Trial could limit practice time for TE Stevens
By STEPHEN F. HOLDER and JOANNE KORTH, Times Staff Writers
Published September 3, 2007
TAMPA - Tight end Jerramy Stevens is scheduled to go to trial this week in Scottsdale, Ariz., charged with drunken driving, and could miss two days of practice as the Bucs prepare for their season opener against his former team, the Seahawks.
"We're going to try to help him do what he needs to do," coach Jon Gruden said, adding that Stevens is likely to play Sunday in Seattle.
Stevens, 27, was arrested March 13 in Scottsdale and charged with driving under the influence.
The NFL has been monitoring the sixth-year player's case, and a guilty verdict could result in a suspension, given his multiple run-ins with police, dating to his college days at Washington.
The trial is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, two of the most important practice days of the week.
Stevens finished Thursday's preseason finale with a game-high seven receptions for 100 yards, impressing Gruden.
"He's got rare pass-receiving ability," Gruden said. "We went into the game wanting the feature him, and he took full advantage of that. He was wide open on a couple of other situations and the quarterbacks didn't see him. ... He's a great athlete."
WADE WINS: John Wade is used to the drill. Every year, the team brings in a free agent or converts a guard to compete for his starting center job. And every year, Wade prevails.
Wade, 32, will start his fifth consecutive opener for the Bucs on Sunday.
"Competition is just the nature of the business," Wade said. "It's tough every year. But it's not on anybody but me to go out and play as well as I can play, and let the coaches make their decision. It doesn't matter who they bring in, they're still going to look at the tape and make their decision."
Wade has started 56 games since joining the Bucs as a free agent in 2003, missing only eight in 2004 when he dislocated a knee and finished the season on injured reserve.
This preseason, he fought off free agent Matt Lehr, who started the past two seasons for Atlanta, and a converted guard, Dan Buenning, who has never played center.
The center does much more than just snap the ball to the quarterback. At the line of scrimmage, he is responsible for calling out the blocking assignments. Experience in Gruden's offense was a plus for Wade over Lehr and Buenning, though both made the team.
"I think it would be to my advantage, versus somebody coming in new, not only to have the offseason experience but to have actual game experience," Wade said. "It helps with some of the stuff they want done, the calls they want made."
INJURY REPORT: The Bucs appear to be fairly healthy to start the regular season. Rookie guard Arron Sears (right ankle), right tackle Jeremy Trueblood (foot) and tight end Alex Smith (left ankle) returned to practice Sunday and are expected to start. Cornerback Phillip Buchanon (right hand) practiced and will play. Defensive end Patrick Chukwurah (knee) was limited during the light workout, and his status is uncertain.
Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3377. Joanne Korth can be reached at korth@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8810.