By ROGER MILLS and RICK STROUD
Published October 10, 2003
TAMPA - After an exchange of words between Bucs defensive tackle Warren Sapp and Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington, the NFL stepped in Thursday to prevent further incidents.
Wednesday, Arrington pledged, among other things, that he would retaliate should Sapp try to run or jump through the Redskins warmup line before Sunday's game. It has been Sapp's practice for a number of seasons.
Thursday, the league sent a letter to Bucs general manager Rich McKay and to the Redskins stating that players are not allowed to disrupt opponents' warmup drills.
The league said the result will be a 15-yard penalty, assessed on the opening kickoff.
The NFL also warned both teams that if hostilities break out before the game, participants will be subject to ejection.
"League policy is what it is," Bucs coach Jon Gruden told the Associated Press. "I've seen guys fined for having their socks too low. ... There are fines for a lot of things. Obviously, this is an issue that is important to the league. And they are going to make it well known to us and we'll do everything we can to enforce it."
Arrington also said Wednesday that using Sapp on offense was "disrespectful" and told reporters, "Sapp, I'm going to get you!"
Thursday, Gruden had this reaction to Arrington's comments: "I don't have a reaction, really. I don't know exactly what he said nor is it of my concern right now. I've got a little bit more pressing issues."
ON THE VERGE: Depending on what the X-ray says today, Pro Bowl middle linebacker Shelton Quarles could be back in the starting lineup Sunday.
Quarles broke his left forearm Sept. 4 and hasn't played this season. He resumed practice last week, and Thursday went through his first full contact practice, which included tackling.
"I'm not sure, but it's looking pretty good right now, but we still have to wait and see what the doctor says," Quarles said. "If he clears me I'll be ready to go, if not I'll wait until another week."
The biggest hurdle left for Quarles, who started every game last season, is an X-ray that shows sufficient bone growth.
"Hopefully, there's a little bit more bone in there. I've got a contraption on my arm right now and it's kind of hard to run around with that," Quarles said. "It was good. I welcomed the contact and didn't shy away from it. We'll see (today) how it feels, but based on how it went (Thursday), I think it went great."
COOKING ON A FULL TANK: With Mike Alstott out for the year, the Bucs plan to start third-year fullback Jameel Cook. He said his prayers were with Alstott but added he has to make the best of his opportunity.
"I've started a couple of games before in my short career and I look at myself as a starter," he said. "In this league, you don't know what's going to happen. But, I'm a hard worker and I prepare real well. I've got my plays right here. There isn't any extra pressure."
Cook said becoming a starter presents different challenges.
"When you're a part of that core, you have to be on it, no matter what," he said. "I have to know the running back assignments, I have to know my assignments and I take pride in that. (Running backs) coach (Kirby) Wilson instilled in us that you have to take pride in being on the details. My main thing is to be in shape and condition.
"I haven't taken a lot of consecutive reps like I'm going to in a while and that's going to be the extra thing. ... The best conditioning is practice. You can go out and run miles and miles but you won't be in football shape."
MUCH RESPECT: In eight years defensive end Simeon Rice has 82 regular-season sacks and is considered one of the best pass rushers in the game.
But Rice said he is deeply respectful of Redskins defensive end Bruce Smith, 40, who has 196.5 career sacks, two shy of passing Reggie White's NFL record.
"You have to totally respect that dude," Rice said. "You have to take your hat off to him. Every time I wake up there are times when you feel like you don't want to get out of bed.
"For a guy like that, who has been through so many ups and so many downs and been so stellar, and now playing kind of mediocre, not playing with the kind of numbers he's accustomed to as Bruce Smith, it's humbling. It can be debilitating, mentally. Yet, he's playing all out, hard, all the time.
"I pay nothing but homage to a guy like that."
RED BATH: Left tackle Roman Oben was victimized by a few cruel pranksters, his own teammates. Celebrating his 31st birthday Thursday, Oben was distracted by one teammate and doused with red Gatorade by another. Cornell Green and Kenyatta Walker were involved in the sting.
INJURY REPORT: Receiver Joe Jurevicius (right knee sprain) is out. Cornerback Brian Kelly (left pectoral sprain) did not practice and is doubtful. Receiver Keyshawn Johnson (left quad bruise) also sat out practice and is questionable. Safety Jermaine Phillips (right hamstring strain), defensive end Greg Spires (right calf strain), running back Aaron Stecker (right knee sprain) and receiver Karl Williams (left hamstring strain) are all probable.
