Bucs sign four from minicamp

By GREG AUMAN
Published May 3, 2005

TAMPA - Four of the 20 free agents brought in for a minicamp tryout this weekend were signed to contracts, the Bucs announced Monday.

The most experienced player of the group is former South Carolina running back Derek Watson, who hasn't played since he was released by the Patriots in July 2003.

"I'm very fortunate ... just having the opportunity," Watson told the Associated Press last week. "It's very seldom that a guy gets cut from an NFL football team his rookie season and he's been out of football two years and gets a chance to start it back up with another football team."

Also joining the team are three undrafted rookies: cornerbacks Carlos Campbell of Notre Dame and James Patrick of Stillman College, and guard Kevin Fischer of Florida Atlantic.

Campbell, who played receiver his first two years in college, was quick enough to be a sprinter on Notre Dame's indoor track team, running the 60-meter dash in 7.27 seconds last spring. Patrick left Stillman with 27 career interceptions. Only 11 players in NCAA history had more than that entering the 2004 season.

Fischer was part of the first recruiting class in the fledgling FAU program.

Watson was dismissed from South Carolina in January 2002 after he was charged with marijuana possession. He was found guilty in March 2002 and given a suspended 30-day sentence. He played his final season at South Carolina State.

CLEVELAND - Browns tight end Kellen Winslow sustained internal injuries when he was thrown from a motorcycle, the team said. Winslow, 21, who missed most of last season with a broken right leg, also has swelling in his right shoulder and right knee. The team said his injuries are not life-threatening. Winslow was riding in a community college parking lot Sunday when he hit a curb at about 35 mph and was thrown from the motorcycle, Westlake police Lt. Ray Arcuri said. Winslow was wearing a helmet, but it wasn't strapped on and it flew off, Arcuri said.

BILLS: Rookie tight end Kevin Everett has a torn left knee ligament and could miss the start of the season.

COWBOYS: Free-agent running back Anthony Thomas, who spent the past four seasons with the Bears, agreed to a one-year deal.

REDSKINS: Florida State defensive end Charles Howard was signed as a free agent.

CHIEFS: Former Heisman Trophy winner Jason White of Oklahoma wasn't offered a contract after participating in minicamp.

ARENA LEAGUE: Storm fullback/linebacker Jarrod Penright likely will miss Sunday's game at Georgia after reinjuring his right ankle in Saturday's win over New Orleans. Jeff Cogell, who is on the practice squad, and lineman Nyle Wiren, who filled in at fullback during a loss to Nashville on April 24, are possible replacements.

--Times staff writers Brian Landman and Frank Pastor contributed to this report along with information from Times wires.

[Last modified May 3, 2005, 02:12:11]