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Still no Sears, Griese as Bucs minicamp winds down

Tribune photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Sabby Piscatelli, left, and Donte Nicholson compete for the ball during practice at One Buc Place on Wednesday morning.

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 17, 2009

TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers concluded their final minicamp practice this afternoon with two players still not in attendance.

Guard Arron Sears and quarterback Brian Griese were not at the mandatory camp. Sears' absence is excused, while Griese has given no explanation for his disappearance this week or throughout Tampa Bay's voluntary workouts the past two months.

Today was the last day players were on the field before training camp opens Aug. 1.

Here are some news and notes from the morning session:

• Tight end Jerramy Stevens expressed enthusiasm about working with Kellen Winslow Jr. Stevens believes he and Winslow have the potential to become the NFL's best tight end combination this season.

"Strictly from a matchup and game planning, it's going to cause problems," Stevens said. "If Kellen doesn't get tons of balls, or if I don't get tons of balls, just us being on the field at the same time will cause problems all week for opponent's preparation and on Sunday's."

• Many people have wondered whether Tampa Bay cornerback Elbert Mack (5-foot-10, 175 pounds) can physically handle the team's new man-to-man defense, but he is ready for the challenge.

"I'm still going to play football like I've been playing football," Mack said. "It's not the first time I've been in man-to-man. We're going to be in man-to-man more often. Either way, it's still going to be the same. I'm going to be on the edge by myself. There is only one way to find out."

• Tampa Bay will not practice Thursday. Instead, players will have a paint ball outing. The Bucs traditionally have one team activity on the last day of minicamp. Players went bowling last year.

• Rookie defensive tackle Roy Miller has found himself making several adjustments to the NFL, and the Bay area, during his first minicamp.

"This heat is something," said Miller. "I should be used to it coming from Texas, but it's not this humid down there. Sometimes this feels like a big ol cloud of humidity on you."

In addition, Miller, a third-round draft pick, is trying to fit into Jim Bates' new defensive scheme, which is unlike Texas' playbook.

"Last year, I did something completely different than what they want here," Miller said. "I was a 1-gap type player, straight up field. Now I'm playing more on the blocker. It's a transition, and I think I'm doing pretty well with it. The older guys, like [Chris] Hovan and [Ryan] Sims are giving me a lot of support and I appreciate it."

Tribune reporter Ira Kaufman contributed to this report.

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