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Petitgout Violated NFL Steroids Policy

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 20, 2008

TAMPA - Tampa Bay's release of LT Luke Petitgout came just days before the NFL notified teams he will be suspended for the start of the regular season.

Petitgout must serve a four-game suspension for violating the league's steroid policy, according to Greg Aiello, the NFL's senior vice president of public relations. Players are suspended four games after their first violation, eight after a second infraction and at least one year on their third.

Bucs coach Jon Gruden said the NFL's discipline did not weigh into Tampa Bay's decision to release Petitgout.

"I do like Luke Petitgout a lot, and that's about all I can say," Gruden said. "We made the decisions to do what we did for the reasons we said that we did. Bruce Allen and the league office I'm sure has that information.

"I think a lot of Luke Petitgout. I think he can come back and play. He's just got to get right."

Petitgout came to the Bucs with a history of back problems that kept some teams from taking a chance on him when he hit the free-agent market in 2007.

Those back problems hindered Petitgout through the Bucs' 2007 training camp, but he recovered to start the season and played regularly until he suffered a knee injury in Week 4.

Petitgout joined the Bucs after signing a three-year, $15.5 million deal.

BACKUPS STEPPING UP: Tampa Bay's precise passing game isn't exactly suffering while Jeff Garcia recovers from a calf injury.

In Garcia's absence, Luke McCown and Brian Griese have impressed teammates and coaches with smart decisions and accurate passing through two preseason games.

"That's a very good battle going between the two of them," first-year quarterbacks coach Greg Olson said after Tuesday's practice. "They're both very competitive, but at the same time, very supportive of each other."

McCown, who started the preseason opener at Miami, has completed 16 of his 25 attempts for 149 yards and a touchdown. Griese, who opened at home against New England on Sunday night, has been sharper. Griese went 8-for-8 on Tampa Bay's opening drive and has hit on 19 of his 24 preseason passes for 103 yards and a touchdown.

Adding Chris Simms and rookie Josh Johnson to the mix, Bucs quarterbacks have posted a sparkling 95.5 passer rating, with no interceptions in 65 attempts.

"This is probably the most accurate group of quarterbacks I've had the chance to work with, and probably the most intelligent," Olson said. "They're all making good decisions, and if that carries over to the regular season, I think we'll be a pretty good football team."

With Garcia slated to return to action Saturday night against Jacksonville, McCown and Griese are expected to come off the bench and resume the competition for No. 2.

"Luke's an athlete and, on paper, he knows where he's supposed to go with the ball," Olson said. "Now we just need him to make a few more plays. This offense is a real comfort zone for Brian, and he enjoys the challenge that Coach Gruden gives him every week. Jon knows he can throw anything at Brian and he'll pick it up like a sponge."

IT'S A START: With RG Davin Joseph out for at least a few weeks, rookie Jeremy Zuttah could get his first pro start against the Jaguars. Zuttah played extensively at guard and center in the first two preseason games.

"I'm doing better and feeling more comfortable," said the versatile third-round draft choice out of Rutgers. "I'll be ready to go if they call on me, and playing from the start would be fun. They tell me I've been doing a good job, but I know I have to get better every day."

Ira Kaufman, Anwar S. Richardson

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