Bucs Looking For Shelter During Camp

Training camp is supposed to be the toughest part of an NFL season, but Tampa Bay believed its methods became unreasonable last year.

As if practicing twice a day in nearly 100-degree heat and high humidity was not enough for 80 players, afternoon rain and lightning typically sent the Bucs into a mad scramble. Their choices were to wait for the rain to stop, cancel practice or move the practice.

On a few occasions, practice was moved to the Champions Gate Omni Hotel's ballroom in Kissimmee. Players and coaches were shuttled in vans from Lake Buena Vista to prepare in rooms adjacent to conventions, and when space was not available, the Bucs practiced in a large wedding tent on hotel property.

The Bucs have two new training camp modifications that could make practice more tolerable this year.

First, Tampa Bay will have a tent at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex to take refuge under when the weather is bad. No more figuring out how to transport the cranes used to videotape practice about 10 miles to another location.

The Bucs will also have their first night practice, an experiment to give players a chance to work in "cooler" weather.

"The tent is not a practice facility, but instead of us chucking around Orlando looking for hotel space for ballrooms, it's sort of a walkthrough type of facility," Bucs GM Bruce Allen said. "When Mother Nature decides it's time for us to end practice out there, it's nice to have options where we can continue to work or finish a period.

"Our coaches can get some teaching in when you have walkthrough ability instead of taking it back to a meeting room. We're looking at that."

Even though the Bucs took cover in a hotel ballroom, players did not view their carpeted shelter with chandeliers as a bad venue.

"It simulated hearing calls, hearing reads, hearing the play call and knowing what to do," Bucs receiver Chad Lucas said. "It helped prepare you for different situations, which was a little more than a walkthrough. The more you do something and hear something, the better you will be."

Bucs players will also be less affected by the heat during the first night practice Aug. 7.

Allen said because afternoon showers often alter the team's preparations, if this initial evening practice goes well, it could become a new ritual.

"They are giving us little things to beat the heat," defensive end Kevin Carter said. "We all know there are enough hot days in Florida. It's hot in late August and all through September, so the heat will still be waiting on us after training camp. It just gives us a little break and helps us with what we need to work on."