Stecker gets his chance

By ROGER MILLS and RICK STROUD
© St. Petersburg Times
published July 31, 2002

LAKE BUENA VISTA -- When the Bucs lost Warrick Dunn to the Falcons in free agency, close friend Aaron Stecker had mixed emotions. He didn't want to see Dunn leave but was elated at the possibility that he would get a chance at the starting job.

But almost immediately, the bubble burst when the Bucs signed free agent Michael Pittman to a five-year, $8.75-million deal and slotted the former Cardinal into a starting spot.

Now opportunity is rapping again, ever so slightly. With Pittman sidelined for about a week with an ankle sprain, Stecker can capture the attention of his new coach.

"I knew they were going to sign someone else because I only got spot work here and there during the season," said Stecker, who ran with the first team Tuesday. "I've been through this so many times in my career, with people underestimating me. But when you've been through this enough times, you get used to it and have to brush it off."

Stecker, who became a father in April when wife Kara gave birth to daughter Skylar, said he is confident his hard work will pay off.

"Whenever I have had a chance to show what I can do, I have always come through," Stecker said. "Coach (Jon Gruden) said he was going to give everyone the opportunity and now I'm back there getting some reps and showing him I can get the job done."

[Times photo: James Borchuck] Rookie running back Zain Gilmore approaches coach Kirby Wilson, who is poised to "teach ball security."

WHAT'S UP WITH WUNSCH?: Right tackle Jerry Wunsch, who has started 45 consecutive games for the Bucs, found himself in unusual territory, watching from the sideline. Wunsch was replaced by veteran tackle Roman Oben during the team's 11-on-11 drills in the morning session.

Wunsch, who was not hurt, explained the decision came from offensive line coach Bill Muir.

"Muir picks out what he wants to go as far as reps," Wunsch said. "He's feeling out what he wants to do. I'm not resting. He does swings."

The move, though not permanent, is confirmation of Muir and Gruden's pledge to give everyone a chance to compete for a starting position.

"He said don't be offended by it," Wunsch said. "He wanted to try a different routine, a bunch of different guys in there, so he put a bunch in there to change up the rotation."

MEET JOE TODD: With Derrick Brooks sidelined for the morning session with a strained calf, free agent Joe Todd found himself playing with the first team.

"It's definitely a really good opportunity," Todd said. "They have thrown me into it a little bit more and I've got to step up and not make as many mistakes."

Who is Joe Todd? The former standout from Hofstra made the Jets' roster last year as an undrafted free agent. But a series of hamstring injuries derailed him, and he was released Sept. 17. He signed with the Bucs on May 2.

[Times photo: James Borchuck] Michael Pittman walks from the practice field, hand in hand with 2-year-old son Mycah.

"It gives me an opportunity to run with guys like (Warren) Sapp and (John) Lynch and that's what I want," Todd said. "I have to really get mentally focussed focused in what I have to do."

DEPTH CHART REVEALED: The coaching staff finally made the depth chart official and there were no big surprises. As expected Rob Johnson is the No. 2 quarterback and Nate Webster is No. 2 middle linebacker.

Other interesting depth chart positions include receiver Frank Murphy as the No. 1 kickoff returner and undrafted free agent Ryan Nece as the first backup to starting linebacker Al Singleton.

Gruden said the depth chart still is a work in progress.

"I wouldn't put much stock into it," Gruden said. "There wasn't a lot of thought put into putting that together. There's still a lot of competition, not only for the starting jobs but for things like the second tight end or the third tight end. The backup fullback. How we're going to deploy Michael Pittman and Mike Alstott. Are we going to keep four or five safeties. It's going to be interesting."

The team signed running back Dicenzo Miller to a one-year contract Tuesday and released guard Howard Duncan.

A WHOLE NEW WORLD: For Gruden, looking to the bleachers and seeing hundreds of fans, many dressed in pewter and red, is an unusual experience. In his four years as the Raiders coach, training camp practices were closed to the public and 12-foot black screens were erected around the fields.

"Hearing the expressions, hearing the emotions (of fans) is a little bit new to me," Gruden said. "But I appreciate it and hopefully we can make a few plays on both sides of the ball and give our fans something to cheer about."

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