blacksaint

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter worked out for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday, two days after being released by the Philadelphia Eagles.

The 30-year-old, four-time Pro Bowl selection was one of the leaders of the Eagles defense for much of the past decade. He was let go Tuesday in a move that opened a spot in the lineup for second-year pro Omar Gaither.

Coach Jon Gruden, general manager Bruce Allen and defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin also took a look at former Bucs linebacker Al Singleton, who played six years in Tampa Bay before spending the past four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.

Gruden declined to discuss the prospect of adding either one of the veterans, although he clearly is intrigued by Trotter, who was released with three years remaining on a five-year, $15 million contract signed in 2005.

"We've competed against him for years. He's no question a very physical linebacker. I've got a lot of respect for the man himself. He's a team guy," Gruden said before the workout. "And Al Singleton helped us win a Super Bowl championship. Other than that, we're going to keep our thoughts private and move on accordingly."

Third-year pro Barrett Ruud has been penciled in as Tampa Bay's starting middle linebacker ever since former Bucs linebacker Shelton Quarles failed a physical after being slowed by injuries in 2006.

Gruden said the Bucs' interest in Trotter is not a sign that the club is not comfortable with Ruud as the starter.

Third-string middle linebacker Antoine Cash was placed on injured reserve following last Saturday's preseason loss at Jacksonville, leaving the team thin at the position.

"We want to get better. We want to win," Gruden said. "And if there are players out there who can help us do that, we'll (sign them)."

Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia, a teammate of Trotter's in Philadelphia last season, was a little surprised that the Eagles let him go.

"That guy is a leader, he's intense; he's a great person in the locker room much like a Derrick Brooks," Garcia said.

Trotter, Gruden, Allen and Kiffin were not available for comment following the workout.

SI.com - 2007 NFL Preview - Ex-Eagles LB Trotter works out for Buccaneers - Thursday August 23, 2007 5:19PM

"This again is one of those things that can creep up and bite you in the HELLO."

saint4life
(504)

Tobias-Reiper

...well, it is the second time the Eagles have released Trotter. The first time, he spent a couple years with the Redskins, and did diddley poo.

blacksaint

I don't think you can call numbers like these "diddley poo". The Redskins was just a bad team all around, but Jeremy Trotter was very productive. When he left the Eagles the first time it was dealing more with money and a lack of respect thing, I don't think they release him, Ithink he left on his own.

TEAR______TEAM_________G GS Total Solo Ast Sck PDef Int Yds Avg Lng
2003 Washington Redskins_16_16_113__90__23_1.5_10___1__21_21.0_21
2002 Washington Redskins_12_12__91__59__32_0.0__3___1___2__2.0__2

Tobias-Reiper

The numbers don't tell you the truth. I kinda follow the Redskins because I lived in the District for some years, and Trotter was a non factor the 2 years he was with the team. Could've been the scheme, sure, but he did not look good out there.

TheDeuce

Whatever happened in Washington, this guy can play, and I'd rather see him doing his playing days somewhere else besides a division rival.

cadilacin

I agree I didn't like him in Washington either. But this is my second favorite linebacker in the league. I know what he's capable of. I don't want to see him in Tampa....I'd rather have him here.

WVSaint

after what duece did to him in philly, who cares if hes in tampa?

saintsrule

If he signs with the Bucs, I hope Deuce fakes him out again. But since he will try to prove the Eagles wrong for cutting him, I hope he doesn't end up playing against the Saints.

blacksaint

113 total tackles, 90 solo is a hell of a lot more than any of our LBs had last year. If we would've had a LB that active in the middle, no way do we give up so many long running plays last year.

blacksaint

THE DEUCE did that to a few defenders last year.