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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

“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.