Bucs will practice in Orlando against Dolphins

By ERNEST HOOPER

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 25, 2000

TAMPA -- The Bucs' training camp will include two practice sessions against the Miami Dolphins at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

Tampa Bay has staged intrasquad scrimmages in Orlando the past two years at Edgewater High, and last year it had a series of scrimmages against the Dolphins in Miami. This year, the team will train against Miami July 28 and July 29 at the Citrus Bowl, with times to be announced. Both sessions will be open to the public.

"These sessions are part of our continuing effort to maintain a Buccaneer presence in Orlando and central Florida," general manager Rich McKay said. "We are excited about returning to Orlando and look forward to the opportunity for our central Florida fans to have a firsthand look at our 2000 club."

The Bucs open training camp July 23 and have their first preseason game Aug. 4 at home against Washington.

Including the practice sessions, Tampa Bay will face Miami three times in 2000: in the scrimmage, in a preseason game at Miami on Aug. 10 and during the regular season on Dec. 10 at Miami.

KEEPING BUSY: The Bucs continued their series of off-season workouts Wednesday even though coach Tony Dungy is attending the NFL spring meetings in Los Angeles. Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin has conducted practices in the absence of Dungy, who also missed Tuesday's non-contact drills.

Kiffin said he's been extremely pleased with the players' dedication.

"I'm not putting anybody down, and all due respect to everybody else, but I don't know if anybody works any harder than our football team," Kiffin said.

FANFEST: Fans will have the chance to get autographs, meet players and participate in interactive games at the annual Fanfest 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 3 at Raymond James Stadium. A free autograph session with select players will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and an additional fund-raising effort will allow fans to get special $5 autograph cards signed by players. The limited edition cards are available when the gates open at 9 a.m. and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Dungy will participate in a question-and-answer session and the cheerleaders will be available for photo opportunities. Fans also will be able to purchase season tickets.

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