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Garcia Gets Galloway Going

Tribune photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Jeff Garcia and Joey Galloway play catch Tuesday morning at practice.

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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 13, 2008

LAKE BUENA VISTA - The white tiger isn't running free, but he appears to be on the prowl.

Veteran WR Joey Galloway, dubbed "our white tiger" by Coach Jon Gruden, has been working out with QB Jeff Garcia as he continues to recuperate from a groin injury that has shelved him throughout training camp.

Garcia, recovering from a nagging calf strain, held a private pitch-and-catch session with his favorite target at the far end of Field 1 on Tuesday morning.

"Joey and I also had a good workout on Saturday," said Garcia, who hurt his right calf July 31 and didn't accompany the Bucs to Miami for Saturday's game. "We were able to get out on the field in Tampa and go through the route tree and connect. Joey's a rare breed of player, with his speed, and it's unfortunate he's been out. Yes, you'd like to get some timing down with him, but what's really important is that he's ready to go Week 1."

Galloway, who wore a helmet while catching passes from Garcia on Tuesday, continues to decline comment on his injury. As he walked off the field following the morning session, Galloway was asked if he was feeling better.

He merely nodded, not missing a stride.

Garcia is being carefully monitored by the coaching staff, and he appears unlikely to play in Sunday night's preseason game against the Patriots.

"We've got a schedule for Jeff," Gruden said. "We're watching his number of throws. We've got a guy counting his pitches and we want to get this rehab right."

Playing It Safe

Jeff Faine was pulled from Saturday's game earlier than the other starters along the offensive line, surprising the free-agent center, who excelled as an anchor up front for New Orleans.

"I was going in with a little sore back, and I know they wanted to see some guys behind me," Faine said. "I'm a competitor. I want to stay out there the whole time, but it's the preseason and we want to be smart."

Gruden said he was pleased with the play of converted C Dan Buenning, who started all 17 games at left guard in 2005 before suffering a knee injury that required surgery.

"Jeff Faine's had a heck of a camp," Gruden said. "One of our biggest concerns is getting our backup center situation straightened out. Going against teams that use a 3-4 defense, like Miami and New England, gives us a great opportunity to evaluate our play at center."

Pats, Not Patsies

QB Tom Brady, the reigning league MVP, was held out of New England's preseason opener as the Patriots committed five turnovers en route to a 16-15 setback against Baltimore.

Brady is expected to see some action at Raymond James Stadium, where the Patriots dropped a 13-10 preseason decision a year ago on Matt Bryant's 32-yard field goal as time expired.

"We're going to get a talented, talented defense, so this is going to be a great test for us to see how much we really are jelling," C Jeff Faine said.

New England coach Bill Belichick said he's looking forward to Sunday night's matchup for strategic purposes.

"That is a great game for us because what the Bucs do is a lot different than what we do on offense and defense," he said. "It gives us a look at a different scheme against a quality team with a great coaching staff led by Jon Gruden."

Extra Points

Saturday's 17-6 victory at Dolphin Stadium marked the first time in franchise history the Bucs played a game without committing a penalty or a turnover. ... Sunday night's matchup will be Tampa Bay's first appearance on the NFL Network. ... The Patriots have dropped six consecutive preseason decisions against the Bucs, who are 17-9 under Gruden in exhibition games.

Vision Check

Students from Orange and Osceola counties had their eyesight tested Tuesday as part of a $50,000 donation by the Glazer Family Foundation toward vision screening equipment.

In 2006, the foundation donated vision screening equipment to school systems in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Schools in Pasco and Sarasota counties benefited in 2007.

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