Bucs

Upcoming cuts weigh on Gruden

LAKE BUENA VISTA - With two games before the initial roster cuts to 65 players on Aug. 26, Monday's trip to St. Louis is one of the last opportunities for Bucs on the bubble to show they deserve to stick around for at least the last round of cuts.

Coach Jon Gruden said his staff has met at 10 each night to evaluate players, and while players can help their case in practice, shining in a game on national television against a strong opponent is the best way to survive a numbers crunch that sends 32 players packing in the next 2 1/2 weeks.

"We've got 85 guys we need to evaluate on Monday night," Gruden said. "It's a great test for them ... The longer you get to look at a performance, the better your evaluations become. We are zeroing in on some guys we need to see in this game. We're running out of time, but there still is time for some guys to make an impact on us."

Among the key position battles to watch: the fifth receiver, where Charles Lee, Reggie Barlow, Jacquez Green and rookie Fabian Davis likely are battling for one spot; fullbacks Darian Barnes and Jameel Cook; defensive ends Ron Warner and Corey Smith; defensive tackles DeVone Claybrooks and Buck Gurley; and veteran Tom Tupa and rookie Andy Groom at punter. MOVING ON: The Bucs break camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex today, returning to One Buc Place in Tampa for their final two weeks of preseason practice. Thursday's morning session was cut short by heavy rains, and Gruden canceled the afternoon session. The Bucs have a morning practice today and afternoon session Saturday before flying to St. Louis on Sunday.

INJURY UPDATE: Running back Michael Pittman was at practice after pulling a muscle in his chest in Wednesday's morning session. The only new absence was receiver Keyshawn Johnson, but Gruden wasn't worried. "Keyshawn was excused with an illness," Gruden said. "I think he needs to get a couple of square meals down before we send him back out here."

Gruden targeted Wednesday as a return date for kicker Martin Gramatica, who has been out this week with a groin/hamstring injury. Rookie Ralf Kleinmann will kick Monday.

GLOWING PRAISE: Gruden said Monday's opponent, despite a disappointing dropoff last season, should not be underestimated, especially considering the way St. Louis rallied after injuries contributed to a surprisingly bad start.

"They may not have made the playoffs and had the year everybody expected them to," Gruden said, "but when you lose four or five games in a row and then put it back together and rally and give yourself a chance to get in the Super Bowl tournament late in the year, that was as impressive as anything accomplished in football to me last year."

The Bucs will not face the Rams in the regular season, but Gruden said they're a team that could be an obstacle in the playoffs. "They're going to be back. They're a strong team," he said. "They drafted a lot of young quality defensive players over the years, and the firepower that they have on offense is well documented. This is a great football team that has every reason to be excited."

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