Peppers is latest test for Trueblood

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER, Times Staff Writer
Published September 29, 2007

When the Bucs visit the Carolina Panthers, Trueblood will face the most difficult matchup yet: consensus All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl selection Julius Peppers, a man who loves nothing more than to feast on Bucs quarterbacks.
	[AP photo]

"I went against a lot of first rounders and NFL guys: Kamerion Wimbley from Florida State, Darryl Tapp from Virginia Tech, and Manny Lawson and Mario Williams at N.C. State," Trueblood said.

Puh-leeeze.

What Trueblood wouldn't give for that lineup now? In his first season as an unquestioned starter, the second-year player has faced the Seahawks' Patrick Kerney Pro Bowler, the Saints' Charles Grant (first-round pick) and the Rams' Leonard Little (Pro Bowler).

And Sunday, when the Bucs visit the Carolina Panthers, the unpleasant streak continues with arguably Trueblood's most difficult matchup yet: consensus All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl selection Julius Peppers, a man who loves nothing more than to feast on Bucs quarterbacks.

"It's crazy when you think about it," said Trueblood, 24. "I think back two years ago about the lineup of defensive ends I went up against in college and the ones I get now. The difference is, (in college) that was once every three weeks you'd get one of those guys. The rest of them would be like, 'Yeah, I can handle this guy.' "

No more. "He hasn't had a day off yet," said Bucs coach Jon Gruden.

Here's the surprising twist to this story: Trueblood has held up quite impressively despite the murderer's row of defenders he has faced.

The right side of the line has not been a great source of concern for Bucs coaches. In fact, many of the team's best-executed running plays came with Trueblood leading the way.

"Not everything is perfect, but he's stayed in there and fought his a-- off," offensive line coach Bill Muir said. "If you stop and think about it, this is only going to be his 17th (start) in the National Football League. So, he's growing. He's made a conscious effort to improve on some things and each week I can see it."

Facing this level of competition after barely a year as a starter could understandably be construed as a nerve racking proposition. Trueblood, a feisty, temperamental Midwesterner, wouldn't have it any other way.

"I come in on Monday and look at the scouting report and it's like, 'Man, another one?' " said the Indiana native. "It seems like I get the premier guy every week. But I'm a man and I take that as a challenge. Instead of coming in here and saying, 'Man, it's going to be another tough week,' I'm in here saying, 'Finally.' I feel like this is how you earn respect from other players around the league. That's what you want most - the respect of your peers."

Playing solidly against Peppers would certainly get the attention of Trueblood's contemporaries, especially after his first go-round with the Panthers' star. Peppers pillaged the Bucs in a prime-time road game last season, netting three sacks, two pass deflections and a fumble recovery in Trueblood's first meeting.

To understand how intensely the Bucs are focused on Peppers this week, consider the life-sized poster of Peppers posted on the wall in the offensive line's meeting room.

"It's amazing how quick he is," Trueblood said. "He's like a cat."

But Trueblood isn't the same player who seemed overwhelmed in that game last season. He is smarter and stronger and more confident. And he is determined not to become the butt of jokes like his predecessor, Kenyatta Walker, did each time the Bucs faced Carolina.

Trueblood and his linemates haven't forgotten this same opposing defensive line left quarterback Chris Simms in the hospital with life-threatening internal injuries a year ago.

"Guys haven't talked about it, but I know it's in the back of everybody's minds," Trueblood said. "This is about pride."

Given how Trueblood has stood up during this stretch of scary matchups, he has plenty to be proud of.

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

[Last modified September 28, 2007, 20:30:31]