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Trueblood Is Ready For Panther Challenge

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By IRA KAUFMAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 28, 2007

Updated: 09/28/2007 12:23 am

TAMPA - Jeremy Trueblood has long arms and an even longer memory.

Tampa Bay's 6-foot-8 right offensive tackle has shown marked improvement in his second pro season, displaying the blend of agility and aggression that made him an attractive prospect coming out of Boston College.

Trueblood has come a long way since starting the final 13 games of his rookie season, but Sunday's NFC South matchup at Carolina represents a significant mile marker on the road to excellence.

'Every time you face Julius Peppers, you're aware of the fact he's a great pass rusher and also very good against the run,' said Trueblood, whose rugged blocking keyed a 182-yard ground game against St. Louis last week. 'He's a great player, don't get me wrong, but he's not Superman.'

Peppers should have been wearing a red cape on the evening of Nov. 13, 2006, when he introduced himself to Trueblood by sacking Bruce Gradkowski three times and recovering a fumble in Carolina's nationally televised 24-10 triumph.

'Peppers gets just about everybody,' said Bucs offensive line coach Bill Muir. 'Jeremy's eyes were wide open that night. It's a Monday night game and 'Gosh, I'm starting against the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.' This year, he looks at it as 'I got beat a couple of times, but I hung in pretty well and I'm a better player now.''

Trueblood hit the weight room hard this spring, strengthening his upper body and becoming more 'explosive,' according to Muir.

The results have been impressive through three weeks as Trueblood took on Seattle's Patrick Kerney, Charles Grant of New Orleans and Leonard Little of St. Louis.

With the help of some savvy backside blocking, Tampa Bay was very successful running behind Trueblood and second-year right guard Davin Joseph against the Rams.

'I had a fun game Sunday,' Trueblood said. 'We played as hard as we could and good things happened. We kept after it. The thing about the running game is you have to have patience that something will happen sooner or later.'

Coach Jon Gruden is becoming a believer. During Tampa Bay's 2-1 start, the Bucs have attempted only 69 passes, second-fewest in the league behind Buffalo.

'I think Jeremy Trueblood is playing very good football,' Bucs center John Wade said. 'It's a credit to all the work he put into the offseason. I like his attitude and as a line, we've got something to build off after last week.'

Peppers, who has 11 sacks in 10 career games against the Bucs, is struggling this season. He has yet to post a sack in three games and he wasn't credited with a tackle at Atlanta last week against one of the NFL's weakest offensive lines.

Although the Panthers are 2-1, opposing passers are thriving with a 97.7 rating and Carolina's defense is seeking its first interception.

Peppers hasn't been himself since owner Jerry Richardson tried to thrust a leadership role upon him in August, following the retirement of veteran safety Mike Minter.

Now it's Trueblood's responsibility to ensure Peppers doesn't enjoy a breakout game at Jeff Garcia's expense.

'I'm really pleased with Jeremy and I think he's progressing quite well,' Gruden said. 'And it's not like he's been playing chopped liver, either. Trueblood hasn't had a day off yet.'

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