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Tight Ends Getting Plenty Of Reps

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 3, 2008

TAMPA - Tampa Bay's receiving options were once limited to Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard.

Galloway was always the long-ball threat, while it was no secret Tampa Bay would look for Hilliard on nearly every third-down play.

Tampa Bay QB Brian Griese has eliminated that predictability, which should be evident when his team travels to Denver on Sunday.

Since Griese took over in Week 2, Bucs TEs Jerramy Stevens, Alex Smith and John Gilmore each have caught a touchdown pass in Tampa Bay's three victories. Smith and Gilmore each had two receptions against Atlanta, Stevens had five catches for 61 yards against Chicago, and Smith led the tight ends with two receptions last week against Green Bay.

"What makes it so successful is you can't focus in on one guy. Other guys shake loose," Stevens said. "My first week back in Week 3, the Bears really don't know about me and they were looking at Alex.

"Last week, they were trying to rotate and cover me and Alex got open. Griese is doing a great job of finding the open man and not locking onto somebody."

Griese's eagerness to search for tight ends has diversified Tampa Bay's offense.

Tampa Bay's tight ends have combined for 18 receptions, 212 yards and three touchdowns. Smith leads the way with nine catches for 98 yards, but they all take pride in the combined numbers.

"We don't look at statistics like the three of us. We look at it as one," Gilmore said. "That's how we base our statistics. If you look at it that way, it makes it a lot easier for us to go out there and get our work done and not really focus on the numbers.

"We have a big rotation going on, and between the three of us, we're getting more reps than I thought three tight ends could get in the game. Alex is still getting starter reps, so his numbers are high, but I don't think anybody has a problem."

GRUDEN IRRITATED: Bucs coach Jon Gruden loves quarterbacks, but he is tired of talking about Griese and Jeff Garcia.

Gruden was asked Thursday how he split up quarterback reps during practice, and he did not appreciate it.

"The reps always go the same. We don't have any quarterback controversy," Gruden said. "Brian Griese took all the reps. Jeff Garcia took a little bit, obviously, and Luke McCown took his turn. Griese is the starter."

Gruden was then asked if Garcia would be the backup this week, and that seemed to rile him, too.

"Don't know that," Gruden said. "We'll make that decision when we get to the stadium. Does it matter to you?"

When a reporter responded that it mattered to the fans, Gruden replied with, "OK, we'll let you know on Sunday. We don't have any quarterback controversy at all. Jeff is getting well, and we're excited about that."

BENNETT IS PATIENTLY WAITING: Bucs RB Michael Bennett is still eagerly waiting for a chance to contribute on Sunday's.

Bennett, a former Pro Bowler, was inactive for Tampa Bay's first three games, but played on special teams last week. He expected to receive significant playing time after Tampa Bay worked hard to resign him last off-season, but Bennett is now getting used to his lesser role.

"I know what I have and I know the gifts that I have," Bennett said. "I know my talent is great and I can't question it. I just have to wait my turn. They have Earnest [Graham] and Warrick [Dunn], myself and Cadillac [Williams] coming back, but the thing is, you have to be ready when your number is called.

"I have to keep looking forward and we're winning. We have a great chance to do some special things around here and I want to be part of that."

COACH OF THE WEEK: Bloomingdale High coach Jason Stokes was named the Buccaneers Coach of the Week.

Gruden presented Stokes with a certificate and a personalized football after Thursday morning's practice at One Buc Place. Stokes and guests toured the facility before practice. The coach will receive $1,000 for his high school football program and be featured on www.buccaneers.com.

INJURY REPORT: FB B.J. Askew (hamstring), WR Joey Galloway (foot) and S Sabby Piscitelli did not participate in practice; LB Derrick Brooks (hamstring), G Davin Joseph (foot), DT Ryan Sims (groin) and CB Aqib Talib (illness) were limited.

Anwar S. Richardson

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