Bucs/NFL

Cornerback has dream job

By RICK STROUD
Published May 1, 2006

	[AP photo]
	Alan Zemaitis, making an interception for Penn State last season, says he has liked the Bucs for years, especially the way they've played defense.

TAMPA - Penn State cornerback Alan Zemaitis swears he owned exactly one NFL hat before being drafted Sunday.

"I called to talk to him on the phone and he says, "Coach, I'm not just saying this, but I only have one (NFL) hat and it's a Buccaneer hat,"' Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said. "I said, "Well, make sure you have it on."'

Like his favorite cap, Zemaitis is a perfect fit for the Bucs.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound captain of the Nittany Lions defense is right from central casting: a midround pick who is physical and can tackle as well as cover.

He had 169 tackles and 12 interceptions in three years as a starter and helped Penn State to an 11-1 record last season.

Though he grew up in Rochester, N.Y., the Bucs were his adopted NFL team.

"Oh, I didn't watch them a little bit, I watched them all the time," Zemaitis said. "As a guy in high school, I always loved the Buccaneers defense. Playing a scheme (at Penn State) that is similar to the Bucs, we try to copy, actually, what the Buccaneers do on defense year by year. I know it's a beautiful thing, and I am going to have some fun out there."

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and in many ways the Bucs believe their 2006 draft class is very attractive, indeed.

It began Saturday with the addition of two hulking offensive linemen - Oklahoma guard Davin Joseph and Boston College tackle Jeremy Trueblood - as well as a big target in Notre Dame receiver Maurice Stovall.

It concluded Sunday with seven relatively obscure players: two cornerbacks, two tight ends, two defensive ends and a quarterback.

General manager Bruce Allen was asked Sunday if some of the sex appeal was lost in this year's draft.

"Carnell (Williams) will think Davin is the most sexy thing he's seen in a long, long time," Allen said. "I don't think there's any doubt that Chris (Simms) and Carnell think that this is a beautiful, unbelievable draft choice and when they get to see Jeremy, they're going to be drooling as well."

The Bucs began the second day concentrating on defense. They added depth by taking Stanford defensive end Julian Jenkins (fifth round, 156th overall) and Clemson defensive end Charles Bennett (seventh round, 241).

"(Jenkins) is a guy with the potential to play three positions," coach Jon Gruden said. "He's got a great motor, a guy we think can play inside and out. He has some pass rush and is a very hard worker.

"Of all our draft picks, (Bennett) has got the best-looking body in the draft. He's got speed. He really came on as a senior. He had some good games as a junior and once he became a full-time starter, this guy can run to the ball."

Tight ends T.J. Williams of North Carolina State (sixth round, 202) and Tim Massaquoi of Michigan (seventh round, 244) will add depth behind starters Alex Smith and Anthony Becht.

Tampa Bay used its first of two sixth-round picks on Toledo quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, a 6-foot-1, 217-pounder who impressed the Bucs with his accuracy and mobility (4.57 40 yards).

Oregon cornerback Justin Phinisee (seventh round, 235 overall) does not have blazing speed but could help on special teams. "This is one fine player that's very tough, that has some versatility that once again fits the way we like to play here," Gruden said.

Meanwhile, Zemaitis will get a chance to compete with veteran Juran Bolden for the nickel cornerback spot. He couldn't believe his good fortune Sunday, but he has a unique perspective.

In January 2003, Zemaitis was driving near Williamsport, Pa., when he lost control of his car, smashed into a guardrail, flipped twice, landed upside down and skidded 100 feet. He was thrown through the windshield and was scalped in two places, fracturing his frontal sinus bone.

"I wasn't knocked unconscious. The car flipped over and I realized I was okay," he said. "Then all of a sudden blood started coming and then that's when I thought, "I've got to get out of here, I don't know what's wrong with me, but there's a lot of blood around.' My first memory was my little sister. She was just born and our family, we have a big family, we always wanted a little girl around and we finally got a little girl. I was like, "I don't want her to grow up without a brother.'

"I value a lot of things in a different way, every little thing. And everything happens for a reason. Today is one of the best days of my life. By going through the accident and knowing that I am a fighter, knowing that any adversity that comes my way I know I can handle it."

This draft might not have been pretty. There was no flashy Cadillac. Just 10 players the Bucs believe will make them better.

"I'm sure every coach in the league is standing up here today telling you how great their picks are," Gruden said. "All I'll say is we drafted 10 men, guys we feel good about. We've added two or three free agents that we're very excited about. ... We've got a lot of work to do. But this is a good day for Tampa Bay, I do believe that."

[Last modified May 1, 2006, 02:29:50]