So giddy is Chad Owens about his so-called "new beginning" with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that he is doing everything but singing, "Yo-ho, a pirate's life for me."

"It's a fresh start for me," said Owens, a former University of Hawai'i receiver/returner who is in town until mid-March, when he will report to the Buccaneers' mini-camp in Florida. He also is the guest instructor at this weekend's Hawai'i Speed and Quickness clinics at the UH athletic complex.

"I'm excited to be a Buccaneer," Owens added. "That's what I needed, a fresh start."

Owens completed his UH career in December 2004. He finished the past two seasons on the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad. The Jaguars, who selected Owens in the 2005 National Football League draft, invited him back for a third season.

Instead, Owens chose to sign a two-year contract with the Buccaneers.

"I've got nothing bad to say about Jacksonville," Owens said. "I wish I could have had a long career there. You have to move on sometimes in life. It's a business. I'm trying to get my career started. I made a decision based on what was best for me and my family."

Owens has earned credit for one year of NFL service. If he makes the Buccaneers' 2007 roster, he will be paid $360,000, the minimum salary for an NFL second-year player.

He also received a signing bonus for an undisclosed amount. As part of the standard NFL contract, only the signing bonus is guaranteed.

Owens and his wife own a home in Jacksonville, and are making plans to move.

"We're going to get that squared away," he said. "I'm not worried about that or anything else. The only thing I'm worried about is being prepared. When I show up, I'm going to show up, if you know what I mean."

He also does not plan to play for NFL Europe.

He said he is training to play receiver and returner. At last month's Senior Bowl, Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden told agent Leo Goeas that Owens will earn a shot to play extensively at receiver.

"I'm fired up about that," Owens said. "The return game is a given. They know that's something I can do. I can't wait. It's two years (in the NFL). It's time to go ahead and make something happen."

In his free time, Owens offers tips to former UH players. Goeas, a former UH and NFL offensive lineman, is the agent for Owens, center/guard Samson Satele, tackle Dane Uperesa, running back Nate Ilaoa and defensive end Melila Purcell III.

Owens said he is confident his former UH teammates will be ready for next week's NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Owens said they have been instructed on how to present themselves during interviews with NFL officials.

"Everything you do in the NFL, starting with the combine and interviews, is a reflection of you as a person and what you're about," Owens said. "If you go in there prepared to kill every question they ask you, then they'll look at each other and think, 'He really was prepared. He knows how to prepare. He'll prepare well for the game. He's going to be ready in crunch time.'

"They know they have to dress appropriately, also," Owens added. "It's basically a job interview. If you go in there wearing sweats, acting really laid back, it might let them think you don't care. You have to give yourself every chance. If you take the approach that they're going to hire the best candidate, you're going to have a good interview."

Owens said he looks forward to serving as guest coach at the Hawai'i Speed and Quickness clinics.

"Those drills are really helpful," Owens said. "Coach Mel (deLaura) used to say that running is a series of jumps. I never really realized that until I started working with the kids. We're going to teach them drills on how to jump higher, and that should be able to help them run faster. It's an awesome opportunity to learn about running and how to become a better runner."

The clinics are open to boys and girls who are in the eighth grade or younger.

Sessions are from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. tomorrow and Sunday.

For a $10 registration fee, each student receives instruction on resistance training and running techniques, coupons for Jamba Juice and Jack in the Box, and a UH football media guide.

There also are scholarships available.

For information, call 739-5444 or log on to: www.hawaiispeedandquickness.com.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.