Bruce Gradkowski
Encyclopedia
Bruce Raymond Gradkowski (born January 27, 1983) is an American Football
quarterback
for the Cincinnati Bengals
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft
after playing college football
at Toledo
.
Gradkowski has previously been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
, St. Louis Rams
, Cleveland Browns
, and Oakland Raiders
.
His younger brother, Gino, plays football at Delaware.
in Pittsburgh and played as a member of the Seton-La Salle Rebels from 1997 to 2000 in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL
). This is the same league that produced football legends such as Tony Dorsett
(Hopewell High School), Dan Marino
(Central Catholic High School), Bill Fralic
(Penn Hills High School), Joe Montana
(Ringgold High School), Joe Namath
(Beaver Falls High School), and Johnny Unitas
(St. Justin High School). As a junior, Gradkowski threw for 1,630 yards and 10 touchdowns. This performance was then 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 played basketball, serving as Seton-La Salle's starting point guard and leading his team in scoring. He was once interviewed by a reporter in high school, when the reporter asked "How do you feel about being in the same league as some of the best quarterbacks to play the game?" Bruce simply replied "Hope is a good thing, and no good thing ever dies".
as a freshman at Toledo
in 2001, Gradkowski saw action only as the holder on the special teams unit. In 2003, he became the starting quarterback as a sophomore. He set a Mid-American Conference
season record by completing 71.2% of his passes. He 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 proved he could scramble by rushing for 504 yards and a score on 91 carries (5.5 avg). In 2004, Gradkowski passed for 3518 yards with 27 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. He played in the GMAC Bowl
and won MVP.
drafted Gradkowski with the 25th (194 overall) pick in the 6th round of the 2006 NFL Draft
.
Gradkowski was named the starter for week 5 against New Orleans
. He became the starting quarterback due to the ruptured spleen
suffered by Chris Simms
. He had the best starting debut of all 2006 rookie quarterbacks by completing 20 out of 31 attempts for 225 yards with 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. He had a 107.6 passer rating and a near upset of the New Orleans Saints
. After his first loss, he won two straight starts despite declining numbers versus Cincinnati
and Philadelphia
before losing to the New York Giants
, New Orleans Saints
, and the Carolina Panthers
. After losing three in a row, he won on November 19, 2006, against the Washington Redskins
posting a 104.9 passer rating - that game was the first start for Redskins' Quarterback Jason Campbell
. Then on Thanksgiving
day, he lost to the Dallas Cowboys
, throwing 2 interceptions. He lost his second in a row to his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers
, throwing three interceptions. He lost another two starts to the Falcons and Bears, being pulled in both. In the second quarter in Chicago, he was pulled for good in favor of Tim Rattay
. He would not start again in 2006 as Rattay led a comeback scoring 4 Touchdowns in the second half, whereas under Gradkowski the team had a streak of 10 scoreless quarters.
In 2007 against the Washington Redskins, Gradkowski came in after the first play because of a Jeff Garcia injury. However, he did not have a good game. The next week, Gradkowski was benched in favor of Luke McCown.
He has a record of 3-8 as a starter. Gradkowski set the record for throwing more passes in NFL history before suffering a second career interception, with 200 passes.
On May 30, 2008, Gradkowski was waived by the Buccaneers.
in June 2008, but was waived during final cuts on August 30.
as their fourth-string quarterback on December 2, 2008 after quarterback
Derek Anderson
was placed on injured reserve
. He was the starter for the Browns' 2008 season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers
on December 28, 2008, after injuries to Anderson, Brady Quinn
, and Ken Dorsey
.
Gradkowski was waived on February 9, 2009.
.
On November 22, 2009, in his first start for the Raiders, Gradkowski threw 2 touchdowns, matching former Raiders quarterbacks JaMarcus Russell
's total for the season to that point, and led the team to come from behind 20-17 victory over the heavily favored Cincinnati Bengals.
In week 13, on the road the Raiders won 27-24 on a huge upset against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Gradkowski completed 20 of 33 passes for 308 yards and 3 touchdowns, including an 11-yard game winning touchdown to Louis Murphy
. For his performance in this game he was awarded the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award for week 13 of the regular season. It was also a new record in the NFL, for the most come from behind touchdowns thrown in the 4th Quarter since 1991, when statistical records started to keep track of this.
