August 20, 2016

Highlighted Year: Brian Griese, 2004

Quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers


Age: 29
7th season in pro football, 1st with Buccaneers
College: Michigan
Height: 6’3”   Weight: 214

Prelude:
Griese, the son of Hall of Fame QB Bob Griese, was a successful walk-on in college who passed for 3663 yards and 27 touchdowns and capped his career at Michigan with a Rose Bowl victory. He was chosen by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1998 NFL draft and spent his rookie year backing up QB John Elway. With Elway retired, Griese took over the starting job in 1999 and, hampered by injuries (a recurring theme), threw for 3032 yards and 14 TDs, with as many interceptions. While again plagued by injuries, he showed improvement in 2000, passing for 2688 yards and 19 touchdowns, with just four interceptions, and led the NFL with a 102.9 passer rating. He was chosen to the Pro Bowl but also needed shoulder surgery for the second straight year. Griese struggled with consistency in 2001 and his interception total rose to 19. A smart and accurate, if not strong-armed, passer at his best, his leadership skills and confidence came under question, particularly in clutch situations, and after another disappointing year in 2002 he was let go and moved on to the Miami Dolphins in ’03, where he started five games and was unimpressive. Griese joined the Buccaneers in 2004 as the third-string quarterback but, when QB Chris Simms went down with an injury, he took over the starting job and performed well.

2004 Season Summary
Appeared in 11 of 16 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing
Attempts – 336
Most attempts, game – 50 at San Diego 12/12
Completions – 233
Most completions, game – 36 at San Diego 12/12
Yards – 2632
Most yards, game – 392 at San Diego 12/12
Completion percentage – 69.3 [1]
Yards per attempt – 7.8 [8]
TD passes – 20 [14, tied with Drew Bledsoe]
Most TD passes, game – 3 at San Diego 12/12, vs. Carolina 12/26
Interceptions – 12 [15, tied with Joey Harrington & Michael Vick]
Most interceptions, game – 3 at San Diego 12/12
Passer rating – 97.5 [6]
300-yard passing games – 3
200-yard passing games – 6

Rushing
Attempts – 30
Most attempts, game – 5 (for -2 yds.) at New Orleans 10/10
Yards – 17
Most yards, game – 9 yards (on 2 carries) at Carolina 11/28
Average gain – 0.6
TDs – 0

Pass Receiving
Receptions – 1
Yards – -4
TDs – 0

Buccaneers went 5-11 to finish fourth in the NFC South.

Aftermath:
Griese started six games in 2005, five of which the Bucs won, but a knee injury cut his season short and he was let go afterward. He moved on to the Bears as a backup in 2006 and saw considerable action in ’07 in place of starting QB Rex Grossman until he again was injured. Griese was traded back to Tampa Bay in 2008 and started five games in what was his last season. Overall, he passed for 19,440 yards and 119 touchdowns, with 4841 yards and 32 TDs coming with the Bucs. Griese was chosen to one Pro Bowl in a career that was marked by injuries and inconsistency.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating
Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)
All-Purpose: Total Yards
Defense: Interceptions, Sacks
Kickoff Returns: Average
Punt Returns: Average
Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970