LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Here are five observations from Bucs camp:

	Rob (11) and Brad Johnson (14) could be involved in a season-long battle.

1. There is no denying that coach Jon Gruden is enamored with quarterback Rob Johnson, feels that he has starter's skills that have perhaps been squandered in the past, and wants to be the man who salvages the career of the seven-year veteran. That said, and even with Johnson performing well in training camp to this point, he really hasn't closed the gap on incumbent starter Brad Johnson, who has also thrown the ball impressively. Gruden went out of his way over the weekend, amid a barrage of queries from national media types on hand, to make it clear that Brad Johnson is the starter. Asked if this was a key season for Rob Johnson, the coach replied: "The next two or three years are big for Rob Johnson. This is a process. I want him to settle in, do the things he can control, learn the offense, and eventually be the best he can be." The former Buffalo starter looks more controlled in Gruden's quarterback-friendly offense and has flashed his considerable physical tools. But Brad Johnson, who answered some of his critics by actually starting all 16 games a year ago, also has answered the challenge of being pushed to keep his job. Brad Johnson is clearly tired of the questions about his security. Rumors that he was headed to the Miami Dolphins for fellow quarterback Jay Fiedler only adds fuel to the fire, but he doesn't appear to be a quarterback who is looking over his shoulder right now.

2. Don't be surprised if tailback Michael Pittman, signed from Arizona as an unrestricted free agent this spring, becomes this season's Priest Holmes. The four-year veteran is a physical specimen, with some of the biggest upper arms you'll ever see, and possesses the kind of complete skills Gruden wants at the position. Two years ago, Pittman was one of only two players in the league (Ahman Green of the Green Bay Packers was the other) to lead his team in rushing and receptions, and he has 115 catches over the last two years. But those numbers were mostly ignored because he played for the Arizona Cardinals, who generate modest media attention at best, although personnel people leaguewide seemed to know about the former Fresno State standout. In consecutive seasons, Pittman wrested the starting job from former Cardinals first-round pick Thomas Jones, but won't have to worry about that here. It appears Pittman has won the job and that Mike Alstott will play primarily in the one-back situations to which he is best suited. Pittman made several big plays over the weekend and, while he isn't nearly as quick as the departed Warrick Dunn, he better suits the model Gruden has in mind. One concern is that, in two seasons as a starter, Pittman averaged just 3.7 yards.

3.The "breakout" player on the defensive side of the ball could well be nose tackle Anthony McFarland, a fourth-year veteran and former first-round draft choice, and now a player who is beginning to move outside of Warren Sapp's ponderous shadow. The former LSU star is entering his third season as a starter and seems poised to take his game to the next level. It's rare to see nose tackles with as much quickness as he has, and even though the Bucs retained coordinator Monte Kiffin when Gruden came aboard, he might make some subtle changes up front to take more advantage of McFarland's speed. McFarland's role is to draw double-teams, and keep blockers off the linebackers, but he still makes more plays than many defenders at his position and can be a disruptive force. He has notable penetration skills, has notched 11 sacks in three seasons (excellent number for a nose tackle), he has the potential to help compress the pocket inside. Sapp is still the player to whom everyone is drawn, but McFarland was every bit as productive in 2001 and is quickly gaining a reputation of his own.

4. Tampa Bay is suddenly loaded at the offensive tackle position and former strongside starter Jerry Wunsch, a five-year veteran with 46 starts on his resume, could well be the odd man out. No one should be surprised if Wunsch, 28, is released or traded. The Bucs have moved 2001 first-rounder Kenyatta Walker, who struggled at left tackle last season, back to his more natural right tackle spot. That's where Walker played at the University of Florida and, unlike the past staff, the new regime decided quickly that he lacked the feet at this point in his career to be a blindside protector. It may be that Walker moves back to left tackle later in his career, but new offensive line mentor Bill Muir is convinced he will be a better player this year on the right side. Tampa Bay signed two veteran free agents, Roman Oben and the venerable Lomas Brown, and the former has moved in as the starter at left tackle. The club also re-signed Pete Pierson, a longtime Tampa Bay backup, and he's not a bad inexpensive insurance policy. Gruden is thrilled to have Brown, who is in his 18th training camp, around. He will provide solid leadership and Gruden is convinced that, once he gets into football shape again, Brown will be able to contribute. It looks like he'll be the top backup at both tackle spots and, if that's the case, Wunsch will have a difficult time making the roster. Perhaps the best acquisition on the offensive line, though, was Muir, who quietly rates as one of the premier line coaches in the game. Now in his 21st NFL season, Muir has assembled solid units virtually every year in the league.

5. Gruden is the equivalent of a rock idol here. During the Saturday practices, fans wore "Got Gruden?" T-shirts and chanted his name. One kid painted his face to resemble the Gruden mug and fans try to imitate his various facial contortions. Gruden has done a tremendous job relating to the fans, and he signed autographs for more than a half-hour after both Saturday sessions. But he's also a guy who is deep into football. After the Saturday morning practice his son Michael, the middle of his three boys, was missing in the crowd. As his wife, Sherry, alerted security personnel, and ran up and down the field looking for him, Gruden was all but oblivious to the commotion. That's not to suggest, though, Gruden isn't a good family man, because he is. His oldest son, Deuce, came up to him after the morning practice, and Gruden spent several minutes talking to him before turning to the requisite media interviews. Told that he was bigger in these parts than even Disney, he laughed. "Yeah, until we lose two games in a row," he said.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.