last season. Hopefully the Bucs won't keep 4 QB's next year and Johnson earns the backup role. Otherwise he's a career benchwarmer and that role should go to someone whose career is in their downswing. With that said - I would love to see the guy play. I liked what I saw in the pre-season.

[Erick]

I don't know about ya'll, but I am willing to sit through a losing season if I at least know that a new guy is learning the game and getting better for the future. At some point we need to start a gut because he has promise and stick with him until we know what he is about.

Get out and spend some money on new faces and lets ride them with a new QB getting experience. Gruden also needs to simply things and not expect miracles or the next Einstein of QB's.

[JC]

It only took 2 years for Bill Cowher to build "Big Ben" into a Super Bowl winner...

[Ish]

IMiss_No47, I agree, he needs to move up the charts. Hopefully, he's ready to go next year. If not, who?

Watching the Jets this off-season I am glad a second time that we didn't get Favre. What a fiasco that's turning into!

[imabucfan]

The Bucs have the 2nd highest amount of cap room next to KC which says the Glazers are cheap, the defense is falling apart, and the offense has NEVER been good under Gruden. It's too bad Buccaneer fans settle for below average players and sub-par performances and still go to the games because the Glazers are using YOUR TICKET MONEY TO FINANCE THE MANCHESTER UNITED SOCCER TEAM. Signed,
ex-imabucfan

[IMISS_No47]

Ish - it might be too late, but I don't think McCown ever got a fair shake. What happened to him is what I fear will happen to Johnson; just languishing on the roster with no purpose other than a deep insurance spare. In his few starts, I thought McCown showed good mobility and good arm strength, with his weakness being poor decision making (not getting rid of the ball when he should, for example). Good coaching & experience should be able to correct the latter. The guy has been in our system for a long time by relative comparison yet it looks like we're about to let him test the open market. Now we'll never really know what we had in him.

[imabucfan]

You people are jokes, analyzing a team that got steamrolled-over in 4 straight games. I'll make it easy for you: they STINK. If the Bucs had not won the first year of Gruden coaching Dungie's players, what would be your opinions? With Monte Kiffin gone, you can expect MUCH worse now. It's time to shake this team up and light a fire under the cheap owner's a.. . Hey Glazers, if you spend the money, they will come. If you don't...

[Larry]

NEWS BREAK!!!

The ghost of Hugh Culverhouse has apparently be sighted inside of Raymond James Stadium. Witnesses say that a shadowy apparition has been spotted near the owners box sporting a large nose and pants pockets bulging with cash.

The figure has reported been called out the name of Joel Glazer, the member of the Glazer family who manages the Buccaneers franchise. Ghosthunters hired by the Glazer family, speaking anonymously, say that the apparition wants to advise Joel on how to extract even more cash from the salary cap.

Joel Glazer has refused public comment on the matter, saying that he had a catch a flight to Manchester England.

More on this story as it develops...

[OAR]

Imabucfan, gee don't know how many times I have to say this, but Gruden brought in 29 new players(more than half) on that superbowl team. Let me ask you again, you think it was Dungy's players? Do agree on the spending hopefully they will and hopefully there will be players available worth it.

[Ish]

How big a fan can you be if you can't spell Dungy correctly?

Plus, who would you have spent money on last year? The only free agents that were available this year stunk up the place. If they HAD spent money, you'd be complaining about the poor eye for talent that they had.

Can't you ever be happy.

[Larry]

Question for OAR -- how many of those 29 players started or played more than half the snaps in their respective positions?

Ish -- two words for you, Albert Haynesworth.

[jim harrison]

steve:
Who are the QB free agents in 2009. Also, can you name all the free agents in 2009. who might be an early draft pick for the bucs next year? any QB's??

[Rodney]

I agree with Jim I would like Steve or another writer to eloborate on the potential players the BUCS could pick up. For all you BUC haters out there. Quit Posting if you don't like your team root for some other team and call them losers. I'm going to stick by my BUCS no matter what and support them. GO BUCS and NEXT YEAR FIRE THOSE CANNONS.

[BC]

A young franchise QB doesn't guarantee you anything. Gruden likes the vets because they can be productive quicker. Flacco is a medicore game manager...would still prefer Garcia over him...and for all you Gruden Bashers and Dungy lovers. Same number of playoff wins this year...and Dungy has the MVP running his team.

[Ish]

Haynesworth never made it out to the FA period. Tennessee wrapped him up quickly.

So, who would you have signed over the last two years that was an actually Free Agent?

[galloway84]

Ish, let's start of with the QB's you mention
1. Bradford-Not ready to be in the NFL yet
2. Harrell-Not an NFL QB run and shoot QB's from college can't adapt to a pro style offense
3. Daniels-Not an NFL QB he reminds me of Jim Miller with mobility
4. Sanchez-Best college QB in that group and is NFL ready maybe NFL franchise QB
5. Stafford-Not impressed and not NFL ready. Mechanics are raw
6. Davis-Not impressed by him too much 7. Wilson-Not an NFL QB 3rd string at best. CFL QB.
As for Gruden hater QB's mention
2005 - Aaron Rodgers, Jason Campbell, Matt Schaub
2006 - Tarvaris Jackson
2007 - Brady Quinn, Trent Edwards
2008 - Brian Brohm, Chad Henne

2005 Aaron Rodgers not sold in him. (comparison Don Majkowski). Alex Smith Bust. Jason Campbell mediocre. Matt Schaub good QB if he stays healthy
2006 Tarvaris Jackson stinks not an NFL QB
2007 Brady Quinn tough to tell(jury is still out on him). Trent Edwards mediocre at best.
2008 Brian Brohm NFL backup. Chad Henne jury is still out for him; unknown

notable mentions Leinart balloon of an arm. Josh Johnson and John David Booty unknown.

[D Block]

I aggree with a lot of u when u say that bucs fans are not that patient. I'm a bucs fan as some of u know but as fans are anywhere else they don't have patience with excuses yr end & yr out they (we) want to win. I will say that we never made a play 4 what people would call a franchise QB in the last 7 yrs. Yes u can go & win without 1 but 4 how long?

[Ish]

OK, so you don't like any of the top-rated QB prospects. OK.

Are you one that'll be kvetching about the lack of drafting a QB?

[D Block]

I think u give Josh Johnson a chance let him play. He is 1 of the most prolific passers to come out of college he is accurate & mobile. These r 2 out of the most important 4 to posess as a QB. The other 2 r yet to be determined throwing power & decision making. He obviously makes descent decisions based on his college stats. The grass isn't always green on the other side, sometimes u have to water your own grass.