Garcia likely to start Sunday with Griese nursing a bum elbow
Sports Network | October 09, 2008
Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Brian Griese missed practice for the second straight day Thursday due to a right elbow injury, which made Jeff Garcia the favorite to start under center against the Panthers on Sunday.
Bucs head coach Jon Gruden was pleased with what he saw from Garcia, who took the majority of the snaps with the first-team offense, and said the San Jose State product would be the team's signal caller if Griese's elbow doesn't improve.
"He (Garcia) had a good practice today," Gruden said. "He took all the reps for the most part, and Luke (McCown) took the backup reps. There's a certain functional ability that he has between the tackles, a creative element that he has. When he has it, you can tell he has it. And he had it today and I was really, really pleased with how he performed out there."
Griese, who underwent an MRI that revealed no structural damage to the elbow, was driven into the ground by Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey late in the third quarter of Sunday's 16-13 loss to Denver. Garcia, the Week 1 starter, took over for Griese in the setback.
Garcia, who hadn't sniffed the field since the season-opener against New Orleans, threw for 93 yards with a touchdown and an interception on 13-of-17 passing Sunday as Tampa Bay's comeback effort fell just short.
"Both guys can get the job done," said Bucs wide receiver Michael Clayton. "It's just a matter of focusing in. No matter who is in there, we have full confidence in both guys."
The quarterback who led the club to an NFC South title last season, Garcia threw for 221 yards with a touchdown and an interception, connecting on 24- of-41 throws in the loss to New Orleans. He also sustained an ankle injury against the Saints and watched Griese lead the Bucs to a Week 2 win over Atlanta, the first of three straight victories for the Michigan product.
"I have not practiced at all during a week and then played at times during my career," Griese said. "It's not the way that you want to do it but it has happened before."
