Buc's make contract offer to Garcia, Fiedler the backup plan

[BigSaint8050]

Bucs Make Offer to Garcia; Fiedler a Fall-Back Plan --
Mon Feb 28, 2005 --from FFMastermind.com

The St. Petersburg Times reports one day after reaching an agreement with QB Brian Griese on a five-year, $32-million contract, the Bucs were trying Sunday to sign free-agent QB Jeff Garcia. The team also informed QB Brad Johnson, who led the Bucs to a Super Bowl XXXVII victory, that he will be released before Tuesday. Garcia, 35, took a physical for the Bucs and met with HC Jon Gruden Saturday night. Tampa Bay has offered Garcia a contract and he's strongly considering accepting despite interest from the Lions and several other teams. A year ago, Garcia came close to signing with the Bucs before taking a four-year, $25-million with Cleveland. "Jeff is strongly considering Tampa Bay," agent Steve Baker said. "He met with Coach Gruden knowing that they had reached a deal with QB Brian Griese. I'd say there's a 50 percent chance he goes there." Garcia's interest was peaked after his meeting with the charismatic Gruden, whom he believes can make him a better quarterback. "That's still a possibility," Bucs GM Bruce Allen said of signing Garcia. "We're going to have another veteran quarterback. The system with Jon is very attractive to a lot of players." If the Bucs are unable to sign Garcia, they are expected to offer a contract to Dolphins free agent QB Jay Fiedler, 33. That would seem to push third-year QB Chris Simms further down the depth chart as the least experienced quarterback on the roster.

[Airborne Eagle]

Simms=Bust in Tampa.

Begs the question, why would anyone trade for a bust?

Originally Posted by Airborne Eagle

Simms=Bust in Tampa.

Begs the question, why would anyone trade for a bust?

A bag of potato chips would be nice (prefarbly Lays).

[nhbucsfan]

Originally Posted by All_da_way

A bag of potato chips would be nice (prefarbly Lays).

Mmmm......
Chedder and Sour Cream flavored!

[Lynchmobster]

Originally Posted by Airborne Eagle

Simms=Bust in Tampa.

Begs the question, why would anyone trade for a bust?

We are not going to go into the season (let alone training camp) with just Griese, Simms, and A. Smith as the only QBs on our roster. I don't see why an old QB like Garcia would hurt Simms future prospects more than the signing of any other vet. FA QB.

[Handiman1031]

Fiedler sucks so bad. If we sign him I will be so mad. Phins are my second favorite team and I was pretty happy to see him be released, but I never thought he would have an effect on my absolute favorite team. How many old and sorry players will we sign. I'd much rather have Jerry Rice at 43 over Jay Fiedler at 33. Man I don't necessarily want Garcia either, but if Fiedler has to come if Jeff doesn't then I'm rootin for Jeff.

[BucSno97]

I don't see why an old QB like Garcia would hurt Simms future prospects more than the signing of any other vet. FA QB.

Because Garcia will cost us more money than I believe we should give him.

[MarleyMon81]

Originally Posted by BucSno97

Because Garcia will cost us more money than I believe we should give him.

A 1 year vet min. or slightly above is too much for a reliable #2?

Originally Posted by MarleyMon81

A 1 year vet min. or slightly above is too much for a reliable #2?

I do not think Garcia comes here for vet min and I do no think he would come here to be a #3 QB.

I guess that is why he is trying to gauge his value with Tampa and Detroit.

[Lynchmobster]

Originally Posted by BucSno97

Because Garcia will cost us more money than I believe we should give him.

The article about the offer said that Garcia was willing to sign as a backup. I have no idea what $$$ we offered, but I do not believe that we are able to offer him a lot.

[traew]

Considering we started last season with Brad Johnson as our QB - then went to Simms - then to Griese - then to Simms............

I would say signing a former Pro-Bowl QB as a back-up is a pretty decent idea.

With the offensive offensive (not a typo) line we have - I'd like all the decent QBs we can get.

no way garcia gets big $$... sounds to me like he will get a 1 yr deal prolly worth 1 mil. Sounds like he just wants t ocome in and work with hackett and gru for a year, polish his skills, and re enter the market as the next rich gannon. At a small contract, ill take him in an instant.

[BucsMagicUK]

Originally Posted by Airborne Eagle

Simms=Bust in Tampa.

Begs the question, why would anyone trade for a bust?

He was a 3rd round pick. Not as though we lost much on him. He always was going to be a project for Gruden.

I'm yet to give up hope on him, although it seems Gruden isn't as high on him as he was this time last year.

[Airborne Eagle]

Originally Posted by BucsMagicUK

I'm yet to give up hope on him, although it seems Gruden isn't as high on him as he was this time last year.

Just to clarify: I'm not saying Simms can't play QB in the league. I'm saying his days as a serious QB contender in TB are effectively over, barring a series of injuries.

[Lynchmobster]

Originally Posted by Airborne Eagle

Just to clarify: I'm not saying Simms can't play QB in the league. I'm saying his days as a serious QB contender in TB are effectively over, barring a series of injuries.

I totally disagree. I don't see how keeping our 30 year old starter from last year and bringing in a 58 year old vet. QB ends the long term prospects of a QB two years out of college.

[Airborne Eagle]

Well, because Simms will get 3rd QB reps in practice and will never see the playing field, barring serious injuries. Heck, most teams don't even activate the 3rd QB. Eagles don't.

So, with little effective practice time and no playing time, how will Simms suddenly become starting caliber (or even show enough to bump ahead of Garcia)?

