St. Pete Times columnist Gary Shelton likens training camp performance to meaningless jumping jacks

Uber columnist Gary Shelton, of the St. Pete Times, shared some training camp observations during an interview with the good folks at BucStop.com. Shelton seems eager, like Joe is, to see these young Bucs play some real football.

Thankfully, that will happen in Miami in just six days.

Here’s an excerpt from Shelton’s comments:

Gary, I don’t get to see Camp the same way  you do. Which Bucs player is surprising you in camp so far, either in a negative or positive way?

Gary Shelton: You know, every time I look up, I see Preston Parker making a catch. I don’t see how he has a chance to make this team with so many other young receivers, but he’s been pretty good. Myron Lewis seems to react fairly well in drills. Quincy Black has a lot of people talking.
Right now, though, we’re grading side-straddle hops. It’s all stretching and sweating. Once the preseason games start, there will be a guy or two who will make a run at the roster. That’s when the KareemHuggins.com and CodyGrimm.org websites will spring to life.
And let’s face it: The Bucs could use someone — a running back, maybe — to wow them.

Of course, as Shelton says, real evaluation comes against preseason opponents, but it’s still interesting to hear different takes from astute observers.

If you don’t know it already, BucStop.com is run by THE OPTIMIST, Nick Houllis, who provides a public service there for Bucs fans via his extensive video collection.

Check it out. There’s really nothing like it. Often on the weekends, Houllis opens up the famed “video vault.” If you’re absolutely craving real game action, the vault is a great tonic.