Highlights Of Chucky’s Return To The Broadcast Booth
August 23rd, 2026
Joe is pretty convinced Chucky has a craving to coach again — even though he’s had scores of opportunities to coach college ball and instead stayed in his Tampa office breaking down tape, pretending to coach.
However, Joe doubts Chucky will coach again. The game sure looked like it passed him by in Las Vegas.
But after watching Chucky’s return to the broadcast booth last night working for WFLA-TV Channel 8 in the Bucs’ second worthless preseason game, Chucky still has *it* as a color analyst.
For nine seasons, Chucky was the color analyst on “Monday Night Football.” He was pretty good, though Joe tired of his everybody-is-great schtick. He always said he would never get negative, which meant to Joe, he was never honest about what he was seeing.
Even though Chucky hasn’t worked in a broadcast booth since 2017 (no counting what he does for Barstool Sports), Chucky was anything but rusty last night. He was excellent, in fact.
Here are some highlights and notes:.
First quarter
* What makes Bucky Irving such a dangerous running back? Chucky said it’s in Bucky’s feet.
* Chucky said Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson worked well with two backs while the OC in Atlanta. So Robinson should be good with Kenny Gainwell and Bucky.
* After a shaky call by the zebras, Chucky said, “These referees are in training camp mode, too. … I never had a good relationship with any of them, Rondé.”
* Chucky reads ads very well.
* On Jacob Parrish, Chucky said he is the “Toughest corner we’ve got. I would like to see them play a little more press coverage, especially on third-and-medium.”
* Joe thought he saw YaYa Diaby a cat’s whisker away from stripping Justin Fields. Yet Barber, who sort of did play-by-play, and Chucky so badly wanted to mention Rueben Bain’s name, they claimed he blew up the play.
* LOL The Bucs elect to punt and Chucky glosses Bucs punter Riley Dixon for not punting straight down the field. What does Dixon do? Punts the ball right down the hashmark.
* Good point by Chucky: With Vita Vea on the field, opponents’ average rushing is one yard less than when Vea is off the field.
Second quarter
* On a sack by Anthony Nelson and Mohamed Kamara, “THAT’S GOOD DEFENSE BY TAMPA BAY!” Chucky hollers. But then Chucky said, “Sorry for sounding like Gene Deckerhoff. But I love that!”
* Chucky said one reason why Robinson wants to use Baker Mayfield under center is that backs have better vision with the quarterback under center, and you can run play-actions and boots much better when the quarterback is under center. “The back can see better when the quarterback is out of the way.” Chucky cited the Rams and Seahawks as teams that have their quarterback under center 50 percent of the time if not more.
* Chucky discussed how the Bucs have no depth at tight end after Cade Otton in the passing game. He added the tight ends behind Otton don’t scare anyone in the passing game. He later added Bauer Sharp could be that guy.
* Bucs new radio play-by-play man Tony Castricone comes into the booth for an interview and he calls a play. Solid voice.
* Chiefs backup quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is sandwiched by David Walker and Kamara and Chucky loves it. “You’ve got to make the quarterback feel your presence!” Hear that, Todd Bowles?
* Chucky is starting to slobber over David Walker. “David Walker is having a field day.” Chucky loves Walker’s spin move. “That’s what Todd Bowles wants to see.”
* When the Chiefs challenged a Bucs interception, Chucky told Barber, “I wasted more challenges on you Barber than any guy I ever coached.”
(Barber begins doing play-by-play about midway through the first quarter, and not very well. But hey, he’s not a play-by-play guy. But Joe thought it was hilarious that Barber calls out the Advent Hamstring outfit for the down-and-distance graphic they sponsor being wrong. LOL! Joe is going to guess Barber gets called to the principal’s office for that.)
* Jake Browning is beginning to get pummeled behind a line of five turnstiles and Chucky’s starting to get steamed about it. Chucky wants Browning to unload on his teammates in the huddle to wake up the offense when Bucs take over with less than two minutes in the half. “The one thing I would have said to Jake on the sidelines is, ‘Get in the huddle and shake these guys up. Shake ’em up. Get in their grill a little bit. Tell them to block a little bit. Let’s get some pass protection.'”
