Hovan flashing his old intensity

Ex-Viking changed his looks, retained an aggressive demeanor.

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published August 4, 2005

	[Times photo: Bill Serne]
	Chris Hovan has a new, clean-cut image to match his fresh start. The former Viking is fighting for a starting spot on the Bucs' defensive line.

LAKE BUENA VISTA - The long, caveman locks are gone. The menacing black face paint that caused some to question his sanity has met the same fate.

Other than his numerous tattoos, Chris Hovan practically looks ready for the corner office.

But Tampa Bay hopes what remains of Hovan is the unstoppable, physical force they saw years ago. In Hovan, the Bucs see a player who has the potential to return to the form that once made him a second-team All-Pro and a first-round draft pick. In the Bucs, Hovan sees a team with a defense that can live up to its reputation as one of the fiercest in football.

Together, they see the opportunity for great things.

"I came to Tampa because these guys know how to play defense and I want to be a part of that," said Hovan, 27, who joined the Bucs as an unrestricted free agent this summer. He landed with the Bucs after falling out of favor in Minnesota, where he once was considered a cornerstone of the Vikings' defense.

"These guys are already established," Hovan added. "They have Derrick Brooks, Anthony McFarland, Shelton Quarles, Greg Spires. I just want to come here and be a part of this mix."

The feeling mutual.

"I knew what he was out of Boston College," said defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, who became enamored with Hovan while scouting him. "I evaluated the heck out of him. I thought he really fit what we do. When you study those guys like that, they may go someplace else, but you tend to keep your eye on them. Those are the guys you want up front."

But the Bucs promised Hovan nothing, giving him a one-year deal worth $540,000. All he has is the chance to compete for the starting job created by the departure of nose tackle Chartric Darby, though that is hardly a guarantee.

It is a humbling position for a player who entered the league as a coveted prospect in 2000 and had immediate success. But with his new look has come a new attitude. Hovan is willing to do anything to resurrect his career.

He was deactivated for both of the Vikings' playoff games last season, and as the season ended, it became clear his days in Minnesota were over. Hovan prefers not to delve into the specifics, but it's safe to assume coach Mike Tice was trying to motivate Hovan when he benched him in favor of rookie free agent Spencer Johnson.

Knowing he must produce to change the perception that resulted from his unceremonious exit from Minnesota, Hovan has performed during the first week of training camp like his career is on the line. Coaches and players are buzzing about his "motor" and how it never stops.

"I have a lot to prove," he said. "I think that's true with everybody. But I'm my worst critic. I really am. I'm demanding a lot out of myself."

Take it from center John Wade, who draws the unenviable task of battling with Hovan's 296 pounds during drills.

"His effort is relentless," said an exhausted Wade after a practice that included one-on-one work with Hovan. "Since the day he walked in here, he's been ready to work. In my opinion, he's got all the tools, the attitude and the effort. How can he not help us?"

And, oh, how the Bucs welcome the help. They yielded 123.3 rushing yards a game last season, the most since 1993 when they went 5-11 under coach Sam Wyche.

But the new-and-improved Chris Hovan plans to do his part to change that. His transformation began with the new look, as he decided during the summer to chop off his long hair in favor of the closely-cropped 'do he now sports. He also said he won't wear the black face paint, which was a tribute to former Vikings great John Randle, who was famous for playing with black paint around his eyes.

Hovan didn't intend for the outward changes to be symbolic at a time he is hoping for the rebirth of his career, but it is hard to deny the irony.

"I just decided to clean it up a little," he said. "There were a lot of people who liked me and a lot of people who don't, so I thought I'd just come out and represent myself by what I do on the field."

That alone will determine where Hovan's career goes from here. But his attitude suggests things will only get better.

"I'm really eager to come to work every day with a guy who has that viewpoint," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said, "a guy that has something to prove and wants to take his game to another level."

[Last modified August 4, 2005, 01:05:20]