Source: Jets reach preliminary agreement to get Bears RB Jones THIS IS BIG FOR GANG GREEN-See Below
BY TOM ROCK AND BOB GLAUBER-Newsday
The Jets still have not signed any free agents during this offseason period that began Friday, but yesterday they took a huge step toward improving one of their weakest spots.
Instead of trying to keep up with the Joneses through free agency, they went out and got their own Jones.
The Jets have reached an agreement with the Bears to acquire running back Thomas Jones in a move that is contingent on his passing a physical and agreeing to a contract extension, a team source confirmed to Newsday last night. The trade could be completed today.
If the deal goes through, the Jets will receive Jones, who is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, along with the Bears' second-round pick (63rd overall) in exchange for the higher of their two second-round picks (37th overall), according to the source. The Jets acquired that pick in a deal with the Redskins and would retain their own second-round pick, 59th overall.
Jones had one year left on his contract with the Bears and was due to earn $2.75 million in 2007. If the Jets sign Jones, it likely will be for terms similar to the five-year, $25-million deal Travis Henry signed with the Broncos as an unrestricted free agent yesterday.
Jones was unhappy with the Bears when they picked Cedric Benson in the 2005 draft - he even skipped some offseason training with the team in protest before the 2006 season - but his discontent did not show up in his production. He ran for 1,210 yards and six touchdowns on 296 carries as the Bears advanced to the Super Bowl this past season and had 1,335 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 314 carries in 2005.
A first-round pick by the Cardinals in 2000, he did not begin to flourish until he arrived in Chicago and ran for 948 yards in 2004. He has averaged 4.0 yards per carry in his career.
The Jets struggled to replace injured Curtis Martin in 2006, eventually settling on a committee of backs, and averaged 108 rushing yards per game during the regular season. That ranked 20th; only the Ravens averaged fewer rushing yards and still made the playoffs.
In recent weeks, the Jets released Derrick Blaylock and Kevan Barlow, who once were considered capable of carrying the Jets' running game but were, by season's end, inactive due to coaching decisions.
The Jets will have second-year back Leon Washington and third-year player Cedric Houston to share the load with Thomas if the trade is completed. Washington showed game-breaking moves in his rookie season, but at 5-8, 202 pounds, there is doubt he can be an every-down running back.
Jones is listed at 5-10, 220 pounds. He'll be 29 years old when the 2007 regular season opens.
The deal would leave the Bears with Benson as their top running back. Benson injured his left knee in the first quarter of Super Bowl XLI last month and has 919 career rushing yards in his two NFL seasons.
And My Slant: People had said that the Jets were awfully quiet in not signing any big names in free agency so far. Well here is a blockbuster trade. Jones brings them a legitimate 20+ carry a game runner, which they lacked without Curtis Martin.
Ok, so he is 28 heading for 29. He still has at least 2-3 good years left infront of him barring serious injury, and the Jets have built an offensive line that will block for him. The competition is only getting stronger in the AFC east......
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
NY Jets Trade 2nd Rd. Pick for Bears RB Thomas Jones
Source: Jets reach preliminary agreement to get Bears RB Jones THIS IS BIG FOR GANG GREEN-See Below
BY TOM ROCK AND BOB GLAUBER-Newsday
The Jets still have not signed any free agents during this offseason period that began Friday, but yesterday they took a huge step toward improving one of their weakest spots.
Instead of trying to keep up with the Joneses through free agency, they went out and got their own Jones.
The Jets have reached an agreement with the Bears to acquire running back Thomas Jones in a move that is contingent on his passing a physical and agreeing to a contract extension, a team source confirmed to Newsday last night. The trade could be completed today.
If the deal goes through, the Jets will receive Jones, who is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, along with the Bears' second-round pick (63rd overall) in exchange for the higher of their two second-round picks (37th overall), according to the source. The Jets acquired that pick in a deal with the Redskins and would retain their own second-round pick, 59th overall.
Jones had one year left on his contract with the Bears and was due to earn $2.75 million in 2007. If the Jets sign Jones, it likely will be for terms similar to the five-year, $25-million deal Travis Henry signed with the Broncos as an unrestricted free agent yesterday.
