Click on through to shop at BillCurrieFord.com. Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is ready to help you PERSONALLY and give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of their generous storm savings. Just ask! Don’t Worry, Drive Currie!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Simeon Rice’s Hall of Fame case remains on slow boil.

Since sacks became an official statistic in 1982, only 20 players have deposited quarterbacks on their rumps more often than No. 97, a terror off the right edge in Tampa Bay for six seasons.

Yet Rice’s name doesn’t trigger much enthusiasm among the 49 selectors who decide who will be fitted for gold jackets in Canton. It’s an enduring mystery because Rice has been eligible for induction since 2013. (more…)

Activated.

Bucs fans can breathe a sigh of major relief. The season, it appears, will not be dependent on the play of backup corners Josh Hayes or this Tyrek Funderburk. (more…)

Status for Sunday changed.

Despite Bucs coach Todd Bowles saying defensive back Tykee Smith is out for tomorrow’s contest with the Giants, Smith was officially listed as “doubtful.”

No longer.

The Bucs updated the injury report this afternoon to correctly reflect Smith’s status. He will not play.

Smith may have “reaggravated” his knee injury, Bowles said yesterday without elaborating.

Also, left tackle Tristan Wirfs’ status was downgraded to “doubtful” from “questionable.” Bowles has cautiously said more than once Wirfs would be a gametime decision.

Downgrading Wirfs seems to lessen the chances he will go tomorrow in the New Jersey Swamplands.

One strong free agent pickup by the Bucs this year has been receiver Sterling Shepard.

He’s got the third-most catches among Bucs wide receivers and he’s rushed 7 times for 55 yards. (more…)

His time to shine.

Two years ago in Todd Bowles’ first season as Bucs head coach, Tampa Bay finished the regular season 3-4 in its final seven games. (more…)

Stunning Bucs success.

So the Bucs were a subject on Coach. No, not the hit 1990s comedy, “Coach” is Bill Belicheat’s Xs-and-Os heavy YouTube show. (more…)

Todd Bowles

So the 4-6 Bucs sure have painted themselves into a corner by losing their last four games. (more…)

Every Bucs game from here on out, barring two losses, is of vital importance. But the CBS network suits don’t see it that way.

(more…)

Disgusting defensive stat.

Joe sure hopes the folks at One Buc Palace who snicker and scoff at the need for a productive edge rusher are happy about this. (more…)

“Bake, you know what scoring first means.”

This was just sad two weeks ago. (more…)

A man who bleeds New York Giants blue and works for the team can’t convince himself that the Giants can and will beat the Bucs on Sunday. (more…)

Giants star WR Malik Nabers didn’t practice on Friday.

There really is only one Giants offensive player the Bucs need to be worried about. And that is Malik Nabers. (more…)

Mike Evans speaks.

Mike Evans is a confident guy after training hard the past two weeks, so he said after practice today at One Buc Palace. (more…)

Gametime decision.

Though he didn’t rule Tristan Wirfs playing Sunday in the New Jersey Swamplands, Bucs coach Todd Bowles didn’t seem overly excited to get him back on the field that soon. (more…)

Podcast (free-stretch-bobby-fenton): Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS

Bobby Fenton is ready for the Bucs’ stretch run that starts Sunday in New Jersey. Rays stadium chatter, too. Follow Bobby on X, @bobbygameday. Bobby’s podcast is an extension of his national and local radio shows. It’s been here at JoeBucsFan.com for eight-plus 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!

PRESENTED BY BILL CURRIE FORD

(more…)

Update.

It seems the Bucs could have almost all of the band back when they face the Giants on Sunday in the New Jersey Swamplands. (more…)

Flash poll posted at 10:53 a.m. Poll closed at 2:12 p.m. Last week’s results linked here.

So which Bucs wide receiver will expose the routinely shaky Giants secondary on Sunday?

Well, perhaps none will have to. (more…)

Getting open is critical.

Joe thought the loss to the 49ers was the first time since Mike Evans and Chris Godwin got hurt that the offense really missed them. (more…)

Tony Dungy is looking, just like many of his fellow Tampa residents are. (more…)

Bucs coach Todd Bowles.

So, can the Bucs come close to running the table, going, say, 6-1 the rest of the way and clinch a playoff berth? (more…)