Bucs sign TE Stevens; add help for creaky defense

From: Sportsline.com:

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers spent most of the weekend drafting help for an aging defense, then addressed a need on offense Sunday by signing former Seattle tight end Jerramy Stevens.

Stevens, a first-round draft pick in 2002, was an unrestricted free agent who the Seahawks said they were no longer interested in retaining after the player was arrested last month in Scottsdale, Ariz., for investigation of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana.

Bucs general manager Bruce Allen said the Bucs met with the 27-year-old tight end, who has had other run-ins with the law, and is confident he’s learned from his mistakes.

“I think Jerramy Stevens is a good young man,” Allen said. “He is focused on doing things right for us. … But more importantly, he understands that he has to do things right.”

Stevens had a career-high 45 receptions for 554 yards two seasons ago when he helped Seattle reach the Super Bowl, however his production dipped to 22 catches for 231 yards and four touchdowns in 2006.

Allen announced the signing when asked to discuss why the Bucs did not address the need for depth at tight end during the draft. The team used seven of 10 picks on defensive players, selecting at least one in each round.