EDIT: Considering Simms is in his last year of his rookie contract, what incentive does he have to re-sign with the Bucs? He has been consistantly bumped to #3 and just lost any reasonable shot at being evaluated seriously enough to get a decent offer.

[Lynchmobster]

Originally Posted by Airborne Eagle

EDIT: Considering Simms is in his last year of his rookie contract, what incentive does he have to re-sign with the Bucs? He has been consistantly bumped to #3 and just lost any reasonable shot at being evaluated seriously enough to get a decent offer.

He would be a RFA after this season.

[Airborne Eagle]

Originally Posted by Lynchmobster

He would be a RFA after this season.

Missing your point.

[Lynchmobster]

Originally Posted by Airborne Eagle

Missing your point.

Simms most likely will not have a choice as to where he signs as a RFA next year as I don't think a team is going to compensate the Bucs for signing him away from us. And if that is the case, that he returns to us as a RFA nest year, then where he is on the depth chart in 2006 is going to be a lot more important to his long term career in Tampa than where he is on our depth chart this year.

[Airborne Eagle]

Okay...

So you bring back a disgruntled QB for the hope of being a #2 and he will reward the team's loyalty by not breaking their backs in the 2006 off-season?

This move (Garcia) sours the relationship. It deliberately puts Simms at a disadvantage to prove himself and drive up his value. If you think, at the end of 2006, Simms will entertain staying with a team that stymied his development and cost him a couple million in signing bonus, you're not putting yourself in his shoes.

I'm sure Simms will issue the standard, "Good guy, team player" comments. However, the guys have egos developed by being the Big Dog in every preceding venue. Now, Simms has been clipped...again. Negotiations in 2006 (if they even decide to tender an offer - an idea I'm not so sure of) will be short and uneventful.

[nhbucsfan]

ESPN.com is reporting that the Broncos also have offered a backup job to Garcia.
Cold weather aside, where would you rather go?

Originally Posted by Airborne Eagle

Okay...

So you bring back a disgruntled QB for the hope of being a #2 and he will reward the team's loyalty by not breaking their backs in the 2006 off-season?

This move (Garcia) sours the relationship. It deliberately puts Simms at a disadvantage to prove himself and drive up his value. If you think, at the end of 2006, Simms will entertain staying with a team that stymied his development and cost him a couple million in signing bonus, you're not putting yourself in his shoes.

I'm sure Simms will issue the standard, "Good guy, team player" comments. However, the guys have egos developed by being the Big Dog in every preceding venue. Now, Simms has been clipped...again. Negotiations in 2006 (if they even decide to tender an offer - an idea I'm not so sure of) will be short and uneventful.

I think the only way simms sees the field in TB is if griese struggles big time...and I dont see that happening.

Originally Posted by nhbucsfan

ESPN.com is reporting that the Broncos also have offered a backup job to Garcia.
Cold weather aside, where would you rather go?

probably denver... playoff team with a great oline... garcia played in canada im sure he doesnt care about the cold.

[Lt. Dan]

Originally Posted by Airborne Eagle

Okay...

So you bring back a disgruntled QB for the hope of being a #2 and he will reward the team's loyalty by not breaking their backs in the 2006 off-season?

This move (Garcia) sours the relationship. It deliberately puts Simms at a disadvantage to prove himself and drive up his value. If you think, at the end of 2006, Simms will entertain staying with a team that stymied his development and cost him a couple million in signing bonus, you're not putting yourself in his shoes.

I'm sure Simms will issue the standard, "Good guy, team player" comments. However, the guys have egos developed by being the Big Dog in every preceding venue. Now, Simms has been clipped...again. Negotiations in 2006 (if they even decide to tender an offer - an idea I'm not so sure of) will be short and uneventful.

Gruden has never been one to coddle the ego's of QB's. They battle it out in training camp and the winner gets the spot. He's known for bringing in as many QB's as possible in the hopes that competition brings out the best in players. He's a sign em all and let the chips fall where they may kinda a coach.

[Pittman4Two]

"Bucs Make Offer to Garcia: Fiedler a Fall-Back Plan"

Donde es Rob?

Originally Posted by Lt. Dan

Gruden has never been one to coddle the ego's of QB's. They battle it out in training camp and the winner gets the spot. He's known for bringing in as many QB's as possible in the hopes that competition brings out the best in players. He's a sign em all and let the chips fall where they may kinda a coach.

I did not witness a battle for the starting spot last year and I doubt this year is any different.

[Airborne Eagle]

All I'm saying is put yourself in Chris Simms' shoes.

How are you reacting to all this news?

[Pittman4Two]

C'mon...get a real QB in here, GRUDEN!

[Lt. Dan]

Originally Posted by All_da_way

I did not witness a battle for the starting spot last year and I doubt this year is any different.

That's true... It seemed like Gruden wasn't happy with his QB the whole offseason, but felt Brad earned the right to fail on the field. Which I can respect, to a degree. I think he should of pulled the trigger on the QB switch quicker.

and while it does seem that Gruden is more rigid on the starter. I think there has always been a battle for the #2 spot. King and Robosack went back and forth. The next year Simms was a rookie, so there wasn't much competion... but not so in 2004 when the spot looked up for grabs in preseason. Simms had a pretty good preseason last year, if I remember.

[Pittman4Two]

Originally Posted by Airborne Eagle

All I'm saying is put yourself in Chris Simms' shoes.

How are you reacting to all this news?

Quite frankly, I'd be peeved. The team is going nowhere in its present makeup. You're in salary cap hell and your coach just made a player signing that doesn't make any sense whatsoever.

Start Simms this season. By next year, you'll know what you've got.