Garcia to start if back improves

The veteran QB - if healthy - will return in favor of McCown, Gruden says.

By RICK STROUD
Published December 4, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [James Borchuck | Times] Jeff Garcia has been battling an injured lower back. He suffered the injury during the Bucs' 19-13 win over Washington on Nov. 25.

TAMPA - Thank you very much, Luke McCown.

Now get ready to return to your spot on the sideline Sunday.

That basically was the message Bucs coach Jon Gruden sent his backup quarterback Monday, one day after McCown threw for 313 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-23 win over the New Orleans Saints.

Injured starter Jeff Garcia will play Sunday at Houston if his sore back shows enough improvement during the week.

Gruden said the fact that the Bucs have a commanding three-game lead in the NFC South with four games to play will not be a factor in the decision to start Garcia.

"We feel like he's making improvement, and that's a good thing," Gruden said of Garcia. "I want him to tell me he's ready to go and see him move around pain-free. He's getting better, and for the time being, we'll continue to work with Bruce (Gradkowski) and Luke."

Garcia was the inactive third quarterback against the Saints and moved gingerly during warmups. But Gruden reiterated there is nothing structurally wrong with Garcia's back and he has another day of rest before the Bucs begin preparations Wednesday for the Texans.

Although the Bucs have a handle on the division, they have an outside chance to gain the No.2 seed in the NFC and possibly a first-round bye in the playoffs.

"He's a needed guy on our football team," Gruden said. "We need to win another game. We're in the fight of our lives to win every Sunday, and this week will be no different. If Garcia's cleared to play, he'll play."

McCown, who completed his first 15 passing attempts and connected with 10 receivers, said he supported Gruden's decision to return to a healthy Garcia.

"That's not my decision. That's Coach's decision," McCown said. "Jeff is the starter. He's the reason we're in this position. He's the reason that we've gotten this far. He's played extremely well, so there's no reason for me to say I would be disappointed. I understand my role right now on this team and that's to do whatever I can, whether it be practice or play, to help us win."

But there is a strong likelihood that Garcia could miss practice time or perhaps another game, so McCown could get plenty of reps with the first-team offense again this week.

"I'm going to approach this week like I approach every week, preparing as I have throughout training camp and throughout the season," McCown said. "I'm sure Jeff will be ready to go. He certainly seems like it. You always have to be prepared to play. That's been my mind-set from day one of training camp."

Gruden was effusive in his praise of the performance by McCown, who helped the Bucs rack up 466 total yards of offense in a noisy Superdome.

"He showed a lot of poise," Gruden said. "That was a very loud, difficult place to play for any quarterback. They were jacked up. The Saints are at full strength, getting (defensive linemen) Charles Grant and (Brian) Young back. I thought he showed tremendous poise and great command, and he also made a lot of plays. Those three things stood out in my mind."

McCown, who had been the Bucs No.3 quarterback since Week2, said he didn't leave Sunday's game thinking he had proved somebody wrong.

"I felt like it was an opportunity to play," McCown said. "The game will speak for itself, but my focus is going in to help this team win. I wasn't out there trying to prove a point. I wasn't trying to prove anybody wrong.

"I was trying to win a championship, and if any one person goes out there and says I'm going to prove you wrong, I'm going to prove this guy wrong or the rest of the league wrong - that's the wrong mind-set. Then, we're not collectively on the same page. So my mind-set was, 'Let's go win the game.'"

Times staff writer Joanne Korth contributed to this report.

[Last modified December 4, 2007, 01:06:35]