Bucs/NFL

Record-setting QB excites Gruden

The Bucs coach believes Bruce Gradkowski can make a push for a backup role as a rookie.

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published May 1, 2006

	[AP photo]
	Bruce Gradkowski played four years at Toledo and is the NCAA's career Division I-A leader in completion percentage (68.2 percent). His idol is fellow Pittsburgh native Dan Marino.

TAMPA - Jon Gruden loves his quarterbacks. With him, it's a simple philosophy: The more, the better.

After drafting Bruce Gradkowski from Toledo in the sixth round Sunday, Gruden had to nearly restrain himself at the thought of coaching the NCAA record-setter and what his addition might do to spice up the team's collection of quarterbacks.

"I'm trying not to get too excited up here talking about it," Gruden said. "I really like Bruce. ... He was kind of overshadowed by a lot of the other quarterbacks" in the draft.

Gradkowski hopes to distinguish himself with the Bucs, where he will compete with backups Luke McCown and Tim Rattay for a roster spot.

"All I ask for is that opportunity," Gradkowski said. "Coach Gruden has just opened the doors for me to give me that opportunity, and I'm coming to Tampa Bay to take full advantage of it."

Gradkowski, the 194th overall pick, could pressure Rattay, who arguably has become expendable. The Bucs traded a sixth-round pick to the 49ers for Rattay after Brian Griese was lost for the 2005 season with a knee injury.

But Rattay never rose above third on the depth chart, remaining behind starter Chris Simms and McCown. Rattay is scheduled to earn $1.25-million in base salary, a high price for a player who might not take a snap.

Gradkowski "is going to be in there battling with Tim Rattay," Gruden said. "Rattay is, I believe, vastly underrated. ... Luke McCown is a flashy athlete, and he is a guy who has made great progress. We've got some young guys that are going to make this exciting and fun to come to work every day."

Gradkowski finished his collegiate career as the NCAA's Division I-A career leader in completion percentage (68.2 percent).

A mobile quarterback who is said to be proficient at throwing on the run, Gradkowski amassed 1,018 career rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. He also became the seventh player in the Mid-American Conference's 87-year history to gain more than 10,000 total yards.

Gruden said the Bucs clocked Gradkowski at 4.57 seconds in the 40-yard dash, an impressive time for a quarterback.

The 23-year-old Pittsburgh native grew up idolizing another native son, Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino, and exudes the blue-collar mentality his hometown is known for.

"You see a guy like that and you say, "Dan Marino made it. He's from Pittsburgh. I can make it,"' Gradkowski said. "Look at Marc Bulger. He made it. He's from Pittsburgh.' It drives you to be like those guys and to be one of the best quarterbacks to come out of western Pennsylvania.

"I still have a long way to go to meet up to those guys, but I'm just going to work hard and be the best that I can be."

[Last modified May 1, 2006, 02:18:10]