Gunzlingr
07-23-2003, 10:17 PM
Last year, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had 30 new players on the team and managed to win the Super Bowl. This season, their lineup won't be in nearly as much flux, but don't tell that to special teams coach Rich Bisaccia.
Managing special teams is a shell game, especially during training camp. That's why teams hold practices geared specifically toward the kicking game -- such as Tuesday's afternoon session at Disney's Wide World of Sports -- where the statistic known as "hidden yardage" becomes critical.
"Special teams will play an impact on every player on our team," Bisaccia said. "We're evaluating every player on every play to see where they can fit."
If guys such as CB/KR Torrie Cox, LB Justin Smith and RB Earnest Graham have any chance to make the 53-man squad, they'll need to do so on special teams. Graham, a former standout at Florida, has no problem running downfield and busting a wedge, if need be.
more (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/football/pro/buccaneers/orl-sptbucsbeat23072303jul23,0,1245231.story?coll=orl-sports-headlines)
Managing special teams is a shell game, especially during training camp. That's why teams hold practices geared specifically toward the kicking game -- such as Tuesday's afternoon session at Disney's Wide World of Sports -- where the statistic known as "hidden yardage" becomes critical.
"Special teams will play an impact on every player on our team," Bisaccia said. "We're evaluating every player on every play to see where they can fit."
If guys such as CB/KR Torrie Cox, LB Justin Smith and RB Earnest Graham have any chance to make the 53-man squad, they'll need to do so on special teams. Graham, a former standout at Florida, has no problem running downfield and busting a wedge, if need be.
more (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/football/pro/buccaneers/orl-sptbucsbeat23072303jul23,0,1245231.story?coll=orl-sports-headlines)