Rattay should start for Bucs

With the Chicago Bears' signing of former Broncos-Dolphins-Bucs quarterback Brian Griese this week, former Louisiana Tech star signal-caller Tim Rattay has another golden opportunity to take the reins as a starter in the NFL.

Rattay had success when he played in San Francisco, but the 49ers did not really give him much of a consistent chance to blossom into a top NFL QB. Once he was injured, the team abandoned him for all intents and purposes. They drafted Ken Dorsey a few years back then took Alex Smith with the No. 1 overall pick last season and sent Rattay packing.

Now entering his second season in Tampa Bay, Rattay should be allowed to compete with Chris Simms for the starter's job. Rattay was a better college quarterback than Simms and has shown he can play well in the NFL. Simms made some strides last season, but it doesn't seem like he and Bucs coach Jon Gruden see eye to eye. Might be because Simms is not really that good. He may, given time, develop into an impact player, but Rattay is already there.

If Rattay is given a fair shot he should and will be the starter. And another former Tech standout, Josh McCown, could also move up the depth chart to No. 2, although it's not likely the Bucs will pay Simms that much to be No. 3.