TAMPA, Fla. -- After sitting out most of the past three seasons because of injuries, Tampa Bay's David Boston is making the most of his latest bid to revive a once-promising NFL career.
The 29-year-old was one of the league's best young receivers when had 98 catches for 1,598 yards and eight touchdowns with Arizona in 2001, but two knee operations and suspensions derailed the emerging star during subsequent stops in San Diego and Miami.
Now, he's in training camp with the Buccaneers for the second straight summer and has a good chance to not only make the team, but wind up as the starting flanker.
"I played with David in the Pro Bowl back a handful of years ago. He was awesome back then, and it really looks like he's gotten back to being that type of player again," quarterback Jeff Garcia said.
"Nobody knows for sure how it's going to turn out, but it is exciting to have him out there, to have him working the way he's working."
When Boston -- limited to five games over the past three years because of two separate knee injuries that required surgery -- caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from Garcia during last Saturday's preseason outing against Jacksonville, it was the first time he'd reached the end zone in a game of any kind since 2003.
He showed coach Jon Gruden enough in training camp a year ago to survive the final cuts, however the eighth-year pro was released on the eve of the season opener when an injury to guard Davin Joseph left the Bucs short an offensive lineman.
"We knew he was on the rise and coming back physically, but we knew he also wasn't going to be ready early in the season. That's one of the reasons why we made the decision we did," Gruden said.
"There's not a guy who works harder than David Boston. He doesn't have those arms and those legs for no reason. He's been really, really persistent in his work. We knew if we could get him back, he'd be a viable contender to not only make the team but start."
"I've had some ups and downs. ... Now, I'm moving in the right direction," Boston said, adding that's he learned from his mistakes and is determined to capitalize on what could be his final opportunity to resurrect his career.
"I'm a positive thinker. I'm just trying to take advantage of each day. Every play that I have could be my last play," he said. "If you hold that thought for a while, there really isn't time for any negative thoughts."
Although Boston received some calls from other clubs after he was released by Tampa Bay last September, he remained unsigned until the Bucs brought him back this offseason.
"I had a few other workouts, but the main thing I wanted to do was get myself in the best physical shape that I could. ... That was the main objective," said Boston, who has two catches for 24 yards in two preseason games.
"It was difficult, obviously, sitting out a year," he added. "I love this game, and I love to compete. I missed the competition, being around the guys and playing football. It was tough."
A year ago, the Bucs tailored a special training camp program for Boston, mostly limiting him to one practice per day. His surgically-repaired knee has held to a more rigorous two-a-day schedule this summer, bolstering his chances of making the team.
Gruden certainly likes what he's seen.
"He might be our best receiver at times out here," the coach said.
"The son of a gun is 235 pounds, and when he catches that ball going north and south, he's going to be a force to be reckoned with. He's doing a heck of a job."
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved
