Archive for the ‘Ira Kaufman, Everything eye-RAH!’ Category

Dumb Play, Revisionist History & Barbra Streisand

Monday, December 4th, 2017

Ira Kaufman is the most beloved, revered and esteemed Buccaneers columnist 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 see Ira every football Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on FOX-13, Scott Smith’s Tailgate Sunday.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

George W. Bush was sitting in the Oval Office and Jon David Gruden was stalking the Buc sidelines.

“No Country For Old Men.” was playing on movie screens and the Bucs proved that a year later with a veteran purge that included Derrick Brooks.

Alicia Keys topped the charts with “No One,” while Legally Blonde debuted on Broadway.

Yes, Buc fans, it was the winter of 2007, and yes, it seems like a century ago. (more…)

Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Packers

Sunday, December 3rd, 2017

BY IRA KAUFMAN

They played hard, they played physical … and they lost.

Blame this setback on lack of football smarts. Tampa Bay kicked Green Bay’s rump up and down Lambeau Field all afternoon in a game the Packers simply had to have. (more…)

Ira Kaufman’s Week 13 Picks Against The Spread

Saturday, December 2nd, 2017

Joe has 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

At this point, a 6-6 record against the spread is enough to touch off a celebration around the Christmas tree. (more…)

Ira Talks Jameis Return, Jameis Decisions, Mike Smith, Drive Killers, Locker Room Observations, Green Bay Expectations, And Much More

Thursday, November 30th, 2017

Ira is dialed in with firm thoughts on the return of Jameis Winston and so much more. Tune in right here, 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!

Put The Blame In The Right Place

Wednesday, November 29th, 2017

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Let’s not pin this all on little Ryan Smith.

It was Smith’s misfortune to be matched up often against Julio Jones Sunday in Atlanta, where one of the NFL’s premier wide receivers torched the Bucs all afternoon. (more…)

Ira Talks The Latest On The Jameis Investigation, Single-Player Beatings, Atlanta Locker Room, Playcalling, Pass Blocking, Fitzpatrick Leverage, Dirk Koetter Hot Seat Read & Much More

Tuesday, November 28th, 2017

Recorded in Atlanta following the Bucs-Falcons game, the sage of Tampa Bay sports fires away on all kinds of Bucs subjects. Tune in right here, 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!

Bucs Officials Restrained Todd Monken From Atlanta Fans; Adrian Clayborn Speaks & More

Monday, November 27th, 2017

Ira Kaufman is the most beloved, revered and esteemed Buccaneers columnist 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 see Ira every football Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on FOX-13, Scott Smith’s Tailgate Sunday.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Postcard from Atlanta.

First look at cavernous Mercedes-Benz Stadium, check.

Tasty beet salad at the world’s busiest airport, check.

Buc victory? Not so fast. (more…)

Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Falcons

Sunday, November 26th, 2017

Ira takes you inside the locker room and more

Ira Kaufman is the most beloved, revered and esteemed Buccaneers columnist 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 see Ira every football Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on FOX-13, Scott Smith’s Tailgate Sunday.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

My only road trip of the season ended in heartache for the visitors and relief for the surging Falcons.

Tampa Bay made it interesting for awhile in the second half, but the Bucs failed to make the plays necessary to extend their winning streak to three games. One look at the face of dejected GM Jason Licht in the locker room and you knew there are no moral victories in the NFL. (more…)

Ira’s Week 12 Weekend Picks Against The Spread

Saturday, November 25th, 2017

Joe has 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

It’s the holiday season, a time for giving.

In that spirit, NFL odds-makers are giving away lots of points this weekend. Four teams are favored by at least 10 points at home and the Falcons are just short of that spread against the Bucs on Sunday.

I’ve been giving away too many games against the spread during this wacky season, which has seen the surprising rise of the Rams, Eagles, Saints and Vikings as division leaders. (more…)

Ira Talks Wednesday Locker Room Impressions, Defensive Attitude, QB Controversy Nonsense, Atlanta Predictions, Hall Semifinalists, Pizza And Zeppoles On Thanksgiving, And Much More

Thursday, November 23rd, 2017

It’s Thanksgiving, but Ira is still firing away with Joe, recorded at One Buc Palace yesterday. All kinds of stuff on the table, as always. Tune in right here, 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!

