Line has talent to make push, Petitgout says

Luke Petitgout is starting over at age 31, in a new town with a new team.

By RICK STROUD
Published July 1, 2007

TAMPA - Luke Petitgout played eight years with the Giants and always figured he would end his career there. Now he is starting over at age 31, in a new town with a new team.

Petitgout closed on a home in South Tampa near Bayshore Boulevard on Friday, his first with a swimming pool in the back yard. "My kids are excited about that, " he said.

One thing Petitgout says he will miss is the change of seasons. But the veteran left tackle is being counted on to change the Bucs' recent run of three losing seasons in four years.

So far, Petitgout is making the adjustment well.

"We did a lot of the same things in New York, and different looks dictate the plays called in the huddle. Coach Jon Gruden likes to be very creative. That helps us out. You've got to be on the same page with him. You have to pay attention to the quarterback because he runs the show.

"(Gruden) is not scared to call a naked (bootleg) play on first down. He'll buck the tendencies. I like that out of a coach. It's not so cut and dry where a defense knows when you line up what you're going to do."

Finding a solid left tackle in free agency is difficult, particularly one such as Petitgout, who signed a three-year, $15-million contract in March.

Anthony Davis, who will battle for the left guard spot, always was a better run blocker and admits he struggled in pass protection.

Not that Petitgout is perfect. His release from the Giants by general manager Jerry Reese still irks him. Petitgout missed the second half of the 2006 season with a broken leg. He's played through some chronic back pain and had five false-start penalties in 2005.

In the end, Reese just didn't want to restructure Petitgout's contract and decided to give Guy Whimper, a player he drafted in the fourth round in 2006, a chance to win the job.

So Petitgout will anchor a mostly inexperienced offensive line in Tampa Bay, but he likes what he sees of his linemates.

"I see a lot of talent on the offensive line and on offense in general, " he said. "The two young guys (guard Davin Joseph and tackle Jeremy Trueblood) on the right side are promising and will benefit from a year of playing and are a lot more confident. The center, John Wade, is a good leader and makes a lot of great calls. At left guard, Anthony Davis has had a good offseason, and he's competing with (Dan) Buenning and (Arron) Sears, who is a talented young guy. Then you've got myself. I see good things."

EYE, EYE CAPTAIN: Tight end Anthony Becht may not see more passes thrown his way this season, but he will see them better.

Two weeks ago, Becht had lasik eye surgery. Becht said the procedure took three minutes on each eye. After returning home to sleep for five hours, he awoke with near-perfect vision. "I've worn contacts or glasses since high school, " he said. "It's pretty amazing. They checked my vision (afterward) and it was 20/20."

NO QUARLES WITH RETIREMENT: Former Bucs linebacker Shelton Quarles says he has received some interest from several teams and will decide in a week or so whether to resume his playing career. Although he didn't disclose the teams, one of them is likely the Lions, where former Bucs linebackers coach Joe Barry is the defensive coordinator and Rod Marinelli is head coach.

But Quarles, who turns 36 in September, doesn't want to force his family to leave Tampa at this point and is leaning toward retirement.

Rick Stroud can be reached at stroud@sptimes.com.

[Last modified June 30, 2007, 21:05:30]