BY IRA KAUFMAN

The Bucs came within 30 seconds of their first 3-0 preseason start since 1999, when they advanced to the NFC championship game.

Let’s not get carried away, I don’t see the second coming of Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks or Ronde Barber out there, but I don’t see a 5-11 club, either.

Tampa Bay’s 20-6 halftime advantage was well deserved because the Bucs outplayed the Lions in all three phases. The start of the game was delayed an hour by dodgy weather, but the real storm front was an offensive line that manhandled Detroit on the opening drive.

If you didn’t see the game, shame on you. Here’s what you missed: (more…)

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

Subscribe: RSS

Training Camp has ended and Tampa Bay’s only Hall of Fame voter has plenty of takes and insight on the pulsating Bucs topics of the day. The Ira Kaufman Podcast is always fun and informative, and it’s presented by Ed Morse Cadillac Tampa and Ed Morse Cadillac Brandon. Click play above or tune in at iTunes, Google Play or Podbean.com. Find the Ira ranked on the Google Play podcast “Top Charts” (all genres nationwide), where it’s been for most of the past 10 months!! Stay informed, thinking and smiling every single Tuesday & Thursday — and there is NO offseason. Click or download above. It’s fun, free and easy. Enjoy!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Jason Licht was in a downright giddy mood Tuesday evening, for good reason. (more…)

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

Subscribe: RSS

Nineteen days from the season opener and Ira Kaufman is in midseason form firing away on the various Bucs topics of the week with Joe.  The Ira Kaufman Podcast is always fun and informative, and it’s presented by Ed Morse Cadillac Tampa and Ed Morse Cadillac Brandon. Click play above or tune in at iTunes, Google Play or Podbean.com. Find the Ira ranked on the Google Play podcast “Top Charts” (all genres nationwide), where it’s been for most of the past 10 months!! Stay informed, thinking and smiling every single Tuesday & Thursday — and there is NO offseason. Click or download above. It’s fun, free and easy. Enjoy!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

These games don’t count. The NFL preseason is meaningless. Nothing of consequence can occur in August, except injuries.

Yeah, right. (more…)

BY IRA KAUFMAN

After Buc practices, you can find Evan Smith chasing his daughter all over the football field, laughing all the way. That’s the calm after the storm.

Between whistles, Smith is all business. (more…)

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

Subscribe: RSS

Ira’s been reading tea leaves, as he calls it, and making Sage observations about your beloved Bucs as they sit halfway through the training camp grind. And Ira’s friend Tony Dungy was in the house at One Buc Palace stirring up memories and lessons for the current Bucs. The Ira Kaufman Podcast is always fun and informative, and it’s presented by Ed Morse Cadillac Tampa and Ed Morse Cadillac Brandon. Click play above or tune in at iTunes, Google Play or Podbean.com. Find the Ira ranked on the Google Play podcast “Top Charts” (all genres nationwide), where it’s been for most of the past 10 months!! Stay informed, thinking and smiling every single Tuesday & Thursday — and there is NO offseason. Click or download above. It’s fun, free and easy. Enjoy!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

It’s right there on page 27 of the current NFL Record and Fact Book. (more…)

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

Subscribe: RSS

Ira has been patrolling practice, listening to movers and shakers around One Buc Palace and is brimming with his first podcast takes from the preseason opener. The Ira Kaufman Podcast is always a good time and is presented by Ed Morse Cadillac Tampa and Ed Morse Cadillac Brandon. Click play above or tune in at iTunes, Google Play or Podbean.com. Find the Ira ranked on the Google Play podcast “Top Charts” (all genres nationwide), where it’s been for most of the past 10 months!! Stay informed, thinking and smiling every single Tuesday & Thursday — and there is NO offseason. Click or download above. It’s fun, free and easy. Enjoy!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Jim Miller will always have a soft spot in his heart for the Buccaneers.

Pat Kirwan’s broadcast partner on “Movin’ the Chains,” a long-running SiriusXM NFL Radio program, landed in Tampa Saturday to watch the Bucs practice. The former quarterback of the Steelers and Bears who owns a Patriots Super Bowl Ring, came away impressed. (more…)

BY IRA KAUFMAN

The Bucs had lost five consecutive preseason openers, so there are plenty of positives to feel good about after Thursday night’s victory.

There were also several areas of concern because the Dolphins moved the football up and down the field all evening. Let’s give Tampa Bay an overall grade of “B” as the Bucs move on to next week’s scrimmages and matchup in Nashville.

Here are 10 of the particulars: (more…)

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

Subscribe: RSS

Bucs game TONIGHT! And Ira Kaufman dives into it and much more with Joe on today’s Ira Kaufman Podcast presented by Ed Morse Cadillac Tampa and Ed Morse Cadillac Brandon. Click play above or tune in at iTunes, Google Play or Podbean.com. Find the Ira ranked on the Google Play podcast “Top Charts” (all genres nationwide), where it’s been for most of the past nine months!! Stay informed, thinking and smiling every single Tuesday & Thursday — and there is NO offseason. Click or download above. It’s fun, free and easy. Enjoy!

For his Wednesday column, the Sage of Tampa Bay sports sits down with the Bucs’ villainized safety

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Through seven NFL seasons, they’ve been coming at Chris Conte in waves. (more…)

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

Subscribe: RSS

Things are developing rapidly at One Buc Palace some good, some not so good. The Sage of Tampa Bay sports is all over that and more with Joe on today’s Ira Kaufman Podcast presented by Ed Morse Cadillac Tampa and Ed Morse Cadillac Brandon. Click play above or tune in at iTunes, Google Play or Podbean.com. Find the Ira ranked on the Google Play podcast “Top Charts” (all genres nationwide), where it’s been for most of the past nine months!! Stay informed, thinking and smiling every single Tuesday & Thursday — and there is NO offseason. Click or download above. It’s fun, free and easy. Enjoy!

Ira talked to GM Jason Licht, Peyton Barber and more for his Monday column.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Peyton Barber has heard all the hype surrounding rookies Ronald Jones and Shaun Wilson.

Jones, a second-round pick out of Southern Cal, is described as a home-run run hitter who adds juice to a wilted run game. Dirk Koetter is gushing over Wilson, an undrafted free agent from Duke who has picked up the playbook quickly.

Barber’s response? (more…)

BY IRA KAUFMAN

His right knee may not be 100 percent, but Demar Dotson’s truth-meter is working overtime.

The longest-tenured player on the Bucs stayed after practice at the indoor facility the other day, patiently signing autographs for more than 50 fans. He smiled for pictures and shook hands before reinforcing his reputation as Tampa Bay’s most candid player. (more…)

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

Subscribe: RSS

Week 2 of Bucs training camp is grinding along and Ira Kaufman has plenty on his mind, in addition to being fired up about Saturday’s big Training Camp Takeover event. Power-packed football talk and more with Joe. The Ira Kaufman Podcast is presented by Ed Morse Cadillac Tampa and Ed Morse Cadillac Brandon. Click play above or tune in at iTunes, Google Play or Podbean.com. Find the Ira ranked on the Google Play podcast “Top Charts” (all genres nationwide), where it’s been for most of the past nine months!! Stay informed, thinking and smiling every single Tuesday & Thursday — and there is NO offseason. Click or download above. It’s fun, free and easy. Enjoy!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Whether or not you’re a Jason Licht fan, you’ve got to admit it … the man’s a survivor. (more…)

Bucs GM Jason Licht

BY IRA KAUFMAN

The overseeer of five drafts as general manager of the Buccaneers, Jason Licht has been rewarded by ownership with a contract for a sixth season. (more…)