Gruden says bad weather is no excuse

The Bucs practiced in a torrential downpour Thursday morning at Disney's Wide World of Sports. But the big drops that bothered coach Jon Gruden were the ones by his receivers.

By RICK STROUD AND STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published August 3, 2007

LAKE BUENA VISTA - The Bucs practiced in a torrential downpour Thursday morning at Disney's Wide World of Sports. But the big drops that bothered coach Jon Gruden were the ones by his receivers.

"We didn't catch the ball worth a hoot and that's something that's very disappointing," Gruden said. "I realize it's bad weather - for golf. It's bad weather for being a receiver. It's bad weather for doing your lawn. But you've got to get the job done and we didn't catch the ball worth a damn today."

The wet weather did provide an environment for experimentation. Quarterback Jeff Garcia wore gloves on his throwing hand the second half of practice Thursday morning.

"You saw Garcia throw with the gloves on. He's never done that," Gruden said. "It was a good practice for him to see if he likes it. Whether or not you ever see them again, I don't know. But it was a very good practice - center/quarterback exchange, the ball handling. Handing the football, period, very important footing, running routes, getting out of your breaks - that's good practice for all of us. And I have no problem with the rain. It's those lightning bolts."

Gruden had some advice for his receivers.

"Catch the football. Put it away and protect the ball," he said. "Those are things that we've got to do a better job of and today gave us an opportunity to take a good look at it. Being a Buc fan my whole life, I've sat in the old stadium and they don't call the game off. And I do hear it rains in Seattle (where the Bucs open the regular season Sept. 9), so maybe it's a blessing in some regards."

ADAMS, PETITGOUT STILL OUT: First-round pick Gaines Adams and tackle Luke Petitgout missed practice again. Gruden expects both to return today.

Adams, the defensive end from Clemson who has a triceps strain, missed his second straight practice. Petitgout has missed three days with an undisclosed injury. He had a history of back problems with the Giants.

Adams said his injury occurred in practice Tuesday.

"It was just going out there playing football. Unfortunately, I was in there and got hit on it. It's nothing major," Adams said. "Oh, I hate it because this is the time I should be getting better. I need to get out there and work with my teammates and show I'm accountable. That's why I tried to get in here on time. I hate every day that I'm out. Unfortunately, that's football."

OFFENSIVE-MINDED: Cornerback Phillip Buchanon should provide speed and athleticism on defense, where he is expected to be used as the nickelback.

But Gruden says Buchanon can also help in an unexpected fashion: on offense.

"You're going to see more of Buchanon on offense," Gruden said. "There will be some things that we get to later in camp."

Buchanon, 26, said he has never played offense as a collegian or pro, but the idea was broached when he was a star at the University of Miami and, later, in the NFL with the Raiders and Texans. He hopes the idea materializes.

"I'm definitely looking forward to it because I love touching the ball, period," said Buchanon, who was dazzling as a punt returner and cornerback in Oakland, notching four scoring plays of 80 yards or longer on punts and interceptions.

"It would definitely take me back to my high school days," he added. "When I was at Miami, they thought about playing me on offense. I talked to Coach (Larry) Coker and the receivers coach about it, but then I decided to leave school (early). ... I haven't really had a chance to really do it."

NO IMPROVEMENT FOR SIMMS: Quarterback Chris Simms threw a few footballs Thursday but otherwise was idle during most passing drills. Simms has a sore elbow and still is suffering from symptoms of irregular proprioception, a sixth sense that affects body control.

Gruden indicated that Simms has fallen behind Garcia, Luke McCown and Bruce Gradkowski.

"I have no comment on him other than we tried to give him a few reps early and he didn't take any more after that," Gruden said. "A lot of that has to do with the performance of McCown and Gradkowski as much as it does his body right now. But he needs to get well in a hurry, and I think the elbow is getting better. But it's frustrating, I know, for him."

[Last modified August 3, 2007, 00:03:34]