By JOANNE KORTH and ROGER MILLS
Published July 26, 2003
[Times photo: Toni Sandys]
Receiver Keenan McCardell and linebacker Justin Smith, right, work out on bikes as they miss morning practice with hamstring injuries.
LAKE BUENA VISTA - Cornerback Ronde Barber left practice early Friday as a precaution after suffering "leg problems" during the offseason, coach Jon Gruden said.
Barber, who played in the 2002 playoffs despite a ligament tear in his right knee, had arthroscopic surgery soon after the Super Bowl victory against the Raiders. He will be monitored for the next week to 10 days, Gruden said.
"We want to make sure that he's fully recovered from the ailments that he's worked himself through," Gruden said. "He's one tough soldier, but we're probably going to limit him on the field the next few days and let him get rejuvenated physically."
One player took advantage of Barber's absence.
Second-year corner Corey Ivy played with the first-team defense during 11-on-11 drills. On Thursday Ivy saw action at nickel back, the fifth defensive back used in passing situations.
"He's a bulldog," Gruden said. "You could call him in his room at the Celebration at 11:30 (at night) and tell him we're having live tackling drills in the lobby, and he'd be down there. He's an amazing guy. He'll play corner, safety, gunner on the punt team."
Ivy, the Bucs 2002 special teams player of the year, has not won the nickel back job, but in a week of training has often filled the void created by Dwight Smith's move to free safety.
"It's a privilege to be on that first unit, because they are so dominant and are known around the National Football League as one of the best, if not the best in the game," Ivy said. "So I go out there and say to myself, "I can't be the weak link.' I know the offense is going to be looking at me because I'm the young guy on an experienced defense. I have to stand up and face the challenge."
LIGHTER LOAD: After four straight days practicing in pads, the team practiced in shorts and jerseys.
"There's nothing wrong with a reward when you see your team come in here, to a man, in shape, working like they've worked," Gruden said. "I think they know when we do take the pads off it should be a little quicker, a little faster, a little more enthusiastic."
The team will be in pads today.
BAD EXAMPLES: Receiver Joe Jurevicius appears twice as a negative example of taunting in a tape being shown to NFL teams regarding rule changes and officiating points of emphasis for the 2003 season. Official Johnny Grier showed the tape to the Bucs.
Jurevicius is singled out twice against the Falcons, for spinning the ball at the feet of a defender and for doing the Dirty Bird dance with Keyshawn Johnson. Officials, Grier said, will look out for "prolonged trash talking" or gestures that constitute taunting.
Also, Brad Johnson appears in a clip illustrating illegal tackling of a quarterback at or below the knees.
NEW RULES: There are five rule changes for 2003, most relating to the closing minutes of a game.
In the final two minutes a team will not be charged a timeout for an injury that occurs during or after any play involving a change of possession. Offenses penalized in the final two minutes can avoid a 10-second runoff by using a timeout, and defenses can similarly avoid the clock running out entirely inside 40 seconds. Teams will be limited to one onside kick attempt in the final five minutes.
Also, a player who has been out of bounds on a kickoff can touch the ball if another member of the kicking team touches it first.
JUST FOR KICKS: Martin Gramatica made the catch but does not expect to make a living with his hands. The kicker, Tampa Bay's leading scorer last season, cradled a pass from holder Tom Tupa during a fake point-after attempt despite being the third option on the play.
"I told Tom he better throw it to me," Gramatica said. "That will be the only chance I ever get to have a ball thrown at me. I'm glad I caught it."
INJURY UPDATE: Linebacker Justin Smith (hamstring) and receiver Keenan McCardell (hamstring) did not practice. Receiver Charles Lee, who missed Thursday's afternoon practice with a foot sprain, returned to make a leaping catch during drills.
SINGLE-GAME TICKETS AVAILABLE: A limited number of single-game tickets for each of Tampa Bay's 10 home games, including two preseason games, go on sale at 10 a.m. Aug.9, the team announced. Tickets are available only through Ticketmaster outlets, by phone or on the Internet. To order call 813 287-8844 in Hillsborough County, (727) 898-2100 in Pinellas County or visit www.ticketmaster.com There is a limit of six tickets per person, per game.
Tickets will not be sold at the Buccaneers ticket office or Raymond James Stadium. Season tickets are sold out.
