Start the celebration, couch potato Bucs fans. Sunday’s Bucs-Saints game will be on local TV.

It’s the first home-opener to be televised since 2009, back when Team Glazer was still gobbling up unsold tickets.

Joe’s happy for all the kids and other fans who don’t get to choose whether or not they go to a game.

Of course, Joe knows Bucs players are not about to spill the minutes of their recent players-only meeting that either happened before or after the Jets season opener.

Joe was in the locker room today discussing various subjects with a number of Bucs players and, as expected, the players were coached-up on how to respond to the expected questions about said meeting.

Gabe Carimi, for example, couldn’t remember the subject(s) bantered about in said meeting.

“I don’t know anything about that. I didn’t hear anything about that,” offensive lineman Gabe Carimi said of the players-only meeting on a discussion of Freeman not elected captain.

When asked if there was discussion of Freeman’s commitment to the team, Carimi said, “I haven’t heard anything.”

Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune took this subject a step further. He knows the player who called the players-only meeting and had this reaction on Twitter.

@RCummingsTBO: The Bucs players only meeting was called by LS Andrew Economos who said it was more of a pep rally than a gripe session. … The player who called the Bucs player only meeting last week says no concerns over captains vote was raised during the conclave … For those who may wonder why the LS [long-snapper] would call a players only meeting, he is the longest tenured Buccaneer

Freeman himself in his press conference stated he was in attendance at the meeting. Donald Penn had noted that as many as four players-only meetings are called a year and wondered aloud why people would think this was news in any way.

Among other topics addressed at the Josh Freeman media grilling this afternoon at One Buc Palace was a question to Freeman about whether he likes playing for Greg Schiano and whether he feels he can thrive under the New Schiano Order.

Freeman gave a heartfelt endorsement of Schiano, saying “it’s awesome” and “fun” playing for the head coach, and Freeman went on to say he likes how Schiano relates personally to him.

Freeman also reiterated that he spent a lot of 1-on-1 time with Schiano personally this season and offseason, something Freeman told media months ago.

Also, Freeman said he likes the “family” atmosphere Schiano fosters, as well as the little “sayings” and other rah-rah kind of stuff.

“It’s about camaraderie, brotherhood,” Freeman said.

(Here’s the complete Freeman audio below, courtesy of WDAE-AM 620.)

Joe saw this Q & A with Greg Schiano yesterday that the head coach did with the New Orleans media. Joe found it curious that Schiano didn’t answer directly about Freeman.

How has Josh Freeman performed in your eyes?

“I don’t think it is just Josh, I think it’s our whole offense.  We need to just need to be more consistent, get in a rhythm and perform up to our capabilities.  We have a lot of loose edges, frayed edges.  We have to get everything cleaned up.  And for whatever reason, it shouldn’t be, but it is and that’s life and we have to get it cleaned up and shine it up a little bit because we are not far off, but the part that we are off is critical.”

Click above for the entire Q & A.

Donald Penn strikes back

Donald Penn seems to want to pancake anyone who thinks a Bucs player-only meeting is, was, or will ever be a big deal.

This afternoon at One Buc Palace, Penn noted that the Bucs “have at least four players meetings a season.” It was a comment to add perspective to national and local media reports that it was a big deal that the Bucs had a players meeting before opening day last week. However, Bucs icon Derrick Brooks noted to Steve Duemig on WDAE-AM 620 this week yesterday that Week 1 seemed to be an odd time for a players meeting.

Tampa Tribune beat writer eye-RAH! Kaufman said on SiriusXM Radio today that a subject of the recent players meeting was the commitment of Josh Freeman.

“Josh, we had to re-heat your oatmeal to 97 degrees.”

Greg Schiano confirmed moments ago at One Buc Palace that Josh Freeman “overslept” for the team photo last week and has been tarday for other team activities.

Schiano was adamant the team dealt with Freeman internally and has completely moved on — old news.

Schiano also gave a Freeman a vote of “trust.”

Former Bucs quarterback Shaun King, now a popular analyst for NBC Sports, has long been a Josh Freeman supporter. King called for Freeman to get a new contract. He pleaded for Freeman to see a sports psychologist. He’s repeatedly told fans that Freeman is firmly in the tier of quarterbacks under the current elite QBs.

Today, King predicted there’s no chance Freeman returns in 2014, and King sounded more concerned about Freeman’s personal welfare than anything else.

King, speaking on the Ron and Ian show today on WDAE-AM 620, was asked whether he’d be surprised to learn there are significant off-the-field issues going on with Freeman. King said he wouldn’t be surprised but would not reveal specifics about what he’s been told about Freeman’s off-the-field life.

