One-game suspension for Stevens

The NFL just announced that tight end Jerramy Stevens has been suspended without pay for Sunday's game against the Falcons and fined an additional game check for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

The ruling presumably stems from Stevens' September drunk-driving conviction in Scottsdale, Ariz., the result of a charge filed before his signing with the Bucs in April. Details of players' involvement in the substance-abuse policy is confidential, but it's believed that because of Stevens' history of alcohol-related offenses, he has been enrolled in the program. The suspension will cost Stevens $75,000 in salary.

General manager Bruce Allen said the following in a recently-released statement: "When we signed Jerramy this spring, we knew there was a possibility that he could face some type of disciplinary action from the NFL for his prior actions. Since he has been with the Buccaneers, Jerramy has been a great teammate and productive player for our team."

Stevens was sentenced to a jail term of 12 days and $3,160 in fines at his sentencing in October, but the sentence was immediately stayed by a judge because of the player's pending appeal. James Nesci, Stevens' attorney, previously told us he did not expect the appeal to be heard until well after the end of the season.

Though alcohol is not considered a banned substance by the NFL, the league can impose penalties for its abuse in certain instances.

In the substance-abuse policy, it states: "The commissioner will review and may impose a fine, suspension, or other appropriate discipline if a player is convicted of or admits to a violation of the law . . . relating to the use of alcohol."

First offenses aren't subject to suspensions, but subsequent violations are subject to suspension and higher fines. Stevens has two prior alcohol-related arrests -- one while a member of the Seahawks and another while at the University of Washington. He served brief jail sentences in both instances.

Comments

[M.A.C.]

Stephen,

Would you ask players if they know anyone who has struggled with substance abuse? Similar to your dogfighting questions from the summer.

[Bro-Eli]

Stevens fits in nicely with Allen's concept of morality. He had a problem - why did the Bucs sign him?

[Sean]

Bro-Eli

Sapp was using an illegal drug in college...why did the Bucs draft him? Guess he fit in nicely with Dungy's concept of morality.

[7979]

stevens is a grate playa. yall need to quit being h8ers- or else my boy toy skylar will whip you. GRRR!!!!!

[Ron]

Sean, Sapp was drafted before Dungy arrived.

[mark]

I like the logic but Sapp was drafted by Sam Wyche.

[Sean]

All right I should have gone GM to GM.

[Sean]

So if lynch, brooks and sapp were all here before dungy...does that mean dungy won with wyche's team like gruden won with dungy's?

[DR]

It's about time they suspended him. It should have been 2 weeks for the flagrant .20+ that he blew.

[Daniel]

Actually Sean, Wyche didn't draft anybody. McKay did with the help of Tom Ruskell and Jerry Angelo. McKay saw the Draft as the domain of the GM and the scouting Dept, although he did seek input from the coaches, the vast majority if the evaluations NEEDED to come from the scouts. He made the final desicions. In the case of Sapp, although character was important to all on the Bucs staff at the time, they were willing to overlook Sapps past transgressions, although Ruskell and Angelo investigated Sapps predraft drug rumours themselves. This information comes from the book "The Draft: A year inside the NFL's search for talent" by Pete Williams. To emphasize how much power in the draft Dungey DIDN"T have, Ruskell and Angelo lobbied hard to draft Ronde Barber, although Dungy and then defensive backs coach Herm Edwards had reservations. Ruskell and Angelo had final say, a good thing I might add.

[Trotter]

Daniel, please educate yourself on the team. McKay had no control of the draft, although he may have been looking over Wyches shoulder.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n21_v219/ai_16919639

Yes, Dungy lost all of those playoff games with Wyches players.

[Daniel]

Trotter, That was a good article, but it just confirms what I just written, here is a quote from YOUR article "In the minutes before they drafted Sapp, McKay won Rosenhaus' assurance that "this wasn't going to be a 12th pick arguing he should be paid like a third pick," as McKay put it." Listen, Trotter one book does not make me an expert on the draft, but this comment, "McKay saw the Draft as the domain of the GM and the scouting Dept, although he did seek input from the coaches, the vast majority of the evaluations NEEDED to come from the scouts." came word for word, right out of that book. The story of Ronde did also. In fact there was a section about Wyche in there and he NEVER evaluated players. The coach always gets quoted when a new player is drafted, but your artitcle doesn't say Wyche did the drafting, it talked about mini camp AFTER he was drafted. While that article mentions the Bucs investigated Sapp, it doesn't say it was Angelo and Ruskell doing the investigations personally. Believe what you like, but I suggest you pick up copy a "The Draft" which delves into the inner workings of the Draft much more than a four page Sporting News article.

