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Bucs' new face

JAMAL THALJI
Published August 10, 2004

JEB TERRY/

POSITION: Guard

HT./WT.: 6-5; 311

AGE: 23

COLLEGE: North Carolina

BACK IN THE DAY: Some pine for their high school days, but not Terry. That's because he played for Culver Military Academy in Bloomington, Ind. He was a four-year offensive starter, a three-year defensive starter and first-team all-state his senior year, but Terry doesn't miss the days at the boarding school. "It wasn't as much fun," he said. "Your family didn't get to see all of your games."

TO MAKE THE TEAM: He offers size, youth and versatility (he played tackle) to an offensive line that needs all that, plus depth. The Bucs especially need young linemen to groom into replacements for aging veterans. And the franchise needs to buck its rough history of trying to find O-linemen in the draft.

LITTLE-KNOWN FACT: Terry, a business major, had three college choices: North Carolina, Texas and Harvard. Only UNC offered him a scholarship. He said he has no regrets (he preferred the south to Boston) but it's nice to dream about that Harvard Business School degree hanging on the wall - he still has the acceptance letter. "Mom definitely saved that one," he said.

QUOTE: "To make an impact here, I think I just have to play like I do. I think that's the reason why they brought me here. I've got to know the offense in and out and let my actions on the field dictate what happens."

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