Bucs track Gruber's progress

By ERNEST HOOPER

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 17, 2000

TAMPA -- After the first of 14 "voluntary" summer workouts Tuesday, Bucs coach Tony Dungy gave the strongest indication yet veteran tackle Paul Gruber may return for a 13th season ... if he's healthy.

Gruber has been undecided about his future since breaking his leg in the 1999 season finale against Chicago. He did not work out Tuesday, but Dungy said his rehabilitation is going well.

"Paul's working hard," Dungy said. "He wants to play. He wants to push himself and get to that point. I think he's going to be able to start running next month and we'll see where he is in training camp.

"They've kind of set a June target date for him to start running, and it's going to be a matter of how quick he gets to full speed. I think he'll get there at some point. When that is is what we'll have to find out."

Should Gruber return, it would bolster what already is an improved line with free-agent Pro Bowlers Jeff Christy and Randall McDaniel.

HEALTH ISSUES: There were a few more players unable to practice because of nagging injuries. Linebacker Alshermond Singleton still is recovering from a broken leg and tight end Dave Moore (ankle), defensive end John McLaughlin (back), long snapper Mitch Palmer (knee) and guard Ken Blackman (knee) also are on the mend.

"If we had to play a game today, we would be a little bit down in numbers," Dungy said. "But for training camp we think we should be all set. Most of the guys are progressing pretty well."

WELL-ATTENDED: Only nine of a possible 87 players were not at One Buc Place on Tuesday for the first day. Six of those players are playing in NFL Europe, including running back Aaron Stecker, who leads the league in rushing as a member of the Scottish Claymores.

Blackman was excused and college free-agent defensive ends Mawuko Tugbenyoh and Aaron Humphrey were not permitted to join their NFL team Tuesday because their respective schools had not finished spring sessions.

Among players working out was linebacker Don Davis, who has signed a waiver so he can practice without a contract. The Bucs have told Davis, who was second with 17 special teams tackles last season, they would like to sign him at a later period.

"Don's working without a contract and it's something that we appreciate," Dungy said. "We're going to try and fit him in and hopefully we'll have that room to have him."

The workouts continue today and Thursday, then resume with four workouts May 22-25, three May 30-June 1 and four June 5-8.

TIME CHANGE: ESPN's decision to expand NFL PrimeTime to 60 minutes means more Sunday night highlights for NFL fans, and a change in the kickoff for the Oct. 19 game between Tampa Bay and Detroit.

Since 1998, the popular PrimeTime show had run 45 minutes instead of 60, leading into the Sunday night game which kicked off at 8:20 p.m. The league has changed the kickoff times to 8:35 p.m. so PrimeTime can run 60 minutes.

Although the Bucs-Lions game is on Thursday night, it also will begin at 8:30 p.m.

ET CETERA: Bucs safety John Lynch will hold a luncheon Thursday to reward some of the area's brightest student athletes.

Lynch and his wife Linda will recognize the Lynch Family Legacy Scholarship recipients and announce the Star of the Year winners at the second annual "Salute the Stars" Luncheon.

The luncheon will be held at St. Lawrence Catholic Church at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $25 a person or $250 a corporate table of eight, and can be purchased by calling the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce at (813) 276-9432.

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