• Jeff Garcia will either have more or fewer choices. Upon striking a deal to obtain Plummer, the Bucs appeared to no longer be one of the teams that would pursue the former Eagle, shrinking his free-agent options by one despite a renaissance late-season performance in leading Philadelphia into the playoffs. That's in limbo now.

Tampa Bay, Oakland and Denver were the teams most interested in Garcia at the start of free agency, with the Bucs considered the most likely suitor to ante up close to starter's money. The Bucs re-signed Chris Simms at $5 million for 2007, and assured him that he would begin the year as their starter. But Tampa Bay is believed to have some $20 million of available cap room at the start of free agency and thus was expected to be able to give Garcia a short-term deal similar to Simms' contract.

Instead, Tampa Bay went after Plummer in trade, and believed it had a deal nearly consummated Friday morning until he was informed of the move and balked at joining Jon Gruden's team.

If the Bucs can get Plummer to reconsider his retirement stance, that development would most benefit the Raiders, who wound then be in the driver's seat in their pursuit of Garcia. Oakland is expected to offer Garcia a salary that splits the difference between backup and starter's money, reflecting what would likely be a one-year window of starting opportunity in Oakland.

The Raiders are almost certain to draft either LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell or Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn with their first overall pick in April's draft, and thus will make a sizeable financial commitment to their future starter later this spring.

If Garcia's market boils down to Oakland or Denver -- where he would be backing up second-year pro Jay Cutler and replacing Plummer -- his best chance to start would be with the Raiders, whose offensive coordinator, Greg Knapp, had several successful seasons with Garcia in San Francisco.

• If Plummer vetoes the deal and retires, the Bucs backup quarterback situation, for the time being, appears right back where it was at mid-week. Tampa Bay promised Simms the first crack at retaining the starting job when they signed him to a late-season extension, but the Bucs are seeking an upgraded veteran option as well, in light of Simms missing most of last season after an emergency splenectomy. Tampa Bay allowed backup Tim Rattay to enter free agency Friday, and he is not expected to return to the team.