Michael Smith (ESPN) (1 Viewer)

[Capella]

For all the Garcia haters...do you think the Bucs were good at QB? If not, who should they have gone after instead of Garcia?

not a Garcia hater. Bucs were not good at qb. I think they should let it ride with Simms and see what they have.

so spend the cap money elsewhere basically? Garcia's not breaking the bank is he?

no, but let's be real -- gruden signs this guy, he's playing him.

I'd have to believe Simms goes into camp the #1 guy...if Garcia starts it'll probably be because he earned it?

Smith said the deal may be 4.5M/year -- even if that's just for a year or two, I think that's more each season than they've set aside for Simms, although I'm not positive of that -- but Garcia's a better fit for the offense, it's known Gruden isn't a Simms lover and he likes to play the vet QB -- I think if Garcia signs he'll be the guy.

 

[LHUCKS]

For all the Garcia haters...do you think the Bucs were good at QB? If not, who should they have gone after instead of Garcia?

not a Garcia hater. Bucs were not good at qb. I think they should let it ride with Simms and see what they have.

so spend the cap money elsewhere basically? Garcia's not breaking the bank is he?

no, but let's be real -- gruden signs this guy, he's playing him.

I'd have to believe Simms goes into camp the #1 guy...if Garcia starts it'll probably be because he earned it?

Smith said the deal may be 4.5M/year -- even if that's just for a year or two, I think that's more each season than they've set aside for Simms, although I'm not positive of that -- but Garcia's a better fit for the offense, it's known Gruden isn't a Simms lover and he likes to play the vet QB -- I think if Garcia signs he'll be the guy.

So you think he's a better fit, but you don't want him on the squad? Not trying to be a smartass, just curious what your opinions are.

 

[Capella]

For all the Garcia haters...do you think the Bucs were good at QB? If not, who should they have gone after instead of Garcia?

not a Garcia hater. Bucs were not good at qb. I think they should let it ride with Simms and see what they have.

so spend the cap money elsewhere basically? Garcia's not breaking the bank is he?

no, but let's be real -- gruden signs this guy, he's playing him.

I'd have to believe Simms goes into camp the #1 guy...if Garcia starts it'll probably be because he earned it?

Smith said the deal may be 4.5M/year -- even if that's just for a year or two, I think that's more each season than they've set aside for Simms, although I'm not positive of that -- but Garcia's a better fit for the offense, it's known Gruden isn't a Simms lover and he likes to play the vet QB -- I think if Garcia signs he'll be the guy.

So you think he's a better fit, but you don't want him on the squad? Not trying to be a smartass, just curious what your opinions are.

I don't think this Bucs team is any better than 8-8 with solid QB play next year. Too many holes need fixing (especially on defense) and I think with an early pick this year and four picks in the first 70 of the draft, they should be focused on 08. I know that's not going to happen, because Gruden's job may be on the line, and really, who wants the "we're focused on next year" mentality a year before it happens, but I really fail to see how this team is a contendah in 2007. So, I don't think they need to be giving valuable snaps to a QB pushing 40.

I think Simms has a chance to be a good QB in this league -- he hasn't been given the benefit of a full season's worth of snaps yet, and I'd like to see what he could do with them.

 

[bostonfred]

hey joe -- I just don't think it makes sense for a four win team to bring in a 37-year-old QB -- he's clearly not the guy of the future there, so why pay him 4.5M a year to take snaps away from a guy who could be, or to be a backup?if they went 9-7 or even 8-8 last year and the QB play was spotty, I could see it -- maybe then you could make the argument they could compete in the NFC with better quarterbacking -- but a four win team usually isn't going to improve enough for it to go deep in the playoffs, so this really doesn't make sense to me. just a lot of money for a guy for a guy who has no future here.

The 2005 Jets were worse than the 2006 Bucs or the 2003 Steelers, and they both made a huge leap when they finally added a good quarterback. Galloway's window is closing, and I have to think Clayton and Cadillac would be better with a real QB. Alstott is making his big emotional run like Curtis and Bettis (although Bettis came back for one last one last try). And it seems like Gruden would do better with a veteran QB.

