Bucs rookie starting over

Nebraska quarterback Zac Taylor tries to make a quick impression after setting school records.

By Stephen F. Holder
Published May 7, 2007

TAMPA - After leaving Butler County Community College in Kansas, Zac Taylor headed for the big time with big plans.

At Nebraska, he dreamed of becoming a Cornhusker hero at quarterback, wearing the same colors as so many legends before him.

Then, his grand plan detoured when he found himself one of six quarterbacks on the roster.

"It's kind of the story of my career, " said Taylor, an undrafted rookie free agent hoping to overcome similarly long odds with the Bucs.

"Everywhere I've gone I've had to work my way up."

That mission was accomplished at Nebraska, where Taylor became the school's career leader in passing yards 5, 850, touchdown passes (45) and completions (470). He was named Big 12 offensive player of the year last season.

Now, things have come full circle for Taylor. As he began his tenure during weekend rookie camp, he became the seventh quarterback in the Bucs' seemingly never ending collection. That list includes disgruntled Jake Plummer, who seems unlikely to report, and long shot Bruce Eugene, who is playing in Europe and probably won't last until training camp.

Still, it's a long list. Taylor likely will compete with Bruce Gradkowski and Luke McCown for the No. 3 spot. Considering what he is facing, this question arises: why sign with the Bucs if other teams were interested?

"Coach (Jon) Gruden just really made me feel wanted, " Taylor said. "I met him last year and he and (Nebraska coach Bill) Callahan are good friends, so I knew what kind of guy he was. And he's great with quarterbacks. I'll get the best coaching."

Perhaps the only thing Gruden loves more than life itself is quarterbacks. So, rarely does he have an unkind word to say about one. Still, he seems genuinely excited about Taylor's potential.

"You're not the Big 12 offensive player of the year for no reason, " Gruden said. "This guy's obviously been well-schooled. Bill Callahan's a great coach. They do a lot of things on offense at Nebraska and (Taylor) is the reason why. He can handle a lot of football and he can make a lot of plays with his arm and with his anticipation and with his mind, honestly."

But Taylor will have a lot working against him. He admits to lacking tantalizing physical attributes - the big arm, the chiseled Brady Quinn physique, the fleet feet - which make quarterbacks attractive on draft day. Though listed at 6 feet 2 and 216 pounds, he isn't imposing. But Taylor, who turns 24 Thursday, has always found a way to compensate, largely because the self-described cerebral player immerses himself in his craft.

"Well, don't look at my grades, but on the football field, yes, I've been (a heady player), " Taylor said. "I've had to be. I don't have a whole lot of physical tools. The only way I've gotten to play is by staying ahead of the other guys."

He has a shot at keeping pace because the Bucs' offense in many ways mirrors the one he ran under Callahan, Gruden's former offensive coordinator with the Raiders. After the draft Taylor was sorting out his next move. Callahan called, asking which teams had extended invitations. When Callahan learned Tampa Bay was among them, he nudged Taylor toward the Bucs because he saw the offense as the best fit.

"The main thing is this offense is what I'm used to, " Taylor said. "I wanted to go somewhere I was comfortable and not have to start over."

That's pretty much all the past three days of rookie camp was for Taylor: a start. But what matters more to him is where all this ends.

"Coach Gruden is giving me a shot, " Taylor said. "If I do well, it won't matter whether I got drafted or not."

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3377.

[Last modified May 7, 2007, 00:14:25]