Coach Jon Gruden wrapped up the second day of mini camp talking about a variety of issues, including the shotgun formation.
On the shotgun:
“We’ve had it in every year, you know. We’ve had it in every year, and we’re going to continue to work at it. We’ll see what happens. We’ll see how the roster finishes itself off. We’ll see if Jeff Garcia has a shotgun comfort level. We’ll see if any of our other quarterbacks do or not. We’ll continue to work on it and not make any more of a big deal about it than we have in years past.”
Just an observation, but in the last couple of interviews where Gruden talked about the quarterback position, he specifically mentioned Garcia and not Chris Simms. Just saying.
On tackle Chris Colmer’s health status:
“He’s had a long battle with an illness, and as far as I know he’s still being checked out by the doctors, and that whole situation will sort itself out once he’s healed and ready to roll.”
On the perceived improvement of the offensive line:
“We’re also happy to have Luke Petitgout. We feel like an experienced technician over there at the left tackle position and a young potential football player in Arron Sears is a nice combination. The right side will be a little bit more experienced this year, obviously. We should be better, and for that we’re excited.”
On the origins of tackle Chris Denman’s nickname, The Mortician:
“He’s very serious. It’s not because he buries people or kills anyone. He’s a very serious guy. I guess that’s how morticians are. A mortician I know is kind of a loose, happy guy, but this mortician is very serious and quiet – kind of a subdued guy. He’s from a small town in California, and he’s been nicknamed ‘The Mortician.’ We’re going to keep that alive – I like that one.”
Sidenote - Denman told me his serious nature led to his college coach calling him “The Undertaker” at first and it eventually morphed into “The Mortician.”
On who has impressed him so far:
“[Sabby] Piscitelli has had a nice start. Tanard Jackson looks good, and my friend Gaines Adams is off to a good start.”
Another Kentucky Derby is history, and a million more horse racing stories to be told about this race Saturday.
Few, if any, can top a top an accidental involvement in the greatest Derby of them all—18 years ago, the race won by the greatest of them all, I think, Secretariat, and the one before it won by Riva Ridge.
You have to have luck, you know, in all things. I had it those historic weekends.
Then, the first week of May, 1973, as sports editor of the Tampa Tribune, I headed for Louisville the Thursday before the Run for the Roses. Had to get there to learn, to get involved at the Galt House, town media and Derby headquarters down town on the river.
Wife Linda was there with me, one year she rode up on the Galt House elevator with John Wayne. They talked. She doesn’t remember who won the Derby that year.
But, on my trip to Louisville in 1972 to see the Derby with Riva Ridge in it for trainer Laurin, owner Penny Tweedy and jock Ron Turcotte. This would be preliminary to Secretariat’s Derby a year later.
As anyone who knows cares, those three won both Derbys, 1972 with the Ridge and in 1973 with Secretariat, that 73 race all the more important because the possibly greatest horse of our generation had been beaten in the Wood Memorial the Saturday before.
The Thursday before the Derby is a must invitation only dinner party at the Galt (then) attended by owners, trainers, writers, TV folk, Jimmy the Greek. Had to go to get information. The Greek, by the way, was a friend of mine. He also loved Malio and Carmine and John McKay of this town.
My plane was late that night in 72 the Riva Ridge year. As I rushed into the ball, some were leaving. Dang!
As I handed a ticket to the taker, someone tugged at my sleeve.
It was Dean Eagle, Sports Editor of the Louisville Times.
“I got to go back to work, Tom, please take care of this guy. He’s nice. He’s a story. But, he’s had a few. Coffee first.”
Who is it?
“Lucien Laurin.”
Who? Rube me.
“Lucien Lauren, trainer of Riva Ridge this year and Secretariat next.”
He is working with Riva Ridge now. He works for that great family of racing, owner, Penny Tweedy and jockey Ron Turcotte.”
Gosh what a break.
I got some coffee in the trainer then a few more whatevers, all the time asking questions of course and got stories and made a friend. I took him back to the Executive Inn and tucked him in. He had to be up early and be at the Downs for the pre-Derby workout.
