Gradkowski (1 Viewer)

[rawdog]

All the preseason hype surrounding Bruce Gradkowski appears to now be relevant considering Simms & the entire TB offense's struggles. Any chance Gruden makes the switch at some point? And how would Gradkowski do?

Sounds like he has Roethlisberger-type intangibles (as a rookie from a MAC school, etc.)

 

[David Yudkin]

John Clayton said it's not even a consideration at this point on Mike & Mike. For better or worse, in his opinion, it's Simms and there really is not much chance they will make a change.

 

[sholditch]

John Clayton said it's not even a consideration at this point on Mike & Mike. For better or worse, in his opinion, it's Simms and there really is not much chance they will make a change.

fixed

 

[diesel7982]

Simms isnt the only, or the worst problem in TB.

No chance he loses his job.

 

[bucs4life_99]

Plus Simms actually looked decent in the second half of the Falcons game. Hopefully he can build off that half against Carolina, but even if he sucks, there's no way Gradkowski sees the field until late in the season if the Bucs are out if it.

 

[sholditch]

Simms isnt the only, or the worst problem in TB. No chance he loses his job.

I didn't watch the game, I listened on the radio, and maybe I got distracted by the 578 times they said "batted ball," but what problem is worse than Simms in TB? I mean, other than street crime?

 

[gump]

Simms isnt the only, or the worst problem in TB. No chance he loses his job.

I didn't watch the game, I listened on the radio, and maybe I got distracted by the 578 times they said "batted ball," but what problem is worse than Simms in TB? I mean, other than street crime?

The same thing it's been for 3 years...the Offensive Line.

 

[Kleck.]

Simms isnt the only, or the worst problem in TB. No chance he loses his job.

Agreed.

 

[Bri]

Simms isnt the only, or the worst problem in TB. No chance he loses his job.

Further, Gruden said(on ESPN) he's sticking with Simms

 

[Dave Baker]

I think Simms is the man this year unless he gets hurt or performs especially disastrous. Despite their difficulties on offense this year, it's not quite disastrous as for how Simms has performed.

Dynasty owners of Gradkowski should hope he doesn't start this year anyway. A little too early IMO.

How Simms performs the rest of the year will dictate if he comes back and starts in 2007, but for 2006, it's Simms all the way.

 

[Loopdog]

their protection has been borderline atrocious so far this season. Simms is playing shaky yes, but so would 90% of the rest of the QB's in the league if they were faced with similar situations. I'm not so quick to dump him. He played Atlanta and Baltimore the first 2 weeks, two of the best defenses in the game. He will probably have a rough go of it sunday vs Carolina too, but im sure it will get a little easier as the season progresses.

 

[MarshallRob]

The most popular local Tampa sports radio guy said yesterday that he is sure Gradkowski will end up playing this year if the Bucs continue losing. He said Simms was a Rich McKay draft pick, not a Gruden/Bruce Allen one and that Simms is not a Gruden-type QB. Gruden prefers to have a QB who can make plays with his feet as well as his arm and Simms isn't that kind of player (nor were Brad Johnson or Brian Griese). Gruden brought in Rob Johnson a while back to be that guy but Johnson was too dumb to read defenses and wasn't accurate enough. In the host's opinion (for whatever that's worth), once it's clear the Bucs aren't going to the playoffs you can expect to see Gradkowski.

 

[QUEZILLA]

The most popular local Tampa sports radio guy said yesterday that he is sure Gradkowski will end up playing this year if the Bucs continue losing. He said Simms was a Rich McKay draft pick, not a Gruden/Bruce Allen one and that Simms is not a Gruden-type QB. Gruden prefers to have a QB who can make plays with his feet as well as his arm and Simms isn't that kind of player (nor were Brad Johnson or Brian Griese). Gruden brought in Rob Johnson a while back to be that guy but Johnson was too dumb to read defenses and wasn't accurate enough. In the host's opinion (for whatever that's worth), once it's clear the Bucs aren't going to the playoffs you can expect to see Gradkowski.

If your are taling about Duemig, he is an idiot.

