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Bucs Report
Gradkowski on trade block?


TAMPA - Chris Simms may not be the only Bucs quarterback who rival teams have little or no interest in trading for.

The Bucs appear to have at least floated Bruce Gradkowski name in trade talks during last weekend’s draft. Obviously, no one took the bait.

The attempt to move Gradkowski comes as no great surprise. The Bucs have a logjam at the quarterback position that only got worse when they drafted Josh Johnson in the fifth round out of San Diego on Sunday. It’s no great surprise that no one bit on Gradkowski either.

The Bucs were expected to draft another quarterback, thus expanding their glut of them to seven, if you count Jake Plummer. As a result, anyone who really would want Gradkowski, Simms or maybe even Luke McCown knows it will have a shot at them later this summer, when one or more of them is let go.

The Bucs have already said they have plans to bring just five quarterbacks to camp and with Jeff Garcia, Brian Griese and Johnson sure to fill three of those spots, one from the group of Simms, Gradkowski and McCown is likely to be moved before camps opens.

Of course, if the Bucs really wanted to alleviate the logjam they could probably move Griese. Word is the Bucs received several inquiries about Griese’s availability during the draft. The Bucs apparently made it clear, however, that they have no interest in letting Griese get away a second time.

Send Us Your Comments

Posted by  Travis Lynam, Morristown, TN on 05/06  at  10:30 AM

Steve from Tampa must not be a SEC fan. Probably a fan of a less than stellar conferance.


Posted by  Fred, Valrico on 05/05  at  09:26 PM

Sorry Dan, but Cris actually caught passes at U of F.  It’s on record. He may have been recruited as a qb, but he played receiver on both the college and pro level. He caught 120 passes for 1,997 yards and 14 touchdowns at U of F, while with the Bengals he gained over 1,000 yards four years and made the pro bowl three times. Wonder if that qualifies as a ‘legitamate’ receiver?


Posted by  Dan Shreve, Titusville,FL on 05/05  at  09:03 PM

FRED, incase nobody knows this Cris Collinsworth was a QB at UF and at High School “Astronaut High School.” That was the High School I went to and also played for in Titusville,FL. Of course he played way before me I played in 88’-91’. He wasn’t a reciever untill he got to the NFL.


Posted by  Fred, Valrico on 05/05  at  07:37 PM

Cris Collinsworth played for the Bengals and at one time held some NFL records.  Know what college he was from? ...I’ll let you look it up Forest.


Posted by  fred, valrico on 05/04  at  04:28 PM

Ricky Nattiel played for the Denver Broncos for a number of years (in the 80’s) and still holds a lot of Denver recieving records.  He was from U of F.


Posted by  steve, tampa on 05/03  at  04:26 PM

big difference between cutting it and becoming a big name.  Big name means consistent production, big numbers.  if you dont see the mans jersey in the mall,he probably not a big name.  if he plays for the local team and you dont see his jersey, definately not a big name.


Posted by  steve, tampa on 05/03  at  04:21 PM

hes not a big name anywhere(IKE).you just know his name watching him play on your team sundays.how is a reciever that averages 500yds a year a big name?darrel jackson is probably the best to come out of florida.5 seasons less than hilliard and has more yards by 1000 and 20 more tds.hes a consistent #2 and is the closest to a big name wr to come out of florida.certainly the most productive.ill agree that jackson is/is close to a big name,but hilliard.would you draft him in fantasy football-nowhy? because hes not that good and doesnt put up the numbers a big name does.roy williams,fitgerald,boldin,ward,t.o.,ochocinco,whosyourmamma,moss,harrison,wayne,chambers,ect.big names.hilliard comes nowhere near this group


Posted by  Herb Reberger, nokomis on 05/02  at  01:16 PM

I think a productive 11 year career in the NFL qualifies Hilliard as a “big name” he’s a big name in New York and Tampa. But whatever you say mr boardwarrior troll.
I’m not going to respond further… enjoy and talk all the trash you feel like.


Posted by  Mitch R, NYC on 05/02  at  10:21 AM

Hey Steve Darrell Jackson count?  He’s had 3 or 4 1000 yard seasons and was the #1 receiver for Seattle for a number of years.  And you should define “Cutting it in the NFL”.  Many UF receivers have come into the league and have had good years, maybe not elite years.  Ike Hilliard is a 10 year vet, that to me is “cutting it”.  Reche Caldwell, Gafney, Travis Taylor have all played 4+ years and have all started, that to me is “cutting it”.  If you compare them to Randy Moss or TO, you they don’t compare, but that’s not fair to judge them like that.


Posted by  steve, tampa on 05/02  at  01:57 AM

dee da dee


Posted by  steve, tampa on 05/02  at  01:55 AM

ps. it was made a name. not just make it into the nfl. 100+ people make it into the nfl ever year.  most of them wont make a name for themselves.  maybe i should have said a BIG name or a big production reciever.


