Another back doctor for Odom

By ROGER MILLS and MIKE READLING

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 10, 2000

TAMPA -- The Bucs, concerned about the lack of progress of Jason Odom's back, are consulting a second expert.

Dr. Michael Schafer of Chicago will try to determine why Odom continues to have pain even though MRI exams show no structural damage.

Monday, the Bucs consulted with Dr. Craig Brigham, the Charlotte, N.C., neurologist who performed Odom's season-ending surgery in November. Brigham remained optimistic that Odom would be able to return to the field soon.

Odom's pain has been treated with rest and anti-inflammatory medication.

Late Wednesday the Bucs denied an unattributed report at www.Sportsline.com that Odom likely is lost for the season.

"Our position on Jason's condition is unchanged," director of communications Reggie Roberts said. "We've received no definitive medical information that would lead us to think that Jason will not be with us this season. It is my understanding that our medical personnel are still trying to determine what's causing the discomfort in Jason's back. It's still too early in this process to say he won't play for the rest of the year."

QUARTERBACK QUANDARY: The Bucs plan to play three quarterbacks tonight against the Dolphins, and fourth-year reserve Scott Milanovich likely could be the odd man out.

Coach Tony Dungy said the "normal game situation" means the Bucs will play three of their four quarterbacks and that starter Shaun King likely will get the lion's share of time.

"We want to play Shaun about 30 plays, which will be most of the first half, more than likely," Dungy said. "And we want to play Joe Hamilton (for) a quarter again. We haven't decided who was going to be the odd man out, but unless the game goes overtime, there probably will be just three quarterbacks."

Dungy said that though nothing was written in stone, he would like to see Hamilton play in a situation where "he's not just throwing the ball at the end of the game but actually playing in a normal situation."

Pressed to say who would play the other quarter, Dungy said: "I guess they all need the playing time, but it probably would be Eric. That would be my sense of how it will go."

COSEY'S CAPER: The Bucs have been very pleased with the play of the majority of first-year players, but rookie offensive lineman Cosey Coleman really has turned some heads.

"He is really an excellent pass protector," Dungy said. "Usually, you get guys coming out of school, and that's the part they have to learn. (Coleman is) well-versed in it, has excellent balance and recovery skills, and just really knows what he's doing in the pass-protection game."

Dungy said Coleman's experience playing for the Tennessee Volunteers likely has made his transition to the pros easier. He said Coleman is competing with Frank Middleton for the starting right guard spot.

WEBSTER'S HOMECOMING: Middle linebacker Nate Webster said he really hasn't had time to get excited about returning to Miami for tonight's game. Webster, a second-team All-American with the Hurricanes last season, was a Dade County legend in high school and had three impressive seasons with the Hurricanes.

"I have been trying so hard to learn this playbook that I have not really had the time to think about playing in Miami," said Webster, who will see considerable time as Jamie Duncan's backup. "It has crossed my mind, and it will be cool to be back home and see my family and some friends."

Webster said that because he is a rookie, his goal is to focus more on his assignments. He said he likely will be more excited to return when the Bucs play at Miami on Dec. 10. "By then, I would have done some growing as a player," he said.

After the Dolphins scrimmaged the Bucs last week, Webster, 22, was among some of the Tampa Bay players accused of overexuberance. He said it will not happen again.

"You know, I have that old Miami attitude -- I'm not going to let anyone punk me or show me up," Webster said. "But I've learned that I need to let my play do the talking."

SPECIAL DAY: About 75 Special Olympians from around the bay area were guests after the morning practice. Safety John Lynch, defensive tackle Brad Culpepper, receiver Karl Williams, defensive end Steve White and linebacker Alshermond Singleton were among those who helped the Olympians through a series of drills.

"I got my picture taken, and I got tackled, and I threw the ball," said Gary Nohe, an Olympian from Pinellas County. "This is a lot of fun."

Said running back Mike Alstott: "I enjoy this. It's exciting for them; it's exciting for me. Whatever I can do to put a smile on these kids' faces is great."

LOTS OF SOUP FOR YOU: Middleton jumped the scale -- actually, a spoon -- to help the Divine Providence Food Bank.

Campbell's Soup pledged to donate 10 times Middleton's weight in soup cans to the food bank. Middleton, listed on the roster as 334 pounds, tipped the spoon at 35 cases of soup, totaling 4,200 cans. He also took a bit of ribbing for being the "chunkiest player on the team."

"Chunky is good when you're trying to feed children," Middleton said. "Any time after today, never call me chunky again. I weigh 10 pounds less than I did last year, though. I'm sorry. I tried to gain it back last night."

SI JINX?: Defensive end Marcus Jones, whose 7.5 sacks last season were second on the team to Sapp's 12.5, spent half an hour Tuesday posing for a Sports Illustrated photo shoot. Jones will be the magazine's "Player to Watch" on the Bucs in the football preview. Last year it was kicker Martin Gramatica.

"I know about the SI jinx, and I'm not concerned about that at all," Jones said. "First of all, it's a compliment because, obviously, someone thinks that you've put in enough time and worked hard enough to be recognized by your peers and by (the media). But at the same token, it's not what people write about you (now), it's what they have to say about you once the season is over that matters."

INJURY REPORT: Alstott (left hamstring), Odom (back), safety Damien Robinson (left hamstring), running back Jerry Ellison (elbow/triceps), safety Ashley Cooper (right patellar tendon), defensive end Mawuko Tugbenyoh (left ankle sprain) and defensive end John McLaughlin (knee infection) are out. Tight ends Patrick Hape (right foot) and James Whalen (left hamstring) are questionable. Receiver Keyshawn Johnson (left knee), tackle Pete Pierson (left hamstring), cornerback Tarig Holman (left hamstring), linebacker Jeff Gooch (left foot infection) and tackle DeMarcus Curry (right shoulder sprain) are probable.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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