Gradkowski struggles in relief role

Reminiscent of last season, the offense bogs down when led by the second-year quarterback.

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER, Times Staff Writer
Published November 26, 2007

Bucs quarterback throws one of his 10 incomplete passes in 19 attempts Sunday in the Bucs' 19-13 win against the Redskins. Photo gallery Audio: Instant analysis with Gary Shelton
	[Brendan Fitterer | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT Bucs coverage In-game blog: Stephen F. Holder breaks down the game Barber's big day even more special for ailing youngster 5 plays worth another look Tom Jones: BucShotz Hearty feast on turnovers Romano: Gimme 5 Shelton: Bubble Wrap that back Taking one away Quotebook [Brian Cassella | Times] Bucs quarterback Bruce Gradkowski is sacked by Washington's Chris Wilson in the second quarter.

TAMPA - By one small measure, Bruce Gradkowski was overwhelmingly successful in quarterbacking the Buccaneers in Jeff Garcia's absence Sunday.

"The No. 1 objective this late in the season when you've been inactive that long - and I know it looked ugly at times -was not to turn the football over," coach Jon Gruden said.

"We accomplished that."

Problem is, by just about any other measurement, Gradkowski's performance against the Redskins left much to be desired. So many of the struggles he endured last season, when he started 11 games as a rookie, persist.

Gradkowski, 24, still has difficulty hitting Joey Galloway deep, missing two opportunities. He still lacks the pocket presence that would allow him to use his elusiveness to escape the rush. He still hasn't mastered the art of finding second and third passing options, and his passes often aren't on the mark.

In just his third appearance of the season, he did manage to avoid the critical mistake. But the numbers remain: 9-of-19 for 106 yards while taking all but 10 of the snaps with Garcia encumbered by a back bruise sustained on the game's first play.

The Bucs failed to achieve a first down and netted an astounding 15 yards in the second half.

Gradkowski, who had five attempts entering Sunday, didn't complete a pass in that span, and now Gruden, perhaps, will be left wondering whether Gradkowski or Luke McCown should be his No. 2 quarterback.

"I do think it's a very difficult situation against a team like that, jumping in there right after pregame warmups, take the bull by the horns and ride it," Gruden said.

"But we have work to do, clearly."

Gradkowski concurred, acknowledging his shortcomings, including settling for field goals after three of four first-half turnovers. But he said he was grateful for the experience, which has come in small doses this season.

"It's a little tough getting in there after not being in game situations," he said. "But I love it. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

"I'd rather play in a game than practice any day."

But the Redskins would rather face Gradkowski than Garcia, and they were all too willing to let him take his shots in the passing game. With the Bucs guarding a two-touchdown lead for much of the afternoon, Washington resigned itself to selling out against the running game - which gained 85 yards on 19 carries in the first half - and forcing the 2006 sixth-round draft pick out of Toledo to go to the air.

It was a very familiar feeling.

"We went through this last year," Gruden said. "You can have all the game-planning you want. Sooner or later, they're going to get into a very difficult front to block and you're going to have to make some plays in the passing game.

"We did not do that at an acceptable level (Sunday)."

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3377.

[Last modified November 25, 2007, 20:57:43]