Sports | Bucs

QBs could prove too tempting

The Bucs have quantity. But do they have the quality of Quinn or Russell?

By RICK STROUD
Published April 25, 2007

---

ADVERTISEMENT

TAMPA -- Jon Gruden visited the Notre Dame campus a few weeks ago, taking a long look at Touchdown Jesus and Irish quarterback Brady Quinn with the same reverence.

But you have to wonder what was going on under Gruden's golden dome.

The Bucs already have traded for Jake Plummer, signed Jeff Garcia, given Chris Simms an extension and have Bruce Gradkowski and Luke McCown under contract.

Surely, the Bucs won't consider taking Quinn or LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell with the No. 4 overall pick.

Yet there was Gruden, leading a caravan that included general manager Bruce Allen and receiver Michael Clayton to South Bend, Ind., and Baton Rouge, La., to conduct private workouts for the top two quarterbacks in the draft.

Call it due diligence.

After three losing seasons in the past four, Gruden can probably ill-afford to spend a first-round choice on a quarterback. But he longs for stability, a young player who can develop under his system for years to come.

"You're on a new team every year when you change quarterbacks. It's no fun, really," Gruden said. "You're not going to reach the real promised land in terms of all your efforts until you're two or three or four years into the relationship."

The choice between Russell and Quinn is interesting because they couldn't be more different.

The 6-foot-6, 260-pound Russell is a physical specimen who has great mobility for a player his size and a powerful arm that can launch a football 70-80 yards. Although he is more of a project because he didn't take a lot of snaps under center, Russell might be picked first overall by the Raiders.

"You have somebody that's like a video game," Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said. "There isn't a throw he can't make, probably, and the throws he can make, I don't know if anybody else can."

According to Gruden, Russell's pro day workout was something to behold.

"The workout that Russell had was Star Wars. It was unbelievable," he said.

At 6-4, 230 pounds, Quinn also is big. He does not possess the arm strength of Russell, but he played in a pro-style offense under coach Charlie Weis, the former Patriots offensive coordinator.

"(Quinn) is a Type A guy," Gruden said. "He's a winner. He's the hardest-working guy, maybe, in this draft. He does situps, I think, at halftime. He's unbelievable. This guy is ripped. He's cut out of marble. The guy is working around the clock. He has really got a burning desire to be the best.

"Above the neck, he's been well-trained. You forget that he's 6-4 and 230 pounds and threw 69 touchdown passes in two seasons at Notre Dame. What a great-looking kid and a great competitor."

If there is a knock on Quinn, it's that he tends to shrink in big games. He was outplayed by Russell in the Sugar Bowl, completing just 15 of 35 passes for 148 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in a loss to LSU.

"There's not one other player that's had the kind of coaching that I've had the past couple of years," Quinn said. "There's not one other player that's done what I've done the past couple of years. I feel I'm the best leader for a team that needs someone to step in and fulfill that job."

Meanwhile, the knock on Russell is he might be too laid-back. Some have questioned his work ethic, but others say he is just a quiet leader like the Titans' Vince Young who players love to follow.

"Growing up, I always liked Randall Cunningham and Doug Williams," Russell said. "It's a lot of fun when you've got big guys trying to tackle you and you're really not falling."

Gruden would like to convince everyone the Bucs are serious about taking Quinn or Russell if one falls to No. 4. But not many people are buying it.

"Those guys are both great players," Simms said. "But I'd be very surprised if we drafted a quarterback (in the first round)."

What would drafting a quarterback mean for ...

Chris Simms: Entering his fifth season, he signed a two-year extension in December. But if Tampa Bay wakes up with Brady Quinn or JaMarcus Russell on Sunday morning, Simms' days will be numbered.

Jeff Garcia: Entering his ninth season and with his fourth team in four seasons, Garcia, 37, doesn't have time to pay attention to the other quarterbacks on the roster. He is better than even money to be the starter this season regardless of the draft.

Bruce Gradkowski: As a rookie last season, he started 11 games. The presence of Quinn or Russell might mean he would be looking for another team. The sixth-round pick from Toledo isn't going to measure up to either. Essentially, it would render last season's experiment meaningless.

Jake Plummer: Peace. The former Bronco has said he wants to retire, and maybe the Bucs would leave him alone. Right now, they are threatening to go after $7-million of a prorated roster bonus if he doesn't report to camp.

Luke McCown: Adios. Maybe the Bucs could send him to Oakland if it is unsuccessful in trading for his brother, Lions quarterback Josh McCown.

Rick Stroud, Times staff writer

FAST FACTS: The current candidates
2006 stats of QBs the Bucs have under contract and who played:

	Gms	Starts	Com	Att	Yds	TD	Int
Jeff Garcia	8	6	116	188	1,309	10	2
Bruce Gradkowski	13	11	177	328	1,661	9	9
Jake Plummer	16	11	175	317	1,994	11	13
Chris Simms	3	3	58	106	585	1	7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Last modified April 24, 2007, 23:58:17]

[an error occurred while processing this directive]