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| Wednesday, July 16 Updated: August 20, 10:33 AM ET Buccaneers: Training camp report Pro Football Weekly |
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In Pro Football Weekly's third and final installment of training-camp reports, we look at the good (biggest positive), the bad (biggest disappointment) and the ugly (injury update) factors surrounding every team halfway through the 2003 preseason. We also set our sights on a rookie to watch on each team, for whatever the reason. Aug. 19 Biggest positive: The backup QB slot was a concern heading into camp, but Shaun King has taken huge strides in understanding head coach Jon Gruden's offense. The Bucs aren't concerned about what could happen should starter Brad Johnson go down, especially also considering the impressive play of third-round pick Chris Simms. Biggest disappointment: The running game isn't settled just yet. Michael Pittman still will be the starter with Mike Alstott providing support, but Pittman's future is up in the air due to his pending legal problems. Until his status is settled, the Bucs won't have a clear picture of who will be manning the backfield in the long term. Backups Thomas Jones, Aaron Stecker and Terry Kirby all have shown flashes of brilliance, but that has only added to the uncertainty. Injury update: DT Warren Sapp has missed practice time with a sore knee, and the injury likely will pop up from time to time during the season. There is no structural damage to the joint, but it does swell up and make playing very uncomfortable. ORTs Kenyatta Walker and Cornell Green each have suffered ankle injuries, but they aren't serious. Pittman pulled a chest muscle, but he returned to practice without missing a beat. Rookie to watch: DE Dwayne White, a second-round pick by the Bucs, was terribly bad during minicamp, but he has caught the eye of coaches during training camp and should provide another tough pass rusher. He shouldered the criticism following minicamp and focused on improving his technique and stamina, and he won't allow opponents to rest when starters Simeon Rice and Greg Spires need to take a break. Part 2 -- Aug. 12 Veteran to watch: RB Michael Pittman has been spectacular in training camp, mostly because he has been more focused than ever. His legal problems have kept Pittman shut off from the rest of the world -- the Bucs have allowed him to avoid the media during camp -- and he has viewed the football field as a place of escape. The confidence gained late last year and in the Super Bowl could make Pittman a star -- if he isn't sent to jail. Player on the verge: Dwight Smith moves into the starting lineup at free safety, replacing Super Bowl MVP Dexter Jackson, who signed with the Cardinals. The Bucs believe that Smith has even more potential than Jackson, as the third-year pro is faster and hits harder than his predecessor. Strongest position: The Bucs would have to suffer three major injuries at wide receiver before they would be left without a quality go-to guy. Keyshawn Johnson, Keenan McCardell and Joe Jurevicius are among the top WR trios in the league, and although Tampa doesn't take a lot of chances downfield, the Bucs can pick teams apart with the short game. Opponents can't focus on just one receiver or they will get burned. Weakest position: The Buccaneers made changes along the offensive line during the offseason, bringing in OG Jason Whittle and C John Wade, but they still are thin and inexperienced at every OL position. Three of the first four backups are rookies. Head coach Jon Gruden is praying that nobody gets hurt on the offensive line or the Bucs could be in trouble. Part 1 -- July 18 Most significant changes: Two starters are gone from last season's top defense, and the quality of depth at quarterback has dropped with the departure of Rob Johnson. Running back Thomas Jones was acquired to provide depth -and a safety net --should teammate Michael Pittman's legal problems render him unavailable. Reasons for optimism: Nearly all of the key players from last year's title team are back, and most are still in their prime. The offensive line should be more of a cohesive unit in its second season in Jon Gruden's system, and the running game gained steam as last year wound down. The Bucs also haven't lost their hunger and seem out to prove that last season wasn't a fluke. Causes for concern: Who is going to start at running back? Pittman's situation is up in the air, Jones has disappointed in the past and Mike Alstott is inconsistent at best. With quarterback Brad Johnson being backed up by fragile Jim Miller, developing Shaun King and rookie Chris Simms, the Bucs' quarterback situation could become tenuous if Johnson goes down. Training-camp battles to watch: Simms is going to have a spot on the roster, and the Bucs aren't likely to stick with four quarterbacks on their active roster. That means that Miller and King aren't battling just for the backup spot -- they are fighting for a roster slot. Considering that Miller is coming off shoulder surgery and King has been ineffective in the past, the race could come down to the wire. Don't be surprised if: The defense is even better than last season thanks to improved speed in the linebacking corps.
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Material from Pro Football Weekly.
