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Ex-Bull Will Try To Hurdle Long Odds

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 3, 2008

TAMPA - Former University of South Florida WR Amarri Jackson had the swagger of a first-round draft pick during the first day of Tampa Bay's rookie minicamp.

"If you watched me at USF, hopefully you get a chance to watch me in Tampa Bay," Jackson said to several television cameras. "If you haven't watched me, I'm looking forward to showing you what I can do in the near future."

Jackson's current confidence can be attributed to his past experiences.

He is one of six siblings. Jackson was not raised around his biological father or his mother, who struggled with drug addiction throughout his life. As a result, Jackson was raised by his aunt and grandmother in Sarasota.

That is why Jackson, who was not drafted and is trying out for the Bucs, is not fazed by his uphill battle to make the team.

"I've been through it all my life. This is nothing," Jackson said. "This is just another hurdle to jump over and I'm there."

Jackson (6-foot-5, 202 pounds) was a successful basketball player at Hillsborough Community College in 2004 and 2005. He says he averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds, before deciding to play football at USF.

Even though Jackson appears to be a long-shot to make Tampa Bay's training-camp roster, Bucs Coach Jon Gruden is completely sold on only one of his many receivers.

"I don't know about our receiving corps and what the logjam is. We've got to establish ourselves in that position," Gruden said. "It's wide open right now. Joey Galloway obviously is a starter at split end, but we've got a lot of competition everywhere else."

IN WITH THE NEW: Tampa Bay drafted Aqib Talib to replace CB Brian Kelly, who opted out of his contract and signed with Detroit this offseason.

During Tampa Bay's minicamp on Friday, Talib wore No. 25, the number Kelly wore for the past 10 seasons. Although Talib may not wear that number when the season begins, it is clear Tampa Bay has high hopes for its first-round draft pick.

"He made a couple of splash plays today. He's obviously a very talented player," Gruden said. "He just has to discipline himself and learn our defense and apply the energy he needs to apply on a daily basis, but I'm real encouraged with what I saw today. He has a bright future."

SAM I AM: For some, Friday was just the first step in what figures to be a long NFL journey. For others, it was the journey.

Former Nebraska quarterback Sam Keller hopes he is not one of the latter, but he is a realist. He wasn't drafted, so he knows he has quite a climb to make to earn a spot on an NFL roster.

That's why he plans to savor every moment of a workout Friday that he knows could be one of only a few in an NFL uniform.

"I'm sure I'll go home tonight and pinch myself," Keller said. "I mean, I just came out here and practiced in a Tampa Bay Buccaneers uniform. That's pretty special."

Keller was pretty special at Nebraska. And while he has the size to be special in the NFL he might lack the mechanics. That won't deter him, though.

"These are the biggest three days of my life, the pinnacle of my career so far," he said. "But if I don't get a call back, there are other leagues. This won't be it for me. I'll keep trying until my body doesn't work."

SUNSHINE STATE HOPES: There are nearly 40 players invited to try out for this year's team, and nine played in Florida.

In addition to Jackson, S Anthony Houllis (FSU), S Kyle Jackson (Florida), LB Ronnie McCullough (Bethune-Cookman), OG Jacky Claude (FSU), OL Walter Walker (USF), T Jared Carnes (USF), LS Garrison Sanborn (FSU) and DE Vegas Franklin (Miami) are also trying out for the Bucs this weekend.

Roy Cummings,

Anwar S. Richardson

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