Piscitelli steals the spotlight

Safety Sabby Piscitelli has taken advantage of his snaps during the first several days of camp, and today was no different.

The second-year player from Oregon State who spent most of his rookie season on injured reserve starred this morning with an interception off Luke McCown and an eye-opening forced fumble.

On the interception, Piscitelli skillfully leaped in front of tight end Alex Smith to snatch the pick, landing in full stride with an opportunity for a nice return had it been a regulation game. The forced fumble was equally impressive, as receiver Michael Clayton positioned himself for a nice sideline grab, looking as if he were bound for the end zone. But Piscitelli ran him down from behind and sneakily punched the ball out of Clayton's grip, sending it through the end zone for what would have been a touchback.

That's two potential turnovers in short order. Not bad for one morning's work.

This afternoon, the Bucs are scheduled to have just a special-teams workout, so Jeff Garcia took the majority of the snaps with the first-team offense. That left Chris Simms and Josh Johnson off to the side to be spectators for most of the practice.

We'll update you later today if further news develops.

[Bucs safety Sabby Piscitelli knocks the ball loose from receiver Michael Clayton with a hand on his facemask during morning practice at training camp on Tuesday. Brian Cassella, Times]

Comments

[Gary]

Now this is great news. I am so excited about our team this year. Everyone seems to be riding the saints bandwagon AGAIN, but we will have to prove them wrong. I cant wait to see what this D can do with another year under the belt of the new starters. And with guys like Sabby, we are much deeper. And with the o-line getting better, the O will come along nicely. ITS ON!!!!

[Tom]

I've been saying that Sabby will start this year. He is way too talented to be on the bench.

I like for the Bucs to play some Quarters defense also. This will get our safeties up in the action more rather than backpedaling. With Sabby and Tanard, we have athletic playmakers at safety that we should utilize.

[Yoshi]

Gary i completely agree. The bucs are going to break the first to worst curse and take this division. Ever since the saints picked up jeremy shockey the whole world wants to jump on their bandwagon. Im the biggest UM fan but, when we play the saints and shockey comes through the middle, its going to be another dallas clark play. Its ok though. I like that we're the under dog. It will only make our victory that much better. With regards to sabby, im glad he is doing good but unless tanard or jermaine get hurt, he should be a reserve. Especially when J-Phil is coming of such a good year. At the very least we know we have depth at the safety position and that could never hurt. Dont get me wrong i know hes good, but this is really his first year and its only the 4th day of camp. Lets give him some more time to see how good he really is. Either way, I cant wait to see our defense bust some heads again this year.

[Duffiedawg]

Sabby might just be the pick of the litter from last year. He has Jake Scott written all over him.

[Kristian]

Why do you think Jermian P. had such a good year last season,because he knew there was a second round pick pushing him hard for his job and the same thing is going to happen this year in camp,and just because Phillips had a good year doesn't mean he's locked in as a starter and if Sabby keeps showing up in camp Gruden has to start the better of the two.Think about this too,we know Sabby has the athletic talent but with a year of not being able to play you better believe he was in the film room and studing the playbook more so now he has a better comprehension and knowledge of the game.

[Kristian]

Why do you think Jermian P. had such a good year last season,because he knew there was a second round pick pushing him hard for his job and the same thing is going to happen this year in camp,and just because Phillips had a good year doesn't mean he's locked in as a starter and if Sabby keeps showing up in camp Gruden has to start the better of the two.Think about this too,we know Sabby has the athletic talent but with a year of not being able to play you better believe he was in the film room and studing the playbook more so now he has a better comprehension and knowledge of the game.

[Leo Canadian Bucs Fan]

This is beginning to remind of another set of DB's (not in any particular order) Mr. Buc - John Lynch, Ronde, BK, Dexter Jackson (Sr.) & Dwight Smith. 5 all told! Now we have Ronde, (Action) Jackson, Phlip (Jermaine), Phlip Jr. (BUCcannon), Sabby & Takib. That's 6 promising DB's!

