By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

arichardson@tampatrib.com

TAMPA - There are few Football dilemmas harder than the one Bucs coach Jon Gruden will face for a second consecutive Sunday.

Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia sustained a calf injury last week, and Gruden was unsure if he would play. Backup quarterback Luke McCown took first-team reps all week, but when it was determined Garcia could not play, Gruden changed his mind and decided to start veteran Brian Griese.

This week's scenario has not changed.

Garcia again has been limited in practice for Tampa Bay's must-win home game against San Diego. Gruden is optimistic Garcia can tough it out and play, but if not, he will again be forced to make another tough decision.

Griese or McCown?

"We have two quarterbacks, and we have reps for the backups, and Luke has taken most of those," Gruden said. "If need be, he'll be ready to go."

The need to play McCown has not occurred much in four years.

McCown (6-foot-3, 212 pounds) is known for having a strong arm and mobility, but he lacks playing experience. He has seven career starts since entering the NFL as Cleveland's fourth-round pick in 2004, four with the Browns and three after being traded to Tampa Bay the following year.

Last year, McCown showed his potential by throwing 15 consecutive completions against New Orleans during a crucial NFC South matchup and leading the Bucs to a 27-23 road win. McCown also showed a need to improve his decision-making when he started in losses against Houston and Carolina, being sacked eight times combined in those games.

"There are plenty of teams this year that have turned to younger guys and rode out the wave, whether it be good or bad, because there is only one way to get experience," McCown said. "Yeah, with a young quarterback you're going to have ups and downs. There are going to be mistakes made. Aaron Rodgers [Green Bay] has made his fair share of mistakes and he's played well at the same time.

"There is a long-term picture that sometimes an organization looks at and sometimes they feel like it's always good to go with an older guy."

McCown plays for a coach who prefers to play older guys, unless injuries alter his plans, such as when Chris Simms and Bruce Gradkowski started for Tampa Bay in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

Gruden seems to be more comfortable with Griese than McCown.

Griese (6-3, 214) is an 11-year veteran who made the Pro Bowl in 2000. Although Griese has a habit of throwing interceptions - 99 career picks and 119 TDs - he has the ability to manage a game that meets Gruden's expectations.

Bucs center Jeff Faine has played with young and older quarterbacks and understands Gruden's quandary.

"I think it all has to do with where you're at with your Football program," Faine said. "If you're competing and you want a guy to manage a game and get you through it, then you stick with the veteran. If you're in a rebuilding process, and a nothing-to-lose atmosphere, why not give the young guy a chance? Why not give him a chance to get his bumps and bruises?

"Of course, it could backfire."

The quarterback projected to fire up Tampa Bay this week is Garcia.

If Garcia can show coaches his calf is strong enough to play on, the great backup debate will cease, solving Gruden's problems.

However, if Garcia is unable to play, Gruden will have another game-time dilemma.

"It's tough," Gruden said. "We've done it a fullback. We've done it at tight end. We've done it at wide receiver. We've done it a tailback. We've done it at quarterback. If we have to do it, we'll do it. We need Jeff to play and hopefully he's ready to go. We'll just cross our fingers."

(CHART) WHAT IF?

The Bucs can clinch a playoff spot this weekend - with help. The Bucs are in as at least an NFC wild-card team if they beat the Chargers, the Falcons lose to the Vikings and either the Cowboys or Eagles lose.

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425.

Photo: QB Luke McCown has led the Bucs to wins in the past, but doesn't appear to have the trust of Coach Jon Gruden.

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