Jones was unhappy with the Bears when they picked Cedric Benson in the 2005 draft - he even skipped some offseason training with the team in protest before the 2006 season - but his discontent did not show up in his production. He ran for 1,210 yards and six touchdowns on 296 carries as the Bears advanced to the Super Bowl this past season and had 1,335 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 314 carries in 2005.
A first-round pick by the Cardinals in 2000, he did not begin to flourish until he arrived in Chicago and ran for 948 yards in 2004. He has averaged 4.0 yards per carry in his career.
The Jets struggled to replace injured Curtis Martin in 2006, eventually settling on a committee of backs, and averaged 108 rushing yards per game during the regular season. That ranked 20th; only the Ravens averaged fewer rushing yards and still made the playoffs.
In recent weeks, the Jets released Derrick Blaylock and Kevan Barlow, who once were considered capable of carrying the Jets' running game but were, by season's end, inactive due to coaching decisions.
The Jets will have second-year back Leon Washington and third-year player Cedric Houston to share the load with Thomas if the trade is completed. Washington showed game-breaking moves in his rookie season, but at 5-8, 202 pounds, there is doubt he can be an every-down running back.
Jones is listed at 5-10, 220 pounds. He'll be 29 years old when the 2007 regular season opens.
The deal would leave the Bears with Benson as their top running back. Benson injured his left knee in the first quarter of Super Bowl XLI last month and has 919 career rushing yards in his two NFL seasons.
And My Slant: People had said that the Jets were awfully quiet in not signing any big names in free agency so far. Well here is a blockbuster trade. Jones brings them a legitimate 20+ carry a game runner, which they lacked without Curtis Martin.
Ok, so he is 28 heading for 29. He still has at least 2-3 good years left infront of him barring serious injury, and the Jets have built an offensive line that will block for him. The competition is only getting stronger in the AFC east......
BY TOM ROCK AND BOB GLAUBER-Newsday
The Jets still have not signed any free agents during this offseason period that began Friday, but yesterday they took a huge step toward improving one of their weakest spots.
Instead of trying to keep up with the Joneses through free agency, they went out and got their own Jones.
The Jets have reached an agreement with the Bears to acquire running back Thomas Jones in a move that is contingent on his passing a physical and agreeing to a contract extension, a team source confirmed to Newsday last night. The trade could be completed today.
If the deal goes through, the Jets will receive Jones, who is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, along with the Bears' second-round pick (63rd overall) in exchange for the higher of their two second-round picks (37th overall), according to the source. The Jets acquired that pick in a deal with the Redskins and would retain their own second-round pick, 59th overall.
Jones had one year left on his contract with the Bears and was due to earn $2.75 million in 2007. If the Jets sign Jones, it likely will be for terms similar to the five-year, $25-million deal Travis Henry signed with the Broncos as an unrestricted free agent yesterday.
Jones was unhappy with the Bears when they picked Cedric Benson in the 2005 draft - he even skipped some offseason training with the team in protest before the 2006 season - but his discontent did not show up in his production. He ran for 1,210 yards and six touchdowns on 296 carries as the Bears advanced to the Super Bowl this past season and had 1,335 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 314 carries in 2005.
A first-round pick by the Cardinals in 2000, he did not begin to flourish until he arrived in Chicago and ran for 948 yards in 2004. He has averaged 4.0 yards per carry in his career.
The Jets struggled to replace injured Curtis Martin in 2006, eventually settling on a committee of backs, and averaged 108 rushing yards per game during the regular season. That ranked 20th; only the Ravens averaged fewer rushing yards and still made the playoffs.
In recent weeks, the Jets released Derrick Blaylock and Kevan Barlow, who once were considered capable of carrying the Jets' running game but were, by season's end, inactive due to coaching decisions.
The Jets will have second-year back Leon Washington and third-year player Cedric Houston to share the load with Thomas if the trade is completed. Washington showed game-breaking moves in his rookie season, but at 5-8, 202 pounds, there is doubt he can be an every-down running back.
Jones is listed at 5-10, 220 pounds. He'll be 29 years old when the 2007 regular season opens.