[Trotter]

*************
"I told him, `This is man to man, Warren. This is no baloney. I'm going to hit you right between the eyes with it. I need to hear you tell me something, and I need to hear in your voice that you mean it.'"

It was then that Sapp admitted his past "mistakes" with marijuana, staunchly denied the cocaine allegations and swore to Wyche that the coach would not regret the faith you're showing in me."

********

Daniel, I don't really want to get into a long drawn out conversation. I have stated many times in the past that there would be no Lombardi without everyone of those guys, Gruden, McKay, Dungy, all staff, and most of all the players, and the Glazers. I just don't like when McKay is given to much of the credit, when he was just a spoke in the wheel. And I am glad he is where he is, and Allen is here. The Cap is corrected, and the team has moved on.

[Daniel]

Trotter, I read that article, that quote was "MOMENTS" before they selected him. In the "MINUTES" before they selected him "To stop his client's draft free fall, Rosenhaus agreed then to a deal only slightly better than the one signed by last year's 12th pick, comerback Aaron Glenn of the jets."
I'm no McKay fan, the reason he left is because he didn't feel coaches could spend hours in the office and still have time to evaluate players, the draft was his domain and Gruden wanted to make it PART of his.
McKay made plenty of mistakes, especially at wide reciever, Green, Anthony, Walker, and he is still making them in Atlanta. I'm not trying to give him credit, beleive me, But he did do the drafting while he was here. At least that is what that book said. Pick up a copy, it is a good read non the less.

[Mike]

Trotter,
I'm not a Rich Mckay guy, I shed no tears when he left. Your comment "McKay had no control of the draft" coundn't be farther from the truth. According to this article, McKay reorganized the way the Bucs did things when he got here to take the power away from the coaching staff and give it to the scouts.
http://archive.profootballweekly.com/content/archives2001/features_2001/agrest_070201.asp
I read the link you posted and I don't know how you came to the conclusion he "had no control over the draft"
He had ALL the control.

[John P]

McKay, Dungy, Gruden and Wyche ALL made draft mistakes. Vince Lombardi made numerous draft mistakes as well. It's endemic to the profession, not a trait of a bad evaluator. The common denominator: You can never tell how a guy will react to the speed of the game.

The worst coach (in my opinion) the Bucs ever had (Ray Perkins) was actually a good drafter who literally tried to murder his players before the season ever began. Look at the 1987 draft where he got 8 starters who went on to very good NFL success.

As far as Mr. Stevens goes - I'd like to think of him as a possible Michael Pittman in the making. Since he's been here, he's been clean. I won't say anything else than that.

[Trotter]

Mike, look at the dates on the revisionist article. I will say that McKay had some involvement in the 95 draft, but that is all I give him credit for, some. The article was written right after the draft in 95. I post it probably more for the Dungy/McKay worshipers than you and Daniel type fans.

McKay was just hired before the 95 draft, and he did not make the decision to draft Sapp/Brooks, and Lynch in 93.

Revise history all you want to with books and articles written years after the fact to further the legend of Rich McKay in his own mind, but Sam Wyche was the outgoing GM in 95, and taught McKay everything he knows, lol. Chucky ran the terd out of town because McKay didn't like strong head Coaches, look what is happening to the great McKay now with his recent hires in Atlanta. hahaha

[John Klopfer]

I agree 100% on the Pittman analogy. Prior to coming to Tampa he was a world class thug. Since arriving in Tampa he has been a model citizen and a team player. Stevens has shown that he is willing to be a team player. The man deserves a chance to prove that he can turn it around. Sometimes, we all get a bit hypocritical. There are probably very few writers to this blog that haven't driven with .20 alcohol level when we were young, we were just fortunate enough not to get caught.

[Mike]

Trotter
Seriously, I don't like McKay either, you are right, he is flopping in Atlanta, it couldn't happen to a nicer guy, but the article you posted doesn't say Wyche made the desicions. Your dislike of him refuses to give him any credit and your bias is showing. That article CLEARLY says that Wyche was having his conversation with Sapp moments before they took him, but his deal was ALREADY made minutes before that. Read it again slow without bias. His evaluation of Sapp came AT the minicamp, not before. That is what your article says. YOU are revising history because you don't like him. From Espn
Running back Emmitt Smith tells the St. Petersburg Times he chose to sign with the Arizona Cardinals instead of the Bucs in part because of a disagreement between Gruden and McKay. McKay reportedly was not interested in signing Smith. "There was a dynamic going on in Tampa Bay that was a battle between two individuals. One individual wanted me down there very badly. The other individual saw his position as 'I'm going to make this decision and I don't think we should do this.'
Mckay picked the players, McKay drafted the players. Gruden didn't like that. Gruden had the clout with the Glazers because HE won the SB. McKay left, what is so hard to understand about that?

