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…)

Talks mood of huddle in final drive.

There was exactly three minutes left in the game. The score was tied 20-20. (more…)

Lauded by Bucs coach.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is not a scapegoat. (more…)

Kickers are people, too.

See what a kicker can do? (more…)

Solid results.

Don’t blame the defense for the Bucs not putting this game away in the second half. (more…)

Clutch.

It’s time Chris Godwin should get on the field more. (more…)

Touchdown No. 4 today for rookie O.J. Howard. (Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Last Tuesday, Joe was kicking and screaming because the Bucs only had thrown to rookie beast tight end O.J. Howard just four times in the past three games. (more…)

Huge day for No. 93 against the Dolphins. (more…)

Blackjack!

It’s now 21 consecutive games for Doug Martin without a 100-yard game.

And Martin continued his two-year swoon today with a brutal afternoon against the Dolphins.  (more…)

Formerly winning head coach Dirk Koetter (he’s now 13-13 as the Bucs chieftain) was looking like dead man walking — figuratively and literally — after his team was embarrassed and annihilated two Sundays ago in New Orleans. (more…)

Kwon Alexander highlights the picks parade. (Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers.)

How about those streaking Buccaneers!

Winning always feels damn good — even if there is no hope for the playoffs. Or is there hope??

Yes, it’s a Sunday afternoon for the optimists, with the Bucs putting together a rather complete game in South Florida, even with some ugly third-down defense, allowing two big plays and zero running game. (more…)

Here we go again.

You better sit down for this one. (more…)

Has latest on Jameis Winston allegation including reaction from Bucs.

Very interesting development in the saga between an Uber driver and Jameis Winston. (more…)

Comment throughout this afternoon’s Buccaneers-Dolphins battle with wild and usually well-reasoned Tampa Bay fans. Great fun!

Direct all personal attacks at Dolphins players and coaches, not each other (Joe’s filters are cranked up for you haters.)

Enjoy! And prepare for Joe’s award-winning postgame coverage, including Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways.

Go Bucs!!!!

Bucs CB talks defense.

Last week the Bucs may have had their best defensive effort, although the game against the Belicheats was pretty impressive as well. (more…)

Secret weapon? (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)

A pass rusher may have been born last week. (more…)

Helped offense prepare.

Winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter is not losing sleep over wild man Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. (more…)

He’s been banged up. He’s dropped too many balls, and he’s been suspended for moronic behavior — and he’s still having a decent season.

Now Mike Evans returns today for what’s hopefully a dominant finish to 2017. (more…)

Has witness.

UPDATED 9:11 a.m. – It seems Jameis Winston has a witness.

And that witness likely knows who did what in the alleged crotch grabbing of a female Uber driver without permission in a fast-food, drive-thru lane in March 2016.

(more…)

Super Bowl-winning WR explains.

With the recent allegation that Jameis Winston grabbed an Uber driver in her private area, guilty or innocent, he may no longer be the leader of the Bucs he so craves to be. (more…)