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Gruden Expects Garcia To Open At Quarterback

Tribune photo by CLIFF MCBRIDE

Hobbled by a sore calf, Jeff Garcia plans to start Sunday at Atlanta.

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By ROY CUMMINGS

rcummings@tampatrib.com

Published: December 13, 2008

Updated: 12/13/2008 02:37 am

TAMPA - Quarterback Jeff Garcia spent most of Friday's workout at One Buc Place watching from the sidelines. He's not likely to do the same come game time Sunday in Atlanta.

Though he was limited by a sore calf for the third straight day, Garcia is expected to start Sunday's crucial NFC South game against the Falcons at the Georgia Dome. What happens after that is anyone's guess.

"Jeff's our starter and I'll leave it at that," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said Friday when pressed on the matter. "If we have to make an adjustment we will."

Any adjustment the Bucs make likely will include turning the offense over to backup Luke McCown, who has not played a snap all season but took a large portion of the first-team reps in practice this week.

After talking to Garcia and his team trainers, however, Gruden is optimistic he won't have to go to an alternate plan and that Garcia will function just fine despite the ailment and lack of practice time.

"You never like to see a guy not practice, especially at that position, but Garcia is an experienced guy," Gruden said. "He did take some reps Thursday and the day before, so he has participated to a degree.

"This is a tough situation, but around the league guys do miss time at the quarterback position and sometimes it does reflect in their performance. Sometimes, guys play better after they get an extra day to heal."

Garcia declined interview requests Friday and was listed as questionable on the Bucs' official injury report.

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979.

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