Gradkowski getting the start in Week 4

[theeohiostate 26]

WEEK 5 that is!, They are on bye week 4

 

 

Who is he and how much worse can this offense be?

Edited September 25, 2006 by theeohiostate

[Goopster24 13]

Taken from the Toeldo website:

 

Highlights

Preseason All-America candidate...Also a legitimate candidate for the Heisman Trophy and the Davey O'Brien Award for nation's best quarterback...On ESPN.com's "Heisman Watch" list...Ranked as the nation's No. 10 quarterback by The Sporting News...First player in NCAA Division I-A history to complete more than 70 percent of his passes in consecutive seasons...Leader among returning quarterbacks in the nation in completion percentage (70.2%) and second in passing efficiency (162.6)...Ranks as UT's career leader in touchdown passes with 56...Ranks second in completions (559) and third in passing yardage (6,756)...Capable scambler who has run a 4.50 time in the 40...Had off-season surgery to repair broken right hand but is expected to be 100 percent for the season.

 

2004

Named honorable mention All-America by SportsIllustrated.com...Ranked second in nation in completion percentage (70.2%), fifth in passing efficiency (162.6), fifth in passing yards (3,518), and 10th in total offense (385.3)...Set school records in passing yards, and passing efficiency...Also ran for nine touchdowns...Suffered a dislocated left shoulder and broken right hand in the MAC Championship Game vs. Miami, but still led Rockets to 35-27 victory and was named MVP of the game...Hurt his shoulder on fourth play of the game and hurt his hand midway through the second quarter, but came back to throw three TD passes in the second half...Completed 18-of-24 passes for 251 yards and four TDs in the game...Tried to recover and play in Motor City Bowl vs. UConn three weeks later but was in obvious pain, completing just 6-of-12 passes for 43 yards...Did not play in the second half of the bowl game...Threw for 338 yards and three TDs in 49-41 win over No. 24 Bowling Green on Nov. 23 to clinch the MAC West title, rallying Toledo from a 27-7 halftime deficit...Threw for 297 yards in 31-17 win at No. 22 Northern Illinois on Nov. 9 in a game in which UT trailed, 10-0...Had a streak of 199 straight passes without an interception at one point in the season...Completed at least 70 percent of his passes in seven games...Threw for 455 yards vs. Ball State, just six yards short of his own school record...Completed a school-record 96-yard TD pass to Kenny Higgins vs. BSU...Completed 15 straight passes to close out first half vs. Temple, the last completion a 26-yard TD with eight seconds left...Threw for 338 yards vs. EMU and accounted for five TDs, including a career-best two rushing TDs...Named MAC West Division Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts vs. EMU.

 

2003

Second in nation in completion percentage (71.2%)...Sixth in the nation in passing efficiency (161.5)...Had school-record 29 TD passes against just seven interceptions...Became just second Rocket ever to throw for more than 3,000 yards...Ranks second in UT history with 3,238 yards passing...Set school and Glass Bowl records with six touchdown passes vs. Buffalo, one shy of the MAC mark held by Jose Davis of Kent State...Completed 23-of-25 (92%) of his passes vs. Buffalo, a MAC record...Set MAC and school records for completions (49) vs. No. 9 Pittsburgh; school records for attempts (62) and yardage (461) vs. Pitt...Was 18-20 passing in Toledo's final two TD drives in the upset win over the Panthers...Was 24-of-27 for 301 yards and three TDs in 49-30 win over No. 21 Northern Illinois...Second on team in rushing with 504 yards...Was sacked just nine times.

 

2002

Played in 13 games as a reserve quarterback and as the holder on special teams...Saw action at QB in the Cal Poly game, completing both of his pass attempts...Only other pass attempt was an incomplete flip pass as the holder on a fake field-goal attempt vs. Minnesota.

 

2001

Sat out the season as a redshirt.

 

High School

Completed 188-327 (.575) passes for 2,978 yards and 30 touchdowns as a senior... Passing yardage total was the most in conference's 87-year history, passing such greats as Johnny Lujack, George Blanda, Joe Namath, Terry Hanratty, Joe Montana and Dan Marino...First-team all-state as a senior...Threw for 1,630 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior and was named first-team all-conference...Named to the "Fab 22 Team" by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in junior and senior seasons...Played for coach Louis Cerro...Started at point guard and was basketball team's leading scorer.

