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Garcia Hints At Holdout

Posted May 13, 2008 by Roy Cummings

Updated May 13, 2008 at 07:01 PM

Video: Garcia Speaks Out

TAMPA - Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia has never staged a contract holdout in his life. His first, however, may be right around the corner.

Still unhappy with the progress - or lack thereof - of contract negotiations, Garcia suggested Tuesday that a holdout may be in the offing if the Bucs don’t pony up and meet his demands for an extension.

Poll


Should the Bucs meet quarterback Jeff Garcia’s salary demands?
Yes. They have room under the cap and he deserves it.

No. He is too old, gets hurt too much and is not the only option.



“There might come a time when I might have to stand up,’’ Garcia said. “I hate to do that to jeopardize my teammates because they’re out here, and I don’t want to let them down in any sort of way. But at some point you just want to see the respect from up top.’‘

Garcia first made it clear he was unhappy with the status of contract negotiations last month. He is entering the final year of a two-year deal worth $7 million and is believed to be seeking an extension that will bring his total payout to the league average for starters, which is roughly $7 million.

Age is one factor working against Garcia. He will be 39 when the 2009 season begins, so the Bucs are no doubt hesitant to throw a lot of money at him at this time. Garcia, though, is not believed to be asking for a lot of money.

He wants his 2008 payout to match his status as a starter and he wants to recover the seven-figure incentive he would have earned had the team’s decision to rest him down the stretch last year - after it had clinched the NFC South title - not kept him from taking 70 percent of the snaps. Anything short of that almost certainly will leave Garcia an unhappy camper. Or not a camper at all.

And speaking of unhappy campers, Earnest Graham did not attend Tuesday’s voluntary workout either. Graham, who is also embroiled in contract negotiations, has yet to show for a voluntary workout this offseason. He told The Tribune last month that he missed the first round of workouts because of family commitments and planned on attending the second round of workouts.

His absence on Tuesday, however, could be a sign that he too is unhappy with the state of contract talks.

One players who does seem satisfied, at least for now, is Jovan Haye. Haye said Tuesday that he has signed a deal to remain with the Bucs. It is believed that Haye, a restricted free agent, signed a one-year tender worth a little more than $2 million.

Reader Comments

Por (Wayne Huber) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

Walk!!!

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Por (Aaron Long) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

In my honest opinion, let him hold out. Garcia did well for us last year, but in my opinion it wouldn’t hurt to allow guys like Luke McCown or Josh Johnson a little extra time..sure we’d see growing pains, and a few young mistakes, but it help figure out who our true future is…

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Por (BUC DEEZ) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

Look here Jeff if you didn’t get your money from the other nine teams you played for don’t try it with us but honestly Jeff u don’t wanna play that game with B-Greasy in the cut he did quite well with the O before the injury why u think Chicago paid him. Now get your A** to OTA’S and be glad your starting for a playoff bound team. As for E.G. do what u gotta do hope it works bra.

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Por (Greg M) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

Hey Rumor Roy I thought you were sort of supposed to be a reporter? So don’t start a rumor that Graham may holdout unless you actually have evidence of him stating that.

Oh, and the Bucs are well under the cap and should reward the players that stepped up and had great years last year, i.e. Garcia, Graham, White.

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Por (ref813) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

I don’t see why we don’t give him one more year and pay him a bit more.  When are we going to spend that money?  Haye just signed that tender so we can’t lock him up for a few years at a reasonable price.  If he has another good season, it’s going to cost a lot to keep him. 
Griese couldn’t beat out Grossman.  I can’t believe anyone would suggest he’s a much better option.  Garcia isn’t great, but he’s probably our best option if we want to win THIS YEAR.  The others could still learn and be ready to go in a year or two.  Put Griese in as starter and he gets hurt, then what?  McCown may be able to win half of the games he plays, if he’s gotten smarter.  I think Garcia will be better this year, especially if the WRs improve.

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Por (Mitch R) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

Garcia isn’t goint to hold out.  Look at the source of the story, Mr. Doom and Gloom himself.  I’m waiting for the retraction later this week stating that, “It’s no surprise that Garcia isn’t going to hold out…”.  Just you wait.  Roy is wrong times than the local weatherman.

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Por (Bobby Renault) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

“He is entering the final year of a two-year deal worth $7 million and is believed to be seeking an extension that will bring his total payout to the league average for starters, which is roughly $7 million.”

“Garcia, though, is not believed to be asking for a lot of money.”

I’m assuming from the above two paragraphs, which are back to back in this story, that Garcia is seeking $7 million a year and that Roy doesn’t think that is a lot of money. I wonder what Roy would think is a lot of money for him to ask for?

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Por (Michael Singleton) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

I’m sick and tired of these crying B@#$hes that signed a contract and then expect more. You should have placed more incentives in the contract so that your sorry ##### could have gotten the money you seek now. Your almost 40 years old. Just like someone else said about Griese he was playing great before he got hurt. To be honest I think the Bucs could have gone to the Super Bowl that year if he doesn’t get hurt. He played better than Brad Johnson did when we won it. Then Simms came in and screwed it all up. I just ask for one thing this year besides Super Bowl Champs and that is to STAY HEALTHY!