On December 13, 2009, he was injured in a game against the Washington Redskins during the 2nd quarter and was replaced by the out of shape Russell. The Raiders lost the game 34-13 without Gradowski. Gradkowski missed the remainder of the 2009 season with a partially torn MCL in both knees.
On March 15, 2010, he was re-signed by the Oakland Raiders for one year. He tore a pectoral muscle while lifting weights in April 2010. In Week 2 of the 2010 NFL season he took over for benched starter Jason Campbell
and lead the Raiders to a victory over the St. Louis Rams
.
On September 22, 2010 NFL Network
announced Gradkowski will become the Oakland Raiders
starting QB for Week #3.
On November 28, 2010 NFL.com announced that Gradkowski suffered another shoulder injury. A MRI exam the following Monday that revealed a third-degree separation of his throwing shoulder. On December 2, the Raiders placed Gradkowski on injured reserve, ending his 2010 season.
. He is currently the second-string quarterback behind rookie Andy Dalton
, and was also brought in to serve as a mentor to Dalton. After Dalton suffered a minor injury that removed him from the remainder of the game, Gradkowski threw a surprise touchdown while quick-snapping the ball while the Browns were still in the huddle.
Rushing
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
after playing college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Toledo
Toledo Rockets football
The Toledo Rockets football team is a college football program in Division I FBS, representing the University of Toledo. The Rockets compete in the Mid-American Conference. Toledo began playing football in 1917, although it did not field teams in 1931, and 1943-1945. Since the inception of the AP...
.
Gradkowski has previously been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
, Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
His younger brother, Gino, plays football at Delaware.
Early years
Gradkowski is a 2001 graduate from Seton-La Salle Catholic High SchoolSeton-La Salle Catholic High School
Seton-La Salle Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
in Pittsburgh and played as a member of the Seton-La Salle Rebels from 1997 to 2000 in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL
Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League
The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League is an interscholastic athletic association in Western Pennsylvania. It is District 7 of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. The league is colloquially known as "WIP-ee-al"...
). This is the same league that produced football legends such as Tony Dorsett
Tony Dorsett
Anthony "Tony" Drew Dorsett is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos.-Early years:...
(Hopewell High School), Dan Marino
Dan Marino
Daniel Constantine "Dan" Marino, Jr. is a retired American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League...
(Central Catholic High School), Bill Fralic
Bill Fralic
William P. Fralic, Jr. is a former professional American football offensive guard in the NFL.-Early years:...
(Penn Hills High School), Joe Montana
Joe Montana
Joseph Clifford "Joe" Montana, Jr. , nicknamed Joe Cool, Golden Joe, The Golden Great and Comeback Joe, is a retired American football player. Montana started his NFL career in 1979 with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played quarterback for the next 14 seasons...
(Ringgold High School), Joe Namath
Joe Namath
Joseph William "Joe" Namath , nicknamed "Broadway Joe" or "Joe Willie", is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the University of Alabama under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and his assistant, Howard Schnellenberger, from 1962–1964, and professional football in the...
(Beaver Falls High School), and Johnny Unitas
Johnny Unitas
John Constantine Unitas , known as Johnny Unitas or "Johnny U", and nicknamed "The Golden Arm", was a professional American football player in the 1950s through the 1970s, spending the majority of his career with the Baltimore Colts. He was a record-setting quarterback, and the National Football...
(St. Justin High School). As a junior, Gradkowski threw for 1,630 yards and 10 touchdowns. This performance was then improved as a senior, when he completed 188 out of 327 passes (a completion percentage of 57.5%) and threw for a then-WPIAL
Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League
The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League is an interscholastic athletic association in Western Pennsylvania. It is District 7 of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. The league is colloquially known as "WIP-ee-al"...
and PIAA
Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc. is one of the governing bodies of high school and junior high school sports for the state of Pennsylvania, United States....
(state) record of 2,978 yards and 30 touchdowns (surpassing the previous mark set by Marino). In high school, Gradkowski also played basketball, serving as Seton-La Salle's starting point guard and leading his team in scoring. He was once interviewed by a reporter in high school, when the reporter asked "How do you feel about being in the same league as some of the best quarterbacks to play the game?" Bruce simply replied "Hope is a good thing, and no good thing ever dies".
