Buccaneers Finally Get A QB: It's Byron

One national Web site called him "Fat Albert." Some say he looks like an overgrown Gary Coleman. Others call him a "windmill," or "The Big Dipper."

Whatever name you choose to call him, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris has one of his own: "starting quarterback."

He is Byron Leftwich, proud winner of the competition to take the snap on opening day against the Dallas Cowboys in Raymond James Stadium.

Word came out early Saturday morning when radio station WDAE broke the news before the Buccaneer practice. Morris had let the team know before practice of the decision.

After practice, Morris announced his decision to the media and explained this decision and why it dragged on so long. He said Leftwich emerged as the leader after the OTAs. The race drew closer during camp and after the Jacksonville preseason game there was a split among those who had input.

He said that ownership had no input, contrary to ongoing reports and rumors.

Morris downplayed experience as the sole determining factor, but at the end of the day he seemed to go with the safe pick. This was the pick that was bantered abouot nationwide during the Fox broadcast Thursday night, when Pam Oliver, Joe Buck and Troy Aikman all went on the record saying Leftwich was the guy.

They were right.

Now it will be interesting to see how the rest of the QB lineup shakes out. Morris said Luke McCown is the backup, Josh Freeman will hold a clipboard and that Josh Johnson may still make the team.

Confusing, at best. A $2.5 million backup and a multimillion-dollar baby inactive for the games?

This is not over yet.

Bank on it.

The story is just beginning.