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Click above to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford, BillCurrieFord.com. Reach out to Ira’s friend and GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles at Bill Currie Ford.

Loaded with Sage wisdom to take you into kickoff. Ira is firing away with Joe before this massive playoff game. Enjoy!

All the wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford. Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too, and more.

Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy!

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. Just ask!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

There was Dancing in the Street along Dale Mabry as the Bucs turned their attention to Motown.

Tampa Bay displayed more passion and execution throughout Monday night’s 32-9 rout of the feeble Eagles, who just completed one of the most glaring collapses in NFL history.

Now the Bucs get another crack at an opponent that handled them a lopsided regular-season setback.

Unlike the Eagles, the Lions don’t look like they’re falling apart amid injuries and turmoil. Detroit has been established as a 6-point favorite to advance to the NFC championship game, but the surging Bucs won’t go in scared.

They beat the Eagles physically from the opening snap and never let up, even stopping the Push Tush when K.J. Britt vaulted over the pile to stymie Jalen Hurts. Baker Mayfield shredded a soft pass defense for 337 yards and three touchdowns while Philadelphia failed to convert any of its nine third-down opportunities. (more…)

A tray of Hooters wings and their great salads, sandwiches and shrimp make for a heck of a lunch or dinner! Get it done! Locations are across the Bay area and online ordering is always easy from Joe’s great friends.

Podcast (ira-kaufman-podcast): Play in new window | Download | Embed

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Click above to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford, BillCurrieFord.com. Reach out to Ira’s friend and GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles at Bill Currie Ford.

Playoffs!!!! Pregame with The Sage & Joe.

All the wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford. Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too, and more.

Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy!

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. Just ask!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

The Buccaneers experienced their share of stress this season. Meet the Eagles, who have turned drama into an art form.

As the Monday night wild-card game approaches, Tampa Bay players and coaches appear to be on the same page. Meanwhile, Philadelphia is one loss away from writing the NFL’s definitive book on historic collapses.

On paper, the Eagles boast superior talent. (more…)

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Click above to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford, BillCurrieFord.com. Reach out to Ira’s friend and GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles at Bill Currie Ford.

It’s a must-listen episode at this critical point in Buccaneers history. Enjoy!

All the wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford. Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too, and more.

Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy!

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. Just ask!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Did David Tepper toss a drink toward Antoine Winfield Jr. on Sunday?

He should have.

With an incredible hustle play in a season full of ’em, Winfield took center stage at the game’s biggest moment in a 9-0 victory that clinched a third consecutive division title for the Buccaneers.

D.J. Chark was on his way to the end zone early in the second quarter when Tampa Bay’s snubbed Pro Bowl safety swooped in and caused a fumble at the 1-yard line. The ensuing touchback preserved a 3-0 lead and the offensively-challenged Panthers never recovered en route to their second straight shutout loss.

It was a sensational effort by a sensational player, similar to the fumble Winfield forced against Atlanta QB Desmond Ridder at the 1-yard line back in October.

There isn’t much to talk about on the offensive side, except to say Baker Mayfield struggled with his accuracy and rhythm while his pass protection was no bargain.

Still, the Bucs did just enough to advance to face the fading Eagles.

Carolina simply didn’t have enough playmakers as Tampa Bay registered its first shutout since a 21-0 triumph at San Francisco in 2010. (more…)

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Click above to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford, BillCurrieFord.com. Reach out to Ira’s friend and GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles at Bill Currie Ford.

Ira is fired up! The Sage is feisty and ready for gameday — and to explore radical change.

All the wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford. Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too, and more.

Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy!

Podcast (ira-kaufman-podcast): Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS

Click above to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford, BillCurrieFord.com. Reach out to Ira’s friend and GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles at Bill Currie Ford.

Fire up The Sage of Tampa Bay sports in this loaded episode with Joe. Remember to subscribe to Ira’s podcast. Thanks to the many thousands that do!

All the wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford. Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too, and more.

Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy!

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. Just ask!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Todd Bowles has been here before. It didn’t end well. (more…)

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. Just ask!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

It don’t come easy. You know it don’t come easy.

The Bucs have backed themselves into a coffin corner heading into the final game of the regular season. It’s win or go home, literally, when Tampa Bay faces the 2-15 Panthers in Charlotte.

Jobs are on the line, starting with the head coach. If the Bucs, favored by six points, don’t get the job done in Week 18, the Saints could steal the NFC South crown and trigger an offseason shakeup at One Buc Place.

Only one team was ready to play Sunday — and that’s inexcusable considering what was on the line. Of Tampa Bay’s three first downs in the opening half, two came courtesy of yellow flags.

The Bucs were outgained 202-44 after two quarters and the 23-13 final score won’t fool anyone who was there or who watched the debacle. If the Bucs wake up from their coma and beat the Panthers, this travesty will be quickly forgotten as they prepare for the NFC’s No. 5 seed in the postseason.

