Bucs are mum about the wide receiver, who has not played since 2000-01.
By RICK STROUD
Published August 27, 2003
TAMPA - The workout lasted less than 10 minutes, just enough to break a good sweat, catch his breath and a few footballs.
Lining up in an imaginary formation on an empty practice field at One Buc Place, he ran about a half-dozen corner, slant and post patterns.
It did not matter to Andre Rison. He just wants to find a route back to the NFL. Rison, 36, worked out for the Bucs on Tuesday morning but left the training facility an hour later without being available for comment or signing a contract.
It was the first appearance of any kind on an NFL field for Rison since he was suspended four games in 2001 for repeat violation of the league's substance abuse policy.
Bucs coach Jon Gruden, whom Rison last played for with the Raiders in 2000, would not comment whether the 12-year pro would restart his career with the world champions.
"Rison is an interesting guy because it's Andre Rison," Gruden said. "The guy's got Hall of Fame numbers. He's one of the top 15 all-time receivers in history. And as I say, the last game he played was against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship game and you pick up the film, he played pretty darn good there. I'm not making any bold predictions. We're not disappointed in the receivers we have here. We're just looking at this guy because we know who he is, we know what kind of player he was when he was healthy and we'll see what happens. What becomes of this will be announced later."
The Bucs appear set at receiver with Keyshawn Johnson, Keenan McCardell, Joe Jurevicius and Karl Williams occupying the first four positions. Rison would be a candidate for the Bucs' fifth spot with Charles Lee, Reggie Barlow and rookie Fabian Davis.
Rison's appearance might indicate the Bucs, who play their final preseason game against the Texans on Thursday night at Raymond James Stadium, are dissatisfied with the collection of players vying for that fifth and likely final spot.
Lee, a fourth-year pro from Central Florida, was considered the frontrunner for that fifth spot but has been inconsistent and has not contributed heavily on special teams.
"Well, again, I don't really know what the bubble is. I think we're all on the bubble," Gruden said. "We're all responsible for our performances. It's a competitive league to get into and stay in. (Lee) is a guy that's had good moments, he's had some areas he needs to improve upon and he's got a chance to make this football team. Thursday's a big night for him and I'm sure he understands that."
Rison, who appeared to be in shape, looked sharp and caught every pass from rookie quarterback Shane Stafford during the workout, which was conducted by Gruden and receivers coach Richard Mann. Almost the entire Bucs coaching staff, as well as members of the scouting department and front office, attended.
Playing for the Gruden-led Raiders in 2000 - his last appearance in the NFL, Rison caught 41 passes for 606 yards and six touchdowns to help them reach the AFC Championship Game. Johnson said Rison would be a welcome addition.
"It doesn't do anything to me except make me better and make my team better," Johnson said. "Anytime you've got a guy around here that's closing in on 800 receptions, a guy that you watched on television when you were younger and you said to yourself, "I want that house just like his.' Hey, I don't have a problem with it at all.
"You've got to think he's been working out as much as he can and stuff like that. But everybody is excited if we do sign him. ... I like guys like that around me. I like guys with attitudes that can play football. Eight hundred catches. I mean, who's better? How many guys are better? He won a Super Bowl with Green Bay. He's seen it all. It's just adding one more guy."
According to Johnson, Bucs players competing for a roster spot at receiver should not be concerned about Rison's workout.
"The younger guys shouldn't even worry about it. They should just try to make the team," Johnson said. "If I'm them, I'm auditioning for the next 31 teams anyway. The chances of me playing here anytime in the near future is probably slim to none unless someone gets injured. I'm going to go out and put my best performance together on the field so if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers feel like I'm not in their plans, there's some other teams that can call the house at night and I can hop on a plane and go where I need to go."
Rison, who has played for seven teams, ranks 14th on the NFL's all-time reception list with 743 for 10,205 yards and 84 touchdowns. Not only is Gruden familiar with him, but Rison played under Mann with the Chiefs. He was a teammate of McCardell's with the Browns in '95.
"Here's a guy Richard Mann coached in Kansas City, who really, under Marty Schottenheimer did a great job," Gruden said. "Here's a guy we worked with closely and played very well for us. He's been out of football, he's interested in returning and when you look at 84 touchdowns and 11,000 yards, and the door is knocking, you at least open it and see what's going on. That's where we are right now.
"It's a great pleasure to see Andre Rison. He's a guy I respect a lot. ... We won't comment on his workout, but we know where he is, we know what his phone number is and he knows ours."
- Staff writer Roger Mills contributed to this report.
