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Buccaneers: Offense and special teams capsules

By Times staff

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 7, 2001

NAME: Rabih Abdullah.

HT/WT: 6-1, 230.

POSITION: Running back.

COLLEGE: Lehigh.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Fourth season.

HOW ACQUIRED: FA-'98.

ROLE IN 2001: After toiling behind Dunn and Alstott for the past three years, Abdullah has changed his focus to blocking. After beefing up in the offseason, Abdullah will be the backup fullback and Alstott's lead blocker in the power-running formation.

NAME: Mike Alstott.

HT/WT: 6-1, 260.

POSITION: Running back/Fullback.

COLLEGE: Purdue.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Sixth season.

HOW ACQUIRED: D2-'96.

ROLE IN 2001: With promises being made that Dunn will get the bulk of the carries, Alstott is expected to take on a different role. He likely will play some tight end, be more present at the line of scrimmage and be asked to be catch the ball coming out of the backfield, like he did his rookie season.

NAME: Reidel Anthony.

HT/WT: 5-11, 180.

POSITION: Receiver.

COLLEGE: Florida.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Fifth season.

HOW ACQUIRED: D1-'97.

ROLE IN 2001: Critics have been on the verge of labeling Anthony a bust, but despite having only 15 catches last season, four were touchdowns and a number of others were crucial to keeping drives alive. This season should be the same. He'll be asked to come in on third-and-long situations.

NAME: Jeff Christy.

HT/WT: 6-3, 285.

POSITION: Center.

COLLEGE: Pittsburgh.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Ninth season.

HOW ACQUIRED: FA-'00.

ROLE IN 2001: On a line with so much youth, Christy will be critical in not just calling signals but helping keep linemen grounded. Considered an athletic center, Christy is a Pro Bowl player whose biggest challenge will be learning the cadence of a new starting quarterback, his third in three seasons.

NAME: Cosey Coleman.

HT/WT: 6-4, 322.

POSITION: Guard.

COLLEGE: Tennessee.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Second season.

HOW ACQUIRED: D2-'00.

ROLE IN 2001: Coleman is the starting right guard with the departure of Frank Middleton for Oakland. Having spent a season watching and learning from Middleton and left guard Randall McDaniel, Coleman should be prepared for the everydown grind. He has improved his pass blocking and the Bucs feel he'll be part of the picture for a long time.

NAME: Jameel Cook.

HT/WT: 5-10, 237.

POSITION: Fullback.

COLLEGE: Illinois.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Rookie.

HOW ACQUIRED: D6-'01.

ROLE IN 2001: Aside from the inevitable duties of blocking on special teams and simulating opponents in practice, Cooke is going to have to be ready to block. Abdullah is listed as the No. 1 blocker when Alstott moves to the running back spot, but Cooke, who has been described as "extremely strong," will have his moments.

NAME: DeMarcus Curry.

HT/WT: 6-5, 332.

POSITION: Tackle.

COLLEGE: Auburn.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Second season.

HOW ACQUIRED: FA-'99.

ROLE IN 2001: No longer asked to master left and right tackle, Curry has been moved to the right side and can turn his attention to backing up Jerry Wunsch. He'll play, but unless there's an injury, it won't be much.

NAME: Warrick Dunn.

HT/WT: 5-8, 180.

POSITION: Running back.

COLLEGE: Florida State.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Fifth season.

HOW ACQUIRED: D1-'97.

ROLE IN 2001: In the second half of last season, Dunn blossomed into the everydown back he said he could be. Finishing with 1,133 rushing yards and eight TDs, Dunn should get the ball about 18-20 times a game. Some of those touches might come via pass, but either way, Dunn is one of the primary weapons in Clyde Christensen's offense.

NAME: Jacquez Green.

HT/WT: 5-9, 178.

POSITION: Receiver.

COLLEGE: Florida.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Fourth season.

HOW ACQUIRED: D2a-'98.

ROLE IN 2001: He had a productive season with 773 yards, but only got into the end zone once. That could change considering Brad Johnson's reputation for hitting the long ball. Green is the Bucs deep threat and will be used that way but can make catches over the middle, as he showed with an 11-catch, 131-yard effort in a 30-23 loss to the Vikings last October.

NAME: Joe Hamilton.

HT/WT: 5-10, 190.

POSITION: Quarterback.

COLLEGE: Georgia Tech.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Second season.

HOW ACQUIRED: D7-'00.

ROLE IN 2001: Hamilton again will be very familiar with the clipboard as he'll be the third-stringer. After spending a year with the scout team, Hamilton has been impressive throughout camp and the preseason and provides incredible depth.

NAME: Brad Johnson

HT/WT: 6-5, 226

POSITION: Quarterback

COLLEGE: Florida State

NFL EXPERIENCE: 10th season

HOW ACQUIRED: UFA-'01

ROLE IN 2001: Acquired for his high career completion percentage and experience, Johnson is supposed to be the final piece to get to the Super Bowl. Barring injury, he'll start on the opener and will be expected to do the one thing he's known for throughout his career, distribute the ball to all the receivers.

NAME: Keyshawn Johnson.

HT/WT: 6-4, 212.

POSITION: Receiver.

COLLEGE: Southern Cal.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Sixth season.

HOW ACQUIRED: T-'00.

ROLE IN 2001: Johnson obviously was unhappy by the way he was used by former offensive coordinator Les Steckel. He wants the ball, and now should get it. As conservative as the Bucs were offensively last season, Johnson still had 71 catches and 874 yards. Those numbers could increase as could his chances of being in Hawaii the weekend after the Super Bowl.

NAME: Shaun King.

HT/WT: 6-0, 225.

POSITION: Quarterback.

COLLEGE: Tulane.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Third season.

