Hamilton up to challenge in comeback

By ROGER MILLS and ERNEST HOOPER

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 5, 2000

TAMPA -- A rookie quarterback not expected to play much this season marches Tampa Bay to a narrow preseason victory over the Redskins.

Sound familiar?

Shaun King did it last year, and Friday night it was Joe Hamilton's turn.

Hamilton, the seventh-round pick from Georgia Tech, lived up to his college reputation for making big plays.

In a scene quite similar to King's performance at Washington one season ago, Hamilton drove the Bucs 50 yards on nine plays and completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Todd Yoder to give Tampa Bay a 13-12 victory.

"It was just good execution," Hamilton said. "We knew what we needed to do to score a touchdown and everyone gutted out the win. The NFL experience is what I thought it would be."

Hamilton, who came in after King, Eric Zeier and Scott Milanovich played, was 5-of-12 for 65 yards.

"I know my place on this team," he said. "I'm fourth-string and I was told that I was going in in the fourth, and in a situation like that you just have to get in and do what you know you can do. I've learned (the playbook) pretty well, but I've got a ways to go."

RAMBLING RABIH: In the week leading up to the game, coach Tony Dungy joked about reserve running back Rabih Abdullah's knack for playing well in the preseason. The trend continued.

Abdullah opened the game with a riveting special teams tackle that pinned Redskins kickoff returner James Thrash at the 12-yard line. He then rushed for 23 yards on six carries and played a crucial role in a 10-play, 80-yard drive in the second quarter that gave the Bucs a 7-3 lead.

Abdullah opened the drive with a 5-yard rush, had an 8-yard scamper on second and 2, added a 9-yard catch for another first down and capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown.

"There were certain things that went well, but there's still a lot of improvement I have to make," Abdullah said. "I give myself a B-minus."

READY REIDEL: After a disappointing 1999 and a slow first two weeks in camp, fourth-year receiver Reidel Anthony had a strong start to the preseason. He had catches of 26 and 9 yards to help the Bucs get in field-goal position in the second quarter. "Everyone has a bad year and I admit to it, but that's in the past now," Anthony said. "It's a whole new year. As you can see, I'm out there doing my thing of old."

A BIT ERRATIC: Martin Gramatica, 27-of-32 as a rookie, did not kick off 2000 with a bang, shanking attempts from 46 and 28 yards. "I could have kicked five today and likely would have missed them all," said Gramatica, perfect inside 30 yards last season. "Everyone is going to have one of these days, and I'm just glad mine came in the preseason."

HERE WE GO AGAIN: Last season, Dungy had little luck with instant replay. Remember the Bert Emanuel incompletion in the final stages of the NFC Championship game? Well, the replay grinch is back. Dungy protested a 9-yard, second-quarter reception by Irving Fryar that put the ball on Washington's 39. Dungy thought Fryar's back foot did not come down in bounds. Referee Phil Luckett upheld the call on the field.

INJURY REPORT: Fullback Mike Alstott (hamstring), left tackle Pete Pierson (hamstring), left tackle Jason Odom (lower back), safety Damien Robinson (hamstring), tight end James Whalen (hamstring), safety Ashley Cooper (right patellar tendon) did not play for Tampa Bay. Running back Jerry Ellison strained his right elbow in the third quarter and did not return. Tackle DeMarcus Curry sprained his right shoulder.

BITS AND PIECES: Redskins running back Stephen Davis and defensive end Bruce Smith did not play. ... The Bucs issued approximately 900 credentials for the game. There were 18 scouts from 17 teams watching the game, including Charley Casserly, general manager of the Houston franchise. ... Former Bucs and Redskins quarterback Doug Williams attended. ... The Redskins did have a touch of Tampa Bay home cooking, dressing former USF defensive back LaFann Williams and former Central Florida offensive tackle Cornell Green. Green is a native of St. Petersburg and a former standout from Lakewood High School.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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