 

[MarshallRob]

The most popular local Tampa sports radio guy said yesterday that he is sure Gradkowski will end up playing this year if the Bucs continue losing. He said Simms was a Rich McKay draft pick, not a Gruden/Bruce Allen one and that Simms is not a Gruden-type QB. Gruden prefers to have a QB who can make plays with his feet as well as his arm and Simms isn't that kind of player (nor were Brad Johnson or Brian Griese). Gruden brought in Rob Johnson a while back to be that guy but Johnson was too dumb to read defenses and wasn't accurate enough. In the host's opinion (for whatever that's worth), once it's clear the Bucs aren't going to the playoffs you can expect to see Gradkowski.

If your are taling about Duemig, he is an idiot.

I was, and he can be, but I don't think he is being one here.

 

[David Yudkin]

The most popular local Tampa sports radio guy said yesterday that he is sure Gradkowski will end up playing this year if the Bucs continue losing. He said Simms was a Rich McKay draft pick, not a Gruden/Bruce Allen one and that Simms is not a Gruden-type QB. Gruden prefers to have a QB who can make plays with his feet as well as his arm and Simms isn't that kind of player (nor were Brad Johnson or Brian Griese). Gruden brought in Rob Johnson a while back to be that guy but Johnson was too dumb to read defenses and wasn't accurate enough. In the host's opinion (for whatever that's worth), once it's clear the Bucs aren't going to the playoffs you can expect to see Gradkowski.

I'm not so sure about this one (not saying what you posted is wrong, just that this one seems odd). Gruden was already in TB for a year when they drafted Simms. So for someone to say it wasn't a Gruden pick doesn't add up IMO. They've also had 5 years to draft, sign, and/or acquire a QB and have gone through several in that time, so again they have had opportunities to solifify the QB spot. I suppose if any team "keeps losing" that there is always a chance that a QB swap could occur, but I am curious as how an 11-5 team one year goes completely in the dumpster within two weeks.

 

[gump]

The most popular local Tampa sports radio guy said yesterday that he is sure Gradkowski will end up playing this year if the Bucs continue losing. He said Simms was a Rich McKay draft pick, not a Gruden/Bruce Allen one and that Simms is not a Gruden-type QB. Gruden prefers to have a QB who can make plays with his feet as well as his arm and Simms isn't that kind of player (nor were Brad Johnson or Brian Griese). Gruden brought in Rob Johnson a while back to be that guy but Johnson was too dumb to read defenses and wasn't accurate enough. In the host's opinion (for whatever that's worth), once it's clear the Bucs aren't going to the playoffs you can expect to see Gradkowski.

If your are taling about Duemig, he is an idiot.

Duemig isn't very reliable...but I've heard A LOT of people say, including Buc employees (FWIW), that Gruden was not happy with the Simms pick...BUT that Simms had grown on Gruden b/c of his work ethic and arm strength. It's obvious Simms is not exactly what Gruden wants in a QB. But Gruden had confidence this offseason that Simms could continue to improve and become his man for a while.

 

[MarshallRob]

The most popular local Tampa sports radio guy said yesterday that he is sure Gradkowski will end up playing this year if the Bucs continue losing. He said Simms was a Rich McKay draft pick, not a Gruden/Bruce Allen one and that Simms is not a Gruden-type QB. Gruden prefers to have a QB who can make plays with his feet as well as his arm and Simms isn't that kind of player (nor were Brad Johnson or Brian Griese). Gruden brought in Rob Johnson a while back to be that guy but Johnson was too dumb to read defenses and wasn't accurate enough. In the host's opinion (for whatever that's worth), once it's clear the Bucs aren't going to the playoffs you can expect to see Gradkowski.

I'm not so sure about this one (not saying what you posted is wrong, just that this one seems odd). Gruden was already in TB for a year when they drafted Simms. So for someone to say it wasn't a Gruden pick doesn't add up IMO. They've also had 5 years to draft, sign, and/or acquire a QB and have gone through several in that time, so again they have had opportunities to solifify the QB spot. I suppose if any team "keeps losing" that there is always a chance that a QB swap could occur, but I am curious as how an 11-5 team one year goes completely in the dumpster within two weeks.

