Bucs:  McFarland

[BullDoug]

McFarland Returns To Practice

TBO.com, The Tampa Tribune

Published: Aug 5, 2004

LAKE BUENA VISTA - Defensive tackle Anthony McFarland returned to practice with the Bucs this morning after X-rays on his injured foot were negative.

Offensive guard Sean Mahan (left ankle sprain) also returned in a limited capacity on Day 6 of training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

Receivers Danny Farmer and Charles Lee (hamstring strains) and cornerback Ronyell Whitaker (dehydration) were held out of the morning session, and nose tackle DeVone Claybrooks was taken off the field after sustaining a lower back strain.

Two of the highlights on a relatively routine morning included rookie receiver Michael Clayton's beating of a double-team in the end zone for a touchdown reception from Brad Johnson, and linebacker Michael Brown's block of a field-goal attempt.

After the workout, Bucs coach Jon Gruden gave his rookies a mixed review.

''We're seeing spurts here and there of good and not so good,'' he said. ''It's a tough grind for these guys. It's a mental and physical grind. The competition at this level is so much different. There are no easy downs.

''Every down you're lining up against a pro football player. You're not lining up against little Jonny Gruden from Dayton. You're lining up against really good football players who are doing this for a living, trying to make a team. We're seeing some signs that we like, some signs that show us how far we have to go.''