Trueblood fined $15k

Right tackle Jeremy Trueblood has been fined $15,000 by the NFL for "impermissible contact with a game official" during Sunday's victory against the Cardinals, according to an NFL spokesman.

Trueblood was ejected from the game after a run-in with Cardinals defensive lineman Darnell Dockett. During the altercation, in which Trueblood pursued Dockett but was restrained by teammates, Trueblood inadvertently brushed an official. That's a no-no under NFL rules, so it was expected that he'd garner some kind of punishment. Dockett was not fined for his role.

The Bucs were upset after the game, accusing the Cardinals of instigation by swatting at the ball prior to the snap.

"When you look at the replay, they swatted the ball. They missed that call," coach Jon Gruden said Monday. "Then, they tried to swat the ball again. There were some after-the-whistle things going on there that the NFL should look into."

Comments

[Jay]

And not a single fine for either of the two dirty Cards players? Was the NFL not watching the tape at all? I hope Trueblood appeals and wins.

[Bryan]

I think team management should reimburse Trueblood for the fine he's just incurred. I consider his actions to be a matter of pride in standing up for the team without any selfish motive. He was trying to make a statement to the Cardinals players that the Bucs were not going to allow cheap tricks such as they pulled to go unpunished. The Bucs should give him a raise for bringing some pride back to the the team.

[NMbucsfan]

just another example of biased officiating against the Bucs... what did we ever do to deserve this?

[garret]

the cardinals didn't get fined cause they feel bad for there losing seasons no matter how much talent they bring in.. an its just like when barber punched that ref the other player had his facemask but no fine for him ?

[mike]

anyone at this paper want to talk about simeon rice getting cut on fri???????

or do you want to talk about what a great GM Rich McKay was....

[AL]

or talk about the Buc's being 1st in the NFC south?

[NMbucsfan]

I can say I'm damn proud of this years' team, especially when you consider that 9 out of 10 times when a team loses offensive weapons like an Alstott, Williams, Pittman, all out of the same position, it normally equates to a losing streak. Great to see the offensive linemen sticking together and displaying a mean streak! Simeon getting cut on Friday didn't come as a shock to me, he's past his prime. But I'm sure all you Gru-Allen haters are still gonna run your mouths. I'm sure Dungy and McKay are also responsible for Tanard Jackson being drafted and Garcia being signed.

[Tom]

Hey Daniel,
What did I tell you about the Saints being overrated? Fans and critics get so enamored by how explosive their offense is but forget that they have poor fundamentals of a good football team. I also told you that the Rams would match up well with the Saints. Their defense is absolutely horrible. Without Deuce, they are pretty much one dimensional on offense. They will have a tough time in Houston this week also. Andre Johnson is coming back and will tear up their secondary.

The Bucs are clear favorites to win the South. All of you Gruden haters need to take back all the hate that you've been spewing the past few years. Gruden has done a remarkable job with all the players we have on IR. Plus an extremely young offensive line.

DR, congrats on the Boys' beat down on the Giants. Getting Henry back is going to be key for them. The Cowboys and Packers are the teams to beat in the NFC.

[DR]

Tom, thanks. The Cowboys will have Henry and hopefully a 100% Newman as well. He seems to be playing better. Roy Williams still can't guard anybody. They have Tank in the middle which will definitely help their 3-4 DE. I know, he's a bad guy in most people's eyes but having weapons in your house isn't that big a deal in my book. He doesn't have a bad attitude.
My thoughts on TO and Moss. Both have been problem child's in the past but you can never challenge TO's effort on the field. Moss is a quitter and he can set every WR record this year and I will still say he should NEVER get into the HOF. He either quit on his team the last 3 years or wasn't good enough to make his team better.
The parody in the NFL is amazing. The Vikings just last week, crushed the Chargers and then get embarrassed by the Packers. The Saints start off bad, turn it around, looking good and then get killed by an 0-8 team. I know a healthy Rams are better than an 0-8 team. Out of all the NFC teams, the Packers and the Cowboys have been the only consistent teams. We'll know how weird this season is at the end of the season. Its a possibility that two division winners in the NFC will host playoff games against two wild card teams that have better records. 7 weeks left and that is whole lot of time with the way the season is going. Thank God I stopped gambling, I'd be broke right now.

[Steve F]

I'm surprised Dockett didn't twist Earnest Graham's knee when he had the chance.

After all, he's done it before.

[Tom]

DR, having Tank Johnson in the 3-4 is a perfect fit. With him anchoring the middle and taking on double teams, the rush could come from anywhere. Canty, Ellis, Spears, Ware all have the talent to rush the passer. However, other than Ware, those guys need to play a little more to their potential as pass rushers. That's what makes the 3-4 hard to play against if you have the right personnel. You need a massive body as NT and versatile LBs that can rush the passer.

Some Bucs fans have crazy ideas about us playing the 3-4. They just think that if it works for the Patriots and Steelers, then it will work for us. We play a 3-3-5 in clear passing situations which is a good idea to keep Brooks, Ruud and June on the field. Some fans think it's a 3-4.

I agree, having a few pieces to protect the homefront is not a bad thing. Better to have one and not need it than to need one and not have it.

[Bill]

The Cards players should have been fined also, But what about the non-call when the Cards player knocked the ball out of John Wades hand and we get penalized for it. How can a line judge not see that, He's looking right at it.

[DR]

Bill, you're right, it's a terrible missed call and the NFL is too ashamed to make a note of it. I don't understand what Goodell is doing with the officiating. He's now telling them to make a judgement call and eject a player for a helmet-to-helmet hit. Thats another judgement call for the officials to make. Why make it harder on the officials when they can't get the simple things correct like a guy catching a ball with his foot on the line and a line judge staring at it. Even worse, the officials can't even make a call on a blatant act of slapping the ball before its hiked. Thats inexcusable. What game were they watching?

[Daniel]

Tom, I was hoping you were going to be right about the Saints and would be wrong. You were right. Their deefense is pathetic. I'm also glad the Panthers lost as well. Things are looking good the rest of the way if the Bucs can beat the teams they are supposed too.

[Skylar]

It's good to see everybody getting along for a change. I guess that's what a bye week brings. Tom, congratulations on your prediction. I felt like since no other team in NFL history has lost their first four and then won their next five that history would prevail and it did.

DR, your Cowboys are looking good and I eagerly anticipate their upcoming matchup with the Packers to see who really is the best in the NFC.

I think this weekend's events turned out most favorably for the Bucs and they need to start putting together the flashes that we've seen this season into full games. We've really handled some good teams and still lost and it's time we stop beating ouselves.