Posted by  steve, tampa on 05/02  at  01:51 AM

hilliard never made a name and never will.  most of the time he has been a #3 reciever with a brief stint as a #2.  he has been #3-4 with the bucs. his best season ever he had 900 yards. best tds in a season....8.  over a 12 year career not quite 6000 yards.  thats an average of 500 a year. 31 tds in that time=2.5 a year.  with those monster numbers hes heading for the hall of fame! he is mediocre at bestany other big name recievers from florida? didnt think so


Posted by  Herb Reberger, nokomis on 05/01  at  08:21 PM

steve said to name 1 wideout from UF to make it in the NFL.

Ike Hilliard

duh


Posted by  Dan, Titusville on 05/01  at  07:56 PM

Bucs just signed QB SAM KELLER rookie from Nebraska. Anybody know anything about this kid?????


Posted by  Kyle Smith, Arizona on 05/01  at  12:53 PM

Grad will get cut. There is no way he is even worth a 7th rounder. We all know Garcia is the starter. Garcia has no competition in camp. Griese is a good back up who can manage a game and understands Grudens O. Simms is worth at least a 6th rounder to some team. I do not think he will be a Buc for too much longer. McCown could be a really good QB in this league one day but his time to prove himself is running out. This Johnson kid we drafted is definitely a project. He has speed that might be interesting to see in our west coast style. As far as Plummer….forget it. My guess is that the Bucs QB roster will look like this soon – Garcia, Griese, McCown, Johnson.


Posted by  Nick, oviedo on 04/30  at  11:17 PM

Why trade when you can swoopin for free when they cut 2 or 3 qbs and force the contract of your choice or just be the highest bidder?


Posted by  Michael Harris, Oldsmar, FL on 04/30  at  08:42 PM

Here’s another QB the Bucs needed to trade.  I have him graded below Chris Simms.  It’s probably a little late for a trade, since most teams who MIGHT be interested in him, realize he’ll be cut before the season begins.  He’s a typical 3rd string QB in the league.  He’s better suited for the CFL, which is where he’ll likely end up after July.


Posted by  Daniel E, Tampa on 04/30  at  06:16 PM

Dan Shreve, Hit the crack pipe again!! There is no gaurentee Caddy will return or be effective when he does. Bennett hasn’t shown he can pick up a blitz and is only 5’9”.I never said Dunn is over the hill, just new to Gruden’s phone book sized playbook and is is not an every down back(too small) That leaves EG and an unproven Darby as every down backs. We have two FBs on the roster, Storer and Askew and they are the IDENTICAL size as Boyd at 6’1” 220 lbs!! Do you think the Bucs might try Boyd at FB and save a roster spot? We could use the size at TB too since ALL of them are under 5’10”!!


Posted by  Dan Shreve, Titusville, FL. on 04/30  at  01:46 PM

DANIEL from Tampa, #1 I do not smoke crack pretty boy!!!! #2 we do have to many RB’s “DUNN,EARNEST,BENNET,DARBY” and CADDY if he makes it back this year. That is all the RBs we need.DUNN is not a has been.#3 We should have picked up another FB at 7th round instead of a RB. We only have 1 true FB that is Askhew.Who’s going to fill his shoes if he goes down?


Posted by  Bill, Canton, GA. on 04/30  at  12:14 PM

Why don’t we trade Jake Plummer, he should be worth something?


Posted by  Daniel E, Tampa on 04/30  at  12:08 PM

The Bucs did try to move Grads before the draft and had no takers. NFL GM’s,even the bad ones, can look at film and see Grad’s can’t throw the ball 20 yards down field. Why does anyone think he has trade value? The QB picked in the 5th round is a fantastic and has all the tools for a WC offense; speed, arm and accuracy. The person who said we have too many RB’s is smoking crack. Pittman is unsigned, Caddy is not ready; all I see is EG, Dunn(who is new to the system) and Bennett(who couldn’t pick up a blitz)We have some youngsters on the practice squad like Darby, but no size and no one to take Alstotts spot as a big back. The South Carolina back makes sense if you look at it in those terms.


Posted by  Jose, Ft Myers on 04/30  at  07:19 AM

How long is Jake Plumer going to be mentioned? Really.


Posted by  Miriam Turner,  on 04/30  at  05:28 AM

When will the Bucs get it all together??????????


Posted by  steve, tampa on 04/30  at  12:32 AM

"we shouldve got caldwel” florida recievers cant cut it in the nfl.  there is some sort of curse or something.  find one big name reciever from florida that made a name in the nfl.  it doesnt happen and never will.  want to waste a draft pick, pick a florida reciever.


Posted by  Keith Unietis, Gainesville on 04/29  at  11:14 PM

Please get rid of Griese.  He has done nothing put throw touchdowns for the wrong team.


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