Jeff Garcia has never walked in Donovan McNabb's cleats, but he knows how things work in Philadelphia. McNabb made headline news this week by claiming black quarterbacks are held to a higher standard in the National Football League. The Eagles are off to an 0-2 start and McNabb is under scrutiny for his erratic performance as he continues his recovery from knee surgery. 'Philly's a very, very tough town,' said Garcia, who filled in for an injured McNabb last season and led the Eagles to the playoffs. 'The fans expect so much out of that team. They've had consistently good years over the past six or seven seasons, so when you start 0-2, there's frustration, there's tension and there's criticism. That just comes with the territory out there.' 'No matter where you're at or who you are, the quarterback is going to generally take the heat for a lack of production,' he said. 'Unfortunately, as good as Donovan is and as great as his career has been, it's a 'what have you done for me lately' type of situation. 'I know the type of player that he is and Donovan is going to battle through it, he's going to find a way to prove that he belongs and is very capable of leading that team to positive things.'

Coach Jon Gruden confirmed the Bucs recently worked out receiver/kick returner Jeremy Bloom, a one-time Olympic skier who was released by the Eagles last month. The signing of kick returner Mark Jones this week, however, likely means they won't pursue Bloom.

David Boston was released by the Buccaneers on Wednesday, two days after police released results of a urine test that showed the eighth-year pro had a depressant in his system when he was arrested and charged with driving under the influence last month. The Bucs said Boston, who hurt his foot during pregame warmups and did not play in last Sunday's season opener at Seattle, was let go after reaching an injury settlement. Receiver/kick returner Mark Jones was signed to replace him.

Cadillac Williams' healthy start lasted barely more than one half of one game as he now has bruised ribs. "He took a shot right on his ribs," receiver Michael Clayton said. "It's very, very, extremely painful. Lac is a warrior. He's not coming out of the game unless something is really wrong." Williams, 25, left with 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter after taking a shot in the rib cage from the side by hard-hitting Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu. Williams was on the ground for several minutes before being helped up by the training staff and walking off. On the sideline, he continued to wince in pain and soon went to the locker room. He did not return to the field and was not seen after the game.

First, they put the Cadillac up on blocks. Then they knocked out the driver of Tampa Bay's offense. Shaun Alexander ran for 105 yards and a touchdown, but the remade, hard-hitting Seahawks defense set the tone in Seattle's 20-6 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Bucs tight end Jerramy Stevens likely is facing a long suspension by the NFL following his conviction on three counts of driving under the influence by a Scottsdale, Ariz., jury on Friday. NFC information manager Randall Liu said Stevens' case will be reviewed under the league's personal conduct policy and a timeline for a disciplinary decision has not been set. However, that decision will be made by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, and that does not bode well for Stevens. Goodell suspended Tennessee's Adam 'Pacman' Jones for the 2007 season and Cincinnati's Chris Henry for eight games without pay for numerous violations of the league's personal conduct policy. Stevens has been involved in four separate legal incidents since turning pro in 2002, and has a long history of trouble prior to his NFL career.

Jeremiah Trotter doesn't want to talk about his abrupt departure from the Eagles anymore. "That chapter of my life is closed. I'm moving forward now with my new team," the newest member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers said yesterday. "I'm excited to be here. I'm looking forward to jelling with everybody and making new friendships." Trotter signed a 1-year contract with the Bucs on Tuesday, 2 weeks after being released by the Eagles with three seasons remaining on a 5-year, $15 million contract he signed in 2005. "If I said it didn't hurt, I'd be lying," the four-time Pro Bowl selection said of the breakup with the Eagles. "But I understand the nature of the business. You just have to keep moving. You can't worry about the past."

Four-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter reached agreement with the Bucs on a one-year contract Monday afternoon. Trotter was released by the Eagles on Aug. 21 in a surprising move. He will fly to Tampa and officially sign the contract on Monday evening, and is expected to join his new teammates on the field this week as the Bucs prepare for the season opener at Seattle.

There's a running joke that Jon Gruden never feels like he has enough quarterbacks on his roster. The Tampa Bay coach took four to training camp five weeks ago and emerged Saturday with the same quartet after deciding to keep Chris Simms, who has struggled to regain his throwing form after missing most of last season with a spleen injury. How long the Buccaneers, who are hoping to rebound from a 4-12 finish, reasonably can expect to go with four quarterbacks is a question Gruden was not available to answer after the squad was trimmed to the season-opening limit of 53 players.