On the Derby Eve, Carmine Iavarone, my associate in horse racing (he knows all), went to the Executive Inn and visited with Laurin, Mrs. Penny Tweedy and Turcotte, Secretariat’s jockey now gone with the rest of that Derby history-making family.
Riva Ridge won the 1972 Derby for Laurin, Turcotte and Tweedy.
We got great stories. I made great friends.
In the year of Big Red, Secretariat, as it turned out, had had an ulcer under his upper lip in the Wood and was not himself when he lost. But Derby Day Secretariat ran as all thought he would.
Turcotte told writer Bill Nack, that in the Derby, “It was the first time he carried himself high, the first time, I could feel him level out and run smooth for me. He was graceful, but strong, too. I felt like I was flying along.” That first Saturday in May, Secretariat set for Laurin and family the Derby record of 1:59 2/5, breaking the two minute mark over the mile and a quarter.
Secretariat won and set a record denied the next week at the Preakness. Three weeks latter at the Belmont in New York, he not only won the Triple Crown, but won with a still record time of 2:24 over the mile and a half and won by 31 lengths. Thirty-one! You’ve seen the glorified photos of that runaway. It was, Nack wrote, he was, “the standard against which all over horses are measured—still.
All were responsive to me throughout that grand year at the track.
No one had more inside information than me, and all because of a late plane and a friendship with another sports writer.
For years at The Tribune, I had only one athlete’s portrait on my office wall.
Secretariat.
The Riverview flag football team fell short of a trip to the state championship on Saturday, losing to Dillard from Fort Lauderdale in the state semifinals, 20-18. With 2:17 left in the game, Dillard’s Brittani Johnson scored on a 37-yard touchdown run to give her Panthers a 19-18 lead and converted on the extra point to make it 20-18. Riverview had 1:34 left to score and was able to reach Dillard’s 35, but on a lateral pass, the ball was deflected and fell into the hands of a Dillard player. The Panther’s, who advance to play Tallahassee Leon in the state championship tonight at 7 p.m., ran out the clock to seal the victory.
The team will head back to Riverview tonight, coach Jo Jennings said.
The Sharks ended the season 13-1.
Head Coach Jon Gruden
(On how the second day of mini-camp went compared to the first day)
“It was a lot better today. The execution was much better on both sides. The guys understood how we practice in shorts. It was good; it was good work.”
(On if their was improved chemistry between the quarterbacks and the receivers)
“Yeah, a little bit. It’s a tough game when you bring in 53 guys from all over the country, all over the world and try to get them organized for a practice. It’s a credit to these guys, and our coaches have done a great job spending the time.”
(On his impressions of the players in terms of them getting acclimated to the Florida heat)
“They need to understand that this just a warm up in terms of the sun. It’s not even begun to swelter yet. We talked about that a lot. Our players need to educate themselves as to how to play at a high level in this kind of weather. And if they don’t, they won’t make this team; they won’t play because conditioning is critical at this level of football. If you’re a little tired, you’re sucking gas a little bit, you are going to get your [rear] knocked off. I think that’s clear to these guys. They’ve got a lot of work to do – all of them – in their conditioning. And it’s critical that they get back here as soon as possible. While they’re gone, I think that we’ve got their attention, and they know what to be doing in their idle time.”
(On if he’s been installing the shotgun formation in the offseason)
“We’ve had it in every year, you know. We’ve had it in every year, and we’re going to continue to work at it. We’ll see what happens. We’ll see how the roster finishes itself off. We’ll see if Jeff Garcia has a shotgun comfort level. We’ll see if any of our other quarterbacks do or not. We’ll continue to work on it and not make any more of a big deal about it than we have in years past.”
(On if the defense will have any new wrinkles this year)
“I hope so. I hope every year we try to adjust our schemes a little bit to fit our personnel. We expect to have a little bit more experience this year on offense. We expect to have perhaps some more youth on defense. Hopefully at the end of these OTAs, the offseason program, we’ve stimulated our team with some things that feature our best players, our most athletic group of men and let them go out and play.”
