McCown has perfect stats

The quarterback goes 7-for-7 on his return.

By JOANNE KORTH, Times Staff Writer
Published August 11, 2007

TAMPA - Two long years.

That was how much time had passed since Luke McCown played in an NFL game of any sort. Not since the 2005 preseason had McCown taken a live snap.

What rust?

McCown acquitted himself well in his new role of No. 2 quarterback, relieving Jeff Garcia midway through the first quarter of Friday's preseason opener against the Patriots. He did a little bit of everything, led the offense to the end zone and threw a touchdown.

Everything, that is, except throw an incompletion.

McCown was 7-for-7 for 68 yards and one touchdown, an 11-yard strike to Paris Warren that gave Tampa Bay a 10-7 lead with 31 seconds left in the first half.

"I felt pretty good," said McCown, a fourth-year player who missed 2005 with an ACL tear. "I felt comfortable. I was just playing football and it was a blessing to be back out on the field. It's been a while. I've gotten a lot of work in practice, but there's nothing like playing."

McCown, 26, assumed the backup job because Chris Simms is not yet ready to compete, still trying to regain his throwing rhythm after last season's emergency splenectomy. Acquired in a draft-day trade in 2005, McCown was the inactive No. 3 quarterback his first year with the team and for the final nine games last season.

Playing primarily against the Patriots' reserves, he showed a lively arm and quick feet.

"He's been on the rise since he returned from the knee injury," coach Jon Gruden said. "He missed all of last season. Had he performed like this last year, he would have been our starting quarterback, no question about it.

"He's been very good in training camp with the ball, making decisions, creating plays. ... Luke McCown can throw the ball, he can run and he's playing heady football right now. It's a good start going 7-for-7, regardless of who he's playing against."

McCown was especially sharp running the hurry-up offense at the end of the half. From first and 10 at the Patriots 47 yard line with 1:47 left, he quickly moved the team. He scrambled for positive yardage on first down and completed consecutive passes to Warren for 10 and 13 yards.

After a 7-yard gain by Kenneth Darby to the Patriots 11, McCown found Warren over the middle, threw quickly and hit him in stride.

"I would say I probably played a little tentative as far as throwing the ball down the field," McCown said. "But just being out on the field and making reads and throwing the ball and handing it off and see the defense and getting hit - that's the fun part of football."

Joanne Korth can be reached at korth@sptimes.com or 727 893-8810.

[Last modified August 11, 2007, 01:09:33]