This Bucs team has real holes at OL, DL, safety and potentially LB next year. They also had a top-5 pick at RB that didn't run hard last year and was outplayed by Mike Pittman when he had his shot to start the last two games, behind the same oline (albiet, Pittman had the luxury of playing with Rattay, who was competent). I don't think this Bucs team is any better than 8-8 with solid QB play next year. Too many holes need fixing (especially on defense) and I think with an early pick this year and four picks in the first 70 of the draft, they should be focused on 08. I know that's not going to happen, because Gruden's job may be on the line, and really, who wants the "we're focused on next year" mentality a year before it happens, but I really fail to see how this team is a contendah in 2007. So, I don't think they need to be giving valuable snaps to a QB pushing 40.

Going into 2004, people said that the Steelers had need at multiple positions. They were bad the year before. Going into 2006, people said the Jets were the worst team in the league and needed too much help at too many positions to make the playoffs in 2007. Garcia is a decently mobile QB who could make the offensive line look better than it is, especially if Cadillac gets back on track. The defense has some gaps but still has some talent and they'll look a lot better if the Bucs hit on a couple free agents/draft picks and the offense stays on the field a little longer. I think the Bucs could succeed if they added Garcia, took Joe T in the first round and the best available defensive player in the second, then drafted for need the rest of the way.

 

[QUEZILLA]

For all the Garcia haters...do you think the Bucs were good at QB? If not, who should they have gone after instead of Garcia?

not a Garcia hater. Bucs were not good at qb. I think they should let it ride with Simms and see what they have.

so spend the cap money elsewhere basically? Garcia's not breaking the bank is he?

no, but let's be real -- gruden signs this guy, he's playing him.

I'd have to believe Simms goes into camp the #1 guy...if Garcia starts it'll probably be because he earned it?

Smith said the deal may be 4.5M/year -- even if that's just for a year or two, I think that's more each season than they've set aside for Simms, although I'm not positive of that -- but Garcia's a better fit for the offense, it's known Gruden isn't a Simms lover and he likes to play the vet QB -- I think if Garcia signs he'll be the guy.

So you think he's a better fit, but you don't want him on the squad? Not trying to be a smartass, just curious what your opinions are.

I don't think this Bucs team is any better than 8-8 with solid QB play next year. Too many holes need fixing (especially on defense) and I think with an early pick this year and four picks in the first 70 of the draft, they should be focused on 08. I know that's not going to happen, because Gruden's job may be on the line, and really, who wants the "we're focused on next year" mentality a year before it happens, but I really fail to see how this team is a contendah in 2007. So, I don't think they need to be giving valuable snaps to a QB pushing 40.

I think Simms has a chance to be a good QB in this league -- he hasn't been given the benefit of a full season's worth of snaps yet, and I'd like to see what he could do with them.

I think even wiith Garcia, Gruden would start Simms. 1 or 2 games of that batted down pass crap, and hello Garcia.

 

[ThePittbully]

Not sure I like that.

Could you elaborate? Did he say to start, to compete to start, to party, to retire, what?

to start.makes no sense to bring a 37-year-old QB onto a four-win team.

Doesn't show a whole lot of confidence in spleenless-boy, does it.

I really dont think Gruden likes Simms, he's not his guy

 

[wadegarrett]

Good luck with him.

 

[Al Czervik]

Clayton said on M&M this morning that he believes that Garcia will end up in Denver.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Clayton said on M&M this morning that he believes that Garcia will end up in Denver.

I heard that as well. Very matter-of-factly, like it was pretty rock solid in his mind.Apparently Garcia didn't want to sign a lower tender from Philly after all, and so they extended Feeley.Now Garcia's in the open market, and he can't find a QB competition, let alone an outright starter position.I'm not surprised with so many younger QBs and just 32 jobs in the league.

