Bucs/NFL

Pittman relishes chance to contribute

By RICK STROUD
Published September 10, 2006

TAMPA — Michael Pittman is pumped, and not just his 19½-inch biceps.

The ninth-year pro is excited to serve as the Bucs’ kickoff returner in today’s opener against the Ravens.

“You can see how emotional I am about it,” Pittman said.
If Pittman brings one back for a touchdown this year, there won’t be a dry eye in Tampa Bay. That’s because the Bucs, entering their 31st season, have never returned a kickoff for a score in a regular-season game.

If you’re keeping score at home, that’s 133 players who have attempted to return 1,764 kickoffs without a touchdown.

Pittman will get his chances because as a backup tailback to Cadillac Williams, he was looking for ways last season to get on the field.“It’s something different. It’s something new to me, and I’m taking it very seriously,” Pittman said. “I want to be the best in the league, of course. At the same time, it gets me involved earlier. I’m not starting anymore, but I’m always in the game.

“This allows me to touch the ball first. I’m lathered up already. I’ve already gotten hit. I’m ready to go back out there.”

What does Pittman think about as he stands near the goal line, awaiting the kick?

“I’m just trying to give our offense field position first,” Pittman said. “You’re always looking for a big play. But if you press too hard, something bad will happen.

“What I’ve got to do is secure the ball first and try to get my team at least to the 30-yard line.  From there, if we break a big one, that’s great.”

Last season, the Bucs averaged 19.5 yards on kickoff returns using players such as Edell Shepherd, Torrie Cox, Earnest Graham and Mark Jones. In the final regular-season game, against New Orleans, Pittman returned three kickoffs for a 28.3 average.

“I’m not saying I’m going to go out there and do better than Torrie Cox or Edell Shepherd,” he said. “As a running back, we see little gaps. We tend to hit them as compared to a defensive back or a wide receiver. I’ll be straight downhill. And hopefully, we break one.”

QB SHUFFLE: Chris Simms is the third opening day starter at quarterback for the Bucs in five seasons under Jon Gruden. The coach admits he’s hard on quarterbacks, but he would love to have one that could stick for several seasons.

“I’m envious of the guys that have had the same quarterback for a period of years,” Gruden said; “to get a guy that’s great, that you and I both know is a key to our football team and a guy we’re going to rely on to win.

“I’m hard on the guys. I yell a lot, but I’m also their biggest fan. I probably overdo it at times. I know I’m guilty of that.  A poor decision is like a bad draft choice. It’s like a bad facility. It’s like a bad day at work.”

HOLD THAT LINE: The Bucs spent the entire offseason trying to upgrade their offensive line, and now they don’t even have the five guys who started all 17 games last season.

Tampa Bay signed Cowboys restricted free agent Torrin Tucker. He hurt his knee early in camp, never made it back and was released Friday after reaching an injury settlement. The Bucs signed massive guard Toniu Fonoti, helped him drop 40 pounds then cut him.

But the biggest blow is the loss of rookie guard Davin Joseph, who sprained his knee in practice Wednesday and is out indefinitely.

The Bucs say the MRI exam was positive for the first-round pick, who should return later this season. Meanwhile, the team has been keeping Joseph away from the media like he had a deadly virus. Chances are he has a slight tear in a major ligament that they hope won’t require surgery.

QUOTABLE: “I try to let the critics be critics because they’re going to find failure in everything. Miserable people are miserable people. I respect their job. I also respect the one I have. I just try not to let too much elevator music bring me down.”
— Gruden

[Last modified September 10, 2006, 07:32:28]