Bucs/NFL

USF back has lots to prove

Bypassed in the draft, Andre Hall signs a free-agent contract with Tampa Bay eager to show he can play in the NFL.

By GREG AUMAN
Published May 1, 2006

TAMPA - If you think Sunday was a long, difficult day for running back Andre Hall, you have no idea.

USF's all-time leading rusher, projected as a midround pick, was not among the 255 players taken in the two-day draft. The St. Petersburg native signed a free-agent contract with the Bucs, all the more motivated to show he's worthy of a job in the NFL.

"I'm going to make the team," Hall said. "That's how it's been. That's been my life. I've had to prove myself, time after time. I'll do it again."

Hall spent the day in a St. Petersburg hospital after his mother, Carol Barthel, was moved into intensive care, unconscious with kidney and liver problems. She had been hospitalized for two weeks, but her condition worsened late Saturday night.

"It's the worst I've ever seen it," Hall said. "The draft is the least of my worries. This just makes my testimony a little bit longer."

Hall had hoped to be drafted Saturday and was projected to be among the first backs taken when the final four rounds continued Sunday morning. Hall had two record-breaking seasons at USF and seemed to improve his stock with a time of 4.42 seconds in the 40-yard dash and solid workouts.

Still, he wasn't among the 14 tailbacks taken, down from 22 a year ago. Hall, who fielded offers from the Vikings, Dolphins, Jaguars and Chargers, said he'll face the same competition to make the Bucs roster as he would have as a low-round draft pick, so he's eager to get to minicamp.

There's ample precedent for undrafted rookies making the Bucs roster: Linebacker Ryan Nece, tight end Will Heller, tackle Anthony Davis and running back Earnest Graham have done it the past four seasons.

"To get him is big. He's an interesting guy," coach Jon Gruden said, also pointing to linebacker Shelton Quarles. Undrafted free agents "don't just make it. They start, and they might make the Pro Bowl. This is a football program here for players, not draft choices. It's just a pecking order. It doesn't guarantee anyone anything."

With veteran Michael Pittman and second-year pro Cadillac Williams as roster locks, Hall's principal competition is Graham and free agent Derek Watson. The difference might come down to special-teams contributions, and Hall will get a look as a potential kickoff returner.

"It's an area obviously where he'll come into play," Gruden said. "We need a guy, somebody in the United States, worldwide, who can come in and return a kickoff. This guy has a knack for doing it. We're hoping he can come in here and find a niche with us, as a creative back to spell Cadillac, a guy who can catch it, return kickoffs, cover some kicks. He sounds like a guy who will do whatever is asked."

Terms of the contract weren't disclosed, but it's likely the league minimum of $275,000 a year if he makes the team. Top undrafted free agents typically get signing bonuses of $25,000 or less.

It was the second draft in a row that came and went without any Bulls selected. Guard Frank Davis signed a free-agent contract with the Lions, choosing their deal over offers from the Titans, Bengals and Buccaneers.

"How can I not be excited?" said Davis, who reports to minicamp Thursday. "Coach (Rod) Marinelli called me himself, said I was their No.1 free agent, and that attention meant a lot to me, showed me I was a priority for them."

[Last modified May 1, 2006, 02:31:23]