Many Bucs fans were giddy when the Bucs became the lone team in the NFL to agree to accept new blackout rules that permit local broadcasts of home games if 85 percent of the non-premium seats are sold 72 hours prior to kickoff.

As Joe wrote at the time, that did not automatically mean Bucs games would be televised locally again. It seems Joe’s first inclination was accurate.

Speaking before a gaggle of reports at tonight’s night practice at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, Bucs co-chairman Bryan Glazer noted ticket sales are good; just not good enough to prevent blackouts (yet), so reports Stephen Holder of the Tampa Bay Times.

Speaking with reporters at a well-attended open practice Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium, Glazer said sales are brisker but televised games “not a slam dunk.”

“We want to give our fans every opportunity to win as many games as they can this year,” he said. “But I cannot stand here today and predict how many there will be. But we’re hopeful there will be more games on television than last year.”

Glazer went on to add he is not disappointed in ticket sales because he understands how the downturn in the economy — which shows no immediate signs of rebounding — has ravaged the Tampa Bay area, thus meaning people have far less expendable income.

Add to that Joe’s long contention that technology has made the in-game experience secondary in a large, growing number of NFL fans’ eyes. Joe wouldn’t be shocked if many home games are still blacked out.

People just don’t have the cash they once did.