Bucs prepare for final minicamp

By Joanne Korth, Times staff writer
Published June 17, 2007

TAMPA - The Bucs will wrap up their offseason program with a mandatory minicamp Tuesday-Thursday at the team facility. It is the final on-field preparation for training camp.

"I'm very proud of this football team's attendance and effort in the offseason. That has been a real plus, " coach Jon Gruden said. "We've had a chance to really train our guys in terms of what we want done."

The pace of minicamp will not be much different than during 14 organized team activity practices. No pads, minimal contact, plenty of instruction.

There will be two practices Tuesday, and one on both Wednesday and Thursday.

"It's a situational format, " Gruden said. "Every day there's a different segment of football emphasized."

Though Gruden indicated more than a week ago veteran free agent Jeff Garcia was ahead in the competition for the starting quarterback job, he declined to comment on whether anyone else had taken command of a position.

He anticipates a competitive training camp in July and August at Disney's Wide World of Sports.

"There's a lot of competition at every position, " Gruden said. "There's competition at center, wide receiver. There's a lot of competition in the secondary and up front. It's going to be a very exciting training camp."

Gruden said he expects cornerback Brian Kelly, absent for most of the voluntary workouts, to participate in the minicamp. He was uncertain whether defensive end Simeon Rice, whose 2007 season was cut short by shoulder surgery, will be ready.

Rice, he said, should be fit by training camp.

MOVING IN: Asked how his mobility will impact the playbook, Garcia's response left little doubt he intends to be the starter for the Sept. 9 opener at Seattle.

And beyond.

"The scramble drill is going to be an effective part of our game this year, " Garcia said. "And scripted movement plays are going to be something we utilize and hopefully can do effectively. Those are additions to our offense that I think are going to be very positive for us."

NUMBERS GAME: Garcia is wearing jersey No. 5, the number worn last season by rookie quarterback Bruce Gradkowski. Apparently, Garcia was able to convince Gradkowski to switch to No. 7.

"I felt bad about that, but we talked about it and worked out a deal, " Garcia said. "We were able to be grown up about it. I'm not going to discuss numbers, but he can tell time better nowadays."

DOLPHINS: A hearing for the grievance quarterback Daunte Culpepper filed will be held June 29 in New York, according to ESPN.com. The NFL Players Associated filed the grievance Tuesday on behalf of Culpepper, who wants to be released from Miami.

Joanne Korth can be reached at 727 893-8810 or korth@sptimes.com Times wires contributed to this report.

[Last modified June 17, 2007, 20:56:21]