It’s the time of year to overanalyze anything that comes out of the mouth of the Bucs general manager and head coach. (Yeah, Joe does that all the time, but there’s more urgency now.)

And yesterday, while speaking on WDAE-AM 620, Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht made a couple of interesting revelations via what he said — and didn’t say. (more…)

WR Tommy Streeter made a big-time splash in practice Saturday.

Aside from the crazy play made by running back Jeff Demps Saturday, the biggest play of the day came from wide receiver Tommy Streeter. The former Miami Hurricanes stud was drafted by the Baltimore Crows in 2012 and after struggling with a bum food, released not quite a year ago.

Streeter was signed by the Bucs in January and fits the part of the “Dunkaneers,” at 6-5 with wheels. He displayed those moves yesterday that, at least for a day, has put him in the running for a roster spot. (more…)

This salivating, hungry man will be wearing pads (finally!) and looking to blast people repeatedly this afternoon.

Who could forget the famous quote by Raheem Morris when asked about the difference between spring practices and training camp: “You take off your underwear, you put on your big boy pads and you put your face on people.”

Well, after two days of underwear football mandated by NFL labor laws, today’s the freakin’ day at Tampa Bay training camp. Hallelujah! (more…)

Lovie speaks out

Before yesterday, there weren’t many clues offered on how Lovie Smith, Leslie Frazier and friends would use the Buccaneers’ safeties.

Many believed Dashon “Hawk” Goldson and Mark Barron to be similar players. (more…)

Bucs WR Mike Evans got a taste of squaring off against an All-Pro yesterday.

Joe saw kind of a cool thing after training camp practice yesterday. There was Mike Evans, the stud wide receiver, selected at No. 7 overall, carrying a pair of helmets back to the locker room.

It’s not hazing, but tradition. Rookies carry helmets (and when pads are worn, shoulder pads) back to the locker room. Evans could have copped an attitude, being one of the top picks in the draft, but he didn’t. (more…)

Mike Glennon looks for WR Mike Evans.

Fans got a treat today at Bucs training camp. There was no lightning. This time of the year in west-central Florida, no lightning is always a good thing.

That wasn’t the case yesterday when twice the Bucs were pulled off the field. One break lasted two hours. The second alarm? Bucs coach Lovie Smith decided to just bag practice for the day. (more…)

Lovie Smith has high standards for MLB Mason Foster.

For years Joe had joked with Bucs middle linebacker Mason Foster by calling him “pineapple.” Because Joe believes Foster is one step away from eating pineapple.

In the vernacular of the NFL, that means Pro Bowl. (more…)

Former Bucs great and Hall of Famer Warren Sapp is bouncing around One Buc Palace. He will work NFL Network’s broadcast of Bucs practice Sunday.

Former Tampa Bay great and Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle Warren Sapp is bouncing around One Buc Palace this weekend and has full run of the place.

From talking to players to sitting in on meetings to chatting it up with coaches and bonding with old friends like Bucs linebacker coach Hardy Nickerson and Lovie Smith, let’s just say things are not boring. (more…)

RB Jeff Demps Saturday displayed a glimpse of what could be nightmares for NFL linebackers.

The play of the day at Bucs practice No. 2 for Training Camp 2014 came from a guy who is a bubble player.

But if running back Jeff Demps does make the team, a play he made today on outside linebacker Jonathan Casillas could be a preview of what is to come.

Bucs offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford called for Demps, a former Olympic track star, to run a wheel route on Casillas in the right flat. (more…)

One drill the Bucs worked on in practice Saturday was receivers battling to get loose against double-teams at the line of scrimmage.

Yes, the Bucs got in their first full training camp practice today. Of course, they practiced yesterday but the session was brief as there were two lightning delays.

Today, the sun shined most through the evening and there was a brisk breeze. No signs, sights or audible of any lightning to disrupt things. (more…)

Joe’s got highlights

Of course Joe was out at training camp this afternoon. You would expect less?

Unlike Friday’s first practice of training camp, not a hint of lightning was heard, seen or detected. For the most part, the afternoon was sunny if not breezy. There have been hotter practices Joe has attended. (more…)

Good afternoon, Bucs fans. As you can expect, Joe is out at breezy One Buc Palace. Unless the weather changes quickly, and it can in west-central Florida, it sure looks like the Bucs will get their scheduled 150-minute practice in.

Joe will post hard and heavy after practice, and after he talks to players and coaches. However, feel free to monitor Joe’s practice photos (and other photos) on his Instagram account, “TheJoeBucsFan.”

Lovie Smith is going old school with his Tampa-2 defense.

And, yes, Lovie and staff have gone old school with their teaching influences. (more…)

Strong words from the head coach

Another Schiano-Dominik man is wowing Bucs defensive coaches.

Jiminy Christmas! There’s a chance only two first-time Buccaneers, Michael Johnson and Alterraun Verner, will be defensive starters. Also, keep in mind Lovie Smith considers nickel cornerback the 12th starter on defense. (more…)

Bucs coach Lovie Smith stands among his players during warm-ups.

Joe has to admit yesterday was a bit fun. Sure, the Bucs didn’t practice much at all due to the lightning delays.

Still, football was in the air. When quarterbacks are throwing passes and linemen are hitting sleds, it’s not all bad. The fans seemed to enjoy themselves, even with the two-hour day after the first lightning warning. (more…)