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TAMPA - After awhile, football practice tends to get pretty monotonous. It’s hard for a lot of players to get juiced up for it day after day, even when they’re in the middle of the regular season and a pivotal game is looming just around the corner.
You can only imagine then how tough it is for some players to get up for an offseason workout. With their next game still months away players often need something new and fresh to break up the monotony, and Bucs coach Jon Gruden has come up with a pretty good spritzer.
Every year he moves at least one offseason workout to Raymond James Stadium, and that’s where Thursday’s organized team activity (OTA) was held. This one was also open to the media, so for anyone Jonesing for a Bucs fix, here are some nuggets to chew on until next month’s minicamp.
The most interesting note involved defensive linemen Greg White, who took the majority of the first team reps at left defensive end. We’ve been hearing that there was a plan afoot to make White the starter at that spot and Thursday’s workout seemed to confirm that.
While White took the bulk of the reps at left end Gaines Adams worked the right side. Jovan Haye and Chris Hovan worked inside. The rest of the first team defense looked pretty much as expected, with Phillip Buchanon working at left corner and Aqib Talib working second unit right corner.
The only surprises, if you can call them that, were at SLB, where Ryan Nece worked in place of Cato June (foot) and at SS, where Sabby Piscitelli worked in place of Jermaine Phillips, who has missed this week’s workouts while tending to a family matter.
Other notable players who were absent or sitting out included RB Earnest Graham, WR Joey Galloway, WR Ike Hilliard, LT Luke Petitgout and LG Arron Sears. All but Graham, who is sitting out in an effort to spur contract talks, were taking time off to rest up from offseason surgeries or an injury sustained in a previous workout.
With Sears out Dan Buenning took the bulk of the reps at left guard. Donald Penn took the first-team reps at LT and Michael Bennett, Kenneth Darby and undrafted free agent Clifton Smith got the bulk of the looks at RB.
Bennett seemed to get most of the work there, but he also lost a fumble during a rather sloppy set of 11-on-11 drills. There were several bad center-quarterback exchanges during those drills and at least one interception was thrown, that by Brian Griese.
The offense, in fact, struggled mightily to complete its passes. In fact, the defense was so dominant that at one point late in the workout, defensive backs coach Raheem Morris shouted out, “Has anyone seen a completion here?’‘
There were a few, including one by QB Luke McCown on a 45-yard bomb deep into the end zone to wideout hopeful Cortez Hankton. Hankton showed tremendous concentration on the play as CB Darrell Hunter was the first to get a hand on the ball, batting it up in the air. As Hunter hit the ground, though, Hankton grabbed the ball out of midair to make the play.
The play was one of several for McCown, who shared reps at QB with Jeff Garcia and Brian Griese. Bruce Gradkowski didn’t get a single rep during the team drills and it wasn’t until the team was called back onto the field for a few extra plays that rookie Josh Johnson got a throw or two in.
Coach Jon Gruden said later that the lack of work doled out to Gradkowski and Johnson was part of the regular routine in which quarterbacks are given time off to rest up. He said Gradkowski and Johnson will get more reps in later workouts.
On Graham’s absence, Gruden expressed little in the way of concern. Like General Manager Bruce Allen before him he noted that Graham missed a lot of the offseason workouts last year and was confident the situation would work itself out over time.
“I hope to see him soon,’’ Gruden said of Graham. “He’s a key member of our team. In the meantime, we’re very pleased with our addition of Warrick Dunn. Michael Bennett has been outstanding in the offseason. I hope Earnest gets in here soon. He’s a good football player.’‘
Gruden also expressed confidence that Jeff Garcia’s contract problems would eventually be worked out. Like Graham, Garcia is seeking an extension to the contract that expires after this season, and while he has yet to miss a workout, he has hinted that a holdout may be in the offing if a deal cannot be reached soon.
