Key starters remain on sideline

Those who came wanting to see anyone from Cadillac Williams to Derrick Brooks to Simeon Rice came away disappointed as the Bucs again decided against playing many of their key starters.

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published August 19, 2006

TAMPA — For the Bucs, the story of who did not play in Saturday’s preseason game against the Dolphins was almost as relevant as who did.

Those who came wanting to see anyone from Cadillac Williams to Derrick Brooks to Simeon Rice came away disappointed as the Bucs again decided against playing many of their key starters.

Williams dressed for the game but never made an appearance. Ditto for receiver Joey Galloway, Brooks and linebacker Shelton Quarles. Rice did not dress but was present on the sideline.

Bucs free safety Will Allen sat out, too, but his absence was due to his broken hand. He has not yet been cleared for full contact. Backup Kalvin Pearson made his second start in place of Allen.

The lack of stars is yet another sign of coach Jon Gruden’s philosophy of protecting his primary players in the preseason. Last week, Williams said he “definitely” expected to play against the Dolphins, but that never materialized. And the philosophy is applied not only in games, but in practice.

Though Williams receives plenty of work in practice, some of his older teammates are spared the grind.

Brooks, 33, and Quarles, 35 in September, have taken frequent days off during two-a-day practices while others, such as Galloway, tackle Kenyatta Walker and receiver David Boston have been limited to one practice per day during the first three weeks. The latter three have had prior knee injuries.

The approach of the Bucs was a direct contrast to that of the Dolphins.

Miami’s starters played much of the first half, including running back Ronnie Brown, Williams’ close friend from Auburn. And much of the Dolphins starting defense played extensively, too.

BATTER UP: Quarterback Chris Simms’ problems with passes being batted down at the line of scrimmage continued Saturday when oncoming Dolphins defensive tackle Vonnie Holliday tipped a pass intended for receiver Michael Clayton in the first quarter.

The problem has stressed Bucs coaches so much they have enlisted the help of a dummy with its arms extended that is placed in the middle of the line during passing drills in practice. Simms has nicked the dummy a time or two in workouts, too.

Last season in a loss to the Bears, defensive end Alex Brown batted down four Simms passes — one of several games in which the problem cropped up.

TOUGH CALL: Rookie cornerback Alan Zemaitis, who is having a good preseason by most ac-counts, was on the short end of a tough call when he was flagged for pass interference in the third quarter against Miami’s Fred Gibson.

The call was met with cascading boos from the crowd as well as a strong reaction from Bucs coaches and Zemaitis a fourth-round pick. Replays showed the call was questionable at best.

WATSON SIDELINED: Running back Derek Watson missed another chance to make his bid for the roster when he was sidelined for the second straight week, presumably with the same ankle injury that kept him out of last week’s game.

Watson gave way to backs Earnest Graham, Michael Pittman and Carey Davis, all of whom received precious carries that could have gone to the journeyman from South Carolina State who spent all but five games in 2005 on the practice squad.

STOVALL SOLID: Rookie receiver Maurice Stovall turned heads again with his 36-yard reception from Bruce Gradkowski in the third quarter, setting up a first down at the Dolphins 19.

The third-round pick caught a touchdown in the preseason opener against the Jets and has been impressive in practices, drawing the praise of his coaches and teammates. His emergence has changed the complexion of the receiving corps, where several players are battling for a handful of spots.

Edell Shepherd made a statement with a 48-yard touchdown from Gradkowski in the fourth quarter.

NEW SIDE OF PARIS: Speaking of receivers, Paris Warren got a chance to do something new when he was sent on to field a punt in the fourth quarter. He didn’t have much of a chance to make an impression, though: He was forced to fair catch the ball.

The Bucs have been trying different returners during the preseason. Warren joins last season’s regular returner, Mark Jones, and rookie cornerback Justin Phinisee, a seventh-round pick who returned kicks earlier in the night.

[Last modified August 19, 2006, 23:47:18]