Becht Tries To Break Mold

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to have landed the prototypical NFL tight end last year when they drafted Alex Smith. As a rookie, Smith flashed the size, speed and athleticism every team wants at the position. But just a few teams � like Kansas City with Tony Gonzales, San Diego with Antonio Gates and Atlanta with Alge Crumpler � actually have managed to find it. The Bucs have big plans for their tight end in 2006. Smith isn't the only person in the blueprint, though. "In my mind, I believe I'm one of the best blockers � if not the best � in the NFL at my position, " said Anthony Becht, a seven year veteran preparing for his second season in Tampa Bay. "Whether that speaks to my abilities, I don't know. But it definitely means something to me." It means something to the Bucs. While rookie tailback Carnell "Cadillac" Williams was the prime reason Tampa Bay's offense vaulted from 29th in rushing in 2004 to 14th in '05, don't overlook what Becht provided. "Conventional tight ends can be prototypes, too," Coach Jon Gruden said. "That's what Becht is for us." There's a place on any team for a There is a place on any team for a guy such as Becht. Considering what he did during the offseason, there might be a bigger role this season. "I don't know what he did, but I hope he keeps doing it," tight ends coach Ron Middleton said. "He's bigger. He's faster. And he gives us more options." Becht signed with the Bucs in 2005 after 5 seasons with the New York Jets, who selected him out of West Virginia with the 27th pick in the 2000 draft. Becht fought through nagging knee pain to make 16 catches in his first season in Tampa. Smith, meanwhile, had two touchdowns in the season opener and finished second on the team with 41 receptions. "I think maybe his pride may have taken a bit of a hit last year when he was taken out of some passing-game situations," Middleton said of Becht. "All I know is that by the time he showed up for [organized team activities], he was a different player." Weeks before the Bucs commenced their offseason workouts, Becht started a conditioning program at The HIT Center in Brandon. That's HIT, as in "High Intensity Training." Becht put himself through a program of plyometrics � which targets strength through elasticity � designed to transfer fat into muscle mass and increase speed. "He never missed a day and was never late," exercise physiologist Mark Gochenour said. "He was serious about it." Becht trained in a warehouse Becht tries to break mold The Tampa Bay tight end trains hard to prove he can do more than block Orlando Sentinel � Chris Harry �August 10, 2006 with temperatures at 95 degrees. He was fastened to treadmills with a harness and paced to run at 19 mph. A huge emphasis was placed on core strength. When Becht showed up at One Buc Place in early March, he was 7 pounds heavier, but also faster, quicker and more explosive. It has carried over in training camp, where Becht is making catches in the flat releasing for throws down the middle of the field. And he still moves the pile when asked to block. "After last year, people probably thought that's all he is capable of," Smith said. "But he is healthy now and looks like a different guy." No one's going to confuse Becht with Gonzalez, Gates, Crumpler or even Smith. No one needs to, either. "We brought Alex in for specific roles, like stretching the field," said Becht, who turned 29 Tuesday. "But I have a role that's my own, and I'm comfortable and confident with what I can do. I think we're going to be a great combo." Chris Harry can be reached at [email protected]. The HIT Center 690 Lakeview Plaza Blvd. Suite H Worthington, OH. 43085 614-825-4484 [email protected] www.hitcenters.com

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