HOW ACQUIRED: D2-'99.

ROLE IN 2001: Even after the arrival of Brad Johnson, King refused to surrender his starting position and has looked extremely sharp. He'll likely have to work at staying that sharp on the bench. King started every game last season and threw 18 touchdowns. But, he also had 13 interceptions. He is part of the team's future but it seems that future is not this year.

NAME: Randall McDaniel.

HT/WT: 6-3, 287.

POSITION: Left guard.

COLLEGE: Arizona State.

NFL EXPERIENCE: 14th season.

HOW ACQUIRED: UFA-'00.

ROLE IN 2001: After so many seasons, it's safe to say McDaniel isn't the immovable force he once was. But when you still get praise from All-Pro defensive tackle Warren Sapp, then you still have some game. The old guy believes he has at least one, maybe two more seasons in him. Who wants to argue with a 12-time Pro Bowl player.

NAME: Dave Moore.

HT/WT: 6-2, 258.

POSITION: Tight end.

COLLEGE: Pittsburgh.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Ninth season.

HOW ACQUIRED: FA-'92.

ROLE IN 2001: Moore posted career highs last season in receptions (29) and yards (288) and added three TDs. But with Alstott promised some catches out of the backfield, those numbers could decrease. Still, he is the team's most experienced tight end and generally has safe hands. He'll get his share of dumpoffs.

NAME: Pete Pierson.

HT/WT: 6-5, 315.

POSITION: Tackle.

COLLEGE: Washington.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Seventh season.

HOW ACQUIRED: D5-'94.

ROLE IN 2001: With the drafting of Kenyatta Walker, Pierson moves back to the bench where he will be asked to provide guidance and rest for the No. 1 pick. The consummate pro, Pierson is well-suited for the role and while eager to get on the field, still gives the Bucs yet another starter willing to play a backup role.

NAME: Aaron Stecker.

HT/WT: 5-10, 205.

POSITION: Running back.

COLLEGE: Western Illinois.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Second season.

HOW ACQUIRED: FA-'99.

ROLE IN 2001: Carries won't be abundant for Stecker, unless the Bucs are in a number of blowouts. Running behind Dunn is limiting, running behind Dunn and Alstott is virtually impossible. But in preseason, Stecker showed some grit in mopup duties. He doesn't appear to figure much in the kickoff-return department.

NAME: Kenyatta Walker.

HT/WT: 6-5, 302.

POSITION: Offensive tackle.

COLLEGE: Florida.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Rookie.

HOW ACQUIRED: D1-'01.

ROLE IN 2001: There will be no grace period for Walker. He will start at left tackle on opening day and the Bucs are fairly certain he'll be there for many more. Described as an aggressive run and pass blocker, Walker's one task is to protect the blindside. That's it.

NAME: Todd Washington.

HT/WT: 6-3, 324.

POSITION: Center/Guard.

COLLEGE: Virginia Tech.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Fourth season.

HOW ACQUIRED: D4-'98.

ROLE IN 2001: One of the more quiet and unassuming players in the locker room, Washington is back again as a reserve center and guard. Washington has made steady improvements at the line of scrimmage and also become a contributor on special teams. He played in a career-high 10 games last year, which isn't a bad turnaround considering he was inactive for 10 games in 1999.

NAME: Karl Williams.

HT/WT: 5-10, 177.

POSITION: Receiver.

COLLEGE: Texas A&M Kingsville.

NFL EXPERIENCE: 6th season.

HOW ACQUIRED: FA-'96.

ROLE IN 2001: Normally the most overlooked receiver, Williams always seems to make a contribution when on the field. But, with Keyshawn Johnson, Green, Anthony and Murphy, he'll get few opportunities. Luckily for him, he remains the best punt returner and should make his mark there again this season.

NAME: Jerry Wunsch.

HT/WT: 6-6, 339.

POSITION: Right tackle.

COLLEGE: Wisconsin.

HOW ACQUIRED: D2-'97.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Fifth season.

ROLE IN 2001: After signing a contract in the offseason, Wunsch is considered the right side bookend of the offensive line. He's a powerful run blocker who will have to help who should be hitting the prime years of his career.

NAME: Todd Yoder.

HT/WT: 6-4, 250.

POSITION: Tight end.

COLLEGE: Vanderbilt.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Second season.

HOW ACQUIRED: FA-'00.

ROLE IN 2001: Aside from one dark moment in 2000, when he couldn't make a fourth-down catch against the Vikings, Yoder has done everything the Bucs have asked. Instructed to become better at blocking, Yoder put on 18 pounds of muscle in the offseason and looks menacing. Though probably not quite ready to take Moore's spot, Yoder should see the ball come his way from time to time.

SPECIAL TEAMS

NAME: Martin Gramatica.

HT/WT: 5-8, 170.

POSITION: Placekicker.

COLLEGE: Kansas State.

NFL EXPERIENCE: Third season.

HOW ACQUIRED: D3-'99.

ROLE IN 2001: Firmly solidified as one of the game's best kickers, Gramatica is good for two or three wins a year and there's no reason to believe otherwise this season. His biggest challenge will be to put behind the costly miss in Green Bay at the end of the regular season last year. Once forgotten, the Pro Bowl player again should put huge numbers.

NAME: Mark Royals.

HT/WT: 6-2, 215.

POSITION: Punter.

COLLEGE: Appalachian State.

NFL EXPERIENCE: 13th season.

HOW ACQUIRED: FA-'99.

ROLE IN 2001: With 13 years under his belt, Royals brings to the Bucs a sense of dependability. The Bucs believe you prevail by winning the battle for field position and Royals ability to pin opponents deep will be a factor. He has averaged 42.4 yards per kick through his NFL career. Royals is also the holder for place kicker Martin Gramatica.

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