Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas.
The Bucs have taken a lot of heat from the community for re-signing tight end Jerramy Stevens last week. Some fans have suggested Stevens should not have been signed because of past off-field issues.
Bucs general manager Bruce Allen addressed the media this afternoon and defended the move. Allen, the son of former Redskins coach George Allen, also emphasized that character is important to the team.
"With not only the Buccaneers now, but how I was raised character is one of the number one attributes,'' Allen said. "But what we do look for is a great teammate on the field and off the field. We feel our character here can help people better themselves and put them in the right environment with the right infrastructure and they will excel.''
Allen said the team addressed the issue before signing Stevens last season.
"Last year, Jeremy was a good teammate on and off the field and we did not have any issues with him whatsoever,'' Allen said. "Our rules here at the Buccaneers are more stringent than the league rules and many other jobs that you are going to find in America. We're not allowed to drug test. The league does that. But what we expect out of players is very firm and it's done face-to-face with the players.
