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With Jeff Christy injured, he moves into the starting lineup.
By ROGER MILLS
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 21, 2001
TAMPA -- Back then the tape didn't lie.
It was the end of the 1999 campaign and the Bucs were not intent on re-signing veteran center Tony Mayberry. The problem was that the man they had hoped would be Mayberry's replacement, second-year player Todd Washington, obviously was not ready.
The team chose to sign Pro Bowl center Jeff Christy.
"I put it on myself," Washington said Monday. "The hole I dug myself into was my own hole. They expected me to do something in my rookie year and in my second year and I didn't get it done. They brought me here to be the replacement for Mayberry and I didn't give them the sense of confidence they needed. They had to do what they had to do."
But timing is everything.
Christy is sidelined for 3-5 weeks with a left knee sprain and Washington moves into the starting lineup, ready or not.
"He's worked hard every week," offensive line coach Chris Foerster said. "He's put himself in a position so that when an opportunity comes, he's ready. I've always told him, "You don't decide whether or not you're going to be a starter in this league. The only think you can do is put yourself in a position that if you are called upon to be a starter, you're ready.'
"The guy could have given up when Tony Mayberry wasn't re-signed and we signed Jeff. The guy could have said, "It was my job,' and been an unhappy guy. But he didn't do that. He rededicated himself to work harder."
Therein lies this irony. Washington's promotion to the starting lineup for the rest of the preseason, and likely the season opener in Dallas, will be remembered as a product of Christy's injury. But throughout training camp, the fourth-round pick out of Virginia Tech has been outstanding. Now the tapes show a different Washington.
"We like watching Todd on film, because of everybody he blocks," veteran guard Randall McDaniel said. "The linebackers hate him because he puts them on their backs all the time. You don't want to be a guy that's going to be hit by Todd because he's going to put you on your back every time. It's going to be fun with him in there."
Aside from the obvious experience canyon that divides Christy from Washington, there is the issue of size. Christy is 6 feet 2, 285 pounds. Washington is 6-3, 324. And he uses his girth to play the center position with a little bit more oomph!
"I like to think I bring a little different aspect to the game," Washington said. "I'm a little bit more physical. I like to believe I am. I'm a pretty easy-going guy, pretty mellow. But when it's time to strap it on I'm a different guy."
Added Foerster: "Todd, right now, is really hitting people. A lot of guys block guys and keep them away, but what Todd is doing is really exploding people off the ball. He's been knocking the hell out of linebackers coming around. He's been taking some good shots."
The transformation from disappointment to training-camp standout is due in part to the natural maturation of completing three seasons in the league. But there's more. The Washington who will be calling the line signals Saturday against the Patriots is different in his personal life as well.
Over the past two years, Washington has struggled with challenges at home. He had wanted to see more of his now 2-year-old son Cameron. When the Bucs signed Christy, Washington decided to clear the air a bit. He spent time in Virginia with Cameron and his parents and found what he described as "peace of mind."
"I had a lot of offseason problems that were affecting my play," he said. I was pressing too hard. All my priorities were out of whack. I went home, spent some time with Cameron. With my mother (Earline) and father (Tony). We never talked about football. We enjoyed each other's company. I got away from it for a while and when I came back I realized that football should not be a chore. It should not be a heavy burden. I got comfortable with the game and started playing."
Washington isn't under any illusions that he will keep the starting job when Christy returns. His plan is to take all the media attention, all the increased reps, all the newly acquired responsibility in stride.
He understands, however, that this is his time.
"Things happen for a reason and I can't figure out why they happen," he said. "I know that this is my chance and I don't know when the next chance will come. ... I can't be overjoyed. I have to still go out there and have a job to do. I've got to go out there and make the right calls. I've got to block. I've got to do my job.
"Hopefully, when this ride is over I can be a Buccaneer for five or six more years."