The deal would leave the Bears with Benson as their top running back. Benson injured his left knee in the first quarter of Super Bowl XLI last month and has 919 career rushing yards in his two NFL seasons.
And My Slant: People had said that the Jets were awfully quiet in not signing any big names in free agency so far. Well here is a blockbuster trade. Jones brings them a legitimate 20+ carry a game runner, which they lacked without Curtis Martin.
Ok, so he is 28 heading for 29. He still has at least 2-3 good years left infront of him barring serious injury, and the Jets have built an offensive line that will block for him. The competition is only getting stronger in the AFC east......
Delta Zeta Cover-Up For DePauw University Actions
Rather than take back the DePauw University members they rejected, the Delta Zeta national headquaters put up
this appology on their website, followed by attempts to spin the story.
It's pretty ridiculous what they've done, but this web bit of PR is terrible.
this appology on their website, followed by attempts to spin the story.
It's pretty ridiculous what they've done, but this web bit of PR is terrible.
Collins Returns to Titans as Back up
Collins Coming Back to Titans-See my end notes
By Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Veteran quarterback Kerry Collins, who began last season as Tennessee's starter, re-signed with the Titans on Monday as the backup to Vince Young.
A 12-year NFL veteran, Collins started the first three games for the Titans last season, before Young took over, throwing just one touchdown pass with six interceptions. He was replaced by Young, the third overall pick in the draft.
"A veteran quarterback that understands his role and that can be a sounding board for a young quarterback is a special commodity and one of great value for both Vince and this team," general manager Mike Reinfeldt said in a statement.
Collins said he's looking forward to continuing to play with Coach Jeff Fisher and offensive coordinator Norm Chow.
Over his career, Collins has started 148 games and thrown for 34,188 yards and 174 touchdowns. He ranks fifth in career passing yards among active NFL quarterbacks.
The fifth overall pick in the 1995 draft by the Carolina Panthers, Collins also played for New Orleans, the New York Giants and Oakland. His best years were with the Giants, who he quarterbacked to the Super Bowl after the 2000 season.
The Titans also released veteran tight end Erron Kinney.
Kerry returns to Nashville! Many might say WHY? But it's clear why. The $$$ he will make with little effort. Trouble is, he was in a similar situation in teh spring of 2004 just after the Giants made thedraft day deal for Eli Manning. Back then, Kerry didn't want to be a back-up, so he left for Oakland. Sorry to say that was a mistake for the Raiders and for Kerry. So now three years later,..it's ok to be Vince Young's back up. Sorry if that sounds Homer-ish. Unless Collins is another one of those players who took one look at the "Breath of Fresh Air" that was and is Tom Coughlin and said "NOT ME"
By Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Veteran quarterback Kerry Collins, who began last season as Tennessee's starter, re-signed with the Titans on Monday as the backup to Vince Young.
A 12-year NFL veteran, Collins started the first three games for the Titans last season, before Young took over, throwing just one touchdown pass with six interceptions. He was replaced by Young, the third overall pick in the draft.
"A veteran quarterback that understands his role and that can be a sounding board for a young quarterback is a special commodity and one of great value for both Vince and this team," general manager Mike Reinfeldt said in a statement.
Collins said he's looking forward to continuing to play with Coach Jeff Fisher and offensive coordinator Norm Chow.
Over his career, Collins has started 148 games and thrown for 34,188 yards and 174 touchdowns. He ranks fifth in career passing yards among active NFL quarterbacks.
The fifth overall pick in the 1995 draft by the Carolina Panthers, Collins also played for New Orleans, the New York Giants and Oakland. His best years were with the Giants, who he quarterbacked to the Super Bowl after the 2000 season.
The Titans also released veteran tight end Erron Kinney.
Kerry returns to Nashville! Many might say WHY? But it's clear why. The $$$ he will make with little effort. Trouble is, he was in a similar situation in teh spring of 2004 just after the Giants made thedraft day deal for Eli Manning. Back then, Kerry didn't want to be a back-up, so he left for Oakland. Sorry to say that was a mistake for the Raiders and for Kerry. So now three years later,..it's ok to be Vince Young's back up. Sorry if that sounds Homer-ish. Unless Collins is another one of those players who took one look at the "Breath of Fresh Air" that was and is Tom Coughlin and said "NOT ME"
Delta Zeta At DePauw University Eliminates Women Who Are Overweight, Studious
Delta Zeta should be kicked off the campus. Period. They've just damaged the self-esteem of these young women.