 

Link about his workout for the NFL Combine

[Savage Beatings 99]

Wow... I'm a little surprised that Gruden wouldn't have gone after a veteran QB, but then again there are not a lot of guys to choose from out there.

 

As far as how much worse the Bucs might get... I actually think that they couldn't do much worse than they already have. Maybe this will be a spark for them to do better. Probably not, but you never know.

[Goopster24 13]

I remember watching this guy in college; he could do everything, even though he was playin subpar competition. Either way, he put some awesome numbers up in college. Another MAC quarterback who might be able to show something special in the NFL?

[becochran 0]

I thought he looked good in the preseason.

[keggerz 518]

at 0-3 it cant hurt for Gruden to get the kid some action...could they still try an land a Vet because they have a bye? sure they could but only gruden really knows

[Jolly Rodgers 11]

I thought he looked good in the preseason.

 

 

He looked awesome in the preseason but again that was playing 2nd stringers. I'd look for more rushing attempts for the Bucs and more running from Gradkowski. What a shame for Simms, he was actually starting to pick it up...

[CD6405 2]

They do have a vet QB, Tim Rattay.

[mhayhurst 0]

Have to agree with JR there. Simms was starting to pick it up, a run game was getting established, damn Kasey hit the fg yet again. Anyway Gradkowski looked great in preseason and I think more of a running game between he and caddy and pittman, but I'm optimistic as a Bucs fan. Griese goes down, Simms comes in, and well, doesn't suck. Now this year, Simms out, Gradkowski in. I like the possiblities, but I'm looking for hope here.

[PantherDave 0]

ESPN Radio throughout the day said Gruden still wanted to bring in a 3rd QB-who?, nothing to go by yet.

[LooGie 0]

isn't Rattay good enough to take the reins?

[Grits and Shins 726]

Anybody has to be better than Simms.

[Savage Beatings 99]

They should bring in Phil Simms.

[PantherDave 0]

I'd say the bring Feildler back in, since he knows the system.

[Jolly Rodgers 11]

isn't Rattay good enough to take the reins?

 

 

You would think, but Gradkowski outplayed him in camp and in the preseason.

[Jolly Rodgers 11]

I'd say the bring Feildler back in, since he knows the system.

 

 

I'd say go for it but only if he is healthy though. He got cut because he was not 100% yet.

[DawgTalk 2]

I went to college with Gradkowski, he was a good college QB, and quite smart...but he doesnt have an arm. He holds the record for completion percentage, but his average pass was 5 yds, that his WRs turned into long runs...He isnt bad, but he wont be one of the elite MAC QBs...his numbers in college are amazing, but he never did look that impressive....

[Jolly Rodgers 11]

..but he doesnt have an arm. He holds the record for completion percentage, but his average pass was 5 yds, that his WRs turned into long runs...

 

 

Sounds alot like Brad Johnson.......who won a Superbowl.

[Pope Flick 59]

Rob Johnson

Jeff George

Jeff Blake

 

UGly.

[cdrudge 2]

at 0-3 it cant hurt for Gruden to get the kid some action...could they still try an land a Vet because they have a bye? sure they could but only gruden really knows

Are there any decent vets out there that can be had?

[theeohiostate 26]

(KFFL) Darren Lyn, of ESPNews, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Chris Simms (spleen) is unlikely to play again this season but the possibility remains for his return. Simms ruptured his spleen during Week 3 and remains in the hospital after having it removed.

 

 

Looks like the rook will get the rest of the season to see if he's got what it takes

[Vet 1]

He's the Brooks Bollinger of 2006.

[Savage Beatings 99]

I know they would never be cruel about it in public, but you have to think that in the Carolina locker room, that Defense is just looking at one another saying, "Dude, we ruptured his spleen!"

[Jolly Rodgers 11]

"Dude, we ruptured his spleen!"

 

 

I wanted to harass PantherDave last night and call the Cats D-Line dirty (as a joke) but I decided against it. However, I always said the Bucs O-Line is going to get someone killed out there and this time they almost did just that.