* Chucky is starting to get aggravated with Bucs’ backup offensive line for allowing Browning to get the shi* beat out of him. After a sack of Browning, Chucky said, “If I’m Jake Browning, I’m not happy.”
* Chucky calls out the refs on a bad call (he’s right) and Barber asks, “Like the Tuck Rule?” Chucky responds, “Why don’t you just kick me?” A second later after Barber finishes a laugh, Chucky says as he slaps Barber on the shoulder, “Is this great or what?”
* Chucky again goes off on Bucs’ offensive line for piss poor pass blocking. “I do not like to see blitzes unaccounted for.”
* In the Bucs’ final drive of the half, Chucky wondered if Jalon Daniels gave the Bucs a better chance to get a score because he can at least use his legs whereas Browning isn’t any real threat to run.
* Chucky said if Robinson wanted to spice things up, he can use Bauer Sharp as a wildcat quarterback. Sharp did start at quarterback at Southeastern Louisiana.
Third quarter
* Coming back from commercial to begin the second half, Chucky demands to hear the cannons fire.
* Chucky once again scolds the Bucs backup line for not giving Browning a chance.
* Chucky has his three favorite Bucs plays: Barber’s pick-six against the Eagles, Matt Bryant kicks a 62-yard field goal to beat the Eagles and Gronk catching a touchdown in the Super Bowl as the Bucs beat the Chiefs. All against Andy Reid. Chucky then says Andy Reid has been beating him for years and loves to get after his former colleague when both were offensive assistants under Mike Holmgren in Green Bay.
* Daniels comes in and adds a spark and Chucky is pumped. “WE NEEDED SOME EXCITEMENT AND JALON DANIELS GIVES IT TO US.”
* Chucky noted Daniels a couple of plays in a row where he was late out of the huddle. Chucky thinks that might be that Daniels is struggling with the plays coming in from Zac Robinson. Interestingly, a few minutes later in a live interview with Baker Mayfield, Chucky asked Mayfield for his read on Daniels. Mayfield said Daniels’ biggest obstacle will be getting the play calls down because that’s a challenge. So Chucky was onto something.
* Chucky really likes how rookie cornerback Ayden Garnes isn’t afraid to stick his nose into a ballcarrier and properly tackle the guy.
* Chucky notes that at least twice he’s noticed how Daniels struggled with the snap under center. Maybe because he was so used to lining up in shotgun through college and high school?
* After a Benn’ed Around/jet sweep, Chucky said the best time to throw over the middle deep is right after a jet sweep.
(WFLA comes back from commercial to begin the fourth quarter and Ronde wasn’t yet finished eating his cookie.)
Fourth quarter
* Chucky said when Daniels is in the game it’s obvious Robinson fully changes his playcalling.
* Chucky liked how Robinson went to no-huddle on the goal line.
* Asked by Barber if got an invite to the Travis Kelce-Taylor Swift wedding; Chucky said, “No, I did not, but I should have been. He made a living against me.”
* Chucky seems impressed that Jason Licht finds scrubs from Nebraska and gives them a chance in the NFL basically because they hustle.
* Chucky loves Daniels’ accuracy on blitzes when he feels the heat.
* Chucky said it’s the quarterback’s responsibility when the offense is trying to drain the clock to keep reminding ballcarriers they must stay inbounds.
Postgame
Chucky wasn’t ready to anoint Daniels as the Bucs No. 2 quarterback but he said Daniels has been the most impressive Bucs quarterback through two preseason games. “He’s seeing the field. He’s making all kinds of throws. He’s audibling at the line of scrimmage. … He can make plays with his legs, Rondé. The playbook changes [with Daniels]. … You have to have a backup quarterback; I don’t care what anybody says. Jalon Daniels, to me, has outperformed everybody.”
Chucky has always liked quarterbacks — until they played for him.
August 23rd, 2026 at 4:15 am
Well I’m going to state the obvious. If the game has passed him by it certainly has lapped Todd as well.
