limit tags on excerpts

I have split the center column according to the manual described on this forum. However, I dislike how the tags mess up the placement of the excerpts.

Is there a way to limit the amount of tags shown on excerpts, or remove them from ONLY the excerpts and not the first full posts on the homepage?

so 1 or 2 full posts on the homepage with categories and tags, with below that two columns with excerpts, with limited or removed tags.

Limited would be preferred, but removed is acceptable too.