Aqib Talib, Bucs rookies to get eyeful this week

This will be an interesting week for the Bucs' 2008 draft picks.

Each of the team's selections will return to Tampa Bay after sitting out last week's OTA offseason sessions because of an NFL rule that limits them to one mini-camp before the end of their school's current academic session, even for those who are no longer enrolled.

So, with all the rookies' respective schools now done for the summer, they can begin practicing. The last time they were here, it was for the rookie minicamp that included mostly players who won't make a roster this fall. When they line up with the full squad on Tuesday, it'll be a whole different experience.

First-round pick Aqib Talib (left) will get his first taste of playing against the big boys, as will Dexter Jackson and the rest of the draft class. We'll also get a chance to see how much of their playbooks they learned in the two weeks since they left. I recall quarterback Josh Johnson saying he was going back to San Diego with his playbook and planned to run as many plays as possible with his school's receivers.

It will probably be a very humbling day for the rookies, who will be shown no mercy either by coaches or veterans. Remember how hard coaches and the vets were on Gaines Adams at this time last year?

As for the rule that keeps rookies away for awhile, the Bucs were lucky since their rookies missed only two days of work last week. But other players on other teams might fall into a situation where their schools operate on funky academic calendars, meaning they can miss some valuable time on the field in the coming weeks.

To be honest, the rule is more or less a joke when you consider the overwhelming majority of players drafted have no intention of even setting foot back on campus after the draft (Maurice Stovall was a rare exception in 2006 when he graduated from Notre Dame a few weeks after draft day). I suppose the NFL likes to appear it's concerned about emphasizing education even though I think we all know better.

Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib during rookie mini-camp on May 4th. [Brian Cassella, Times]

Comments

[Tim]

Last munth I culdn't spell profestionall football playier. Now I are oune...

so much for a degree ..

[George L. Hicks]

Well I'm outside Dallas and I view the rookies as day to day teaching sistutations for each of them. Regardless of what everybody thinks, But each team has invested a whole bunch of time on each of these new additionals to this bucs organization.Tampa has done a great job in the pass. I think that Tampa will do what it has to do to get ready for the 2008 season. Remember they won the division last year, in which not too many forecasters thought they would, But as a fan since Tampa was 0 & 26 I always have the faith that this may be the year. Look at 2002 when Tampa won the Superbowl, NO ONE SAW TAMPA COMING-So regardless of what Tampa does from here on Out Tampa Did finally WIN THE BIG ONE THEN, Why Not Again. Its starts with training camp.GO BUCS

[Stephen]

I believe this team is headed in the right direction to be competetive for the next 5 years. If that off line shows up and allow plays to develop Gruden's west coast offense will flurish. Also, if we can consistantly put points on the board this defense can truely do what they are built for and thats to pin the ears back and come after the qb. (protect a lead). This team allows to many teams to hang around come 4th qtr and we are unable to remove a dimension of the oppoents play and that has to change. I believe! Go Bucs!!

[Nick]

S.H. Good point regarding the NFL's restrictions with rookie players. The rule is little more than window dressing for the league while young players suffer from missed practices. I remember a 7th round DB we drafted a while back who couldn't practice until the summer because he played for Oregan State had an extremely late scheduled graduation. This applies to all the Pac schools if I'm not mistaken. (Which might help explain the high bust factor of players coming out of USC. LOL)

[shane]

tim gud comet eye two souport publik edukateshun even tho it be colege

[Duane]

It's a shame, but you are so right about your observations Stepen. College football has turned into nothing but a feeder system for the pros which it was never intended to be. Instead of sending intelligent students to advance thier education and make a better life for themselves and hopefully this country, we send genetic mutations who have no intention of graduating and whose only hope is to be drafted by the NFL. They are slim hopes indeed. What a travesty and absurdity college football has become.

[Bryan W.]

Top tier college athletic programs have nothing to do with opportunities for education unless you look to the service academies and the Ivy League. I have no problem whatsoever with colleges using athletics to generate income, but I do have a problem the façade behind which it operates. Maybe it’s time the NFL does as professional baseball has done and create a farm system and quit filling academic vacancies away from students intent on education. Just my two cents worth.

[DR]

My question is why don't the players have the power to waive any kind of BS rule the NCAA or NFL has over him? If they aren't going to school, then obviously, the rule shouldn't apply.
George, the Bucs were considered underachievers, even with no offense, before 2002. They lost to the Rams in the championship game a couple of years before that. People did have the Bucs as favorites to win the Super Bowl that year. They were no surprise. The only surprise was that they won a game under 40 degrees in Philly.

[Dale]

Yeh well the chess and Latin clubs don't pay the bills...the whole freakin world is all about money..sports, music entertainment...why pick on College football no one cares how smart Whitney Houston is..but she can sing...the same people that complain...buy the CD's and watch the games..wanna make a statement...don't watch don't buy...if your gonna watch and buy shut up! If you do then your a bigot!

[jay]

FIRE JON GURDEN! PLEASE?

[TJ TIllman]

I think the bucs had a terrible draft

[Tj Tillman]

I think the bucs had a terrible draft they had numerous chances to upgrade on offense for aging but productive (JOey Galloway and Ike hillard) and underachuvung recuvers (MIcheal Clayton and Mariuce stovall)Devion thomas was there desean Jackson was there in the 2 nd round but we traded out of the pick and then picked a guy that is 5 9 and under 170 pounds. DB out of Kanas was a good pick but we need a reciver or explosive player on offense we had a are chance but blew it and then we took another QB we have to draft better or we will kepp having up one year down the next Come on Gruden our Defnse is set but offenese is almost in a retirment home

[Skylar]

FYI - D Jackson is 5'10" and weighs 185lbs. Solid draft according to Gil Brandt (the Godfather of the draft.) Kiper and the rest agreed.

[Sky]

All I gotta say is TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS WILL WIN SUPER BOWL "AT HOME" THIS YEAR! I BELIEVE AND KNOW THAT WE WILL!

SKYRIDER!