Lineman linked to steroid probe
By RICK STROUD
Published November 16, 2007
TAMPA - Matt Lehr's name hasn't appeared in the Bucs' starting lineup, but it is among those supplied by a Plano, Texas, trainer to authorities investigating a steroid ring.
The Dallas Morning News reported Lehr, a reserve center and guard, was one of the players who was supplied steroids by David Jacobs.
Jacobs, 35, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Texas to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids. He admittedhe trafficked more than 40,000 units of the drug as well as several thousand units of human growth hormone from February 2006 to April.
Last season, Lehr, 28, was suspended four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.
None of Jacobs' claims have been "publicly verified, and no evidence has been released," the Morning News reported.
The 6-foot-2, 304-pound Lehr played guard and center for the Cowboys for parts of four seasons before his release in 2004. In 2005, he signed with the Falcons and started 26 games over two seasons.
Lehr was unavailable for comment Thursday, and the Bucs had no comment.
HALL MONITOR: The best matchup Sunday will be Bucs receiver Joey Galloway against Atlanta cornerback DeAngelo Hall.
Hall rarely shuts up and has been known to get under the skin of receivers. But Carolina's Steve Smith got the best of Hall earlier this season when he induced him into three penalties, including two personal fouls, on one drive.
Galloway said he doesn't engage defensive backs in chatter.
"No, never," he said. "When I was a little younger, maybe. And when I've gone against (Hall), there hasn't been any conversation whatsoever. I don't expect this year to be any different."
Bucs coach Jon Gruden said he considers Hall one of the best corners in the league.
"I think he's great," Gruden said. "He's a premier player in the league."
LEFTWICH RIGHT FOR SUNDAY? The Bucs might have to begin preparing for quarterback Byron Leftwich instead of Joey Harrington.
Although Harrington has led the Falcons to consecutive victories, coach Bobby Petrinosaid Leftwich is the starter when healthy. Wednesday, he practiced for the first time since ankle surgery Oct. 21.
Petrino was asked if he was worried about affecting the team's continuity by switching quarterbacks.
"Sure, it's something you worry about," Petrino said. "But ... we made the decision a while back that Byron is the starter and Joey is the backup. Right now, it's just a health issue."
Gruden said both quarterbacks pose problems.
"I'm impressed with them. I always have been," Gruden said. "Both of those guys have had great moments in the league. They are in a new system, just like (Jeff) Garcia is. I've got a lot of respect for them. They're tough guys. They're experienced guys. They're leaders, and they have pretty good support around them."
INJURY UPDATE: Three players returned to practice on a full-time basis: receiver Ike Hilliard (calf), defensive end Patrick Chukwurah (shoulder) and linebacker Quincy Black (hamstring). But fullback B.J. Askew was added to the injury report with a sprained ankle and was limited in practice.
Also limited was receiver Michael Clayton (ankle), running back Michael Pittman (ankle), tight end Alex Smith (ankle), running back Earnest Graham (ankle) and tackle Jeremy Trueblood (shoulder).
Defensive end Greg Spires is out with a torn calf muscle.