[James]

I can give two schits about how much film study Sabby Piscatelli has turned in. It will have nothing on Flip's 6 seasons of on-field training. a

And to answer another one of your silly questions...

Why did Flip have such a good season last year? It sure wasn't because of Sabby and when you can prove that the 2nd Round pick who broke his foot actualy pushed anybody much less a 6 year starter, then we'll talk.

Until then, I'll just say that Raheem Morris was the reason that not only Flip had a great year but the Bucs entire secondary played phenominal football last year.

Btw, this is Flip's "contract year", do you really believe he's gonna let some rookie who's never stepped foot onto Raymond James' field during September or any other month that matters take his job? You have to be kidding us.

Flip and T-Jack were a Top-5 Safety combo in the NFL last year. Who the hell is Sabby Piscatelli?

[Leo Canadian Bucs Fan]

My appologies to Akib Talib. I sincerely hope one day he is so famous for his great play in Tampa everybody can remember & spell his name correctly.

[James]

RCB - Ronde Barber & Aqib Talib
LCB - P-Buc & Eugene Wilson or Sammy Davis

FS - T-Jack & Will Allen
SS - Flip & Sabby

40% of the time it will look like this...

RCB - Talib
LCB - P-Buc
Nickleback - Barber
FS - T-Jack
SS - Flip

[James]

So did you intentionally mispell AQIB TALIB twice?

[Leo Canadian Bucs Fan]

Thanks. First time posting. Many times reading. It is not as easy as it appears (for me anyway)
Aqib Talib
Aqib Talib
Aqib Talib
Aqib Talib
Aqib Talib

[Tom]

James, Philips is going to lose his job to Piscatelli this year. He would've rode the pine last year if it wasn't for Sabby's broken foot. Philips had a very good year. But he has been terrible up until then. He's probably about the most awkward safety I have ever seen. He gets a full head of steam and if you're in his way, look out. But if you make one move, he's gonna whiff and make you look like a matador.

Philips and Allen were so bad before last year, it was like playing with nine defensive players.

[Dave]

Let's see. Luke McCown to Alex Smith for an interception and Luke McCown to Michael Clayton for a reception and a lost fumble. Yes, very impressive these Bucs.

D will be good, as usual. Gruden's offense will sputter, as usual.

Look for 8-8 in 08 and no playoffs.

[Bucco]

I agree with Tom that Sabby will end up being the starter because he is better athletically and you can see he has football instincts that cannot be taught. And James, last year was the only decent year Phillips had because before that he stunk! He was taking bad angles, late reacting to the ball and missing tackles. And he also runs awkward like Tom said. Lets see if Phillips can repeat this year which we hope he does.

[Quentin]

That fumble looks like it would be overturned in a real game. He doesn't just have a hand on the mask, he grabbed and twisted. 15 yards, automatic first down. Good effort, though.

[JR]

sabby will not be the starter this year. phillips had a good year last year and that will allow him to keep the starting job this year unless he slips up. look for sabby to be the starter NEXT year because this is phillips last year under contract and he will probably want more money than the bucs will be willing to pay him, especially considering sabby is behind him on the depth chart. Sabby will take the same approach given to Barrett Ruud, sit for two years then play.

[Kurt]

After watching the morning practices this weekend, I personally thought Phillips was making his reads more decisevly than Sabby. However, Sabby definitely has better tools to work with and apparently he made a couple of good reads today. Raheem is the difference maker though for all of them.

Also, Greise and McCown both had 2 bombs for TD's to Stovall (twice/one each,) Clayton and the rookie Jackson. Furthermore Dave, the O-line looked very sharp and Graham looks like E Smith! We will have a solid offense this year.

[willem]

Yeah nice sabby and pulling the face mask ( automatic first down ) see picture. Anyway looking forward to see him play this year the guy should be lights out our new john lynch