Nece's versatility a plus for defense

By JOANNE KORTH
Published August 5, 2005

LAKE BUENA VISTA - Ryan Nece is everywhere.

Nece, a fourth-year linebacker, is listed as the backup at the weakside position behind Derrick Brooks. But he spent the past two days taking reps with the starters at strongside in place of Jeff Gooch, who is resting a sore hamstring.

What gives?

"They've asked me to be accountable for both sides," Nece said. "That's given me an opportunity to play over there and play with the first team, and that's exciting for me. At the same time, I'm trying to push Brooks and learn as much as I can from him."

Nece started at strongside for the Bucs two years ago but lost the job last year to free-agent Ian Gold and was moved to weakside. This year, Gold is gone and Gooch, a 10-year pro in his second stint with Tampa Bay, takes over at strongside. That leaves Nece as the uber backup, able to play on either side of the formation.

Marquis Cooper, the team's third-round draft pick in 2004, is listed as the backup at strongside but lacks Nece's experience. Linebackers coach Joe Barry said his goal is to have the three best players on the field.

Nece is comfortable anywhere.

"I feel like home is always with the starters," Nece said. "It's wherever the coaches want me to play."

And, yes, that's Nece on special teams, too.

Nece was a special-teams staple, his 16 tackles last season the most among returning players. But with the losses of Keith Burns, Corey Ivy and John Howell, top performers a year ago, coaches are looking for Nece to take a bigger role.

"We've been excited about Ryan and he constantly shows up," special-teams coach Rich Bisaccia said. "We've got some great leadership in Jeff Gooch and we expect Ryan to go shoulder to shoulder with Jeff this year and give us great leadership."

HAPPY HANDS: Receiver Ike Hilliard was a busy man during team drills. Starting receivers Michael Clayton and Joey Galloway saw limited action - Clayton because he was feeling sick and Galloway in an effort to save his legs. That left Hilliard, a former Florida star who played the past eight seasons with the Giants, to pick up the slack.

"I don't mind the work," he said.

LIGHT BODIES: The team practiced without pads, which coach Jon Gruden said was part of a plan to give players a break every fourth or fifth day. Players wore pads the previous four days.

Play was no less physical. Running back Ian Smart and cornerback Torrie Cox went to the sideline after sustaining hard hits during an 11-on-11 drill. Both returned for the afternoon special-teams practice.

WAKEUP CALL: The team signed fullback Steve Kriewald, a free agent from Nebraska. The move is a bad sign for seventh-round draft pick Rick Razzano, who has missed several days with a hamstring injury.

"You can't come in as a seventh-round draft choice, or any kind of draft choice, never practice and expect to make this football team," Gruden said. "It's too bad, but he's got to get himself back out here in a hurry."

Returning veteran Jameel Cook is atop the depth chart at fullback, and Earnest Graham has impressed coaches taking reps at fullback and halfback.

BACK IN ACTION: Left tackle Derrick Deese returned to practice after missing four days with a left foot sprain. Deese, entering his 14th year, was limited.

"It's good to have him back," Gruden said. "He's a guy who has played a lot of football and he's a good player, so it's good to have him back out there."

MISSING: Defensive tackle Anthony McFarland sat out the morning practice as a precaution, while cornerback Juran Bolden, running back Mike Pittman and Gooch rested sore hamstrings. Safety Jermaine Phillips was excused to attend to a personal matter, Gruden said.

All are expected to practice today.

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