Griese not expected at OTAs

You may have seen the last of Brian Griese in a Tampa Bay uniform.

The Bucs do not expect Griese to attend the first week of Organized Team Activities which begin Tuesday.

The full-squad workouts are voluntary. But team officials and Griese's agent, Ralph Cindrich, say they do not expect the 34-year-old veteran to begin competing this week with four other quarterbacks on the Bucs roster -- Luke McCown, Byron Leftwich, Josh Freeman and Josh Johnson.

The Bucs plan to take four quarterbacks to training camp and Griese is not expected to one of them. But Bucs still believe Griese could have trade value and may elect to hold onto his rights through the off-season in case another team suffers an injury at quarterback.

Griese started five games last season, passing for 1,073 yards with five touchdowns and seven interceptions.

But Griese missed two months with tendonitis in his right throwing elbow and struggled in his final start at Atlanta. While he managed to pass for 269 yards, his lack of mobility was startling and he took sacks in critical situations.

Griese also may not be the best fit for Jeff Jagodzinski, who will ask his quarterbacks to drive the ball down the field and utilize plenty of play-action bootlegs and waggles.

Griese thrives more in a traditional west coast offense. The numbers just don't work for him in Tampa Bay, especially after the signing of Leftwich.

The guess here is that the Bucs carry Griese on the roster for a couple months to see if there is another injury at QB around the league and release him before training camp, if not sooner. 

Comments

[Mr.Fabulous]

I always liked Brian Griese. He's a class guy, a fine QB, and will make a mighty good coach after he retires from playing. Safe travels, my friend.

[IREADER]

This was coming. Griese has just not achieved the expected potential while in Tampa. He's had two attempts.
The Bucs and Brian need to move on.
Thanks for the effort, Brian.
Since we can't really see what's happening in the camps, I sure hope the Bucs know what their plans are at quarterback. I hope the Glazers aren't just settling for the blue light special from FootballMart.
Hope the guys we have are genuinely up to the job.

[Dspkable]

My crystal ball says he goes to the Vikings or Dallas. Heck if Dallas liked Brad Johnson as a backup last year, then they might love a QB like Griese.

[Rube]

No surprise here. Griese was the most likely of all to go. Josh Johnson next? I sure hope not. If Freeman and Johnson could grow to know the offense, we could have a solid starter and backup. Johnson has talent, I was really excited when the Bucs drafted him last year. I say don't release him. Get rid of Byron save some money. Start the season with McCown as starter, grooming Freeman and keep Johnson around.

[aj]

Say what you want about Griese, but all he did was win games here. He wasn't the flashiest QB, but did just enough to earn the victory.

I have a hard time blaming the guy for the Atlanta game. He hadn't practiced in two months and was thrown in the fire at the last second. Of course he was going to look clunky and rusty.

[D Block]

Ok i think everyone seen this coming. This was no secret even with Byron Griese is the least mobile of all and shows the least potential. The teams veteran QB is Leftwich, Freeman is the biggest promise, Johnson is the most accurate & McCown currently has the lead as the starter. Things are already getting interesting. But to many Qb's cuts down on reps that QB's need to get better as far as system and timing with WR's

[Mr.Fabulous]

Byron Leftwich has feet that each weigh 57#. I would SO MUCH rather see Mr.Griese behind center. Byron starts, I will have a very difficult season (as a fan).

[DR]

Griese did do well here in Tampa but this was expected to happen and really no big deal.
Peter King currently ranked the Bucs 26th overall right now and expects Leftwich to be the starter grooming Freeman for the future.

[drspb]

Mr. Fabulous, right on bro. One word if Leftwich starts "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Please Lord NOOOO!" You might as well bring back Ray Perkins and Williamson, because it'll be just like 1989 all over again.

[John P]

It doesn't matter whether Luke or Leftwich starts the season. After about 10 games, a 3-7, 4-6 or 5-5 record, we're all going to be wondering when the kid is going to get on the field. I wonder if they're going to go with the Steve McNair and Aaron Rogers approach and completely sit him for the season? Or, if they'll go Dilfer and Testeverde style and throw him to the wolves. It's easy to say they won't, but if they think he's ready....

[blindjim]

Brian just doesn't fit here any more. Too bad.. and oil well. If he had a better deal elsewhere, I'm sure he'd have taken it. Soon as 'Lefty' was signed the writting was on the wall. A thought I've been having is this... if you bring in 4-5 QBs each year, "Why?" Doesn't that say you just don't know? Take a look at other teams... with a good QB in place... they aren't bringing in QBs by the bus load. Are they? Also, when the balance of the league's talent afficianadoes say prospective qB s are such and such, in order... What then makes the Bucs staff seek out their QBs from off the beaten path? Just what do the Bucs know about QBs that makes them think they know QB talent? The history says they only know how to let talented QBs get away.. and not develop them. Josh J might be worth taking a long look at... his release is fine, quick, and with zip, but mostly, accurate. Well, hopefully the Bucs will evaluate by what they actually see, and not what they hope for... when selecting ANY QB this camp.

[Rube]

Should have just given up our second rounder this year for Matt Cassel and another like the Chiefs did. We would have a solid QB, Alex Smith would still be here. We wouldn't be questioning Winslows health. And we could have used our first on a stud defensive player. It seems to me the Bucs didn't even look at Cassel. He is less of a question mark than Freeman. Don't give me the excuse that Cassel was good because of Welker and Moss. But....woulda, shoulda. Freeman has alot of potential. Hopefully, he'll become a top QB. If not, the franchise is set back a couple more years.

[maarnold1775]

Another proverbial nail in the coffin!!