Change of scenery is just what Becht ordered

The former New York Jets tight end figures to flourish in both the running and passing game for the Buccaneers.

By RICK STROUD
Published August 5, 2005

LAKE BUENA VISTA - Anthony Becht wanted a change of atmosphere, even if he didn't count on this.

The heat index at Disney's Wide World of Sports has climbed consistently into triple digits, the air is wet and thick as mud and legs can turn to rubber faster than they ever did during his five seasons with the New York Jets.

"I'm just getting acclimated to the weather," Becht said, "and picking up the offense ... trying to soak it all in."

But even playing in this sauna of a training camp, Becht has never felt so refreshed.

The 6-foot-5, 272-pound tight end, who turns 28 on Monday, is energized by the versatility he can display in coach Jon Gruden's offense.

"I think it was a great move for him," Bucs quarterbacks coach Paul Hackett said. "New York is not an easy place after four or five years. It's tough. So sometimes that change in venue - whether it be a coach or a player - just that atmosphere change gives you that little bounce you all need."

A former first-round pick in 2000 out of West Virginia (Jets fans booed the selection, of course), Becht's career was starting to look like fourth and 12.

Known primarily for his blocking, he caught only 13 passes for 100 yards last season. To put that in perspective, Tim Brown saw more action with the Bucs. Of course, he could've blamed Hackett, his offensive coordinator with the Jets, but that's not Becht's style.

Instead, as a free agent he took less money than offered by some teams to come to Tampa Bay.

"I think Anthony's greatest strength is his versatility," Hackett said. "I mean, Anthony can do a lot of things, and that's exactly what this offense uses, much more than we did in New York. He's all over the place, he learns quickly, he has somewhat of a foundation in the offense itself - although this offense has taken a lot of offshoots that's different from the offense we had in New York. But his willingness, his eagerness, his versatility, his steadiness is all just going to show."

So is Becht's desire. He loves football the way Bugs Bunny loves carrots. When Becht watches film of himself, he is a harsh critic. Every route must be run to perfection, every blocking assignment carried out flawlessly or he might pound his fists on a desk.

"The tight ends are in the tight end room watching me," Becht said. "I want to make sure I'm at my best. You just have to pass on the example. I put pressure on myself. If I have one bad play, it's going to be on my mind, and I want to make sure I correct it so I can look good for myself. I want to be out there doing the right thing."

Becht isn't the politically correct type of player who hides his feelings. He will lay it on a butcher block for all to see.

Last week, when rookie tight end Alex Smith got into a scrap with defensive end Dewayne White, Becht hesitated a few heartbeats to see what the rest of the offense would do. Then he went in the pile and tried to pull White off by his earlobes.

"It means a lot, especially because he has my back and I'll have his just as fast," Smith said.

In fact, coaches will tell you Becht's toughness has never been questioned.

"There's no question about that. Hey, he's from south Philly, what do you expect?" offensive line coach Bill Muir said. "You guys been to south Philly and grew up listening to (sports talk radio) WIP? They threw snowballs at Santa Claus, you know what I mean? Yeah, those guys are tough."

Make no mistake, the Bucs are counting on Becht to improve their rushing attack, which ranked 29th in the league last season. Why not? He has contributed to four 1,000-yard rushing seasons by the Jets' Curtis Martin, including his NFL-best and career-high 1,697 yards in 2004.

But Becht also has 133 career receptions for 1,164 yards and 17 touchdowns. In Tampa Bay, the tight end position combined for 60 catches in 2004. With Becht and Alex Smith, that number could increase.

"I think the stereotype with me is that I'm just a one-dimensional player, that I'm a big blocker," Becht said. "I really don't think that is the case. When I was in college, I was a receiving guy. When I was in New York, I caught 40 balls in '03 and last season it just kind of dipped off a little bit. I feel like I am going to be in the mix both ways."

Becht also will be a huge help to Smith, the 6-4, 258-pound third-round pick from Stanford who is more of a downfield threat. Smith and Becht figure to be on the field together often this season.

"He's got this label now, for some reason a lot of our players get labeled into roles - he's a blocker and the other guy (Smith) is going to catch the passes," Gruden said. "Becht is going to be a player here for us, much like (Ken) Dilger was, he was a guy who caught 35-40 passes. ... If we can ever get a running game going, it'd be quite nice to get some play-action passes going and get the tight end involved a little more."

If you're Becht, that's cool.

"Just for all the reasons as far as being able to do more things - receiving, catching and just getting a fresh start," Becht said. "That was the main thing for me. I needed a fresh start somewhere, and this was the place that gave it to me."

[Last modified August 5, 2005, 01:08:13]