Charlie

Garner

The playing status of Garner, linebacker Derrick Brooks (knee) and receiver Charles Lee (hamstring) will be decided shortly before kickoff.

We’ll see how much is pretty much. Garner is one the preeminant boom-or-bust picks this season.

It’s uncertain, what role, if any, Garner will have with the 2006 Bucs. He will be expensive to keep or release.

This won’t exactly help his free agent negotiations. Denver, Tampa Bay, and Pittsburgh are among the teams believed to be interested in Garner.

Garner is someone to watch this summer. If healthy, he could provide nice value at your flex position or third running back position next season.

We’re looking forward to seeing Garner in pewter. He’s one of the riskiest fantasy picks this season. His value could range anywhere from a third-seventh rounder.

If it happens, Garner is basically paying $400,000 to become a free agent now, rather than be released. The Buccaneers, Lions and Redskins are three likely candidates to be interested in Garner.

He still wasn’t taking the full amoount of reps with his new teammates, but this he’s progressing. Garner may give up too many carries to Mike Alstott and Jamel White to be a solid No. 2 fantasy back.

His burst is back. Garner reportedly made Bucs defenders look bad on Saturday. He’s looking more like a top forty selection. His receiving skills are a perfect fit in Tampa.

''He’s progressing. He’s now into some figure eights and things of that nature,’' Allen said. ''I don’t know (when he’ll be back). It’s too early. He’s working hard at it. He’s not going to be activated next week, I know, so that’s going to be the third preseason game.’' With Carnell Williams and Michael Pittman on the roster, Garner doesn’t appear to have a role if he does get healthy.