Griese's return appears unlikely
Former starter will visit Bengals, Bears; Bucs add ex-Saint Aaron Brooks to backup QB list.
By RICK STROUD
Published March 17, 2006
TAMPA - The last time Brian Griese played in an NFL game, he tore two knee ligaments but refused to leave the field on a cart.
Now it appears Griese is walking away from the Bucs for good.
The veteran quarterback, who led Tampa Bay to a 5-1 start last year before a season-ending knee injury, may have ended his career here after just two seasons.
The Bucs appear to be moving on as well.
Saints free-agent quarterback Aaron Brooks visited Thursday, one day after the Bucs received permission from the Redskins to speak with Patrick Ramsey.
Griese, meanwhile, is scheduled to visit the Bengals today. On Saturday, when he turns 31, Griese will meet with the Bears. The Ravens, Vikings and Raiders also are interested.
Apparently, the Bucs made it clear to Griese they were turning over the starting job to Chris Simms, who signed a one-year, $2-million offer sheet. And it's believed the offer to Griese does not exceed what Simms will earn next season.
"It doesn't seem to be going in the right direction," Griese's agent, Ralph Cindrich, said Thursday. "We view him and other teams view him as more than a backup quarterback. This is a situation where (the Bengals are) a good team with a hell of an offense, and it's time to get him out of (Tampa Bay)."
Griese was expected to make a rapid return to the Bucs after being released in a salary cap maneuver on the eve of the free-agent signing period last week.
But he finalized plans to visit other teams just one day after the Bucs turned their attention to Ramsey, the 26-year-old who, according to his agent, could visit Tampa Bay over the weekend.
The Redskins are seeking a fourth-round pick and recently turned down the Jets' offer of a seventh-rounder.
Apparently, based on the jobs he is considering, the rift between Griese and the Bucs is fairly deep.
Rather than return as the No. 2, Griese is willing to consider keeping the seat warm for Bengals starter Carson Palmer, who is rehabbing from reconstructive knee surgery and is shooting for a mid October return.
The Bears are seeking an experienced backup for Rex Grossman, who has missed 27 games the past two seasons with a torn ACL and a broken ankle.
Brooks, who turns 30 next week, was released Wednesday after six seasons in New Orleans. His career has been marked by inconsistency but he managed to put himself in the Saints' record books. He broke Archie Manning's record for career touchdown passes with 120 and is second to Manning with 19,156 passing yards. He led the franchise to its only playoff win as a rookie.
The Bucs also have turned their attention to other positions. Lions receiver Kevin Johnson and Chiefs receiver Marc Boerigter are scheduled to visit today.
Johnson, 29, played in six games last season and finished with 17 receptions for 133 yards and no touchdowns. Boerigter, 27, was limited to 10 games the past two seasons because of an assortment of injuries.
Denver linebacker Patrick Chukwurah is scheduled to visit next week.
The Bucs made another proposal Thursday to Patriots free-agent tackle Tom Ashworth, but no agreement has been reached. Ashworth also is negotiating with the Dolphins and Jets.
COACHING STAFF ANNOUNCED: Running backs coach Art Valero was promoted to assistant head coach and special-teams coach Richard Bisaccia was given the title of special-teams coordinator. Aaron Kromer, who joined the staff last year as a senior assistant, is now the senior assistant/offensive line.
The official staff lineup announced Thursday: Jon Gruden, coach; Monte Kiffin, defensive coordinator; Bill Muir, offensive coordinator/offensive line; Richard Bisaccia, special-teams coordinator; Art Valero, assistant head coach/running backs; Joe Barry, linebackers; Tim Berbenich, offensive quality control; Casey Bradley, defensive quality control; Greg Burns, defensive backs; Jethro Franklin, defensive line; Jay Gruden, offensive assistant; Paul Hackett, quarterbacks; Nathaniel Hackett, offensive quality control; Paul Kelly, assistant to the head coach/football operations; Aaron Kromer, senior assistant/offensive line; Jimmy Lake, assistant defensive backs; Richard Mann, receivers; Ron Middleton, tight ends/assistant special teams; Mike Morris, head strength and conditioning; Kurt Shultz, assistant strength and conditioning.