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HOT TOPIC
Even if the ball fell to the ground, the play will forever stick in his mind.
Edell Shepherd winces every time he closes his eyes and sees his now infamous drop of a pass in the end zone in the final minutes of the Bucs' 17-10 loss to the Washington Redskins in the NFC playoffs.
Shepherd did some great things in 2006. His most notable catch also came against the Redskins, an acrobatic 30-yard touchdown that led to the team's come-from-behind victory in the regular season.
"I only think about the last play," Shepherd said of the dropped touchdown in the playoffs. "It's stuck in my head. I don't need to see it on tape. I know exactly what happened and it's making me an angrier person on the field."
Shepherd spent part of the off-season in Los Angeles training with several NFL players at a camp called the Phenom Factor. The list of players attending also included receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
"We work out at a couple different sites," Shepherd said. "Sometimes we run on the field, on the track, on the beach, in the hills. You get everything. It's all cross training and football work."
Shepherd says there are at least three things he could've done differently on that play to make the catch. He could've gotten off the ball quicker and simply run under the ball rather than having to attempt a diving catch. He could have used a shake move rather than trying to beat the defensive back with pure speed. And he says he could've caught the ball with his hands instead of against his body.
"I always look at the things I could have done to make that play a successful play," Shepherd said. "I'm ready to get back on the field and catch a touchdown to wipe that one away."
PLAYER NOTES
--Running back Michael Pittman says he will sell his motorcycles following the accident suffered by Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, who was not wearing a helmet. Pittman, who grew up in San Diego, also rides his motorcycle without a helmet.
--The Bucs signed former Vikings receiver Ben Nelson, the Arena League's Rookie of the Year.
To make room for Nelson, the Bucs released first-year defensive end Moe Thompson, who was signed on May 12.
Nelson spent portions of the 2003 and 2004 seasons on the Vikings practice squad.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
--RB Earnest Graham is primarily a special teams player.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--FB Mike Alstott: Potential UFA; $1.5M/1 yr.
--CB Juran Bolden: Potential UFA; 5 yrs, terms unknown.
--PK Matt Bryant: UFA; terms unknown.
--DB Torrie Cox: Not tendered as RFA; terms unknown.
--OT Anthony Davis: ERFA; $4.725M/3 yrs, SB unknown.
--WR Ike Hilliard: UFA; 4 yrs, terms unknown.
--DT Chris Hovan: Potential UFA; $17.5M/5 yrs, SB unknown.
--OG Sean Mahan: RFA; $1.573M/1 yr.
--TE Dave Moore: UFA; terms unknown.
--WR Edell Shepherd: ERFA; terms unknown.
--QB Chris Simms; Potential RFA; $2.1M/1 yr).
--OG Jeb Terry: ERFA; terms unknown.
--OT Kenyatta Walker: UFA; terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--WR David Boston: UFA Dolphins; terms unknown.
--OG Toniu Fonoti: UFA Vikings; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--FB Jerald Sowell: FA Jets; terms unknown.
--OT Torrin Tucker: RFA Cowboys; $2.6M/2 yrs, $100,000 RB: 2006 cap: $1.3M (Cowboys did not match offer).
--LB Jamie Winborn: UFA Jaguars; $1.6M/2 yrs, $200,000 SB.
PLAYERS LOST
--FB Jameel Cook: UFA Texans; $5M/5 yrs, SB unknown.
--LB Jeff Gooch (released).
--QB Brian Griese (released; failed physical/knee).
--TE Will Heller: Not tendered as RFA/Seahawks; terms unknown.
--S Dexter Jackson: UFA Bengals; $7.6M/4 yrs, SB unknown.
--OT Todd Steussie: UFA Rams; $850,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB.
--OG Matt Stinchcomb (released; failed physical/back).
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
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