King, who lives in the Tampa Bay area, did say of things he’s heard about Freeman, “I hoping that they’re not true. … I don’t get involved in people’s personal lives. There are so many things that I know that happen over at One Buc that I don’t talk about because I don’t feel that’s my place. So I apply that as it pertains to Josh Freeman also.”

Co-host Ian Beckles, a former Bucs guard, also referenced numerous things he’s heard about Freeman in his neighborhood — he and Freeman live in South Tampa — and Beckles said he hopes they’re not true, either.

Also, King dove deep into the Bucs’ non-Freeman troubles on the field against the Jets, as well as how players don’t trust Greg Schiano. (You can hear the full audio below.)

The sky is falling around Josh Freeman and the New Schiano Order. 

It’s getting very ugly — again.

Tampa Tribune Bucs beat writer eye-RAH! Kaufman was on SiriusXM NFL Radio this morning with Ross Tucker and Derrick Brooks and revealed that last week’s players-only meeting was driven by internal doubts about No. 5 and the New Schiano Order, via ProFootballTalk.com.

Ira Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune appeared earlier this morning on SiriusXM NFL Radio with Ross Tucker and soon-to-be-Hall-of-Famer Derrick Brooks to discuss the situation.

Kaufman addressed his belief that the relationship between the team and its starting quarterback is reaching “critical mass,” explaining that he doesn’t believe the statement amounts to hyperbole.  The problem, per Kaufman, is a perceived lack of commitment to the team from Freeman.

“My information is that it’s not the first time Freeman has been late for or completely missed a team function,” Kaufman said.

With some prodding by Tucker, Kaufman acknowledged that a players-only meeting occurred last week.  While Kaufman initially explained the meeting as an effort to address Freeman’s lack of commitment to the team, Kaufman eventually conceded that, as he hears it, the meeting was aimed at addressing concerns about both Freeman and the coaching staff.

When a team meets before Week 1, after spending a training camp bonding in a team hotel and on broiling practice fields, and then it emerges questioning its leadership, there are serious problems. And those are the kind that likely can’t be fixed.

How serious is the trouble at One Buc Palace? Joe really can’t be sure. If Freeman’s having an off-the-field problem, then that’s not necessarily the end of the world. There are plenty of players who do stupid things and play effective football.

How Bucs players feels about the coaching staff, well, that answer will be given on the field.

Joe couldn’t give a crap about whether players like coaches, it’s about whether they show up playing hard on Sundays.

Slovenly Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan somehow, after bouncing from NFL team to NFL team, concocted a gameplan that narrowly beat the Dixie Chicks in Week One. So ecstatic with the win, Ryan went to a New Orleans dive bar, dropped a C-note and bought all the patrons a round.

Joe really hopes Ryan won’t be able to drink because his stomach is so nauseous after the Bucs game this week. Hottie Allie LaForce and outspoken Doug Gottlieb, co-hosts of “Leadoff,” seen nightly on CBS Sports Network, discuss in this CBS Sports video.

Will the Bucs-Saints game be televised Sunday?

Joe knows it’s arguably the biggest Bucs question on the minds of local Bucs fans. Legions of Bucs fans, from little kids to old folks and poor drunks, are hanging on the blackout/non-blackout announcement coming this afternoon at roughly 4 p.m.

Joe’s got no insight as to what will happen. However, the Bucs-Saints game last season did meet the blackout threshold and was televised. Given that fact, it would be thoroughly heinous if this year’s Bucs-Saints game didn’t get on the tube. Going backwards is always a bad thing.

Joe will keep you updated.

“I’ll see you in 10 days, Greg. We’ll be ready.”

Bucs icon Ronde Barber recently said many teams across the NFL will sign released players of teams they’re going to face in a couple of weeks in order to gather valuable “intelligence” on an opponent.

Barber was speaking on Jay Mohr Sports, heard locally on WDAE-AM 620, andhe told tales of how the Bucs did that at times to gain an edge.

Well, it seems the Patriots, who after facing the Jets tonight will have a whopping 10 days to prepare for the Buccaneers, have just snatched up their own fresh knowledge of the New Schiano Order.

Rookie defensive tackle Chris Jones made the Bucs’ 53-man opening roster but was cut this week to make room from fullback Spencer Larsen. He’s now a proud member of the Patriots.

What sort of edge can Jones give Bill Belicheat and Tom Brady? Joe doesn’t know. But Joe’s confident Greg Schiano is squirming just a tiny bit wondering what Jones might reveal.

