Dan Graziano and Antonietta Collins — who Joe just now discovered and needs to see more of (ahem) — discuss the Mike Williams trade to Buffalo in this BSPN video.

When new Bucs wide receiver Louis Murphy, who Joe will guess is now the Bucs’ No. 2 receiver, met Lovie Smith, he had no idea what to expect. He had heard good things about the head coach but entered his meeting with Lovie with an open, clear mind.

Murphy left with a signed contract. His decision was simple, he told Joe. Lovie offered him opportunity, but also Murphy was won over by Lovie’s personal approach. (more…)

This insanity was predicted on NFL Network

NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah, a former NFL scout, teamed up with Charles Davis to dissect and predict their top 10 picks in the 2014 NFL Draft yesterday. 

Jeremiah, like Joe, believes the Rams are eager to hear their phone ring with offers for the No. 2 overall pick. (more…)

Jamon Meredith in a starting battle at right guard?

Joe is on record saying the offensive line is, well, thin. Joe personally loves Demar Dotson but Joe has no clue where this narrative has come from or began that Dotson is on the cusp of a Pro Bowl at right tackle.

Nowhere can Joe find a bad review of left tackle Anthony Collins. But Joe is not all that comfortable banking on a guy who has yet to start 12 games in a season much less a full season. (more…)

The intrigue surrounding the 2014 NFL Draft is great theater. Nobody knows what’s going to happen. The pressure is immense and growing in Houston for the Texans to draft Johnny Football with the No. 1 overall pick.

But the Texans won’t be pushed around. They’ve been down this road before. (more…)

Mason Foster is looking forward to playing fast and furious in Lovie Smith’s defense.

It was apparent former Bucs commander Greg Schiano was so insistent on keeping his defenders working in a rigid format that the players were frustrated.

In 2012, after begging and pleading with coaches, Gerald McCoy was turned loose somewhat midway through the season and since that time is widely regarded as the most feared defensive tackle in the game. (more…)

Now, per Joe’s unofficial count, that’s 15 new free agents the Bucs have signed since the ringing of the free agency dinner bell in March.

The latest, though, won’t have Joe dreaming of Super Bowls tonight. (more…)

 

Seven weeks ago the Bucs and veteran free agent wide receiver Nate Burleson were linked via a Detroit Free-Press story.

Things were quiet for Burleson when free agency heated up in March, but that’s changed now. Often, movement will come late on a quality veteran who won’t play for peanuts, and after the market settles, and as teams want all their key acquisitions to arrive before the team players report for duty in April. (more…)

Lavelle Hawkins a Bucs WR?

It seems Bucs general manager Jason Licht is not taking a lazy spring Friday afternoon lounging in his backyard with a cocktail, enjoying a warm and sunny day. The guy is busy.

First he traded starting wide receiver Mike Williams to frosty Buffalo. Now it seems he is ready to ink his replacement. And that would be a former member of the Titans. And, no, it’s not running back Chris Johnson. (more…)

“Who am I going to drink with when I come back to Tampa in the offseason?”

In case you haven’t been paying attention – and Joe is guessing you have been judging by the traffic on this here corner of the Interwebs – the roster makeover by Bucs general manager Jason Licht and coach Lovie Smith has been nothing less than extraordinary.

The Bucs, as of last night, have signed 14 free agents since March 11, more than any other NFL team. And that doesn’t even count likely contributors like cornerback D.J. Moore, who were signed before the start of the league year. (more…)

It’s not a great year to be an expensive wide receiver. Just ask DeSean Jackson or Steve Smith. A highly-touted 2014 draft class of receivers — some say there are 16+ potential starters in the mix — seems to be giving teams confidence to make bold moves/non-moves.

The trade of Mike Williams today certainly could put the Bucs and Bills in that boat. (more…)

Various reports on the Interwebs are reporting Bucs wide receiver Mike Williams has been shifted off to Buffalo for the dreaded sixth round pick this morning.

The move reunites Williams with his old college coach, Bills head master Doug Marrone. (more…)

Joe hates to play pretend, unless the land of make believe includes Rachel Watson. No, you won’t catch Joe reading fiction or fantasy.

So in that spirit, Joe’s not going to pretend he spent time the past two football seasons watching Titans football and Alterraun Verner. (more…)

Last week at the NFL owners meetings in Orlando, Bucs coach Lovie Smith held court for reporters and talked about middle linebacker Mason Foster blitzing more.

At a recent fan outing with select season ticket holders, Joe caught up with Foster to discuss his new defensive responsibilities under his new coaching staff. Joe will bring you excerpts through the weekend. But here is what Foster had to say about him going after the quarterback. (more…)

Man of change: Bucs tight end (?) Steve Maneri.

One of the great stories on the Bucs roster lies with the guy former Bucs tight end Anthony Becht says is “tough as nails” and will “punch you in the mouth.”

Joe had to dig a little deeper, and Joe’s glad he did. (more…)

New Bucs WR Louis Murphy gave Joe few clues

Bucs coach Lovie Smith recently said he is going to keep a shroud over offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford’s offense until the regular season begins. Joe understands that, but when fans are just about mocked out in early April with the draft still five (too) long weeks away, the grumbling for more information is becoming a drumbeat. (more…)

Here’s something for you to chew on along with your lunch today: Think how far off the NFL cliff former Bucs franchise quarterback sleepy, leaky Rip Van Freeman has fallen. A season removed from throwing for 4,065 yards, Rip Van Freeman cannot find a job. (more…)

One thing Lovie Smith made clear last week was that any New Schiano Order Buccaneer still on the roster is someone his new regime believes has qualities that could help the team.

Entering his third Bucs season, Chris Owusu remains in the mix after turning 24 years old in January. (more…)

“You embarrassed me, son.”

Every year NFL Network goes through a wise and telling exercise. One day at a time, they talk to a beat reporter of each NFL team — in draft order — and get that insider’s pick on who his/her team will draft based on the selections made prior to his/her turn.

It’s a mock draft with credibility and insight. (more…)

Jason McIntyre, founder and editor-in-chief of TheBigLead.com, offers his take on the Bucs’ first-round pick.

Yes, the Bucs return to work Monday and will hit the practice field next week. That should break up the painfully long wait for the draft coming in May. Yes, Joe is anxious, too.

Now don’t buy for a moment the NFL had a scheduling snafu with the Radio City Music Hall, which pushed the draft back into May. That’s a bunch of bunk. The NFL is holding the draft in May because it is TV sweeps month, one of four including November, February and July. (more…)

Joe must admit he has come around to the Bucs’ new uniforms. They’ve got sizzle in person, and they just might be a made-for-TV sensation. (more…)

Mike Florio believes there is clear evidence of what the Bucs think of backup quarterback Mike Glennon

Somewhere in a near-empty bar in the Tampa Bay area, as closing time inches closer, a member of the Mike Glennon Mob sits in the corner and softly mutters to himself. “Yes, I’m pleased with the way the Bucs have reshuffled their roster.”

But there is one roster move that gnaws at this MGM member. It’s that Mike Glennon was benched in favor of journeyman free agent quarterback Josh McCown. (more…)

It was a lively session this evening as Joe sat down with the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620. Joe hit on a wide range of Bucs and NFL topics. Enjoy!