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Post by floridafan on Jul 26, 2008 11:45:29 GMT -5
let me copy and reply.
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Post by floridafan on Jul 26, 2008 11:47:01 GMT -5
For fantasy football fans. One of the hottest places to be at the end of any July is Hess Field, Disney Wide World of Sports, Orlando Florida. It's just not football weather and most fans are covered by shade, but the players aren't. I would estimate the crowd to be 3,000 which would double if Brett Favre signs (Bucs and Jets are on the list). . The mood was one of boredom with Cadillac and Garcia out, and Galloway skipping the early practice. Of the remainder, here is my report: . QB's always need to get arms in shape from the offseason and it showed. Luke McCown took first team reps and looked better than Chris Simms who looked far better than Brian Griese. I can't imagine any being selected in an FF draft. Perhaps a healthy Garcia but not the above 3. . RB's looked like a "almost good" or "once was good squad". Earnest Graham, a returning (to applause) Warrick Dunn, Michael Bennett, and Michael Pittman were among the many in the backfield. Common sense and first team reps show that Ernest Graham is "the man" in Tampa Bay. He got every carry between the tackles and every goal line carry. It appears they are going with two tight-ends, straight ahead with Earnest at the Goal Line. Third down reps were shared by Dunn and Bennett with both looking OK at times. Pittman seemed to have fallen off the depth chart and at best will be FB and get broken-play passes once in a while. . WRs with Galloway out (he has coach's permission to attend one practice a day)seem to be average. Among those getting reps were ex-Giant Hilliard, Stovall, Clayton, et al. All seen to be $1.00 picks were Hilliard will bring down 3rd down grabs but never break away from a defense, Stovall has size potential, and Clayton a hopeful "comeback player". None are as disappointing as Clayton who once was a fantasy starter and today isn't even a Buccaneer starter. He once stood out in front of camp fans with spontaneous applause and highlight grabs. He now blends in like a 5th or 6th WR trying to make the team. Unknown Brian Clark (probably will not make the team) seemed to be able to come down with the ball in traffic reminding me of a young Wayne Crebet who always had enough to move the chains. Follow the depth charts should he make it and 'stars' in front of him miss injury time. . TE's are huge with Alex (I took him as a rookie) Smith and Jeremy Stevens. They both got work and it appears to be an either or with a slight lean to Stevens. Most of the time these guys will be blocking. . Special teams had only Matt Bryant take reps and hitting 5 of 6 40 yd FG attempts. They list him at 5'9" 200 but next to the other guys he looks 5'6" 250. He definately does not look like football player out there but still is able to kick. . Defense - not much to note here as Ronde only took token reps and is not worried about making the team. They celebrated a ton when a tipped ball was controlled by the defense. Tampa always has a great D but nothing really to report from being at camp. . A tough year for sure with the Defense needing to play big. Can they snatch huge FA Bret Favre? Will Earnest take over from last year? Will Cadillac come back at some point and contribute? Will Galloway continue to draw Senior Social Security and still blow by defenders? Will Clayton try to make a Fantasy roster. Stay tuned. At least one more report coming. . The surprise (so far), Ike Hilliard.
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Post by russell on Jul 30, 2008 6:45:48 GMT -5
Thanks for the report. As a Bucs fan living in Texas hearing any kind of news on them is rare indeed.
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Post by floridafan on Jul 30, 2008 7:22:01 GMT -5
Thanks for the report. As a Bucs fan living in Texas hearing any kind of news on them is rare indeed. let me give two corrections. Pittman not being in the backfield is an understatement. He was traded to Denver, so it looks like a Graham followed by Dunn/Bennett at RB. Galloway did not skip practice, he was jogging on the sideline in street clothes saying a groin pull had him sidelined. Take it as offtime from camp. He look good running the sidelines.
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Post by floridafan on Jul 30, 2008 8:20:20 GMT -5
Thanks for the report. As a Bucs fan living in Texas hearing any kind of news on them is rare indeed. If you want, PM me your address and I'll send the Buccaneer's Camp 80 man roster and yearly schedule to you. I also have a Disney's Wide World of Sports admission to camp ticket. I'm a lifelong Jet's fan but the Buccaneers is the local team that we can follow here, since I moved to Central Florida 4 years ago.
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Post by russell on Jul 30, 2008 13:37:35 GMT -5
How is the rookie from App.St. Dexter Jackson looking?
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Post by Blitzinbandit on Jul 30, 2008 17:21:35 GMT -5
Thanks for the report. As a Bucs fan living in Texas hearing any kind of news on them is rare indeed. let me give two corrections. Pittman not being in the backfield is an understatement. He was traded to Denver, so it looks like a Graham followed by Dunn/Bennett at RB. Galloway did not skip practice, he was jogging on the sideline in street clothes saying a groin pull had him sidelined. Take it as offtime from camp. He look good running the sidelines. I was gonna correct you on that but I decided to let it slide:)
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Post by floridafan on Jul 31, 2008 8:37:38 GMT -5
How is the rookie from App.St. Dexter Jackson looking? Isaw him wearing #1 and he stood out in a crowd being only 5'9". He went up for one pass in coverage and could not come up with it. Stovall at 6'5" may have come down with it. What they are looking for from Dexter is pure speed meaning special team kick/punt returns, a woeful weak unit of the past. He did look 'quick'. I also would not be surprised if they threw him at WR on occasion just to try to stretch the field away from 8 in the box to stop Graham.
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Post by russell on Jul 31, 2008 13:27:38 GMT -5
How is the rookie from App.St. Dexter Jackson looking? Isaw him wearing #1 and he stood out in a crowd being only 5'9". He went up for one pass in coverage and could not come up with it. Stovall at 6'5" may have come down with it. What they are looking for from Dexter is pure speed meaning special team kick/punt returns, a woeful weak unit of the past. He did look 'quick'. I also would not be surprised if they threw him at WR on occasion just to try to stretch the field away from 8 in the box to stop Graham. Yea their special teams have been weak for years but at least they don't have THAT stat anymore. If DJ can help them win the field position game he will be worth it.
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Post by russell on Aug 18, 2008 6:38:48 GMT -5
I have seen them play twice and I like whatI have seen so far. I know it's preseason but tehir skill positions look solid and deep. The defense will always be good. To me it will come down to the OL
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Post by Blitzinbandit on Aug 18, 2008 18:10:12 GMT -5
I was thinking more down the line of QB/WR play as they are always very questionable but the oline is looks solid.
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