Jags QB says he's calm as starting debut nears

By RICK STROUD and STEPHEN F. HOLDER, Times Staff Writers
Published October 26, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Getty Images] Quinn Gray looks for yards Monday against the Colts.

TAMPA - Here's how much the Jaguars thought of Quinn Gray. They were willing to cut ties with Byron Leftwich and make David Garrard the starting quarterback.

That decision promoted Gray to No. 2 even though the fifth-year player from Florida A&M had appeared in only three NFL games.

With Garrard nursing a sprained left ankle, Gray, 28, is scheduled to make his first start Sunday against the Bucs.

"I just expect to be able to lead this team hopefully up and down the field and put points on the board," Gray said during a conference call this week. "There is really no pressure to anything except for the pressure I put on myself to go out and help this team win a football game."

Gray, 6 feet 3, 254 pounds, struggled in relief of Garrard against the Colts on Monday night, going 9-of-24 for 56 yards with two interceptions. He also was sacked for a safety.

But Bucs coach Jon Gruden said Gray has gotten the attention of his defense.

"Late last year, they gave him plenty of snaps. So we do have a lot of tape we can look at; not only in preseason this year, but last year at Kansas City," Gruden said of a 35-30 loss in which Gray was 13-of-22 for 166 yards and rushed for two touchdowns.

"He'll get your attention. He played really well. He'll have a full week to practice as a starter. He's an athletic guy who can throw the ball and has some history there with the Jaguar coaches. So I'm sure he's going to be ready to go."

Thursday, the Jaguars signed quarterback Todd Bouman to a one-year deal to back up Gray. Bouman, 35, has appeared in 42 games (six starts) for Minnesota, New Orleans and Green Bay. He did not play last season while backing up Brett Favre.

Earlier this week, Jacksonville contacted Drew Bledsoe, who told them he would stay retired.

CLOSE CALL: Bucs receiver Michael Clayton said he has been told he should miss no more than two games with a high ankle sprain.

"I was fortunate," said Clayton, whose right leg was bent awkwardly Sunday. "I just looked back at the film, and I know the man upstairs has got something for me. I just felt like the man was on my side."

Now he holds out hope of returning before the Nov. 11 bye.

"I came in on Tuesday and had a great workout," he said. "It's getting better, and it's getting better rapidly. I'm keeping my faith and keeping everything positive."

DYNAMIC DUO: The Bucs face another formidable tandem of defensive tackles in Jacksonville's Marcus Stroud (6-6, 305 pounds) and John Henderson (6-7, 325 pounds).

Tampa Bay struggled Sunday trying to contain the Lions' Corey Redding and Shaun Rogers.

The Jags defense ranks 13th in the league at 318 yards per game but second at 14.5 points per game.

"They're great players," Gruden said. "They have played a long time together and have played great together. And what makes Jacksonville special is their whole front seven in their rotation is very impressive."

[Last modified October 25, 2007, 22:12:21]