Bucs TE Stevens working to earn QB Freeman's trust in red zone

At 6-foot-7 and 260 pounds, Jerramy Stevens pulled off a heck of a vanishing act last year.

The veteran tight end of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers became an afterthought in the passing game as the Bucs went 3-13, catching only 15 passes for 130 yards and one touchdown. In his first two years in Tampa, Stevens averaged 27 receptions and three scoring catches, but his production dropped dramatically once the Bucs traded for tight end Kellen Winslow after the 2008 season.

"The plan was to have both Kellen and I on the field for us to have our greatest advantage, but we got away from that for whatever reason and it was definitely frustrating,'' Stevens said Tuesday after the morning practice of mandatory minicamp. "Now, it's my job to remind Josh Freeman that I'm here and I'm going to make plays for you.''

Stevens, 30, had been a formidable threat in the red zone for both the Buccaneers and the Seahawks, but he and Freeman didn't connect much once the rookie quarterback became the starter for the final nine games.

"In the red zone, your quarterback has to trust you,'' said Stevens. "I've been out here telling Josh to give me a chance. Throw it high to either me or nobody. No one's going to go above me to get the ball, so put it up and we'll go on to the next play if we don't get it.''

Offensive coordinator Greg Olson, who was promoted from quarterbacks coach only 10 days before the 2009 season opener, is determined to utilize Stevens more. After catching seven passes from Byron Leftwich in the first two weeks, Stevens posted only eight more receptions in the final 14 games as the Bucs turned to Josh Johnson and Freeman under center.

"Both Jerramy and Kellen are very talented targets,'' Olson said. "We have to try and get our best 11 players on the field. I'm confident there has been an opportunity during this offseason for Jerramy and Josh to develop a relationship. There's no question Jerramy Stevens needs to be a bigger part of this offense.''