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Bringing It Home

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By JOEY JOHNSTON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 5, 2008

When the NFL playoffs begin this weekend, all eyes will be on Raymond James Stadium, where the Bucs host the New York Giants in an NFC wild-card game.

But the Bucs aren't the only team to have a local connection. The league's other playoff teams feature 11 players with ties to the Tampa Bay area. Here's a look:

•Redskins WR Reche Caldwell - With his third NFL team (along with Chargers and Patriots) in six seasons - and each has made the playoffs. The former Jefferson product has mostly played in a reserve role, but has 15 receptions for 141 yards.

•Titans WR Chris Davis - The rookie from St. Petersburg Catholic and Florida State is Tennessee's primary returner for kickoffs (20.9-yard average) and punts (9.5). He also has five catches for 38 yards.

•Giants RB Kay-Jay Harris - A former Tampa Bay Tech star and minor-league baseball player, he holds the West Virginia single-game rushing mark (337 yards vs. East Carolina in 2004). Harris was signed to New York's practice squad on Nov. 28.

•Chargers SS Clinton Hart - The former Arena Football rookie of the year with the Tampa Bay Storm (2001) leads San Diego with five interceptions and has 82 tackles, third-best on the team.

•Cowboys CB Anthony Henry - The seventh-year pro from USF leads Dallas with six interceptions. He has 34 career interceptions, including 10 during his 2001 rookie season with Cleveland Browns.

•Seahawks CB Kevin Hobbs - Signed to the active roster from the practice squad on Dec. 5. The former Tampa Bay Tech player is an Auburn product.

•Cowboys FB Oliver Hoyte - Fascinating story. The former Chamberlain High player once led the ACC in tackles while a linebacker at N.C. State. He went undrafted and was converted into a fullback. After becoming a starter during the Bill Parcells regime, Hoyte has maintained a primary role.

•Giants LB Kawika Mitchell - The former USF leader has become an important part of New York's defense. He's playing the weak side after manning middle linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs, his original NFL team.

•Seahawks WR Logan Payne - Signed to the active roster this week. The rookie from Minnesota was once Drew Weatherford's favorite target at Land O'Lakes.

•Packers DT Ryan Pickett - Starting defensive tackle who is in his second season at Green Bay. The former Zephyrhills High and Ohio State player was a first-round selection of the St. Louis Rams in 2001. He played in Super Bowl XXXVI.

•Titans WR Mike Williams - The former first-team All-American with USC and Plant High player is with his third NFL team (along with Lions and Raiders) in three seasons. The former first-round choice of Detroit in 2005 has not caught a pass with Tennessee since signing on Nov. 22, but his role was potentially enhanced this week when Roydell Williams (55 receptions) suffered a broken ankle in practice.

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353 or jjohnston@tampatrib.com.

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