Greg Schiano has praised the strength of player leadership on this 2013 Bucs team many, many times.

The leadership is so strong, Schiano said, he felt he could back off his intense culture change focus during training camp and spring practices.

Keep in mind rockstar general manager Mark Dominik has intentionally drafted team captains out of college and signed established free-agent superstar leaders like Vincent Jackson, Darrelle Revis, Dashon Goldson and Carl Nicks.

Now, in the wake of media sharks attacking Schiano and Josh Freeman with an unprecedented intensity after Week 1, it’s time for the leaders to rise up and earn their pay.

Joe can’t sugarcoat it. That’s what has to happen — immediately.

Revis, the $1 million-a-game cornerback, is very used to the circus atmosphere surrounding the Bucs right now. In fact, it’s probably tame to him coming from the Jets. And Joe looks for Revis to speak out in the locker room and on the practice field, and tonight with sanity and strong words. The Darrelle Revis Show kicks off at 6 p.m. on WDAE-AM 620.

Most importantly, the Bucs’ leadership must lead with their play. If every one of the eight Pro Bowlers on this roster makes a big play Sunday, and others like Mike Williams, Mark Barron and Lavonte David do the same, then the Bucs likely beat the Saints. That goes for Josh Freeman, too. He’s capable of playing well. He did just that for two-thirds of 2012.

Joe’s remaining optimistic for Sunday. Yes, the Bucs have serious issues. Joe’s not discounting those. But Joe just can’t bury the Bucs after one game before the home-opener. That’s complete lunacy. Not this week.

The talent is on this team to beat the Saints on Sunday. Football is still very much about blocking and tackling and getting the most out of talent. Joe’s not going to be distracted into believing the Bucs are incapable.

Naturally, when drama seeps from the walls of One Buc Palace like in recent days, such as the manufactured news that Bucs franchise quarterback Josh Freeman is no longer a captain and whispers of a classified team meeting that either did or didn’t take place before or after the Jets game, and the legitimate news that Freeman missed the official team photo session, there are bound to be all sorts of ways to spin this information.

The popular folks at Deadspin.com, who write about the Bucs as often as Joe wrestles with Rachel Watson between the sheets in the wee hours, is now on the trail of the Bucs and they seem to believe a) either Bucs commander Greg Schiano or Freeman will not be with the Bucs at season’s end; and/or b) the news of Freeman missing the team photo is a plant by the team in an effort to use the spin cycle to the team’s advantage.

Schiano denied vote-rigging yesterday, saying, “it’s 100 percent false. If there was such a thing as a 102 percent, this would be it.’’

Which might be true! And wouldn’t change the level of dysfunction one bit. That Bucs players would even entertain the possibility that their head coach is out to get their quarterback is not a sign of a healthy locker room. Then there’s this report in today’s Tampa Tribune. “Multiple sources” claim Freeman did not show up for the team’s photo day last week. Don’t bet against this leak only coming out now as a way for the front office to sway public opinion: See, Freeman doesn’t deserve to be captain.

The Buccaneers have a brutal first-half schedule and could easily be 1-7 at the halfway point. It seems certain that either Freeman or Schiano won’t be back next year. The more immediate question is whether they will even finish the season.

Now, there’s no way to know if Schiano went all Dick Daley on Freeman, but what the hell would be the point of pulling such a stunt when the only end result is a blowup in your face?

Joe truly believes the “captain” moniker on a football team is an empty, vapid figurehead moniker. Schiano may be a control freak but he is not a megalomaniac.

Joe can categorically write that the notion Photogate being a plant by the Bucs is absurd on every level. Joe was working on this story for days before he broke the story and can flat out state not one person who works at One Buc Palace in any capacity had any communication with Joe about this story until team sources were approached.

Whether this Photogate flap is the public beginning of the end of Freeman in Tampa Bay depends on one simple thing: wins. If the Bucs win Sunday, all of this nonsense is on the backburner. If the Bucs make the playoffs, it is all forgotten.

It is no more complex than that.

Gerald McCoy delivered some tough talk last night.

You could almost hear drool dripping from Greg Schiano’s mouth when he talked about his defense Monday.

Schiano was on the Buccaneers Radio Network talking about a Buccaneers defense, his defense, the Rutgers defense, that’s harder-hitting than anything seen around Tampa Bay in years.

And it’s not just Schiano brimming with defensive confidence and swagger. It’s everywhere in the Bucs’ locker room, as well.

Mason Foster told Joe there is new attitude and a stepped-up intensity this season.

