Bruce Gradkowski

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Full Name: Bruce Gradkowski Primary Position: QB Height/Weight: 6' 1"/220 College: University of Toledo Birthdate: January 27, 1983 High School: - Birthplace: Pittsburg, Pennsylvania Pro Experience: 1 year

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[edit] Biography

Bruce Raymond Gradkowski (born January 27, 1983 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is an NFL starting quarterback currently playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bruce is nicknamed the "Polish Rifle" and the "Toledo Bomber," coined by Bucs announcer Gene Deckerhoff. Bruce is the son of Bruce and Debbie Gradkowski. Gradkowski's jersey number is 7, his height is 6'2 and he weighs 220 pounds. He is a mobile quarterback with the ability to throw on the run, though he can also pass from the pocket.

[edit] High school career

Gradkowski is a 2001 graduate from Seton-La Salle High School in Pittsburgh, PA and played as a member of the Seton-La Salle Rebels from 1997 to 2000 in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL). This is the same league that produced football legends such as Dan Marino (Central Catholic High School), Joe Montana (Ringgold High School), Joe Namath (Beaver Falls High School), and Johnny Unitas (St. Justin High School). In high school, he ultimately performed at a higher level than any of them did. As a junior, Gradkowski threw for 1,630 yards and 10 touchdowns. This performance was then significantly improved as a senior, when he completed 188 out of 327 passes (a completion percentage of 57.5%) and threw for a then-WPIAL and PIAA (state) record of 2,978 yards and 30 touchdowns (surpassing the previous mark set by Marino). In high school, Gradkowski also performed well in basketball, serving as Seton-La Salle's starting point guard and leading his team in scoring.

[edit] College career

After red shirting as a freshman at Toledo in 2001, Gradkowski saw action only as the holder on the special teams unit. In 2003, he was thrust into the starting position as a sophomore. He set a Mid-American Conference season record by completing 71.2% of his passes. He also threw for 3,210 yards, with a school season record of 29 touchdowns and 7 interceptions and a final passer rating of 161.53. He also proved he could scramble by rushing for 504 yards and a score on 91 carries (5.5 avg). In 2004, Gradkowski honed his skills and passed for 3518 yards with 27 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Statistically, his senior year was his weakest, but he pulled off a victory in the GMAC Bowl and won MVP. Other MVPs of the GMAC Bowl have included Byron Leftwich, Ben Roethlisberger, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Omar Jacobs. After he finished his senior year he declared himself eligible for the 2006 NFL Draft.

[edit] NFL career

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Bruce Gradkowski with the 25th pick in the 6th round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He is currently their starting quarterback due to the ruptured spleen suffered by previous starter Chris Simms. After a preseason in which he recorded the highest passer rating of any Tampa Bay quarterback, he was slotted in second string behind Simms. Simms will be out for a minimum 2-3 months, and the Toledo Bomber was named the starter for week 5 against New Orleans. He had the best starting debut of all 2006 rookie quarterbacks by completing 20 out of 31 attempts for 225 yards with 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. His performance was good enough to post a 107.6 passer rating and a near upset of the New Orleans Saints. Since then he has won two games straight versus Cincinnati and Philadelphia

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