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Por (David) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

“Tightning” of the purse strings another newspaper in town reported. Manchester United debt is making the Glazers tell Bruce Allen to save, save and save some more.

25 million over the cap and not spending? A $900.00 increase in my season tickets?

Sounds like they have severe debt or getting ready to sell.

Gave my tickets up. Glad I did.

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Por (drumminscott) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

He should get the bonus $$$ he would have earned if he wasn’r rested BUT he was rested because he got injured again,that being said…I am sure if he had a crappy year he would not be sending $$$ back to the Bucs. Give him his bonus and if he makes it through a whole season in 2008, they can give him a year to year deal for the league average. As for Graham, well we should have signed Micahel Turner for $40M if we wee going to pay $37M for a center. Now we got another crying RB aka Errick Rhett.

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Por (BigBucFan) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

This problem or Rumor should not be in the Media Period. Why is Roy digging this up. Did Garcia call Roy and say “Roy can you make Allen pay me more. I just can’t live on less than $7 mil/year.” Earnest Graham ran well because he had Blocking up front. I like them both, but cut them loose if they don’t want what was agreed to by their agents. This should all be private, in house Buc Business and Jeff & Earnest should both keep their Salaries private. Does anybody want to know how much $$$ I make? No & No one cares. Can you talk Football Roy & not the business of it? Roy, you talk too much.

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Por (Mitch R) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

Hey BigBucFan, how much money do you make?  I’m curious what the going salary is in Sarasota.

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Por (Dan) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

Hey!! Lets see if Bret Favre wants to play again. lol Lets offer him some money.
  Anyway “yes” make Jeff happy. Thats all we need is to have our starting QB to play unhappy. He is not asking for much. Right now we need him on the field.

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Por (Greg) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

He is 39 years old. Let him walk. Give him the cane if necessary. Seriously, if Bucs held him back from making a benchmark in his contract, pay what he would have reached had he not been pulled from the games. Otherwise, wait and see how he plays this year before doing an extension. It’s not like he is going to go anywhere else for more money.

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Por (BigBucFan) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

Hey Mitch, I’m a General Contractor….So not much $$$. At least not now. I did manage to keep my Season Tickets though…& Beer Money. I like The Brett Favre idea. Now if we could only import Giant Fans & give them Buc Jerseys we might have something.

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Por (Herb) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

garcia isnt worth paying alot more. he’s too fragile. him sitting out at the end of the year and “just missing” his bonus is a result of his own fragility. he was sat out because they were afraid of him getting his 38 year old bones crushed.. garcia is too old to expect much more money. this year his 39 year old bones wont hold up a full season.

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Por (Herb) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

besides… i think Greise can carry the load as QB for the bucs. greise was the starter a few years ago and was leading us to some nice victories before he had a season ending injury.

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Por (Mitch R) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

Griese is not the answer at QB this year.  He’s a steady backup and a good insurance policy, but he’s not mobile and throws too many interceptions.  I’m more comfortable with McCown than Griese.

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Por (Mitch R) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

Come on BigBucFan, all that Ringling Bros money in Sarasota and you ain’t getting a piece?

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Por (Tom Bailey) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

Give Jeff the money for the missed snaps. That was not his doing. Then say goodbye !!!!!

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Por (Tommy Wilkerson) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

Hey BigBucFan I have got one word to describe your post. STUPIDITY. Garcia deserves to be paid what he is asking for. He isn’t wanting a huge contract, he just wants what he missed out on last season when he was sat by the higher ups. Please realize that without Garcia we are a below .500 team. McCown showed promise but still needs to develop mentally and Griese is nothing more than a backup. Without Garcia we will be back at the bottom of division…

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Por (Tommy Wilkerson) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

...Earnest Graham undoubtedly deserves to be paid like a starter. He stepped in and proved his worth…alomst 1,000 yards in just 10 games (not to mention his 10 TDs). Our O-line was okay last year so let’s not get ahead of ourselves and say that Earnest’s production was the result of the line. I recall several TDs being the end result of him breaking tackles, stiff-arming and juking defenders. We are $30 million under the cap and are being cheap with our own players. We need to pay our playmakers. Garcia, Graham, and Galloway were our only consistent weapons on offense last year and without them we will not make the playoffs…

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Por (Tommy Wilkerson) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

...This defense is poised to make a Superbowl run but only if we have the offense to supplement their production. It amazes me how stupid some of our so-called “fans” can be.

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Por (Ray) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

This sounds just like Keenan McCardell situation a few years back.  Hey Jeff you need to have Keenan’s number on quick dial.  I have a feeling this has to do more with the Glazers, than Allen/Gruden.  After all, Glazer’s Manchester United lost quite a bit last year. Way to go Joel/Bryan for squibbling daddy’s money.

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Por (Eric Anderson) on May 13, 2008 (Suggest removal)

heres a thing to think about. i know that griese wasn’t to good in chicago but he was good for us. so if i was jeff i would sort of be watching my back you got a 4 other happy qbs that may not be to the skill level as you but are going to give. plus roy don’t know what he’s talking about most of the time anyway like going from 7 mill over two years to seven mill a year is a small diference. they should say look we’ll give you 5 mill this year you show you can be a everydown qb and we’ll let you hit the market next year and see what you do…....... if i rember right his door wasn’t being beat down for his services before we signed him.

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