Bucs Run Out of Time in Denver

By JC De La Torre

The strange quarterback carosel of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers just got a little stranger as Jeff Garcia relieved an injured Brian Griese while the Bucs fell short against the Denver Broncos 16-13.

It was a terribly disappointing performance by the Bucs, as they only managed 13 points against one of the league's worst defenses while the Bucs defense had a good game, holding down the #1 offense in the NFL to under 340 yds and only 16 points.

Garcia relieved Griese in the fourth quarter after Griese was blasted by Champ Bailey on a corner blitz. Griese apparently hurt his shoulder and could not return. The severity of the injury isn't known. Garcia promptly threw an interception, but the interceptor, defensive lineman Marcus Thomas, fumbled and the Bucs offense got the ball back. Garcia managed to get the Bucs down the field and score a touchdown with 2 minutes left in the game, but the defense could not get Jay Cutler and the Bronocs offense off the field to give Garcia another chance to tie.

The Bucs fall to 3-2, tied for second in the division with the surprising Atlanta Falcons. The New Orleans Saints could make it a three way tie if they beat the Vikings on Monday Night football. The Bucs host the first place Carolina Panthers Sunday in a crucial NFC South showdown.

The question is - who will be the quarterback?