“I’m very confident that it will all work itself out,’’ Gruden said of the Garcia affair. “In the meantime, we’re going to get ready to play. I do know this, he’s a great competitor and a great leader. He did play stellar football for us. He was clutch for us. He’s a critical football player for us and hopefully it all works out.’‘
Posted by Shawn Golan, Los Angeles, CA on 05/29 at 10:20 AM
Woah! I’m away for a few days and this is what I find. Billy - grow up home boy. you’re only making yourself sound stupid by writing what you write. This is not a place for insults…we’re here to have intelligent football discussion. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and to disagree with others, but at no point does that mean that anyone needs to get defensive and start talking S**T!
Does anyone have anything constructive to discuss?
Posted by BigBucFan, Sarasota on 05/29 at 08:28 AM
It’s hard to believe that anyone could give Hillbillies a bad name, but I think it has been done Here & on the Pittman column. Thanks Billy. You are a real class act….And your knowledge of football is second to none. I would guess that you played for Cape Junior at some point. Good luck with that G.E.D test again. Wock-on-cobblers
Posted by patrick dotson, tampa,fl on 05/29 at 01:31 AM
y do i cuss at you..cause your a f%^&n moron…if you would learn how to read we wouldnt have this problem would we…thank you…
Posted by Billy Hill, Fart Myers on 05/29 at 12:09 AM
What a looser…. Hey guys I live by the chargers (one of the best teams in the NFL) and I spend my time comenting on the Buc blogs and saying how sad you are to reflect the fact that I am lonely, covered with scabs and have debilitating hemroids. You all suck and I am cool.
Posted by Billy Hill, Fart Myers on 05/28 at 10:58 PM
Mike, one more thing. My apology to Mitch was an obvious attmept at sarcasm. Some of the less intelligent people here in Florida probably picked up on that. Enjoy San Diego I hear the homeless are treated very well there. And there is free sandwiches at the YMCA. Just in case you may need the info…
Posted by mike lukes, San Diego,CA on 05/28 at 02:44 PM
You guys are so SAD reading your comments and arguing over nonsence. Plus Billy Hill your a punk i cant belive you got scared into saying sorry. Man im a huge bucc’s fan but am glad i dont live their you guys have no lives.
Posted by Billy Hill, Fart Myers on 05/28 at 10:44 AM
Hey Patrick why do you always have to cuss at me? Not nice. I can do that too, watch: you make me mad you #@!$%#@#*$&@^#. Thats awsome.
Posted by Billy Hill, Fart Myers on 05/28 at 10:37 AM
Mitch, Im a cobbler. Need shoes?
Posted by Mitch R, NYC on 05/28 at 08:30 AM
Billy, what exactly do you do for a living, in Fart Meyers, that keeps you soooo busy? (unlike me) Odds are, you do s**t.
Posted by patrick dotson, tampa,fl on 05/28 at 07:37 AM
guess what billy…im tired of people like you that cant f%^&(n read comments right on here…when in all of my comments when have i ever said johnson is compared to vick…none…so why dont you go back to skool and learn how to read before you start running that mouth of yours…
Posted by Billy Hill, Fart Myers on 05/28 at 12:45 AM
Hi Mitch, sorry I had to take a break to go to work, unlike you. i appologize about the wife coment. That was not nice. I still think that we can be friends in the near future.
Love,
The Billy
Posted by Billy Hill, Fart Myers on 05/28 at 12:42 AM
Patrick, I’m so tired of people like YOU saying this Josh Johnson is the next “Vick” because he is black. I mean come on is this 1947. Where is Bronco Nagurski. Why cant this guy contribute and play like Tom Brady? Nice, real classy.
Posted by patrick dotson, tampa,fl on 05/27 at 08:56 PM
last time i checked it took bruce allen 5 yrs to get us out of cap hell…why do we want to go back to that…another thing…“in my opinion” most of the so called playmakers in this years free agency besides a handful werent worth the money they got…only reason why they got the contracts is because half the league had so much cap room…you dont build a solid team from free agency…how much money has synder burned up with the redskins and look what he has…
Posted by chauncey mccain, shreveport,LA on 05/27 at 08:15 PM
the bucs needed to spend some of da cap space money to make da team better what are we holding on to it for. why we can’t spend money like da cowboys are we just playing to play are we playing to win. because it looks like that . B. allen an J. gruden needed to be gone if we don’t win because the free agents we got 3rd teir player not going to help us win.
