QB Bruce Gradkowski has been busy accepting the congratulations of well-wishers and former teammates since beating Cincinnati in his debut as the Raiders starter. Included among those is Jon Gruden, his former coach with the Buccaneers, and Jeff Garcia, his former teammate with the Bucs. Gruden, of course, coached the Raiders but was traded following the 2001 season for two first-round draft picks, two second-round picks and $8 million in cash, only to resurface in Super Bowl XXXVII and beat the Raiders 48-21. Garcia signed with the Raiders in the offseason but requested his release at the end of training camp, later telling media he didn't like the way things were run and that too many players seemed to be "collecting a paycheck."
"I talk to Jeff every week. So I'm going to hear from Jeff, basically every day we talk," Gradkowski said. "And coach Gruden also, he sent me a text. It was exciting. I told him he was doing a good job on that Monday Night Football. So it's good to know those guys are watching and keeping an eye out, and I'm just excited to be out here and be able to play." Gradkowski didn't delve into Garcia's reasons for wanting to leave. "It's crazy how things work out and that's the nature of this business," Gradkowski said. "Hey, everything happens for a reason, I truly believe that, and you just have to take it as it comes."
(Yahoo! Sports)