By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 21, 2011
TAMPA — The recent string of DUI arrests within the organization is "disappointing," Bucs GM Mark Dominik said Thursday, and he pledged further education along with continued consequences for players and staff involved in alcohol-related incidents.
On Wednesday, Jay Kaiser, 37, the assistant to head coach Raheem Morris, became the third member of the coaching staff or front office to be arrested on DUI charges in the past eight months.
Kaiser, who refused field-sobriety and blood-alcohol testing, was released from jail after posting $500 bail. Pro scouting coordinator Shelton Quarles, 39, was arrested in March, and former defensive line assistant coach Chris Mosley, 32, was arrested in September.
"I'm thankful no one has been hurt because that's the scariest thing about that arrest or driving under the influence is what the ramifications could be outside of just that one person," Dominik said. "I'm going to make that very real to everybody within our organization. Hopefully, that continues to help, but it's not been through a lack of effort internally.
"All I can say to our fans … is we're trying to do everything we can to build up this football team to be the team that this town and this community is proud of."
Dominik would not disclose what sanctions the club has imposed, but he suggested the discipline policy is under review.
"They all pay consequences, and everyone has been dealt with how I feel is … fit whenever an action like this occurs," he said. "The other thing I can say is we're going to find ways, just like I challenge my scouts in terms of finding players, we'll continue to find ways to reach everyone in the organization."
INJURED SNAPPER: Long snapper Andrew Economos has torn his Achilles' tendon, Dominik said.
Dominik was unsure how the injury occurred, but it could prevent Economos, 28, from playing in his sixth season in the league. He has not missed a game the past four seasons.
Teams are prohibited from having contact with players during the lockout. But team doctors and trainers are able to monitor the progress of injured players through a third party.