Camp survivor

By Compiled by ROGER MILLS and MIKE READLING

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 10, 2000

In the spirit of CBS' Survivor series, the Times is asking Bucs players and coaches whom they would throw off the island, er, out of camp, and why. Here's today's episode:

Running back/returner Aaron Stecker says he would throw out linebacker Bobbie Howard: "He keeps coming into my room uninvited to watch television. He doesn't ask."

Did you know?

Shaun King was Mr. Fourth Quarter in December last year. He posted a quarterback rating of 132.6, which helped him earn NFL offensive rookie of the month honors.

Fresh faces

NAME: Ketric Sanford.

HT/WT: 5-8, 204.

COLLEGE: Houston.

POSITION: Running back.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Rookie.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Sanford finished his college career as the Cougars' all-time leading rusher, and he ranks second all time in Texas high school Class 4A. But, he said, the highlight of his career is being in Bucs training camp.

GLORY DAYS: Though Sanford holds all those rushing records, scored 69 touchdowns in high school and was a two-time all-state selection, he said his glory days are right now. "I really don't look back at the other stuff. I feel like I have a lot more football in me," he said.

BRUSH WITH GREATNESS: Sanford has met former President Bush and met President Clinton at practice last week. But one of his closer brushes with greatness was meeting Charles Barkley at a University of Houston banquet. "He was real laid back," Sanford said of the retired NBA star. "He's one of those people who, when he has something on his mind, he lets you know it."

TO MAKE THE TEAM: His chance is slim because of Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott. Sanford's goal is to keep the right frame of mind in camp. "I think I have to stay positive and put trust in the Lord. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be. If not, God has a better plan for me somewhere else," he said.

QUOTE: "Every different level, you meet different people and get the chance to bond with new teammates and meet new people and build new relationships."

Quotable

"Let me learn and get used to this new system. Then I can be my old self again, like back in my Miami days."

-- Nate Webster, Rookie linebacker on resisting the urge to talk trash to the Dolphins tonight.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

Headlines

Americans Lose in 1st Round of Davis Cup

---