TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Notebook: Jones Will Miss Rest Of Season

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 22, 2007

TAMPA - Another game, another player lost for the season.

The Bucs will be without KR/PR Mark Jones for the remainder of the season. Jones injured his left knee in the first quarter of Tampa Bay's 23-16 loss to Detroit, an injury Coach Jon Gruden said is similar to the patellar tendon injury that knocked RB Cadillac Williams out for the season.

''He was one of the top return specialists in football,'' Gruden said. ''He's going to be a big loss for us.''

Jones ranked sixth in the league with an 11.9 punt-return average and second in the NFC with a 28.6 kickoff-return average. Gruden said somebody will have to pick up the slack, and that somebody could be CB Phillip Buchanon and possibly RB Michael Bennett.

Another injury the Bucs are monitoring is WR Michael Clayton, who had an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of damage to his right ankle. After Sunday's game, Clayton said he expects to be out for a couple weeks.

Gruden said the mounting injuries are frustrating.

''It's not Major League Baseball. You can't make a trade and just put a guy in your lineup and say, 'Hey, go play right field and hit fourth,' '' Gruden said. ''No disrespect to baseball, but you've got to know the formations, you've got to know the snap count, you've got to know the audible system, the two-minute package, all the things that you learn in training camp and OTAs and things of that nature.''

GETTING TO KNOW YOU: Bennett doesn't know everyone's name yet, but he's learning.

''It's like one of those deals where you're the new guy in school,'' Bennett said. ''You sit back until the first person introduces themselves and they're kind of like your best friend because he's the first person [to talk to you].''

The newly acquired running back, who arrived last week after a trade with Kansas City, also is cramming to learn the offense. He saw little action against Detroit, but the limited time on the field showed off the skill Bennett brings to the position.

Bennett carried three times for 22 yards against the Lions, including an 18-yard run that set up the Bucs with first-and-goal at the 1-yard line. Not bad for a guy who is still learning the system.

Gruden indicated Bennett's role will increase this week and may include kickoff return duties, though Bennett said he has never done that before.

''If they want me back there, I'd be more than happy to do it,'' Bennett said. ''But I've never done it before so it's going to be a big adjustment.''

STOVALL LIKELY TO EMERGE: Clayton's injury means WR Maurice Stovall, his close friend, will become more integrated into the offense.

Stovall played in nine games as a rookie last year. He started Tampa Bay's final two games, catching three passes for 49 yards, and was listed as a starter when Tampa Bay released its initial depth chart during training camp. But his stock seemingly fell once the season began.

After receiving limited playing time this season, Stovall caught a late 4-yard touchdown pass against Detroit, and he is expected to contribute more in Clayton's absence.

- Anwar S. Richardson, Katherine Smith

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT