It’s fitting that JoeBucsFan.com columnist/podcaster Ira Kaufman will walk into the Raymond James Stadium press box tomorrow for the Bucs-Browns game wearing a media badge and carrying a laptop.
Sunday marks the 50th anniversary of Kaufman launching his illustrious career in sports media.
Kaufman clocked in on the Manhattan sports desk of United Press International at 6 p.m. on Sept. 20, 1976. His daily shift ended at 1:30 a.m. — followed by a vodka tonic at a bar across the street.
Starting pay was $140 a week — enough to afford an occasional wee hours western omelet (post-vodka) and train fare back home to Brooklyn.
By 1978, Kaufman was routinely covering the NFL and his big break came immediately following that ’78 season. Kaufman was named New York Giants beat writer for UPI, replacing Greg Aiello, who later became the longtime chief NFL spokesperson. [read more]
Fire up the JoeBucsFan Show at 7 p.m. on WDAE radio, 95.7 FM and AM 620. Full buffet with Joe talking all things Bucs presented by Pin Chasers.
Also listen online or via the iHeart Radio app, or click the player below. (Joe has been back on the WDAE airwaves every week for the past 19 months. But this is a brand new time for football season!)
Sloppy ball security. Presnap penalties. Shaky adjustment to a bad headset. Top receiver not getting the ball in the second half. Veteran leaders playing with their heads in the clouds. A bad defensive line misalignment that led to a long Bengals run and a personal foul. [read more]
We should know by noon today whether Jalen McMillan will suit up for the Bucs for his first appearance in pewter and red — or, white on white, which the Bucs will wear Sunday in the home opener of the 2026 season. [read more]
Joe thinks of the Bucs having a very deep receiver room with a quarterback who, at times, can play very high-level football behind a top-three offensive line. [read more]
There really aren’t any proper superlatives in the King’s English to describe what an unreal player Tristan Wirfs has been for the Bucs since he was plucked in the draft in 2020. [read more]
There wasn’t much for Rueben Bain to smile about in Cincinnati.
Lost in the glorious debut of Josiah Trotter and how fellow rookie Ted Hurst demonstrated he’s a clutch player was arguably the most hyped Bucs rookie since America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, was pretty much invisible. [read more]
Click above to shop the fantastic September pricing at Tampa’s first family of Ford dealers, BillCurrieFord.com. Don’t Worry. Drive Currie! Reach out to Ira’s friend and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their extreme commitment to customer satisfaction at Bill Currie Ford..
Insightful episode as Sage Ira talks about what he saw and experienced at One Buc Palace this week, along with more reaction from Sunday and a look at what’s coming in Week 2. Enjoy!
A family business since 1960, Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.
Thursday’s injury report is mostly good as the Bucs prepare for the home opener Sunday against the hapless Browns.
The only potentially serious issue is that A’Shawn Robinson did not practice. The defensive tackle’s malady is listed as “rest.” Joe has never heard the Bucs give a guy a veteran’s day off right before Week 2.
Safety Miles Killebrew is in concussion protocol and was limited, as was starting cornerback Jacob Parrish, who suffered back spasms in the season-opener in Cincinnati.
Zac Robinson explains headset obstacles he and Baker Mayfield had to navigate.
Baker Mayfield dug himself a deep hole last week in Cincinnati with his three lost fumbles. But climbing out of that hole was made even more slippery with his headset being on the fritz. [read more]
Bobby Fenton serves up a thoughtful look back and a look ahead after the Week 1 loss in Cincinnati. Follow Bobby on X, @bobbygameday. His podcast is an extension of his national and local radio shows. It’s been at JoeBucsFan.com for 10 years. Always a quality listen from a true Tampa native.
Click above to listen or to download The Free Stretch, or catch it on Apple Podcasts and many other platforms.
The Free Stretch is presented by Bill Currie Ford. Don’t Worry, Drive Currie!
The new-look Bucs offense was marred by penalties, drops and four turnovers on Sunday. The new-look Bucs defense was dragged down by an invisible pass rush and rough tackling.
Bucs special teams, however, looked vastly improved. [read more]
On paper, the Bucs should mow through the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in Tampa Bay’s home opener. 
It’s been a week but the memory lingers. 
Can the unthinkable happen on Sunday? 
