Bucs QB Garcia Out Against Falcons - 12/14/2008
Source: AP QB Jeff Garcia won't play today against the Falcons. In his place, Brian Griese will get the start. It isn't out of the question that Luke McCown will get some snaps too. Fantasy Impact: I don't consider either Griese or McCown to be decent fantasy option at this point. |
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Bucs Optimistic QB Garcia Can Start - 12/12/2008
Source: Associated Press The Tampa Bay Bucs remained optimistic that QB Jeff Garcia could play Sunday against at Atlanta, despite being limited in practices this week with a groin injury. It is an injury similar to one he suffered in training camp. Fantasy Impact: Garcia should play, and likely won't show many side effects of the injury. WR Antonio Bryant will be eager to prove himself (again) after his comments this week regarding statements made by Emmitt Smith, and could help Garcia put up decent numbers. The Bucs are facing an Atlanta defense that ranks 23rd against the pass, setting the stage for a good showing by Garcia and Co. |
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Simms resigns himself to not returning in '06 - 10/30/2006
Source: St. Petersburg Times Quarterback Chris Simms said Sunday he expects to miss the rest of the season after receiving a second opinion about his recovery from a splenectomy.
Simms, who attended Sunday's game, was informed by physicians at Harbourside Medical Tower last week that the earliest he would be cleared to play would be with one or two games remaining in the regular season.
Simms, 26, had hoped to play the final month.
Tampa Bay is expected to place Simms on injured reserve this week when quarterback Luke McCown is activated from the physically unable to perform list.
"They kind of told me from the start it would be anywhere from a 10- to 12-week injury," Simms said. "You've just got to deal with the reality of the situation. Of course, I'm a little disappointed."
Simms' spleen was removed in an emergency surgery Sept. 24 after a 24-21 loss to Carolina.
Simms spent nearly a week in the hospital and since has been unable to run or lift weights. Recently, he said he could not stand completely straight and had trouble sleeping on his back.
Simms, who can be a free agent after the season, said he understands why the club would place him on injured reserve.
"That just depends on whatever the organization wants to do," he said.
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Simms To Make First Public Appearance - 10/05/2006
Source: The Tampa Tribune Chris Simms will speak to the media at 3 p.m. on Thursday, his first public appearance since an emergency splenectomy after the Bucs' last game, against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 24.
The Bucs are holding out hope that Simms can return to the team before the end of the season; however, they signed former Virginia Tech QB Bryan Randall to the practice squad in the meantime.
Backup QB Luke McCown, himself thought to be lost for the year with a knee injury, is in position to return to the Bucs within a few weeks, well ahead of any return by Simms.
Rookie Bruce Gradkowski will start Sunday's game at New Orleans against the resurgent Saints, who lead the NFC South along with the Atlanta Falcons. |
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Bucs may end up relying on -- gulp! -- McCown - 10/01/2006
Source: Orlando Sentinel Thank goodness for Luke McCown.
At least that's what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are saying.
The Bucs lost starting quarterback Chris Simms when he sustained a ruptured spleen in a loss to Carolina. Simms had an emergency splenectomy last Sunday night and likely is done for the season.
Bruce Gradkowski, a sixth-round pick from Toledo, now is the starter. Tim Rattay, a seven-year veteran acquired in midseason last fall after Brian Griese blew out his knee, is No. 2.
There is no No. 3.
General Manager Bruce Allen and Coach Jon Gruden chose to enter 2006 with Simms -- opening a season as a starter for the first time in his pro career -- backed by two unproven players.
The term "unproven" became applicable as soon as the Bucs determined Rattay, a career 61 percent passer with 24 touchdowns and 18 interceptions, could not beat out Gradkowski.
A fourth quarterback, McCown, was placed on the reserve-physically unable to perform list. He had major knee surgery just before minicamp in June and isn't eligible for activation until after the Bucs play five games. |
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McCown Pressing To Get Back - 09/29/2006
Source: The Tampa Tribune Before Thursday, the last time Bucs QB Luke McCown remembers throwing 70 passes in one setting was during his freshman year in college.
McCown was the last player off the practice field Thursday, having thrown 70 passes to various receivers, in an effort to get his conditioning back. The third-year veteran wants to remain an option for the Bucs as they prepare to go on without starter Chris Simms.