College career
After redshirtingRedshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
as a freshman at Toledo
University of Toledo
The University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The Carnegie Foundation classified the university as "Doctoral/Research Extensive."-National recognition:...
in 2001, Gradkowski saw action only as the holder on the special teams unit. In 2003, he became the starting quarterback as a sophomore. He set a Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
season record by completing 71.2% of his passes. He 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 proved he could scramble by rushing for 504 yards and a score on 91 carries (5.5 avg). In 2004, Gradkowski passed for 3518 yards with 27 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. He played in the GMAC Bowl
GMAC Bowl
The GoDaddy.com Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football bowl game that has been played annually at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama since 1999. It currently matches teams from the Sun Belt Conference and the Mid-American Conference, and...
and won MVP.
Statistics
| Year | CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | Sack | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 277 | 389 | 3210 | 71.2 | 8.25 | 66 | 29 | 7 | 9 | 161.53 |
| 2004 | 280 | 399 | 3518 | 70.2 | 8.82 | 96 | 27 | 8 | 14 | 162.56 |
| 2005 | 207 | 332 | 2469 | 62.3 | 7.44 | 70 | 29 | 12 | 9 | 146.42 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
drafted Gradkowski with the 25th (194 overall) pick in the 6th round of the 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
.
Gradkowski was named the starter for week 5 against New Orleans
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
. He became the starting quarterback due to the ruptured spleen
Ruptured spleen
Rupture of the capsule of the spleen, an organ in the upper left part of the abdomen, is a situation that requires immediate medical attention. The rupture of a normal spleen can be caused by trauma, such as a car accident.-Function In the Body:...
suffered by Chris Simms
Chris Simms
Christopher David Simms is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas.Simms has also played for the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
. He had the best starting debut of all 2006 rookie quarterbacks by completing 20 out of 31 attempts for 225 yards with 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. He had a 107.6 passer rating and a near upset of the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
. After his first loss, he won two straight starts despite declining numbers versus Cincinnati
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
and Philadelphia
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
before losing to the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
, and the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
. After losing three in a row, he won on November 19, 2006, against the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
posting a 104.9 passer rating - that game was the first start for Redskins' Quarterback Jason Campbell
Jason Campbell
Jason Campbell is an American football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
. Then on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
day, he lost to the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
, throwing 2 interceptions. He lost his second in a row to his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
, throwing three interceptions. He lost another two starts to the Falcons and Bears, being pulled in both. In the second quarter in Chicago, he was pulled for good in favor of Tim Rattay
Tim Rattay
Timothy F. Rattay [] is a former professional American football quarterback who played in the National Football League and United Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
. He would not start again in 2006 as Rattay led a comeback scoring 4 Touchdowns in the second half, whereas under Gradkowski the team had a streak of 10 scoreless quarters.
In 2007 against the Washington Redskins, Gradkowski came in after the first play because of a Jeff Garcia injury. However, he did not have a good game. The next week, Gradkowski was benched in favor of Luke McCown.
He has a record of 3-8 as a starter. Gradkowski set the record for throwing more passes in NFL history before suffering a second career interception, with 200 passes.
On May 30, 2008, Gradkowski was waived by the Buccaneers.
St. Louis Rams
Gradkowski was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis RamsSt. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
in June 2008, but was waived during final cuts on August 30.
Cleveland Browns
Gradkowski was signed by the Cleveland BrownsCleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
as their fourth-string quarterback on December 2, 2008 after quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson (American football)
Derek Matthew Anderson is an American football quarterback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
was placed on injured reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
. He was the starter for the Browns' 2008 season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
on December 28, 2008, after injuries to Anderson, Brady Quinn
Brady Quinn
Brayden Tyler "Brady" Quinn is an American football quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. Quinn was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame.-Early Years:Brayden Tyler "Brady" Quinn was born on...
, and Ken Dorsey
Ken Dorsey
Kenneth Simon "Ken" Dorsey is a former football quarterback. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami. A two-time Heisman Trophy finalist at Miami, Dorsey played for the Cleveland Browns from 2006–2008...
.
Gradkowski was waived on February 9, 2009.