[Trotter]

No mike, you are picking the fly chit out of the pepper, not me.

I am not even talking about after Wyche left, ...Yes McKay had full control of the drafts after Wyche left, why do you think Wyche was fired, McKay had to have full control, and of course another losing season put the nail in his coffin. Before Wyche left he did not have full control, the conversation between Sapp/Wyche was the final decision, the fly chit you are hanging on to is the financial talk with Sapps agent which was part of the credit McKay gets from me, ok all done with the history lessons for the revisionists, carry on.

[Daniel]

Trotter, Calm down fella before you blow a gasket. I always thought Wyche was fired because he was a rotten coach and we had new owners. You getting angry at Mike does not prove your point. I'm sorry I started this discussion based on a book I read. Mike is giving his opinion, so am I, and so are you. We can all read and I comprehended the same things he did, with a book to back it up no less. If you want to be right and it prevents you from having a full blown break down, be right. There are other things alot more important to worry about than who drafted Warren Sapp. If you acted that way about Sapp, you are going to love this tidbit then, "The Draft" revealed that based on a recomendation from Tim Ruskell, the Bucs took a flyer late in the third round on a slow, undersized, baseball playing saftey out of Sanford named John Lynch. Besides, most of Mckays input did come from Ruskell and Angelo, the fact that they are now GM's proves McKay had a lot of help, so no one is saying HE built the team

[Trotter]

Huh, angry? bwahahaha.

Rich McKay did not make the final decisions to draft Sapp/Brooks and of course Lynch in 93, the nucleus of great players on D that Jon Gruden/Monte Kiffin Coached to an NFL championship.

And yes Ruskell, Angelo, and Tillman were very important to the draft success of Sam Wyche in the 95 draft. And I am by no means trying to imply Sam was a genius.

It was time for Wyche to go when he did, the decision to hire Dungy was brilliant, but he could not get the bucs over the top, so he was fired at the right time also.

I am not knocking on you or Mike at all, just refreshing the memories of some fans who do not remember, or have been slanted by the local media in the recent past, who for the most part were not even around here in the darkest days of the bucs.

[Mike]

Daniel,
Why are you trying to calm Trotter down, I think it's hilarious someone would get so mad over something so meaningless. i think he is just mad he keeps on being proven wrong.
First Trotter says McKay had no control over the draft.
Then he says he might of had SOME input
Then it was just financial input.
Then he ran the draft AFTER Wyche left.
I think that Trotter googled an article and that's ALL he knows about who ran the draft, and he MISREAD and MISINTERPRETED the article to boot. Why do people argue for hours over things they know absolutly nothing about just because the googled something? I just love the internet age, it's created a legion of experts who are experts at NOTHING but spewing nonsense.
HaHa LMFAO

[john]

I just want to add my two cents to Mike's, Trotters and Daniels discussion for what's it's worth. First, who cares?, both Wyche and McKay are long gone, does it really matter in the grand scheme of things who picked Sapp? Second, I just read that article that Trotter posted, it doesn't say who ran or didn't run the draft. At the bottom of he second page it says: "Wyche got on the telephone with Sapp and recounts their conversation moments before the selection was announced".
My interpertation is the selection was already made and they were about to announce it, then Wyche and Sapp had their conversation recounted by Trotter. The article doesn't say who made the decision to draft him and if Wyche ran the draft or not. Why he posted this article and why anyone would be so insistant over such a lack of proof is beyond me. When trying to disprove someones statement, proof is generally required, Trotter, your article proves nothing. Daniel says he read a book, great, glad you can read, thanks for sharing.
Now lets get back to THIS season.

[john]

Daniel,

and we're all so tired of hearing about the one book you actually read.

[Dan Peebles]

Mckay was a stud at drafting receivers!

i agree with 7979. you're commentary is sorely needed on this nerd site.

[Daniel]

john,
With these long as* posts, I read multiple books everytime I come to this blog.

[Dave in Arkansas]

I must admit that this is HIGHLY entertaining reading.

Ever been in a room full of historians, quibbling over EXACTLY how Lincoln phrased a missive at a general, or the PRECISE verbage in a conversation between two WWII generals? Tonight's postings rival such exchanges of triviality and detail-obsessed bickering.

