Jackson held out; other camp notes

Second-round pick Dexter Jackson was held out of the majority of this afternoon's practice after participating in the morning walkthrough, though coach Jon Gruden wasn't specific about what was ailing the receiver/return.

However, we can tell you that we've learned that Jackson tweaked his hamstring early in Friday's practice, which might account for his missing today's workout.

Whatever the issue, it certainly isn't the kind of first impression Jackson was hoping to make in Tampa Bay.

Elsewhere this afternoon, we learned a little more about fourth-round pick Dre Moore. He has been working exclusively at under tackle and defenisve coordinator Monte Kiffin told me he has a real chance to work his way into the regular rotation. They like his ability to bullrush, which Moore says he combines with his noticeable quickness once he wears down his opponents. I'll have more on Moore in a story that runs in Monday's paper.

Also today, we heard from former TCU defensive lineman Tommy Blake, who has battled well-documented issues with depression and social anxiety disorder and now is seen as a long shot. But his mere presence here tells you a lot about him, Gruden said. See Sunday's paper for more on Blake.

Comments

[wally]

Please stop teasing us cross-country folk with this "See Sunday's/Monday's paper..." -- Do you post all your paper stories online?

[Rupert Murdoc of the St pete times]

Well, we won't offer them online anymore since we know you have this craving demand of our articles to tell you what to believe, however how would you like a subscription? lets say 12.95 a month?

[Jay]

This is where we find out if the rookies have been following their conditioning. Welcome to the NFL, then, welcome to Florida. I hope you guys like warm weather.

[Stephen Holder]

Wally: all our stories are posted online. You'll be able to read it wherever you are. Didn't mean to tease anyone. Just wanted you to be aware it's coming. See you soon.

[duane]

As a person who has battled depression off and on since his mid 20's, I hope Tommy Blake can overcome this illness and realize his potential. Although it can be debilitating, it can also be controled by anti-depressants. The same with anxiety, which often goes hand-in-hand with depression. Depression is an illness, much like diabetes.

[ErikSantos]

This is may be a long shot, but from reading his brief Q&A from the combines, some of the answers to his questions seem to demonstrate a bit of what is known as concrete thinking - which is another way of saying taking things too literally:

Q: What are the five most-played songs in your iPod? What's the one song you hope nobody ever finds out is in your iPod?
A: I don't own an iPod, but I've always wanted one.

Q: When you play Madden, what team do you use? Do you put yourself on the team?
A: I don't play Madden. I don't have a Playstation, but I do want one when I get some money.

Again, I may be reaching here however, concrete thinking is characteristic of schizophrenia - a disease more difficult to treat then anxiety/depression and makes things for our defensive hopeful a lot more difficult to overcome.

[Carl Jung]

He couldn't afford an ipod or a game system. If he can't afford those items, he probably hasn't been able to afford a girlfriend either.

Maybe he's not depressed at all, maybe he's just really bored. Somebody give that kid a spare PS2 and take him to Mons.

[Stephen Blackehart]

I have depression, too, and it has hamstrung me since my mid-20s. I'm really curious to see how Blake does. I guess I'm also rooting for him.

[Quentin]

"However, we can tell you that we've learned that Jackson tweaked his hamstring early in Friday's practice, which might account for his missing today's workout."

I don't know, after reading the following quote, my immediate thought was that he pulled his groin:

"I don't want to talk about it. It's nothing serious. He's kind of embarrassed about it and I'm going to leave it at that."

[Oliver]

Best of luck to Tommy Blake.

[Siggy Freud]

When did this place turn into my couch?