Randall Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Oakland is close to home, but he'd get killed there. "TAMPA – As tough a blow as it was to watch the Jake Plummer trade blow up in their faces, the Bucs appear to have recovered rather quickly. Less than 24 hours after they learned that Plummer would rather retire than come play quarterback for them, the Bucs appeared to be on the verge late Friday of signing Eagles free agent signal caller Jeff Garcia. A source with knowledge of the situation said a deal that would bring Garcia to Tampa would probably happen quickly, perhaps as soon as today. Garcia spent most of Friday visiting with the Oakland Raiders but after word leaked that the Bucs trade for Plummer had been nullified, Garcia cut short his visit with the Raiders and turned his attention to Tampa Bay. Garcia’s agent, Steve Baker, would only say late Friday that Garcia “is very interested in the Bucs, but others were speaking in more affirmative tones. One NFL source with knowledge of the situation said the feeling inside the Raiders camp after Garcia left was that Garcia was headed to Tampa to play for Jon Gruden. If that proves to be the case it will end a nearly three-year courtship between the two parties that began in 2004. The two parties nearly merged that year, but the Bucs offer of a $1 million signing bonus forced Garcia to look elsewhere, and he eventually signed with the Browns, who offered a $5.5 million bonus. Money should not be a problem for the Bucs this time as they have nearly $24 million in cap space. There is also a greater need on the Bucs part. Coach Jon Gruden has made no secret of his desire to bring in a successful veteran quarterback to push Chris Simms for the starter’s job, and Garcia certainly fits the bill. Garcia resurrected his career - and the Eagles - last season after taking over for an injured Donovan McNabb and leading Philadelphia to a 5-1 record and the NFC East title. That achievement and his 95.8 passer rating aside, the Eagles decided not to re-sign Garcia, making him one of the most sought-after free agents on the market. The Broncos and Vikings also are expected to make bids for Garcia, but Baker has let it be known that Garcia’s wish is to play in Tampa. “Jeff feels he has multiple good options, but the opportunity to play for Jon Gruden in Tampa is something that really excites him,” said Garcia’s agent, Steve Baker. “Jon is a coach who Jeff believes has the ability to bring out the best in him. In fact, he feels that by playing for Jon, he has a very good chance of duplicating the success he had with the Eagles in Philadelphia last year.” Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979 or at rcummings@tampatrib.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duchess Jack Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Dude's a mirror image of Gannon. If anybody can do something with him, Gruden can. Heck... and Caddy is very Garneresque Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Return Of S&B Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 from profootballtalk.com POSTED 10:14 a.m. EST, March 3, 2007 BUCS TURNING TO GARCIA Our friends at PewterReport.com report that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, fresh from the Jake Plummer debacle, are turning their attention to free-agent quarterback Jeff Garcia. Garcia was thought to be signing with Oakland on Friday, but an impasse arose. Though it's not clear whether the roadblock was money, we've learned that one of Garcia's concerns was/is the strong possibility that the No. 1 overall pick in the draft won't be used on a playmaker (i.e., Calvin Johnson), but on Garcia's eventual replacement (i.e., JaMarcus Russell). In Tampa, however, it's not as obvious that Garcia would win the starting job. Chris Simms surely provides a feel-good component to the coming season, given that he put on (in hindsight) one of the all-time heroic performances in September 2006, as he played in blistering heat with a busted spleen. But Tampa would be more likely to use the No. 1 overall pick on a playmaker like Johnson, who might still be on the board when the Bucs use the fourth overall selection. Even if he isn't (and we think he shouldn't be), the fact that the pick would be used on a position other than quarterback gives Tampa the edge in this category. If a deal can't be worked out between the Bucs and Garcia (whom we guess is looking for a contract worth at least $5 million per year), keep an eye on Houston. With Jake Plummer apparently out of the mix, the Texans could try to lure Garcia to town as the replacement for David Carr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spain Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Does Tampa have a very large ghey community? I am just asking... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted March 3, 2007 Author Share Posted March 3, 2007 (edited) Does Tampa have a very large ghey community? I am just asking... Is she gay? Gay demographics. Wisconsin is lower than Tennessee. Edited March 3, 2007 by Randall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spain Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Is she gay? Gay demographics. Wisconsin is lower than Tennessee. That whole west coast is ghey... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly Rodgers Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 (edited) No surprise here. Spain, Yes, his GF could very well be a cover up. I also love how this move blocks Oakland because they now need to focus on drafting a QB with that #1 pick and not CJ. Edited March 3, 2007 by Jolly Rodgers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpholmes Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 ESPN News Reports an agreement between Tampa and Garcia have been made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawks21 Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 I thought this was the fit that made the most sense for Garcia. A true version of the WCO. Barring injury I think the Bucs will now be the biggest surprise team in the NFL this year. Could very well have the Brees effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowboutthemCowboys Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 I thought this was the fit that made the most sense