Bucs should have tried harder for Favre
Posted by Keith Kidd

After a back-and-forth soap opera in Green Bay, QB Brett Favre has been traded to the New York Jets. However, Tampa Bay should have tried harder to trade for Favre because he would have been a perfect fit and would have made the Bucs much better.

Jon Gruden and Brett Favre should have been reunited in Tampa Bay.
It is clear the Packers didn't want to trade Favre within the NFC, which is why their asking price from Tampa Bay was more than what they got from New York. But if it would have taken just a slightly better draft pick than the Jets reportedly traded plus a veteran player to bring the future Hall of Fame quarterback to Tampa Bay, the Bucs' organization dropped the ball.
Bucs coach Jon Gruden has a prior relationship with Favre from when he was on the Packers' coaching staff from 1992-94, and Gruden has a history of getting the most out of experienced quarterbacks. He did wonders for Rich Gannon in Oakland and Brad Johnson in Tampa Bay when the Bucs won the Super Bowl, and even for Jeff Garcia last season. This move would have been good for the defending NFC South champion Bucs as well as for Favre, who would have joined a team in a winnable division loaded with veteran players, making for an easier transition.

Even though Gruden's playbook is one of the most sophisticated, Favre wouldn't have struggled transitioning to a different West Coast offensive system. Gruden would have sat down with him and quarterbacks coach Greg Olson to figure out what Favre is most comfortable with and would have built on that as the regular season neared. Gruden's playbook has a lot of similarities to what Favre is used to because it is all derived from Mike Holmgren's system. The hardest part for Favre would have been getting familiar with the Buccaneers' terminology, but he would have done all he could to make a smooth transition. He would have spent extra time in the meeting room working with Gruden, Olson and the other quarterbacks trying to catch up.

Favre would have made running backs Earnest Graham, Warrick Dunn and Carnell Williams better. The Buccaneers love to pound the rock, and opposing defenses wouldn't have been able to play eight men in the box like they do with Jeff Garcia under center, because Favre would have picked them apart. Favre would have done things Garcia can't do because Favre has a lot more arm strength and can attack all levels in the passing game.

The offensive linemen would have been much-improved because they would be able to protect him much easier than Garcia, since Garcia tends to move around in the pocket a lot, which makes it difficult for the linemen to have a common ground and know their depth within the pocket. Even though Favre is somewhat of a gunslinger, he is still primarily a pocket passer. The addition of C Jeff Faine in free agency also would have helped Favre's transition because of Faine's ability to handle the protections while identifying fronts and blitzes, which is less that Favre would have had to worry about. He would have had to focus only on his position and worry only about the back end in regards to zone concepts and coverage designs.

Favre was able to do wonders in Green Bay with a young receiving corps, and there are many similarities between the Packers and Bucs. Both have one veteran receiver -- Donald Driver in Green Bay and Joey Galloway in Tampa -- and both have a stable of young talent. Favre would have had no problem connecting with Galloway because he is a true No. 1, even though he isn't getting any younger. But Favre could have done wonders for Michael Clayton, who should be in the No. 2 role since Ike Hilliard fits best as a No. 3. Adding a premier passer would have helped Clayton's chances of getting back to producing like he did during his rookie season (1,193 yards and seven touchdowns). TE Alex Smith's production would have also increased because Favre loves to incorporate his tight ends, especially near the goal line.

Last season the Bucs were No. 17 in the NFL in third-down percentage, while Green Bay was No. 8. If the Bucs had Favre under center, the Bucs' defense would have been able to rest a little longer. Plus, the improved running game wouldn't hurt, either.

If the Bucs had Favre, maybe they wouldn't have been on a level with Dallas just yet, but they would have definitely gained ground in the NFC.

The marriage between Favre and Gruden definitely would have had a happy ending. The last time they were paired together (1994) Favre threw for 3,882 yards, 33 touchdowns, 14 interceptions and a 90.7 quarterback rating in Green Bay (while Gruden was the wide receivers coach). They'd be in the playoffs, possibly have a home game and then from there, with Favre, anything is possible. It wasn't out of the realm of possibility that Favre could have led the Bucs to a conference title game or even a Super Bowl -- which, by the way, is in Tampa this year.