Sorority Evictions Raise Issue of Looks and Bias
By SAM DILLON
Published: February 25, 2007
Andrew Hancock for The New York Times
GREENCASTLE, Ind. — When a psychology professor at DePauw University here surveyed students, they described one sorority as a group of “daddy’s little princesses” and another as “offbeat hippies.” The sisters of Delta Zeta were seen as “socially awkward.”
Women at DePauw University in Indiana who were either asked to leave the Delta Zeta house or resigned in protest hold a sorority photo.
Andrew Hancock for The New York Times
Elizabeth Haneline, who was among those evicted, said, “The Greek system hasn’t changed at all, but instead of racism, it’s image now.”
Worried that a negative stereotype of the sorority was contributing to a decline in membership that had left its Greek-columned house here half empty, Delta Zeta’s national officers interviewed 35 DePauw members in November, quizzing them about their dedication to recruitment. They judged 23 of the women insufficiently committed and later told them to vacate the sorority house.
The 23 members included every woman who was overweight. They also included the only Korean and Vietnamese members. The dozen students allowed to stay were slender and popular with fraternity men — conventionally pretty women the sorority hoped could attract new recruits. Six of the 12 were so infuriated they quit.
“Virtually everyone who didn’t fit a certain sorority member archetype was told to leave,” said Kate Holloway, a senior who withdrew from the chapter during its reorganization.
“I sensed the disrespect with which this was to be carried out and got fed up,” Ms. Holloway added. “I didn’t have room in my life for these women to come in and tell my sisters of three years that they weren’t needed.”
Ms. Holloway is not the only angry one. The reorganization has left a messy aftermath of recrimination and tears on this rural campus of 2,400 students, 50 miles southwest of Indianapolis.
The mass eviction battered the self-esteem of many of the former sorority members, and some withdrew from classes in depression. There have been student protests, outraged letters from alumni and parents, and a faculty petition calling the sorority’s action unethical.
DePauw’s president, Robert G. Bottoms, issued a two-page letter of reprimand to the sorority. In an interview in his office, Dr. Bottoms said he had been stunned by the sorority’s insensitivity.
“I had no hint they were going to disrupt the chapter with a membership reduction of this proportion in the middle of the year,” he said. “It’s been very upsetting.”
The president of Delta Zeta, which has its headquarters in Oxford, Ohio, and its other national officers declined to be interviewed. Responding by e-mail to questions, Cynthia Winslow Menges, the executive director, said the sorority had not evicted the 23 women, even though the national officers sent those women form letters that said: “The membership review team has recommended you for alumna status. Chapter members receiving alumnae status should plan to relocate from the chapter house no later than Jan. 29, 2007.”
Ms. Menges asserted that the women themselves had, in effect, made their own decisions to leave by demonstrating a lack of commitment to meet recruitment goals. The sorority paid each woman who left $300 to cover the difference between sorority and campus housing.
The sorority “is saddened that the isolated incident at DePauw has been mischaracterized,” Ms. Menges wrote. Asked for clarification, the sorority’s public relations representative e-mailed a statement saying its actions were aimed at the “enrichment of student life at DePauw.”
This is not the first time that the DePauw chapter of Delta Zeta has stirred controversy. In 1982, it attracted national attention when a black student was not allowed to join, provoking accusations of racial discrimination.
Earlier this month, an Alabama lawyer and several other DePauw alumni who graduated in 1970 described in a letter to The DePauw, the student newspaper, how Delta Zeta’s national leadership had tried unsuccessfully to block a young woman with a black father and a white mother from joining its DePauw chapter in 1967.
Despite those incidents, the chapter appears to have been home to a diverse community over the years, partly because it has attracted brainy women, including many science and math majors, as well as talented disabled women, without focusing as exclusively as some sororities on potential recruits’ sex appeal, former sorority members said.
