Blackwell shines at BUCS camp!

[Papa_Bull]

MORE ICE, PLEASE: Marquel Blackwell's arm impressed the Bucs. Not because of the velocity he put on the football, but because his arm still was attached to his shoulder when minicamp ended.

After Central Florida's Ryan Schneider was forced to bow out with a sore arm after Friday's practice, Blackwell, the former South Florida and Dixie Hollins star, took every repetition on offense.

"I thought Marquel Blackwell walked in here as a quarterback, took every rep and did a great job stimulating his teammates and rallying his troops," Gruden said. "But I was pleased with the genuine enthusiasm that we had here, and I compliment our entire team that we had this weekend for that."

Could Blackwell earn a roster spot? Maybe not, but he earned the Bucs' admiration.

"I don't know. I don't want to start another quarterback controversy, now do I?" Gruden said. "We might consider bringing five (quarterbacks) to training camp. It all depends on numbers. There's only so many guys you can take, and we feel good about the group of guys we have. But there's no question he has the talent to play in this league or any league."

[Velcro]

Comments like that from Gruden might make other teams notice and give him a shot.  Maybe Zona will grab him

[bulls96go]

good luck MB

[Papa_Bull]

Another blurb from a different article on PewterReport.com:

If they're satisfied with his overall performance, the Bucs, who are searching for another arm to add to the four they already have under contract, could attempt to sign Blackwell sometime next week and bring him to training camp as the team's fifth signal caller, just as they did last summer with the Arena Football League's Shane Stafford, who plays quarterback for the Tampa Bay Storm.

[TripleB]

He'd be eligible for the practice squad, wouldn't he?

[BullDoug]

He'd be eligible for the practice squad, wouldn't he?

Believe so.  He'd still be considered a rook w/never being signed to a P'squad.  Tampa Bay would be foolish not to have him on the P'squad just so they could have a mobile QB for the defense to practice against.

[Papa_Bull]

Blackwell was on the opening day roster for the Jets last season, but I don't know if that makes a difference.

[BullDoug]

My question is how was Blackwell and the other tryout-ees compensated.  How much money do they receive for 3 days/6-8 hrs work?

[Papa_Bull]

My question is how was Blackwell and the other tryout-ees compensated.  How much money do they receive for 3 days/6-8 hrs work?

NO money:

Last weekend, 28 players came to the Bucs' rookie camp without a signed contract, hoping to keep their dreams alive. They got a free round-trip plane ticket, three nights in a hotel and three days of sweating in the Florida heat.

That's it. They were offered no money and no promises. They were only offered a chance.

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040505/COLUMNISTS0611/405050414/1113/SPORTS

[smazza]

this should help recruiting knowing bucs look at  usf players