Gruden's ire

LAKE BUENA VISTA - If Thursday's practice sessions are any indication, coach Jon Gruden is frustrated with the lack of production by his offense in drills against the league's reigning No.1 defense.

"We had some lack of concentration today," Gruden said after the morning session. "We're not good enough today to beat anybody on offense. We had four or five visible mental errors, four or five visible snap count violations. It was not acceptable and we're not going to be a very good team practicing like that."

The starters aren't expected to play more than one or two series in Friday night's preseason opener against the Jets at Raymond James Stadium, which meant young players took center stage at practice. The afternoon session, which featured a variety of situational drills, wasn't much better. At one point, Gruden grabbed rookie receiver Maurice Stovall by the jersey after he failed to properly execute a route.

Receiver Michael Clayton did not practice because of a bruised big toe, the result of being kicked on Wednesday. Clayton said it is not a recurrence of the turf toe injury that ended his 2005 season in December.

Also, the Bucs signed tight end Leonard Stephens and released receiver Terrence Stubbs.

Times photo by Bill Serne; click to enlarge.

Saturday morning at Disney

LAKE BUENA VISTA -- A couple highlights (or lowlights) from Day 2 at Disney.

Center John Wade, who started all 16 games in 2005, was carted off the field with severe cramping late in the morning practice. He eventually was treated and was seen walking around under his own power looking rejuvenated. We'll see if he shows up for the afternoon workout.

In a positive development, running back Cadillac Williams was back in action after sitting out the first day with back spasms. And Williams looked like he didn't miss a beat, darting through holes with lightning quickness. He looked like a guy in midseason form.

Cornerback Brian Kelly limped off and briefly rested a sore ankle he tweaked while defending Michael Clayton on a sideline route. He said later he would be okay and indeed returned to action.

And rookie tight end Tim Massaquoi, who suffered a back injury on Friday, was held out of the morning workout.