(On T Chris Colmer’s health status)
“He’s had a long battle with an illness, and as far as I know he’s still being checked out by the doctors, and that whole situation will sort itself out once he’s healed and ready to roll.”
(On Arron Sears)
“He’s a natural. He knows how to play. He’s very smart, very athletic – a strong man. He has great lower body strength, and he’s athletic for a big guy. We’re really excited with him to say the least.”
(On if he’s excited about the youth on the offensive line with Sears’ potential addition)
“We are. We’re also happy to have Luke Petitgout. We feel like an experienced technician over there at the left tackle position and a young potential football player in Arron Sears is a nice combination. The right side will be a little bit more experienced this year, obviously. We should be better, and for that we’re excited.”
(On seventh-round pick RB Kenneth Darby)
“He’s really had two good days. He’s an outstanding receiver. He’s a very instinctive runner, and I think when the pads are put on you’re going to find a guy who knows how to play. I believe he had some real problems with his dad’s health last season, and there were some things off the field that really distracted him, but this is a good football player. He’s a great kid. I think he’s witnessed the heat a little bit down here, and he feels like he’s got to get into a lot better shape. But we’re happy to have him. We think the three seventh-round draft choices have really done well here the first two days. ‘The Mortician,’ our right tackle [Chris Denman] – they call him – and Marcus [Hamilton] has done a pretty good job on the corner, so we do like the draft choices quite a bit so far.”
(On the origin of “The Mortician” nickname for Chris Denman)
“He’s very serious. It’s not because he buries people or kills anyone. He’s a very serious guy. I guess that’s how morticians are. A mortician I know is kind of a loose, happy guy, but this mortician is very serious and quiet – kind of a subdued guy. He’s from a small town in California, and he’s been nicknamed ‘The Mortician.’ We’re going to keep that alive – I like that one.”
(On if he likes having the weather hot for mini-camp)
“Yes. We’re going to push them tomorrow at the end of practice. I think the big thing is let them know when they get out of here how far they have to go. I think every man will tell you they’re nowhere where they need to be physically to compete at this level. But they’ve got a month between now and when they can return, basically – or three weeks. And they’ve got to make sure they use that time wisely.”
(On if late graduations for some schools will affect some of these players such as Sabby Piscitelli)
“As far as I know Sabby is in pretty good shape in terms of getting back here. We don’t have any real serious late arrivals to my knowledge. We want everybody to graduate and finish strong at their school, and whenever they can get here, they’ll get here. But the big thing is while they’re gone, they’ve got to have a plan.”
(On whom he’s been impressed with)
“[Sabby] Piscitelli has had a nice start. Tanard Jackson looks good, and my friend Gaines Adams is off to a good start.”
(On how these players can help right away on special teams)
“First of all, they’ve got to get themselves in better shape – all of them. And if they’re watching tonight, they need to get in better shape. I’ve said that several times. The potential for these guys is to come in and play right now. They have talent. They can help us on special teams; they can help us on defense. But they’ve got to get into much better shape to compete in the NFL and certainly in this heat.”
(On progress from Day One to Day Two)
“We’re trying to see who can learn and how fast and how you can take it from the meeting room to the practice field. We put a lot of plays in on both sides of the ball to try to really stress these guys mentally to see who could learn. And there were a couple of plays today where we had some guys who were lost a little bit, but overall I was pleased with the execution. At the same time, we respect how far we have to go.”
(On the expectation for tomorrow)
“I advise these guys get a good night’s sleep tonight because we’re going to push them through it, and I think that’s the way the want it; that’s the way they expect it to be. It will be more of the same. We’ll throw the ball, we’ll have some team periods, we’ll have a lot of individual time and we’ll use it wisely. We might even have the rookie conditioning test tomorrow. We’ll sleep on that one.”
They’re giving away sombreros and maracas today in honor of Cinco de Mayo. Jonny Gomes got into the spirit by wearing his sombrero during pregame warmups and batting practice. Ordinarily, Rays manager Joe Maddon would fine a player a couple of bottles of vino for such a blatant wardrobe violation. But Maddon was good with it: “It could be two bottles of tequila, maybe.”