But here are some points we should all agree on:

Perkins- bad coach, poor post-game press conferences (esp. when asked to defend his job!), lousy-to-okay drafts

Wyche- good coach elsewhere, bad teams here (thanks for Trent D... like Fresno State was going to herald the New Beginning), a pretty good draft on his way out the door

Dungy- good coach here, GREAT coach with Peyton Manning under center, EXCELLENT mentor of fellow coaches (honestly, someday we might talk about Dungy's family tree the way we discuss Walsh & Parcells), had some decent draft input along the way

McKay- thanks for the good-to-great guys, some laughable mistakes, a victim of his own relationship with Tony, and continued his +/- trend in the ATL (and this very evening is reaping what he hath sown- namely, a third head coaching change in four years)

Gruden- one Lombardi Trophy, two top five draft picks, and three (crossed fingers) division crowns. A few draft busts and a few draft wins.

I think the Times' columnists are correct when they say that Gruden has earned an extension.

I also think we'll kick the CRAP out of the now-leaderless Falcons this weekend to secure our next Division Championship.

(and I also believe that my local neighbors up here are fooling themselves if they believe for one second that Bobby Petrino A) will build a more successful program than Houston Nutt or B) will NOT depart for the next, more prestigious, higher paying gig in NCAA football).

[Tom]

Good post Dave! I love what McKay did here, albeit some terrible drafts picks amongst some great ones. But, what he has done in Atlanta is disgusting. It's amazing that he still has a job there. If you Gruden haters want something to feel good about, take a look at the Rich McKay's Falcons.

[DR]

Dave, I swear Lincoln said "four whores, 7 days ago" and not that four score crap!
Good points. It's about time someone starting making sense. Although, I'd wait before giving Gruden an extension. they should wait until next year. Look at how the 'Boys treated Romo. They waited to see if he was for real and he is so he got his money he well deserves. Let's wait until next year and see where the Bucs are midway through the season and make sure its not a fluke like 2 years ago.

[RICH]

Well STEVENS got a 1 week suspension? Isnt that a little lenient? I`m not bitching I`m glad, I like STEVENS but I thought players always got a 4 week suspension. And I hear you guys talk about draft picks and who`s responsible. Well who drafted BROOKS, LYNCH, SAPP, ALSTOT, DUNN,BARBER,KELLY..ETC. However had a hand in that did pretty well right? WHYCHE,MCKAY,DUNGY, whoever did it put a great core of men together and we`re still reaping the benefits from those draft picks. Got the BUCCANEERS in the right direction ever since. Man I remember never winning more than 5 games a year for years and years. I`m a true die-hard fan and I love the fact the BUCS play competative football every week now. Yes we can get beat here and there but the BUCS play their asses off now and have pride nowadays. And I`m proud of my BUCS too. We have an oppurtunity to win 3 division titles in (what?)5 years. Thats a hard thing to pull off nowadays. GRUDEN is a damn good coach and he`s doing it with injuries and rookies and all. I`m real glad we got GRUDEN. Yes I was pissed when DUNGY was fired after he got us outta the gutter, but GRUDEN has done pretty damn good man, and deserves an extension this year and if you know anything about football you know he deserves one too. Okay I`ll sit back and read some more of ya`lls comments now and shut-up. One more thing though, can`t BENNETT return kickoffs for us? Why not? alrite....CYA!!!

[Ken]

The one game suspension does seem a bit light to me. Seems like DUI, especially for a repeat offender, would be a lock for a four-gamer. Not really a big deal since you don't seem to hear Stevens' name or number called very often during games. We can only hope that he decides to turn the corner while with the Bucs.

[Ken]

On another note, it is quite interesting that after McKay left Tampa Bay in cap hell, he went on to the Falcons who now find themselves in very much the same predicament we were in just a few short years ago. That is, unless they get MV7 to cough up his pro-rated bonus. Good luck with that one, fellas.

[Ken]

I hate it when people can't seem to get all their thoughts out in one comment...and here I am doing the same thing. PLUS, McKay still can't shake the fact that he signs and drafts turd receivers year in and year out. Did it with the Bucs (Green, Anthony, etc.) and is doing it with the Falcons (Jenkins, Price, Horn, etc.) Of course, White is decent and Crumpler may be his stroke of genius there.

[Bro-Eli]

Allen, Gruden, Glazers, Stevens - same basket of bums.

[galois]

Stevens have been suspended.. Although the reasons given are seems to be reasonable, some craze must be shown on him since he is a good player...

======
galois

Suffering from an addiction. This website has a lot of great resources and treatment centers.
http://www.treatmentcenters.org

[suny]

steven has been suspended for 1 week ya this is right thing to suspend steven because drunk-driving conviction in Scottsdale,&banned substance by the NFL.

============================================

sunny

Your Social Media Marketing Turnkey Solution!

