Rattay is now playing for the FA contract but I'm not sure what the Bucs get out of this other than the shot to win some meaningless games. This decision is way too late and, like I said elsewhere, makes the Grads decision look even worse than it does now.
While I agree that having Rattay take snaps in 06 will tell us nothing about the QB position in 07, Gruden doesn't have any other options due to the poor play of Grad and the shocking performance of Rattay. If he goes back to Gradkowski, how can he tell them that performance earns playing time?
Peformances in real games carry some weight with Gruden. But peformances on the practice field are more important to Gruden than in game performances. I disagree with it but that is what Gruden believes in.
Well golly jee, Â I guess we should toss out the old adage that 'you play like you practice'.
Rattay has been nothing more than a stopgap his entire career. A backup player sometimes forced into a starting role, nothing more. Over a span of 9 games in 2004 he was less than mediocre, this after having a breakout season in 2003. If its those 2004 game performances you're referring too, it leaves much to be desired.
With most teams, if you don't practice or practice well enough to say that you understand your role in the game, then you don't play. There are few players that are exceptions to this rule (i.e. Steve McNair), and Tim Rattay should not be among those exceptions.
