Goodbye Gradkowski, enjoy the AFL

At 6:30 pm Friday, the Buccaneers issued a press release stating that they re-signed TE Jerramy Stevens and have released QB Bruce Gradkowski. I must say I was elated to read this news. The Toledo product joined the Buccos after being the 194th pick (6th round) in the 2006 NFL draft. Gradkowski was an interesting prospect. A gutsy competitor who was constantly pushed by Jon Gruden, brought an NCAA completion percentage record.

In the 2006 preseason, Gradkowski led all quarterbacks in touchdown completions and had a small cult following establishing in the Tampa region. But, preseason is not the same as playing in the regular season. Bruce was thrown into action on week 4 after season ending injuries to Luke McCown (who was lost in preseason) and Chris Simms who ruptured his spleen in Tampa on week 3 against Carolina.

Bruce suited up in Pewter and Red starting his first game in New Orleans. His debut was remarkable for a rookie completing 20 of 31 attempts for 225 yards no interceptions and 2 scores. The Bucs lost the game though on a late game 65 yard punt return for a touchdown by Reggie Bush.

The New Orleans game was Bruce's highlight of the season though. He struggled with the offense as the season went on. His decision making was questionable and opposing teams recognized his inability to throw the deep ball. The 2006 Buccaneer season was a disaster, finishing a paltry 4-12. Gradkowski started 11 games, and was replaced in mid game in week 14 in Chicago. Gradkowski was totally ineffective in the first half (5-11-37 yards) and was replaced by journeyman Tim Rattay who rallied the Bucs by tossing three touchdowns and sending the game to overtime. Just as a reflection of the dismal season, the Bucs lost in overtime 34-31. Gradkowski would not start another game for the Bucs again. Ratty played effectively in the final two games, sparking questions about whether or not he should have been the starting quarterback sooner in the season given his NFL experience and familiarity with the West Coast offense.

The 2007 campaign started with the introduction of Jeff Garcia as the starting quarterback having coming to the Bucs as a free agent from Philadelphia. With a healthy Luke McCown, Tim Ratty moved on, Simms was placed on IR and Gradkowski was the third string quarterback. The only time Bruce saw action in 07 was in week 11 against the Redskins at Ray Jay. With Garcia being knocked out with a back bruise, Gradkowski entered the game with the Bucs nursing a 2 touchdown lead. Bruce showed once again that he was overwhelmed with the offense, and doesn't strike any fear in defensive secondaries. Two times he missed an open Joey Galloway deep which would have sealed the game for the Bucs. The Redskins simply moved 8 men in the box, shut down the running game and crawled right back into the game. Gradkowski was so ineffective that Garcia, back bruise and all, re-entered the game with the score 19-13 late in the 4th quarter.

Given the plethora of quarterbacks on the Bucs roster this offseason, some moves at the position were expected before the start of training camp. Jeff Garcia, Luke McCown, Brian Griese, Bruce Gradkowski, Chris Simms, Jake Plummer and rookie Josh Johnson. Plummer will never report to play for Tampa. Simms, who has not attended any OTA's this year will, in my opinion, come to training camp as an insurance policy but will be traded somewhere around the third week of preseason after another team suffers an injury at quarterback and needs depth. So for now, the Bucs odd man out was Gradkowski. Thank you Bruce Allen.

If there is any NFL franchise in need of an easily overwhelmed quarterback who cant throw more than 20 yards effectively, Gradkowski is available. In all reality, he'll be playing in the Arena Football League somewhere soon.