Sports: Backups becoming a worry

Backups becoming a worry

By RICK STROUD

TAMPA -- If the preseason proved anything, it's the depth of the Bucs' depth problem.

Tampa Bay is at the point in its development as a contending franchise where the salaries of its star players limits the number of veteran backups.

Consequently, there is an appreciative dropoff in some areas between starter and substitute.

In the past, the Bucs had a Dexter Jackson to replace Damien Robinson at safety. Now it's rookie Than Merrill or John Howell. Tyoka Jackson, a versatile veteran who could play defensive tackle or end, moved on the the Rams, leaving the Bucs with rookies like Joe Tafoya or Ellis Wyms.

Sure, Brian Kelly is the third defensive back behind Donnie Abraham and Ronde Barber. After that, it's rookies Dwight Smith or Cory Ivy.

Special teams is the biggest concern, because the Bucs will use many rookies. Because of the Bucs' success reaching the playoffs three of the past four seasons, they are picking much lower in the draft.

Coach Tony Dungy cited the dropoff between the first and second teams for the 36-7 loss Friday to Atlanta. The Bucs led 7-0 when their starters left.

"It's different guys playing and different guys trying to find out how we do things," he said. "But that's probably been the biggest disappointment."

TOUGH INTERVIEW: Linebackers coach Joe Barry had the inside track on a job with the Bucs because his father-in-law is defensive line coach Rod Marinelli.

But nepotism did not give Barry any privileges once he walked into One Buc Place.

"Rod will be the first one to tell you. If he didn't think I was good enough whether I was his son-in-law or not, he'd tell Coach, 'Don't hire him,' " Barry said.

Barry had an eight-hour interview with Dungy and defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin. It included work on the chalkboard and between the chalk lines on the practice field.

"(Dungy) preaches it and it's true. They want guys who can teach," Barry said. "So they said, 'We're two rookie linebackers, this is our defense, this is our front. Teach it to us.' "

After spending an hour in the classroom, Barry and Kiffin went outdoors for two hours before resuming the interrogation inside for another four hours.

"Monte said it isn't what you can draw up on the board or what computer reports you can generate for your players, if you can't coach and teach on the grass, it doesn't matter," Barry said. "It was a grind. There wasn't anything left to chance. Looking back, it was a grueling experience but an unbelievable experience."

GOOD COMPANY: Warrick Dunn is the fifth-best running back in the NFL in a ranking of the 40 top pro ball carriers by Sports Illustrated. The top four: Marshall Faulk, Eddie George, Edgerrin James and Curtis Martin.

Dunn was explosive in the preseason. He set a record with 115 yards against the Patriots and had runs of 35, 54 and 18 yards in his last 14 carries.

"I think right now the plays are being called at the right time," Dunn said. "Offensively, we're trying to run the football. But when they put eight guys in the box, we're trying to throw it. We definitely have what it takes to throw the football. So right now we're just trying to balance things out so we're an explosive and an efficient offense.

"This year I think we're a lot more balanced because we're utilizing the personnel better. We're trying to get the ball to the guys who can make plays and the other guys have to know their role and step up."