Chris Simms who replaced Brad Johnson in the home opener but was designated inactive Sunday, apparently will stay as a backup.
TAMPA - Jon Gruden is considering another change at quarterback, one that ultimately could signal the end of Brad Johnson's career in Tampa Bay.
Gruden met with Johnson on Monday to seek the advice of the 13-year veteran, who has lost 13 of his past 20 starts since winning the Super Bowl.
No decision was announced, but don't assume the Bucs' next starter will be Chris Simms. Simms, 23, replaced Johnson two weeks ago after only 15 plays and four series in a 10-6 loss to Seattle in the home opener.
But Gruden is strongly considering playing free agent Brian Griese Sunday at New Orleans.
Griese was the No. 2 quarterback for Sunday's game against the Broncos, with Simms designated the inactive third quarterback. Simms was eligible to play in the fourth quarter and entered the game with three seconds remaining for a desperation pass that was nearly intercepted.
"Brad Johnson is as frustrated as they come right now; it's been tough on him," Gruden said. "We are going to keep developing our young arms. When their time comes, we expect them to be ready.
"I don't want to make any starting jobs known right now. We are going to have a long meeting here (Monday and today). We are going to try to rally the troops the best we can. ... Brian was the backup quarterback (Sunday). He's a 29-year-old guy, a good player. Simms is a promising young player. The plan is to keep working with him."
With a game at New Orleans on Sunday and a Monday night encounter at St. Louis on Oct. 18, Gruden might not want to expose Simms to such hostile conditions for his first NFL start. And while Gruden knows the Bucs' supporting cast is not good enough around Johnson, he is not quite ready to give up on the season.
Simms completed 21 of 33 passes for 175 yards in his relief appearance against the Seahawks. But he fumbled twice, losing one, and ended the comeback bid with an interception.
The 6-foot-3, 214-pound Griese is not as mobile as Simms, but he has six years' experience, including five as a starter with the Broncos, where he earned a Pro Bowl appearance in 2000 after winning the NFL passing title.
He has not taken a snap during the regular season and has split time with Simms as the No. 2 quarterback.
Johnson, 36, could be made to look like a scapegoat for the Bucs' 0-4 start. But he has put the Bucs in position to win or tie on their last possession in three of his four starts this season. He also has completed 63 percent of his passes while passing for three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Johnson led the Bucs back from a 10-0 deficit to tie Sunday's game at 13 in the third quarter. But Tampa Bay squandered good field position and had just four offensive snaps in the fourth quarter as the defense allowed the Broncos to control the ball for all but three seconds of the final 7:26.
Linebacker Derrick Brooks said Johnson isn't totally responsible for the Bucs' worst start since 1996, when they lost five straight and went 1-8 before finishing 6-10.
"Whatever coach (Gruden's) decision is, we just move forward with it as a football team," Brooks said. "It's all we can do. At 0-4 is no one person's fault. It's everybody's fault. From the head coach all the way down. We've all had our part in it."
The Bucs already have begun a youth movement of sorts on offense. In the 16-13 loss to Denver, Tampa Bay made extensive use of rookie receiver Michael Clayton, tight end Will Heller, tackle Kenyatta Walker and running back Michael Pittman.
But Gruden refuses to give up on the season.
"You always think you can turn it around," he said. "A couple of years ago, I saw a team lose four straight games and get into the Super Bowl ... and lose the Super Bowl, but I saw them get in the Super Bowl. We thought we were very close to turning it around (Sunday), quite honestly. We're going to continue to meet as a staff and try to develop our young players and use good judgement, try to win a football game and do what's best for our team."
It's uncertain what that means for Johnson. It's unlikely the Bucs would want him to return next season since they have so many needs and he is scheduled to earn $5.75-million.
They could attempt to deal him prior to the Oct. 19 NFL trade deadline, since his $4.625-million in accelerated signing bonus could only affect the 2005 salary cap. But trades are difficult to swing in the NFL and the Bucs would have to find a possible playoff contender looking for veteran quarterback help and willing to exchange a draft pick.
As of Monday night, the discussion was limited to which quarterback should start Sunday against the Saints. Whether it's Johnson, Simms or Griese, the Bucs need a win to end their six-game losing skid dating to last season.
"I know we're better than our record shows," Brooks said. "It's a very dangerous trap for our opponents to think that we're an 0-4 football team."
UP NEXT
Bucs at Saints, 1 p.m. Sunday, Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans.
TV: Ch.13.
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