A behind the scenes look at Bucs practice

New Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib stretches during the morning workout. [Edmund D. Fountain, Times]

Us beat writers don't get to view entire practices most of the year with the exception of three weeks during training camp. But thanks to an NFL policy that requires teams to open several practices each summer to the media, we got a long look at the team today in a morning workout at Raymond James Stadium.

For starters, we'll point out an apparent confirmation of something that had been rumored for awhile: Defensive end Greg White worked almost exclusively at left defensive end, lining up opposite Gaines Adams on the right. That seems to be a lineup the Bucs are strongly considering using, though there is likely to be a lot of mixing and matching among the front four -- particularly in the interior.

On offense, we saw a lot of balls thrown to running back Warrick Dunn, which is something I think we should all get very used to. The Bucs have always made good use of the checkdown option by throwing to backs as a secondary target. But the Bucs haven't had a back who is an ideal target like Dunn is, because he is shifty and quick enough to get valuable yards if you get him the ball in space.

As for the quarterbacks, it seems like it'll be awhile before we get much of a look at Josh Johnson. The rookie, along with Bruce Gradkowski, didn't get much of a crack in today's workout. Quarterbacks coach Greg Olson told me this week it's been tough to get everyone enough snaps during practices. Jon Gruden said today that the team has been using something of a rotation to get everyone enough work, though it appears Jeff Garcia, Brian Griese and Luke McCown are getting the majority of the work. They certainly took virtually all the snaps today. Gruden said Johnson's got to learn the snap counts and such a little more before he can be handed the keys to the offense.

As a whole, the offense wasn't very sharp, which drew a lot of yelling from Gruden. But that's to be expected, I suppose, in the second-to-last week of May. Still, botched snaps, dropped passes and the like were the order of the day.

Elsewhere, linebacker Cato June broke his foot in January and missed the team's lone playoff game, but he told me today he's cleared to practice again, although he sat out today's workout. June said he's been practicing here and there but taking light because "I'm just trying to be smart about it," he said.

Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia searches downfield during a passing drill at the morning workout. [Edmund D. Fountain, Times]

Comments

[scooterbucs]

Can't wait to see Dunn on a 3rd and long screen pass that gets 2 yards. One nut should get the special teamer of the year award already.

[George Leslie Hicks]

Hello fans in Tampa Bay area: I follow the bucs up here in Big Dallas. I think if the veterans will be patience. I just love seeing this Warrick Dunn back in uniform. One of these days how would the fans enjoyed Dunn and Williams lining up in the wishbone with Dble Te's plus wr in the slot. Bring theme on. Go Bucs

[Brandon Short]

Hey George, do you ever start off something you're saying by not announcing that you're from "Big D"? Alright, we get it, you're from Dallas!

After reading what you just said I must admit I'm puzzled. I hope for your sake you're sauced because not only does what you said make ZERO sense in terms of speech and grammar but the freaking wishbone? Ughhhh... you know, this is the NFL, not the Big 8 from 25 years ago. If the wishbone worked we would have seen it in the NFL and considering neither Williams nor Dunn have every operated out of anything similiar to the wishbone, and the fact that Garcia is 38, it couldn't work.

So please, lay off the booze, read more, post less, give the good readers of this paper and the people of Dallas a break from the stupidity.

[CW]

Short...on what, patience and compassion? Give the guy from "Big D" a break! We're all rooting for the same team here.

I have to admit I'm concerned about the QB situation. Not so much that Gradkowski is not getting snaps - do we really need to see him get any more snaps as a Buc? But, if this Johnson is as good as advertised, what the hell are they gonna do with him when the roster has to have 53 players on it? I liked what I saw from McCown in his limited playing time last year, so I think he would be a more than serviceable third stringer...what do you do with the rookie? Also, I see Garcia has not resorted to any type of hold out situation. Is he really that unhappy about his contract?

[Big Buc]

Hey Brandon, you might need to lay off the sauce yourself. "Not only does what you said..." What was that supposed to mean? hmmmm, grammar!!! Learn it yourself before you call someone else out for not using it correctly themselves.

[Nick]

The writing is on the wall for Garcia, time to pack your bags bud! Gruden is not looking for those poultry numbers you put up last year. Garcia will be gone maybe before traning camp. Buc's don't intend to give this guy any kind of extention let alone more money!! Face it you were bought in to fill in for Simms, now Gruden has Griese back who can offer 3-4 years more than you. Simms will be back for camp and Garcia will be seeking his 6 team in 6 years.

[Ron]

I generally don't pick on grammatical errors, but this is too funny!!

What kind of poultry numbers did Garcia have last year? Too many trips to KFC or Popeyes? Did he eat all of the chicken wings before the O-linemen could get there?

Given what he had to work with, I'd say that Garcia put up decent numbers. Hardly paltry!!!

[Jamer]

Garcia gone by Training Camp? My God son, go back under the rock you climbed out from.

[Lurkey Turkey]

Hey Nick! Gobble Gobble!!!!!!!

[aaron]

i havent been on here in a while and it looks like i have been missing some good stuff. too funny!