Oakland Raiders
A day after being waived by the Browns, Gradkowski was claimed off waivers by the Oakland RaidersOakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
On November 22, 2009, in his first start for the Raiders, Gradkowski threw 2 touchdowns, matching former Raiders quarterbacks JaMarcus Russell
JaMarcus Russell
JaMarcus Trenell Russell is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. Russell played college football for the LSU Tigers where he finished 21–4 as a starter and was named MVP of the 2007 Sugar Bowl. The Oakland Raiders selected Russell with the first overall pick of the 2007...
's total for the season to that point, and led the team to come from behind 20-17 victory over the heavily favored Cincinnati Bengals.
In week 13, on the road the Raiders won 27-24 on a huge upset against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Gradkowski completed 20 of 33 passes for 308 yards and 3 touchdowns, including an 11-yard game winning touchdown to Louis Murphy
Louis Murphy
Louis Morris Murphy, Jr. is an American professional football player who is a wide receiver in the National Football League . Murphy played college football for the University of Florida, and now plays professionally for the Oakland Raiders of the NFL.- Early years :Murphy was born in St...
. For his performance in this game he was awarded the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award for week 13 of the regular season. It was also a new record in the NFL, for the most come from behind touchdowns thrown in the 4th Quarter since 1991, when statistical records started to keep track of this.
On December 13, 2009, he was injured in a game against the Washington Redskins during the 2nd quarter and was replaced by the out of shape Russell. The Raiders lost the game 34-13 without Gradowski. Gradkowski missed the remainder of the 2009 season with a partially torn MCL in both knees.
On March 15, 2010, he was re-signed by the Oakland Raiders for one year. He tore a pectoral muscle while lifting weights in April 2010. In Week 2 of the 2010 NFL season he took over for benched starter Jason Campbell
Jason Campbell
Jason Campbell is an American football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
and lead the Raiders to a victory over the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
.
On September 22, 2010 NFL Network
NFL Network
NFL Network is an American television specialty channel owned and operated by the National Football League . It was launched November 4, 2003, only eight months after the league's 32 team owners voted unanimously to approve its formation...
announced Gradkowski will become the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
starting QB for Week #3.
On November 28, 2010 NFL.com announced that Gradkowski suffered another shoulder injury. A MRI exam the following Monday that revealed a third-degree separation of his throwing shoulder. On December 2, the Raiders placed Gradkowski on injured reserve, ending his 2010 season.
Cincinnati Bengals
Following the 2011 NFL Lockout, Gradkowski signed with the Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
. He is currently the second-string quarterback behind rookie Andy Dalton
Andy Dalton (American football)
Andrew Gregory Dalton is an American professional football quarterback for the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals. He played college football at Texas Christian University...
, and was also brought in to serve as a mentor to Dalton. After Dalton suffered a minor injury that removed him from the remainder of the game, Gradkowski threw a surprise touchdown while quick-snapping the ball while the Browns were still in the huddle.
Career statistics
Passing| YEAR | TEAM | G | GS | ATT | CMP | CMP% | YDS | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | TB | 13 | 11 | 328 | 177 | 54.0% | 1,661 | 5.1 | 53 | 9 | 9 | 65.9 |
| 2007 | TB | 4 | 0 | 24 | 13 | 54.2% | 130 | 5.4 | 5.4 | 0 | 1 | 52.4 |
| 2008 | CLE | 2 | 1 | 21 | 7 | 33.3% | 26 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0 | 3 | 2.8 |
| 2009 | OAK | 7 | 4 | 150 | 82 | 54.7% | 1,007 | 6.7 | 75 | 6 | 3 | 80.6 |
| 2010 | OAK | 3 | 2 | 95 | 52 | 54.7% | 695 | 7.3 | 70 | 4 | 4 | 74.7 |
| TOTALS | 29 | 18 | 618 | 331 | 53.6% | 3,519 | 5.7 | 75 | 19 | 20 | 67.2 |
Rushing
| YEAR | G | GS | ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | 1ST | FUM | LOST | REC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 13 | 11 | 41 | 161 | 3.9 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| 2007 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 20 | 2.9 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 7 | 4 | 18 | 108 | 6.0 | 21 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 29 | 2.6 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTALS | 29 | 18 | 78 | 320 | 4.1 | 21 | 0 | 21 | 6 | 4 | 0 |