They weren't fair to him, a rookie safety from Boca Raton High, who played just two seasons of high school football before landing a scholarship offer from coach Dennis Erickson at Oregon State University.

And they weren't fair to John Lynch, a 15-year NFL veteran safety who enters his fourth season with the Denver Broncos after playing 11 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

When the Bucs selected Piscatelli in the second round with the 64th overall pick in April, some draft analysts compared Piscatelli, 23, to Lynch, 35.

"The reality of it, is that he's a legend," Piscatelli said. "He's one of the best to play the game. I don't think you can really compare us, other than that we're both white and we're about the same size.

"He's one of my idols. He's one of my favorite players. I've never met him in person. But I've got to make my own name. I have my own style."

Piscatelli stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 224 pounds, compared to Lynch, who is 6-2, 220.

Piscatelli started 12 games last season at strong safety, compiling 64 tackles, one sack and five interceptions.

The Bucs report to training camp July 26 in Celebration, near Orlando.

Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden doesn't give much credence to any Piscatelli-Lynch comparisons.

"John was one of my favorite players, too, and I'm nothing like Lynch, either," Gruden said. "We just want Sabby to be Sabby and put his own spin on the position.

"He's capable of delivering some pop. He's got real good sideline-to-sideline range. We think he's a good blitzer. He's a capable guy coming off the edge, and he can rush with power or rush with speed."

Gruden also counts on Piscatelli to contribute on special teams.

"But to compare to John Lynch, you'd better check back in six or seven years, because that big guy brought it every week for a long time. It's not real fair, I think, to compare them."

Forbidden by his father from playing tackle football until his junior year of high school, Piscatelli learned the game fast.

"I played baseball in my early high school years," he said. "I wouldn't say it was a sport I wanted to pursue professionally.

"When I started playing football, I had my mind made up that that was the sport for me. I went out my junior season and I fell in love with it."

Piscatelli said he didn't get many scholarship offers because he had only played for two years in high school. He did, however, connect with Erickson, who formerly coached the University of Miami Hurricanes.

"My recruiting was a little misconstrued, a little messed up," Piscatelli said. "I thought Oregon State was my best opportunity to get my foot in the door and go from there."

Going from there led to being drafted by a team in his hometown's state.

"Being in my home state is truly another blessing in disguise," Piscatelli said. "I always wanted to be a professional athlete. I did envision myself as a pro athlete, but I never imagined that I'd be able to do it in my home state."

Perhaps Piscatelli will allow the Lynch comparisons to carry some worth.

"In college, I was known as a playmaker," said Piscatelli, who finished his career with 29 passes defensed, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries and 15 interceptions, tied for second in school history.