“We definitely are a physical team. We feed off each other. Lavonte makes a big hit, I feel like I gotta make a big hit. If I make a big hit, Dashon feels like he gotta make a big hit. So it goes across the board, man,” Foster said. “And I love it. I love that type of football. I’m excited to go out there Sunday and get to hit somebody else.”

Gerald McCoy took things a step further on WDAE-AM 620 last night.

“I don’t want him to [change]. I don’t want him to. I don’t want him to,” McCoy said of Dashon Goldson’s ferocious, fine-inducing hits. “Because once you start worrying about penalties you can’t play as fast as you want to and you start slowing down. I love the hits. I love them. When you slow them down, it was all shoulder. But what the refs are taught to look at, from what they see at that moment, if it looks like your head was in there, then they’re going to call it. But once we slowed [the game film] down, clearly [Goldson] turned his head away and just used his shoulder.

“But the hits, they’re not dirty. They’re clean hits. He’s just playing physical. That’s what our defense is about.”

“When you turn on the tape, we want people to hate that they have to play our defense. We plan to inflict pain on people, you know, within the rules. But that’s the plan, whether it’s a quarterback, fullback, running back, offensive lineman, whoever. That’s the goal of this defense — to impose our will. We did that Sunday.”

Joe could type up more examples of the defensive confidence coming out of Week 1. And Joe’s talked to plenty of Bucs offensive players who are jacked up by what they saw from the defense.

Yes, the Bucs were facing a weak Jets offense with second-tier weapons, but the defense was sound, with arguably the best defensive player in the league, Darrelle Revis, still shaking off rust.

Joe will be a true believer if the Bucs can perform Sunday against Drew Brees. An organic, stunt-free pass rush will be critical. There’s no way the Bucs succeed blitzing the Saints the way they did the Jets.

There was happy news at One Buc Palace yesterday, starting fullback Erik Lorig, who missed opening day with a summer-long calf injury, was a full participant in practice, a session many players called physical and spirited.

Lorig’s return is significant. First, the Bucs use their fullback in the running game more than most NFL teams. Josh Freeman discussed this during his Tuesday radio show on WDAE-AM 620, and Freeman acknowledged that Lorig is a significant threat in the passing game. Second, the Bucs’ fullback play Sunday, led by tight end Nate Byham, was noticeably poor.

The Bucs’ defense will have a good day Sunday even if it allows 21 points. That’s just life against Drew Brees. So Joe’s especially happy about anything that could enhance the Bucs’ offense, which must produce. Lorig’s return will help.

Joe’s got a new podcast. In this first edition, Joe and Ronnie Lane of WDAE-AM 620 talked about the Bucs’ loss to the Jets, the communication issues, discipline, Lavonte David and the Saints. Joe hopes you enjoy this. As you will hear, Joe may have had a little too much caffeine before the podcast.

Joe’s good friend Justin Pawlowski is not man of hyperbole. the WHFS-FM 98.7 personality generally writes and talks from his heart, after his thoughts have been filtered by his brain.

After watching Josh Freeman struggle at the New Jersey Swamplands, and watching and listening to Bucs coach Greg Schiano, and studying Schiano at Rutgers, Pawlowski wrote that he is sensing the beginning of the end of Freeman’s days in Tampa Bay, a “divorce” between head coach and the Bucs franchise quarterback.

As we entered the preseason, Mike Glennon got a majority of the offensive snaps for the Buccaneers. This was not a surprise. The surprise was how little snaps Josh Freeman received in games to get ready for the season.

The Jets had the absolute right game-plan on defense this past Sunday. The key to stopping the Bucs offense is to load the box, shut down Doug Martin, pressure Josh Freeman, and force Freeman to beat you through the air.

“I mean, that’s going to be the formula to stop our offense. It’s not a mystery,” Schiano said [of shutting down Doug Martin. “We have to throw and catch. We missed open guys, and then we dropped some passes. We have to protect better; we [allowed] three sacks, but we also were hurried. If people are going to do that, you’re going to have to be able to throw the football effectively, consistently, accurately, and move the ball down the field. We did at times, and at other times, we didn’t.”

This was the first time Greg Schiano’s words about the quarterback position has matched his actions. The question is whether this is the beginning of the end for Josh Freeman. The only way Josh Freeman can prevent this from happening is to perform well on the field.

Now mind you that Pawlowski wrote this before the public learned of Photogate.

Look, Joe has no clue if Schiano really wants to rid himself of Freeman or not. Joe is convinced Schiano wants Freeman to succeed. If Freeman succeeds and the Bucs make the playoffs, then it’s not unlikely that Schiano would get a second contract.

