By ROGER MILLS, JULIE WOOD
Published July 29, 2003
NAME: Marvious Hester
HT./WT.: 5-11; 185
POSITION: Linebacker
COLLEGE: Georgia Tech
BACK IN THE DAY: The Atlanta native was a four-year player for the Yellow Jackets who played in 45 games with 36 starts. He finished his college career with 139 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries. He also had six interceptions. He started all 13 games as a senior and had 41 career punt returns (421 yards).
TO MAKE THE TEAM: The coaching staff has Hester listed as a linebacker though he seems more physically suited to play safety or cornerback. Either way, it's going to be a challenge for him to make the roster. He is far down the depth chart at both positions and will need a strong showing on special teams in the preseason games.
LITTLE-KNOWN FACT: "A lot of people don't know but my nickname is Sneaky. Why? Well, there's a history behind that. But, I've got to get to know the Tampa area a little better before I can reveal why."
QUOTE: "To me, right now, this is a privilege. I'm trying to soak everything up and grasp the whole NFL experience. The best approach is to concentrate on your game, do the best you can do, and let the chips fall. You can't get caught up in who's making what plays. You have to go out and do your thing, play your game."
. . . And don't forget your will to win
The Bucs ended practice early Monday to return to Tampa and begin packing for their trip to Japan. Players are allowed to take two bags for the six-day trip. An informal poll of players and coaches resulted in this list of the 10 most popular items to pack:
10. Shoes: "I'm a shoe guy, so I think I'm going to take at least five pairs of shoes." - linebackers coach Joe Barry.
9. Reading material: "You've got to bring your sports pages and read what's going on inside the Bucs and get caught up on some of the clips from around the league." - coach Jon Gruden.
8. Playbook: "I'll be the good guy and say the right thing: the playbook." - guard Kerry Jenkins.
7. Personal item: "I've got to have a picture of my family wherever I'm going." - safety John Howell.
6. Electronics: "We've got laptops. We've got backup batteries. We've got a lot of contingency plans." - Gruden.
5. Sleeping pills: "I'm going to take one of those sleeping pills that (trainer) Todd Toriscelli said is a new magic sleeping pill that works for a few hours. I might take two of those." - Gruden.
4. CDs and DVDs: "A million and five (CDs). The whole collection." - defensive back Dwight Smith.
3. The unknown: "I don't know if I can say that. If I told you, I'd have to kill you." - linebacker Nate Webster.
2. Snickers bars: "Food. I'm not eating sushi, I'm not eating octopus. ... I'm taking my own (candy bars), my own food. I might even take my own water 'cause I don't know what's going on over there." - defensive end Ellis Wyms.
1. Linebacker Shinzo Yamada: "You've got to take him because he knows where to go and who to go with." - defensive end Simeon Rice.
But what the players likely won't be prepared for, Yamada said, is Tokyo's weather. "The one thing they'll have to (adjust to) is the temperature. It's really hot there now. It's hotter than here. The temperature is about the same, but it's a lot more humid. You can't imagine. There are so many buildings, there is no breeze. It's like living in a sauna."
Quotable
"I'm a little nervous about packing. I'll have to find a shopping mall over there because I know I'll forget something." - Gruden on his preparation.
Quotable, Part 2
"You know what? That's a good point. I might have to do that. Maybe I will bring back a little care package for you guys. You've been pretty nice to me this summer." - Gruden on whether he'll bring bring back sake for members of the media.
