http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/3009 Recent articles about Kassim Osgood en-us Jeff Garcia doesnt have a new contract and he's sounds off..... TAMPA â€" For the first time in five years, Jeff Garcia was thrilled he did not have a change of uniform or address in the offseason. The grass has never grown under the cleats of the vagabond quarterback. And it's starting to look as if the Bucs do not want Garcia to put down too many roots in Tampa Bay. Garcia said Tuesday that he's disappointed the team hasn't been willing to tear up his contract and reward him with a new deal that would enable him to finish his career with the Bucs. Garcia, 38, has one year remaining on his contract that will pay him a base salary of $2-million in 2008. He went 8-6 as a starter for the Bucs last season, leading them to an NFC South title and being named to the Pro Bowl. Nonrookie starting quarterbacks average between $7-million and $15-million a year in the NFL, making Garcia among the league's lowest-paid quarterbacks. After Tuesday's workout â€" the first of the offseason â€" Garcia was asked if he was disappointed by the lack of progress toward a new deal. "You could say that," Garcia said. "Talks haven't necessarily gone all that good. "So in a way, it's disappointing. At this point in my career, I'm no longer 24 or 25 saying, 'I'm going to prove to you I deserve this.' I feel like I've proved throughout my career. And I feel like at this time, it's time to just work with me, and you know what I bring to the team. You know what I've done for the team, and you know how much more I can do. And now I have a year under my system." The Bucs declined to comment. There's another reason why Garcia might be unhappy with his contract. Because of the Bucs' decision to rest him for the final two weeks of the regular season, he fell just short of participating in 70 percent of their offensive snaps, preventing him from earning a seven-figure bonus. Coach Jon Gruden did not allow Garcia to play the second half of the Bucs' 21-19 loss at San Francisco on Dec. 23. Garcia also was benched for the regular-season finale at home against the Panthers on Dec. 30. As a result, Garcia did not get at least $1-million in bonus money. Garcia is not required to attend the offseason workout program, which is voluntary. But he participated in Tuesday's as an act of good faith. Whether he attends the rest of this week's workouts or future offseason workout programs remains to be seen, but he indicated his options are limited. "I'm committed to a second year the way my contract is drawn up," Garcia said. "Yes, I would like to rip it up and create a new one that allows me to finish off my career here. But we're not necessarily on the same page as far as that's concerned." Garcia, Luke McCown and Bruce Gradkowski were the only quarterbacks that attended practice Tuesday. Chris Simms is not participating in offseason workouts presumably because he wants to be traded. Brian Griese, acquired in a trade with the Bears in March, had a commitment to a charity event. Tuesday's practice with the Bucs marked the first time since 2003 with the 49ers that Garcia has begun an offseason with the team he played for in the previous season. After bouncing to the Browns, Lions and Eagles in consecutive seasons, he finally found a home under Gruden in Tampa Bay. In 2007, Garcia completed 209 of 307 passes for 2,440 yards with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions for a passer rating of 94.6. Garcia said he has a chance to build upon the success he enjoyed in the team's offense a year ago. "My head was swimming," Garcia said. "When I heard the terminology (last year), I was still trying to figure it all out. And I'm not at that point. "So now I can take off from where I am now and build upon that. And going into the season, I just feel I'll be so much more confident and secure as to how to run this system as opposed to where I was last year. And last year, things didn't go all that bad." Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:50:44 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/233336 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/233336 Many of the leagues most respected players were in Washington, DC, on Friday to be honored at the 2008 NFL Players Gala featuring the JB Awards. Hosted by CBS' James Brown and former Steelers head coach turned CBS analyst Bill Cowher, the event is an annual awards presentation benefiting Special Olympics District of Columbia. A group of the players being honored at the evening's award show spent the morning at Catholic University playing football with 75 or so local Special Olympic Athletes. Players involved on Friday morning included Marques Douglas, Chris Draft, Warrick Dunn, Braylon Edwards, Israel Idonije, Kassim Osgood, Mack Strong, James Thrash and Brian Waters. With guys like Chris Henry and Matt Leinert in the news for questionable decisions lately, I think it's important to recognize many of the league's good people. DC was lucky enough to be full of them on Friday. I spent a few hours watching the football-style games the NFL guys played with the Special Olympic athletes and there was one thing that was blatantly clear throughout the day. From the kids to the volunteers to the NFL players, every single person in the gym was having an absolute blast. I can't recall the last time I've seen so many smiles in one place. James Thrash, a player known on the field for his punt return skills, seemed to be having more fun than anyone all day long. When I asked him what it was like for him to spend the day with the kids, Thrash was glowing. "When you see the fun these kids are having, you can't help but smile." It really is true. The smiles in the gym were contagious. Another athlete having a blast was Cleveland Browns star receiver Braylon Edwards. Thrash and Edwards were teamed up in a drill that led the children through an obstacle course and once completed they had the chance to make a pass to Braylon. The kids put Edwards' impressive hands to the test but he didn't disappoint. After each catch, he danced as if he'd just caught a TD in the Super Bowl. Two other players of note at the event were Chris Draft of the Rams and Warrick Dunn of the Bucs. Draft was having so much fun running around with the kids he looked as if he had just run a marathon. NFL players must sweat more than the average person. Warrick Dunn played the role of quarterback in a hand off drill. While many of the NFL players were giants, Dunn looked like one of the kids. I was amazed that a man of his size can thrive and actually be incredibly effective in the NFL. I had the chance to ask Warrick how he felt about returning to the Tampa Bay Bucs after years in Atlanta. Dunn, quite soft spoken said he believes it will be a "good situation" for him in Tampa. It was an inspiring day watching some of the NFL's brightest stars get a chance to make the days of a gym full of kids who likely don't get this kind of opportunity every day. pics are at this link: http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/photos/nfl-players-charity/ Sat, 05 Apr 2008 13:32:42 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/229602 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/229602 Kassim Osgood, Two-plus years into being perhaps the NFL's most-recognized and most-appreciated guy who never plays, San Diego Chargers special teams standout Kassim Osgood is fed up. He wants to be a receiver according to the San Diego Union Tribune. Birds fans, this guy has the potential to be a stud, he is unhappy and maybe the birds could look into this. 6-5, 220= RED ZONE THREAT Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:34:25 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/191492 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/191492