Webster says his time is coming

Bucs linebacker hopes to win over coaches and win starting nod during full-contact workouts.

[Times photo: James Borchuck] Middle linebacker Nate Webster, left, gets tied up with running back Zain Gilmore during minicamp.

By DARRELL FRY, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published June 15, 2002

TAMPA -- Middle linebacker Nate Webster has heard the talk of Shelton Quarles being moved from outside linebacker to the middle and how Quarles, not Webster, is the obvious choice to become the starter.

Webster's response is simple: It's only June.

While Bucs coaches are using these offseason minicamps to evaluate talent, Webster is patiently waiting until training camp when the practices switch to full contact and when, Webster believes, his true value will become considerably more evident.

"You really can't tell anything in shorts because some guys shy away from the contact once you get in pads, and then you have those guys that come to the party with the pads," he said. "Once (training camp) comes around, that's when you'll see me come out, and you'll see a lot of other people come out."

There is no disputing Webster's ability to hit. There are few, if any, players on the team who hit with more tenacity than Webster.

But heading toward his third season with Tampa Bay since being drafted out of Miami, Webster continues to try to develop as a linebacker, harnessing his on-field aggression in an effort to be a more complete player.

After starting middle linebacker Jamie Duncan joined the Rams as a free agent this spring, the starting job for 2002 figured to fall to Webster, who made a strong bid for that spot during training camp last season.

But with the arrival of coach Jon Gruden in February came a new direction at middle linebacker. Gruden switched Quarles from outside to middle, which was viewed by some as a sign the Bucs weren't sure Webster was ready to be the starter.

At the time, Webster wasn't ready. He had just had surgery on one shoulder and was about to have the same procedure on the other, making it necessary for the Bucs to move Quarles.

But four months later, Webster says the shoulders are healed and he is ready to make a push for the starting job when training camp begins late next month.

"Coach told me the reason for Shelton moving to the middle was because I had the shoulder surgery and I missed the two camps prior to this one, and he wanted a familiar face out there who had started before," Webster said. "But I'm back now, and it's going to be wide open come training camp."

Though Quarles isn't a lock to be the starter (five-time Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Brooks even cautioned the media Friday not to count out Webster), Webster clearly needs to do some selling to win over Gruden, who has expressed unwavering confidence in Quarles' ability to handle the move.

Gruden wants a disciplined and even-tempered player patrolling the middle, a man he can count on to not only make plays but be a leader of sorts on the field.

That's where Webster, a bit undersized at 5 feet 11 and 225 pounds, admits he needs to improve. Too often, he said, he has spent time jawing with opposing players when he should be keeping his cool, which sometimes gets him in trouble.

But, as linebackers coach Joe Barry is quick to point out, Webster left college a year early, making it natural he would be a tad behind the typical third-year player.

"He has been working his butt off," Barry said. "I couldn't be happier with the way Nate has been developing."

Gruden loves Webster's aggressive style but seems unsure how to best use his many talents.

"He's in a battle with Shelton Quarles, who has been magnificent out here," Gruden said. "We think Nate is a guy who can be a heck of a special-teams player and a guy who can be a middle linebacker. Hopefully he increases his aptitude of our defense and maybe play some other roles, if need be."

If Gruden likes what he sees of Webster at minicamp, just wait until training camp, Webster said.

"My focus coming into this year is going to be to control my attitude and my mouth somewhat," Webster said. "My job is to knock the (snot) out of somebody, so my goal this year is to act like I've knocked the (snot) out of somebody before and keep my mouth closed and get back to the huddle."

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