Brian Griese, hoping to revive career, starts by learning hefty playbook.
By ROGER MILLS
Published March 26, 2004
TAMPA - His body is healthy. His past is behind him. His goal is to get better every day.
And if the first three days of quarterback orientation under coach Jon Gruden are any indication, Brian Griese's workload will keep him from thinking about all of the above. "I know what the Buccaneers playbook looks like, and it's big," Griese said Thursday. "Every play serves a purpose, and there are no extra plays in there and nothing that would confuse you rather than serving a purpose."
And so, in the dimly lit film room of One Buc Place, closely following the steps of starter Brad Johnson, Griese began writing a new chapter of an intriguing career that has spanned six seasons of highs, lows and curious moments.
"As a quarterback, there's a progression and maturity level that you reach as you get older," Griese, 29, said. "You understand your place, not only on the football field, but your responsibilities in the community and with your teammates on and off the field. ... So, I think I have matured in a lot of ways."
Signed by the Bucs to provide an experienced backup, Griese brings more than just being the son of former Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese. Drafted by the Broncos in the third round of the 1998 draft, he has played in 58 career games with 56 starts. He has a completion percentage of 61.8 and has thrown 76 touchdowns and 59 interceptions.
None of which, he said, means anything to the Bucs.
"I don't expect any guarantees," Griese said. "That's not the way the National Football League works. I'm just coming in here. I want to compete."
His first five seasons with the Broncos, Griese was at times brilliant and at times baffling. In 2000, he passed for 2,688 yards with 19 TDs and four interceptions. He led Denver to an 11-5 record and made the Pro Bowl. But since, Griese's star has taken a fall.
He passed for 2,827 yards in 2001 (23 TDs, 19 INTs) and 3,214 in 2002 (15 TDs, 15 INTs). Out of favor with the Broncos, Griese was released in early June and signed a two-year deal with the Dolphins within a week.
One year later, after five starts (five TDs, six INTs), Griese was let go again.
"You always have to prove yourself in this league," Griese said. "And once you have the feeling like you've made it, or you don't have to prove yourself, then that is when you are in trouble as a player."
Gruden said he has confidence that the former Michigan star will, in time, fit in.
"Obviously, he's got to reload his system with new files," Gruden said. "He's been in Miami, in Denver before that, so he's been with three teams in three years. That can derail anybody. So we have to get him centered on our attack, and I think he can handle it."
Three years ago, Johnson was in a similar position of having to learn a new offense, and he likely will be a sounding board.
"(Griese's) obviously a smart guy (who has) played in a couple of different systems, too, and won a national championship in college (with Michigan in 1997)," Johnson said. "(He) did some great things in Denver. He's going to pick up on the system very fast."
SIMMS ON HIS WAY: Second-year quarterback Chris Simms has been working out at the training facility for a few weeks, and Gruden said he is impressed with Simms' progress.
"He paid a great price, came in early, voluntarily, to get ahead," Gruden said. "Having a chance to back up Brad Johnson last year and see the game at close range has helped him, and he's got those genes (son of former Giants quarterback Chris Simms)."
Simms said he's significantly more comfortable than a year ago.
"Last year, after the draft, when I got here and tried to learn things it took me a while," he said. "Now, it's almost second nature. I'm beginning to feel comfortable with it, can see things clearly and can really start to learn all of the little intricacies of the offense."
