Bucs sign G Shawn Murphy off waivers from Miami

The Bucs have signed guard Shawn Murphy off waivers from the Dolphins, which drafted him in the fourth round last year.

Murphy, the son of former Atlanta Braves star Dale Murphy, was released by Miami Oct 21.

- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Albert Haynesworth rumors persist

It's no secret the Tampa Bay Buccaneeers are likely to address their defensive line this offseason.

The team's breakdowns in stopping the run late in the season practically make it a requirement. To that end, it's become impossible to deny that a growing chorus of people around the league are talking about the Bucs when the topic of Tennessee All-Pro DT Albert Haynesworth comes up. Tampa Bay is considered by many NFL insiders to be a possible landing spot for perhaps this year's top free-agent prize. And we're not talking about media here. We're talking agents and people in front offices -- those in the know.

Yes, it's early. Free agency doesn't begin until Feb. 27 and teams aren't technically supposed to be engaged in free-agent talks before then. But that doesn't mean subtle signals aren't being sent by teams that wish to acquire big-time free agents. Generally, where there's smoke there's fire when this many people are talking about a potential move.

It's worth mentioning that one of the reasons some are likely making the connection between the 6-6, 320-pound Haynesworth and the Bucs is because of the team's enviable salary-cap position. The Bucs will have well over $40-million in cap space when the 2009 league calendar begins. So, they are one of only a few teams that can easily offer the sort of money Haynesworth wants -- a salary that likely makes him the league's highest-paid defender.

"I want to be the top, not among the top,'' Haynesworth told reporters at the Pro Bowl last week. ''That' s how the market goes. They put you as the top free agent, so you got to demand top dollar. . . . Hopefully the Titans step up. If they don't, I'm looking ." 

But, that said, this is certainly something to keep an eye on. And if the Bucs actually do make a run at Haynesworth, it could lead to the team's biggest acquisition -- and we do mean big -- in a long, long time.

For all of his considerable talent, Haynesworth also has a history of problems on the field, including a five-game suspension in 2006 for stomping on the head of helmet-less Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode.

That same year, he set off a training camp brawl by kicking center Justin Hartwig. In 2003, he was deactivated for a game after hitting tackle Matt Martin in the back of the head.

A different take on Jerramy Stevens

There were many in Seattle who couldn't wait for new Tampa Bay tight end Jerramy Stevens to leave. But the former Seahawk has at least one prominent friend in the Great Northwest.

"He was a great teammate. He worked hard for me all the time," Seahawks quarterback Matt Hassellbeck said, according to the Tacoma (Wash.) News-Tribune. "I really appreciated the effort that he gave and even the selflessness that he had."

That sure doesn't sound like the Stevens we've seen from afar, but it will be interesting to get to know the guy. The local media has yet to meet him, and it's possible that might not happen for a few weeks. For now, all we can go by is what those who know him say.

Still, even those in Stevens' corner recognize he has an underlying issue.

"All of his problems stemmed from one thing and that was alcohol," Hassellbeck said. "If you take alcohol out of the equation, he was the perfect teammate and a great kid. My hope for him is that he is able to put those problems behind him and have a successful career."

Speaking of alcohol, Stevens latest booze-related incident -- an arrest for DUI and marijuana possession in Arizona -- is under review per the league's new conduct policy according to NFL VP of public relations Greg Aiello. Jon Gruden acknowledged as much when we asked him on Friday, and he also suggested the team took up the issue with the league before signing Stevens. But it doesn't appear the league gave the Bucs any indication of what its plans are.

If you've been following the news lately, you know that a player doesn't have to be convicted of a crime to be penalized for it by the league. Just ask Pacman Jones, who has been suspended for the entire '07 season (though he has a upcoming appeal).

Players with a track record are more likely to be dealt with harshly, and that means possible suspension. Stevens certainly qualifies, having two alcohol-related incidents in his past that resulted in guilty pleas.

As for Stevens' transition to Tampa, it's safe to say this guy's new neighbors will be watching him closely. We posted this a while back when the Bucs initially showed interest in Stevens, and it's worth another look -- if you can stomach it: Click to read.

[Photo: Getty Images]