McKay was still the GM when Simms was drafted in 2003. McKay then lost out in a power struggle to Gruden and left in December of that year. Gruden didn't really have control over the personnel until McKay left and was replaced by Allen. The Bucs were 7-9 in 2003 and 5-11 in 2004, so it's possible 2005 was a fluke season and the 2003-2004 performances more accurately reflect the team's current talent level. The Bucs do not have a long-term investment in Simms and if he continues to play badly this season I don't believe he will be wearing a Tampa Bay uniform next season. So once the Bucs are out of it, if they are out of it, the team has no incentive to keep Simms in there.

 

[David Yudkin]

The most popular local Tampa sports radio guy said yesterday that he is sure Gradkowski will end up playing this year if the Bucs continue losing. He said Simms was a Rich McKay draft pick, not a Gruden/Bruce Allen one and that Simms is not a Gruden-type QB. Gruden prefers to have a QB who can make plays with his feet as well as his arm and Simms isn't that kind of player (nor were Brad Johnson or Brian Griese). Gruden brought in Rob Johnson a while back to be that guy but Johnson was too dumb to read defenses and wasn't accurate enough. In the host's opinion (for whatever that's worth), once it's clear the Bucs aren't going to the playoffs you can expect to see Gradkowski.

I'm not so sure about this one (not saying what you posted is wrong, just that this one seems odd). Gruden was already in TB for a year when they drafted Simms. So for someone to say it wasn't a Gruden pick doesn't add up IMO. They've also had 5 years to draft, sign, and/or acquire a QB and have gone through several in that time, so again they have had opportunities to solifify the QB spot. I suppose if any team "keeps losing" that there is always a chance that a QB swap could occur, but I am curious as how an 11-5 team one year goes completely in the dumpster within two weeks.

McKay was still the GM when Simms was drafted in 2003. McKay then lost out in a power struggle to Gruden and left in December of that year. Gruden didn't really have control over the personnel until McKay left and was replaced by Allen. The Bucs were 7-9 in 2003 and 5-11 in 2004, so it's possible 2005 was a fluke season and the 2003-2004 performances more accurately reflect the team's current talent level. The Bucs do not have a long-term investment in Simms and if he contunues to play badly this season I don't believe he will be wearing a Tampa Bay uniform next season. So once the Bucs are out of it, if they are out of it, the team has no incentive to keep Simms in there.

In my advanced age, my memory is not what it once was. But I thought Gruden signed with Tampa in the first place to have more autonomy over personnel decisions. (I can't remember yesterday let alone 5 years ago.) Seeing how they just won the SB, one would think that the team would listen to their coach's wishes on draft day. Maybe they ignored Gruden, but it would have been an odd thing to do . . .

 

[LHUCKS]

Plus Simms actually looked decent in the second half of the Falcons game. Hopefully he can build off that half against Carolina, but even if he sucks, there's no way Gradkowski sees the field until late in the season if the Bucs are out if it.

Exactly. He's had three bad halves, two of which were against Baltimore.Buy Low.

 

[Bob_Magaw]

simms probably is there best option right now, regardless... though the 6 INTs in two games aren't helping his cause, as well as the aforementioned deflected passes.

i do think it is possible that we could see gradkowski sooner than the end of the season, if the trend continues...

IF bucs being out of playoff hunt increases chance they make a move to see what they have in gradkowski, in case the team sours on simms role in 07... they could possibly be out of the playoff hunt as soon as mid-season... a loss to CAR would start the season at 0-3... not an insurmountable hole, but the odds are very poor...

 

[Brunell4MVP]

John Clayton said it's not even a consideration at this point on Mike & Mike. For better or worse, in his opinion, it's Simms and there really is not much chance they will make a change.

The same John Clayton that said Simms looked better than any QB in the offseason, and was likely to be a top 5 QB this year.

