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Wide Right: It's time to handle business

Staff photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Stroughter was treated like royalty after being named the NFC's Special Teams Player of the Week.

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

arichardson@tampatrib.com

Published: October 25, 2009

TAMPA - Tampa Bay is in London today to play the New England Patriots, but nobody is concerned about taking pictures with the Queen. The Bucs' only concern is finding a way to beat King Belichick's team today.

Bucs kick returner Sammie Stroughter was treated like royalty after being named the NFC's Special Teams Player of the Week and spoke about everything British for this week's Wide Right column.

Anwar: What do you think Simon Cowell would have said about your 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown last week?

Sammie: "That was disgusting." (said with his best British accent). He would have been like, "Are you serious?"

Anwar: Have you ever eaten shepherd's pie?

Sammie: No sir. I've had apple pie, but never shepherd's pie.

Anwar: Which Spice Girl is your favorite?

Sammie: For sure it's Scary Spice (Melanie Brown). I have this little niece and she used to watch that movie all day and I would watch Scary Spice get it on.

Anwar: How many Beatles songs do you know?

Sammie: Beatles? They're a rock band, right? Country band? No, they're a rock band from England. They're classics.

Anwar: Which would you rather watch - cricket or soccer?

Sammie: Soccer, of course. Cricket is for the really, really, really, really, really unique people. I like soccer because I could go out there and do a little something with my foot work.

Anwar: How do you think David Beckham would do in the NFL?

Sammie: Oh man, he would be a great kicker. I'd like to see him run a little sweep, get the ball and see what he could do. I know he won't be making as much money in football as he's making in soccer.

Anwar: What would happen if you went to sleep and woke up with Beckham's money?

Sammie: I would be like Donald Duck in "DuckTales," like Mr. Scrooge (McDuck). I would have a room full of money and just dive into it every day.

Anwar: Have you ever driven on the other side of the road?

Sammie: Heck no. In California, you don't want to drive on the other side of the road. They might throw you underneath the jail.

Anwar: Which was the better film - "Austin Powers" or "Harry Potter"?

Sammie: "Austin Powers" for sure.

Anwar: What would you do if you had a mini-Sammie?

Sammie: Man, what? That's my devil's advocate right there. He would be the one that nudged me around and said, "You need to go ahead and do that." I'm glad I don't have a real one.

Anwar: Do you like warm beer?

Sammie: I don't like beer. I hate beer.

Anwar: Really? Why is that?

Sammie: I don't like the taste. It's one of those things where alcoholism runs in my family and that really scared me. I'm scared of alcohol. It petrified me to see how alcohol and drugs affected my family. I respect it, and people who have addictions to it, I pray for them. It hurts, especially when you see somebody at home suffering through it.

Anwar: What do you think when you see people in the stadium drunk?

Sammie: I hope they get home safely. I hope they are responsible and think before they act. A lot of people use alcohol and drugs to get away from reality, and that escape may last for a little while, but when the reality is back, it's hard to enjoy it after you did something stupid.

Anwar: Which would taste better - English tea or a win against New England?

Sammie: A win against the Patriots, baby. We're going out there with our mind focused on getting a win. We're not going out there on vacation. This is a business trip. It's business for everybody that is going, from the coaching staff, to the trainers, to the players. This ain't a vacation. We have to go out there and handle our business.

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425.

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