Trouble in Tampa

Looks like they're rolling in some new kickers

Bucs expect Gramatica to be OK for regular season

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By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com


Conceding that he is "concerned" about the physical problems that have bothered Martin Gramatica through training camp, Tampa Bay Bucs coach Jon Gruden has shut down the veteran kicker, and announced that he will not play in the club's next preseason contest against the St. Louis Rams next Monday.

Gruden and Gramatica each insisted the four-year veteran is not in jeopardy of missing the regular-season opener at Philadelphia on Sept. 8. Gramatica will not participate at all, though, in practice this week, and coaches and Bucs team officials hope the hiatus will re-energize the kicker's sore leg.

"Are we concerned? Obviously, yes," Gruden allowed. "But at the same time, we are confident that our training staff and Martin are on top of things, and we expect him to return for the final two preseason games, bigger, stronger and better than ever."

Free agent Ralf Kleinmann, who played in the NFL Europe League and handled all the kicking responsibilities in the victory over the Miami Dolphins on Friday, will continue to perform the placement and kickoff duties. Kleinmann missed a 25-yard field goal and also had an extra-point attempt blocked in the Friday outing.

In two games, Kleinmann has converted two of four field goal tries.

Although the Bucs have said they will not bring in another kicker, that may not be the case. ESPN.com has confirmed that free agent Jon Hilbert will travel to Tampa on Tuesday evening and likely will audition Wednesday for team officials.

Hilbert has kicked in nine regular-season games -- eight with Dallas in 2001 and one for Carolina last season -- and has extensive NFL Europe experience. In his nine NFL appearances, Hilbert converted 11 of 18 field goal tries and all 15 of his extra-point attempts. He is noted for his strong leg and the fact the Bucs plan to look at him might indicate the team will carry a kickoff specialist this season in an effort to ease Gramatica's overall workload.

At various times in camp, the Bucs have described Gramatica's injury as a tired leg, a strained hamstring and a strained groin. The diagnosis now is that Gramatica is suffering from a sore groin.

In part because Gramatica has experienced hamstring and groin problems in each of the past two seasons, the Bucs have carefully monitored his workload in camp. He has not kicked that much at all as Tampa Bay has relied on kicking machines for kickoffs. Gramatica, 27, underwent offseason hernia surgery.

One of the team's most important performers, Gramatica emphasized that the temporary shutdown is more prudent than precarious.

"It's not a major concern," Gramatica said. "We don't want to risk anything here in the preseason, so we talked it over and decided that we'll rest it for a couple of days, and then start doing some 'rehab' on it and some strengthening."

In four seasons, Gramatica, a third-round choice in the 1999 draft, has converted 62 of 110 field goals and all 127 of his extra point attempts, for 457 points. Three times in his career, his field goal conversion rate has topped 80 percent. Last season, he converted on 32 of 39 field goal attempts and scored a career-best 128 points

 

maybe instead of getting a ko specialist to cut down on his workload, gruden should have him cut out his celebrations on extra points.

 

I am certain Sauerbrun would volunteer to help condition him.

 

I bet Todd is going to send Martin a get well card!

 

Yea, Todd needs to stomp his little leprechaun ass.

 

yech. Jon Hilbert.

 

BIGGER? Hehe.