The daily grind

By JOANNE KORTH, Times Staff Writer
Published August 16, 2007

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

Saturday: Bucs at Jags, 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 Friday - Games air on Ch. 8

Lobbying for wins

Gov. Charlie Crist attended the team's Wednesday morning workout, held indoors at the Milk House at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista. Crist was at the facility to tape a public service announcement to combat childhood obesity. Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks also is part of the initiative to promote childhood physical fitness.

"It's easy to put my trust in a guy like this," Crist said of Brooks. "Obesity is one of those problems that if you get caught up into it, for a lifetime you might be afflicted.

"If you get kids started young, get them into this pattern, their quality of life can be so much better."

Crist wished the team luck for the season and in Saturday's preseason game against Jacksonville.

"I'm terribly biased," Crist said. "I grew up in Tampa Bay. It's home. I'm rooting for them and I know they'll have a great year. They're a resilient group of guys."

Coach Jon Gruden hopes the gubernatorial visit bodes better for his team than last year's political guest.

"I told him we had President Bush here last year and we won four games," Gruden said. "So, give me something, man; give me some good stuff, brother."

One cool cat

Recently signed defensive end Greg White is making the most of his chance to showcase his pass-rushing skills in an NFL camp, but the Arena Football League star could do without the 100-degree heat index.

Hey, where's the AC?

"I thought I was in shape, but not even close," said White, who set an AFL record with 15 sacks last season for Orlando, which is coached by Bucs assistant Jay Gruden. "The heat is definitely a major factor. What I'm doing now is running after practice. I'm working to get in shape."

There's no quick fix.

"I've been looking on the Internet," he said. "No, nothing."

White signed with the Bucs on Aug. 4 and played 17 snaps in Friday's preseason opener against the Patriots. His one-on-one pass-rush skills transfer easily to the NFL, and he has caught the attention of the defensive coaches.

"He's not used to having 11 people on the field, but the guy has skills and he's endured very well," line coach Larry Coyer said.

"He's been in some tough situations out here where it's been really hot. In time he'll be fine. It won't be this week. He'll be a little better, then the next week a little better. But there's no way it can happen in two days."

[Last modified August 16, 2007, 00:01:52]