 

[Toads]

Clayton said on M&M this morning that he believes that Garcia will end up in Denver.

I heard that as well. Very matter-of-factly, like it was pretty rock solid in his mind.Apparently Garcia didn't want to sign a lower tender from Philly after all, and so they extended Feeley.Now Garcia's in the open market, and he can't find a QB competition, let alone an outright starter position.I'm not surprised with so many younger QBs and just 32 jobs in the league.

We must all be running out of things to do in the "off-season".Garcia has interest in DEN and TBB, won't be a starter where ever he goes and wants to play another year to cement his retirement.It comes down to money and where Garcia wants to go and if he discounts his services, say $1M for a one year contract, he chooses where he wants to end up........and that's in DEN.

 

[gump]

Clayton said on M&M this morning that he believes that Garcia will end up in Denver.

I heard that as well. Very matter-of-factly, like it was pretty rock solid in his mind.Apparently Garcia didn't want to sign a lower tender from Philly after all, and so they extended Feeley.Now Garcia's in the open market, and he can't find a QB competition, let alone an outright starter position.I'm not surprised with so many younger QBs and just 32 jobs in the league.

We must all be running out of things to do in the "off-season".Garcia has interest in DEN and TBB, won't be a starter where ever he goes and wants to play another year to cement his retirement.It comes down to money and where Garcia wants to go and if he discounts his services, say $1M for a one year contract, he chooses where he wants to end up........and that's in DEN.

I think it very clear that Garcia has a MUCH better shot at starting in Tampa. Not sure why he wouldn't be leaning that way.

 

[JohnnyU]

Clayton said on M&M this morning that he believes that Garcia will end up in Denver.

On NFL Live yesterday, Mark Schlereth was in Denver and said there's almost no chance of Garcia going to Denver, unless he's ok with being a backup QB, and his asking price goes down. I'm not sure what his price is, but apparently it is starters money. Schlereth said, "that simply won't happen".

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I take personal credit for this as I bumped into Garcia and his Playmate g/f in Beverly Hills a few weeks back. I wrote a thread about it. After I told him what a good job he did in Philly, I told him to look into Tampa Bay...I'm just saying...

I think it's a great idea for TB to do this. I would like to see them trade up in the draft and grab Joe Thomas if they could, but Calvin Johnson will help long term as well. To me those are the 2 best players in the draft and either one of them will make the teams they go to better no matter what the needs are of the team. Bucs still need an OL but I think Garcia is mobile enough to work around the problems.

Great move if TB can pull this off. I like Simms off the bench a lot better.

 

[perry147]

I take personal credit for this as I bumped into Garcia and his Playmate g/f in Beverly Hills a few weeks back. I wrote a thread about it. After I told him what a good job he did in Philly, I told him to look into Tampa Bay...I'm just saying... I think it's a great idea for TB to do this. I would like to see them trade up in the draft and grab Joe Thomas if they could, but Calvin Johnson will help long term as well. To me those are the 2 best players in the draft and either one of them will make the teams they go to better no matter what the needs are of the team. Bucs still need an OL but I think Garcia is mobile enough to work around the problems. Great move if TB can pull this off. I like Simms off the bench a lot better.

Let me ask this MOP.Why did Garcia struggle with the Lions and Browns?IMHO it was because of poor OL play - what does Tampa have in common with Lions and Browns? poor OL play.

 

[MarshallRob]

I think Gruden would like a mobile QB for his system to try to replicate what he had with Gannon in Oakland. Most of the QB's he's had in Tampa weren't mobile (Brad Johnson, Griese, Simms), and the ones he's tried who could run (Rob Johnson, Gradkowski) didn't work out too well. If Garcia did come to Tampa I think he would have a good shot at starting at some point. Someone earlier pointed out that Gruden's probably gone if the Bucs have a losing season so he's not looking at a long-term QB fix. Remember that Gruden forced McKay out as GM in a power struggle after the Super Bowl win and the Gruden/Bruce Allen personnel moves since then haven't been anywhere near as successful as McKay's.

