Garcia, Gradkowski, Or Luke…Oh My!!

So which will play on Sunday? Our starter, Garcia? Our QB that can't hit the broad side of a barn, Bruce? Or "use the Force," Luke? If I had my druthers, Garcia would go, and there are some indications that he's getting better, as he apparently took a few reps today. But he'll need to still greatly improve to play Sunday. He's improving quickly, but will it be enough? Some don't think he should play, and should rest for a couple of weeks, but the reality is that we need to win this game. Winning this game means that any combination of another Bucs' win, or both a Saints and Panthers loss, means we win the Division.

No, if we lose this game, we really can't wrap the Division up for 3 more games after that. So, in essence, this is it. If Garcia can go, he should go. He can rest and be injured on the first play of the next game he does get into. See if he can go, and if he gets a little banged up, you can always pull him later. But if he can't go. If the back is just too bad, then who should go in his place? In my mind, I would go with Luke. During Preseason he showed a greater command of the offense, and an ability to make all the throws and make plays with his feet. He still needs to improve his game speed so as not to take too many sacks, but he's clearly a guy that provides a real passing threat. That will keep the running game open, or allow us to take advantage of a very weak secondary without proper help. If Bruce plays, the Saints will just stuff 9 men in the box and dare him to beat them. That's what everyone did to him last year, and that's what the Skins did to him after the first half.

Without the credible passing game, the running game will go nowhere and we need it to keep winning. Luke has the talent and the smarts to be a starter in this league. It's why Hackett wanted Gruden and Allen to bring him in. Luke just doesn't have enough experience to be at full game speed. He got there during Preseason, but now he's only been running the scout team since. It may take him a little while to get it going, but if he can play anywhere near as good as he did in August, it will be enough to help this offense put some points on the board and give the defense a chance. Let's go with Luke, if Garcia can't go, and hope he can do just enough to get the win.