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Still searching for his groove

After another trying season, Reidel Anthony says he's resigned to moving on.

By ROGER MILLS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 10, 2002

[Times photo: Toni L. Sandys] Reidel Anthony says he is preparing for a fresh start with another team.

TAMPA -- In 1997, he was the 16th overall pick of the draft.

Expectations were high for former Florida receiver Reidel Anthony and in the next two years he looked every bit the star the Bucs said he could be.

In his first two seasons, he started 26 of 31 games and caught 11 touchdowns, including a career-high 51 catches and seven touchdowns in his second year.

It's been struggle ever since.

Now as he prepares for Saturday's playoff game, the unrestricted free agent who took a pay cut in the offseason appears reconciled that these could be his last days in a Bucs uniform.

He sees it as obvious he is not in the Bucs' plans for the future.

"It looks that way," said Anthony, who has been inactive two of the past four games, but is expected to play against the Eagles. "I wish it wasn't. I love Tampa. I'm from Florida. I went to school in Florida. It's been a fairy tale story for me. But the past couple years have been tough. I've never sat on the bench in my life and to just come and all of a sudden little things go wrong, and it's all taken away from you that quickly.

"If it is (the end), I'll be thankful for them giving me the opportunity. I don't have anything bad to say about anyone. I enjoyed my years here and I've got to move on. Just like we all have to move on."

Anthony, who finished the season with 13 receptions for 162 yards, said his season has been affected by injuries, personal issues off the field and lack of playing time. He said he plans to prepare for the playoff game as if he is starting and hopes he can help the lead the Bucs to a win.

"I prepared each week like a starter because one play could bring me in there," Anthony said. "There's nothing I can dwell on. All I can do is prepare as best as I can and when I get on the field make the best of the opportunity."

But, the 25-year-old said he has to start thinking about what new turn his career may take.

"Yes (I have thought about playing elsewhere)," Anthony said. "I wouldn't say I have started looking at other teams but I have looked at other guys playing well, who have gotten a fresh start somewhere else."

A "fresh start," Anthony said, means a new team.

"It's never over, until you give up on yourself," he said. "We're motivated to go out and compete."

Bucs coach Tony Dungy acknowledged that it has been a difficult season for Anthony but stressed that the 5-11, 180-pounder from Pahokee may have better days ahead.

"Well, his career is not over yet," Dungy said. "That's the thing people have to realize. There have been a number of guys ... at one time we said (defensive end) Marcus Jones' career was a disappointment. Your career is not over until it's over."

Anthony said personal issues, which he would not discuss, have taken a toll this year.

"I know I have too much talent not to play in this league, I've started in this league and had a seven-touchdown season," he said.

"But injuries, off-the-field stuff and a combination of a lot of stuff, it just weighs on you.

"I really don't want to share my personal issues. Yes (it's affecting him on the field). You try your best not to bring what's home to work and what's work to home. It's hard to split the two in half and try to handle it."

Playing behind Keyshawn Johnson, Karl Williams and Jacquez Green, Anthony has seen his numbers slide steadily. He had 30 catches in 1999 and 15 the following season. Listed among 17 players on the injured list for last Sunday's regular season finale, Anthony was inactive, while backup Frank Murphy and rookie Milton Wynn played.

Dungy said with a playoff game Saturday he expects Anthony to ignore the trials of the past and the uncertainty of the future.

"You go in, all of us go in, thinking this is a big game and I have to do my job," Dungy said. "If I do my job to the best of my ability, we've got a chance to win. If we get 53 guys doing that, we'll be fine."

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