Bucs/NFL

The daily grind

By TIMES WIRES
Published August 1, 2006

ALL ABOARD!

It should at least be worth a ride on the John Madden cruiser.

As a rookie last year, tight end Alex Smith won the 2006 EA Sports Madden Bowl.

He defeated Ravens receiver Mark Clayton 24-14 the week of Super Bowl XL in Detroit.

"It was real fun," Smith said. "It was unexpected and I had a good time doing it."

Smith prefers to play video games that involve sports, including "anything with wrestling." Here are his favorites.

SMITH'S TOP THREE VIDEO GAMES

MADDEN '06

NBA LIVE '06

NCAA FOOTBALL '06

ACHES AND PAINS

Rookie defensive end Charles Bennett was sidelined with a hamstring injury and could miss at least a week. Linebackers Derrick Brooks and Shelton Quarles and receiver Joey Galloway were held out to give veterans a rest. Quarterback Jay Fiedler continues to throw on the side and could come off the active physically unable to perform list soon. "Jay Fiedler's doing better. I'm really encouraged with this workout," coach Jon Gruden said. "He's learning our offense, he's working hard at it. I'm really pleased with what I see now. He's obviously getting closer to making his debut as a Buc."

GOOD HANDS MAN

For the second straight day, Penn State rookie Alan Zemaitis intercepted a pass. This time it happened during 11-on-11 drills. The fourth-round pick stepped in front of a Tim Rattay pass intended for receiver Mark Jones during the morning workout.

WORKING TO GET IT RIGHT

Suffice to say rookie receiver Maurice Stovall, above, puts a lot of pressure on himself.

Stovall dropped a pass in Monday's morning practice, one of several drops on the day, and promptly dropped to the ground to do 10 pushups.

The assumption was that Stovall was doing so at the request of one of his coaches. But it was a self-imposed penalty.

"It's a self-motivating thing," said Stovall, a third-round pick from Notre Dame. "When I drop a ball I do pushups to kind of punish myself. I shouldn't be dropping balls as a receiver. I just try to forget about it after that and move on to the next play."

It started years ago in high school when one of his coaches, who also was his godfather, made Stovall do the pushups after each drop. The ritual continued in college when his position coach required the same action.

Seems the regimen has become ingrained in the young receiver.

"I've been used to doing them and it's just carried over to the Bucs," Stovall said.

First preseason game

Aug. 11, 7:30 p.m., Jets at Bucs, Raymond James Stadium

Training camp schedule

Today: 8:30-10:45 a.m., 2:45-5 p.m.

Wednesday: 8:30-10:45 a.m., 2:45-5 p.m.

Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m.-3:55 p.m. (special teams only)

Friday: 8:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday: 8:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m.

Sunday: 8:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m.-5 p.m.

Monday: 8:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m.-3:55 p.m. (special teams only)

Aug. 8: 8:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m.

Aug. 9: 8:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m.

Aug. 10: 10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m. (walkthrough)

Aug. 11: Jets at Bucs, Raymond James Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 12: day off

Aug. 13: Morning TBA, 2:45 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Aug. 14: 8:30 a.m.-10:45, 2:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m.

Aug. 15: 8:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m.

Aug. 16: 8:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m.

Aug. 17: 8:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m., camp breaks.

[Last modified August 1, 2006, 02:49:46]