What are the Bucs thinking by bringing in Garcia AND Plummer?

Answer 1

The truth is this...

Garcia only wished to sign with a team if he was to be in competition as the starter - so he will have such an opportunity to start in Tampa (his salary equal to Simms proves this). He was not interested in being brought in as a backup after the season he had (while filling in for McNabb).

Plummer was acquired to be traded - do not believe otherwise.

I have a close friend who works for the Raiders organization and his explanation was that Tampa intends to trade Jake for the following reasons:

1. He does not care to play in Tampa and therefore will be unhappy.
2. His plan was / is to play for Houston.

Thus giving Tampa an additional pick when (not if) they trade Plummer to Houston or another team (the rumor is that Carr is not staying).

They acquired him for that reason only... to be dealt for their benefit.

Also, Simms will compete with Garcia. Garcia signed with the notion that he would be given every opportunity to become the starter going into next season.

"Jeff will be compensated this year like a starter and be given a chance anywhere he goes to compete for a starting job. The final piece of the puzzle will be finding the place he feels gives him the best chance of success."

Updated: For those who are assuming that they will keep two starters (both Garcia and Plummer can start in the league presently)... why would they be paying Simms, Garcia, and Plummer all of that money? Plummer's salary-cap figure for 2007 is $5.3 million. Garcia will reportedly make $5 million in 2007, and Simms contract for next year is comparable in salary (reportedly $5 million as well). So why would they keep 3 QB's who are all making the same amount of money when only one can start (it is not for reasons of "insurance")?

"As for Garcia, he will receive a deal almost exactly the same as the one that Chris Simms agreed to last season."

Bottom line - Tampa was smart - they took Plummer with the hopes that Houston will want him. All that they gave up for Plummer was a conditional pick in the 2008 draft. They will get much more for him should Houston decide to make an offer. It was a brilliant move to acquire him. Forget the notion that Tampa’s GM Bruce Allen conveyed about the Bucs not acquiring Plummer’s rights with the idea of trading him. To pay starter money for three QB’s on your roster is ridiculous and will not happen.

Bookmark this question and come back to it when Houston acquires him (Plummer).

Answer 2

They were initially going after Plummer in the hopes that he would play a season with the Bucs. They went ahead and made the trade for him, because the trade is based on Plummer for a CONDITIONAL pick. So if he decides to retire instead of play with the Bucs it costs neither the Bucs or the Broncos anything.

Just after they starting pursuing Plummer is when the retirement rumors came out. So they went ahead and acquired Plummer, but at the same time acquired Garcia in case Plummer does in fact retire. They need a veteran QB if for no other reason then to help with Simms (I have a feeling Gradkowski is gonna end up cut or traded). Also they wanted to have a viable back-up and/or possible starting QB.

They also don't know what kind of shape Simms will be in as far as playing after his injury. He hasn't played since rupturing his spleen and before his injury he had a miserable 49 passer rating. Trust me, they need some instant help.

So all in all, it's not a bad deal. If both guys decide to play you have two veteran QB's and a young guy competing for the job to throw to potentially a Calvin Johnson/Joey Galloway tandem. If Plummer retires, you still have a vet in Garcia. They want guys that can help them right now because the team overrall is aging.

Answer 3

They are thinking they won't get Plummer, and likely would trade him if he doesn't come out of retirement. I don't know why else they would want him. I'm not saying Garcia is the greatest either. One is probably about as average as the other when you go by their body of work. I think Garcia is a little better though and not sure the Bucs orginally planned to get him. I think they were going after Plummer, for whatever reason, and saw he didn't want to come so they got Garcia. They thought last year was how he would play for them as well. The "what have you done for me lately" League at it's finest.

Answer 4

Garcia - great grasp of West Coast offense of which Gruden is a disciple. Chris Simms never was and never will be the "Man" and Gradkowski needs time to sit and watch. Plummer was a nice insurance policy since if he does want to play football for someone else the Bucs will receive compensation. If he never plays again, well, just count the lost draft pick as payment for Garcia. Plummer will probably retire and focus on perfecting his porn star moustache.

Answer 5

I think the Bucs are grasping at straws, and looking kind of foolish with all of this. Besides, I think this all is a little pointless because Chris Simms deserves to be their starter. I am certan Garcia wouldn't sign if he knew he was slated to be a backup, so we may have a QB controversy soon.

The Plummer aspect of all this is baffling. Why even bother?

Answer 6

Garcia and Sims are going to battle for the QB position. Plummer is just going to be used for another sign and trade deal.

Answer 7

Garcia will start, Plummer will probably be used to get a good trade.

Answer 8

Plummer makes a great backup plus they have 2 good starters now. garcia will probably get the starting job though. he is better than simms who has failed to show that he can be a great starter in the NFL.

Answer 9

I think it is a brilliant move to bring in both. Competition at all positions helps to ensure that the best players get to play. It's just like in college football. Coaches usually hold tryouts every year, instead of just giving the nod to guys for having been around longer.
In a similar story, Oklahoma had a tryout a few years back, right after Jason White won the Heisman trophy. Well, White came back for his senior year and almost lost his starting job to Paul Thompson! The competition was fierce and lasted all summer, and it made both players a lot better. White had an even better season than his Heisman season that year, and Paul had to wait until this past season to get his chance to run QB at OU.

The moral of the story is that competition at every position every year makes teams better.

Answer 10

well garcia and plummer they are very good QB-s and they didn't have a good QB sims is bad and that's y and they will not trade neither of this QB-s into other team, i am an eagle fan so i kinda didn't want garcia to go but whatever D.mcnabb is coming back babe! eagles rule man!

:)