Alas, Gomes is not in the lineup against 2003 Devil Rays Opening Day starter Joe Kennedy. It is, by the way, the first time a former Rays Opening Day starter faces a current Rays Opening Day starter (Kazmir).
Kennedy’s start gives Jorge Cantu the chance to start at 1B. Maddon said he’s been looking for a lefty to play Cantu against.
Oakland
Shannon Stewart, LF
Mark Ellis, 2B
Eric Chavez, 3B
Nick Swisher, DH
Dan Johnson, 1B
Bobby Crosby, SS
Travis Buck, RF
Jason Kendall, C
Chris Snelling, CF
Joe Kennedy, P
Tampa Bay:
Rocco Baldelli, DH
Elijah Dukes, CF
Carl Crawford, LF
Ty Wigginton, 3B
B.J. Upton, 2B
Delmon Young, RF
Jorge Cantu, 1B
Dioner Navarro, C
Brendan Harris, SS
Scott Kazmir, P
Special teams coordinator Richard Bisaccia was one of the last ones to walk off the practice field Saturday. Bisaccia stuck around for some one-on-one time with several special teams prospects.
Some of those players, specifically the draft picks, will give the Bucs an opportunity to upgrade at some of the spots on special teams.
“I just think all of the picks will have a chance to help us, we hope, at least compete to help us,” Bisaccia said. “They have unique qualities. I don’t really think much about first day, second day, because a bunch of guys who didn’t get picked on any of those days play for us.”
One area where a number of veterans are expected to compete is kickoff and punt returner. After last weekend’s draft, Coach Jon Gruden expressed an interest in developing one player for both positions.
“We would all like that,” Bisaccia said. “It’s always a game-day problem, who dresses and who doesn’t and who returns. I think we were fortunate two years ago in the way Mark [Jones] played. I don’t know if it was fair to him as many looks as he didn’t get last year. I think I did a poor job at times with Mark. I should have let him have more kickoff returns than he did.
“He and Chad [Owens] will get a chance to compete in kickoff return and punt return.”
Jones and Owens aren’t the only players in the mix for the return job. Phillip Buchanon, Ike Hilliard and Michael Pittman are also candidates.
“I think we’ve got some good numbers there to get some good competition,” Bisaccia said.
The Bucs began their second day of mini camp with bad weather threatening to end practice early.
As thunder clapped over head, Bucs officials were checking with local weather experts to see if a small storm was moving through.
In the first 30 minutes of practice, Coach Jon Gruden spent a good portion monitoring the actions of the defensive linemen, defensive backs and the offensive line. Two members of the offensive line have already changed their numbers. Tackle Chris Denman gave up No. 78 for No. 64, while Arron Sears took No. 64 instead of No. 67. No word yet if Kenyatta Walker factored into Sears decision to switch numbers.
In his first four seasons at Florida State, men’s basketball coach Leonard Hamilton’s coaching staff remained intact each season. However, for the second consecutive year, Hamilton will spend part of his summer searching for an assistant coach as well as a few more players.
On Friday, FSU assistant coach Tim Carter was officially introduced as the new head coach at South Carolina State. Carter spent only one season on Hamilton’s FSU staff, joining the Noles after 11 seasons as head coach at Texas-San Antonio. Hamilton praised Carter, who also served as one of Hamilton’s assistants at Oklahoma State from 1987-90, for his work last season with the Noles.
“We are very happy for Tim,” Hamilton. “He is definitely a proven head coach who did a tremendous job for us this season. Our staff and our players are going to miss him as a coach and a person but we all know that he will do an outstanding job at South Carolina State.”
Even though the University of South Florida baseball team is fighting to stay in contention for an at-large NCAA Tournament berth, Coach Lelo Prado never hesitated in suspending three starters for this weekend’s three-game series with No. 24 Georgia Tech for a violation of undisclosed team rules.
