SproutDaddy
Footballguy
If Simms returns does he become the starter, or has Gradkowski established himself as a legitimate starter in Gruden's offense?................or could it be someone new?
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2007 Tampa Bay QB's (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter SproutDaddy
- Start date
Punchie
Footballguy
Gradkowski's done well so far, but it'll all be up to training camps and pre-season. Gruden will not annoint anyone the starter until deep into the offseason.
Futility
Footballguy
I'm inclined to agree with the previous poster. IMO, the most likely scenario is that Simms and Gradkowski compete for the job in camp next year. The only wrinkle I'd throw in is that Simms will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. In my mind, though, it's a pretty good bet that he'll re-up with Tampa on a short term deal.
M
MLBrandow
Guest
Anyone who tells you anything other than Simms is wrong.
He'll be re-signed for another 1-year peanuts deal and play for a big contract.
Unless Gradkowski shows up throwing like Peyton Manning, he doesn't have a chance in hell to unseat Simms.
Gradkowski had one nice comeback drive in his first start when there was no game film on him. Since then he's been a stagnant and steady turnover machine.
He's mobile, and that's about it.
Look for Gruden to spend the offseason adjusting his WCO to better suit the deep passing game and even, dare I say.. the SHOTGUN formation, which he has never used.
He'll be re-signed for another 1-year peanuts deal and play for a big contract.
Unless Gradkowski shows up throwing like Peyton Manning, he doesn't have a chance in hell to unseat Simms.
Gradkowski had one nice comeback drive in his first start when there was no game film on him. Since then he's been a stagnant and steady turnover machine.
He's mobile, and that's about it.
Look for Gruden to spend the offseason adjusting his WCO to better suit the deep passing game and even, dare I say.. the SHOTGUN formation, which he has never used.
Capella
Footballguy
You seem dead-set on Simms. Did you miss the first 3 games of this season?
I would expect Gruden/Allen to bring in a veteran, too, depending on who's available. I would be surprised if they go into camp with Simms, Gradkowski, and McCown as the three guys competing for the job.
And to skillz: just because they want to bring Simms back for cheap doesn't mean they want to hand him the job.
And to skillz: just because they want to bring Simms back for cheap doesn't mean they want to hand him the job.
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M
MLBrandow
Guest
He didn't play in the preseason, and so he was unprepared to play.Every starting QB plays that third preseason game. Simms took about 3 snaps. They play that game because it prepares you for the regular season. Not playing was a mistake which Gruden admitted.Add to that the exponential expansion of Gruden's WCO which took Simms time to adapt to (he knew all the plays, but when the real bullets are firing, it's a different story), and you have your problem.Remember the Carolina game. They had a 21-point comeback in that game when it finally clicked back for Simms.The real answer this season would have been to play Simms a lot in at least three preseason games, giving him and the offense time to gel against first string teams. He attempted the fewest passes of any healthy starting QB.Anyway, in watching Gradkowski, it's very obvious to me that he doesn't have the talent level to be a solid QB in this league. He reminds me a lot of Shaun King in his abilities, and that's about what I expect out of him.The Bucs though do have three young QBs on their roster, and so drafting one with a top pick makes little sense. With no feasible WCO free agents and no likely trade candidate, look for the Bucs to simply give Simms another year.
Thats funny, while I certainly dont think he is any kind of Savior, but he has better numbers than both Leinart and Young. I think he has been decent to say the least.
T Man
Footballguy
Additionally, the O-Line was ravaged by injuries the first three games. One has to believe that the revolving door on the O-line caused some of the problems the run game and the passing game had those first three games.
M
MLBrandow
Guest
He has a 54% completion percentage with 5.13 YPA.that's not just bad, that's abhorrent. He also averages about 2 turnovers a game, compared to one score. Throw that in with his 150ypg and I don't see how you think he's putting up better numbers.Ryan_21 said:
In fact, that YPA is so bad, if he starts the rest of the season and continues on his path, he'll break Harrington's record for worst YPA for a starting QB in a single season (5.2, he also had 5.35, 3rd worst all-time).
Did you see last week?
Leinart throws for 400 yards.
Young single-handedly leads a 24-point 4th quarter comeback.
Gradkowski continues about his own norm.
His OVERALL numbers might be a shade better (they are in some categories), but he does not show any progression as a QB, whereas both Young and Leinart, because they are blue-chip franchise QBs, are already looking like the first round picks they were.
Couple More things:
Leinart has had six 200+ yard games in 7 starts.
Gradkowski has had 1 (the first game he started where everyone creamed themselves because they thought he was the next Roethlisberger, and is the main cause for all of this misplaced hype around him)
Young has also topped 20ppg in most of his 8 starts (varying per scoring format).
Gradkowski has topped 20ppg possibly once (again, in his first start), when he threw 225/2 (21pts in standard scoring).
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