Claybrooks' ankle injury more serious than thought
By ROGER MILLS and RICK STROUD
Published August 30, 2004
TAMPA - Defensive tackle DeVone Claybrooks, 26, suffered a high ankle sprain in the Bucs' 17-10 win Saturday night over the Dolphins and could miss four to six weeks. With Tampa Bay having to trim 23 players to reach the league-mandated 65-man limit by Tuesday afternoon, the 6-3, 292-pound third-year pro out of East Carolina could be a candidate for the physically unable to perform list or an injury settlement.
"It's more serious than we expected," coach Jon Gruden said. "He is obviously disappointed. He was having a good camp."
Linebacker Shelton Quarles, who is recovering from a broken forearm, will be held out of the preseason finale Thursday at Houston but is scheduled to start Sept.12 against the Redskins. Veteran Derrick Deese, who has missed three preseason games after foot surgery, is scheduled to play against the Texans and to start at left tackle in the regular-season opener.
DID YOU SEE THAT?: You've heard of the quarterback sneak. But did you notice cornerback Ronde Barber on Saturday?
"We saw Ronde Barber sneak in there. He was our flanker on the first play of the second half," Gruden said. "He's champed at the bit to be part of this also.
"I turned the film on and saw him out there. I was aware that he did make his debut. I'm surprised we didn't all catch that last night."
JOE STILL NO GO, BUT ... : Receiver Joe Jurevicius has begun running after surgery this month to repair a herniated disc in his back. He has missed all of training camp.
"I can't speak for him," Gruden said. "I looked out my window and saw him zipping around out there. He doesn't look far away to me. I'm charged up, I'm very excited by what I'm seeing out there on the field. I'm not going to say it's the opening game, but if it's not the opening game, it doesn't look far, far away. He's been very impressive in his initial workouts here after this surgery. He's come a long way in a short period of time."
KEEPING PERSPECTIVE: Maligned after a poor performance against the Jaguars two games ago, the offensive line rebounded against the Dolphins. The line kept the bulk of pressure off quarterback Brad Johnson and created holes for the running game.
But veteran center John Wade cautioned there is more work to be done.
"We took a small step in the running game, which was huge not just for the offensive line but for the whole offense," Wade said. "We've got one block laid and we have to keep it up every week. We can't regress. We started off all right against Cincinnati and offensively we went to Jacksonville and did nothing. So, we can't do that. We have to get right back to work and lay another block down."
Proof that the offense had an improved game came in the form of two long drives (55 and 68 yards) in the first half. But, Wade said, settling for field goals indicates more work remains.
"We're really happy that we had two long drives, but unfortunately, we didn't come out with (many) points," Wade said. "We need to get seven. I'm not trying to be negative by any means. I'm happy to get the win, happy as an offense to move the ball. But, you've got to get seven. Three points isn't going to win us games, not most of the time."
ROOKIE CONTINUES TO IMPRESS: His performance has been steady and productive, and with Keenan McCardell in a holdout and Jurevicius hurt, rookie Michael Clayton is sending the Bucs a message that he can be counted on.
Clayton had an acrobatic 26-yard third-quarter reception that set up Earnest Graham's 2-yard touchdown run, the team's only offensive touchdown Saturday.
"(Quarterback) Chris ( Simms) made an excellent throw because he was under pressure," Clayton said. "He kind of underthrew it a bit and I just waited for the last second and got behind the defensive back and made the catch."
Clayton finished with four catches for 56 yards and has seven for 95 yards through three preseason games. The first-round pick out of LSU, expected to play a big role with the absence of McCardell and Jurevicius, said there's nothing like game experience.
"I'd say that's the best way to learn," Clayton said. "Each year I improved in college because I was able to play a lot. I was able to play a lot as a freshman, which enabled me to be a hell of a player in my sophomore year, which enabled me to be a hell of a player in my junior year.
"When you get experience, especially game experience, that's the best way to learn."