Rookie Bruce Gradkowski gets the start against New Orleans on Oct. 8, but McCown is preparing to get into shape - physically and mentally - in case he's needed when he's eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list after Week 6.
"I don't believe I'll do 70 drops probably ever again," McCown said. "It's just about conditioning and the mechanics of it all and shaking the rust off a little bit."
McCown's rust grew while he remained mostly idle following knee surgery in June to repair a slightly torn ACL. |
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Bucs Lean Toward Going With 2 QBs - 09/28/2006
Source: The Tampa Tribune The NFL's 2006 season dawned this month with nine teams carrying only two quarterbacks. That number grew to 10 when Tennessee traded Billy Volek to San Diego last week, and the Bucs could soon make it 11.
One day after conducting their second quarterback tryout in three weeks, the Bucs were considering not signing another quarterback and going into their Oct. 8 game at New Orleans with just two on the active roster.
"We may do that," Coach Jon Gruden said of dressing only rookie Bruce Gradkowski and Tim Rattay for the Saints game. "There are [10 teams] that are doing that right now and we may become the [11th] or whatever it is."
The improving health of third-year pro Luke McCown is the primary reason the Bucs are contemplating taking on not only New Orleans but also Cincinnati with just two active quarterbacks.
McCown is recovering from offseason knee injury and remains on the physically unable to perform list. The Bucs, though, are growing confident he will be ready to play when he becomes eligible for a game, Oct. 22 against Philadelphia.
"We're actually very fortunate that Luke McCown will be ready to play in a couple of games," Bucs general manager Bruce Allen said. "That gives us a great option."
The Bucs usually dress three quarterbacks for games, but one usually is designated as an emergency quarterback who can enter the game only if the active quarterbacks are injured. |
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King among six QBs at workout - 09/27/2006
Source: St. Petersburg Times Shaun King's place in Bucs' history is secure, but he would do almost anything to be a part of the team's future.
King, 29, was among six quarterbacks who worked out Tuesday afternoon at the Bucs' new facility.
The list included two other NFL veterans, former Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox and Cody Pickett, who played briefly with the 49ers. The Bucs also worked out three candidates for the practice squad, Cliff Kingsbury, Lang Campbell and Brian Randle.
"I did everything I could do," King said. "I thought I worked out really well. I'm just waiting to hear if they decide to sign a veteran for the active roster or go with a young guy on the practice squad."
It's the second time in as many years King has worked out for the Bucs. He came close to earning a job after Brian Griese suffered a season-ending knee injury, but the team opted to trade for Tim Rattay.
Tampa Bay is looking for a No. 3 quarterback to take the roster spot of Chris Simms, who is expected to be placed on injured reserve after surgery Sunday to remove his spleen. The team could opt to go with rookie starter Bruce Gradkowski and Rattay while signing a young player to the practice squad. |
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Bucs back in QB market - 09/26/2006
Source: St. Petersburg Times The Bucs are actively searching for an emergency third quarterback.
After losing starter Chris Simms for a minimum of six weeks and possibly the rest of the season, coach Jon Gruden announced Monday that rookie Bruce Gradkowski will start Oct. 8 at New Orleans, with veteran Tim Rattay the backup.
Tampa Bay has a bye this week.
The team's best long-term solution to its lack of depth is for backup Luke McCown to return in three weeks from an offseason knee injury.
McCown began the season on the physically-unable-to-perform list and will be eligible to practice with the team Oct. 17. He could be on the active roster for the Oct. 22 home game against Philadelphia.
The Bucs might need someone for as few as two games, at New Orleans and against Cincinnati.
"We'll have to look for a veteran quarterback to come in and help us in the meantime," Gruden said. "I'm going to see who's available. It could be via trade. It could be a guy who's out there at this time. It could be someone on someone else's practice squad. We just have to see who's available, who we can get and what we're willing to pay." |
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Bucs release 13, place McCown on reserve-PUP - 08/29/2006
Source: yahoo.com The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed backup quarterback Luke McCown on the physically unable to perform list and released 13 other players Tuesday to trim their roster to 75 for the final preseason game. Fantasy Impact: Though recovering ahead of schedule, McCown will watch Tim Rattay and Bruce Gradkowski compete for the backup QB job. |
