08-30-2007, 08:38 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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Both of them
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Bucs WR Stovall Trying To Separate From Pack
Bucs WR Stovall Trying To Separate From Pack
Quote:
Long after Maurice Stovall's teammates have showered and escaped Florida's punishing afternoon heat, he still can be found on Tampa Bay's practice field working on individual drills.
Often, Stovall works out with fellow Bucs receiver Michael Clayton. Other days, he is alone.
'I'm just always trying to get better every day. Sometimes I feel like I have to work on things after practice, and even if I don't, I still do,' Stovall said. 'A lot of times you see Clayton out here working with me. We're just trying to get better every day. Push it to the limit. Prepare ourselves for opportunities.'
Stovall currently has an opportunity to start for the Bucs, but he has to catch his chance before it slips away. According to the initial training camp depth chart, Stovall and Joey Galloway were listed as first-team receivers. But Stovall has not started any of Tampa Bay's three preseason games.
Bucs coach Jon Gruden announced this week he intended to use a committee of receivers opposite Galloway, meaning Stovall is still close to becoming a starter but has yet to take that final step.
Stovall can make a convincing argument to regain his No. 1 spot when Tampa Bay hosts Houston on Thursday in the final exhibition game.
'I don't feel like I have slacked off. Coach Gruden is our head coach, he makes decisions, and his decisions are final,' Stovall said. 'I never question that and I would never come to him and ask him about that. My thing is to come out and work every day and everything else will take care of itself.
'I don't feel like I've lost any momentum. My body is healthy. I am mentally prepared. I'm coming out here every day to work. I'm looking forward to this season, and looking forward to performing this Thursday against Houston and getting our season off the ground.'
Stovall, a former Notre Dame standout, has quietly elevated his game since Tampa Bay drafted him in the third round last year.
He was inactive for Tampa Bay's first three games before finally being allowed to dress. Stovall saw action in nine games, missing three because of a back injury. He finished with 102 receiving yards and started the last two games of the season.
Gruden used to speak at length about receivers Joey Galloway, David Boston, Ike Hilliard and Stovall, but recently has elected to speak about them as a group.
'Ike Hilliard is not exactly a guy who lacks in effort,' Gruden said. 'What David Boston has done is one of the truly great stories I've ever been around in football. Michael Clayton doesn't want to give up his territory either.
'These guys have all worked hard and we're going to need them all because it's a long year.'
While Gruden knows what to expect from his other receivers, Stovall's work ethic makes his potential limitless.
'He's one of the hardest-working guys,' Gruden said. 'In terms of work ethic, you see Jerry Rice, the Michael Irvins, the legendary workers in this league and he rivals their work ethic. Now whether he can become that kind of player, we'll see.
'He does work his butt off. He loves it. It's important to him. He has a lot of pride. He wants to be great. He knows in order to do that he has to outwork the other guy. You see it every day and it's not an act. It's sincere, it's real and it's helping him get to the point where he's banging on the door to get on the field.'
After Stovall finishes his extra reps, he always gets on one knee and prays. Stovall thanks God for his life, for leaving practice injury-free and for having an opportunity to play in the NFL.
And this season Stovall might be able to give thanks for a starting job.
'I prepare myself as if I am starting,' Stovall said. 'I did the same thing last year. Prepare every day as if you are playing in the game, and picture yourself playing in the game during practice. Everything else will take care of itself on the field.'
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Bucs WR Stovall Trying To Separate From Pack
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