Joe asked former Bucs QB Jeff Carlson to analyze Brian Griese’s play in the wild win against the Bears. The performance wasn’t the stellar one Coach Gruden is selling,  Carlson says.

Former Bucs QB Jeff Carlson Says Chucky Is Infatuated With Griese

Catch Carlson every week on ESPN 1470 AM. He hosts the Monday Morning Quarterback Show from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., and a Bucs tailgate show Sundays at 11 a.m. He also is the analyst on Bright House Sports Network’s high school game of the week.

Carlson trains aspiring quarterbacks with America’s Best Quarterback. His firm also manages football- and golf-themed charity events.

Kudos to the Bucs for playing 60+ minutes for the win Sunday and to Brian Griese for a comeback win against one of his many former teams. That said, it wasn’t quite the incredible performance that Jon Gruden tried to get us to believe. I think he was patting himself on the back a little for justifying what he did to Jeff Garcia – kind of an “I told ya so” moment.

Garcia was so right when he said Gruden likes to date QB’s, not marry them. He sure is infatuated with his boy right now, but he sure could have lost that lovin’ feeling if the last half of the fourth quarter didn’t turn around for No. 8. Until :07 left in the game, the Bucs offense had generated a single touchdown and a field goal, just about their per-game average, and Griese had three interceptions, all his fault, even though Gruden took the blame for every one of them.

Griese does look good in the pocket, a calming influence, as opposed to the frenetic feeling you get with Garcia dancing around. Griese’s side-armed throwing is going to keep getting him in trouble for the rest of his career, but what can you say about the highest percentage passer in Bucs history?

We aren’t going to get many first downs by Brian’s legs, unlike Garcia, but we are certain to get a few more throw-aways, which isn’t always a bad thing. But without Tillman’s stupid penalty, we aren’t celebrating the big road win against a team with a very meager QB in Kyle Orton. And we better hope the defense keeps putting up the first seven points for the Bucs, as well.

Jeff Carlson was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 1989 out of Weber State. He played for the Bucs in 1990 and 1991, and retired in 1994 while under contract with the Broncos.