Garcia is back in the saddle again in Tampa Bay

By Jeff Dickinson  |   Thursday, October 09, 2008  |  Comments( 3 )

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Tampa Bay quarterback Brian Griese’s injured throwing shoulder and elbow from last week’s loss in Denver haven’t healed enough to allow him to throw a football. As a result, it is looking like former starter Jeff Garcia will get the nod for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.

Fans can only hope that the quarterback change provides a spark for the previously inconsistent Buccaneer passing game.

Commentary: Even if Griese wasn’t injured and was ready to play, talk is that coach Jon Gruden would have made the switch to Garcia. Griese was 3-1 as the Bucs’ starter, but his inconsistent play was a source of frustration with Gruden.

In Griese’s four games this season, he has thrown six interceptions and only four touchdowns. His poor decisions have kept opponents within striking distance instead of allowing Tampa Bay to pull away to convincing victories.

Griese gives the Bucs a more explosive quarterback; he also gives Tampa Bay a quarterback who is going to throw more interceptions and frustrate fans, coaches and teammates on a regular basis. Over his 11-year career, Griese has thrown 118 touchdown passes and 98 interceptions -- not exactly the kind of numbers coaches relish.

Garcia, meanwhile, has tosses 151 TDs against just 79 picks during his 10-year career. Numbers like Garcia’s, where there are almost twice as many touchdowns as interceptions, are much more acceptable.

No matter who is under center for Tampa Bay, the passing game is going to have to improve if the Bucs are going to challenge the Panthers for the NFC South title. Leading receiver Joey Galloway has been injured for most of the season, and those behind him have been less than spectacular.

Antonio Bryant is pacing the Buccaneers by averaging 55.6 receiving yards per game. Bryant also has yet to catch a touchdown pass on the season. Ike Hilliard is leading the team with three touchdown receptions, but he is only averaging 38.6 yards per game and 8.8 yards per catch.

While the running game is flourishing under the two-pronged attack of Earnest Graham and Warrick Dunn, the passing attack has struggled. Until the Buccaneers get more offensive balance, it’s going to be tough for Garcia or Griese to make much of an impact.

Fan Pulse: Most of the fan talk has revolved around the quarterback situation. It doesn’t seem to be fans rooting for Griese or Garcia as much as wanting the team to find a quarterback and stick with him. A revolving door at quarterback makes fans uneasy and uptight.

Fantasy Football Impact: If you had Griese as your starting fantasy football quarterback, you probably weren’t doing very well in your league. Neither he nor Garcia is a good fantasy option at this time because of their inconsistent nature. Graham continues to be a steady fantasy option at running back. When Galloway returns from his foot injury, he should be the Bucs’ best fantasy receiver.

Injury Watch: Griese hasn’t been officially ruled out of Sunday’s game with the Panthers, but don’t expect him to play. Luke McCown is listed as the No. 2 quarterback. Linebacker Barrett Ruud’s knee is still bothering him, but don’t be surprised if he takes the field in Week 6.


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About Jeff Dickinson

I have been writing and editing professionally for 18 years. I spent the first three years of my career as a sportswriter for a daily newspaper in Alabama and got to cover sports and get paid for it! It was great until I got married and then it wasn't too much fun being away from my wife every ...
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