Sorority Evictions Raise Issue of Looks and Bias
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Published: February 25, 2007
Correction Appended
(Page 2 of 2)
“I had a sister I could go to a bar with if I had boy problems,” said Erin Swisshelm, a junior biochemistry major who withdrew from the sorority in October. “I had a sister I could talk about religion with. I had a sister I could be nerdy about science with. That’s why I liked Delta Zeta, because I had all these amazing women around me.”
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Andrew Hancock for The New York Times
Rachel Pappas, former chapter secretary, discussing the events in class. At a rally, she said national leaders had misrepresented the truth.
But over the years DePauw students had attached a negative stereotype to the chapter, as evidenced by the survey that Pam Propsom, a psychology professor, conducts each year in her class. That image had hurt recruitment, and the national officers had repeatedly warned the chapter that unless its membership increased, the chapter could close.
At the start of the fall term the national office was especially determined to raise recruitment because 2009 is the 100th anniversary of the DePauw chapter’s founding. In September, Ms. Menges and Kathi Heatherly, a national vice president of the sorority, visited the chapter to announce a reorganization plan they said would include an interview with each woman about her commitment. The women were urged to look their best for the interviews.
The tone left four women so unsettled that they withdrew from the chapter almost immediately.
Robin Lamkin, a junior who is an editor at The DePauw and was one of the 23 women evicted, said many of her sisters bought new outfits and modeled them for each other before the interviews. Many women declared their willingness to recruit diligently, Ms. Lamkin said.
A few days after the interviews, national representatives took over the house to hold a recruiting event. They asked most members to stay upstairs in their rooms. To welcome freshmen downstairs, they assembled a team that included several of the women eventually asked to stay in the sorority, along with some slender women invited from the sorority’s chapter at Indiana University, Ms. Holloway said.
“They had these unassuming freshman girls downstairs with these plastic women from Indiana University, and 25 of my sisters hiding upstairs,” she said. “It was so fake, so completely dehumanized. I said, ‘This calls for a little joke.’ ”
Ms. Holloway put on a wig and some John Lennon rose-colored glasses, burst through the front door and skipped around singing, “Ooooh! Delta Zeta!” and other chants.
The face of one of the national representatives, she recalled, “was like I’d run over her puppy with my car.”
The national representatives announced their decisions in the form letters, delivered on Dec. 2, which said that Delta Zeta intended to increase membership to 95 by the 2009 anniversary, and that it would recruit using a “core group of women.”
Elizabeth Haneline, a senior computer science major who was among those evicted, returned to the house that afternoon and found some women in tears. Even the chapter’s president had been kicked out, Ms. Haneline said, while “other women who had done almost nothing for the chapter were asked to stay.”
Six of the 12 women who were asked to stay left the sorority, including Joanna Kieschnick, a sophomore majoring in English literature. “They said, ‘You’re not good enough’ to so many people who have put their heart and soul into this chapter that I can’t stay,” she said.
In the months since, Cynthia Babington, DePauw’s dean of students, has fielded angry calls from parents, she said. Robert Hershberger, chairman of the modern languages department, circulated the faculty petition; 55 professors signed it.
“We were especially troubled that the women they expelled were less about image and more about academic achievement and social service,” Dr. Hershberger said.
During rush activities this month, 11 first-year students accepted invitations to join Delta Zeta, but only three have sought membership.
On Feb. 2, Rachel Pappas, a junior who is the chapter’s former secretary, printed 200 posters calling on students to gather that afternoon at the student union. About 50 students showed up and heard Ms. Pappas say the sorority’s national leaders had misrepresented the truth when they asserted they had evicted women for lack of commitment.
“The injustice of the lies,” she said, “is contemptible.”
WISE - Women In Sports and Events - Video
WISE is a national organization that brings women in the sports and event industries together to network and develop new contacts. This video was made at the WISE San Francisco Chapter quarterly meeting on February 27, 2007.
