Fiedler back in Florida…again

By Jason Kirk  |   Friday, June 30, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed QB Jay Fiedler to compete for a backup job behind starter Chris Simms.

The 34-year-old Fiedler was with the New York Jets last season but injured his throwing shoulder in the third game and consequently missed the rest of the year. After attempting to strengthen the shoulder without surgery, the 10-year veteran went under the knife in early December to repair a torn labrum. Although he began throwing about a month ago, Tampa Bay's general manager Bruce Allen is confident Fiedler will be ready by the start of training camp. "I'm not a doctor, but we feel in a month or so, he should be a 100%," Allen said.

Fiedler will most likely compete with six-year veteran Tim Rattay for the backup job after last year's #2 Luke McCown partially tore the ACL in his right knee earlier this month. Head coach Jon Gruden announced last week that McCown will have surgery and will miss at least the start of season, but the third-year veteran could very possibly miss the entire season. The Bucs also have second-year Jared Allen and rookie Bruce Gradkowski on the roster.

After signing with Tampa, Fiedler became the first quarterback to play for each of Florida's three NFL teams. He played for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1999-2000 season, and played for the Miami Dolphins from 2000-2004.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have also signed TE Matt Kranchick and released WR Ben Nelson and OT Stefan Rogers. Kranchick played last year with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants.
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report