BACKUP QB GIVES UP JOB AS TV ANALYST
Last Sunday Jason Garrett was a color analyst who sat alongside play-by-play man Dan Miller and called the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 20-17 victory against the New Orleans Saints.
This Monday night, Garrett will be a third-team quarterback standing alongside Coach Jon Gruden when the Bucs (1-4) play the Rams (3-2) in St. Louis.
"It's been an interesting last 48 hours," Garrett said Wednesday.
Garrett, 38, was re-signed as insurance while Chris Simms recovers from the sprained left shoulder he sustained against the Saints.
"We thought he did a heckuva job in the broadcast booth, so we figured we'd bring him in," Gruden said.
Garrett was released by Tampa Bay during the preseason, then was hired by Fox, which liked how the Princeton product had performed doing analysis for its network during NFL Europe games the past few summers.
Next thing Garrett knew, he was breaking down his most recent teammates.
"The stuff that was most interesting were the production meetings the day before," Garrett said. "I was talking to Coach Gruden, [defensive coordinator] Monte Kiffin, other guys, asking them questions. Sort of wearing my reporter's cap."
THE OTHER QBS
While Brian Griese worked during his first full practice day as the No. 1 quarterback, Simms spent the day at One Buc Place receiving treatment on his sore throwing shoulder. Brad Johnson is the backup.
RECEIVER'S IMPASSE REMAINS
Holdout WR Keenan McCardell flew to Tampa on Monday for a face-to-face meeting with Gruden. He left with the situation unchanged.
"No, I have no comment," said Gruden, who forwarded the issue to his general manager. "Talk to Bruce Allen. He's a rational man, and he'll give you rational comments."
McCardell, whose holdout is now in Day 76, said he decided to come to town in hopes of finding a "mutually beneficial resolution."
Due to make $2.5 million this season, McCardell has been seeking a new deal worth around $4 million annually. He and Las Vegas-based Gary Uberstine have stated the holdout will continue until Week 10 when McCardell must report to receive credit toward the third year of the four-year $10 million deal and a year toward his pension.
LB Derrick Brooks was excused from practice because of personal reasons, while DE Simeon Rice sat out because of a migraine. Brooks is expected back today, and Rice was listed as probable for this week's game, along with LB Shelton Quarles (quadriceps) and OG Matt Stinchcomb (chest). Simms is doubtful.
"I want Chris Rix to start." -- CB Ronde Barber, a Virginia graduate, looking to his alma mater's visit to Florida State on Saturday night
Jon Gruden