McCown Might Finally Get His Shot

Buccaneers QB Luke McCown has been re-signed by Tampa Bay today, signing a 2-year $7.5 Million contract with $2.5 Million guaranteed and incentives based on performance and playoffs which could elevate it to $14 Million, a deal very similar to the deal signed by Jeff Garcia when he joined the team before the 2007 season.

McCown decided to forgo, free agency and stick with Tampa Bay and claims that he received assurances from new GM Mark Dominik and head coach Raheem Morris that he would get a legitimate shot to earn the starters job after sitting buried on the depth chart in Tampa since 2005.

"Luke McCown is a talented and athletic quarterback who we have gotten to know well over the last four years," Bucs head coach Raheem Morris said. "I know he is looking forward to the opportunity to be an integral part of our quarterback group this season."

A fourth round selection of the Cleveland Browns in 2004, started 3 games as a rookie before being traded to Tampa Bay during the 2005 draft. McCown has played in 7 games over 4 seasons in Tampa including 3 starts in 2007.

With McCown resigning the Bucs now have 3 QB's under contract, McCown, Brian Griese and Josh Johnson. It appears as last years starter and free agent Jeff Garcia may be the odd-man out as the Bucs move away from the traditional west coast offense. Under new offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski, McCown said he believes the Bucs will run a hybrid version of the west coast offense with more emphasis on a downfield passing attack.

"There's no question in my mind, I'm ready to compete,'' McCown said. "I didn't bother to ask who, if anybody else, they were targeting (at quarterback). That didn't matter to me. I'm going to do everything I can to be the leader of this team and take us back to the playoffs. I think my teammates know that. I think everybody knows I just needed a chance.''