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McCown Just Might Be The Man For Bucs

Tribune file photo by JAY CONNER

Luke McCown could be the answer for the Bucs at quarterback, if given a legitimate shot at the job.

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By JOE HENDERSON

jhenderson@tampatrib.com

Published: February 12, 2009

Updated: 02/13/2009 12:15 am

TAMPA - There were a lot of weird moments in the recently completed season for the Bucs, but perhaps the strangest involved a quarterback who threw only one pass all year.

That, of course, would be Luke McCown. Who among us can forget how McCown was supposed to start at Atlanta when it became clear Jeff Garcia wouldn't be able to play? McCown got most of the work in practice that week, only to learn at the last minute that Brian Griese would get the call.

Jon Gruden's explanation afterward was classic. He said all the work in practice was designed to get McCown "prepared to be the backup."

Well, there's nothing more entertaining around these parts than the game of quarterback roulette at One Buc, especially when no less than Mel Kiper opines that the Bucs should consider spending a first-round pick at the position come draft day. I would never presume to debate Mel or his hair on such matters.

So it was interesting earlier this week when McCown shunned any attempt at free agency to sign a two-year deal with the Bucs. It sounds like the new brains running the Bucs may be happy with the quarterbacks currently on campus.

No one has said the job is his, but they say he will get a real chance to show that his athleticism, big arm and passing touch can translate to production in an actual National Football League game. You can almost bet the remnants of your 401(k) that Garcia won't be back, which could leave McCown in a battle with second-year man Josh Johnson.

I wouldn't rule Johnson out yet, but McCown probably goes in as the favorite.

He hasn't played much in his time here and was inconsistent when he did, but he might do better in the system of new offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski - if only because he won't need a degree in advanced calculus to simply take a snap. It took longer to call a play in the huddle under Gruden than it actually took to run it.

Of course, unless the Bucs get better production from their receivers, it won't matter if Brett Favre is quarterback (JUST KIDDING!). We know they have to re-sign Antonio Bryant but he can't do it alone, although he tried to for much of last season.

Everyone wonders if Michael Clayton will return, but it might be wise to remember forgotten men Maurice Stovall and Dexter Jackson as well. I always thought Stovall could be a decent possession receiver if he had a real chance to play, and they need to find out if 5-foot-9 Jackson can really use all that speed at wideout or if the Bucs just badly botched a second-round pick.

So many questions. The combine is next week, followed by free agency and the draft, so a lot of things can change. For now, though, McCown may get to sit in the big-boy chair. Unless, of course, they're just preparing him to be the backup.

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