August 23rd, 2026 at 5:07 am
While Tony does have a “solid voice”, the clear choice for that position was the understudy for the last 20 plus years–TJ Rives! The call Tony made was fine, but could’ve been AI generated–rote and robot9c. TJ, like Gene, has a distinctive delivery AND, with his history with the Team, has a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw from during the call. Would love to know what the Glazes were thinking with this botched hire…
August 23rd, 2026 at 6:03 am
Walker did better than his last outing. He had one other spin move where he slipped down, and let the QB out the barn door for a big play. Once he settled down, he brought some heat. Bain had one play you just can’t teach when he just chucked his man out of his way. This kid is going to be great. Trotter looked good, glad he got the start. But Dennis didn’t play at all, wasn’t expecting that. Something is up.
August 23rd, 2026 at 6:11 am
Rondé sounded like the first year high school PA announcer. It was awful.
August 23rd, 2026 at 6:56 am
It was a horrible broadcast. I like Gruden and would, in fact, much rather have him as the color analyst than Barber but the two together was a train wreck if you actually wanted to know what was going on in the game.
Several penalties were completely ignored. You had no clue why the ball had been moved and wouldn’t have known the down and distance if you weren’t reading it. Players made catches and made tackles and neither Barber or Gruden let you know who they were.
I’m sure they had fun but there’s a reason I watch the real broadcast of Monday Night Football games and not the Peyton brothers’ goofy broadcast. Gruden-Barber was the same but even worse.
August 23rd, 2026 at 7:05 am
Of course I heard Gruden’s voice in my head while reading that.
August 23rd, 2026 at 7:38 am
I never really enjoyed Gruden on MNF, and that remains unchanged for me. I was only interested in hearing how he might do play by play, so I don’t know what was going on that Barber did it instead. And Barber was so bad at it… unaware, tongue-tied, bragging about his own accomplishments. Yuck.
Lee has to be pretty disappointed given how he thought it might be groundbreaking.
August 23rd, 2026 at 7:51 am
I thought Chucky was great on the mic again. He hasn’t missed a beat. The same can’t be said about him returning to the sidelines though.
August 23rd, 2026 at 7:53 am
I completely agree. I’m sure Tony Cacciatore will be good, but TJ worked for and earned that position.
August 23rd, 2026 at 7:55 am
I wish every home game was Gruden and Barber.
That was the best Bucs commentary of all time.
August 23rd, 2026 at 7:59 am
There was something wrong with Ronde’s voice last night, he was having a bad time speaking
Anyone else notice?
August 23rd, 2026 at 8:00 am
I think that we have an incredible defense this year. The only thing that can mess it up is Bowles’ ego. I’m convinced that when we played Buffalo, and had a 4th and 2 with time running out, Bowles elected to punt because he wanted the glory of a defensive stop. That caused me to turn on Toad.
My worry is that Toad will be sooo concerned to put his stamp on the defense that he hinders the defense.
August 23rd, 2026 at 8:20 am
Man who cares and how long you are going to call a old grown man Chucky? He was a highly overrated coach who never developed a quarterback in his entire career and won a superbowl with a team another coach built. But the Joe’s act like he’s a hall of fame coach lol 😆 😂.
August 23rd, 2026 at 8:24 am
And by the way I think Bowles had Bain dropping back in coverage on one of those plays. This defense better be ranked at the top this year no more excuses for Bowles or Baker NFC championship or bust it’s year 4 .
August 23rd, 2026 at 8:31 am
It was fun . Chucky had the intuition to call what was about to happen before it happened . Just needed beer and wings in the booth the authentic the vibe .
August 23rd, 2026 at 8:48 am
Ronde is an all time buc but he is worse than bad to listen to. Nice guy, smart – someone you want your daughter to marry blah blah – but charisma, personality, and IT factor are a thing. This is why Greg Olsen had a job and why Tony Romo got all that money after his second year (Romo stinks now but not the point.) Not exactly the “game changing” broadcast as Gruden said and is a classic example that having the right people call the game DOES matter
August 23rd, 2026 at 8:50 am
It was fun. Preseason games are boring for the most part. They both looked and sounded like they were having fun. Chucky provides a lot of good insight into what is going on with an offense. The Bucs should have one of these type things every preseason.
August 23rd, 2026 at 9:00 am
I THINK CHUCKY & BARBER MAKE A GOOD TEAM. THEY DO KNOW THERE FOOTBALL, ESPECIALLY CHUCKY. CHUCKY WILL DEFINITELY BE A HC AGAIN SOMRWHERE.
August 23rd, 2026 at 9:12 am
I found them very entertaining which I can’t say for most braodcasts.