 

[David Yudkin]

John Clayton said it's not even a consideration at this point on Mike & Mike. For better or worse, in his opinion, it's Simms and there really is not much chance they will make a change.

The same John Clayton that said Simms looked better than any QB in the offseason, and was likely to be a top 5 QB this year.

Wasn't that Mort?

 

[MarshallRob]

The most popular local Tampa sports radio guy said yesterday that he is sure Gradkowski will end up playing this year if the Bucs continue losing. He said Simms was a Rich McKay draft pick, not a Gruden/Bruce Allen one and that Simms is not a Gruden-type QB. Gruden prefers to have a QB who can make plays with his feet as well as his arm and Simms isn't that kind of player (nor were Brad Johnson or Brian Griese). Gruden brought in Rob Johnson a while back to be that guy but Johnson was too dumb to read defenses and wasn't accurate enough. In the host's opinion (for whatever that's worth), once it's clear the Bucs aren't going to the playoffs you can expect to see Gradkowski.

I'm not so sure about this one (not saying what you posted is wrong, just that this one seems odd). Gruden was already in TB for a year when they drafted Simms. So for someone to say it wasn't a Gruden pick doesn't add up IMO. They've also had 5 years to draft, sign, and/or acquire a QB and have gone through several in that time, so again they have had opportunities to solifify the QB spot. I suppose if any team "keeps losing" that there is always a chance that a QB swap could occur, but I am curious as how an 11-5 team one year goes completely in the dumpster within two weeks.

McKay was still the GM when Simms was drafted in 2003. McKay then lost out in a power struggle to Gruden and left in December of that year. Gruden didn't really have control over the personnel until McKay left and was replaced by Allen. The Bucs were 7-9 in 2003 and 5-11 in 2004, so it's possible 2005 was a fluke season and the 2003-2004 performances more accurately reflect the team's current talent level. The Bucs do not have a long-term investment in Simms and if he contunues to play badly this season I don't believe he will be wearing a Tampa Bay uniform next season. So once the Bucs are out of it, if they are out of it, the team has no incentive to keep Simms in there.

In my advanced age, my memory is not what it once was. But I thought Gruden signed with Tampa in the first place to have more autonomy over personnel decisions. (I can't remember yesterday let alone 5 years ago.) Seeing how they just won the SB, one would think that the team would listen to their coach's wishes on draft day. Maybe they ignored Gruden, but it would have been an odd thing to do . . .

Gruden did want more autonomy over personnel decisions. Of course, McKay was responsible for assembling the team that Gruden won the Super Bowl with in 2002 and I'm sure the Glazers were hoping the two could work together in 2003. The 2003 draft among other things showed they could not and McKay departed. I have no idea what Gruden plans to do. However, it seems certain that if Simms continues playing this badly he won't be back next year. If that's the case, the Bucs have no incentive to keep playing him if it turns out they are not playoff material.

 

[gump]

However, it seems certain that if Simms continues playing this badly he won't be back next year. If that's the case, the Bucs have no incentive to keep playing him if it turns out they are not playoff material.

Which is exactly what most of us Buc homers have been saying since the preseason during the Grad hype...Simms plays until the Bucs are (roughly) 2-8 or he gets hurt.

 

[Capella]

I simply cannot believe people are still using the "Simms wasn't a Gruden pick" line of reasoning.

It was four years ago people. If Gruden didn't want Simms to be his QB, he wouldn't be his QB. Good lord employ some common sense.

 

[gump]

I simply cannot believe people are still using the "Simms wasn't a Gruden pick" line of reasoning. It was four years ago people. If Gruden didn't want Simms to be his QB, he wouldn't be his QB. Good lord employ some common sense.

Common sense? Gruden has looked at almost every Free Agent QB in the NFL the last three years and was reportedly interested in Alex Smith at the top of the draft last year. I am not saying Gruden is not or was not confident that Simms could become his QB of the future, but he obviously was NOT the guy Gruden hand-picked to groom.

 

[Gargoylez]

Simms isnt the only, or the worst problem in TB. No chance he loses his job.