As for Freeman, of course he wants to succeed. That inflates his market value when he hits free agency. To suggest Freeman wants to fail here is crazy.

As Joe has been saying for months: Freeman controls his own destiny. Play well and get a fat new contract. Play lousy and back up up Carson Palmer in Arizona or bratty Jay Cutler in Chicago.

Yes, as Joe learned previously, Bucs franchise quarterback Josh Freeman missed the team meeting recently for the official team photo. Team officials have confirmed the absence was unexcused.

Per the Tampa Tribune duo of eye-RAH! Kaufman and Woody Cummings, Freeman responded to the incident with a rather cryptic if not haughty exchange.

Multiple sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed that Freeman was late and did not participate in the annual team photo, which was held a few days before Tampa Bay players voted for team captains.

Freeman was not selected, despite having been a team captain since 2010.

When asked to comment on his absence from the team photo, Freeman responded with a text message to the Tribune: “You know I can’t do Buc non-sanctioned interviews.’’

On face value, this is not good. An official team photo is for the franchise’s annals. For a former captain and franchise quarterback to not show up for the photo, at best that is inconsiderate and at worst, irresponsible.

But there seems to be a pattern here and it troubles Joe. Remember when Freeman was late to his own football camp and Vincent Jackson had to pinch hit for him? Freeman cited car trouble, yet never called his father for a ride (who was at the camp) nor called a cab, nor a car service, nor Enterprise Rental, which will pick you up. It’s not like Freeman cannot afford a $50/day fee for a compact rig.

Joe is going to tack on this last little nugget and let Bucs fans mull it over. The massive communication issues that happened Sunday on the first drive of the season? Why was Freeman so rattled when roughly the first 15 plays are scripted? Or, why, like most teams, didn’t the Bucs coaching staff just let the quarterback take over play-calling duties until the communication issues were solved on the fly?

It’s starting to smell as if the Bucs coaching staff doesn’t trust Freeman.

Yes, it was open locker room today and there were loads of Buccaneers available to talk. Joe’s good friends at WDAE-AM 620 have all sorts of audio.

Among the players that spoke today included guard Davin Joseph, cornerback Johnthan Banks, safety Dashon Goldson, linebacker Jonathan Casillas, guard Carl Banks, left tackle Donald Penn, wide receiver Mike Williams and defensive end Adrian Clayborn.

Also, there is audio of Saints coach Sean Payton‘s teleconference call, Bucs offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan‘s press conference and the daily press conference from Greg Schiano.

Again, all audio courtesy of Joe’s good friends at WDAE-AM 620.

In the wacky world of the NFL, where everything’s a story, Joe brings you the story of Josh Freeman missing the Bucs’ official team photo session earlier this month.

Yes, it happened. You might have read about it in the comments section on this site days ago.

Joe has confirmed that Freeman was a no-show for the annual photo ritual and Freeman was not excused by the Buccaneers.

Joe talked to various Buccaneers today at practice about it and no player told Joe it was a big deal. “Stuff happens,” was the common response.

Speculators, of course, will say this could be a reason Freeman was not voted a team captain. But Joe doesn’t buy it. Freeman himself said on his radio show last night that he voted for Vincent Jackson and Davin Joseph, the eventual offensive captains, two worthy veteran leaders.

Does Joe think this is a big deal? No. However, when you add other very minor screwups in Freeman’s career, it is a happening worth noting.

Yes, track star/LeGarrette Blount trade throw-in Jeff Demps, the former Florida Gator, has re-joined the Bucs and was practicing today.

Demps is not on the roster. He’s got a roster exemption while the Bucs see what he has to offer their return game and/or backfield. (Perhaps he catches better than Kevin Ogletree?)

Demps wowed Greg Schiano and his new teammates with his speed. What that means on the NFL practice field is unknown — inactive list captain Michael Smith had 4.3 speed, but various Bucs said Demps’ wheels were impressive.

Beat reporter Tom Krasniqi, of WDAE-AM 620, penned in his daily notebook that Demps is playing the role of another really fast guy the Bucs will see on Sunday against the Saints.

RB Jeff Demps took part on his first practice on Wednesday for the Bucs.  The former Florida Gator and track star reported on Monday. Demps was wearing #32 and is simulating Darren Sproles on the scout team in practice. 

It’ll be interesting to see how Schiano reacts to a guy like Demps, who is not a football-first guy. Joe’s not sure the Bucs really need Demps, and would Bill Belicheat really have tossed Demps away if he was game-changing returner?

Joe has one piece of advice for Demps; don’t fumble.