Win Caps Happy Week For Bucs QB Garcia

It took several months for Tampa Bay quarterback Jeff Garcia to finally have one week of pleasure.

Garcia was displeased about not receiving a new contract during the summer. He battled injuries during training camp and struggled on the field. Garcia was benched after a lackluster season-opening performance and was inactive for three consecutive weeks.

All of those bad memories were wiped out when Garcia reclaimed his starting job this week. Later, his wife, Carmella, informed Garcia she was pregnant with their second child. Garcia capped his good week by leading Tampa Bay to a 27-3 victory against Carolina, giving his team a 2-1 NFC South record.

"Whatever it was, I put it behind me," Garcia said. "I really believe that even though I wasn't starting, there are a lot of great things going on in my life, a lot of things to be thankful for, and that is how I had to spin things."

Garcia's seesaw career has done a full rotation since last season.

After playing in last year's Pro Bowl as an alternate, Garcia was reduced to scout-team duties after his performance against New Orleans. Only after Brian Griese hurt his throwing elbow during a loss against Denver did Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden re-evaluate Garcia's bench status.

"He's healthy," Gruden said. "I've been saying all along that the guy's been hurt. He's healthy and that has a lot to do with playing good. He's had a number of injuries. I think he's healthy and I think it showed today."

What Garcia did well was effectively manage his team.

He completed 15 of 20 passes for 173 yards and one touchdown, but more importantly, did not throw any interceptions, nor was he sacked.

In the fourth quarter, Garcia showed why he is such a dangerous quarterback.

Tampa Bay faced third-and-2 on Carolina's 6-yard line before Garcia scrambled 5 yards for a first down. Bucs running back Earnest Graham ran 1 yard for a touchdown on the next play, solidifying Tampa Bay's 27-3 victory.

"I thought that one play speaks volumes of his play today," center Jeff Faine said. "It was huge. He had five guys coming in at him and he still dove to make the first down. That is the type of guy Jeff is."

The type of guy who waited months for one good week.

"Football can be a grind at times," Garcia said. "There is a lot of mental work put into it that people don't understand. To get that news fatherhood early Thursday morning to start my day, it was the best news that I could have heard. It really kick-started my week and made it a better week."