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By Times staff writers
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 15, 2001
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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. After being described as Flintstones character Bamm-Bamm by his close friend and roommate Dave Moore, Bucs fullback Mike Alstott had a take of his own.
"He's Grumpy from the seven dwarfs. I tell you, with that guy, you don't know how he's going to be. Sometimes, he's so grumpy. But, I'm used to it."
NAME: Ellis Wyms
HT/WT: 6-3, 279
COLLEGE: Mississippi State
POSITION: Defensive end
NFL EXPERIENCE: Rookie
HOMETOWN: Indianola, Miss.
BACK IN THE DAY: At Gentry High in Indianola, Miss., Wyms was crowned all-state first-time linebacker in 1997 in the state's highest classification. "We have a great football tradition," Wyms said, "and it was an honor at m high school to make it."
BRUSH WITH GREATNESS: Like many rookies and free-agent signees at training camp this season, Wyms' brush with greatness is just being on the field with Tampa Bay's stars. "It's just being out here with these guys," he said. "(Warren) Sapp, Marcus Jones ... it's the ultimate."
TO MAKE THE TEAM: Wyms is pulling double duty this training camp, drilling at defensive end and tackle, as he learns the nuances, techniques and assignments of both positions. Cast in the role vacated by departed reserve Tyoka Jackson, that versatility could help Wyms make the roster and join one of the league's top defensive line rotations.
WHAT'S HIS TAKE: Once the TV is turned on, don't count on Wyms to get you something from the kitchen. "I'm just a couch potato," he said. He'll watch just about anything on TV, and he loves to watch movies, too. Pulp Fiction is his all-time favorite movie, and the HBO channels are his favorites, so guess what his favorite show is? "I love Sex and the City," he said. "It's something different every week that we're not used to seeing." -- JAMAL THALJI
"I guess the best thing you can say is that we got to play the game. Some people didn't even get to play." -- TONY DUNGY, Bucs coach referring to the canceled game between the Ravens and Eagles.
TODAY: 11-11:45 a.m.; 3:30-4:30 p.m. (ST).
THURS.: 8:30-10:40 a.m.; 3:30-5:30.
NEXT PRESEASON GAME: At Browns, 8 p.m. Saturday.
* Practices are free and open to public.