For a change, screams of delight
By RICK STROUD
Published August 10, 2005
LAKE BUENA VISTA - Todd France is in a groove and it wasn't disrupted Tuesday by a screaming throng of teammates trying to rattle the Bucs kickers.
France made both his attempts, from 40 and 47 yards, and has made 31 straight in training camp.
The All-NFL Europe kicker, who failed in past training camps to land a job with the Vikings and Giants, has a leg up on veteran Matt Bryant. After a slow start, Bryant has been perfect for three straight days of practice, but he hasn't matched France's consistency.
"Thirty-one of 31," coach Jon Gruden said. "The last time I checked, that's pretty good. I think, too, having been in Europe, getting accustomed to a new holder is a process in itself. . . . And France is on a roll right now. These aren't just extra points. Some of these are bombs from 44-, 48-, 50-yard area. He's been good from all the hashes."
There's a reason France might be in midseason form, coming off the recently completed NFL Europe season. But fatigue could become a factor.
"Mentally, I'm there, I'm ready to begin playing," he said. "I think what's been going on in practice is good for me, but ultimately, it's going to come down to how I perform in the preseason games.
"I think the break for all of us NFL Europe guys was much too short. But it's a great opportunity to come out and have a chance. That's all I can ask for."
Gruden has tried various ways to apply pressure to his kickers in camp, throwing them into the middle of another drill to simulate a "sudden change' of possession. He has hurried the kicks, giving them 15 seconds to get it off.
On Tuesday, screaming players surrounded Bryant as he made both of his kicks. France then made his attempts, demonstrating his patented high trajectory.
"They know this is an area that we've got to make dramatic improvement in," Gruden said of Bucs players. "If this guy can come through or if it's Matt Bryant, so be it. So far, we like what we've seen out here in the last four or five days from both of them. But Todd France definitely stood out."
France said he has learned ways to keep his leg fresh. "I kind of know what my limit is now. I used to kick a lot more and get sore and that was a detriment. But right now I'm trying not to get too far of myself. Typically, if I'm not kicking well, I try to kick more and more and more and that's not always good."
HOLDING THEIR GROUND: Linebackers Derrick Brooks, 32, Shelton Quarles, 33, and Jeff Gooch, 30, are among the oldest collections of linebackers. But they also may be the best.
Just the same, they are being pushed by Ryan Nece, Barrett Ruud and Marquis Cooper.
"Brooks and Shelton and Gooch are still playing at a high level," linebackers coach Joe Barry said. "They have not slowed down an inch. But it's exciting and it's good for those three guys to know I've got those three young Bucs behind me, I'd better come wired in every day."
LINE DANCE: Another day, another combination of offensive linemen.
Tackle Kenyatta Walker (knee) returned to practice but left guard Matt Stinchcomb was out with a lower back strain and is questionable for Friday's preseason opener at Tennessee.
That forced Sean Mahan to move to left guard and second-year pro Jeb Terry took Mahan's spot at right guard. Starting left tackle Derrick Deese still is out indefinitely with a left foot injury, meaning Anthony Davis will start at Tennessee.
"The guys who practiced, practiced well," Gruden said.
Offensive line coach Bill Muir said the status of injured players will play a big factor in determining the starters. "From the standpoint of finalizing things, it'll be determined by when the players come back," Muir said. "I don't think we have anything of any significance, but how soon will they be able to come back and practice? "Obviously, Kenyatta has had and will continue to have some irritation in that knee. We'll have to be judicious in terms of how we divide the practice time, but he'll be all right. He's had a good camp when he's practiced. He's been more competitive. He's tried to kick up his run blocking and has done so, not just tried. I think he's always been an exceptional pass protector. I'm really encouraged by him."
INJURIES: Deese (foot), Stinchcomb (back), tackle Jeff Hatch (back) and cornerback Juran Bolden (abdominal strain) did not practice. Cornerback Brian Kelly left the morning workout early suffering from dehydration and did not return. Tackle Sam Lightbody (hand laceration) and center Scott Jackson (broken hand) returned to practice.