Defensive coordinators have sleepless nights thinking about Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. But Baker Mayfield’s legs? (more…)

Critique from Bucs locker room.

After the loss to the Lions, Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield said one way for the offense to improve is to start playing “p!ssed off.” (more…)

Rookie special teams ace Josh Hayes.

What a Sunday it was for general manager Jason Licht. (more…)

DT Calijah Kancey, the Bucs’ rookie first-round pick.

Per NextGen Stats, in his first significant playing time, Bucs defensive tackle Calijah Kancey had one of the best games in years Sunday for a rookie defensive tackle. (more…)

Run game chatter.

In the eyes of Bucs coach Todd Bowles, it’s apples and oranges. (more…)

Offense will be fixed.

Damn, it still irks Joe that early in Sunday’s loss to the Lions, Baker Mayfield had a wide-ass open Mike Evans at least 15 yards behind the Lions defense and Mayfield’s pass was tipped. (more…)

High standard.

Joe caught hell on social media Sunday night. Joe still maintains it is true. (more…)

Bucs coach Todd Bowles.

For the first time this year, Bucs coach Todd Bowles got a good look at first-round draft pick defensive tackle Calijah Kancey in game action on Sunday. (more…)

Rim shot!

Often, press conferences by NFL folks are full of predictable canned quotes. That’s why it was so refreshing for the Bucs to have past team officials like Bucco Bruce Arians. You had no idea what he might say. (more…)

Flash poll posted at 12:07 p.m. Poll closed 3:50 p.m. Previous poll results linked here. (No poll during the bye week)

Very interesting assessments by head coach Todd Bowles yesterday. (more…)

This sent Joe on a power walk to calm down. (more…)

Limited respect from defenses.

Teams that fear a running back often make sure they have plenty of defenders near the line of scrimmage to increase the chances of bringing the guy down before he hurts the defense too badly. (more…)

Bucs coach Todd Bowles.

While Todd Bowles on Monday expressed confidence the putrid Bucs run game will find its footing — worst in the NFL (again) — that doesn’t mean he’s happy with how the running backs are running the ball. (more…)

A Bucs assistant coach opens up.

Bucs game on the line. To whom do you want the ball thrown? (more…)

Bucs coach Todd Bowles.

Five words flew under the radar on Monday. (more…)

No chance.

This is one of those barroom trades that sounds good after six pints. (more…)

BILL CURRIE FORD IS OPEN DAILY! Shop now online and don’t forget to request the Ira Kaufman Discount. Nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles.

BY IRA KAUFMAN
JoeBucsFan.com columnist

(Ira is known as The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports because, well, he is the sage of Tampa Bay sports. He’s been covering the Bucs since 1985, following six years on the NFL beat including starting on the New York Giants beat in 1979. Sage is a Pro Football Hall of Fame selector and is a member of the Hall’s prestigous senior committee. Ira drives a cherry red 2020 Ford Escape, “the fancy kind,” he purchased at Bill Currie Ford. Sage can be bribed effectively with a cannoli, a top shelf cuban sandwich or Bette Midler tickets.)

It’s five games into the season and Jason Licht might consider hanging a Help Wanted shingle outside One Buc Place.

At 3-2, the sky isn’t falling on top of the 2023 Bucs, but some storm clouds linger heading into Sunday’s home divisional matchup. (more…)