Top subjects: backup QB, quiet Rice, No. 2 receiver

Sporting News ranked Gruden's camp among the hardest in the NFL.

By RICK STROUD
Published July 22, 2007

TAMPA - How tough is training camp under Jon Gruden? Sporting News ranked it among the hardest in the NFL with 17 double doses of practice among 21 days.

And unlike many teams that try to beat the heat, Camp Chucky goes for workouts at 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. for maximum toast in Lake Buena Vista. But this year, it promises not to be as hot.

The Bucs have discovered a way to make it seem cooler. They've switched all the thermometers from Fahrenheit to Celsius (not really).

Here then, three things to look for between drops of sweat when the Bucs hit the field Friday:

ALL MY QBS: Snow White had the seven dwarfs. Gruden has seven quarterbacks. So far. He tried his version of the quarterback sneak Thursday, slipping Daunte Culpepper into town. Gruden, obviously, isn't comfortable with the passel of passers behind 37-year-old starter Jeff Garcia.

Chris Simms, 27 on Aug. 29, has had a month to regain his stroke. He barely got in any work in the offseason and struggled with his mechanics trying to recover from his splenectomy in September.

If the season started today, it wouldn't surprise anyone if Simms were the inactive third quarterback behind second-year player Bruce Gradkowski.

Don't look for Jake Plummer to show up. If Culpepper signs this week, Simms will be on the trading block.

STEAMED RICE: We haven't heard anything from Simeon Rice, whose sing-song rants have been a tradition during the first week of camp. The defensive end is recovering from left shoulder surgery and is in the final year of his contract. His replacement, first-round pick Gaines Adams, is aboard. Anyone surprised he isn't talking?

Certainly, the Bucs need Rice to return to Pro Bowl form. Tampa Bay had just 25 sacks last seasons and devoted most of the offseason to improving its pass rush. Veterans Kevin Carter and Ryan Sims could provide an upgrade. Adams and rookie Greg Peterson need to make an impact.

But Rice, 33, one of the best pure pass rushers in the history of the NFL, sets the tone for the front four.

Just hope he doesn't let his play do all the talking. What would a season be without an orbit around Planet Simeon?

CATCHING ON: Joey Galloway might miss a day next week because he is a co-owner of the Columbus Destroyers, who play in the ArenaBowl on July 29. Galloway practices just once a day, so it won't make much difference.

What it will do is give other receivers more reps. The battle for No. 2 is worth watching. Michael Clayton is trying to crawl out of a two-year slump. Maurice Stovall, entering his second season, has made dramatic improvement since last year and is pushing Clayton. And, yes, David Boston, 39 on Aug. 19, is back.

There was a lot of ink spilled about Boston during camp a year ago. He was cut the week before the regular season, and no team picked him up. But his left knee is much better, and it's more likely he will earn a spot.

[Last modified July 21, 2007, 20:58:34]