Tight end Tim Wright has emerged as a favorite target for fellow rookie Mike Glennon, catching 23 of his passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns. The converted receiver talked about his rookie success, making the cut with the Bucs and his background as … team barber.
Folks at Rutgers tell me you were so established as the official team barber that you had an actual barber's chair at the football facility. Where did this start?
It's probably going on 11 years now. My dad had brought a pair of clippers, and at the time, I wasn't living with him. When he wasn't around and I wanted a haircut, I'd be like, "Dang! I have to wait for my dad." One day, I was like, "I'm going to try it." So I went in the bathroom, cut my hair. Being around a barbershop, you sit there and watch. It's not that hard. I threw the clip on, turned the clippers on, cut my hair and it came out nice. Time went by. I started cutting my best friend's hair, then my dad's, my grandfather's. Then at school, I started cutting everybody. When I got to Rutgers, it was on and ready to go.
But getting an actual barber's chair is pretty strong.
Coach (Kyle) Flood was the interim (Rutgers) coach when Coach (Greg) Schiano came down here, and he said, "If I get the interim tag removed and become head coach, I'm going to get you a barber chair; real nice chair."
How many guys' hair would you be cutting?
It was close to like 30 guys.
You said you've done some of the rookies here. Could it take off?
Actually, I'm more focused right now on doing my job on the field. In the offseason, I'd probably pick it back up.
So who has the best hair in this locker room?
I would say (former Rutgers receiver) Tiquan Underwood has the most unique hair. Before he got the high top, I was cutting his hair when he was coming back, training in the offseason. I'd get it going. The last season before he left, he had the high top, and it's been going strong ever since. I definitely want to open my own barbershop called "The Wright Cut."
You put on, maybe, 15 pounds this summer as you moved from receiver to tight end. Is there a favorite food to help with that gain?
I have to give a lot of credit to my fiancee, Jodi. She's a great cook. I get home, and I have a great meal waiting for me. That and some protein shakes, and that's all the weight. We've been together since high school, high school sweethearts; going on nine years.
And you have a young son?
Major, 5 months on the 8th.
So he hasn't had a haircut yet.
Not yet. I'm itching to get a hold of that. I'm going to let him enjoy his hair for now.
Any story behind wearing No. 81?
I had 18 originally as a wide receiver, and when I got moved to tight end, Coach Schiano said to be eligible as a tight end, I had to have either an 80s number or a 40s number. I walked into the locker room and saw 81, so the numbers are just flipped. I can work with that.
Guilty pleasure TV show?
I'm not going to lie: House Hunters. Especially when we were back home when I was training for pro day, I had time on my hands, and that was one of our favorite shows.
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Explore all your optionsLet's do word association, rookie style. Mike Glennon?
Poised leader.
Mike James?
Furious, a lot of heart.
Akeem Spence?
Laid-back, talented.
Johnthan Banks?
Long, athletic.
When did you first think you could make this team?
Coach started putting me in with the 1s and 2s, and I caught a couple of balls. I felt good, like maybe I could play in the NFL. From there, I prepared like I was a starter. Things started to roll for me. I started to understand the scheme a little more offensively, got some trust from the quarterbacks and made more plays.
Usually, you find out you made the cut by not getting a phone call, right?
I came in earlier that day. As rookies, we had lockers in the middle of the locker room. But I came in and saw my locker there (on the side) with my name on it. I thought, "That's a good sign." I didn't officially do anything until 4, 6 o'clock. Once I didn't get that phone call, I was like, "Wow! Guess I made it."
Back to the haircuts. You ever cut a coach's hair? Would you be nervous cutting Schiano?
I didn't cut Coach Schiano's hair. I cut Coach Flood's son's hair. I cut a lot of coaches and their kids. I wouldn't be nervous (with Schiano). I can make that cut.
Greg Auman can be reached at auman@tampabay.com.