The San Francisco chapter, ran by Beth Schnitzer, Vice President of Market Development At Pier 39, is the largest WISE chapter in America. For more information on WISE SF, contact Allison Ross at wiseba05@hotmail.com
Here's the video:
The San Francisco chapter, ran by Beth Schnitzer, Vice President of Market Development At Pier 39, is the largest WISE chapter in America. For more information on WISE SF, contact Allison Ross at wiseba05@hotmail.com
Here's the video:
Monday, March 05, 2007
Bucs Sign Garcia, Make trade for Plummer
Bucs Sign Garcia, Trade for Plummer
By FRED GOODALL
AP Sports Writer
TAMPA, Fla. -- When Chris Simms said he welcomed competition for Tampa Bay's starting quarterback job, he surely didn't envision the Buccaneers going to such great lengths to find challengers.
The Bucs signed free agent Jeff Garcia on Saturday, then announced they had also obtained the rights to Jake Plummer from Denver to potentially give the team an interesting tussle for the reins to coach Jon Gruden's offense.
Garcia, a three-time Pro Bowl selection who nearly signed with the Bucs as a free agent in 2004, agreed to a two-year deal he hopes will give him a chance to finally get to the Super Bowl.
A championship is missing from Plummer's resume, too, but it appears winning one may no longer be a personal goal after losing his starting job with the Broncos last season. The 32-year-old said on the Web site of The Jake Plummer Foundation that he was retiring.
"Football has been awesome to me in many ways. I leave the game with my health and happiness, and look forward to the future," he said on the Web site.
Stepping away from the game couldn't be farther from the 37-year-old Garcia's mind.
"Throw age out the window because that's not how I play. That's not how I focus. That's not how I mentally prepare. That's not who I am," Garcia said during a news conference.
"I'm somebody who is excited about this opportunity, who's excited to be around the guys and bring a good mix of leadership and drive and will and perseverance -- all those things you need in order to turn the corner and get back that winning feeling, that winning tradition."
The Bucs won the Super Bowl four seasons ago, but have had losing records and missed the playoffs three of the past four years.
A tight salary-cap situation has prevented the Bucs from being players in free agency since Gruden took over in 2002. However, the team began this year's signing period with about $25 million in space.
Garcia is intrigued by the prospect of helping Gruden and holdovers from Tampa Bay's championship team such as Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber and Mike Alstott climb back among the NFL's elite.
"It's not so long ago that those things happened," Garcia said. "And, it's something that can happen again."
Meanwhile, general manager Bruce Allen acknowledged the Bucs traded a conditional pick in the 2008 draft for Plummer, even though they were aware the quarterback was thinking about not playing again.
Plummer, who has three years left on his contract and is due $5.3 million in 2007, led Denver to the AFC championship game two seasons ago but was benched after 11 games last season for rookie Jay Cutler. His .722 winning percentage with the Broncos from 2003-06 is the fourth-best in the NFL behind Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger.
While Allen said he expects Plummer to play again, he would not speculate on whether it would be with Tampa Bay. The GM also said the Bucs did not acquire the quarterback's rights with the idea of trading him.
"I think right now, he's just taking time to think about it, which is fine," Allen said, adding it's not uncommon for players to ponder or even announce their retirement before changing their minds.
Garcia, who last year led Philadelphia to the playoffs filling in for the injured Donovan McNabb, agreed to terms a day after talking with the Oakland Raiders. The Bucs pursued him in free agency three years ago but were unable to match a more lucrative deal Garcia signed with the Cleveland Browns.
"I'm happy for him," McNabb, who watched Garcia win five of six starts to help the Eagles win the NFC East, said during the Syracuse-Villanova basketball game in Philadelphia. "I think it will be a good fit. I think he'll be fine."
As coach of the Oakland Raiders, Gruden also passed on opportunity to sign Garcia when the quarterback was coming out of the Canadian Football League in 1999. Garcia wound up with San Francisco and made the Pro Bowl three of five seasons there.
While playing with the 49ers, Gruden and Garcia became friends.
"It's unfortunate we weren't able to come together three years ago and maybe have created some great bond and great situations on the field," Garcia said of his decision to sign with Cleveland in 2004. "But I think he's getting a more focused, more motivated, more excited player now than he would have gotten at that point."
So you mean to tell me if Chris Simms can't go the Bucs have two(If Plummer doesn't retire!!!) Back up's totalling 69 years of age?? Ok so Jay "Deer in the Heaqdlamps" Feidler from Oceanside NY wasn't going to be the answer, I know,...But Garcia may never get to play a Down of Football again....and he'll get to basque in the warm sun of Central Florida for at least a year or two.....
