The Bucs expected a tight battle for starting right guard, but thought Jason Whittle would edge Cosey Coleman. Expectations can change.
By RICK STROUD
Published August 7, 2003
[Times photo: Brendan Fitterer]
Cosey Coleman, trying to keep his starting job and rebound from a knee injury that hindered his flexibility and strength last season, has impressed coaches during training camp.
LAKE BUENA VISTA - Even if the conditioning bicycle he pedaled day after day at training camp is stationary, the belief was it eventually would propel Jason Whittle past Cosey Coleman.
"I was on that stupid thing all the time," said Whittle, the Bucs free-agent guard who broke his right fibula during a noncontact drill in minicamp in May. "It just feels so good to be finally back out on the field doing some stuff.
"I think I'll still be able to compete. I don't know what the time frame is. We're kind of shooting for the last two preseason games."
Whittle, 28, returned to practice Tuesday for the first time in about four months. His return marks the most closely watched guard changing this side of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or Buckingham Palace.
The first free agent pursued by Tampa Bay in the offseason, Whittle immediately was considered the starting right guard after signing a five-year, $8.2-million deal. He was expected to replace Coleman, Tampa Bay's second-round pick in 2000 who started 18 games last season.
But not only did Whittle's injury delay those plans, Coleman is trying to make sure they are postponed all together. Healed from a knee injury that plagued him last season, Coleman has impressed coaches with his renewed passion and performance.
"I think it's one where they were going to have a competition, but the theory was going in, based on how Cosey had played, Jason would be the guy," general manager Rich McKay said. "Because remember, we signed Jason in March. We had to see where Cosey is. The nice thing is you've seen Cosey rehab and I think you've seen Cosey have a very good camp. So it's going to be interesting, and it presents a very good dilemma. It gives us a little more depth, it gives us a little more competition at the position. You're never going to go through a year injury free on the offensive line. We know that."
Coleman is proof of that. Last season he tore the meniscus in his left knee during warmups before the first preseason game. He missed the season-opening loss against New Orleans.
Despite missing the exhibition season, Coleman returned the next week at Baltimore and never left the starting lineup. But coaches felt Coleman's injury affected his play. McKay said he did not exhibit his normal strength or flexibility.
"I can honestly say I never saw where he felt comfortable with the knee all season," McKay said. "He seemed like he was a little tentative, it seemed like it was a little painful. And I give him credit for fighting through it, but there's no doubt that he didn't play to his potential and I think part of it is the injury."
Though the offense improved the second half of the season, the Bucs ranked 27th in rushing. The first casualty was center Jeff Christy, who was released after he refused to take a pay cut. He was replaced by Jacksonville free-agent center John Wade. Coleman's job was targeted next.
"My situation is I'm coming off a year that wasn't a good year for Cosey Coleman," Coleman said. "It wasn't the best type of year Cosey could have. And I'm just trying to bounce back from that. Take two steps forward from that type of year. The acquisition of Jason, or whatever, this is the NFL. There's competition every day. The best thing Cosey Coleman can do is worry about Cosey Coleman."
So far, his strategy is working. While Whittle has been making like Lance Armstrong, Coleman has taken advantage.
"He's had a great offseason with Garrett Giemont in the strength room," coach Jon Gruden said. "He's stronger, more flexible, he looks looser. His pass protection is better and he's in a groove right now in terms of his assignments. He's playing next to Kenyatta (Walker) now for a year or two and their communication is better. Can it get better? Yeah. But the guy is showing promise. I think he's the kind of guy you can keep raising the standards because he has capabilities."
Coleman's improvement - and that of his linemates - mirrored the ascension of the offense. In the final 11 games, including the playoffs and Super Bowl, Tampa Bay averaged 27 points per game.
"The biggest difference was we had five guys that were starting on the offensive line," quarterback Brad Johnson said. "That was a big deal. Those guys got on the same page. And guys started making plays, guys started breaking tackles."
As for the prospects of the offensive line this season? Gruden remains guarded.
"I'm optimistic, but I'm going to reserve my judgment," Gruden said. "We had to acquire some people who can play inside, at left guard, center or right guard. Certainly, Whittle is a guy who can do that and how the guys respond to competition is up to them.
"(Whittle) is another big, 300-plus-pound guy who played pretty darn good (on) the Giants film last year. They were a hell of an offensive club and he had a lot to do with that."
