Odom's back discomfort not so serious

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By ERNEST HOOPER and RICK STROUD

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 27, 2000

TAMPA -- Offensive tackle Jason Odom isn't ready to press the panic button. At least, not yet.

The lower back discomfort that Odom experienced in Tuesday's morning session does not appear to be related to the problem that sidelined him for all but three games last year.

Odom, who is supposed to replace Paul Gruber at left tackle, said he hoped to return to practice Friday, when the Bucs scrimmage the Dolphins at the Florida Citrus Bowl.

"I don't feel the same as I did last year, so that part is good," he said. "My back is a little tender, and (trainer) Todd (Toriscelli) agreed that we should hold off, at least for the morning's practice. It already feels better."

Last season, Odom started the first three games but did not play again. The Bucs tried a number of treatments before finally putting Odom on injured reserve Nov. 24.

"The problem is that you never know with backs," Odom said. "I don't want to assume either way, but obviously the optimist in me wants to say that I'll be back in a day or two, so that's what we plan on doing right now. Last year I had ... pain in my legs and feet and numbness. I don't have any of that, it's just lower back pain."

The coaches said they anticipated Odom would experience some discomfort since he is returning to full contact action for the first time in 10 months.

With Odom out, the Bucs moved Pete Pierson into the No.1 spot on the depth chart. Pierson, who is in his sixth year in the league, started at left tackle the last two games of last season.

PPD., STORM: A crowd approaching 7,000 was at Pepin/Rood Stadium to see the first evening practice, but all they saw was a lightning show.

Practice was halted after 20 minutes because of a thunderstorm. The only excitement was a 65-yard field goal by Martin Gramatica.

The team waited about 40 minutes before postponing the session until 8:30 a.m. today. With four joint practices with the Dolphins scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Orlando, the Bucs were not going to practice this morning.

Now the team will have two sessions today. The other is a special teams practice at 3:30 p.m.

Parking will be free at the morning session.

BROOKS HURTS HAND: Linebacker Derrick Brooks suffered a laceration between his left ring finger and pinky during a passing drill, requiring stitches.

Making it sting worse: The ball was thrown by coach Tony Dungy.

Brooks will likely be held out of today's practice but is hopeful of participating in the joint workouts.

"I caught one of Coach Dungy's spirals," Brooks said. "I think he was throwing it to Jamie (Duncan), and it just split my hand."

Incidentally, Dungy, who felt bad, carries a scar from a similar mishap while playing for Pittsburgh. "I had the same thing happen," Dungy said. "Roger Staubach did mine, so I know how long it takes to heal. I'm very familiar with the injury, and I hate to see it happen to him. I feel bad."

PENALTY PATH: Keyshawn Johnson got a rousing ovation -- for making a mistake.

When backup quarterback Joe Hamilton backed away from center too soon, Johnson jumped offsides. Johnson pointed at Hamilton, but both were forced to take a lap around the field because of the miscue. Johnson got applause for accepting the punishment.

Every time an offensive player makes a mistake, he must run a lap. New offensive coordinator Les Steckel calls it the "penalty path," but that doesn't mean he wants players to wear a trail around Pepin/Rood Field. He just wants them to be disciplined.

"People don't realize how much discipline is needed in playing football, and this is a way of doing it," Steckel said. "Players have already told me they don't like it because it's not a jog. It's a run around the field and you have to be back in the huddle by the third play. That's very, very demanding."

If a player doesn't get back by the third play, the entire offense has to run. But Steckel said during his three seasons in Tennessee, that happened only once.

Although players may not like the penalty path, Steckel said, they like that it makes them better.

FOR A GOOD CAUSE: The Glazer Family Foundation gave out checks totaling $25,000 to 13 non-profit organizations before practice. Among the recipients were the Child Abuse Council, the Deaf Service Center, the Northside Mental Health Center, the St. Petersburg Free Clinic and the Happy Workers Children Center.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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