Can he catch?

Last year it was a running joke with Kevin Pamphile.

Multiple, seemingly a dozen times a game, Pamphile was inserted into the game as a sixth blocker in a jumbo package and the referee would cry over the public address system, “No 64 is an eligible receiver. No. 64.”

But never was Pamphile used as a tight end, never was a ball thrown his way. What a waste! Pamphile, good-natured guy that he is, would laugh how he never had a chance to catch a pass, but desperately wanted to.

When he was named starter this year to fill the void of injured J.R. Sweezy and retired Logan Mankins, Pamphile bemoaned the fact his chance to catch an NFL pass was likely gone.

Sunday against the Rams, Gosder Cherilus was inserted into the lineup as a sixth blocker in a jumbo package and, of course, he was an eligible receiver. Yesterday, Bucs offensive coordinator Todd Monken was grilled about Cherilus’ pass-catching abilities.

“Really? Really? You think I’m going to say if we have [a pass play for Cherilus] or not?” Monken said half sarcastic, half incredulous. “Chances are no.”

When pressed further, asking if Cherilus can catch a ball, Monken replied with a smirk, “I have no idea. I really don’t. I’m going to have to ask him.”

So Joe did ask Cherilus (no, Joe was not the one pestering Monken).

So can Cherilus catch?

“I have no idea,” the reserve lineman confessed.