Map Quest: Boston to Tampa

Competition will be fierce in training camp. There are a plethora of positions up for grabs either because of sub par play by vets such as Jermain Phillips and Will Allen or because of vacated positions like DT. The Buccs look to have drafted an exceptional class in in 2007. Sure every team's fans this time of year think they've just acquired the next Hall of Famer, but something is different about this year. This season's draft class seems special, and stocked with play makers which can do nothing but strengthen the Buccs depth and make a fun filled, competitive training camp.

One of the more competitive battles will be between incumbent #2 wide receiver Michael Clayton and last season's third round pick Maurice Stovall, who some fans have nicknamed ''Mo Sto.'' While some fans have lost faith in Clayton, some are still holding onto hope that Mike will eventually revert back to his 2004 rookie season form. Most fans you talk to already have Stovall penciled into that spot. It's going to be a good battle.

Hold on though. Not so fast. There is an intriguing element to this #2 wide receiver battle that I think has been flying below the radar. It's 1359 miles from Boston to Tampa, but if you ask David Boston, I'm sure he'll tell you it's been a hell of a lot longer. Boston, a once very talented wide receivers hit the league and the state of Arizona by storm. Some touted him as the next great wide receiver, and he showed proof that statement could've been true. But his time in the limelight was short lived. He left Arizona for a tumultuous experience in San Diego where he and the strong personality of head coach Marty Schottenhiemer just didn't mesh. He was traded to Miami for a 6th round draft pick where his career really took a turn for the worse. His first season was nullified first by a four game suspension for violating the leagues Substance Abuse Policy on steroids, a blown out knee cost him the rest of the season. Then he followed that up the next season by tearing knee ligaments once again appearing in zero games in 2005.

Enter 2006. Boston finds his way onto Tampa's off season roster. While showing some flashes of the Boston of old, he just wasn't fully recovered from knee rehabilitation, or in game shape so there was no place for him on the Buccs' opening day roster. 2007 could be different matter all together. Some media outlets have reported Boston looks a lot closer to his previous Cardinals version of himself than he has in the last 5 years. He is said to be in great shape, running close to his rookie speed. At OTA's and minicamps word is Boston has been very quick, explosive off the line, has displayed soft hands and precise routes. If that's the case, and these reports are accurate, we Bucc fans could be in for a huge surprise. Imagine bookend wide receivers of Joey Galloway and a resurrected David Boston, with Stovall falling in behind at #3. Wow, what a corp of receivers that could be. Unfortunately for Mike Clayton, that would make him #4 on the depth chart, and surely fasten the bust label to his career. We'll have to see how this plays out. It won't be easy for Boston, and we shouldn't expect any greatness from Boston, but I don't know about you........after last season, we could use a nice surprise.
...JJC/ABuccsFan