And make no mistake it was 100 percent Prado’s call on suspending SS Walter Diaz, 2B Dexter Butler and P Chris Delaney. This was his decision and not required by any university or athletic department policy.
“I’d rather lose games then play people not doing the right things,” Prado said. “We’re going to do this the right way. If you want to clown around and not do the right things, don’t come to the University of South Florida.”
Without Diaz and Butler, USF’s top two hitters, and Delaney, who leads USF with eight wins, the Bulls (28-18) will face tougher odds against the Yellow Jackets (27-17).
However, the way Prado sees it, these suspensions might hurt the win-loss record in the short term, but it will pay off for the program in the long run.
BOCA RATON—Riverview stomped last year’s state runner-up, St. Petersburg Lakewood, in the FHSAA state flag football quarterfinals Friday, 33-7, to advance to the state semifinals Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The Sharks (13-0) will play the winner of the Monarch (Coconut Creek)-Dillard (Ft. Lauderdale) quarterfinal.
Senior quarterback Michelle Trugillo led the Sharks with two touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns, one a 66-yard run, the longest in FHSAA flag final history.
“We played extremely well today,” coach Jo Jennings said. “We’re extremely excited.”
The team just arrived at their hotel (which is also where I’m staying) and will rest for a few more minutes before heading back out the door for dinner and to watch the Monarch-Dillard game at 8:30 p.m.
Riverview controlled every facet of the game, using a balance of running the ball and moving it through the air to score and forcing Lakewood to throw into traffic on defense. Lakewood didn’t score until late in the fourth quarter. Trugillo connected on 13 passes for 106 yards and rushed nine times for 98 yards. Marissa Trugillo made it 20-0 with a 31-yard interception return with 24 second left in the first half.
“I feel like we really have a chance in this,” Michelle said.
Coach Jon Gruden had plenty to say about the Bucs latest acquisitions following their first day of mini camp practice.
On first-round pick Gaines Adams:
“He’s a talented guy and so are some of the other guys that he’s going to go up against too. He’s got to get himself, I think, off the NFL Network a little bit, get out of those fancy clothes he’s been wearing for the last two months and get his butt in gear here with us.”
On safety Sabby Piscitelli:
“He loves to compete. He’s got a real bright future here. ...He’s a guy who’s going to certainly make it interesting at safety with [Jermaine] Phillips and Will Allen, and now Sabby and Tanard [Jackson].”
On defensive tackle Greg Peterson:
“He’s a raw prospect from the standpoint that he’s from a small college, but he has the traits that you’re looking for.”
On tackle Chris Denman:
“The Mortician, they call him. He doesn’t say anything. It will be a short and quick interview for you.”
On why he signed Nebraska quarterback Zac Taylor:
“He’s the Big 12 Player of the Year. It’s not like he’s a friend of mine’s friend. He’s the Big 12 Player of the Year. The guy’s smart as heck and he moves his team.”
On linebacker Quincy Black:
“He’s built like Napolean Harris. He’s built like, I don’t know, Mr. T, Apollo Creed, one of those guys. He’s really put together.”
Even as a bum or a slicker, a railbird of knowledge, or a Bardstown bookie, you can’t watch a Kentucky Derby and not have a pick. Even if it is out of a hat, or a paper bag at the office. Even if your middle name is Sam so in this great Kentucky Derby you’re stuck with by Sam P. the 20-1 shot in the 13th slot, even if you are from Africa, you gotta go with Bwana Bull, 50 to 1. I feel the same way and so, tah-dah, Street Sense, right now a favorite.
Best reason: How About this Headline Sunday:
“Tampa Derby winner wins Kentucky Derby!”
Now does that have a ring. Does that not grab you?
Yes, sir, Carl Nafzger’s Street Sense won Stella Thayer’s Florida Derby at Oldsmar — booming these days — and the Juvenile Breeders’s Cup.
But good gosh does his horse have competition. It should be a memorable one, this Run for the Roses, which I covered for so many years.
