Battered Bucs cancel Friday workout

The Bucs just announced plans to cancel Friday morning's full-squad practice at Disney, opting instead to hold only their previously-scheduled special-teams practice in the afternoon.

The move is almost certainly a reaction to the growing number of players who are nursing injuries, including quarterback Jeff Garcia (calf), center Jeff Faine (back), defensive tackle Jovan Haye (groin), safety Sabby Piscitelli (knee) and receiver Joey Galloway (groin).

The Bucs have been making regular amendments to the practice schedule all week. Just today, they changed plans to conduct an hour-long outdoor practice in the afternoon, deciding instead to hold a walkthrough inside their climate-controlled tent facility.

In addition, coach Jon Gruden has shown more willingness during this training camp to give rest to veteran players, even on consecutive days. Given the growing list of wounded, efforts to rest players will likely be increased.

(Pictured - Jovan Haye, practicing Wednesday morning. Times photo - Brian Cassella. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[Jay]

Stephen, I'd like your take on these things.

I don't see how this is helpful at all. By taking the day off, they're only hurting themselves at evaluating 2nd and 3rd string talent - the same talent that ends up getting used every year when a starter goes down to injury. How much more do you think those fringe guys could benefit from more repetitions? If the starters are solidified, why not allow the others to compete? That way when you have to go to a Bruce Gradkowski or an Earnest Graham in week 4, you can have confidence that not only do they have a solid understanding of the play book, but that they're mentally prepared to go out and perform on the field.

This just strikes me as incredibly shortsighted.

[JR]

jay, did you realize that these guys have gone through about a week of training camp and might be a little be sore and banged up. but no, lets practice em till they pass out.

[Dave T]

Not much on football, huh, Jay? If the 2nd & 3rd stringers get hurt, guess who plays preaseason, or who practices against the available starters. Think about man.

[Vince]

Great job Gruden, keep it loose, we can't win this season if we lose everybody in training camp!

[Valrico Rick]

Doo Dah! Doo Dah!

What's more likely, the bucs getting Favre or Mike Williams? >.<

[Jay]

Hey, I'm just thinking from the point of view of a guy on the bubble. If they have to get to the 53 man roster, they have to prove something every day, and the fewer days, the less opportunity they have to get noticed. So ask yourself, who is backing up Jeff Faine? Aaaron Sears? Barret Ruud? Ronde Barber?

If the answer to any of those questions is Sammy Davis, you have depth issues.

[Steve L]

Jay, you have the right idea I believe, but the logic is misplaced. It’s merely one missed workout for reasons that should be obvious. It’s a move to be lauded, not criticized. Of course they want to see everyone but sometimes it’s best to take a break. Overtraining, in any endeavor, is seldom a good thing. And the fringe guys, they workout during camp too; they’re not just sitting around playing scrabble. The difference is they do not usually get work with the first team unless, you got it, someone gets injured. I think we can all agree that it’s best if our starters stay injury free.

[DR]

Jay, I agree. Who is going to hurt from this decision? The 27 guys who didn't get the full opportunity to prove themselves before getting cut off the roster and the 2nd and 3rd string guys. What's going to happen in the season when the inevitable injury bug starts biting and you less experience on the depth chart? It's like the saying goes, you play like you practice. The Bucs play not to lose, and they practice (really skip practice) not to get injured. Not a successful method. The Bucs should limit the veterans practice time like most teams and get the young guys as many reps as possible. Injuries are just a part of football. They don't have to be all out practices, but could be limited and focused on reading offenses and defenses. It doesn't make sense to cancel practice.

[Dogman]

I wanna know why my posts from last night disappeared?

I had a legitimate request for you to ask similar questions to which you asked last year at training camp and you delete my posts? Classy.

[Kurt]

What doesn't make sense is your inability to ever have anything good to say about the Bucs DR. Your obvious slant makes everything you say jaded.

[Steve L]

DR, I can appreciate what you’re saying, but unless it becomes a trend I’m not going to personally lose any sleep over it. These guys have their playbooks and classroom work- they’re only missing a few hours of contact that will likely be made up for during the course of the remainder of the pre-season. As for the depth chart, the best guys are still going to rise to the top. A missed opportunity puts a bit more pressure on them perhaps, but when they suit up on Sunday with the big boys if they get that opportunity, pressure will be something we hope they’re used to and can deal with.

[frank c. costanza]

"Keep yer powder dry and your cutlasses sharpened, boys. The seas will get rougher later on, har-har."

