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Blake Gets 2nd Chance At Dream

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 5, 2008

TAMPA - The Bucs have never been afraid to give a troubled player a chance to live his NFL dream, and the troubled prospect they extend that special offer to this past weekend was former TCU defensive end Tommy Blake.

One of the best pass-rushing ends in all of college football, Blake's hopes of having an NFL career went off the rails last year when his battle with depression and social anxiety disorder caused him to miss massive chunks of practice and playing time while gaining an inordinate amount of weight.

The result for Blake, who was once considered a likely first-round pick, was a quiet draft weekend in which the only phone call he fielded from an NFL team was the one the Bucs made long after the draft was over.

Still hoping to live the dream, Blake jumped all over the Bucs' offer and now hopes he's shown them enough to at least spend the summer working out with them.

"There's not a point for me to prove," Blake said of his approach to the Bucs rookie minicamp. "I just have to show them that I love the game and give it my all. And I think I've done that. I think I've shown them what I had to show them."

Perhaps, but in Blake's case there will always be at least as much concern about what happens off the field as there is with what happens on it. Blake suggested strongly that those issues may be behind him.

"A lot of people have to deal with a lot of things and unfortunately I had to deal with some things," he said. "But I'm fine now. I had faith in God and he pretty much came through for me. So now we're good, we're real good, and I'm here to play football."

LIMITED ACTION FOR JACKSON: Tampa Bay drafted WR Dexter Jackson for his speed, but the Bucs were unable to witness it during his first professional minicamp.

Jackson injured his hamstring Friday and was held out of contact routes over the weekend. Although Jackson participated in most of the drills, it will be three weeks before his hamstring is back at 100 percent.

"I feel like each day I'm getting better and stronger," Jackson said. "The more I learn, the more I can do. Once I get healed up, then I can make some plays and be myself."

In addition, rookie RB Cory Boyd walked off the field prior to Sunday's final practice session after sustaining an injury. Bucs coach Jon Gruden said it was minor, but added many rookies were not accustomed to the increased physical activity.

NEW ASSIGNMENT: The Bucs have removed one of the two hats that assistant head coach/defensive line coach Larry Coyer wore last year.

With former defensive quality control coach Todd Wash now in charge of the defensive line, Coyer will spend his time this season working with other areas of the team, including the offense.

"It's a situation that I think Coach Gruden wanted to happen a year ago, and I think it's a situation that's a win-win for everybody," Coyer said. "Wash will do a hell of a job with the D-line and I get a chance to work with both sides of the football, which is good for me. It's exciting for me."

Coyer, 64, joined the Bucs in January 2006. Prior to joining Tampa Bay he spent four seasons serving as the Denver Broncos defensive coordinator and three as the Broncos linebackers coach.

Wash is entering his second season with the Bucs. Prior to joining Tampa Bay he had two stints as a defensive line coach and run defense coordinator at North Dakota State University.

"He'll be involved with the defensive line and the offensive line and me in particular," Gruden said. "That's something we wanted, to have Larry more involved with the entire football team."

BEST EFFORT: Three of the players trying out were rewarded for their outstanding effort during the three-day rookie minicamp. Bethune Cookman LB Ron McCullough (former Hillsborough High standout), Ohio State FB Stan White and Miami C John Rochford all were allowed to keep the helmets they wore during workouts as both a reward and motivation to keep working, Gruden said.

KICKIN' IT IN TAMPA: Kickers always seem to have a lonely life, which Art Carmody (Louisville) and Chris Gould (Virginia) can attest to.

Both were invited to try out for the team and spent the majority of their practice time on a separate field away from team activities. On Saturday, they shared their field with children who were playing catch nearby, but on most days they were solo.

"We know there are two of us, so they try to get us to compete to see who can take the pressure when it does come in a game," said Gould, younger brother of Chicago kicker Robbie Gould. "They kind of look at the small things, too."

It is unlikely either will be signed by Tampa Bay in the immediate future because of incumbent K Matt Bryant, but both understand their NFL opportunity can arise at any moment.

"It's all about perseverance," Carmody said. "You have to stick with it. Special teams Coach Richard Bisaccia was telling us to stay physically ready and mentally ready. You never know when you might get that phone call. Now I'm going to go back home, continue working out, get ready and maybe get a small job."

Roy Cummings,

Anwar S. Richardson

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