AP News, March 3rd, 2007
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed free-agent quarterback Jeff Garcia and potentially nabbed even more competition for incumbent starter Chris Simms by obtaining the rights to Jake Plummer from Denver on Saturday.
Garcia, a three-time Pro Bowl selection who nearly signed with the Bucs as a free agent three years ago, agreed to a two-year deal that hopes will give him a chance to finally get to the Super Bowl.
A championship is missing from Plummer's resume, too, but its unclear if it remains a personal goal.
Tampa Bay general manager Bruce Allen acknowledged the Bucs traded an undisclosed pick in the 2008 draft even though they were aware that Plummer is considering retirement after losing his starting job with the Broncos last season.
Allen said he expects Plummer to play again, but would not speculate on whether it would be with Tampa Bay. The GM also said the Bucs did not acquire the quarterback's rights with the idea of trading him.
The 37-year-old Garcia, who last year led Philadelphia to the playoffs filling in for the injured Donovan McNabb, agreed to terms a day after talking with the Oakland Raiders. The Bucs pursued him in free agency in 2004 but were unable to match a more lucrative deal Garcia signed with the Cleveland Browns.
Simms, who missed the final 13 games of last season with a ruptured spleen, signed a two-year contract extension in December. He led the Bucs to the playoffs after replacing the injured Brian Griese two years, but was 0-3 as a starter in 2006.