for Garcia. A true version of the WCO. Barring injury I think the Bucs will now be the biggest surprise team in the NFL this year. Could very well have the Brees effect. I agree with all of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Magnolia Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 I agree with all of this. Just don't forget how bad Garcia was at the end of his stay in SF, then Cleveland, then Detroit. I really think he's got to have the right cast around him and be on a really good team to be succesful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted March 3, 2007 Author Share Posted March 3, 2007 (edited) No surprise here. Spain, Yes, his GF could very well be a cover up. I also love how this move blocks Oakland because they now need to focus on drafting a QB with that #1 pick and not CJ. That's a good point. Unless Millen does it again and drafts a WR CJ should be there. Reminds me of how Tampa improved their team and screwed the Vikings at the same time(there's nothing wrong with that) when Dungy was head coach. Back then they signed Todd Steussie and I think another Minnesota lineman. Edited March 3, 2007 by Randall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepinmofo Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Just don't forget how bad Garcia was at the end of his stay in SF, then Cleveland, then Detroit. I really think he's got to have the right cast around him and be on a really good team to be succesful. Agreed. Philly had Westbrook, Stallworth, Reggie Brown, a decent OL, and a decent Defense. The Bucs have Caddy (who hasnt done squat outside of 3 games or so), an even older Galloway then last year, some guy named Michael Clayton, a horrible OL, and a defense that was not only bad last year, but is older this year. So tell me again how Garcia is gonna duplicate what he did in Philly??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly Rodgers Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 So tell me again how Garcia is gonna duplicate what he did in Philly??? Because we are going to play a 3 QB set now and have fun with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepinmofo Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Because we are going to play a 3 QB set now and have fun with it. Well now, thats something I obviously didnt take in to consideration! Guess thats why Im just a lowly Bills fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spain Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 I bet Chris Simms feels very secure right now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i_am_the_swammi Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Just don't forget how bad Garcia was at the end of his stay in SF, then Cleveland, then Detroit. I really think he's got to have the right cast around him and be on a really good team to be succesful. My Eagles thank you for that compliment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PantherDave Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 I bet Chris Simms feels very secure right now... Who???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaP'N GRuNGe Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 That's a good point. Unless Millen does it again and drafts a WR CJ should be there. Reminds me of how Tampa improved their team and screwed the Vikings at the same time(there's nothing wrong with that) when Dungy was head coach. Back then they signed Todd Steussie and I think another Minnesota lineman. Oh yeah, Steussie was such a huge loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xMRogers Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 The tampa media are KILLING gruden/allen over today, but I actually like it - they got killed last year for having no one behind Simms, and this year, they may have a three headed monster (Plummer ain't retiring) but that's not a bad thing .... Eagles were very happy to have three QB's with starting experience. Considering their respective ages, I actually think this makes some sense (although would need to see the $ in total for the three of them). We'll see what happens, but at least no one can say they didn't shore up the QB spot... Still would love to see another 3-13 season (or whatever they were).... And for Philly - who becomes their number 3? Koy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawks21 Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Come on, it was Cleveland and Detroit. Joe Montana could not have won at those places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat2334 Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 That whole west coast is ghey... solid.. yeah the West coast sucks............the deep south is where it's at. these teams, including Tampa are outta there minds thinking Garica is the answer to anything. He stinks, and is DONE. Yeah, he had a nice little run- but that is all he is- an aging QB that can pinch hit for a few games and hold a team together. He has been awful in his last few stints. Counting on him to be yer starter? uh no thanks, he doesn't have it anymore. I predict a brutal '07 for the little pillow muncher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaP'N GRuNGe Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 The tampa media are KILLING gruden/allen over today, but I actually like it - they got killed last year for having no one behind Simms, and this year, they may have a three headed monster (Plummer ain't retiring) but that's not a bad thing .... Eagles were very happy to have three QB's with starting experience. Considering their respective ages, I actually think this makes some sense (although would need to see the $ in total for the three of them). We'll see what happens, but at least no one can say they didn't shore up the QB spot... Still would love to see another 3-13 season (or whatever they were).... And for Philly - who becomes their number 3? Koy? We'll give you Darrell Bevell for a conditional 7th rounder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted March 3, 2007 Author Share Posted March 3, 2007 Oh yeah, Steussie was such a huge loss. He was a pro bowl tackle. It wasn't Steussie though, it was Randall McDaniel. My mistake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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