Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida • 25

St. Petersburg Times Saturday, May 3, 2008 3C "NFL Bucs notebook Broncos OB adiusts iome get just one shot at NFL career a iivo liuivn nianoroc Compiled from Times wires ENGLEWOOD, Colo. Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler realizes he should have recognized something was wrong last season when lost 35 pounds and some zip on his throws. "1 had no energjf he said Friday. "We thought it might be stress and the grind of going through a whole season.

But once I got back here and started working out again, BY STEPHEN F. HOLDER Times Staff Writer TAMPA AqibTdlib took the field as a Buccaneer for the first time Friday, the first day of rookie minicamp. Naturally, all eyes were on the first-round pick. But while it was a big day for "Mb, he can rest somewhat comfortably on the fact he'll be given every chance to succeed. Guys such as Sam Keller do not have that luxury.

The former Nebraska quarterback is one of many players at this weekend's camp on so-called tryout contracts, meaning this might be their best if not only shot at making an impression on NFL coaches. It can be a nerve-racking experience. "Throughout the NFL, roster spots are at a premium," coach Jon Gruden said. "They're hard to get. I'm sure there is some pressing going on.

At the same time, they're learning a brand-new system. They're meeting a lot of new faces. nerbacks, they could have competition for the No. 5 spot "He was a little overshadowed by McKelvin, for obvious reasons," Gruden said. "But this young guy can make plays, and in a zone scheme like ours, he can be very effective." Hefney was a first-team All-SEC pick for the Volunteers in 2007.

Clark started his final 38 games at left tackle for Southern Miss. Stewart ranks third all-time among running backs at Auburn with 612 receiving yards, and Thompson, a former walk-on, starred on special teams. FIRE DRILL: Rookie camps can be something of a fire drill as players with no history of playing together try to get on the same page with one day of preparation. Those who pick up things quickly stand out. "To try to get 42 or 44 new faces on the same page, understanding the snap count and getting the center-quarterback exchange, can be challenging," Gruden said.

to be able to work with Coach Gruden. When you're out here on the field, it's all business. But then I'll go home and say, Wow, I just went through practice with Jon Keller finished 2007 with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, completing 63.1 percent for 2,422 yards in an offense similar to the Bucs'. Nebraska was coached by Bill Callahan, a former Gruden assistant with the Raiders. UNDRAFTED ROOKIES SIGNED: The Bucs signed five undrafted players: tackle Chris Clark (Southern Miss), cornerback Jonathan Hefney (Tennessee), cornerback Elbert Mack (Troy), fullback Carl Stewart (Auburn) and tight end Tyrice Thompson (Arizona State).

Mack, in particular, is an interesting prospect He tied for the national lead with eight interceptions in 2007 playing opposite Leodis McKelvin, drafted 11th overall by Buffalo. Though the Bucs have a good stable of cor- year, contract "There's definitely pressure," Long said. "I have that over my head every single day." Coach Tony Sparano isn't convinced yet: "You can see some flashes and some power and some of those things. But we have a long way to go here." BROWNS: General manger Phil Savage signed a three-year extension through 2012. The team is 20-28 in his three seasons but last season went 10-6.

CARDINALS: Anquan Boldin denied wanting a trade and said his contract situation won't affect his performance. In March, the team gave fellow receiver Larry Fitzgerald a four-year, $40-mil-lion deal with $30-million guaranteed. Boldin, a two-time Pro Bowl pick out of Florida State, will make in a deal that runs through 2010. EAGLES: Cornerback Lito Shep-pard reported for minicamp, ending speculation he would hold out until being traded or given a new contract The two-time Pro Bowl pick out of Florida was rumored to be on the trading block after saying he was unhappy with his contract and the team signing All-Pro cornerback Asante Samuel PANTHERS: Jake Delhomme said he "feels great" after throwing passes for the first time since September. Coming off Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, he threw 34 passes, though none longer than 25 yards.

He won't participate in drills until at least June but should be ready for camp. VIKINGS: Defensive end Kenechi Udeze, awaiting a bone marrow transplant for his leukemia, will sit out the season. But the team guaranteed his $807,500 salary by putting him on the reserve-nonfootball-illness list. UNION LAWSUIT: A federal judge in San Francisco ruled retired players can proceed with a class-action suit that alleges the union has not paid them for use of their images, likeness and names in marketing deals. Lawyer Ron Katz says the about 3,000 are due more than $100-million.

