Jon Gruden disputes team is going to trade for RB Corey Dillon

[inmate running the asylum]

Gruden backs Brad, rips 'source'

By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer

Published January 21, 2004

TAMPA - Brad Johnson will be the Bucs starting quarterback in 2004, coach Jon Gruden said Tuesday.

And Gruden wants you to know that comes from a high-ranking team official.

Angered over a series of media reports quoting anonymous team officials that the Bucs are considering replacing Johnson with Jacksonville quarterback Mark Brunell or the Raiders' Rich Gannon, Gruden said the information was false and characterized it as "fantasy football."

"There's no truth to these reports. None," Gruden said by telephone from the Senior Bowl workouts in Mobile, Ala., "Brad Johnson is our starting quarterback, and we'll back that up in a few months. We're also very excited about the future of our young quarterback, Chris Simms. And we like some of the things Shaun King did for us last year.

"Mark Brunell and Rich Gannon are under contract with other teams. They're not even available. Let's not play fantasy football. We've got the worst cap situation in the NFC. How the hell are we going to afford Mark Brunell if he's out there?"

Gruden accused one or more former members of the Bucs organization of being the "team source" quoted in various media reports. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported on Sunday's NFL Countdown that the Bucs had an interest in signing Brunell or Gannon, possibly to replace Johnson. Gruden also disputed speculation that the team was attempting to trade for Bengals running back Corey Dillon.

Falcons general manager Rich McKay left the Bucs with two weeks left in the regular season. He hired Bucs player personnel director Tim Ruskell last week as assistant general manager.

"I think we lead the league in alleged reports," Gruden said. "The McKay group, hell, I was reading the other day what they think about (Bucs offensive tackle) Kenyatta Walker and he's under contract with us. I read where we're supposedly going to give Jacksonville a first-round pick for (quarterback) David Garrard. It's almost hilarious."

Johnson, 35, was the fifth-ranked quarterback in the NFC. After throwing 12 touchdowns and three interceptions in the first five games, he struggled. In the final 11 games Johnson tossed 14 TDs and 18 INTs. His 21 interceptions were a career high.

However, releasing Johnson would have a devastating effect on the salary cap for the Bucs, who already will absorb a hit of more than $7-million if they release receiver Keyshawn Johnson before March 1, as expected. Brad Johnson signed a four-year, $25-million contract last season that includes $1.5-million guaranteed in 2004 and a $750,000 roster bonus due in March. In fact, Gruden said he met Monday in Mobile with Brad Johnson's agent, Phil Williams, to discuss the reports.

"I'm on record saying I really like Brad Johnson and I think he's a hell of a football player," Gruden said. "We can discuss our quarterback situation, but I don't have time to address all these unnamed sources. I know who it is. The "high-ranking' team official don't even work for our team anymore.

"There were rumors that (Brad Johnson) was ticked off at the way we mishandled his contract situation last year. Maybe the high-ranking team official would like to comment about that."

Gruden was referring to the Bucs withdrawing a $1.5-million salary guarantee in 2004 when they offered to restructure Johnson's contract last February. McKay eventually took responsibility for the matter.

Brunell, who lost his job to rookie Byron Leftwich, is expected to become a free agent in March when he is owed a $2-million roster bonus by the Jaguars. Gannon, who is scheduled to earn $7-million in 2004, has said he will not restructure his contract.

"You don't really know what to think about (the reports)," Williams said. "You're human, you don't really like them. But that's life. What can you do when unnamed sources say something?

"These reports are erroneous," Gruden said. "If something does happen down the road with a veteran quarterback, as with any position, we're always going to be on the lookout for a good player. But it looks like the high-ranking Bucs official has struck again."

NOTES: Gruden confirmed the Bucs have signed receivers coach Richard Mann, tight ends coach Art Valero and special-teams coach Richard Bisaccia to two-year extensions. Offensive line coach Bill Muir, who has one year remaining on his contract, is negotiating a multiyear extension.

[michael_33]

If gruden went and got Gannon, then even I would be somewhat worried....

Gannon more than flourished in gruden system and had it not been for the tuck rule,Gruden would have 2 rings right now!

I realize McCardell,Juravicious (and then Keyshawn) isn't exactly Rice,Brown and porter.....But they would make it work somehow....

As good as B.Johnson is,he doesn't have the mobility that Gannon or even Brunell would offer!

And they won the Big one with Brad....

Even if they lose sapp and leon they still could be a formidable apponent...

I think we you guys were marking wins on the schedule prediction post yesterday against the Bucs,you were being a little too optomistic!

Gruden IS a good coach and we should definately be concerned about the Bucs when we play them!

[BillyKilmer]

Gannon is a AARP spokesman I thought

Why would anyone want to bring in a 40 year old QB

to start

"Mark Brunell and Rich Gannon are under contract with other teams. They're not even available. Let's not play fantasy football. We've got the worst cap situation in the NFC. How the hell are we going to afford Mark Brunell if he's out there?"

also

"Brad Johnson is our starting quarterback, and we'll back that up in a few months. We're also very excited about the future of our young quarterback, Chris Simms.

I think someone

is trying to make the Buc's look bad perhaps a former empolyee