NFL puts Stevens on notice

As I mentioned in the previous post, Jerramy Stevens will have to serve another suspension because his last arrest involved two separate charges. This one was made official with the NFL's announcement just a little while ago. Check out the stern language in which Stevens is warned that any funny business between now and the start of the season will result in a third game being added, plus the possibility of future discipline.

The statement reads, "Jerramy Stevens of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been suspended without pay for the team's first two regular-season games of 2008 and fined an additional game check for violating the NFL Substance Abuse Policy. However, if he has any further violations of either the Substance Abuse or Personal Conduct policies between now and the start of the 2008 regular season, Stevens would be suspended without pay for the team's first three regular-season games and face additional discipline for the new violation."

Can you say, "Last chance?"

[Brian Cassella, Times photo files]

Comments

[Mike]

That's now 7 articles you guys have written on this subject. Can we PLEASE get some football news?

[Stephen_Holder]

Mike, I'm a NEWS reporter. I report NEWS. Stevens being suspended is NEWS. I don't make the NEWS. Just report it. And besides, these aren't stories. This is just a blog. It's where we post up-to-the-minute happenings. Things change during the course of the day, thus the numerous postings. There will be just one story on this topic in tomorrow's actual newspaper. There is a distinction, though I realize it's technically from the same source (The Times). I don't foresee any more entries on Stevens unless something occurs and it's warranted. Sorry, but this was the Bucs story of the day, and I think every news outlet in Tampa Bay would agree.
And I'm not upset. I'm just trying to get you and others to understand what we do around here. Feel free to engage in a constructive conversation if there's ever anything on your mind.

[Tom]

Stephen, I've always liked your reporting. I think you're pretty thorough and your stuff is pretty insightful. However, the last article about Stephens written by your colleague, John Romano, is garbage. How do you claim to report on anything when the entire basis of your article is ANOTHER ARTICLE, written by ANOTHER REPORTER, in ANOTHER NEWSPAPER? That's journalism? Romano did nothing on his own to even validate the article. Come on! It's help fuel this absurd infatuation with Stevens, a mediocre TE with a checkered past.

I would be inclined to read Romano if he found something about Stevens on his own.

[Drew]

Stephen, I have no problem with the news being reported. The news needs to reported, but should state only the facts. The fundamental problem in this report is the Can you say, "Last chance?" statement. This implies your offering your personal opinion on the NEWS report with the intent of stimulating a positive or negative repsonse from the reader.

It's unfortunate we all have to live in a WORLD that feeds on negativity.

[Bob]

Stephen,

Isn't it implied in every suspension that further violations of either the substance abuse policy or personal conduct policy will result in additional punishment? I'm assuming the league writes that in every letter, for a first time offender or those such as Pacman. That part of the statement really isn't news unless you want to sensationalize it.

[Quentin]

There's no problem with offering an opinion on the story, as long that's clearly what it is: an opinion. The problem is when you try to slant the news bit to coincide with your view and then try to pass it off as objectivity. If all you do is report the facts without offering your take on thing, it often makes for a boring read.

I'd definitely like to get passed this, though. Are there any more OTA's or minicamps open to the press? I could really use some progress reports and player evaluations about now.

[Stephen_Holder]

Bob, actually, the language in this statement is not standard. You never see a suspension levied and see the league threaten publicly to extend the suspension at the drop of a hat. I deal with this sort of thing all the time and that particular wording is quite unusual. And guys, remember, it's acceptable to offer opinion on a blog. Part of the goal is to provide perspective. I don't do that in my newspaper articles or when reporting breaking news so much, because I'm not a columnist, like Romano.

[Stephen_Holder]

That's it for now. I'll check in later. I'm hungry and the hostess says my table is almost ready!

[CW]

Brutal week...Stevens back. Torts gone. Carlos Pena hurt. The only thing that could make things worse were if the Lightning were to hire Barry Melrose to coach the team. Oooops.

[jon]

i think what mike was getting at is we want to hear what is happening at practices...at the workouts...who looks good.who doesnt.who's working at certain positions.there's just been too much hooplah over this re-signing.all these people freaking out were cheering for him when he caught that huge touchdown in the saints game.where were all these articles last year?he's signed.get over it.if he messes up again,he's gone.let's talk football news we really want to hear.how are the negotiations going with our rookies?

[Stephen_Holder]

Jon: we only get to watch one practice per week. It's incredibly difficult to decipher what's going on when we can't see. However, Thursday's workout is open, so we'll have some nice details for you then. Later.

[Jimmy]

Dude, this goes to show all those "second chance" advocates for Stevens that they were wrong. Signing him again was a waste and now we can't even use him for the first two weeks. What if that drives him to more alcohol? Hmm... maybe we wont ever see him again because he gets suspended indefinitely. At least we don't have to pay him while he is gone (if I understood that correctly). In any case he is making the Bucs look bad.

[John Mc]

Want to vote on Stevens being cut, sign a petition to get him our, or post whatever you like? Check out this website:

http://nojerramystevens.blogspot.com/

Stephen, we posted your article and comments there as well. thanks.

[Steve L]

Stevens is most certainly no choirboy, but he’s been clean since his arrival so I’m not sure why criticism are now being made a year after his signing. Romano’s column was short sighted and ill advised (regardless of how Steven’s turns out). Revisionist history is the easiest type of prognostication there is. I terms of NFL thugs, sadly Steven’s is probably near the middle of the pack. As an earlier Blogger noted, Ray Lewis is still deified as are many other “reformed” athletes. Let’s move on and get this season started. Everything else will work itself out.

[shane]

ok can we stop ripping jerramy stevens a new one and trying to run him out of town ? He kept his head down last year and stayed out of trouble and will continue to do so and what happened in the past is exactly that...the past. I can see him with the bucs for a long time to come and he will be productive for us. Him and Ben Troupe will make a great down field threat and take some of the coverage off of joey and dexter(if he has any until he proves himself).

[cory]

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!!! Someone actually took the time to make a website for this?!?!?! That is pathetic. Do you really think 100 signatures is going to change anything?!?! The bucs aren't congress.

[Johnny Mac]

Yep, sure did, Cory. Took, oh I don't know, about 30 minutes to set up. Chalk the motivation up to wanting to keep a drunk driving, money-paying-off "alleged" you-know-what who's a mediocre football player out of our city. Tell you what, you feel so strong about it, you can move next door to the guy in whatever town he ends up next. How's that sound amigo?

[cory]

I could care less if he lived next to me. It's not your business what he's done in the past and it's not mine. Do I think they should have signed him? No, just because it would bring out all this whining and he's not a good enough player to make it worth listening to. Am I going to boycott my team? Get serious. There are worst people in the nfl and for all you know, you work with or live near worst people.

[Johnny Mac]

Who said anything about boycotting the Bucs? I certainly didn't. And, you're wrong: Stevens' past is my business, and everyone else in Tampa. I'm not putting money in the pockets of people who would have that kind of employee, and I suspect I'm not alone on that. Trust me, I wouldn't care if it were Jeremy Shockey in question here. Bad character is bad character.

[STIXX]

Good point Mr. Johnny m-Mac

[JH]

The Bucs need another receiver desperately, and they were going to sign either one of the cast of characters that they brought in last week, like Eddie Kennison, etc., or they were going to sign Jerramy Stevens. This comment is no way endorses the move. In fact, I don't like the move at all, and I hope that the Bucs know what they're doing.