High Profile -- T.J. DUCKETT

By ROGER MILLS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published October 6, 2002

THE BACKGROUND

Born Feb. 17, 1981, Duckett is the third son born to school teachers Jacquelyn Barham and Ted Duckett. He is 15 years younger than his eldest brother Tony, and 11 years younger than other brother Tico, who played at Michigan State University from 1989 to 1992. T.J. Duckett has his mother's name tattooed on the inside of his right arm as a testimony to her life. In March, last year, she lost a six-year fight with lymphatic cancer.

THE COLLEGE PEDIGREE

Following in the footsteps of his brother wasn't going to be an easy task for T.J., but it's one he handled nonetheless. At 6-0, 254 pounds, T.J. Duckett became a bruising "north/south" runner and finished his career with the Spartans with 621 carries, 3,379 yards and 26 touchdowns. The second-team All American, however, now is fifth on the school's all time rushing list. Brother Tico is second with 4,212 yards.

THE CURIOUS DRAFT

Considering Falcons owner Arthur Blank courted former Bucs running back Warrick Dunn as a free agent and signed him to a six-year $28 million contract, the team's decision to select Duckett with the 18th pick was puzzling. Atlanta had promised Dunn that he would be the primary ball carrier but the selection of Duckett, nicknamed "The Diesel," meant the dawn of the smash and dash era in Atlanta.

HE SAID IT

"He's a power back, no doubt. Of course, it is a bit different. You have one back (Duckett) who wants to go north/south and one back (Dunn) who is a slasher, more of a cut-back runner who likes to get outside." -- defensive tackle Anthony McFarland on dealing with Duckett and Dunn.

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