Smart Calls From The Hall

Wednesday, November 22nd, 2017

Ira Kaufman is the most beloved, revered and esteemed Buccaneers columnist 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 see Ira every football Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on FOX-13, Scott Smith’s Tailgate Sunday.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Bravo to my fellow selectors.

The men and women on the Pro Football Hall of Fame voting board were smart enough to choose three ex-Buccaneers among the 27 semi-finalists for the Class of 2018.

There is one more hurdle to cross before John Lynch, Ronde Barber and Simeon Rice make it into that Minneapolis discussion room on the day before the Super Bowl.

In January, the list of 27 former players will be whittled down to 15 modern-day finalists whose accomplishments will be debated by 48 selectors, including yours truly. (more…)

Ira Talks Every Angle Of The Jameis Mess, Jameis’ Future, Highs & Lows Against The Dolphins, Media Miss, T.J. Ward, Hall Of Fame News, A Chris Berman Slob Story & More

Tuesday, November 21st, 2017

Sage eye-RAH! jumps into every last angle of the Jameis Winston mess with Joe. Nothing is left under the table. Plus, there’s plenty of hard football talk, as well. Tune in right here, 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!

Make The Jameis Call Fast & Easy For The Glazers

Monday, November 20th, 2017

BY IRA KAUFMAN

If this NFL investigation into Jameis Winston’s conduct on the night in question lingers into next year, there’s something wrong with the process.

We don’t need psychiatrists, character witnesses and a wave of forensic teams to testify.

We need to answer one crucial question: how many passengers were in the Uber? (more…)

Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Dolphins

Sunday, November 19th, 2017

Insight, observations, quotes and more from the Sage of Tampa Bay sports

BY IRA KAUFMAN

The Bucs ended another ugly streak Sunday, and if the game didn’t reach the heights of Masterpiece Theater, so be it.

A week after snapping a 5-game tailspin, Tampa Bay ended its 6-game nightmare on the road. In beating up on the bottom feeders of the AFC East in successive weeks, the Bucs capitalized on mistakes by the Jets and Dolphins.

The Bucs forced some of those errors at Hard Rock Stadium, but they were also the beneficiaries of 17 Miami penalties. If Don Shula was looking on from a suite, he probably tossed up his steak sauce. (more…)

Ira Goes VERY Deep On Gruden Realities & Rumors, And Plenty From The Bucs’ Locker Room, Predictions & More

Thursday, November 16th, 2017

Regular listeners know that Jon Gruden himself, Chucky, offered to introduce this podcast with his appreciation of Ira. And with that nugget in mind, listen today to Ira give you the very latest on the chatter about Gruden returning to coaching. There’s plenty more with Joe and chatter on many things Bucs, as usual. Tune in right here, 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!

Cameron Brate: “That’s Total B.S.”

Wednesday, November 15th, 2017

The Sage of Tampa Bay sports, Hall of Fame voter and JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman, knows the elephant in the room is all the national chatter about Jon Gruden taking over as head coach of the Bucs in seven short weeks. So Ira is doing his old-school reporter diligence to dig out what this reality means at One Buc Palace. 

If you’re interested, you do NOT want to miss Ira’s podcast tomorrow — or today’s column.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Cameron Brate says there’s enough time, and he’s right. (more…)

Ira Talks Jets Victory Meaning, “D” Revival, Fan Minsdsets, Cornerback Situation, Revisiting The Howard Pick, Tanking in Tampa?, Lauding Lavonte, And A Revealing 1-On-1 Interview W/ Rock Riley, & Much More

Tuesday, November 14th, 2017

Fiery and intense takes left and right from the Sage of Tampa Bay sports after Sunday’s victory against the Jets. Ira is firing away with Joe, and there’s a special 1-on-1 interview with Rock Riley, who has a lot of juice from the locker room. Tune in right here, 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!

Right On Time For Dirk Koetter

Monday, November 13th, 2017

BY IRA KAUFMAN

The second half of the Buccaneer season is now underway and it can be neatly summarized in five words: (more…)

Ira Kaufman’s Week 10 Picks Against The Spread

Saturday, November 11th, 2017

Joe has 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

Finally, sweet victory. (more…)