The daily grind

Bucs invite families to Saturday workout

By RICK STROUD
Published August 5, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Joseph Garnett JR.] Running back Earnest Graham walks with his children - Aiyana, 4, and Earnest Myles, 1 - during Family Day.

A daily look at Bucs training camp. For up-to-the-minute news, visit our Bucs Beat blog at bucs.tampabay.com.

Bucs camp schedule

Today: 8:30-11 a.m., 2:45-5:15 p.m.

Monday: 8:30-11 a.m., 2:45-3:55 p.m. (special teams only)

Tuesday: 8:30-11 a.m., 2:45-4:50 p.m.

Wednesday: 8:30-11 a.m., 2:45-4:50 p.m.

Thursday: 10:15-11:15 a.m. (walkthrough)

Friday: Patriots at Bucs, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday: Off

Aug. 12: 2:45-4:30 p.m.

Aug. 13: 8:30-11 a.m., 2:45-4:45 p.m.

Aug. 14: 8:30-11 a.m., 2:45-4:45 p.m.

Aug. 15: 8:30-11 a.m., 2:45-4:45 p.m.

Aug. 16: 8:30-10:45 a.m.

Aug. 18: Bucs at Jaguars, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 25: Bucs at Dolphins, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 30: Texans at Bucs, 8 p.m.

- Practices are free until moved to Tampa starting Aug. 17 - Games air on Ch. 8

Family affair

It's a rite of training camp. The end of the first week of two-a-days means players and coaches invite wives, children, parents or girlfriends to Saturday's only workout.

After the final huddle broke, many players rushed to the family tent area to gather children and strollers.

"The guys do need to get mentally rejuvenated and reacquainted with their families," coach Jon Gruden said. "It's good to see the turnout that we have; wives and kids. Some of our players are claiming to be engaged. They're trying to get a night off, but that won't happen. It's a great affair. We've got a great group of guys who are working extremely hard."

The Bucs had some center-quarterback exchange problems during the nine-on-seven drill. But quarterback Jeff Garcia did a good job directing the offense during a simulation of the final four minutes of a game.

Overall, Gruden said the Bucs are off to a good start.

"I'm very proud of the first week of camp," he said. "Our special teams are much improved. They stood out again (Saturday). We're more skilled than we've been around here, and it shows in the kicking game. I was somewhat pleased, somewhat disappointed in some areas."

Got it covered

Few defensive backs can stick with receiver Joey Galloway. But Gruden managed to do so during a red zone drill. With no defense on the field, Gruden stood in front of Galloway and picked off a pass intended for him in the end zone.

The crowd erupted, and Gruden responded by whipping the football into the bleachers.

"It was a great play, obviously. I was out there by myself with no help," Gruden said. "I thought I made a nice play on the ball, and I did what Galloway does and threw it to the crowd.

"I was going to return it, but I had a late night (Friday) with these scripts. I had some fun, though."

Familiar name

The Bucs re-signed tight end C.J. Leak. His brother Chris helped lead Florida to the national title in January and is in Bears camp after going undrafted. C.J. Leak, whose father, Curtis, was a Bucs receiver in 1976, participated in the Bucs' three-day rookie minicamp in May and was with them during the offseason program.

Rick Stroud and Joanne Korth, Times staff writers

[Last modified August 4, 2007, 22:20:53]