Trotter: 'You're going to always have critics'

Jeremiah Trotter has heard the whispers that he has lost a step and that some in the Philadelphia Eagles organization encouraged him to retire.

Trotter, 30, pays no attention to it. He'll answer his critics with his play on the field.

"You can't worry about that. You're going to always have critics,'' said Trotter, who signed a one-year deal with the Bucs Tuesday, two weeks after being released by the Eagles. ""You can't worry about what people say and people think. You just keep working hard and when you're in between those white lines, hit somebody in the mouth. That's all I know how to do.

"I think it's leading by example. Doing the little things. Being on the field. Some things, you really can't describe. When you're on that field and your back is against the wall, your leaders are the guys that step up and get guys to rally together and being able to get guys to play above the level they're capable of doing.''

Quarterback Jeff Garcia, a teammate of Trotter's in Philadelphia, said you get some intangibles with the 262-pound linebacker.

"I don't think that he's lost a step,'' Garcia said. ""It's one of those things where he still puts his head in the hole. He knows what he has to do to be an impact player on the defensive side of the ball. I thought he was one of the best players on our team. He brought so much emotion to the field, so many intangibles that you just can't measure.''

Notes:

Safety Sabby Piscitelli has changed his uniform number to 21 from 38. Looks like Trotter will wear No. 50.

Comments

[Mike]

I think this was a great move by the Bucs. With the loss of Quarles, we need a veteran in the mike position. Trotter is a proven leader and with our style of D, you need a leader calling the play.

[Jason]

Brooks, June, and now Trotter! Awesome!!
Nothing against Ruud, but I hope Trotter starts soon.
I would like to be the first to welcome the Tampa Defense back. We missed you last year, glad your home...

[Phil J.]

Jeremiah Trotter is a veteran leader who plays with a nasty chip on his shoulder. I'm glad he's here. Maybe he will smack some of these runners around when they try running up the gut! GET EM' JT!!

[Jeff]

If Trotter lost a step and still led the team in tackles, what does that say for the rest of the Eaglets.
Good signing

[boltscanucksfan]

Love the Trotter signing. I think he will make the LB core a solid unit. We'll see what he does for us on Sunday...

Just wondering, is there any Bucs fans out here in Seattle? I used to live here, so flew out to see some friends and my Bucs of course. If any fans who flew up to Seattle want some help on where to go, what to do and where to eat, just write in this blog entry and I'll do what I can to help. I was here 6 years, so know the city really well. The Hawks fans are overconfident, thinking we cannot win at Quest. Well, we can win here! . Hope we can make 67,000 fans upset with a Bucs victory.

GO BUCS!

[Big Mike]

Sorry, im not in Seattle but a ture Bucs fan representing the Bucs here in Ventura, Southern California, where everyone else who used to be a Raider and Cowboy fan have jumped on to the Charger bandwagon. I also think the Trotter signing was a good move and it didnt cost us too much. I like that the Bucs are flying under the radar and we will suprise some people. Let the season begin. GO BUCS!!!

[boltscanucksfan]

Big Mike, any true Bucs fan is always a good thing and it doesn't matter where you are from. One of the biggest Bucs fans I know is from Jersey and has been a fan since 76. So, it's all good. I was just trying to offer some help to the Bucs fans from the Florida area that didn't know Seattle well. I do hope the Bucs surprise and get a W. With the Saints losing big last night, it would be nice to be one up on them early in the season. Enjoy the game and GO BUCS!