Street Sense has beaten Nobiz Like Shobiz, (great, eh?), Tiago, and more than a dozen more, including one of another great name: Any Given Saturday,
The Sun-Sentinel’s Dave Joseph had a wonderful story in Friday’s sports section on young Michael J. O’Farrell, son of the late squire of Ocala Stud, Joe, and how he worked among others Street Sense and Nobiz at his hallowed horse place north of us. Frankly, I had thought Ocala Stud, once so big and powerful in the Florida Thoroughbred Breeding Programs, had been sold and subdivided.
Young O’Farrell said Ocala Stud was broke in 1971, but pulled out of it and now Stud trains about 200 yearlings a year, stands eight stallions and 45 mares. No, Stud doesn’t race, but Joseph said O’Farrell has every recollection of working with two of the headliners of today—Street Sense and Nobiz.
O’Farrell had them both and likes them both. He said when Elizabeth Valando, the owner, came to see Nobiz for the first time, she said he was the most beautiful horse in the world. If he wins today, he surely will be. He was early forming and developing.
O’Farrell said “Street Sense was a late bloomer. He wasn’t big and strong from Day One. He got it later with training and time.”
If it rains in Louisville today, most bets are off.
But this is a big and a spectacular field, and it will indeed be one of the great moments in sports. I know one of my greatest moments was there when a Tampa horse, Spend A Buck, who won the Derby for Dennis Diaz and us all.
Now, we need a Tampa Derby Winner to Win a Kentucky Derby, to complete the circle.
The one-time fastest man in the world found his way to One Buc Place.
Justin Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic Gold medalist in the 100 meters was invited for a tryout this weekend. Having given up his first love, track and field, because of doping scandal in 2006, where he received an eight-year ban, Gatlin has turned his sights on football. Instead of preparing for the upcoming nationals in Indianapolis, Gatlin’s trying learn Coach Jon Gruden offensive system.
“I’ve got the speed thing down,” Gatlin said after the Bucs first mini camp practice. “Now I have to learn my routes.”
Gatlin proclaimed his innocence after he tested positive for testosterone, but ultimately accepted his punishment.
“I don’t feel like a fallen star,” Gatlin said. “I feel like a crippled star...it’s a blow to your ego. It humbles you.”
So far, no one’s challenged Gatlin to a race, but Gruden suggested Joey Galloway take him on.
“I feel the sharks coming,” Gatlin said. “I’d line up.”
Like the majority of the players on the field this weekend, Gatlin’s a long shot to make the 53-man roster. Gatlin knows this and isn’t looking for special treatment, just because he once could boast he was the “fastest man in the world.”
“I’m not coming here on a high horse,” he said. “Just give me a locker and let me do what I need to do.”
Delmon Young started the Rays’ first 27 games this season, batting fifth in each of them, before getting last night off. But after another offensive show by B.J. Upton last night, Young has been dropped a notch as he returns to the lineup. The most popular guest during the pregame was undoubtedly George Thorogood, who will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before playing a show in St. Pete later tonight. Several Rays and A’s alike made a trip over to introduce themselves to the old rocker.
A’s
Stewart CF
Ellis 2B
Chavez 3B
Swisher DH
Johnson 1B
Crosby SS
Buck RF
Kendall C
Snelling LF
Haren P
Rays
Baldelli DH
Dukes CF
Crawford LF
Wigginton 3B
Upton 2B
Young RF
Pena 1B
Navarro C
Harris SS
Fossum P
The rookies and free agent tryout candidates got a warm welcome to the Sunshine State Friday afternoon.
The sun was blazing as the Bucs kicked off the first day of their three-day mini camp. The media was allowed to watch the first 40 minutes of practice, which basically consisted of stretching and position drills.
First-round draft pick Gaines Adams garnered a lot of attention. So did second-round pick Arron Sears. Sears is sporting No. 67, Kenyatta Walker’s old number. Hopefully, he’ll be slightly more successful.
David Gray, a wide receiver from California, is wearing No. 80, Michael Clayton’s number. Clayton hasn’t given up his number. The Bucs needed it with 53 players on the practice field this weekend.
However, no one is wearing No. 84, Joey Galloway’s number. Makes you wonder…
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