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Dunn, Clayton Watching Gustav

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 1, 2008

TAMPA - RB Warrick Dunn will spend time this week breaking down film of New Orleans, but his eyes also will be glued on Hurricane Gustav coverage.

Dunn is a native of Baton Rouge, La., and has family members in New Orleans, a city residents were ordered to evacuate before Gustav's arrival today. His grandmother lives in Baton Rouge, which is outside of New Orleans, but told Dunn she had no intentions to leave.

"She was on the phone talking to me about the traffic because people who are trying to get out of New Orleans. People are just going crazy there," Dunn said. "It's just something they experienced once with Katrina at that level, but she doesn't want to leave.

"All I can really do is call and check on her and make sure she's OK. I think everyone is cautious because of what happened with Katrina. Everybody is taking precautions. They are fending for themselves and making sure all of their loved ones are OK."

Dunn has a home in Baton Rouge and said he is not only concerned about his family, but others in Louisiana who could be affected.

"Just think, years ago nobody knew the severity of what a storm was going to do there, but now everyone is just being so cautious because you rather take precaution than not be prepared for it," Dunn said. "The mayor Ray Nagin did the right thing to advise people to get out of town and go somewhere they can be safe. It looks bad. If it hits that region again, sometimes you really wonder if they can recover again because it's been a slow process already."

Bucs WR Michael Clayton is also keeping an eye on Gustav.

Clayton is from Baton Rogue and has been in constant contact with his family and friends in Louisiana.

"That is the kind of thing you put in God's hands," Clayton said. "Everything happens for a reason. You just have to take precaution."

WILSON LET GO: The Bucs continued tweaking their roster, releasing S Eugene Wilson

Wilson came to the Bucs as a free agent during the offseason and was expected to provide depth in the secondary. He struggled to play at a high level during training camp and was exposed during the team's final exhibition game at Houston.

To fill Wilson's roster spot, the Bucs signed OL James Lee, a rookie tackle out of South Carolina State who went undrafted.

The Bucs have been looking to add depth to their line, particularly at tackle, where the loss of Luke Petitgout has left them thin. Lee was seen by many as a practice-squad level player, but the Bucs' need for depth up front made him attractive as a regular roster member.

WAIT AND SEE: Tampa Bay will have to see what type of damage Gustav causes in New Orleans before knowing if Sunday's road game will be altered.

The Saints are practicing this week in Indianapolis and do not plan a return to New Orleans until Friday.

If New Orleans is unable to host its game because of hurricane damage, the contest could be moved to Tampa or to the Alamodome in San Antonio.

"I just pray that the storm stays out at sea, to be honest with you, and that nobody gets hurt," Coach Jon Gruden said.

BUBBLE GUY SURVIVES: Bucs CB Elbert Mack spent Saturday in his hotel room waiting for the dreaded call.

Mack was a bubble player who could have been cut when Tampa Bay narrowed its roster to 53 players over the weekend. Tampa Bay drafted CB Aqib Talib (first round) and signed CB Eugene Wilson, making Mack's future an uncertainty.

"I just sat in the room, watched college football and got caught up," Mack said. "I just chilled out."

Mack's phone eventually did ring, but it was Bucs defensive backs coach Raheem Morris congratulating him on making this year's team.

Making the squad was a big feat for Tampa Bay's smallest player. Mack (5-foot-10 and 175 pounds) played for Troy last year and led the NCAA with eight interceptions.

"It's not done yet," Mack said. "I still have a long season ahead of me and hopefully a long career."

CLARK TO PRACTICE SQUAD: WR Brian Clark has been trying to prove himself for two years and this year is no different.

One day after being released, Clark was signed to the practice squad. After entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2006, Clark has spent parts of 2006 (Denver) and 2007 (Tampa Bay) on practice squads.

"I'm grateful, but it's not mixed emotions," Clark said. "It's just a feeling like, 'Man, this didn't happen to me again.' I wanted to be on the 53-man roster, but I got to keep going.

"It's kind of like getting that first shot in the stomach. It hurts at first, but it doesn't hurt for long. You have to gather yourself. That is what I had to do when I found out I was going to be on the practice squad, but now that I am, let's go."

Clark showed a lot of promise this preseason, catching a TD pass against Miami, but was caught up in a numbers game. Joey Galloway, Antonio Bryant, Ike Hilliard, Dexter Jackson, Michael Clayton and Maurice Stovall were locks to make Tampa Bay's team, leaving no room for Clark.

However, Clark, a former Chamberlain High standout, will have an opportunity to learn and possibly play if there are injuries to receivers in front of him.

Also, DT Dre Moore, the Bucs' fourth-round pick who was among Saturday's cuts, was added to the practice squad Sunday.

Anwar S. Richardson

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