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As Tampa Tribune beat writer Roy Cummings framed it: "As tough a blow as it was to watch the Jake Plummer trade blow up in their faces, the Bucs recovered rather quickly. ..."

Less than 24 hours after they learned that Plummer would rather retire than come play quarterback for them, the Bucs landed free agent signal caller Jeff Garcia, the hottest commodity available at the position.

Making matters even more interesting, the Plummer deal is still on.

The Bucs officially announced Garcia's signing at a news conference at team headquarters.

"I'm here based on the opportunity to play," Garcia said of his decision to sign with the Bucs. "I'm here based on the opportunity to compete. I'm here to compete."

His arrival ends a nearly three-year courtship between the two parties that began in 2004.

Garcia and the Bucs nearly merged that year, but the Bucs offer of a $1 million signing bonus forced Garcia to look elsewhere, and he eventually signed with the Browns, who offered a $5.5 million bonus.

Money wasn't a problem for the Bucs this time as they have nearly $24 million in cap space. There is also a greater need on the Bucs part.

According to NFL Network insider Adam Schefter, Garcia's deal is similar to the one the Bucs gave Chris Simms. According to Pro Football Weekly, the deal Simms just days before the Buccaneers' regular-season finale was a two-year deal that could be worth as much as $14.5 million.

Meanwhile, as Profootballtalk.com editor Mike Florio framed it: "In a move that can only be described as bizarre, the press release announcing the acquisition of defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson by the Broncos also states that Plummer has been traded to Tampa for a conditional pick in the 2008 draft."

ESPNews is reporting the same.

Plummer made it clear on Friday that he would retire rather than play for the Buccaneers.

The release, forwarded to PFT by Scout.com, says: "The Denver Broncos on Saturday traded quarterback Jake Plummer to Tampa Bay in exchange for a conditional selection in the 2008 NFL Draft, head coach Mike Shanahan announced."

Florio suggests it would appear the Bucs have opted to squat on Plummer's rights. It also appears the Broncos are willing to force Plummer's hand visa vis his threat to retire.

According to Schefter, the move is aimed Plummer from retiring for a few months and then unretiring to play for the Texans. Schefter went on to explain the trade states that Plummer either unretires and plays for the Bucs or Plummer retires and the Broncos retain the ability to pursue the unallocated portion of his signing bonus.

So, if Plummer unretires, Tampa will need $5.3 million in cap room to carry his base salary. If he shows up in Tampa, the Buccaneers will have to play him, cut him. ... Or trade him. As Florio suggests, perhaps to the Texans.

If he truly retires, the Broncos would likely get nothing. If Plummer decides not to quit, then the Broncos get a pick in 2008 based on, potentially, Plummer's playing time or performance.

For what it's worth, Bucs general manger Bruce Allen admitted he was aware of Plummer's desire to possibly retire, but went through with the trade anyway.

"I'm sure he just wants to weigh some things on his mind," Allen said.

Allen is still holding out hope Plummer will be one of the quarterbacks the Bucs take to training camp with them this summer.

"We traded for him, we own his rights, we'll have further discussions at a later time," Allen said. "But there is a possibility he doesn't play the 2007 season."

The bottom line? For now, the Bucs have Plummer, Garcia and Simms under contract.

But don't let that cloud the situation too much. Head coach Jon Gruden has made no secret of his desire to bring in a successful veteran quarterback to push Simms for the starter's job. Garcia certainly fits the bill.

In fact, as St. Petersburg Times staffer Rick Stroud pointed out, Gruden has always believed Garcia would be a nice fit in his offense because of his ability to move in the pocket and make plays with his arm and his feet.

According to his agent, Garcia is just as eager to work for Gruden.

"The opportunity to play for Jon Gruden in Tampa is something that really excites him," agent Steve Baker told reporters. "Jon is a coach who Jeff believes has the ability to bring out the best in him.

"In fact, [Garcia] feels that by playing for Jon, he has a very good chance of duplicating the success he had with the Eagles in Philadelphia last year."

Garcia resurrected his career -- and the Eagles -- last season after taking over for an injured Donovan McNabb and leading Philadelphia to a 5-1 record and the NFC East title.

That achievement and his 95.8 passer rating aside, the Eagles decided not to re-sign Garcia. He was reportedly stunned when the team elected to sign backup A.J. Feeley to a three-year extension instead, making Garcia one of the most sought-after free agents on the market.

As for the Raiders. ... Oakland Tribune NFL writer Jerry McDonald reports that Garcia spent seven hours with team officials on Friday and had dinner with Al Davis Thursday night. While impressed with coach Lane Kiffin, the word is Garcia was concerned about whether the offensive supporting cast would be a good fit.

Having played with struggling teams in Cleveland and Detroit, Garcia, at age 37, felt the Bucs would run an offense in which he could thrive.

The Bucs were 4-12 last season but were one year removed from the playoffs. Oakland hasn't won more than five games in a season since 2002.

With Oakland, Garcia would have entered the 2007 season as a starter but as no more than a caretaker for the position should the Raiders select a quarterback with the top pick in the draft, presumably JaMarcus Russell.

"That was a tough situation to turn away from because I grew up in the Bay area," Garcia said during his introduction in Tampa. "There was an appeal there because I grew up in the Bay area."

But Garcia said he had to take emotions out of the decision and ultimately decided to sign a two-year contract with Tampa Bay.

"What gives me the best opportunity to win right now?" Garcia said. "I feel like Tampa Bay offered that opportunity. ..."

Garcia had a tryout with the Raiders in the Gruden years, with Oakland opting to sign former Heisman winner Andre Ware instead.

Now Gruden and Garcia will finally see what they can do together in Tampa -- assuming Plummer makes good on his threat to bail or is able to force a move to Houston.

So, I suggest you keep a close eye on the News & Views section of the site in coming days. I expect the Plummer situation to shake out in fairly short order and I'll be posting further on the situation as developments warrant.