TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Bucs' Bidwell done for season, not career

Tribune photo by JAY CONNER

Bidwell has taken every punt for Tampa Bay since 2004.

ADVERTISEMENT

By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune
and ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 17, 2009

Updated: 08/18/2009 12:30 am

TAMPA - Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said the hip injury that has sidelined P Josh Bidwell for the 2009 season is not career-threatening.

Bidwell, 33, was placed on injured reserve Monday with a hip problem that requires surgery. He has taken every punt for Tampa Bay since 2004 and his 44.0-yard average as a Buccaneer ranks first in franchise history.

"Over the last couple of years, Josh has told us about a little discomfort in his hip," Dominik said. "It flared up last week and we're going to have it scoped out. Josh understands this is the best thing for him in the long term. It's nothing career-threatening."

The Bucs signed veteran Dirk Johnson last week to replace Bidwell in time for Saturday night's preseason opener at Tennessee. Johnson also is also to assume Bidwell's duties as a holder for field goal attempts.

Although Johnson is currently Tampa Bay's starting punter, Dominik and Coach Raheem Morris indicated another player could be brought in to create competition.

"Dirk is our punter right now," Morris said. "We continue to try and improve every day, at every position, not just punter. Dirk is going to go out there and punt. If Dirk is out there hitting 50-yarders, then I won't be out there looking for another guy.

"I still have to look for guys. I still have to look through the pool. We just met Dirk two or three days ago. We just have to figure out what Dirk has, and if Dirk has it, then we will like Dirk."

The Bucs filled Bidwell's spot on the 80-man roster by signing WR Marcus Maxwell, a seventh-round pick of the 49ers in 2005 who has appeared in nine NFL games.

Raheem wants more from Stylez in practice

Morris said DE Stylez G. White is still in his doghouse, but the coach threw him a bone Monday.

White had a dominating performance against Tennessee, but Morris said White needs to show the same effort in practice to impress him.

"I just have to teach him how to practice. He does not understand that you have to practice. He is Allen Iverson," Morris said. "You have to get him to the game and you have to prepare him and you have to practice like you're going to play in a game. I need to see some of that stuff on the practice field so I can talk good about you to our local media so they can talk good about you in the paper so the people can love you."

Morris was not pleased with White's offseason, which included a motorcycle accident, but he is slowly gaining confidence in his backup player.

"You got me all offseason talking about the negative things that you've done and then we get to the game and you show up like that, you make me look bad," Morris said. "Obviously, he is a gamer, but you can't let him be a gamer when you are a coach. You got to make him go and do it in practice.

"I'm going to keep him in the doghouse for now."

Clayton ready to travel

WR Michael Clayton has traveled worldwide, but the one place he wanted to be last weekend was Nashville.

Clayton missed Tampa Bay's preseason opener against Tennessee with a hamstring injury but returned to practice Monday. He stayed in Tampa last weekend but will travel this week to Jacksonville.

"For the life of me, I wanted to be out there with Raheem and his debut and being out there with the guys, but they suggested the guys who were not playing not go," Clayton said. "I had to abide by the rules and it was my job to stay home and be healthy."

Injury update

C Jeff Faine (groin), LB Angelo Crowell (hamstring), WR Joe Filani (hamstring) and CB Torrie Cox (wrist) returned to practice, while WR Dexter Jackson (ankle), K Matt Bryant (hamstring), S Will Allen (shoulder) and CB Aqib Talib (family matters) did not participate.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT