Quarterback Questions

For the first time in what seems like a long time, the Bucs will start the season with the same quarterback that started the previous season. But the possibility of that happening three years in a row is in doubt. Despite having a consistent quarterback, things might not work out for the future. Jeff Garcia is 38 years old, and I believe he has only 3 years left in him, barring injury. Ultimately, the Bucs are trying to get Garcia a contract extension, but I can’t imagine him playing much longer. With that said, coach Jon Gruden is said to have been shopping around for quarterbacks, namely in the Draft. As far as I’m concerned, I can only agree with the Bucs way of thinking if they’re thinking the same way I am. They would only need a quarterback for two reasons:

A. The Future
B. Insurance

The future is the biggest question for the Bucs when it comes to the QB. Garcia only has a few years left in him, so picking up a young quarterback in the draft would provide Tampa with a man for the future. Luke McCown is good, but does he have what it takes to be a starter? There is also Chris Simms, but there are so many questions regarding him, that nobody knows what the future holds for him. As for Bruce Gradkowski, well, he’s just a joke. A young quarterback fresh from the draft could join the Bucs, and spend a few years learning their system before taking the starting job. While no draft pick is a guaranteed success, the Bucs would have better luck with someone who is young, as opposed to someone who is old and worn-out, like Daunte Culpepper, whom Gruden has shown interest in.

When it comes to the insurance part, the draft pick would be known as more of a “just in case” guy. Just in case Garcia would retire or get injured, the draft pick would be there to pick up the slack. Just in case Garcia gets hurt and the other quarterbacks can’t handle the team, the draft pick would have his shot. Just in case Garcia turns into Brad Johnson, the draft pick would be there. If the Bucs picked a quarterback in the draft, he would quite literally be insurance in case of emergency.

While the Bucs quarterback of the future remains in doubt, Garcia is interested in sticking around. He has said that he would like to finish his career as a Buccaneer, which is something we could all be proud of.