August 23rd, 2026 at 9:44 am
Where are my posts?
and why are they in moderation?
August 23rd, 2026 at 9:59 am
“Chucky really likes how rookie cornerback Ayden Garnes isn’t afraid to stick his nose into a ballcarrier and properly tackle the guy.”
I caught that tackle and thought to myself. Dang whens the last time I saw a Bucs CB make a perfect form tackle like that? Way to go Garnes!
Love me some Chucky!
Go Bucs!
August 23rd, 2026 at 10:33 am
I was sure hoping to see chucky with his patented chucky doll, and barber wearing his favorite Donovan mccnabb green jersey in the booth. That would be to die for!
August 23rd, 2026 at 11:44 am
Walker looked very smart. He looked like à true artist with nice moves.
I really liked his aura and body type.
Pyburn also looks like à freak. He has an NFL body.
Kamara also looked angry and manly.
Braswell was invisible.
I don’t think there is anyway Braswell can make this team.
Kamara, David Walker and Pyburn all look meaner and better than him.
I wish we could trade Braswell for a 7th.
We still need another CB.
Did you guys see that Seahawks signed thé 1st round CB thé lions cut.
AND Diggs?
The Seahawks are not messing around.
I love double dipping and signing 2. Like with Parrish and Morrsion.
Or like with Anzalone ÀND Rozeboom. Plus Trotter.
Nick Jackson Ànd Bullock are NOT NFL linebackers. Sorry to say that.
August 23rd, 2026 at 12:48 pm
WTF is this….. More notes than practices or the game? …..weird man crush some of y’all have on Chucky – SMH
August 23rd, 2026 at 12:49 pm
It was nice having 2 Superbowl champs ,gruden and barber hosting the game.maybe these 2 champs can help our defensive secondary & quarterbacks from blundering boneheaded mistakes.
August 23rd, 2026 at 1:22 pm
Oneilbuc with the annual fiction that Gruden won with the team Dungy could not.
Fact, new players: Pittman. McCardell. Jurevicius. Dilger. Dudley. Oben. Spires. Singleton. Jenkins. Brown.
Now for all you Dungy apologists, maybe argue that Gruden had key pieces he did not.
But the bottom line is there were significant upgrades with players who saw what Gruden was doing that Dungy had failed at, and they wanted in.
August 23rd, 2026 at 2:55 pm
I loved them. One thing I really liked was that they didn’t talk too much. They weren’t afraid to watch some plays in silence. I enjoyed the heck out of their camaraderie and comments.
August 23rd, 2026 at 4:21 pm
Yeah, Joe has a crush on relevancy. The most important thing that happened last night had nothing to do with what happened on the field — really, people are panting over dudes who will sell you aluminum siding in two weeks? Please!
Last night might be Chucky’s launching pad back to getting a seven-figure salary. A Bucs’ Super Bowl-winning coach restarting his career? A national figure? That’s revelancy. That’s news.
The “game?” Pppfffttt!
August 23rd, 2026 at 4:23 pm
How come Father Dungy couldn’t win with Dungy’s team?
August 23rd, 2026 at 4:34 pm
Loved listening to Gruden, was a lot of fun having him with Barber. Hope they do it again and soon!
August 23rd, 2026 at 7:25 pm
I thought Gruden started off a bit sluggish, but sounded great by the end of the game. Like Joe, I got really tied of his act on MNF of calling everyone great, and his BS about the GM in Tampa never giving him a QB (you mean your hand picked puppet Bruce Allen who did whatever you told him do?) … but last night was the Gruden I liked, with lots of energy, and would throw in some good nuggets here and there. Man is it going to be awful next week when Chris Meyers is back – not that I’ll hear it since I’ll listen to the radio broadcast.
August 23rd, 2026 at 7:29 pm
I enjoyed the broadcast. You can tell the two have good chemistry. The remark bout Gruden liking a lot of QB’s is so true. I like Chris Myers play by play but Gruden did make it an enjoyable evening. I’m glad Gruden considers the Bucs his team now instead of the backstabbing Raiders who really hosed him
August 23rd, 2026 at 9:27 pm
I would take Gruden over the current guy ALL DAY LONG! Ownership will not do this, however. No humility.