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Smackdown: Biggest Surprise

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 2, 2007

Smackdown Results: Offense 6, Defense 3

TAMPA – It is hard to play one of the most violent sports without being able to turn up personal intensity levels during a game.

Some players listen to rap music, or heavy metal, prior to games to prepare mentally for the constant physical combat. Others get pumped by their silence and inner rage. There are even those who talk consistently, scream, howl or bark like dogs during games for a mental edge.

Regardless of how players do it, they all have to channel a great amount of intensity to be able to dominate their opponent on the field.

This week's Smackdown pits Bucs defensive tackle Chris Hovan against right tackle Jeremy Trueblood to determine who is the team's most intense player. The winner solidifies his reputation as the most extreme player on Tampa Bay's roster.

Chris Hovan, Defensive Lineman

It is hard to believe you are watching a football game and not America's Most Wanted after catching a close-up of Hovan on Tampa Bay's sideline.

Hovan goes through a Braveheart-like ritual prior to games as he applies eye black to his face. Although most players just put one thick line under their eyes, Hovan prefers to makes his into the design of an upside triangle, looking more like a crazed Rambo than Tampa Bay's starting defensive tackle.

''Everything leading up to the game is all about preparation,'' Hovan said. ''When I finally put that [eye black] on, and we're in game mood, all that preparation and film study is done and it's time to go to work.''

Hovan would do a good job of scaring women, children and most men under 150 pounds on Sundays, but the face paint brings out his personal intensity.

''As long as I'm intimidating my opponent somehow, that's all that matters,'' Hovan said.

Hovan's tradition started by accident during his junior season at Georgia Tech.

He and several teammates put black lines under their eyes before one game, but because of the heat, Hovan's face paint began to run and formed an upside triangle. Coincidentally, Hovan had one of his better college games, and everyone instantly associated his success with the intimidating look.

Hovan's fearful appearance has stuck ever since. Although his eyes light up on the field more than his red hair, he has the intensity to match a frightening style.

''He's in his zone [when painting his face]. That's what he does,'' fellow defensive tackle Jovan Haye said. ''He has that warrior mentality and he brings that on the football field.

''He's a full-tilt guy. No nonsense all the time. He's great with his technique. I thought I gave good effort, but he is incredible and intense.''

Jeremy Trueblood, Offensive Lineman

The only thing Trueblood knew was that teammate Michael Clayton was in a dangerous place. Clayton was on the bottom of a pile, his leg was painfully bending and some player from Detroit leaped onto the stack.

There was no time for questions. In his view, the Lions player was trying to hurt Clayton. In turn, Trueblood had to deliver his own pain.

''I was trying to protect Michael. He was twisted up in the bottom of the pile,'' Trueblood said. ''I just yanked the guy off of him and he grabbed my facemask. It escalated from there.''

Even though Trueblood (6-foot-8 and 320 pounds) had a good reason to toss his opponent while protecting Clayton, he would eventually have found another reason to get fired up.

''I've gone against a lot of people who I consider friends, or that I respect a lot, but when I'm on the field, I look at them, find something on them, and it enrages me. I try to get ticked off,'' Trueblood said. ''I don't like anyone on the defensive side of the ball when I'm in the game.''

Trueblood's disdain for opponents during games has been a source of inspiration for fellow lineman who feed off him.

Bucs left tackle Donald Penn describes Trueblood as a warrior he loves to go to battle with. Right guard Davin Joseph called him the most aggressive player in Tampa Bay's offensive trenches.

''He's a very passionate player,'' Joseph said. ''I can't say fighting is a great thing, but the way he plays, he can most likely end up in a fight. Some guys fight because they are dirty and nasty. He fights because he plays hard for his team.''

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