Bruce Gradkowski

Infobox NFLactive


|width=
caption=
currentteam=Free Agent
currentnumber=--
currentposition=Quarterback
birthdate=birth date and age|1983|1|27
birthplace=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
heightft=6
heightin=1
weight=220
debutyear=2006
debutteam=Tampa Bay Buccaneers
college=Toledo
draftyear=2006
draftround=6
draftpick=194
pastteams=
* Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2006-2007)
* St. Louis Rams (2008-present)
status=Active
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=TD-INT
statvalue1=9-10
statlabel2=Passing yards
statvalue2=1,791
statlabel3=QB Rating
statvalue3=65.0
nfl=GRA068015

Bruce Raymond Gradkowski (born January 27, 1983 in city-state|Pittsburgh|Pennsylvania) is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Toledo.

Early years

Gradkowski is a 2001 graduate from Seton-La Salle Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, PA and played as a member of the Seton-La Salle Rebels from 1997 to 2000 in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL). Bruce is the only quarterback in Western Pennsylvannia to wear the number 69. This is the same league that produced football legends such as Dan Marino (Central Catholic High School), Joe Montana (Ringgold High School), Joe Namath (Beaver Falls High School), and Johnny Unitas (St. Justin High School). In high school, he ultimately performed at a higher level than any of them did. As a junior, Gradkowski threw for 1,630 yards and 10 touchdowns. This performance was then significantly improved as a senior, when he completed 188 out of 327 passes (a completion percentage of 57.5%) and threw for a then-WPIAL and PIAA (state) record of 2,978 yards and 30 touchdowns (surpassing the previous mark set by Marino). In high school, Gradkowski also performed well in basketball, serving as Seton-La Salle's starting point guard and leading his team in scoring.

College career

After redshirting as a freshman at Toledo in 2001, Gradkowski saw action only as the holder on the special teams unit. In 2003, he was thrust into the starting position as a sophomore. He set a Mid-American Conference season record by completing 71.2% of his passes. He also threw for 3,210 yards, with a school season record of 29 touchdowns and 7 interceptions and a final passer rating of 161.53. He also proved he could scramble by rushing for 504 yards and a score on 91 carries (5.5 avg). In 2004, Gradkowski honed his skills and passed for 3518 yards with 27 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Statistically, his senior year was his weakest, but he pulled off a victory in the GMAC Bowl and won MVP. Other MVPs of the GMAC Bowl have included Byron Leftwich, Ben Roethlisberger, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Omar Jacobs. After he finished his senior year he declared himself eligible for the 2006 NFL Draft. He majored in business marketing.

tatistics

External links

* [http://www.buccaneers.com/team/playerdetail.aspx?player=Gradkowski,Bruce,7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers bio]
* [http://www.stlouisrams.com/team/players/67808/ Rams Player Bio]