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'I think what everyone tries to do is educate'

Tony Dungy says the Bucs' approach to the heat is what it has always been: cautious.

By ROGER MILLS

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 2, 2001

TAMPA -- Three days ago, as 90-plus degree heat scorched the practice fields at Pepin/Rood Stadium on the opening day of training camp, a number of the Bucs wilted. Dehydration ran rampant.

Quarterback Ryan Leaf had to shut down during portions of the two-hour session to cover himself in ice towels. Running back Pepe Pearson and cornerback Dwight Smith had problems too. Even safety Dexter Jackson, a Florida native who played at Florida State, needed three IVs.

Second-year tight end Todd Yoder had cramps and had to be carted off. After treating Yoder, team trainer Todd Toriscelli ordered that he miss the next practice.

"It was his decision," Yoder said Wednesday. "The trainer came to me and said, 'You're not practicing this afternoon!' It was his decision and I had no call in it whatsoever.

"I probably could have gone (ahead) but faced the same thing if I might cramp up again. So that was a preventive thing. If you cramp both in the morning and in the afternoon, then you're looking at having to miss a day or two or three."

Wednesday, as news of the death of Vikings offensive lineman Korey Stringer crept through training camp, questions surfaced over what precautions are taken by teams to prevent heat-related problems.

The issue is at the forefront with the recent deaths of University of Florida freshman fullback Eraste Autin, who collapsed July 19 after completing a workout in Gainesville, and Florida State linebacker Devaughn Darling, who collapsed after a February workout.

"I think this will heighten that as well," Bucs coach Tony Dungy said.

"I think what everyone tries to do is educate them on hydration and fluids and how important it is. Guys who haven't trained in Florida, guys who aren't from here, we try to really give them a little extra hint of what's at stake."

Despite an air of secrecy over the specific approaches -- the Bucs would not allow Toriscelli to talk to the media -- the team appears to be doing whatever it can to make hydration an issue.

On Sunday night, before the first workouts, the Bucs invited Dr. Robert Murray, an internal medicine researcher from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute in Barrington, Ill., to go over precautionary measures.

"It all depends on how your coach runs practice and how the training staff deals with the issue of hydration," Murray said Wednesday. "The Bucs are very good at being aware of hydration issues, as are most teams. But saying it and doing it are two different things."

Like most teams, the Bucs provide the players with multiple water coolers conveniently located around the field. They have a giant tent that runs virtually the length of the field and serves as a cool-down and quick-treatment area. There are frequent water breaks.

"There are really three philosophies -- stay cool, stay healthy and stay hydrated," Murray said. "Teams can control those things in different ways. To keep (players) cool you can cut back on the intensity of the drills, increase the frequency of rest breaks and water breaks, use technology like mist fans and on-field water coolers.

"In terms of staying healthy, teams have to be aware of when a player is coming down with a flu or has a virus or another health problem that could lead the body to react a certain way under strenuous situations. Obviously, you have to stay hydrated and get as much fluid as you possibly can in your body."

Murray said he always reminds teams that the frequency of short water breaks is just as affective as a long rest.

"It's important that there is a consistent pattern," Murray said. "These guys are going to lose two or more quarts of fluids every hour so they are going to have to keep putting those fluids back in. A player, particularly in the heat, shouldn't go any more than a half-hour without a drink break."

- Staff writers Rick Stroud, Darrell Fry and news researcher John Martin contributed to this report.

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