TAMPA - Go back a few years. Back to Charlie Garner's first turn as a free agent. Back when his potential was still greater than his reputation.
There was an executive in San Francisco wondering if Garner was worth the risk. Whether, after several seasons as an understudy to Ricky Watters in Philadelphia, he was ready to be a featured back.
The executive picked up the phone and, looking for guidance, called Garner's old offensive coordinator with the Eagles.
"I told him, "He is I.O., man.' That's what he is, instant offense," Jon Gruden said. "Sure as hell, you look at the film, you look at what he did those two years in San Francisco. He has qualities that are hard to find."
Fast forward about five years. Past the 1,000-yard seasons and the Pro Bowl for Garner. Past the playoff appearances and Super Bowl for Gruden.
Once again, Garner is a free agent. This time, his reputation is established, but his potential is less secure.
What would his old offensive coordinator think now?
I.O., man.
Instant offense.
"His numbers have slipped, but if you think about him playing the majority of last season with a third quarterback and, at the end of the year, with their fourth and fifth quarterback, some of the decline is understandable," Gruden said. "I know the stories I'll be reading (today): I'm going after another veteran. We just have to back it up. The guy can still play.
"He has a charisma about him, a confidence, a swagger. He's a mean guy, a tough guy all the time."
And, once again, he is Gruden's guy.
Garner is the kind of running back the Buccaneers have been seeking since Gruden's arrival two years ago. They tried Michael Pittman, but there was not enough threat to his game. They brought in Thomas Jones, but were never quite sold on him as the complete package.
Garner is different. A runner both steady and, at times, explosive. A receiving threat like few others out of the backfield.
A player who, from 1999-2002, might have been second only to Marshall Faulk as a multi-dimensional weapon. During those seasons, two in San Francisco and two in Oakland, Garner averaged 1,043 yards rushing and 675 yards receiving.
It was not Rich Gannon the Bucs feared in Super Bowl XXXVII. Nor was it Tim Brown or, even, Jerry Rice. It was the guy whose 4.6-yard career rushing average is the best among the league's top nine active running backs.
"He bothers you as an opponent," Gruden said. "You ask Monte Kiffin. That was our whole game plan in the Super Bowl: Where the hell is No.25?"
Of course, there is a reason he is in Tampa Bay. And it's not just because Gruden wanted him.
Garner wore out his welcome in Oakland. He can be moody. He can be petulant. He skipped practices and clashed with his coach. His production dipped dramatically. By season's end, the Raiders had suspended him.
In other words, he can do a fair Keyshawn Johnson impersonation. The only difference is the Bucs are still paying for their split-up with Johnson. Garner had to pay Oakland $400,000 to get out of his contract.
"We're very confident we're going to get the A-game out of Charlie Garner," general manager Bruce Allen said.
Maybe last season was a blip. Garner was, after all, playing on a knee that required arthroscopic surgery last week. And Oakland was an aging team that seemed to lose interest as the season dragged on.
If inclined, you could take heart in Denver's pursuit of Garner. A team that has produced four different 1,000-yard rushers in six seasons was hot on his trail. The Broncos have been in the same division as Garner the past three seasons and were impressed enough to make a sales pitch during the weekend.
If Garner is 90 percent of the back he was in 2002, the Bucs have made an excellent acquisition. If you consider his arrival and Jones' departure as a swap, than Tampa Bay has come out ahead.
There is an edge to the Bucs offense that was not there yesterday. The offensive line has been beefed up, the quarterback has been ticked off and the gameplan has been expanded.
Think about how you used to look at the offensive huddle and wonder who in that crowd would make a middle linebacker nervous? Who would keep a defensive end awake in his bed at night? Who made the fantasy league geeks giddy?
The Bucs lacked a playmaker. A guy who would be welcome in most locker rooms across the league. Keyshawn Johnson had the mouth, but not the numbers. Keenan McCardell is tough, but not a gamebreaker. Brad Johnson is sharp, but not dynamic. Pittman is muscular, but not feared.
As for Garner? He used to be that kind of player. Maybe he is that type of player still. The Bucs, at least, are counting on it.
