The QB Blast: Veteran Arm Needed Immediately
August 23rd, 2010
Ex-Bucs QB Jeff Carlson
By JEFF CARLSON
JoeBucsFan.com analyst
Former Bucs quarterback Jeff Carlson (1990 & 1991) writes The QB Blast column here at JoeBucsFan.com. Joe is ecstatic to have him firing away. Carlson is often seen as a color analyst on Bright House Sports Network, and he trains quarterbacks of all ages locally via his company, America’s Best Quarterback.
The Bucs got lucky Saturday night. Many say it was bad luck, but in the NFL, just as one man’s injury is another man’s opportunity, this “small” injury to Freeman’s thumb gives the Bucs management a great opportunity to practice their disaster management scenario.
In my rookie year with the Los Angeles Rams, the backup quarterback was Mark Herrmann, and he cracked a rib in the second preseason game.
This gave me a great opportunity to get extra playing time. It also gave me an opportunity to throw a game-winning touchdown pass and build some much needed confidence. But even with this confidence, deep down I knew I wasn’t ready to take over the team in the event that Jim Everett went down.
And, even though I didn’t want the team to go find a veteran QB, they were smart to do it to protect the team and franchise. We signed a veteran journeyman by the name of Steve Dils, who had experience in the offense. Herrmann was back by opening week and Dils was released, but the Rams had their disaster plan in place, as I’m sure Dils would have been right back on the team had another injury hit.
The Buccaneers now face an eerily similar situation. Although their starter is the one with the injury, and that makes it all the more important what team management decides to do in the coming days.
I have supported Josh Johnson as this team’s backup quarterback and continue to do so. Getting Rudy Carpenter some much needed playing time and confidence is also important for this team. But I know the Rams did the right thing by bringing in some veteran experience, and I know the Bucs must insure their billion dollar franchise by getting another veteran quarterback acclimated to their system immediately.
They may cut him at the end of the preseason and may never need him again, but another experienced arm on the roster is a must, even though Freeman and the Bucs got “lucky” with this chance to work their disaster drill before the real thing hits when the games count.
August 23rd, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Makes sense Jeff. There seem to be a few availible as well.
August 23rd, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Actually, the smart move would have been to have a vet Qb in here at the start of camp, rather than looking for a total scrub at this point.
August 23rd, 2010 at 2:30 pm
lol @ Eric. True to form sir.
From the ‘disaster management’ perspective – it makes sense.
I’m not overly concerned though… both QB’s ended up with 120+ passer ratings… not too shabby (even if it was against 2nd/3rd tier players.)
August 23rd, 2010 at 3:34 pm
this team has zero @ back up QB…..saw that in the 1st PS game in MIA
zero !
August 23rd, 2010 at 3:44 pm
I think Jeff Carlson is lobbying for a job , LOL
August 23rd, 2010 at 3:52 pm
They have no choice but to go get a 3rd QB now.
Unless, they do something dynamic like give Michael Spurlock a shot at 3rd string QB. And then let him slep back to WR when it’s all said and done.
What happens if one of the QBs get hurt in the next 2 games?
August 23rd, 2010 at 4:08 pm
I said we trade a next year late round pick to the Vikings for Sage Rosefield, solid, smart vet wtih a strong arm
August 23rd, 2010 at 4:19 pm
we need a proven #2 QB
and I perfer Carpenter @3…with a functional QB @ backup @ 2
JJ can’t handle Sundays
August 23rd, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Great Thought! Give me the name of an available QB that is better than what we have.
August 23rd, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Jeff Garcia would be perfect for this situation…..perfect
August 23rd, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Jeff Garcia please. Sure he has happy feet, but the guy does not throw interceptions and slowly/steadily moves the offense. What else do you need from a back up?
August 23rd, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Garcia know the offense, but I think his ego and the words in the times today pretty much lock him out. The Bucs are happy with JJ, and are just looking for another QB as an insurance policy. Look for Snead to be picked back up, since he has had some time with the offense. At least that was the TBO owrd.
August 23rd, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Garcia is a cancer that we don’t need. Next
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Hopefully the Bucs won’t sign Garcia. And thankfully, it looks like that won’t happen. All the Bucs need to do is re-sign Snead to help with the quarterback depth. He carries much less baggage than Garcia, and if all goes according to plan with Josh’s thumb, then they can just release him again or put him on the practice squad.
August 23rd, 2010 at 9:34 pm
I don’t want a veteran for two reasons:
#1 We need Raheem to lose big so we can bring Bill Cowher. A veteran might win a few games, and we can’t have that crap, giving Raheem an excuse to stay on another year.
#2 I would definitely love to see JJ step in and show what he can do 🙂 Him being a draft pick chosen by Gruden and Doug Williams, two of the greatest men that have graced the Buccaneer’s sidelines, JJ deserves his chance, And I give a damn about Rhasta Morrisman’s hate for JJ. The dude is a great QB talent. I’d take winning with him, forcing Raheem to make a tough choice of pulling a winner, and putting Freeman back in… only to see Freeman struggle and lose, ultimately forcing Raheem to pull Freeman for poor play and playing the winning hand of JJ.
Can we say QB controversy brewing in the bay???? Gruden and William’s boy beating out Rah’s Freeman to literally tear apart the fanbase even further!
Now THAT’S exactly what I want to see… oh and somehow Raheem winning 6 and then having tye Glazers not re-up his contract anyway! That would be sweeeeeeeet!!!
August 23rd, 2010 at 9:48 pm
I can’t think of anything more meaningless than a never was pretty boy QB dishing out his opinion. I’d soner listen to Jeff Garcia’s airheaded wife give her perspective.
August 23rd, 2010 at 9:57 pm
drndest, cool name douche.
Lets see, Jeff Carlson played in the NFL, while some dumbsh1t named drndest calls the ex QB out.
Jeff is taking time out to give his opinion on the situation, treat the man with respect. He has done much more than a foolish commentor by the name of drndest the douche on a blog.
Guess what drndy, you replied to Jeff’s article 🙂
August 23rd, 2010 at 11:46 pm
@ZeroExpectations
I agree with you that it is in poor taste to grill Carlson, like drndeast did.
However, with the Bucs approaching a “blacked out” season and in the second year of it’s rebuilding phase, why would the Bucs want to waste regular season snaps on a vet that won’t get us to the playoffs?
WE WILL NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS…everyone knows that.
Why bring in a vet (Todd Collins just got signed today by the Bears)? There is no one left…
Our team lives or dies with Josh Freeman. Why win a couple games with a vet QB, all the while worsening our draft pick? Especially when you can get Josh Johnson some much needed experience…
August 24th, 2010 at 8:56 am
Jeff puts himself out there, and he is a big boyu so he can take it. You also should remember, just bec ause he was a carreer backup does not mean he does not know the position. I have heard he is a good coach as well. Keep the articles coming Jeff.