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By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 7, 2001
One of the traditions of training camp is sharing a room with a teammate. Each day, one Buccaneer is asked to describe his roommate in terms of a popular movie, television or cartoon character. Here is defensive tackle James Cannida's take on third-year defensive tackle Anthony McFarland, who reminds Cannida of Star Wars Jedi knight Yoda:
"He's short like him and looks a little like him, too. He acts like him, has his ways and has that same kind of voice. He is Yoda."
NAME: Jameel Cook.
HT./WT.: 5-10, 237.
COLLEGE: Illinois.
POSITION: Fullback.
NFL EXPERIENCE: Rookie.
HOMETOWN: Miami.
BACK IN THE DAY: Cook played college ball in Illinois, but his most memorable moments took place in his hometown. He played in the Orange Bowl while at Southridge High and returned to Miami during college for the 1999 Micronpc.com Bowl. He had 88 receiving yards and two touchdowns as Illinois defeated Virginia 63-21 at Pro Player Stadium. "It was one of the most exciting moments of my life," he said.
BRUSH WITH GREATNESS: Twins Tamera and Tia Mowry of the ABC sitcom, Sister, Sister, are Cook's first cousins. "I don't really think of them as stars," he said. "They're my cousins, and I think they're more proud of me being at this level than of them being on TV every week."
TO MAKE THE TEAM: Cook is one of three true fullbacks on the roster (and the only one still injury-free; Mike Alstott and Charles Kirby are the others), though Rabih Abdullah could play at running back and fullback. Cook said he will be content to play special teams if it gets him on the roster. "I'm a hard worker," he said. "I go out there every day and I just want to work. I sit back and I shut my mouth and I learn, I watch. I just want to go out there and make the best of it."
WHAT'S HIS TAKE: "It's a good situation for me. I know my abilities. All I have to do is just show my abilities. I feel if I can do that, with a little time and a lot of effort, I can make the best of it." -- FRANK PASTOR
"I felt great out there today. I was excited about being in the huddle and playing, and I look forward to getting more work throughout the course
of the week." -- BRAD JOHNSON, quarterback, his first full workout, including 11-on-11 drills, Monday.
TODAY: 8:30-10:45 a.m., shells; 3:30-5:15 p.m., special teams. Note: Both practices are closed to the public for Bucs Family Day.
FIRST PRESEASON GAME: Monday, vs. Dolphins, 8 p.m., Raymond James Stadium.