By FRED GOODALL
AP Sports Writer
TAMPA, Fla. -- When Chris Simms said he welcomed competition for Tampa Bay's starting quarterback job, he surely didn't envision the Buccaneers going to such great lengths to find challengers.
The Bucs signed free agent Jeff Garcia on Saturday, then announced they had also obtained the rights to Jake Plummer from Denver to potentially give the team an interesting tussle for the reins to coach Jon Gruden's offense.
Garcia, a three-time Pro Bowl selection who nearly signed with the Bucs as a free agent in 2004, agreed to a two-year deal he hopes will give him a chance to finally get to the Super Bowl.
A championship is missing from Plummer's resume, too, but it appears winning one may no longer be a personal goal after losing his starting job with the Broncos last season. The 32-year-old said on the Web site of The Jake Plummer Foundation that he was retiring.
"Football has been awesome to me in many ways. I leave the game with my health and happiness, and look forward to the future," he said on the Web site.
Stepping away from the game couldn't be farther from the 37-year-old Garcia's mind.
"Throw age out the window because that's not how I play. That's not how I focus. That's not how I mentally prepare. That's not who I am," Garcia said during a news conference.
"I'm somebody who is excited about this opportunity, who's excited to be around the guys and bring a good mix of leadership and drive and will and perseverance -- all those things you need in order to turn the corner and get back that winning feeling, that winning tradition."
The Bucs won the Super Bowl four seasons ago, but have had losing records and missed the playoffs three of the past four years.
A tight salary-cap situation has prevented the Bucs from being players in free agency since Gruden took over in 2002. However, the team began this year's signing period with about $25 million in space.
Garcia is intrigued by the prospect of helping Gruden and holdovers from Tampa Bay's championship team such as Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber and Mike Alstott climb back among the NFL's elite.
"It's not so long ago that those things happened," Garcia said. "And, it's something that can happen again."
Meanwhile, general manager Bruce Allen acknowledged the Bucs traded a conditional pick in the 2008 draft for Plummer, even though they were aware the quarterback was thinking about not playing again.
Plummer, who has three years left on his contract and is due $5.3 million in 2007, led Denver to the AFC championship game two seasons ago but was benched after 11 games last season for rookie Jay Cutler. His .722 winning percentage with the Broncos from 2003-06 is the fourth-best in the NFL behind Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger.
While Allen said he expects Plummer to play again, he would not speculate on whether it would be with Tampa Bay. The GM also said the Bucs did not acquire the quarterback's rights with the idea of trading him.
"I think right now, he's just taking time to think about it, which is fine," Allen said, adding it's not uncommon for players to ponder or even announce their retirement before changing their minds.
Garcia, who last year led Philadelphia to the playoffs filling in for the injured Donovan McNabb, agreed to terms a day after talking with the Oakland Raiders. The Bucs pursued him in free agency three years ago but were unable to match a more lucrative deal Garcia signed with the Cleveland Browns.
"I'm happy for him," McNabb, who watched Garcia win five of six starts to help the Eagles win the NFC East, said during the Syracuse-Villanova basketball game in Philadelphia. "I think it will be a good fit. I think he'll be fine."
As coach of the Oakland Raiders, Gruden also passed on opportunity to sign Garcia when the quarterback was coming out of the Canadian Football League in 1999. Garcia wound up with San Francisco and made the Pro Bowl three of five seasons there.
While playing with the 49ers, Gruden and Garcia became friends.
"It's unfortunate we weren't able to come together three years ago and maybe have created some great bond and great situations on the field," Garcia said of his decision to sign with Cleveland in 2004. "But I think he's getting a more focused, more motivated, more excited player now than he would have gotten at that point."
So you mean to tell me if Chris Simms can't go the Bucs have two(If Plummer doesn't retire!!!) Back up's totalling 69 years of age?? Ok so Jay "Deer in the Heaqdlamps" Feidler from Oceanside NY wasn't going to be the answer, I know,...But Garcia may never get to play a Down of Football again....and he'll get to basque in the warm sun of Central Florida for at least a year or two.....
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