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Cook: From Soccer Dad To Starter

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 16, 2008

Jameel Cook has four kids; none of them play soccer. Still, he describes what he's been doing the last six weeks as being a "soccer dad."

"I've pretty much just been working out every day, trying to stay in shape and running around with the kids at the park," Cook said. "I've pretty much been a soccer dad."

Cook's routine changed dramatically Tuesday, when he was signed by the Bucs to replace FB Byron Storer, who was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.

The signing of Cook, a sixth-round draft choice of the Bucs in 2001, means Earnest Graham can go back to playing tailback. Graham filled in - admirably so - at fullback after Storer was hurt last week against Carolina.

The move also reunites the Bucs with a player who played regularly for them from 2001 to 2005. Cook spent the 2006 and 2007 seasons with Houston, but was cut prior to the start of this season.

"I knew it wouldn't be long before I was picked up," Cook said. "And this is the best possible situation, coming back here. Everything is familiar to me and I feel good, I'm ready to hit somebody; I'm ready to play."

Cook said Coach Jon Gruden's playbook has changed a little since he's been away but not so much that he won't be able to pick up the differences before Sunday's game against Seattle.

That's a good thing because Cook is likely to get the bulk of the work at fullback, where starter B.J. Askew continues to nurse a sore hamstring.

Clayton Says 'Go Gators'

Bucs WR Michael Clayton walked around Tampa Bay's locker room wearing a Gators jersey and carrying a Florida pillow like a security blanket.

This is what happens when you bet a teammate that your alma mater will beat his and your alma mater gets waxed.

In this case, Clayton's alma mater, LSU, lost miserably to Florida, 51-21.

So what former Gator did Clayton lose the bet to? Well, it wasn't Kevin Carter, Earnest Graham or Ike Hilliard. It was Larry Hoyt, the Bucs assistant equipment manager. Hoyt earned a B.S. degree in sports science from UF and was a student equipment manager for their football team from 1990-95.

"I'll be wearing this for two days only and after that, I'll probably burn it up," Clayton said. "It hasn't been that rough. When we LSU won the national championship, we lost to Florida, so we're pretty excited about the rest of this season."

Returning Support

Nobody would begrudge Micheal Spurlock for being a little bitter.

Spurlock is the first player to return a kickoff for a touchdown in Tampa Bay's history. He had a 90-yard return for a score last season, averaged 27.8 yards on kickoff returns, and averaged 7.5 yards on three punt returns.

However, Tampa Bay drafted Dexter Jackson, who is still learning.

Jackson is averaging 24.8 yards on kickoff returns, plus 5.2 on punt returns, while Spurlock remains on Tampa Bay's practice squad.

"It hasn't been hard. It's a business," Spurlock said. "We're trying to put the best 53 out there and right now they say we're not getting it, but we're still winning games. As long as we keep winning games, we're going to be fine. I think we're going to grow in the position as time goes along. The media makes it bigger than what it is."

Spurlock said that although Jackson has been criticized for his lack of productivity, he does not compare himself to Tampa Bay's second-round draft pick.

"I don't think you can be a competitor if you don't want to be out there helping your team," Spurlock said. "I want to be out there helping my team by any means necessary, but if you're on practice squad, you're on practice squad for a reason. That's just my opportunity to get better and take that opportunity to better myself so when my chance comes, I can take advantage of it."

Injuries

Askew (hamstring) and WR Maurice Stovall (hamstring) did not practice; K Matt Bryant (hamstring), WR Warrick Dunn (not injury related), WR Joey Galloway (foot), QB Brian Griese (elbow), LB Barrett Ruud (knee) and OL Arron Sears (knee) were limited in practice; OLB Derrick Brooks (hamstring) fully participated in practice.

Roy Cummings,

Anwar S. Richardson

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