Trio makes tight end position of strength

The tough part will be getting all three enough touches.

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published August 9, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Getty Images] Quarterback Jeff Garcia of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass during training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports

LAKE BUENA VISTA - The Bucs have several positions at which depth is a concern. And then there's the tight ends.

With three players who arguably are starting caliber, the Bucs feel tight end is one of the team's most talent-rich positions. Alex Smith, Anthony Becht and Jerramy Stevens are vying for playing time, though it's expected each will be used extensively because of coach Jon Gruden's frequent use of two tight-end sets.

"We feel like we've got three veteran tight ends who know what they're doing and can function in any formation," Gruden said. "They're guys who are going to help us."

They could be particularly helpful if the offensive line holds up and allows the tight ends to run routes rather than help protect a quarterback under siege. That was the case last season when protection issues forced the Bucs to use their tight ends primarily as blockers, limiting the number of potential pass targets.

Now, with Jeff Garcia on board, the tight ends have a chance to be more involved in the passing game, Smith said, because of the quarterback's ability to find second and third options.

"It's just the little things with him scrambling around or him just staying alive," Smith said. "You know Jeff is going to try to make a play no matter what happens. You just want to make sure you stay in his line of view and try to create a play with him."

Smith's production dropped in 2006 after a rookie season during which he caught 41 passes for 367 yards. Last season, he finished with 250. Becht is a usually sure-handed receiver and an intense blocker. Stevens, acquired as a free agent from Seattle in the offseason, is someone the Bucs see as a matchup problem for most teams, if he can cure his case of the drops.

"To have three guys who are all viable options makes us that much more dangerous," Smith said. "We're just trying to look for ways to get everyone on the field and create those mismatches."

BOSTON GAINING GROUND: David Boston is no longer a pet project for Gruden.

The receiver who is trying to make a comeback after missing most of the past three seasons is earning rave reviews from his coach, who Wednesday made his most emphatic statements to date about Boston.

"David Boston is not only in the mix to make the team, but to start," Gruden said. "He hasn't missed a day or practice and I really like what we see from him. ... He might be our best receiver at times out here. This son of a gun is 235 pounds, and when he catches the ball going north and south, he's going to be a force to be reckoned with."

Boston said he has been working mostly at the flanker position in recent days, putting him in competition with Maurice Stovall and Michael Clayton to start opposite split end Joey Galloway.

INJURY UPDATE: Fullback Mike Alstott did not practice and appears unlikely to play in the preseason opener Friday against New England, Gruden said. Gruden was vague in describing the nature of Alstott's injury, saying, "He's sore right now and we told him to take a couple days off."

Clayton left the morning practice early after he "tweaked" his right hamstring, he said. He skipped the afternoon practice and said he iced the injury throughout the day and said he believed he would know more today about his status for Friday's game.

"Sometimes you have to say, 'Let me back off a little bit,' " Clayton said. "That's why I kind of sat back today because I want to prepare for the game."

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at 813 226-3377 or sholder@sptimes.com.

[Last modified August 9, 2007, 00:07:03]