Bucs fans need to rise up!!!!!
Posted by todd, PSJ, FL. on 05/27 at 03:09 PM
Are you serious???
Posted by charles fiske, KC, MO on 05/27 at 02:57 PM
I just heard that the Brocos signed Pittman
Posted by todd, PSJ, FL. on 05/27 at 02:11 PM
S Shukovsky,
Who knows Josh Johnson might turn out to be the man in a couple seasons. You can’t leave him out of the mix. I really think this kid is going to do well. I believe he is going to be like a Mike Vick type player but only Johnson going to be a better passer. Much smarter then Vick.
Posted by S Shukovsky, Short Hills, NJ on 05/27 at 12:14 PM
Why I am not surprised that in a scrimage the only QB to make meaningful yardage was Luke McCown? He consistantly is the most athletic QB Tampa has, with a tendency to make critical errors at key times. Meanwhile Jeff Garcia and Brian Griese can get the job done, but don’t have his athleticism.
Next season is going to be interesting, especially if both Garcia and Griese get hurt as is quite possible. We may actually see McCown play again as I don’t see Simms or Gradkowski making it to the regular season on the roster (okay, Simms has an outside shot but barely).
Posted by Mitch R, NYC on 05/27 at 09:25 AM
and billy, throwing something like 46 tds against 1 int and a 70% completion percentage proves that he is accurate, vs any competition.
Posted by Mitch R, NYC on 05/27 at 08:43 AM
Billy, you are a grade A #####. Ignorance must run amuck in Fart Meyers, but your ignorance probably makes you the mayor.
Posted by patrick dotson, tampa,fl on 05/27 at 01:05 AM
bill..smoke another L…read my comments again…never said he wouldnt be a nfl player…said he wont be ready for 2 yrs…hes already played in a west coast offense…he will need time to adjust to the nfl…and when he does…i believe he will be a great qaurterback here and possibly could be the future of this team…we will never know unless we give him a chance…which looks like “some” people havent given him one yet…GO BUCS!
Posted by Billy Hill, Fart Myers on 05/26 at 10:52 PM
I agree with Patrick. This guy will never be ready to be an NFL QB. I think the Bucs should run the option with this guy. Same 10 plays. i think he would fit that system better. I saw him throw at the combine and he could’nt hit the broad side of Mitch’s wife’s #####.
Posted by patrick dotson, tampa,fl on 05/26 at 09:25 PM
another thing…dont see why were worried bout this kid right now anyways…hes not goin to even be ready to start for like two seasons…so give the kid time to develop and see what happens…GO BUCS!
Posted by patrick dotson, tampa,fl on 05/26 at 09:21 PM
now kids play nice…lol…just because a kid is drafted late doesnt mean crap…i agree with mitch..there has been alot of players drafted late that have had wonderful careers and some that have sucked…but to call out a guy that hasnt even played one down in the nfl is a little premature…knowing that he has played in a gruden type offense does give him a leg up…not sayin hes goin to come in here and be the savior…but he does deserve a chance before we all start bashing him because he played in a 1aa school…
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Posted by Billy Hill, Fart Myers on 05/29 at 11:38 AM
Patrick, Shawn (FROM LA? OK) and BIGBUTFAN, you guys are huge hipocrites! You all talk about personal attacks being wrong. Read your last posts to me. You say we are all entitled to our own opinions but my opinions suck because they differ from the usual Buc fan.
And Shawn from LA your the worst of all. You talk about football intelligence and when I read your past posts its clear you have none at all. You have your tongue so far up everyone elses bung that you cant even see clearly or speak for yourself. But don’t worry if you say your from LA that makes you a cool guy. Im really from LA too. We are LA butt buddies you and me.