It seems the brain of the Texans’ deep threat has healed

Joe’s not about to root for a guy to be in bad health, but it sure would have been nice if stud Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins decided to rest his injured brain a little longer. (more…)

Lovie Smith is proving this season he doesn’t care about how much a player earns.

It appears that will be highlighted by cornerback Alterraun Verner riding the bench to start the game Sunday. (more…)

Bucs still learning to win, CB Alterraun Verner noted.

Until the postseason arrives, no games are bigger than division games. To win a division one must play well within the division, no?

Well, Bucs cornerback Alterraun Verner is of a different mind. (more…)

When you preach takeaways and scoring on defense, you sometimes find that your defense will improvise to get the job done — even if coaches might frown upon the attempt. (more…)

Yes, Joe had a busy radio week, Of course, Joe did his weekly in-studio, steel cage jousting match with his good friend, “The Big Dog,” Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620. But there was more.

Part of Joe’s weekly duties is to drop knowledge and one-liners on the “Jeff Cameron Show,” heard on ESPN Tallahassee 97.9 FM. Cameron, the pride of Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg, wanted the lowdown from Joe of the Bucs win at New Orleans, and how that can carry over to Sunday’s game at Houston.

Joe even worked in a Rosie O’Donnell reference, so you know this is must-listen radio. (more…)

In his short professional tenure, Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback, has surprised a lot of Bucs fans with his running ability.

Heck, we’ve seen Jameis sprint and dive for the corner pylon, calmly roll/scramble left and cut back right for a touchdown, break off an open-field spin move for a long first-down run. And there’s more. (more…)

Is a true Bucs QB blooming before our eyes?

The Bucs board their flight to Houston tomorrow afternoon. The flight will be buoyed by confidence.

Confidence they can win (for a change). Confidence they can put heat on a quarterback (for a change). Confidence they have a quarterback (for a change). (more…)

As one can imagine, Joe’s good friend, “The Big Dog,” Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620, has interesting thoughts about the Bucs traveling to Houston for the third game of the season. (more…)

Houston DE Jadeveon Clowney is coming after America’s Quarterback.

If folks thought otherwise, let there be no mistake now what Houston plans to do Sunday when they host the Bucs at high noon in the heart of Texas (1 p.m. Tampa time):

The Texans are gunning for America’s Quarterback, Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston. (more…)

Gerald McCoy talks battling Houston QB Ryan Mallett..

So which Bucs defense shows up Sunday?

The defense that got horsewhipped by a 2-14 team on the road breaking in a brand new rookie quarterback? Or is the defense that last week lassoed long-time nemesis and future Pro Football Hall of Famer Drew Brees? (more…)

Steve Duemig locks horns with Joe

It was another steel cage session this evening with the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620, and Joe squaring off.

All kinds of Bucs subjects were on the table, including the rightful optimism of Bucs fans. There was even Connie Chung reference. (more…)

All that screaming and yelling through the winter, spring and summer because Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht did nothing to bolster the Bucs’ offensive line other than snagging two second-round picks.

My how the song has changed. (more…)

Bucs DC Leslie Frazier believes Ryan Mallett’s arm could pose problems.

Joe is on record suggesting, until proven otherwise, Houston quarterback Ryan Mallett is just a sloppy quarterback.

Look, the only reason he is starting is because Brian Hoyer played himself out of a gig. (more…)

One of Jameis Winston’s teammates speaks out

Tampa Bay is one nation under America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.

Consider the locker room vibe dished out by the charmed prince of all Buccaneers defensive players. (more…)

Can Houston DT J.J. Watt be slowed down?

It’s hard to discuss Sunday’s game and not talk about Houston’s monster defensive tackle J.J. Watt. After all, he is Houston’s best player and perhaps the best all-around player in the NFL. (more…)

Bucs right tackle Gosder Cherilus will try to break a trend Sunday.

The numbers on Bucs right tackle Gosder Cherilus facing Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt don’t look pretty. (more…)

Gerald McCoy is yearning to play offense, and the Bucs’ three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle said Lovie Smith has promised him that opportunity if a certain goal is reached — a goal McCoy is on pace to hit. (more…)

Stat geeks detail Johnthan Banks is off to another fine season.

Mike Jenkins? Joe’s foot!

Though it hasn’t been seen recently — Joe just might have to prod Lovie Smith to see if he will still take the bait — for the most of Lovie’s tenure with the Bucs, the head coach has had a full-blown bromance over cornerback Mike Jenkins.

Joe doesn’t understand the attraction, but Lovie cannot hide his feelings, especially if you dare bring up the name “Johnthan Banks.” (more…)

Remember that players-only film and practice session Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David held before last Sunday’s game?

David talked a little more about it and its aftermath. (more…)

Chris Conte drills home an important point, as well as a Saints ball carrier.

In four seasons with the Bears, new Bucs safety Chris Conte only played on one losing team. His four college years at “Cal” were the same way.

So Conte knows well the difference between a losing mentality and a winning mindset. (more…)

Houston sackmeister J.J. Watt discussed facing America’s Quarterback.

The drama — and don’t tell Joe you hate drama — is the J.J. Watt/Amercia’s Quarterback storyline that began this summer.

When Jameis Winston was at an NFLPA function, he was asked who he looked forward to playing against. Jameis replied, “J.J. Watt.” (more…)

“Push.”

Lovie Smith adores using that word when he talks about his interior defensive line. (more…)