BY IRA KAUFMAN

It’s one of the great sound bites in NFL history and Herm Edwards is still asked about it more than 15 years later.

“You play to win the game,” Edwards bellowed that day as head coach of the New York Jets, reminding the media of Job 1.

Here’s my contribution, and I’m sure Herm would be proud: (more…)

Ira heads to the locker room for today’s column.

Ira Kaufman is the most revered sports personality and writer in town. He has hung his hat at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters since July 2016. Tampa Bay’s only Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, Ira busts out columns here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and his award winning podcasts fire Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can also hear Ira every Wednesday on SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio at 5 p.m., and see him Mondays and Fridays at 10:30 p.m. on Spectrum Sports 360.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

NFL locker rooms are delicate creatures.

It doesn’t take much to tinker with a winning formula and mess with chemistry.

Every player in this league is talented, so I’m convinced more than ever that character is an indispensable ingredient for success.

Talking to Buc players after the final game, they swore to a man that this team stuck together through the tough times. They talked about playing for each other and the mutual respect that was evident within the walls of One Buc Place. (more…)

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No weeks off on the Ira Kaufman Podcast, so much to dissect. Always! Dive in here or enjoy at iTunes, Google Play or Podbean.com. Ranked on the Google Play podcast “Top Charts” for three consecutive months (all genres nationwide), the Ira Kaufman Podcast keeps you informed and entertained every Tuesday & Thursday — and there is NO offseason. Click or download above. It’s free and easy. Enjoy!

Ira Kaufman is the most revered sports personality and writer in town. He has hung his hat at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters since July 2016. Tampa Bay’s only Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, Ira busts out columns here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and his award winning podcasts fire Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can also hear Ira every Wednesday on SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio at 5 p.m.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Just how close are they?

According to the scoreboard, the Bucs are close. Real close.

According to the eyeball test and the depth chart, they have a huge challenge ahead to compete with the big boys in the NFL’s premier division. (more…)

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The gloves are off, Brooklyn-style, and Ira is swinging and putting Joe on the ropes. The Ira Kaufman Podcast continues to dazzle year-round at iTunes, Google Play or Podbean.com, or right here! The Ira Kaufman Podcast keeps you informed and entertained every Tuesday & Thursday — and there is NO offseason. Click or download above. It’s free and easy. Enjoy!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

The coronation of Jon Gruden is at hand.

On Tuesday, the former icon of Buc Nation will return to the scene of his first NFL head coaching job after a 16-year absence. (more…)

Inside Ira’s esteemed ballot

BY IRA KAUFMAN

The Associated Press asked me for my All-Pro selections this week and when I obliged, I realized there were no Buccaneers on my list.

No surprise there.

These are the best of the best, not overcrowded Pro Bowl rosters influenced by reputation and team popularity. (more…)

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Buckle up. Ira is in overdrive on the hot topics of the day and shares a Hall of Fame story that illustrates the shady behind-the-scenes maneuvering that arises. Dive in here or enjoy at iTunes, Google Play or Podbean.com. The Ira Kaufman Podcast keeps you informed and entertained every Tuesday & Thursday — and there is NO offseason. Click or download above. It’s free and easy. Enjoy!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

System corner.

That’s the belittling phrase I heard from several members of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee regarding Ronde Barber when his name came up during the NFL owners meeting last March.

That was a warning shot, advance notice that a key member of an iconic defense was going to have problems making it to the finalist stage in his first year of eligibility. (more…)

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Wow! So much meat on the buffet on the first postseason podcast of 2018. Dive in here or enjoy at iTunes, Google Play or Podbean.com. The Ira Kaufman Podcast keeps you informed and entertained every Tuesday & Thursday — and there is NO offseason. Click or download above. It’s free and easy. Enjoy!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Buc fans can only hope this franchise does a better job of addressing its priorities in 2018.

