Pro Bowl cornerback Alterraun Verner has a tweaked hamstring, and rising Tampa Bay corner Rashan Melvin has been walking around practice in street clothes with a bad wheel.

So the Bucs signed back Anthony Gaitor on Monday, and there’s another addition today. [read more]

The Bucs posted a great practice video snippet online celebrating a catch by rookie wide receiver Robert Herron. However, more interesting to Joe than Herron juggling a ball he should have caught smoothly is Gerald McCoy’s experience at the line of scrimmage. [read more]

Vincent Jackson speaks on the progress of Jeff Tedford’s offense

The mysterious Jeff Tedford offense is no mystery to the Buccaneers. Not anymore. The learning curve is in the rearview mirror, says Vincent Jackson.

V-Jax was peppered with questions from Rich Gannon about the brand new Tampa Bay offense on SiriuxXM NFL Radio this week. [read more]

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Sometimes, former NFL types who work networks let their passion and relationships get in the way of clear, reasoned, objective analysis. It’s understandable. These guys are not trained journalists, they are football talking heads. Joe gets that.

As much as Joe likes former Bucs assistant coach Herm Edwards, one must wonder if his friendship with fellow ex-Bucs coaching comrade Lovie Smith may be getting in the way of clear thinking. It’s nice that Herm thinks Tampa Bay is a Super Bowl team, but it makes Joe wonder if that is coming from the head or the heart. [read more]

Bradenton native cornerback Mike Jenkins is hoping to revive his career with Lovie Smith.

You are not supposed to go home again, so author Thomas Wolfe once sugggested (yes, Joe knows that is not the exact quote).

Bucs cornerback Mike Jenkins is hoping to prove Wolfe wrong.

The Bradenton native has seen better days in his NFL career, which began with a wildly up-and-down, flag-happy five years with Dallas. Highlights included a rift with Jerry Jones, a Pro Bowl selection, gutless plays where he pulled on potential touchdown-saving tackles against Derrick Ward and James Jones (which won him permanent ire from Cowboys fans), and getting fried like a Sunday chicken dinner by none other than the immortal Vince Young. [read more]

If there is one thing that lights up Lovie Smith’s eyes — aside from watching big ol’ double-D Demar Dotson high-step with the football into the end zone — it’s the topic of speed. Lovie loves speed.

Who doesn’t?

Speed is a game-changing trait that cannot be coached. That’s why Lovie is smitten with Jeff Demps, despite his rash of the dropsies. The plays Demps makes in wheel routes on linebackers are intoxicating. But when Demps puts the ball on the ground, it ignites indigestion. [read more]

Bucs news forthcoming.

Cat haters: If you are looking for attention, this will do the trick. [WTSP]

Ever see a batter, a catcher and a plate ump all hit by the same pitch? [TheBigLead]

Summertime fun for John Abraham. [TMZ]

Firebug goes a little too far. [MyNews13]

There has been a Wil Myers sighting. [RaysIndex]

Who’s jacked up for football season? Joe sure is. And it was fun to get back into the popular “JoeBucsFan Hour” this evening with the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve Duemig on WDAE-AM 620.

Miss the show? Well Joe dove into discussion about the value of guard play, life at One Buc Palace and early views of the mysterious Jeff Tedford offense. [read more]

The hell with Cam Newton, Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick, the Bucs have their own do-it-all super athlete at quarterback.

Back in March, Lovie Smith raved about how 35-year-old Josh McCown was going to surprise with his athletic ability and how his legs were very fresh by NFL standards. But now it’s not just Lovie weighing in. [read more]

Mason Foster is secure in his starting job

Sometimes Joe doesn’t get Bucs fans. There is a sect of Tampa Bay faithful out there who, for some reason, want middle linebacker Mason Foster gone.

Joe just cannot wrap his brain around this mentality. Why? Is Foster Jack Lambert, Dick Butkus, Ray Lewis? No. But he’s no Barrett Ruud, either. [read more]

The fun returns!

Don’t miss the “JoeBucsFan Hour” today at 5 p.m., when Joe sits down with The Big Dog to dive into all the Bucs subjects of the day fresh off the training camp practice fields. Always a fun time!

Bucs coach Lovie Smith is trying out all sorts of guys at kick return.

Historically, the Bucs have been just miserable in returning kickoffs for a score. When was the last time you heard of a team going 31 years without a touchdown on a kick return?

That was the case with the Bucs. The franchise went 31 years (and damned near 32) without a kickoff return for a touchdown. The drought was finally snapped when “Run Michael run” Spurlock broke through with a 90-yard return for a score at home against Atlanta, Dec. 16, 2007. [read more]

Jamon Meredith got a “slow feet” label

Former Bucs starting guard Ian Beckles (1990-1996) is not optimistic about the messy situation on the Tampa Bay offensive line.

He doesn’t question that the O-line, with all kinds of new faces, can jell quickly with veteran starting guards like Oneil Cousins and Jamon Meredith. Greater factors have him worried. [read more]

Yes, Joe throws back shots of whiskey to dull the pain from the state of the Bucs’ offensive line. But Joe’s also celebrating early about rookie tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Premature exuberance is always a good thing to stay balanced.

This kid is a striking presence on the football field. He’s a defensive-end body with burst and speed and hops and hands, and he can block. [read more]