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Ex-ex-Buc Yo Murphy back on practice squad

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By RICK STROUD and ROGER MILLS

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 5, 2000

TAMPA -- Call him Yo-Yo.

Receiver Yo Murphy was signed to the practice squad Wednesday, joining Tampa Bay for the third time in two seasons.

Agent Paul Sheehy said the Bucs might activate Murphy and sign him to the 53-man roster in time for Monday night's game at Minnesota. That would provide a bit of irony. Murphy was claimed by the Vikings after being released by Tampa Bay a year ago and then fumbled a punt and paved the way for the Bucs' win over the Vikings on Monday Night Football.

"He's real excited to return to the Bucs," Sheehy said. "Isn't it interesting they signed him the week they play Minnesota?"

Murphy has been living in Tampa and working at an advertising firm since the Bucs released him at the end of training camp, Sheehy said. Several teams expressed an interest in him, including the Saints.

Sheehy said the Bucs signed practice squad fullback Charles Kirby to the active roster Wednesday, making a practice squad spot available for Murphy. But the Bucs reported no transactions Wednesday, and general manager Rich McKay did not return phone messages.

Murphy provides the Bucs with another receiver. Karl Williams has a knee injury and will be out 4-6 weeks. Williams will be replaced on the 47-man active list by veteran Andre Hastings, who also might assume punt return duties.

WARREN'S WORLD: First it was Pro Bowl receiver Keyshawn Johnson. Now it's Sapp.

On his weekly radio show, Warren's World, which aired at 6 p.m. Tuesday on WQYK-AM 1010, Sapp was critical of the offense and suggested the team needs to be less conservative.

"In certain situations, we ran the ball three times in a row," Sapp said. "I think we have got to open it up. (Quarterback) Shaun King is more than a capable guy. He can handle it."

Sapp said his comments should not be interpreted as a sign of the defense losing faith in the offense but an endorsement of getting King more involved.

"If we're going to ride with this guy, let's go, let's go," Sapp said.

Sapp also sounded surprised that Redskins defensive end Marco Coleman registered three sacks against the Bucs.

"C'mon, don't tell me that Marco Coleman is the scariest (defensive end) we're going to see," Sapp said. "Marco Coleman? Are you kidding me?"

REMEMBER THE ALARM: For the first time since being made to sit out the first quarter of the Redskins game, Sapp revealed the cause of his tardiness. He forgot to set his alarm clock.

"I was late to work Saturday morning," Sapp said. "That was my crime against humanity."

Sapp said coach Tony Dungy informed him 10 to 15 minutes before the game that he wasn't going to play the first quarter. He said he was embarrassed because his wife and mother were in the stands.

"My (boss) sat me down in front a whole national audience for 15 minutes," Sapp said. "He made the call. I don't have to like, but I have to stand by it."

SAPP MEANS OT: The Vikings have lots of respect for Sapp, so much so that their offensive line is putting in overtime to prepare for last season's NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

"I've been thinking about Warren Sapp all year," left tackle Corbin Lacina said. "That's how you treat guys like that. ... He's special. Every week is business, and every week you know you're going against a quality defensive tackle or the guy wouldn't be in the league. But Warren is a different story. A week against Warren is like a week of overtime work. You do everything a little extra. You watch more film; you just work harder. He's too disruptive not to be prepared. You just do more when you face a guy like Warren or you'll get beat."

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