 

[gump]

I take personal credit for this as I bumped into Garcia and his Playmate g/f in Beverly Hills a few weeks back. I wrote a thread about it. After I told him what a good job he did in Philly, I told him to look into Tampa Bay...I'm just saying... I think it's a great idea for TB to do this. I would like to see them trade up in the draft and grab Joe Thomas if they could, but Calvin Johnson will help long term as well. To me those are the 2 best players in the draft and either one of them will make the teams they go to better no matter what the needs are of the team. Bucs still need an OL but I think Garcia is mobile enough to work around the problems. Great move if TB can pull this off. I like Simms off the bench a lot better.

Let me ask this MOP.Why did Garcia struggle with the Lions and Browns?IMHO is was because of poor OL play - what does Tampa have in common with Lions and Browns? poor OL play.

Still, IMO, a better option than Simms behind poor OL play.Plus...If the two young bucks in Joseph and Trueblood improve, and the Bucs can snag Thomas...the OL will improve.

 

[bostonfred]

I take personal credit for this as I bumped into Garcia and his Playmate g/f in Beverly Hills a few weeks back. I wrote a thread about it. After I told him what a good job he did in Philly, I told him to look into Tampa Bay...I'm just saying... I think it's a great idea for TB to do this. I would like to see them trade up in the draft and grab Joe Thomas if they could, but Calvin Johnson will help long term as well. To me those are the 2 best players in the draft and either one of them will make the teams they go to better no matter what the needs are of the team. Bucs still need an OL but I think Garcia is mobile enough to work around the problems. Great move if TB can pull this off. I like Simms off the bench a lot better.

Hey MoP, you dropped something. Here it is. It's a name.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I take personal credit for this as I bumped into Garcia and his Playmate g/f in Beverly Hills a few weeks back. I wrote a thread about it. After I told him what a good job he did in Philly, I told him to look into Tampa Bay...I'm just saying... I think it's a great idea for TB to do this. I would like to see them trade up in the draft and grab Joe Thomas if they could, but Calvin Johnson will help long term as well. To me those are the 2 best players in the draft and either one of them will make the teams they go to better no matter what the needs are of the team. Bucs still need an OL but I think Garcia is mobile enough to work around the problems. Great move if TB can pull this off. I like Simms off the bench a lot better.

Let me ask this MOP.Why did Garcia struggle with the Lions and Browns?IMHO it was because of poor OL play - what does Tampa have in common with Lions and Browns? poor OL play.

You bring up a good point. This is why I wrote in the #1-10 thread for the draft that the Bucs need to trade up and get Joe Thomas. I understand Calvin Johnson will have a great career, but Thomas is a guy to build the offense around and an important building block for a team that invested a #5 pick on Cadillac Williams 2 seasons ago.

 

[Couch Potato]

Well no wonder Garcia's not guaranteed a starting job anywhere. According to NFL.com, he's just a rookie:

http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/146325

 

[TheFanatic]

Not sure I like that.

Hi cappy,Why unsure?

Worried he's got too little left?

Philly was a fluke?

Not strong enough arm?

J

hey joe -- I just don't think it makes sense for a four win team to bring in a 37-year-old QB -- he's clearly not the guy of the future there, so why pay him 4.5M a year to take snaps away from a guy who could be, or to be a backup?if they went 9-7 or even 8-8 last year and the QB play was spotty, I could see it -- maybe then you could make the argument they could compete in the NFC with better quarterbacking -- but a four win team usually isn't going to improve enough for it to go deep in the playoffs, so this really doesn't make sense to me.

just a lot of money for a guy for a guy who has no future here.

Why not? A lot of teams have gone from the celler to the SB in a single season. The Rams were a 4 win team before they won it all. 4 wins just means they will have a cake schedule next year and have a better chance at home field. And a mobile QB in a west coast offense can make a pourous O line look much better than it is by scrambling and either breaking containment or a short dump pass for positive yards. I see this as a good thing.I think that Michael Clayton really benefits from this....

