Archive for 2015

Joe Is Back At It

Thursday, February 19th, 2015

licht and florio

Good morning from frozen Indianapolis, where at 9:16 a.m. it is minus-2 degrees (Fahrenheit) with a wind chill of minus-26.

Folks are beginning to thaw out and stir at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine. There is a buzz as sportswriters are feeling the caffeine, and feeling what today is. It is Jameis Day.

Later, no telling when, Jameis Winston will take the podium for his first press conference as a professional athlete. Yes, Marcus Mariota will do the same.

Joe has tons of stories already, and more to come throughout the day. So keep hitting that F5 button and tell your boss the Bucs are the highest priority.

Report: Look Middle Linebacker In Round 2

Thursday, February 19th, 2015

lovie 0912A prominent Tampa Bay Buccaneers media voice, who had breakfast with Lovie Smith yesterday, says he believes the Lovie regime will make its first defensive draft pick on Day 2 of the 2015 NFL Draft. (more…)

Bucs Draft Board A State Secret

Thursday, February 19th, 2015
Now it's time for Leslie Frazier and others to dive in

Now it’s time for Leslie Frazier and others to dive in

Few eyeballs have seen the Buccaneers’ 2015 draft board.

Back in December, general manager Jason Licht announced his scouting staff gathered for intense meetings, set their draft board and little change was expected after that. (more…)

“Gut Decision” Coming, Says Lovie

Thursday, February 19th, 2015

Lovie Smith made a “gut decision” on Josh McCown last offseason, and again in November, and they turned into rotted guts for legions of Bucs fans, from the white sands of St. Pete Beach to Plant City and beyond. (more…)

“The Domino Quarterback”

Wednesday, February 18th, 2015

McCownlaughThe Josh McCown free agent parade went through the Bears and Browns yesterday, and there are more teams to come.

This is what happens when you’re one of the first QBs into the free agent market, the free agency dinner bell doesn’t ring for another 19 days, and Josh Freeman is your current competition. (more…)

Joe Talks Polling Data, Internet Baloney, Draft Strategy & More

Wednesday, February 18th, 2015

What? You missed last night’s JoeBucsFan Hour with Joe and the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve Duemig on WDAE-AM 620?

Well, Joe’s got full audio of all the fireworks. (more…)

Jason Licht Talks Brooks Blessing, Bad Vs. Immature, Honey Badger, V-Jax Contract & More

Wednesday, February 18th, 2015

VincentJacksonWhat’s with that winter coat, Jason Licht?

The Bucs’ general manager was dressed for frozen Indianapolis, but he warmed up under a media grilling late this morning. And Joe’s got video. (more…)

Fearless Lovie

Wednesday, February 18th, 2015

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Bucs coach Lovie Smith made waves this morning when he told Joe and assembled media that Jameis Winston’s off-field antics and issues are something the head coach is comfortable accepting. (more…)

Licht Dances On Veteran QB Questions

Wednesday, February 18th, 2015

jason licht 0312Will Tampa Bay repeat the Josh Freeman mistake?

Joe has trouble imagining a scenario in which the Bucs don’t land a seasoned veteran to help guide their new rookie QB and compete for a backup job. (more…)

Lovie Smith Talks To Joe

Wednesday, February 18th, 2015

lovie smith 1110Tampa Bay head coach Lovie Smith was kind enough to give Joe a little time for a one-on-one interview this morning from the NFL Scouting Combine in frozen Indianapolis, just before he went on BSPN Radio and declared he would be comfortable having Jameis Winston lead his Bucs.

Lovie discussed how the Bucs plan to tackle free agency, how they evaluate the team from top to bottom after the season, edge rushers, and if free agent defensive end Adrian Clayborn’s days with the Bucs are over, and more. (more…)

Licht Channels Drew Rosenhaus

Wednesday, February 18th, 2015
Bucs GM Jason Licht had an oily Drew Rosenhaus imitation for Joe this morning.

Bucs GM Jason Licht had an oily Drew Rosenhaus imitation for Joe this morning.

In the scrum that was the post-press conference press conference this afternoon in the concourse of Lucas Oil Stadium in frozen Indianapolis, Bucs general manager Jason Licht pulled an oily Drew Rosenhaus.

Well, sort of. (more…)

Licht: Logan Mankins “Excited”

Wednesday, February 18th, 2015

logan mankins 1019

In his post-press conference press conference, Bucs general manager Jason Licht fielded all sorts of questions. One was about barbecue pitmaster Logan Mankins.

The left guard who sure seemed like he left his heart in New England, and has been pining for a place to hold a barbecue since he came to town, apparently has either had a change of heart, found someone with a grill, or both. (more…)

Lovie Says Mariota Has Made All The Throws

Wednesday, February 18th, 2015

Mariota2There’s the chat Lovie had today in front of NFL Network cameras and media this morning. And then there was the chat Lovie had with Joe and other media away from the spotlight.

It was there that Lovie planted a Marcus Mariota flag that many thought couldn’t be done yet. (more…)

Jason Licht Likes The Similarities

Wednesday, February 18th, 2015

WinstonMariota

A big ol’ grin covered Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht’s face this morning when he was asked about Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston electing to throw at the NFL Scouting Combine when quarterbacks hit the field on Saturday. (more…)

Lovie: Off-Field Actions Haven’t Ruled Out Winston

Wednesday, February 18th, 2015

Lovie Smith implied today that his strong belief in the American judicial system is why he and the Bucs are comfortable having Jameis Winston become their quarterback of the future.

Joe’s got Lovie’s full take, live from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. (more…)

“For Good Reason”

Wednesday, February 18th, 2015
Lovie Smith had strong love for Mike Glennon today

Lovie Smith had strong love for Mike Glennon today

Asked about Josh McCown today at the NFL Scouting Combine, Lovie Smith said “it’s a new year.”

And for now, Lovie said, it’s Mike Glennon’s time. (more…)

Dietrich-Smith: Glennon Can Win Starting Job From Rookie

Wednesday, February 18th, 2015

Cue the Mike Glennon Mob! (more…)

Jameis Watch: Lovie Says He’s Comfortable

Wednesday, February 18th, 2015

jameis winston 1225Crab-legs-stealing, BB-gun-shooting, obscenity-hollering, Heisman-Trophy-winning, former national champion Jameis Winston, the pride of Florida State University, continues to look like a much better quarterback prospect than Mike Glennon and Josh McCown.

It’s Joe’s daily nugget on the Jameis Watch, celebrating the best quarterback to wear No. 5 ever in the state of Florida. (more…)

Tampa-2 Not Totally Extinct

Wednesday, February 18th, 2015

lovie 0613b

Joe still has loads and loads of untouched interviews, and a couple he hasn’t finished transcribing, from his days in Phoenix during Super Bowl Week.

Today, Joe is in frigid Indianapolis at the NFL Scuting Combine. For media purposes, the combine begins today and lasts through Saturday. So Joe will have tons more strong content for weeks. (more…)

Joe Is Live At The Combine

Wednesday, February 18th, 2015
Lovie Smith, and later Jason Licht, will speak at this here podium later this morning.

Lovie Smith, and later Jason Licht, will speak at this here podium this morning.

Welcome to frozen Indianapolis. Joe is plugged in and ready to rock and roll at Lucas Oil Stadium where outside, it is a bone-chilling 10 degrees (Fahrenheit). But it’s sunny.

The first speaker of today’s 24 will be Pittsburgh general manager Kevin Colbert followed by Bucs coach Lovie Smith at 10:15 a.m. Bucs general manager Jason Licht will follow at 11:15 a.m. (more…)