DeathFromAbove Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- An ankle sprain put Jeff Garcia's name on the injury report. A shaky performance in Tampa Bay's season opener cost the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback his starting job this week against Atlanta.Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden said Wednesday that Brian Griese will start against the Falcons on Sunday.And it's not just because of the injury Garcia suffered during the fourth quarter of a 24-20 loss to New Orleans.The 38-year-old Garcia was not sharp against the Saints after missing most of training camp and the preseason with a strained right calf. His preparation for the Saints also was affected by a jammed pinkie finger on his throwing hand."Jeff right now is not himself," Gruden said. "We're going to give him a week off and try to get him ready to go. Brian Griese is a guy who's had a good training camp. We're going to give Brian the ball and rally around him. Hopefully Jeff can get back ready to roll soon."Garcia signed with Tampa Bay before last season and helped the Bucs go 9-7 and win the NFC South for the second time in three years. The Bucs lost in the first round of the playoffs, and little has gone right for him since.During the offseason, the quarterback expressed unhappiness over the lack of progress on a contract extension. Then Gruden angered him by pursuing a trade for Brett Favre during the opening week of training camp.He injured his calf early in camp and sat out three of four preseason games."It's been a very interesting last few months, obviously. He had the injury that occurred late last season, he had a prolonged calf injury," Gruden said, referring to a back injury that slowed Garcia the latter part of 2007."I just think right now, we've studied everything he's done. I really believe in this guy as a quarterback. Right now, he's not the same guy that he was, and I want him to be that. That's all I'm going to say until I see the ball thrown with crisp, accurate velocity, a confident swagger. We're going to let him sit out a week and hopefully he can get back soon."Garcia was not available for comment.It remains unclear when the quarterback was hurt against New Orleans, and the Bucs have not specified which ankle was sprained. Garcia remained in the game until the final minute, throwing an interception that stopped a potential winning drive on fourth down from the Saints 24.In Griese, Gruden is turning to another veteran who has had success in his offense. The 11th-year pro helped the Bucs to a 5-1 start in 2005 before suffering a season-ending knee injury.He signed with Chicago as free agent the following offseason and spent two years with the Bears, who traded him to Tampa Bay in March."Brian did a lot here if you consider all the elements. He did not have this offensive line when he played here. He did not have some of the offensive weapons that we possess now," Gruden said. "From a statistical and functional standpoint he did some great things here. He won a lot of games for us. He's a guy that will lead us this Sunday, and we have to rally around him."Griese, 33, is excited about the opportunity. He started 16 of 17 games he appeared in with Tampa Bay in 2004 and 2005, throwing for 3,768 yards, 27 touchdowns and 19 interceptions before he was injured."When I left here in 2005 I really had unfinished business, the way I look at it. It really hurt when I was injured and didn't have a chance to come back," Griese said."I knew we had a good team and that stung. Ever since that point I wanted the opportunity to come back and finish that business. That's how I'm going to approach this, as a continuation of what I got started, and hopefully go out and play the best that I can play."Gruden broke the news to him Tuesday, and Griese said he also spoke with Garcia."We had a frank conversation, and obviously he's disappointed. And I can understand," Griese said. "I can relate with Jeff. I've been in that position."Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks, who started 193 consecutive games, remains questionable against the Falcons. He strained his right hamstring against New Orleans and did not practice Wednesday.He was upbeat before practice, smiling and answering questions about everything except his status for Sunday."Unfortunately for me, I'm under strict orders. ... I was told by my head coach not to really go into details about my situation and my injury," he said. "We'll know on game day whether I'll be ready or not." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucman™® Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 bad news for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeathFromAbove Posted September 11, 2008 Author Share Posted September 11, 2008 Why any Bucs fan has been arrogant since 2002 is a mystery to me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Bill Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 great news if the D-Line can get penetration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.U.N.n.G.U.N. Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 it's definitely good news. We'll get a pick for sure with griese playing. Garcia is a game manager, so he doesn't like forcing a lot of throws into coverage. A couple of picks will get the jitterbugs out of some of our newbies like chevis, houston, and grimes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSUFalcfan Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Definitely good news. Garcia can make things happen out of nothing....Griese is Griese. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
st4ngeI2 Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 they're both terrible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucman™® Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Still dont get it falcon fans... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Same Ol Falcons Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Good news - a healthy Griese is not nearly as good as a gimpy Garcia - I have now picked Atlanta in the Survival Football Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanboy3000 Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Still dont get it falcon fans...Seriously. Griese is going to burn us with his sideline-to-sideline speed. Falcons fans, we're entering a world of hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of God Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Garcia is the better between the two, but Griese is solid. Watch some tape on him. He tries to watch his blind side too much and often is leveled by the LE. Could be a good day for Jamaal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theyhateme : ) Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Good news to me because Garcia has the tendencies to run around and find the open receiver.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeathFromAbove Posted September 11, 2008 Author Share Posted September 11, 2008 I bet Abe is excited Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.U.N.n.G.U.N. Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 abe is gonna have a breakout season...no injuries and all havoc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammer Falcon 50 Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 neither.....he is nothing to worry about!! if we can apply pressure he will throw picks he is not that good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.C. Collins Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 It is good news. There is a reason Garcia is a starter in this league and Griese is a back up. I don't care how he looked in preseason.Lions went 4-0 in preseason, fat lot of good that did them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDCLARKIII Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 I think the Bucs starting Griese has boom or bust potential.....I think he's either going to play really well or he's going to absolutely stink up the place...(nothing in between)......My money is on him stinking up the joint, and Abraham having a field day with him not having to worry about a moving target now.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jatchisv2 Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 great news if the D-Line can get penetration.If Garcia were starting, you wouldn't be able to make this statement .... and keep a straight face ......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twyntefour Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 greise isnt as mobile as garcia either... i smell JA98 getting his first sack this week, and once he gets that buccaneer off his back i think hes gonna unleash some furry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammer Falcon 50 Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 It is good news. There is a reason Garcia is a starter in this league and Griese is a back up. I don't care how he looked in preseason.Lions went 4-0 in preseason, fat lot of good that did them.he was so good that they (lions) didnt even keep him....woooooooooo were scared Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Statick Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Griese is Joey Harrington Lite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.U.N.n.G.U.N. Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Griese is Joey Harrington Lite.I know right...I can't believe we're even having this discussion. The guy has been bouncing around the league like Tigger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeathFromAbove Posted September 11, 2008 Author Share Posted September 11, 2008 Seeing JA 98 get his 1st sack would be sweet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconWong88 Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 WAIT A SECOND...Griese, Garcia, and Harrington have all been through Detroit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdogg Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 bad news for you!You lose all credibility if you think that. I'm not going to say Griese is a scrub...he can be solid from time to time, but Garcia is what makes your offense click. His ability to extend plays with his mobility, is what makes him dangerous. Plus, he does not take chances. He is a great game manager. Griese is nowhere near as mobile or as good at protecting the ball as Garcia. Abe should have no problem getting constant pressure on Griese, especially when they line him up against Penn. I even think JA98 will have a break out game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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