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Garcia Hobbled By Strained Right Calf

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By ROY CUMMINGS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 1, 2008

LAKE BUENA VISTA - The Bucs' interest in acquiring Packers quarterback Brett Favre might have gone up a notch or two Thursday.

When their own quarterback, Jeff Garcia, strained his right calf during a late-morning non-contact drill, the scenario in which the Bucs would most likely take a run at Favre developed.

The likelihood of the disgruntled Favre becoming a Buccaneer remains slim, though.

For starters, Garcia's calf strain is not believed to be serious. Though he was later seen on crutches and wearing a protective boot, he could miss only a day or two of workouts. The need to find a replacement does not appear to be pressing.

Second, the price tag on Favre is still too great. The Packers continue to ask for a third-round pick that would likely become a first if Favre meets certain performance goals, and the Bucs consider that too high.

Finally, Favre continues to show little or no interest in playing for the Bucs. Given an opportunity to discuss a trade directly with the Bucs and the New York Jets, Favre chose to ignore both teams.
Bucs coach Jon Gruden, meanwhile, is trying to ignore the injuries that are mounting on his team. But the list of wounded Buccaneers has now grown too large and too significant for that.

In addition to losing Garcia, the Bucs also watched Thursday as starting defensive tackle Jovan Haye went down with a groin strain that could keep him out for several days, at least.

Seen walking to and from an afternoon workout that was closed to the media, Haye was asked how he felt. "I'll be ready to go," he said. Asked when he would be ready to go, Haye shrugged his shoulders and said, "I don't know."

What Gruden would like to know is when this sudden rash of injuries will end. The loss of Garcia and Haye brought to five the number of projected starters sitting on the sideline.

The others who missed work Thursday were wide receiver Joey Galloway (groin), center Jeff Faine (back) and fullback B.J. Askew (ankle). Reserve safety Sabby Piscitelli and wideout hopeful Chad Lucas also sat out.

"I can't digest all these things," Gruden said. "It's maddening. But that's football. You've got to be able to adjust and trust your training staff and do what you think is right with the players.

"But that's universal. If you went to everybody's camp you're going to see eight or nine key players that might leave practice or might not practice. I don't believe we have one serious injury other than Torrie Cox."

Cox, a special teams standout, is out for the season with a knee injury. The Bucs are also missing running back Cadillac Williams (knee) and left tackle Luke Petitgout (knee), both of whom are on the Physically Unable to Perform list.

None of those three played a significant role in the Bucs' bounce-back season last year. The injury situation, then, is not as dire as it might seem - unless, of course, Garcia's injury is more serious than believed.

Gruden said repeatedly, however, that neither Garcia's nor Haye's injuries were believed to be serious. And he was not too concerned that both would miss some practice time.

"We've got plenty of quarterbacks to pick up the slack here," said Gruden, who watched Garcia gut it out through a sore hamstring during last year's camp. Garcia might try to do the same this year.

If not, Gruden said he will use the opportunity to take a better look at rookie Josh Johnson and Chris Simms. The first-team snaps, meanwhile, will no doubt be shared by Brian Griese and Luke McCown.

At under tackle, the Bucs will likely take a longer look at Greg Peterson, the North Carolina Central product who was selected as a project player in the fifth round of the 2007 draft.

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

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