O-Line Competition Soon To Heat Up
Published: Jun 21, 2006
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TAMPA - With the exception of unexcused absentee G Toniu Fonoti, Tampa Bay's offensive line came out in force Tuesday, giving coaches an encouraging peek into the dynamics up front when training camp begins next month.
"We'll have legitimate competition in Orlando, whereas in other years we probably haven't had it across the board," Coach Jon Gruden said after the first minicamp session. "Now in preseason games, you're going to be anxious to see that second line run out there and compare them to the first unit."
The Bucs used their first two draft picks on Oklahoma G Davin Joseph and massive T Jeremy Trueblood of Boston College. In winning the NFC South title last season, the Bucs joined Carolina and Denver as the only teams to field the same five starters along the offensive line for 16 games.
"No depth charts have been handed out, and we expect excellent competition in training camp," said veteran OL coach Bill Muir. "If you have a job and you want to keep a job, you've got someone breathing down your neck."
Joseph said he wasn't bothered by Tuesday's soaring humidity, and indicated the heat is on for starting positions.
"Just because you're a first-round pick doesn't mean anything," he said. "You've got to earn your spot, and it's a very competitive situation here because we have a very complete team."
Trueblood, a 6-foot-8 mauler, already has impressed Gruden.
"He's got a temperament that I like," Gruden said. "He's unflappable, and he doesn't become unglued when he has a bad set or a bad down. He's a quick learner, he's big and I have a feeling he's going to be tough as hell. Joseph has had his moments, too. The light is flickering, there's someone home, I just haven't heard him ring the doorbell yet.
"We didn't bring Joseph, Trueblood and Jeb Terry along to be blocking-sled dummies."
Fonoti, an unrestricted free agent from Minnesota who has participated extensively in offseason workouts at One Buc Place, already may have damaged his chances to make the team.
"I expected him today," Gruden said. "I didn't excuse him, and I haven't talked to him. I hope he's all right, but right now, I don't know where he is."
BABY MAKES THREE: Bucs QB Chris Simms is trying to catch up on his sleep after his wife, Danielle, gave birth to daughter Sienna Rose on Sunday.
"The one thing I'm sure she'll inherit is my wife's shopping ability," Simms said. "Danielle delivered all natural, with no epidural, and my dad [former Giants QB Phil Simms] said at least there's one tough person in the family."
TAKE A BREAK: After Thursday's final minicamp practice, Bucs players and coaches will receive some time off to prepare for the July 27 reporting date at Disney.
"These guys need to get away," Gruden said. "You can only work these players for so long. We've got a long haul ahead of us, and I think our players understand that. They're going to use good judgment, and I think they realize the consequences if they don't."
BUC BITS: Tuesday's afternoon session was shortened to one hour by lightning. � Second-year DT Anthony Bryant was excused from Day 1 of minicamp because of an illness in the family. � Gruden said he took all of Tampa Bay's quarterbacks up to Black Diamond in Lecanto on Monday, except for Simms, the new father, who was unable to attend. "We really thank the people up there for letting us invade their golf course," Gruden said. � Asked if any starter's position up front was set in stone, Muir didn't hesitate. "No," he said. "N.O. Absolutely not." � Today's lone practice session, closed to the public, will be held in the morning at Raymond James Stadium.
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O-Line Competition Soon To Heat Up
O-Line Competition Soon To Heat Up
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