Bucs studying up on quarterbacks

The Bucs coach knew he had to win the next season or would be asked to walk the plank.

By RICK STROUD
Published February 25, 2007

INDIANAPOLIS - The Bucs coach knew he had to win the next season or would be asked to walk the plank.

He had a young quarterback who enjoyed some promise and success. But with the NFL draft approaching, it became apparent that a "franchise quarterback" might fall to the team early in the first round.

There would be pressure to play the young No. 1 pick, which likely would lead to losses and pink slips.

So what did the Bucs do?

They swallowed hard, did what was best for the long-term interest of the franchise and drafted Trent Dilfer No. 6 in 1994.

Sam Wyche lost his job after the 1995 season, but it was the right thing to do.

And it might be the right thing to do this season.

Jon Gruden appears to need too much help to use the No. 4 pick on LSU's JaMarcus Russell or Notre Dame's Brady Quinn.

But if the team determines that either or both are "franchise quarterbacks," Gruden says they won't hesitate to pull the trigger.

Chris Simms struggled in his first three starts last season before a season-ending splenectomy.

Rookie Bruce Gradkowski showed some promise but may never develop into a starter.

So in the next month, expect the team to do a lot of homework on Russell and Quinn.

And the Bucs will examine the free-agent market to determine whether there is a veteran who can compete with Simms for the starting job.

"I think you've got to see who's available or who can become available," Gruden said. "(General manager) Bruce (Allen) is going to become involved in that, obviously. I wouldn't be surprised if there's another quarterback. We want to have the best group we can possibly have, and we'll see what happens. We'll see what the next couple of months bring us."

COACH THEM UP: Gruden said he is excited about entering the season with some new members or appointments to the coaching staff, a list that includes linebackers coach Gus Bradley, defensive backs coach Raheem Morris, tight ends coach Bob Casullo, defensive line coach Larry Coyer and defensive quality control coach Todd Wash.

"Raheem Morris is a guy we had a lot to do with training," Gruden said. "He grew up in our system a little bit. To get him back is big for our secondary. Larry Coyer is a guy who's been a friend of mine for a long time, and they (the Broncos) were giving people problems. They were on the cusp of breaking some NFL records last year. He's a great fundamental coach. I think he's been around. He's coached at a high level everywhere he's been. He's gotten results. He's going to do a good job for us.

"Coach Wash we just hired from North Dakota State. It'll give us another guy, a guy that will help us out. Gus Bradley is going to be a rising star in the league, and anybody you talk to will tell you that. So I feel like we helped ourselves on the staff. Just got to get the head coach's head out of his a-- and we'll be okay."

[Last modified February 25, 2007, 00:13:24]