Bucs will use a 3-day minicamp to evaluate those with less than a year of NFL experience.
By RICK STROUD
Published April 30, 2004
TAMPA - Young minicampers getting off the bus at One Buc Place to spend the weekend won't have to worry about poison ivy or even Corey Ivy.
That's because the three-day workouts are strictly for players with less than a year of NFL experience - draft picks, undrafted free agents and players happy for a tryout.
For that reason, it will more resemble a fantasy camp than a training camp. Given the veteran-laden roster, only a handful or so of the more than 40 players practicing might actually earn jobs.
"This is an interesting weekend," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "It is just for rookies and players who have not had one full year of NFL experience. Bruce (Allen, the new general manager) has signed a bunch of guys to a tryout contract to allow us to have numbers to actually go out and practice. It will be a great opportunity for our coaches, behind closed doors, to really get some one-on-one feedback and some one-on-one relationships started with some key newcomers."
Traditionally, the postdraft minicamp is a chance for rookies and veterans to come together. But Gruden's strategy was altered somewhat this offseason.
Rather than wait until after the draft to fill all roster spots, the Bucs reached the limit quickly after Allen signed more than 20 free agents, giving the team a longer evaluation process.
Even Gruden doesn't know when the tinkering will stop.
"Every once in awhile, I get the feeling that it finally will slow down," Gruden said. "Our goal was to improve our football team. We are not the defending Super Bowl champions, we were 7-9. It's a sick feeling in my stomach and a sick feeling in our players' stomach. Obviously, the coaching needs to get better and the performance on the field needs to get better. We've added a lot of players, to the offense, to the defense and hopefully that will help us on special teams."
The three-day minicamp will offer coaches a chance to project how much of that help will come from their 2004 draft class.
Louisiana State receiver Michael Clayton, the Bucs' first-round pick, could have an immediate impact on offense. But it's special teams where rookies like Washington linebacker Marquis Cooper, Ohio State safety Will Allen and Tennessee receiver Mark Jones will earn their salaries.
"I'm excited about (Clayton)," Gruden said. "His physical presence and his charisma is going to help us. His playmaking is going to be outstanding and Marquis Cooper, Will Allen, Jeb Terry, all the guys we selected, will get some one-on-one situations with our coaches."
Because of the shortage of players, the Bucs will conduct one practice today through Sunday. Workouts are closed to the public.
A minicamp for the entire team will be in late June and players report to training camp July 30.
"I think every player we drafted has an opportunity to make this football team," Bruce Allen said. "I think the coaching staff are great teachers. These players have a chance to get better."