The union says it shouldn't share revenue generated exclusively by active players such as from video games. A trial date has not been set i mrmr 1 "i i BUCS continued from DANIEL WALLACE I Times THE NEW GUY: Aqib Talib, the team's first-round pick, works out during Day 1 of the rookie minicamp at One Buc Place. "This is tough. There's no ques-tioa" Among others on tryout contracts: former Florida State safety (and Tarpon Springs High standout) Anthony Houllis and former Troy defensive lineman Chris Bradwell, a onetime Seminole. Keller certainly was aware of the stakes.

"It's the biggest moment of my life as a football player so far," he said. "It's the pinnacle so far 1C had to double up and be ready to take him out of the offense." Jackson's stock rose during workouts for the East-West Shrine Game. Then he ran 4.27 seconds for 40 yards at the scouting combine, fastest among the receivers. From his physical measurements, he is similar to Joey Galloway. It's not a coincidence.

The Bucs have stockpiled big, physical receivers such as Michael Clayton and Maurice Stovall, but they need someone who can stretch the field in case the 36-year-old Galloway goes down. "Hopefully, Joey can take me under his wing and just teach me the ropes," Jackson, 21, said. "He has a lot of experience, so I'll be willing to listen and learn from him." Pick hopes to impress on an even bigger stage "I feel like it really helped kick-start this whole journey for me as a person, as an individual. My confidence went through the roof. I felt like if I can make plays in this game, why not the rest of the season?" Jackson caught just 30 passes as a senior.

But eight went for touchdowns, and the Southern Conference's 200-meter track champ had almost 23 yards per catch. It didn't help that the Mountaineers run a no-huddle, spread offense that takes advantage of quarterback Armanti Edwards' running. In fact, he never caught more than 33 passes in a season. "He got (fewer) opportunities in his offense, but I think teams knew who he was," Mark Dominik, Bucs pro scouting director, said. "This was a guy you DANIEL In the meantime, Jackson's biggest contribution this season likely will come on special teams, returning punts and kickoffs.

"We looked at him as a returner-receiver who hopefully could develop," Dominik said. "There are a lot of teams that have taken guys in the second round with that dynamic in mind. Some of them have panned out and have been able to play receiver as well as returner, and some of them are just returners. In this I just wasn making any improvement" Blood tests required before the offseason strength and conditioning program revealed the answer: diabetes. "It's a little to you're going to Jay Cutler's pro career should not be affected by diabetes.

have to completely change your life," Cutler, 25, said "Ifs not something thaf going to go (away). Its something I'mgoing to have todeal with my entire life, and youVe got to come to grips with that" He said he never worried about his career being in jeopardy. "That's the first thing they said to me: 'It's going to affect your lifestyle a little bit but you'll be able to continue to play said Cutler, who will monitor his blood glucose levels during games. "I'm not the first athlete to get diabetes, and I won't be the last I've got a lot of people watching me." Top pick looks good DAVIE Jake Long made a big impression during his first practice with the Dolphins. On a running play near the end, the 6-foot-7, 315-pound offensive tackle and No.

1 overall pick drove seventh-round pick Lionel Dotson to the ground. Earlier, he showed off his mobility to fourth-round pick Shawn Murphy, a guard. "We were doing foot drills, and just watching his feet; he has great body control," Murphy said. "He's got arms that are about 10 feet long. He looks like a power forward out there." Long said he wants to justify being the top pick and his five- Htitm Dexter Jackson, working out on the first day of a rookie minicamp, landed on the cover of Sports Illustrated after Appalachian State's upset of Michigan.

WALLACE Times league, if you want a returner you've got to go get one. They're hard to just pick off a tree." Jackson admitted he was nervous catching passes from fifth-round pick Josh Johnson during minicamp while being barked at by coach Jon Gruden. "It's going to be a work in progress," Gruden said. "But you see the athletic ability. They're two good kids.

I think they will continue to improve." That's a shoe-in. It toaft Tampa Bay Boat Sale, the Main Hall at the Fairgrounds, will be overflowing with boats and exhibits for the boating enthusiast TK is an event you don't want ft the water before 1.4 mmffikm jpipHe Expo 5 irCj iVrCS --r i to miss. In the knew. In the Fast news you can use. Know it now.

108), tamiiabsRfom business this 727-893-8725 ifBMassioijii I iTttTy" -t. i dpil To find out how your or service can reach powerful marketplace, call or visit tampabay.com 2008 Scartxxough Report (releass 1 207 NielsenNet Ratings mcif1016.