Sports: It's time to get acquainted

[Times photos: Ken Helle]
Offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen chats with quarterback Brad Johnson. The goal is to minimize the offense's mistakes.

By RICK STROUD

TAMPA -- Brad Johnson will stand tall in the pocket, and everywhere else at 6 feet 5, as one of the biggest quarterbacks in Bucs history.

It's likely the first, and perhaps only, thing you will notice when Johnson makes his preseason debut for Tampa Bay tonight against the Miami Dolphins.

Johnson is expected to take 12-15 snaps tonight against the Dolphins.

That's because Johnson is scheduled to participate only in 12-15 offensive snaps before giving way to Shaun King and Ryan Leaf.

Calling those plays will be new offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen. But he is not as concerned with beating the Dolphins as preparing the Bucs for the regular season.

"We're toying with the idea of throwing 12 times so we can say we opened up the offense," coach Tony Dungy deadpanned. "Really, we're going to try to play the game and make those 12 to 15 plays productive, whatever that takes. If we get defenses we like to run the ball against, we'll run. We're just going to play the game as opposed to open up the offense."

The Bucs would like to score on those opening dozen or so plays with the first-unit offense, but if they did, it would virtually match the longest drive of the 2000 season.

Instead, Johnson and Christensen just want the offensive to perform efficiently, minimize mistakes and maybe make a play or two.

Ryan Leaf, left, talking with Johnson, took time off from camp for his grandfather's funeral.

"It is exciting for me," said Johnson, who will debut with his second team in three years. "Everything is new for me. New training camp, new dorms, new system. I really think kind of opening up here at Raymond James Stadium is fun for me in preseason.

"I'm excited about it and looking forward to a great year. But everything is new and I'm really just taking it all in. I really just want to have fun. Everybody talks about winning the Super Bowl. But this is fun for me. I just want to have fun and the rest of it will kind of take care of itself."

The Bucs had some good workouts with the Dolphins over the weekend, but Christensen thought his offense would have progressed more than it has. Among the reasons it hasn't is the rash of injuries and absences. Johnson missed the first week healing from a deep cut above his left knee, King injured his shoulder and missed three days, and Leaf attended his grandfather's funeral. Center Jeff Christy and guard Randall McDaniel attended the funeral for former Vikings teammate Korey Stringer.

Fullback Mike Alstott, receivers Reidel Anthony and Jacquez Green have been sidelined. Tackle George Hegamin walked out of camp and is pondering retirement.

"I think we're behind. We're a little disappointed," Christensen said. "There's too many critical errors for a veteran team. It might be a lack of continuity. Short-term it's hurt us, long-term it'll help us with all the combinations we've practiced with. First it's Brad, then it's Alstott, then it's the two linemen, then it's Hegamin. Reidel Anthony hadn't practiced with the team."

Dungy's deadpans aside, Christensen isn't worried about making a big impression.

"This football team is not about me," he said. "It's about the players. So I don't look at it anything more than another step of getting a team ready for opening day. We'll do things to get them ready for opening day, not to necessarily beat the Miami Dolphins."

After slumping to ninth overall in the NFL last season, the Bucs defense would like to show improvement, especially against the run.

Defensive end Simeon Rice will make his Tampa Bay debut at right defensive end. Jamie Duncan and Nate Webster will split time at middle linebacker, the most fiercely contested position on the team.

Dungy also would like to get a look at two new kick returners, receiver Frank Murphy and rookie defensive back Dwight Smith.

But by far, the focus will be on Johnson and the offense.

"I want to try and come out and be as sharp as I can," Johnson said. "The plays are pretty limited and really I just want to try and get some drives going. You want to score points, but you want to get some drives going and stay away from penalties and guys lining up in the wrong places. Get the plays in, get the huddle going and get the drives going."

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