But make no mistake, Sunday’s lethargic effort serves as a reminder that this team is not close to being a championship contender. (more…)

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Click above to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford, BillCurrieFord.com. Reach out to Ira’s friend and GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles at Bill Currie Ford.

It’s a fun and loaded year-end edition of The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports with Joe. Enjoy! Remember to subscribe to Ira’s podcast. Thanks to the many thousands that do!

All the wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford. Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too, and more.

Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy!

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. Just ask! See their amazing O% financing offers right now.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Blue-collar town, blue-collar team.

While they still boast a few stars, the 2023 Buccaneers have won the region over with a one-for-all attitude that helped them persevere through a horrendous midseason slide that would have doomed this franchise in years gone by. Tampa Bay took on adversity head on and never whined about injuries, official’s calls or bad breaks. (more…)

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Click above to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford, BillCurrieFord.com. Reach out to Ira’s friend and GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles at Bill Currie Ford.

It’s a feisty episode from The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports with Joe, recorded live at the Big Storm Brewing Co. taproom in Odessa. Enjoy!

All the wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford! Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too, and more.

Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy!

Podcast (ira-kaufman-podcast): Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS

Click above to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford, BillCurrieFord.com. Reach out to Ira’s friend and GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles at Bill Currie Ford.

It’s a Christmas Day edition of The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports following the Buccaneers’ stunning blowout win. Dive in! Plenty on the holiday buffet.

All the wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford! Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too, and more.

Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy!

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. Just ask! See their amazing O% financing offers right now.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

What a difference a day makes. December 10th to be exact.

That’s the day the Bucs rallied for a 29-25 victory in Atlanta. They haven’t been the same team since.

Just ask the reeling Jaguars, who were never competitive during Sunday’s 30-12 setback. That’s four consecutive losses for Jacksonville and four straight victories for Tampa Bay.

Had the Bucs lost to the Falcons that fateful afternoon, they would have dropped to 5-8, with seven losses in nine games. Todd Bowles would have been a dead man walking and Buc Nation would have turned their attention to a quarterback-rich draft. The Kyle Trask mob would have been howling for No. 2 to replace Baker Mayfield.

But that’s not what happened. Mayfield threw a game-winning TD pass to Cade Otton in Atlanta and the last two weeks has seen this offense and defense come together impressively. Suddenly, the Bucs have the look of a dangerous team. They can wrap up a third consecutive NFC South crown by sweeping the Saints next week and confidence couldn’t have been higher in the locker room after dismantling the Jaguars.

Talk about your changed narratives.

Buc Nation is warming up to Bowles, although it’s been a slow crawl. Mayfield has won over teammates, coaches and fans with his blue-collar approach and passion for the game. Three potential free agents — Mayfield, Mike Evans and Antonio Winfield Jr. — are making compelling cases to remain Buccaneers for 2024.

It could all come crashing down in the next two weeks, but that feels unlikely at the moment. Instead, it feels like this is a franchise that survived a midseason meltdown and came out stronger for the struggle. (more…)

BY IRA KAUFMAN

It’s the highest praise you can lavish on a Buccaneer defensive back … he’s playing like Rondé Barber. (more…)

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Click above to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford, BillCurrieFord.com. Reach out to Ira’s friend and GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles at Bill Currie Ford.

Episode 2 of this week is a passionate affair. Enjoy!

All the wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford! Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too, and more.

Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy!

Podcast (ira-kaufman-podcast): Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS

Click above to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford, BillCurrieFord.com. Reach out to Ira’s friend and GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles at Bill Currie Ford.

It’s a Thursday edition of Ira live at One Buc Palace. Plenty is on the mind of The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports.

All the wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford! Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too, and more.

Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

The Todd Bowles haters have been silenced — for now.

In replacing Byron Leftwich as the poster child for Tampa Bay’s struggles, Bowles has taken a lot of heat this season from disgruntled fans. But even the most fervent Bowles skeptics have to acknowledge the Bucs are playing winning football in December.

Sunday’s 34-20 triumph at Lambeau Field was a complete victory led by Baker Mayfield, Chris Godwin and a defense that made just enough plays to even the Bucs at 7-7, keeping them in control of their own playoff destiny.

It wasn’t like the Packers didn’t need the game, either. Green Bay’s postseason chances took a massive hit because the Bucs made big plays, winning plays, when it counted.

Every time Green Bay appeared to grab momentum, Mayfield answered with a long scoring drive that sapped the life out of Packer Nation. Tampa Bay overcame a costly early turnover and played mistake-free football for most of the final three quarters.

A third consecutive NFC South crown is within their grasp and the Bucs also have a legitimate shot at an NFC wild-card spot. The NFL standings suggest a 9-8 finish would be good enough for Tampa Bay to advance to the postseason.

And guess what? That scenario would also keep Bowles at One Buc Place for at least one more year. (more…)