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QB Could Be Big Part Of Draft Plans

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By ROY CUMMINGS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 10, 2008

TAMPA - It has now been 10 years since the Bucs spent a first- or second-round draft pick on a quarterback. Don't think Bucs coach Jon Gruden doesn't know it.

Gruden sat watching Senior Bowl workouts at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala., two weeks ago virtually lamenting that fact and all but vowing to do something about it.

"Do you know who the last quarterback was that we drafted in the first or second round?" Gruden asked. "It was Shaun King. I think he's an analyst now for ESPN. It'd be nice to pick somebody that high again."

If ever there was a time to take such a chance, this would seem to be it. Jeff Garcia is the best Bucs quarterback since Brad Johnson, but he'll be 38 when the 2008 season starts so quarterback is something of a need.

Not only that, but Gruden's new contract would seem to give him renewed authority to do his thing again. And drafting his guy at quarterback is something Gruden no doubt is eager to do.

Chris Simms never really has been Gruden's guy. He wasn't totally on board with drafting him, he doesn't really like that he's left-handed and he's not sure if he'll ever play at a high level again after having his spleen removed in September 2006.

And while Luke McCown has shown some flashes of ability, he's also shown that he doesn't quite have that alarm in his head that goes off whenever a pass rusher is about to sack him.

As for Bruce Gradkowski, he seems destined to be a backup, which is not a knock. Everybody needs a solid backup. But what Gruden seems to want and what the Bucs need most is a replacement for Garcia.

The situation is similar to what it was at middle linebacker a few years ago. The Bucs had a superb starter in Shelton Quarles, but they needed an heir apparent, so they drafted Barrett Ruud in the second round in 2005.

We're not suggesting Gruden will forsake other areas of need just to add a quarterback. He is well aware of the need for upgrades and increased depth at wide receiver, tight end and running back.

And the likelihood is the Bucs will use their first pick to fill one of those needs. But if someone akin to Brady Quinn starts falling down the charts again, the Bucs may step up and stop his fall.

There already is a strong likelihood that will happen because several top-level quarterbacks once ticketed for the first round already have begun to slide. Because of limited need and growing concern over their ability to play right away, Kentucky's Andre Woodson, Delaware's Joe Flacco and Michigan's Chad Henne are now being seen as second-round properties.

Gruden probably can't help but smile at such a proposition. He seemed to be watching Woodson very closely at the Senior Bowl. He also clearly was impressed with the arm strength and skill that Flacco displayed there.

And if Gruden could get someone such as Woodson, Flacco or Henne in the second round, he'd probably consider it quite a coup for the Bucs, one that, at least in his eyes, is long overdue.

SUPER BOWL LONG SHOTS: About 12 hours after the clock ticked down on Super Bowl XLII, the favorites for Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa were established.

According to BodogLife.com, Tampa Bay is a 40-1 shot to win the game slated for Raymond James Stadium.

New Orleans came in as a 25-1 shot, while the odds of fellow Southeast Division rivals Carolina and Atlanta are set at 45-1 and 100-1, respectively.

The Patriots, not surprisingly, are the favorites at 4-1. Dallas and the Giants are the top NFC favorites at 10-1 each.

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