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'He Wants Every Play To Be A Touchdown'

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By Joe Henderson, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 30, 2007

Updated: 09/29/2007 11:44 pm

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Jon Gruden calls it 'the look.'

'I just wish you guys could see the look in his eyes on the field. I know he's taking that out to our huddle,' he said. 'I know he's putting those eyes on those guys in the huddle, and I know it has something to do with the way they're playing.'

Tight end Alex Smith calls it the 'trickle-down effect.'

'When he's scrambling around, trying to keep plays going, or when he's diving head-first for first downs, we see that,' Smith said. 'Those are the type of things that where you don't necessarily have to say anything. He's just putting it out there on the field, and it makes you want to do the same.'

Linebacker Derrick Brooks knows what leadership looks like. Right now, it wears No. 7.

'He has everybody believing. He has bought into what Coach Gruden is doing, and Coach obviously has bought into how Jeff plays,' Brooks said. 'That's just good chemistry that's going to help us win ball games.'

Jeff, as you have no doubt guessed, is Jeff Garcia - the Bucs' new 'old' quarterback, the triggerman Gruden lusted for to put go-go juice into his West Coast offense. Everyone understood that Garcia would be an upgrade at quarterback, but who knew one man could make such a difference in a unit that was rudderless and hopeless for much of 2006?

They are using words like 'fiery' and 'leadership' to talk about Garcia's impact. They talk about how well he manages the game, how he has no interceptions through three games. Chris Simms had seven picks through three games last season, all losses, before his season ended prematurely against, gulp, Carolina.

'I just expect that out of myself,' Garcia said. 'It's expected out of the quarterback position, so it shouldn't be a shock to me. It's something I fully anticipate, and I appreciate being that guy for this team. I want to be the guy that leads this team.'

The Bucs are 2-1 as they prepare to face the Panthers. Usually, the sight of Carolina on the schedule means it's a good day to clean the gutters; the Panthers have won seven of the past eight times they have played the Bucs.

But then, it has been at least that long since the Bucs had a quarterback like this.

Takes Responsibility

The St. Louis Rams missed a field goal as a hard rain began to fall at Raymond James Stadium late in the first half last week in a scoreless tie. Starting at their 32-yard line after the two-minute warning, Garcia completed four passes and drove the Bucs to the Rams' 17, where Matt Bryant converted a field goal for the first points of the game as the half ended.

When the offense moved for a touchdown on the first drive of the second half, the Rams never got closer than seven points again.

'The two-minute drill right before the half; he was outstanding. There were a couple of great plays, Pro Bowl plays, in that drive,' Gruden said. 'He was victimized a couple times by dropped passes; I think Ike Hilliard dropped one, Mike Clayton dropped one. But he kept his poise and converted a couple third-and-10s, one on his own. He pulled a Houdini act to get a first down.'

Garcia has made a career out of such things. His mobility was a major attraction to Gruden, and he has shown a stronger arm than we were led to believe he had. But what you don't fully appreciate until it is on display at a stadium near you is that will to win. It really is noticeable, and it translates in the huddle.

'It's not that I single myself out,' Garcia said. 'I always put myself in a position where I'm helping this team; it's not a matter of shouldering the entire burden. We all have to find ways to lead. As far as I'm concerned, it's about stepping into that huddle. It's about having fire on the field. It's about overcoming adversity at times during the game. It's about helping this team bail itself out of difficult situations.

'And it's about decision-making. It's about going out there and executing what we have called and what we have to do as an offense and eliminating mistakes. If I can continue to do those things, not only do I show leadership through how I play, but it also starts to pick up the energy level and expectations of my teammates around me.'

That energy level sometimes translates in ways that cause Gruden's blood pressure to spike. When you see Garcia taking on a tackler head-first or dodging linemen and linebackers, the next thought is automatic: What is he doing? He's 37 years old! When he went down and out of the Seattle game during Week 1, Gruden could see the season pass before him.

Might as well get used to it, though. Garcia won't change.

'I worry about him. I've said that. If he has blood coming out of his mouth, blood coming anywhere else out of you, 'Jeff? You all right?' He's unbelievable,' Gruden said.

Has A Chance

Gruden hitched the season and, in many ways, his coaching future here to Garcia. It has been a good gamble. His offense depends on timing and decision-making, both of which are Garcia's strengths.

And the way he has simply taken charge - even squabbling with Gruden over the choice of plays from time to time - is further proof he is the right guy at the right time for this team.

'As soon as he got here in the offseason, he kind of assumed the leadership role and has had no problems since then,' Smith said. 'It was just a question of him feeling more comfortable with the offense and his teammates. I think he has taken it in full stride, and he continues to get better and better.'

It's still early in the season, but it's not too soon to acknowledge that it has been a while since we've had that here, at least on offense. Sure, the two wins came against St. Louis and New Orleans, a combined 0-6. The bigger questions will be answered later, starting today.

But you see how the team responds under Garcia. You see the grit and the leadership. You see the blood.

You see what Smith called the trickle-down effect.

You see the wins.

You see the big picture. You like the look.

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