A year ago, Dirk Koetter singled out the lack of explosive plays as a major issue after a 9-7 season. In that regard, Tampa Bay zeroed in on DeSean Jackson in free agency, adding a speedy target who can stretch the field. (more…)

BY IRA KAUFMAN

With one glorious throw by Jameis Winston, a pass that both surprised and thrilled Dirk Koetter, the Bucs changed the narrative.

When that 39-yard strike landed in the reliable arms of Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay gave its long-suffering fans a taste of what might have been. The Saints played hard with an NFC South title at stake – but the Bucs played harder.

They were rewarded for their efforts with a 31-24 triumph that ended the second 5-game losing streak of a bitterly disappointing season. (more…)

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Lotta meat from the Sage of Tampa Bay sports today. So crank up the Ira Kaufman Podcast right here, or enjoy at iTunes, Google Play or Podbean.com. The Ira Kaufman Podcast keeps you informed and entertained every Tuesday & Thursday — and there is no offseason. Click or download above. It’s free and easy. Enjoy!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

The walls of One Buc Place are closing in on Dirk Koetter.

The steady drip, drip, drip of reports that Jon Gruden is returning for a second stint in Tampa is taking its toll on a proud second-year head coach.

So how has Koetter responded? With class. With dignity. (more…)

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You want answers? Ira Kaufman’s got answers. Or at least he thinks he does in today’s new episode. The great Sage of Tampa Bay sports is all fired up. Dial up the Ira Kaufman Podcast right here, or enjoy at iTunes, Google Play or Podbean.com. The Ira Kaufman Podcast keeps you informed and entertained every Tuesday & Thursday — and there is no offseason. Click or download above. It’s free and easy. Enjoy!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

The Glazers need to do the right thing and bring back the man they fired in 2009, a Buc icon who can help lead them back to relevance.

Put down your Chucky dolls for a minute, people … I’m talking Derrick Brooks here.

In the spirit of giving, I’m offering ownership some sage advice. Mr. Brooks, also known as The Godfather around these parts, needs to be made an offer he can’t refuse. (more…)

BY IRA KAUFMAN

They ravaged the NFL’s No. 5 defense for 392 yards. They kept Greg Olsen in check and punted only once. They scared the bejesus out of Jerry Richardson, who surely has bigger issues to worry about.

Still, they lost.

That’s five in a row in the wrong column for Dirk Koetter, who lasted a little more than three minutes on the podium following Sunday’s setback before the media ran out of questions or Koetter ran out of answers. (more…)

Joe challenged Ira Kaufman, Tampa Bay’s only Hall of Fame voter, to pick against the spread this season for a $500 prize. Every Friday, Ira types out his picks for each Sunday and Monday game. If Ira hits at 53 percent or better for the regular season, then he gets $500 in gift cards to Abe’s Place in Clearwater, home of historically amazing food and 44 craft beers on tap. Feel free to send Ira your stone cold locks on Twitter, @ikaufman76. The sage of Tampa Bay sports always appreciates a tip.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

A bounce-back week for sure, but hardly good enough.

After a 2-13 debacle that followed a 13-2 mark, we found the middle ground at 6-6 against the spread, with three games finishing as a push. (more…)

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Fired up Ira is barking on many Bucs topics of the day — and of tomorrow. Dial up the Ira Kaufman Podcast right here, or enjoy at iTunes, Google Play or Podbean.com. The Ira Kaufman Podcast keeps you informed and entertained every Tuesday & Thursday — and there is no offseason. Click or download above. It’s free and easy. Enjoy!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

The good teams in this league make stops. The Bucs make waves.

Whether it’s Dirk Koetter, Jon Gruden or Matt Patricia calling the shots next fall, Tampa Bay’s offseason priorities remain the same. (more…)

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The wee hours are when Ira Kaufman is at his best, and that’s when this podcast was cut, about an hour after last night’s Bucs-Falcons game. Dial it up right here, or enjoy at or at iTunes, Google Play or Podbean.com. The Ira Kaufman Podcast keeps you informed and entertained every Tuesday & Thursday — and there is no offseason. Click or download above. It’s free and easy. Enjoy!