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Same QB Key To NFL Winners So Far

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By ROY CUMMINGS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 6, 2007

Updated: 12/06/2007 12:17 am

TAMPA - It has been said a team can't win big in the NFL without a good quarterback. This year, it seems, a team can't win big without the same quarterback.

Unless it's the Bucs.

The Bucs are the only division leader and one of only two NFL teams with winning records that have not had the same quarterback start every game for them this season.

Now, the Bucs aren't exactly bucking a trend here. They've started a quarterback other than Jeff Garcia just once all season, and if Garcia has his way that's how it will stay.

"I believe I will play," Garcia said when asked if he expected to play Sunday against the Texans at Reliant Stadium. "I'm preparing to play and I'm sure they will leave that somewhat up to me.

"As far as I'm concerned, I won't be risking anything. I feel like I'm getting back to a place where I'm healthy again. It's not without some ache, but that's just part of the soreness working its way out."

The soreness Garcia spoke of is in his lower back. It has been there since he was injured on the first play of the game against the Redskins two weeks ago at Raymond James Stadium.

In addition to missing most of that game, Garcia's back injury also forced him to miss all but one practice last week as well as the Bucs game against the Saints on Sunday in New Orleans, where Luke McCown filled in.

McCown turned in a Garcia-like performance. He completed 29 of 37 passes for 313 yards and two touchdowns and led the Bucs to 27-23 victory that gave them a virtually insurmountable lead in the NFC South title race.

But not even McCown expects to play ahead of a healthy Garcia this week. Nor does McCown believe he deserves to play ahead of Garcia, whom many consider the Bucs' most valuable player this year.

"The one game I played in doesn't outweigh what Jeff has done all year," McCown said. "He's the reason we're where we are. He's the starter and when he's ready to play he'll play."

Garcia declared himself ready Wednesday and followed up by taking a good share of the reps during the Bucs walkthrough at One Buc Place. Later, Bucs coach Jon Gruden sounded very optimistic about Garcia's chances of playing.

"He was limited today but he was back, he took some reps and it was very encouraging," Gruden said. "If he can go he'll go, but I don't want to say anything definitive until I see how he is today when he comes back.

"But he did a lot more today than he did all last week, so he's really on the way back, and that's exciting. The things that Jeff Garcia does - sidearm throws, the ability to change directions, we're seeing signs of progress."

McCown continued to get a lot of reps as well, Gruden said, because the Bucs have to make sure he's prepared and sharp, should Garcia suffer a setback and not be able to play.

Gruden is also concerned about rushing Garcia, who Gruden said is still not 100 percent healed. He said he doesn't want to push him too soon and have Garcia suffer a setback so severe that he is forced to miss even more time.

"We had good reason for doing what we did today," Gruden said. "I don't want to rush Garcia back while he's making progress. But he is getting better and we hope he can play. We need him."

The trend around the league suggests they do. Outside of the Bucs, only Cleveland has built a better-than-.500 record while starting more than one quarterback.

"That's an interesting stat, but that is a key," said Texans coach Gary Kubiak, who is planning to start Sage Rosenfels ahead of an injured Matt Schaub (shoulder) at quarterback this week.

"If you keep that guy upright and you've got a good one you've got a chance to win week in and week out. It's difficult to have two good ones or even a third on your roster, especially in this day of free agency."

The Bucs believe they have two good quarterbacks, but they don't want to chance anything. That's why they appear to be planning to go with the guy who, as McCown said, got them where they are.

"I knew I still wasn't right Sunday," Garcia said. "But with every passing day now there's been great progress and so I feel like I'm at the point where I need to be."

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979 or at rcummings@tampatrib.com.

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