Tampa Bay: What could possibly go wrong?

[Dutch]

Bucs Have Options If QB Situation Turns Desperate
By KATHERINE SMITH The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA - The Bucs are prepared to go to New Orleans with only two quarterbacks on their roster.

Coach Jon Gruden joked he would be the emergency quarterback if something happened to starter Bruce Gradkowski and backup Tim Rattay. But in reality, the Bucs have been preparing several players on their roster in case that scenario plays out.

"We've got some guys, some sleeping giant candidates that we won't announce," Gruden said. "We have used this bye week to get three or four guys some reps so we could evaluate who could do what. If need be, God forbid that happens, but if need be, we would be able to go out and finish the football game."

Some Tampa Bay players with quarterback experience, albeit at the high school level, include P Josh Bidwell, WRs Michael Clayton and Ike Hilliard, LB Ryan Nece, S Jermaine Phillips and FB Jerald Sowell.

Last week, after Chris Simms had emergency surgery to remove a ruptured spleen, the Bucs worked out several veteran quarterbacks, including Shaun King and Tommy Maddox. But instead of wasting a roster spot while Luke McCown continues rehabilitating his injured knee, the team is prepared to go with two quarterbacks until McCown is eligible to return from the physically unable to perform list after Week 6.

Tampa Bay did bring in a quarterback to help with reps at practice. The Bucs on Monday signed former Virginia Tech standout Bryan Randall to the practice squad and released TE Keith Heinrich. Randall spent last season on the Falcons' practice squad.

We're really scraping the bottom of the barrell at QB now, eh?

[wade moore]

I couldn't tell you the year, but there was a Monday Night massacring of Redskins QB's by the Eagles and RB Brian Mitchell had to finish out the game as QB.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by wade moore

I couldn't tell you the year, but there was a Monday Night massacring of Redskins QB's by the Eagles and RB Brian Mitchell had to finish out the game as QB.

Based on his stats, looks like probably 1990 - which isn't as big of a deal as I thought since he was a college QB and graduated in 1990.

[Dutch]

I want to say I remember a game where the Eagles had to play a guy at QB that was a WR for a few snaps, but maybe I'm just confusing which team had the QB problems and am thinking of the same game.

And I do remember Tom Tupa playing "well" to finish out a game for the Jets, I think. But he probably doesn't count since he started in the league as a P/QB.

[ice4277]

I think there are a couple NFL teams that are only carrying 2 QBs this year.

[wade moore]

In his rookie season in Washington, Mitchell saw action as a kick returner, running back and quarterback. When quarterbacks Jeff Rutledge and Stan Humphries went down with injuries in a Monday night contest at Philadelphia, Mitchell took over as the signal caller and, in his only series, led the Redskins to a touchdown.

From http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=5786

[JeffW]

Originally Posted by wade moore

I couldn't tell you the year, but there was a Monday Night massacring of Redskins QB's by the Eagles and RB Brian Mitchell had to finish out the game as QB.

The Infamouse Body Bag Game(from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans_Stadium):

Another game that is best remembered by Eagles fans was known as "The Body Bag Game", which took place on November 12, 1990, when the Washington Redskins visited The Vet for a Monday Night Football game. The Eagles' head coach at that time, Buddy Ryan, was quoted as saying that the Redskins' offense would "have to be carted off in body bags". The Eagles number-one defense scored three touchdowns in a 28-14 win and knocked nine Redskin players out of the game, including both of their quarterbacks. The Redskins were forced to finish the game using running back/returner Brian Mitchell (who would become an Eagles player over a decade later) at quarterback.

[sterlingice]

Yeah but that's Tom Tupa- he was godlike in his versatility

SI

[stevew]

I seem to remember the Steelers using a WR/RB at QB quite a bit from 95-02

[k0ruptr]

rumor has it they have contacted Dean Houston in the prison league, and are looking to activate him just before the game.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by ice4277

I think there are a couple NFL teams that are only carrying 2 QBs this year.

Something like 9 I belive. The Broncos have carried 2 QB's for three years now. Rod Smith is the "oh CRAP!!!!" QB

[Rizon]

Jeff George is available still, isn't he? Most anyone available would be a major upgrade over Simms anyways.

[rkmsuf]

How bad is Tim Rattay that he can't beat out this Grabasski guy.

[gottimd]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

How bad is Tim Rattay that he can't beat out this Grabasski guy.

That is what he should do when he gets on the field...just repeatedly ask all of his players "anyone up for a game of grab ass? I know the Center is."

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by ice4277

I think there are a couple NFL teams that are only carrying 2 QBs this year.

There's a team in the AFC West that isn't carrying any.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

How bad is Tim Rattay that he can't beat out this Grabasski guy.

This is the classic case of "we've seen this guy suck on the field before, but not this other guy, so let's go with him."

FWIW, I believe Jose Canseco is available...

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

This is the classic case of "we've seen this guy suck on the field before, but not this other guy, so let's go with him."

FWIW, I believe Jose Canseco is available...

The Bucs have all but given up at this point. #1 pick or bust!

[stevew]

I'd much rather be stuck in Tampa than Oakland if I were Brady Quinn.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by stevew

I'd much rather be stuck in Tampa than Oakland if I were Brady Quinn.

Don't forget Detroit!

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

The Bucs have all but given up at this point. #1 pick or bust!

A lot of their current troubles are remnants of giving up their soul for Jon Gruden and Keyshawn Johnson to get that Super Bowl trophy. Lack of draft pick help--coupled with salary cap hell (which is just about over, I believe) equals Chris Simms as your starting quarterback.

And yes, a new QB with some decent green bars could help.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by Dutch

A lot of their current troubles are remnants of giving up their soul for Jon Gruden and Keyshawn Johnson to get that Super Bowl trophy. Lack of draft pick help--coupled with salary cap hell (which is just about over, I believe) equals Chris Simms as your starting quarterback.

And yes, a new QB with some decent green bars could help.

Cap concerns had nothing to do with Simms starting as the QB. They didn't pick up an option on Griese because they thought Simms was ready based off of the end of last year.

They've spent years trying to build the offensive line back up and have failed miserably in doing so.

The Raiders picks hurt, but it's their decisions which have hurt more.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by TroyF

Cap concerns had nothing to do with Simms starting as the QB. They didn't pick up an option on Griese because they thought Simms was ready based off of the end of last year.

They've spent years trying to build the offensive line back up and have failed miserably in doing so.

The Raiders picks hurt, but it's their decisions which have hurt more.

It's definately painful after 6 years of Tony Dungy meticulously building a superb football team (okay, maybe we missed on QB and WR during those years. But the Bucs during the Dungy years were almost can't miss with their draft picks, particularly on defense. Of course, it helps when you have a long-term plan.)