-- Malcolm "Red Beard" Glazer

[DR]

C'mon Kurt, i'm not always negative about the Bucs. I gave EG credit when he deserved it. You guys like to pump up players too much. The O-line improved throughout the year but this isn't the best O-line the Bucs have had. The 02 line did protect a statue named Brad Johnson long enough where he didn't miss a game. The Bucs linemen are young and have potential and hopefully they will improve. They do have work to do. The Bucs have the best defensive coach in the league and as long as they have him, I don't care who they draft, that player will reach his potential and be used to the best of his ability.
As far as Gruden, he hasn't lived up to expectations, even with a Super Bowl that was won by the defense, that's not even an argument. The Bucs offense has been predictable and is the main reason they have had losing seasons and have not won a playoff game in the last 5 years. The Bucs offense has been a joke and a new offensive coordinator is terrible. The stats prove it.

[An Intrigued Bucs Fan]

Jeff Faine, backup: Dan Buenning
Aaaron Sears, backup: Anthony Davis
Barret Ruud, backup: Ryan Nece (or Quincy Black)
Ronde Barber, backup: Eugene Wilson (or Aqib Talib)

Any more questions?

[Kurt]

Fair enough DR, I'll cede that to you. I would like to point out though that Gruden's offense was superior at Oakland where he had a mammoth offensive line and a good QB. I think it really comes down to QB play in Gruden's offense and, although maybe he doesn't play to the talent around him, he is a good offensive coordinator when the players do their jobs right. The O-line has the most potential of any ever, but has yet to prove they are the best I agree. Furthermore, the Bucs always cancel a couple of practices during training camp; this is nothing new.

[Big Pat]

DR - you cannot see the forest through the obsessive contempt you hold toward Jon Gruden.

[John]

Dr,

Last time I checked Brad Johnson missed several games last year when he got his ribs broekn in Philly. Your an idiot

[John]

Dr,

Last time I checked Brad Johnson missed several games that year when he got his ribs broken in Philly. Your an idiot

[DR]

I know the Bucs cancel practices every year, I just didn't like people hanging the trainer like he has control over injuries. I think the field conditions and/or age have more to do with the injuries, not the trainers.
Don't get me wrong, Gruden did have a great offense in Oakland, but he had the personnel. Also, I hated Bill Parcells in pretty much the same way. He tried implementing a 3-4 defense without having the personnel to apply it. Garrett did a terrible job in the playoffs last year making zero adjustments and in my opinion, is highly overrated. I'm sure you agree.
I think Gruden would be wise to move Clayton to the #1 slot and have Galloway as the motion slot man. Neither of them have great hands. If you run Galloway in motion in the slot you would be utilizing his speed and create mismatches in the middle of the field and you could isolate Clayton for one on one match ups with his size. Thats what NE does with Moss and Welker. Not that Galloway and Clayton are even close to their talent but I think they would put up better numbers. Brad Johnson had an outlet with a big WR in Key. If its panic time and you know you have a one on one situation, toss it up to the big guy. He trusted Key to either make a play or knock the ball away. Galloway doesn't have that capability. That has been proven time and time again.

[Yoshi]

I gotta say DR this is one of your best comments. I actually agree with most of the things you're saying. You are also right in saying that the trainers should not get the blame for injury. That is just part of the game. Always has been, always will be. Im sure if you check on other websites concerning other teams they have the same problems. That is why you dont here about all these injuries on national television (unless they're serious). This is all routine. The only reason that Garcias injury is getting as much publicity as it is, is because of the whole Favre situation. Notice how Garcias injury is less severe than Jovan Haye but all you see on TV is "Garcia is injured. Could this mean Favre's destination is Tampa?" You got to remember that this is the still the first week of training camp and these people havent had any hard contact since last year.

With regards to the canceled practice, i think its really not that bad of an idea. Like i said before, its still the first week. You have to get the rust off first and get the players acclimated again. There is no reason to go crazy for just one practice. Trust me one practice isnt going to make or break a team. Especially when they still have two weeks of training camp left. With a good weekend break, most of the injured players will be back in action. And dont worry about the 2nd and 3rd string either they will have the same opportunity with or without one day of practice

[Yoshi]

I gotta say DR this is one of your best comments. I actually agree with most of the things that you're saying. I also agree with you that the trainers should not be blamed for injuries. This is just part of the game. Always has been, Always will be. Im sure if you go to web sites concerning other teams it will see the same thing. That is why you dont see these injuries on national television (unless they're serious). This is routine. The only reason Garcias injury is getting as much publicity as it is, is because of the whole Favre situation. Notice that Jovan Hayes injury was more severe but all you see on T.V. is "Garcia is injured. Could Favres destination be Tampa?". You gotta remember that this is still the first week of practice, and these people havent had any hard contact since last season.

With regards to the canceled practice, i have to agree with Steve. I dont think its that bad of an idea. Theres no reason to go crazy over one canceled practice. Like i said before, its still the first week. You gotta get the rust off and get the players acclimated again. With a good weekend of rest, most of the injured players will be back in action by monday. Trust me, one practice isnt going to make or break a team. Especially when there is still two weeks of training camp left. And dont worry about the 2nd and 3rd string either. They will have the same opportunity with or without one more practice.