Veterans and rookies are expected to be in the mix to fill the role of third quarterback.
By JOANNE KORTH, Times Staff Writer
Published September 26, 2006
TAMPA - The Bucs are actively searching for an emergency third quarterback.
After losing starter Chris Simms for a minimum of six weeks and possibly the rest of the season, coach Jon Gruden announced Monday that rookie Bruce Gradkowski will start Oct. 8 at New Orleans, with veteran Tim Rattay the backup.
Tampa Bay has a bye this week.
The team's best long-term solution to its lack of depth is for backup Luke McCown to return in three weeks from an offseason knee injury.
McCown began the season on the physically-unable-to-perform list and will be eligible to practice with the team Oct. 17. He could be on the active roster for the Oct. 22 home game against Philadelphia.
The Bucs might need someone for as few as two games, at New Orleans and against Cincinnati.
"We'll have to look for a veteran quarterback to come in and help us in the meantime," Gruden said. "I'm going to see who's available. It could be via trade. It could be a guy who's out there at this time. It could be someone on someone else's practice squad. We just have to see who's available, who we can get and what we're willing to pay."
The list of available free agents includes former Steelers veteran Tommy Maddox, whom the team is expected to work out today. Others the Bucs are believed to have interest in include Drew Henson, who spent two seasons with the Cowboys, and Kliff Kingsbury, released in August by the Bills.
Also available are ex-Buc Shaun King, former Saint Todd Bouman and former Louisville quarterback Stefan LeFors, a lefty like Simms.
Jay Fiedler, signed as a precaution when McCown got hurt, is not an option after having a second surgery to repair his right throwing shoulder, Gruden said.
A trade might be harder to pull off, but preferable.
Bucs general manager Bruce Allen could delay signing someone until later in the week in hopes of trading for Raiders third-stringer Marques Tuiasosopo. Allen and Gruden drafted Tuiasosopo in the second round while with the Raiders in 2001.
Last season, when the Bucs lost starter Brian Griese to a knee injury before the bye week in October, Allen traded a sixth-round draft pick to the 49ers for Rattay. The seventh-year pro is yet to be active on game day for the Bucs.
"You don't like to be in the market for a quarterback early in the season or at any point during the season," Gruden said.
McCown, a third-year pro, was acquired in a 2005 draft-day trade from Cleveland, where he started four games as a rookie. McCown began 2005 as the Bucs' No. 3 and was promoted to backup behind Simms after Griese was injured.
McCown had surgery in June to repair a torn ACL and cartilage damage in his right knee. His rehabilitation is on schedule.
The Bucs can clear McCown to practice anytime between Oct. 17 and Nov. 6. Once he is cleared, the team has a 21-day evaluation period to decide whether to activate McCown or put him on injured reserve. Gruden anticipates activating McCown as quickly as possible.
"I think he's going to be ready to go when he's eligible to return to the roster," Gruden said. "It's unfortunate he missed a lot of work, the entire training camp, the first six to seven weeks of the regular season. He's another young, athletic quarterback."
While on the PUP list, McCown cannot practice with the team. He can do rehab work at the team facility and attend meetings. Each Thursday, McCown snags a couple receivers to stay after practice so he can throw half-speed routes.
"I feel great; I really do," McCown said. "My leg feels strong, probably 65 or 70 percent of my left leg. It is strong enough. It's never been sore. I was very blessed not to have any pain after surgery so I could jump right into rehab. The flexibility is great and right now it's conditioning, getting wind ... doing what I need to do on the field to be ready."
Times staff writer Rick Stroud contributed to this report.