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[Peter]

its a shocking news for many people. But I personally am happy about it. Its been a "custom" in many sports that whenever a case is filed against a star player, it gets broken down. Now here is an exception. This is what called real sports.

=======

Peter

Your Social Media Marketing Turnkey Solution!
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[jeanpotts]

due to drunken driving steven was suspended
=======================
jeanpotts
Your Social Media Marketing Turnkey Solution! http://www.widecircles.com

[davstik]

Stevens fits in nicely with Allen's concept of morality.he needs to be careful next time or else a life ban can be ahead.

==========================================
david

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[sam anderson]

The suspension will cost Stevens $75,000 in salary.
=======================
sam

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[marsh]

drunken and drive is strictly prohibited in that state.due to this steven was suspended.Your Social Media Marketing Turnkey Solution! http://www.widecircles.com

[marsh]

==============================

marsh

drunken and drive is strictly prohibited in that state.due to this steven was suspended.Your Social Media Marketing Turnkey Solution! http://www.widecircles.com

[bill]

His attitude is not good.so he get suspended.Your Social Media Marketing Turnkey Solution! http://www.widecircles.com

[bill]

His attitude is not good.so he get suspended.

=================================

bill

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[toni murr]

hi cancer.....pls dont touch me...

==========

toni

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[toni murr]

hi cancer....again pls dont touch me...

====================================
toni

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>

[rose76]

Steven is sentenced to jail, because he was a drunker. One the spot of the play, he drinks. The drinkers are not allow to play. The players are hard worker. But like the Steven is done is bad one. So I am not happy with that.
===================
rose76
Addiction Recovery Arkansas

[rose76]

Steven is sentenced to jail, because he was a drunker. One the spot of the play, he drinks. The drinkers are not allow to play. The players are hard worker. But like the Steven is done is bad one. So I am not happy with that.
===================
rose76
Addiction Recovery Arkansas

[medha verma]

Hi I am medha verma, it is very good to hear that alcohol drinking is banned. Steven was also punished for drinking habit.Drunkers are not allowed to play.

************************************
medha verma

http://www.adepttours.com

[farhan]

Steven has been suspended for 1 week. This is right thing to suspend Steven because drunk-driving conviction in Scottsdale, and it should be banned everywhere.

=============================================================
Farhan Ahmed

http://www.adepttours.com

[Asif mukhtar]

Drinkers are not allowed to play. Steven is also punished because of this. Drinking is not allowed in any game. Please banndrinking habit in a game.
asif mukhtar

http://www.adepttours.com

[puja]

Steven is a great player.
Due to drinking habbit Steven was punished and I agree that Drunkers should not be allowed to play.
So he needs to be more careful next time.

========================================

puja saluja

http://www.adepttours.com

[puja]

Steven is a great player.
Due to drinking habbit Steven was punished and I agree that Drunkers should not be allowed to play.
So he needs to be more careful next time.

========================================

puja saluja

http://www.adepttours.com

[nelson]

Hi
Due to drinking habbit Steven have been battered with other players so he has no right to play again in the team and I think by this he will be learning a lesson and this will be good for his future.
============================
Nelson

http://orkut.com - http://orkut.com

[allankz]

hi
Jeremy Stevens has been suspended from the game is not the correct decision for a good player. It is ok that aditicion of alcohol spoil every thing but decisions should be taken carefully as it might effect the future of a good player
======================================
allan

khttp://orut.com">http://orkut.com">http://orut.com - http://orkut.com

[rickykz]

Hi,
Steven is an experienced player. Due to his drinking habit, Steven was suspended. I agree that drunkard should strictly prohibit. Therefore, next time he needs to be more careful.

=======================================
Ricky

http://orkut.com - http://orkut.com

[paulkz]

Hi,
Stevens should be suspended. Although the reasons given are seems to be reasonable, some nuts began to show on him even he is a good player. The attitude of drinking and drive should strictly prohibit.
=======================================================

paul http://orkut.com - http://orkut.com

[ricky]

Hi,
Steven is an experienced player. Due to his drinking habit, Steven was suspended. I agree that drunkard should strictly prohibit. Therefore, next time he needs to be more careful.

=============================
Ricky
http://orkut.com - http://orkut.com

[andykz]

Hi

Steven is a very good player but he must be suspended because he was a drunker and drunker are not allowed to play. It is very necessary to taught him lesson so that he will not follow this again in future.
=======================================
Andykz

http://orkut.com - http://orkut.com

[dannykz]

Hi,
Steven is an experienced player. Stevens should be suspended.
I agree that drunkard should strictly prohibit. Therefore, next time he needs to be more careful.
=======================================
Danny

http://orkut.com - http://orkut.com