Remember when Lovie Smith directly instructed Joe not to read much into Henry Melton practicing at defensive end because, per Lovie, Melton only practiced there because somebody probably needed “a blow?”

Yeah, well, Joe never bought that. And Melton started at left defensive end last night. (more…)

Danny Lansanah (51) tackles Bengals running back Jeremy Hill last night. Lansanah admitted tongue-lashings from coaches inspired the Bucs. Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.

Man, it was like Joe was watching two different teams. Ten days ago, in their first at-bat of the 2015 preseason, the Bucs didn’t look better than they were last year.

Last night? Geez. Where has this team been? (more…)

“America’s Quarterback” sure seemed at ease the past two weeks playing behind backup center Jeremiah Warren.

Joe mentioned last night how, at least from the naked eye, it seems like “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, is very comfortable taking snaps from backup Jeremiah Warren. (more…)

Jameis caught by cameras off the field pumping up his fellow Bucs.

Last night, as with all home games, Joe was in the press box. There, Joe has to get out of his seat and crane his neck to see a TV replay of the Bucs play during a telecast, and there is no audio (for obvious reasons as folks are working). So often, fans will see (and hear) more on TV from home than Joe ever will. (more…)

“America’s Quarterback” pulls a Keyshawn Johnson after a Bucs first down last night. Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Strange words from the very mouth of “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston.

Strange indeed. (more…)

Rookie starting middle linebacker Kwon Alexander

Lovie Smith anointed a new quarterback of the defense last week, a 21-year-old rookie fourth-round pick, Kwon Alexander. (more…)

“America’s Quarterback” seems so much comfortable with Jeremiah Warren at center.

Joe isn’t being off the wall here.

Jeremiah Warren is a backup to starting center Evan Smith for a reason. He hasn’t been that good. (more…)

Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A home victory. Wow!

It doesn’t count, but it feels so good. At this rate, Joe might soon have to retire the Den of Depression nickname. (more…)

Doug Martin takes a handoff from “America’s Quarterback.” Joe thinks it is safe to say the “Muscle Hamster” has returned. Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.

Joe had heard Doug Martin say how he is healthy and ready to rock and roll this year.

Then again, what did Joe expect Martin to say, he wanted to barf on Evan Smith and get cut?

So Joe was skeptical entering the preseason games of what Martin could do. (more…)

George Johnson almost made fans forget Michael Bennett tonight

Look, when a Tampa Bay defensive end has a sack and a half before halftime, and the Bucs have three first-quarter sacks, local fans collectively have a football orgasm. (more…)

No catches this preseason for Mike Evans

The Bucs play the Titans in 19 short days, and Mike Evans has a new hamstring injury.

It’s unclear what happened in tonight’s game against the Bengals. (more…)

Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Updated: 9:43 p.m. America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, drove the home crowd wild this evening in his local debut.

First, there were the eight completions in 13 attempts and a rushing touchdown against the Bengals, and then there was the ankle/foot injury. (more…)

America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, takes the field tonight for his first home game, Monday Night Football.

The open thread is in the all new JoeBucsFan Message Boards. The direct link is HERE.

The message board is easy. If you haven’t already, just register, confirm the automatic email, and then sign in and play. Easy!

Have fun. Bad words and naughty posters will be filtered.

Go Bucs!

Preseason Game Two

Bengals at Bucs

Kickoff: 8 p.m.

TV: BSPN, WMOR-TV Channel 32 locally (NFL Network will rebroadcast the game at midnight tonight, Tuesday at 4 p.m. and Thursday at 1 p.m.) (more…)

Bucs RT Demar Dotson is eyeing an earlier return than first thought.

Man, when Joe saw injured right tackle Demar Dotson on crutches last week, Joe thought the dude was on stilts he is so big.

One of the nicest guys you will ever meet, Dotson injured his knee late in the first half of the first preseason game because Lovie Smith feared for the safety of “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston. (more…)

New quarterback of the Bucs defense Kwon Alexander, per Lavonte David, is traveling a road different from that of the No. 1 overall pick.

The philosophy of preparing Kwon Alexander to start as a rookie middle linebacker seems to be a lot different from what’s going on with America’s Quarterback, rookie Jameis Winston.

Lavonte David explained. (more…)

Bucs AC/DC-loving GM Jason Licht discusses draft strategy.

Last year, the Bucs’ offensive line was such an unmitigated trainwreck, fans wanted to heave a warm $9 beer on the field of play at the Den of Depression, if not just plain heave. (more…)

Back in the early days of the Raheem Morris administration, Tampa Bay had a young defensive end with a superior get-off and a bit of a nasty edge to him.

That guy went on to great stardom. (more…)

Joe’s already called opening day against the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 13 in Tampa a “must-win.”

It’s not a must-win for the standings. Duh. But it is necessary for the psyche of a fanbase that hasn’t seen a home victory since 2013, and compares Jameis Winston to Marcus Mariota. (more…)