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A Late Look
Wide receiver Mark Bradley, who in an unusual turn of events played two games against the Buccaneers last year for two different teams, saw his first practice as a Buccaneer on Thursday. Bradley was claimed off waivers by Tampa Bay Wednesday afternoon after he was released by the Chiefs.
With only two games left, a new playbook to learn and starting wide receiver Michael Clayton apparently returning to action, there likely won't be much of an opportunity for Bradley to get integrated into the offense this season. However, there's no limit on how much action he can see on the practice field, and that will give the Bucs a chance for some up-close scouting on a player they previously rated well.
“He was a guy that we liked coming out of the draft," said Morris. "We had an opportunity to go grab somebody and get a couple more looks at some people the last two weeks here. It’s time to get him in here, give him an opportunity, see what he’s got, see if we can get a steal and save some draft picks.”
Bradley was drafted by Chicago in the fifth round in 2005 after a brief but impressive college career at Oklahoma in which he displayed top-end speed. He stayed with the Bears until September of last year, when he was released a few days after Chicago lost an overtime game to the Buccaneers. Bradley was quickly picked up by the Chiefs and later threw a touchdown pass on a trick play against Tampa Bay in another overtime win for the Bucs.
The Bucs will have several weeks and the 2010 offseason to get a feel for Bradley's skills, and if he proves to be a keeper that's one less roster spot that has to be filled. Obviously, Morris didn't have a verdict on that after just one practice.
“It’s kind of hard today," said Morris. "He’s reading the card right now. He was giving us a look. You can see him run downfield in stride today. He showed his explosiveness when he caught that reverse pass on us last year and threw it 90 yards.”
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