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NFL Takes Notice Of Way Stevens Celebrated TD

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By IRA KAUFMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 25, 2008

TAMPA - Jerramy Stevens said he merely got caught up in the heat of the moment.

After Tampa Bay's embattled tight end caught a 1-yard scoring pass with seven seconds remaining to send Sunday's game at Soldier Field into overtime, Stevens made a chopping motion with his right hand toward his inner thigh.

An NFL spokesman said the league is investigating the end zone gesture to determine whether punishment is warranted.

Stevens is under intense scrutiny because of a checkered past. He missed the first two games of the regular season while serving a league-mandated suspension.

"It was just being excited," Stevens said Wednesday of his unorthodox end zone gesture. "That's all it really was. It was a big play for me personally coming back. It was just emotion."

Some observers, including NFL Network announcers, appeared curious about the meaning of Stevens' gesture.

"It wasn't anything planned," Stevens said.

Stevens was asked if he would duplicate the same move for Sunday's home game against the Packers.

"Hopefully I'll get to the end zone and I'll deal with celebrations after that," he said.

INJURY UPDATE: G Davin Joseph, sidelined since breaking his right foot Aug. 17, returned to practice in a limited capacity Wednesday and may play against Green Bay.

"There's a lot of variables, a lot of decision making that's not just mine," Joseph said. "If it was my decision, it would have been done already. I don't know what my role will be. I feel good in general, so hopefully everything works out."

Rookie Jeremy Zuttah has played well subbing at right guard for the first three games while Joseph completes his rehab from surgery.

"They're playing great," Joseph said of Tampa Bay's offensive line. "I'm really proud of those guys right now."

WR Joey Galloway (foot), FB B.J. Askew (hamstring) and DT Ryan Sims (groin) missed Wednesday's practice, but rookie CB Aqib Talib, who did not dress at Chicago because of a strained hamstring, returned to the practice field.

TOUGH ASSIGNMENT: Jeremy Trueblood is bracing for one of the biggest challenges of his pro career.

Tampa Bay's aggressive third-year right tackle takes on two-time Pro Bowl DE Aaron Kampman on Sunday as the Packers roll into Raymond James Stadium coming off a 27-16 home loss to Dallas.

"This is my first time against him and I know Kampman has all kinds of pass-rushing moves," Trueblood said. "He's a powerful guy, so I'm sure I'll see a lot of bull rushes, but he mixes things up well and he seems to get it done every year."

Kampman already has four sacks on the season and he leads all NFL players with 31.5 sacks since 2006.

"He's a very physical player," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said, "and Kampman is hard to block. He's got a motor that just doesn't stop."

The Bucs did not allow a sack last week, despite a franchise-record 67 pass attempts by Brian Griese.

GOOD COMPANY: Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers is off to an impressive start as he replaces Lambeau legend Brett Favre.

Rodgers is only the third NFL QB since 1970 with at least 500 passing yards and no interceptions over his first three career starts, joining Hall of Famer Warren Moon (1984 with Houston) and future Hall of Famer Tom Brady (2001 with New England).

"Rodgers is playing with a lot of confidence," Bucs DT Chris Hovan said. "We're going to try and do everything we can to fluster him on Sunday."

EXTRA POINTS: The league has ruled that a second-quarter sack against Chicago originally credited solely to DE Kevin Carter should be split between Carter and Sims. ...The Packers have won nine of their past 11 road games. ... Tampa Bay's average of 5.5 yards per rushing attempt is second in the league to Atlanta's 5.7 average ... Green Bay will face the Bucs without Pro Bowl CB Al Harris, who suffered a spleen injury against the Cowboys that could sideline the veteran for the rest of the season.

Ira Kaufman

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