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Morris: 'No Time To Bleed' At Bucs Minicamp

By ROY CUMMINGS | The Tampa Tribune
and ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 31, 2009

Updated: 03/31/2009 06:06 pm

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TAMPA - Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris concluded his first day of minicamp and said "timing" and "precision" were the main objectives he wants to establish this week.

Players are not in pads or participating in full contact drills, but Morris said he spoke with the group before practice to emphasize what he expected of each player.

"I came in and wanted the guys to know what the program was going to be like, what we're going to do, exactly how it's going to go, our expectations, what we're looking for, some of the things we want to accomplish, some of the things we want to get done," Morris said. "Sometimes you have to hit with straight forward shots and I hit a couple of people with some straight forward shots.

"We're a family - the things I said to those guys are a little bit confidential. Most people like to do that in a one-on-one setting. I like to do it in a 66-man setting, or an 80-man setting, or a 53-man setting, whatever the case may be."

Morris said he was happy with the first day of practice and not concerned by the absences of running back Earnest Graham, quarterback Brian Griese and offensive lineman Donald Penn. The majority of Tampa Bay's players participated in the voluntary mini-camp, which he was pleased to see.

"We just really want to talk about the guys who showed up," Morris said. "Of course, obviously you guys know this is voluntary. I'm happy for the guys that showed up. We're excited about the guys that showed up.

"The guys you mentioned that didn't show up obviously had things to do. Some of them told me about things and gave me information about it, but I'm just excited about the guys that showed up, to be honest with you."

Morris said he was very satisfied with the performance of his defensive line on Tuesday and the progress of Jermaine Phillips, who is learning how to play linebacker.

When asked about quarterback Luke McCown, who said his arm was sore because of the high number of throws he made, Morris reemphasized his "tough" attitude.

"Last time I checked, there is no time to bleed," Morris said. "We're creating a competitive environment. Today was as competitive as you can get at quarterback. You get equal reps and we're happy about it. I bet you his arm will be feeling pretty good tomorrow."

McCown may be sore, but he's also enjoying the switch to a less convoluted offense. He said the difference between Jon Gruden's offense and Jeff Jagodzinski's is like the difference between reading a novel and short story.

"The volume is different," he said. "Coach Gruden's playbook was six inches thick; this one's three inches thick.

"But there is still a lot to learn, a lot to get good at. I'd mastered Gruden's offense so there's a lot I need to forget now."

The fact McCown has spent all but one of his six seasons in the NFL working for Gruden makes learning Jagodzinski's offense a unique challenge.

"It's been a long time since I've learned a new system," said the Bucs projected starter, who is one of just two quarterbacks in this camp.

The other is second-year pro Josh Johnson, and McCown said he and Johnson aren't lacking work in these workouts.

"It was tiring," McCown said of the morning workout. "I don't know if we've ever had just two quarterbacks at any camp since I've been here.

"But this is what we've asked for - an opportunity to show what we've got, to show we can lead this offense and this football team."

McCown was on hand, but a number of key contributors are not, including running back Earnest Graham, offensive tackle Donald Penn and quarterback Brian Griese.

Penn is a restricted free agent who has yet to sign Tampa Bay's offer. Any team that signs Penn must surrender a first- and third-round pick, making the odds of him signing elsewhere very slim. Penn could have worked out with the team this week, but chose not to.

According to team officials, Griese is at his home in Denver tending to his wife, Brook, who is eight months pregnant with the couple's second child.

Graham, whose 2008 season was cut short by an ankle injury, is tending to a family matter.

Penn's absence is so far unexplained.

Another notable absence is that of Angelo Crowell, the newest addition to the Bucs LB corps.

Defensive coordinator Jim Bates said the team got a good report from the Bucs medical staff on Crowell's recovery from knee surgery, but that Crowell will be held out of this week's workouts.

Bates said the Bucs plan is to have Crowell on the field sometime in May, which means he should be ready for the team's second minicamp in June.

Crowell is expected to replace Cato June as the Bucs strongside LB, but he first has to make it all the way back from a knee problem that required season-ending surgery last year.

Wide receiver Antonio Bryant is at practice, along with the majority of Tampa Bay's new and returning players.

One interesting story to watch is the battle for the starting under tackle spot. Right now, Ryan Sims seems to be the front-runner.

The Bucs re-signed Sims before free agency even began, and it appears as though new defensive coordinator Jim Bates sees him as a regular contributor.

As much as Bates may be a fan, though, Sims doesn't have the job locked up. The Bucs are still very high on Greg Peterson and they're still trying to salvage something of the decision to draft Dre Moore last year.

And speaking of the draft, the Bucs should have a shot at getting one of the top defensive tackles in this year's draft, which they pick 19th overall in. So this battle, which has only just begun, is far from over.

As of right now, though, it's Sims' job to lose.

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