Gunzlingr
07-17-2003, 06:24 AM
TAMPA - Michael Pittman's legal maneuvers will enable him to begin training camp workouts Saturday and travel with the team to Japan.
But it also gives the Bucs their first opportunity to consider releasing the troubled running back without fear of facing a grievance that could cost the team millions and wreck their salary cap.
Since Pittman's arrest on felony assault charges, the Bucs have adopted their only safe stance, allowing him to remain on the team while the judicial process continues. That's because cutting Pittman for any reason other than performance would leave Bucs vulnerable to penalties.
Team officials are wary of several settlements brought by the NFL Players Association against clubs that released or suspended players for misconduct before their cases were settled in court.
"You have to do it. There are proven cases where these are major grievances," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said
more (http://www.sptimes.com/2003/07/17/Bucs/Cut_Pittman_It_could_.shtml)
But it also gives the Bucs their first opportunity to consider releasing the troubled running back without fear of facing a grievance that could cost the team millions and wreck their salary cap.
Since Pittman's arrest on felony assault charges, the Bucs have adopted their only safe stance, allowing him to remain on the team while the judicial process continues. That's because cutting Pittman for any reason other than performance would leave Bucs vulnerable to penalties.
Team officials are wary of several settlements brought by the NFL Players Association against clubs that released or suspended players for misconduct before their cases were settled in court.
"You have to do it. There are proven cases where these are major grievances," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said
more (http://www.sptimes.com/2003/07/17/Bucs/Cut_Pittman_It_could_.shtml)