TAMPA, Fla. — 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.
LIONS RELEASE DRUMMOND: The Detroit Lions released former Pro Bowl return specialist Eddie Drummond on Thursday.
Drummond was named to the Pro Bowl after the 2004 season when he became the second player in NFL history to return two kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns in the same season..
NEWMAN INJURY: Dallas Cowboys starting cornerback Terence Newman isn't expected to play the rest of the preseason because of a right heel problem that the team said Thursday is more than a bruise.
"He's got a strain. It looks like it's going to be another week or so," coach Wade Phillips said. "It's a little worse than we thought it was."
Phillips said Newman won't play Saturday night in Houston, and the coach said he'd "be surprised" if the cornerback was able to play in the preseason finale Thursday night at Minnesota..
GOLDBERG, EMMITT RECOGNIZED: Emmitt Thomas, who had 58 interceptions for Kansas City, and Marshall Goldberg, a standout two-way player for the Chicago Cardinals in the 1940s, were picked Thursday for the Pro Football Hall of Fame ballot.
The Hall's seniors committee chose them to be among the 17 candidates. The other finalists have not yet been selected.
A maximum of six can be elected when voting takes place Feb. 2, a day before the Super Bowl..
BENGALS SIGN MARSHALL: The Cincinnati Bengals signed veteran linebacker Lemar Marshall on Thursday, two days after he was released by the Washington Redskins.
Marshall, a Cincinnati native who started 45 games over the past three seasons for the Redskins, signed a one-year contract, the Bengals said.
Cincinnati released tight end Erik Jensen, signed Aug. 3 as a free agent.