 

[jeter23]

John Clayton just said he would be headed to Denver.

 

[JohnnyU]

John Clayton just said he would be headed to Denver.

I guess he's ok with being a backup.

 

[Pat Patriot]

Not sure I like that.

Hi cappy,Why unsure?

Worried he's got too little left?

Philly was a fluke?

Not strong enough arm?

J

hey joe -- I just don't think it makes sense for a four win team to bring in a 37-year-old QB -- he's clearly not the guy of the future there, so why pay him 4.5M a year to take snaps away from a guy who could be, or to be a backup?if they went 9-7 or even 8-8 last year and the QB play was spotty, I could see it -- maybe then you could make the argument they could compete in the NFC with better quarterbacking -- but a four win team usually isn't going to improve enough for it to go deep in the playoffs, so this really doesn't make sense to me.

just a lot of money for a guy for a guy who has no future here.

Why not? A lot of teams have gone from the celler to the SB in a single season. The Rams were a 4 win team before they won it all. 4 wins just means they will have a cake schedule next year and have a better chance at home field. And a mobile QB in a west coast offense can make a pourous O line look much better than it is by scrambling and either breaking containment or a short dump pass for positive yards. I see this as a good thing.I think that Michael Clayton really benefits from this....

thats a misnomer. They will have the exact same schedule as every other team in their division save 2 games. Granted those 2 games will be against weaker competition but teams are not getting healthy off of last place schedules any more. They need to earn it.

 

[Capella]

Not sure I like that.

Hi cappy,Why unsure?

Worried he's got too little left?

Philly was a fluke?

Not strong enough arm?

J

hey joe -- I just don't think it makes sense for a four win team to bring in a 37-year-old QB -- he's clearly not the guy of the future there, so why pay him 4.5M a year to take snaps away from a guy who could be, or to be a backup?if they went 9-7 or even 8-8 last year and the QB play was spotty, I could see it -- maybe then you could make the argument they could compete in the NFC with better quarterbacking -- but a four win team usually isn't going to improve enough for it to go deep in the playoffs, so this really doesn't make sense to me.

just a lot of money for a guy for a guy who has no future here.

Why not? A lot of teams have gone from the celler to the SB in a single season. The Rams were a 4 win team before they won it all. 4 wins just means they will have a cake schedule next year and have a better chance at home field. And a mobile QB in a west coast offense can make a pourous O line look much better than it is by scrambling and either breaking containment or a short dump pass for positive yards. I see this as a good thing.I think that Michael Clayton really benefits from this....

I know it can and has happened, but it's not likely. Let's be real. Especially this year when a lot of the best players are going to hit the FA market, the Bucs are going to have to improve internally, with the draft and lower-level FAs -- I'm just not expecting anything more than 8-8, and I'd be happy with that.

 

[jeter23]

ESPN's John Clayton reports the Raiders, Buccaneers, and Broncos all have interest in free agent Jeff Garcia.

Of the three teams named, Oakland would likely provide Garcia with the best chance to start, and that's what it may come down to for the 36-year-old. The Eagles, Vikings, and Bears appear to be out of the running.

Source: ESPN Insider

 

[msommer]

ESPN's John Clayton reports the Raiders, Buccaneers, and Broncos all have interest in free agent Jeff Garcia.

Of the three teams named, Oakland would likely provide Garcia with the best chance to start, and that's what it may come down to for the 36-year-old. The Eagles, Vikings, and Bears appear to be out of the running.

Source: ESPN Insider

He just turned 37.

 

[Z-Dog]

I don't think it is a bad match. I would not be surprised at all if the 2007 Bucs = 2006 Jets with some stable QBing.

He'll still have to beat out Simms, but I feel like it's a much better place for him than Oakland, where he's likely to start, but certain to lose.