Piscitelli strives to reach Lynch status

By RICK STROUD
Published May 5, 2007

TAMPA -- Sabby Piscitelli grew up in Boca Raton emulating ex-Bucs All-Pro John Lynch.

"He's just a playmaker. He's feared," the rookie safety said of Lynch. "His hitting ability is tremendous. Hopefully, I can work up to try to get like that."

But while the second-round pick from Oregon State can unload on ballcarriers and plays the same position as Lynch, the similarities end there.

"He's white. That's the only comparisons that are being made. That's what I tell him," coach Jon Gruden said.

"John Lynch is his own football player. To compare a guy to John Lynch is unfair. (Piscitelli) has to play the position the way he's capable of playing it. If some of the flash, lights-out hitting that John Lynch provided here shows up, we'd be happy to have it."

Piscitelli didn't play football until his junior year of high school, which explains primarily why he was bypassed by the Florida schools before coach Dennis Erickson signed him at Oregon State.

Because of his inexperience, the Bucs believe Piscitelli has a big upside. But Gruden said fans have to wait before Piscitelli can be compared with his idol.

"You'd better check back in seven years," Gruden said, "because that big guy brought it every week for a long time."

UNDER REVIEW: The NFL confirmed Jerramy Stevens' arrest in March for driving under the influence and marijuana possession is under review as part of the new conduct policy.

The policy, announced last month, allows players to be disciplined without being convicted of a crime with repeat offenders subject to fines and suspensions. Stevens has a history of arrests in alcohol-related incidents, including two cases in which he pleaded guilty.

Gruden indicated the Bucs consulted with the league before signing the tight end last weekend.

FANTASY CAMP: Most of the 53 undrafted players at the three-day rookie minicamp likely will never get this close to an NFL practice field again. But there are always exceptions.

One intriguing prospect is Nebraska quarterback Zac Taylor, last season's Big 12 offensive player of the year. Taylor is familiar with Gruden's offense, having played under Bill Callahan, the former Raiders coach and assistant under Gruden.

"The guy is smart as hell and moves his team, " Gruden said. "He's largely responsible for the evolution of Nebraska Cornhuskers football.

"He's the guy who helped transition the Tom Osborne-classic style of power football to the open-style game. It's been a hard process."

QUOTABLE: "We're looking for guys that weren't drafted ... that have a football background and some interesting traits. Speed. Maybe production. Maybe they're small-college guys. Maybe they've had an injury here or there." Jon Gruden, on the objective of the minicamp

Times staff writer Stephen F. Holder contributed to this report.

[Last modified May 5, 2007, 01:30:31]