Irked Garcia says shoulder feels fine

By JOANNE KORTH and RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writers
Published November 15, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Brian Cassella | Times] Bucs defensive end Greg Spires is expected to miss two to three more weeks because of the torn left calf muscle sustained Oct. 28. He initially feared a season-ending torn Achilles' tendon.

TAMPA - Quarterback Jeff Garcia said his throwing arm feels good and his energy level is high as the Bucs embark on a playoff push in the second half of the season.

Tampa Bay is coming off a bye, and coach Jon Gruden indicated Monday it came at a good time for Garcia, who was experiencing soreness in his right throwing shoulder that is typical of a veteran quarterback.

Garcia didn't like the report.

"I've been fine all year long," Garcia, 37, said. "It kind of bothers me that that's even brought up because that hasn't been an issue."

Gruden likewise dismissed the notion Wednesday that Garcia's health is in question and said he understood his quarterback's irritation.

"Everybody's asking about your health and you're fine," Gruden said. "You're walking around and ... your arm does start hurting (because) people keep asking about it. I say leave Garcia alone. He's going to play his style, and it's been a good one for him. He's been effective for us. Garcia's healthy. He's ready to go."

The Bucs (5-4 overall, 2-0 in the NFC South) have a one-game division lead with seven games left. Sunday's game at Atlanta is the first of four remaining against division opponents.

Garcia, who has not played a full 16-game regular season since 2002 with the 49ers, said he is ready for the stretch run.

"I feel good. I feel great coming back," Garcia said. "I feel very motivated, very energized, very excited to get back to doing what we need to do and just get back on the field. Sometimes, when you take a break like that, it gets you out of a little bit of a rhythm. So it's important that (Wednesday) and (today) are good work days for us."

SPIRES RELIEVED: Defensive end Greg Spires will miss two to three more weeks with a torn left calf muscle sustained Oct. 28 against Jacksonville. That's good news compared to Spires' initial fear of a partially torn Achilles' tendon, a potentially season-ending injury.

"Just as soon as I'm ready, I'm going," Spires said. "I'm not looking at the schedule thinking, 'Oh, this game I want to come back.' Whenever I feel good enough to come back, I'm going to come back."

LEFTWICH COULD PLAY: Quarterback Joey Harrington has led Atlanta to two straight wins, but he might be keeping the seat warm for Byron Leftwich.

Leftwich practiced Wednesday for the first time since surgery for a high right ankle sprain sustained Oct. 21. The Falcons expected Leftwich to miss three to four weeks, but he split reps with Harrington in practice and could play Sunday against the Bucs.

Harrington said he is preparing as if he is still the starter.

"I guess I haven't been briefed on that yet," he told reporters after practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. "But it doesn't change how I prepare, and it doesn't change the way I go about this game.

"I go about this game just like I do every other week, ready to do what I need to do for this team. And if that is go out and be the starter and play this weekend, that's what I'm going to do. And if my job is to be the backup, that's what I'm going to do as well."

INJURY REPORT: Spires (calf) was the only player who did not practice, though several were limited: linebacker Quincy Black (hamstring); defensive end Patrick Chukwurah (shoulder); receivers Michael Clayton (ankle), Joey Galloway (team decision) and Ike Hilliard (calf); running backs Earnest Graham (ankle) and Michael Pittman (ankle); tight end Alex Smith (ankle); and offensive tackle Jeremy Trueblood (shoulder).

Joanne Korth can be reached at korth@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8810. Rick Stroud can be reached at stroud@tampabay.com.

[Last modified November 14, 2007, 21:27:16]