Lake Buena Vista, Fla. ? While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still aren’t acknowledging interest in Brett Favre, coach Jon Gruden said little to dispel the notion on the first day of training camp.

The Bucs practiced twice at Disney World amid speculation Saturday that they and the New York Jets have emerged as possible destinations if the 38-year-old retired quarterback applies for reinstatement to the NFL, and the Packers can work out a deal to trade him.

General manager Bruce Allen was unavailable for comment, and Gruden shrugged off reports that Tampa Bay had been given permission to talk to Favre.

“You can talk to Brett yourself. If we have permission, I’m sure you do, too,” the coach said.

“I don’t have any reports on Brett, OK. I’m going to concentrate on (practice). There will be more opportunities to write stories on this situation. It’s a great story to cover. I wish I had time to cover all the things going on. But I do like what we did today as a football team. His situation is going to handle itself.”

Gruden reiterated that Jeff Garcia, who is not in camp this weekend because he’s attending a reunion for the junior college team that his father led to a national championship 35 years ago, is the club’s No. 1 quarterback.

The 38-year-old Garcia, who’s been unhappy with the lack of progress on a contract extension, is scheduled to earn a $2 million base salary this year after leading the Bucs to the NFC South championship and making the Pro Bowl last season.

Four other quarterbacks – Brian Griese, Luke McCown, Chris Simms and rookie Josh Johnson – also are on the roster.

Gruden said he’s not concerned about any impact the rumors regarding Favre might have on Garcia, who’s expected to rejoin the team tonight and practice Monday.

“We are creating a real drama here. I don’t know if it is that tear-jerking and emotional that we need to address it any more than we have,” Gruden said.

“What we talk about is confidential. … He is very confident in his own abilities. His game tape in the last 20 starts in this league proves he isn’t afraid of anything, he understands pro football, and he is eager to get in here with his team and compete.”