I didn't watch the game, I listened on the radio, and maybe I got distracted by the 578 times they said "batted ball," but what problem is worse than Simms in TB? I mean, other than street crime?

The same thing it's been for 3 years...the Offensive Line.

Have three offensive lineman get pushed into your face and see how many balls you get batted.

 

[Lord of Football]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/loca...ports-headlines

TAMPA -- Tampa Bay Coach Jon Gruden praised his offensive line Monday.

His team has yet to score a touchdown this season and has managed just a field goal in two games, but he said the unit did its job in pass protection in Sunday's 14-3 loss at Atlanta.

"It was outstanding. It was tremendous. That's one of the disappointing things as I stand here -- we should have completed a lot more balls," Gruden said. "We picked up a number of blitzes. It was excellent. It was firm. [The quarterback] was able to slide and see throws. It was probably as good as it's been in a long time -- at least since I've been here."

If Gruden made things that clear for the media, imagine how he laid it out for Chris Simms.

Then again, anyone watching the game who could read lips at the most rudimentary level knew Gruden -- for the second consecutive week -- wasn't happy with Simms' play. But Gruden also made it clear Monday that no change is in the works.

"Right now, this situation is what it is. We don't have a lot of experience, and I don't see a lot of experience showing up on the horizon," Gruden said. "Some of these negative experiences you just have to swallow. Hopefully, he can improve."

There's room for that. A week after throwing three interceptions in a 27-0 season-opening loss to Baltimore, Simms threw three more picks against the Falcons.

"I'll be the first to tell you I didn't play as good as I can and that there really was no excuse for some of my mistakes," Simms said Monday. "I'm not going to read any of your columns or watch the local news. I just have to do what I need to do to get better and get on track."

Second-guessing from the media is nothing when "Chucky" is carving you up in the video room and Carolina (0-2), with problems of its own, is coming to town Sunday.

After reviewing tape, Gruden found numerous instances during Simms' career-high 53 passes Sunday in which plays were there to be made.

"He's gotten a lot of good, open looks," Gruden said. "He missed some throws that could have turned the game around and certainly gotten some momentum on our side. But I'm going to stay with him and do the best I can to coach him better, and I'll be happy to take responsibility for it."

Gruden made it clear that responsibility is a two-way street, even if Simms is one of the most-liked players in the locker room.

But Simms isn't the only problem. Atlanta's Michael Vick executed the spread offense to the tune of 306 rushing yards against a defense that ranked No. 1 in the NFL last season. Kicker Matt Bryant missed two field goals. On just about any other Sunday, those are the story lines.

But two weeks into 2006, Simms has thrown no touchdowns and six interceptions, and has a 40.0 passer rating.

"Any time you have a couple of games that might break your confidence, you just have to get back to the way you're used to playing," said rookie quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, a sixth-round pick from Toledo who is nowhere near ready to play. "I told him that he has to get back that feeling from last year, when he knew he could get it done."

Simms took over in mid-October last season, following a season-ending knee injury to Brian Griese, and helped guide the Bucs to the playoffs. His first two starts last season were rocky, but Simms hit his stride in start No. 3. He was reminded of that Monday -- but didn't bite.

"Looking back, I always knew in my mind those were the first few games I'd really played, so mistakes at that point were understandable," Simms said. "The ones these last few weeks are not necessarily mental mistakes, but a bad throw here, stupid decision there -- things I know I can do better physically. That's what hurts the most."

That's what will motivate Simms and Gruden this week.

The rest of the Bucs will fall in behind them.

They have to.

 

[sholditch]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/loca...ports-headlines

TAMPA -- Tampa Bay Coach Jon Gruden praised his offensive line Monday.

There's room for that. A week after throwing three interceptions in a 27-0 season-opening loss to Baltimore, Simms threw three more picks against the Falcons.

"I'll be the first to tell you I didn't play as good as I can and that there really was no excuse for some of my mistakes," Simms said Monday. "I'm not going to read any of your columns or watch the local news. I just have to do what I need to do to get better and get on track."

$5 to anyone who can tell me who else employs this strategy to deal with criticism/failures