Joe knows most fans can’t/won’t make training camp. So Joe likes to give a look inside the scene. Photographer Kyra Hallett deserves some applause.

Preston Parker can work kids parties when his playing days are over

Greg Schiano shows plenty of emotion

Not a bad Chucky face

Jeremy Trueblood had his hands full with Michael Bennett. Greg Schiano kept a close eye.

The beard doesn’t work, Mike. Yeah, that’s right. Joe said it.

Mark Barron often keeps his helmet on when others don’t. Barron reguarly takes a very terminator-like stance.

LeGarrette Blount after hearing someone say he can’t catch, block or digest a playbook

Adrian Clayborn hunts the football like no other Buccaneer

A practice without cheerleaders is like a Sunday without football

Anthony Gaitor going all out in a position drill

Sammie Stroughter has had a strong and healthy training camp

Schiano likes what he sees from Preston Parker

Wide receivers coach P.J. Fleck takes no prisoners during drills

“Look Glazer, toes on the line and tuck in your shirt.”

“You talkin’ to me?”

Mark Dominik reacts to a fan yelling to him, “Hey Dominik, you’re a rockstar!” True story.

Greg Schiano is often seen talking to his linebackers

Offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan barks orders

Ronde Barber does everything in practice, like an undrafted rookie fighting for a job.

New Bucs front seven coach Bryan Cox won’t put up with excuses for poor play.

One of the cool things Joe thought about the Bucs hiring outspoken, former intimidating linebacker Bryan Cox as a defensive assistant is that Cox wouldn’t think for a second about getting in someone’s face who needed to get their rear ends chewed, no matter their draft status, paycheck or years in the league.

So far that same mentality that Joe welcomed from Cox is already coming out, so documents Alan Dell of the Bradenton Herald.

Speaking to Dell, Cox blurted that the other 31 years in the NFL are not going to ball up in a fetal position because the Bucs are young.

Cox has never been shy about speaking his mind, a blessing for a young Bucs squad that is surrounded by doubters.

“Anytime you have a lot of young guys, people will try to build on that as an excuse, and we don’t want to be looking for built-in excuses,” he says. “Who cares how young they are. They are not going to cancel the season or feel sorry for us because of our youth. Fortunately, we have a lot of guys who can do a lot of different things, and we can move (them) around. All of them, including the veterans, are unselfish and willing to do whatever it takes to turn this thing around.”

Too many players at too many positions on the defensive side of the ball simply waltzed through last season, ending in a grotesque 10-game losing streak. It seemed to Joe there were ample times players needed a swift kick in the rear end instead of being coddled.

Consider Cox willing to kick tail if that’s what it takes to motivate a Bucs defender.

Justin “The Commish” Pawlowski, a man known for his work on the Buccaneers Radio Network, his draft coverage, and his appreciation of full-size Publix subs, offers takes on today’s practice in this JoeBucsFan.com video. The Commish speaks of Myron Lewis’ giant bubble, troubling breakdowns in the Bucs’ secondary, the greatness of Doug Martin, and more. (Editor’s note: Joe is not a dwarf. The Commish stands 6-5.)

“No wasted movement!” screamed visibly frustrated Bucs tight ends coach Brian Angelicho watching his TEs during catching and 1-on-1 blocking drills today.

Perhaps he was, in part, frustrated the many drops his unit turned out. Dallas Clark’s slippery fingers were evident again after a rough day Saturday. Drake Dunsmore and Zack Pianalto also missed easy catches.

Luke Stocker’s hands were sharp, but Angelicho was coaching him up consistently about making sharper turns after the catch.

“We’re working on the fundamentals and the details of it,” Stocker said. “As a tight end there are a couple of different breaks that we do, and we’re really trying to get the details down of putting our feet in the right places so we can maximize our speed coming in and out of our breaks.

Stocker also said the Bucs have a bit of a second tight ends coach, senior offensive advisor Jimmy Raye.

“Jimmy Raye, he kind of hangs around the tight ends a lot,” Stocker said. “You know, he has a lot of background with tight ends. He’s got 35 or 36 years of coaching, such a wealth of experience. He has tons of things to chime in and say to us and tidbits here and there. And you know everything he says is extremely valuable.”

One fun moment out of the tight ends work today, Stocker was playing defensive lineman while rookie hopeful Danny Noble (6-5, 248) tried to move him. Stocker was barely nudged.

Early in Sunday’s practice, the 90 Buccaneers and coaches formed a tight circle in the middle of a practice field and there was plenty of hootin’ and hollerin’ with views rather shielded from media and fans, except those higher in the One Buc Palace bleachers.

It turns out, per Cody Grimm, it was a tone-setter Oklahoma drill, man-on-man battles of technique and strength. …Grimm talked about that and more during this interview with Rock Riley on WDAE-AM 620.

From the limited reps thus far seen in training camp, it seems the Bucs are planning to use a more traditional blocking fullback this season. Joe had a chance to talk to FB Erik Lorig, who confirmed that more fullback play is likely. Lorig also talked about transforming his body and Earnest Byner.

JoeBucsFan.com: How would you tell the typical Bucs fan how the fullback’s role in the offense will be different versus last season?

Erik Lorig: I think the fullback’s role will have more responsibilities, more of a role with the offense. I think you’ll see the fullback more, and I think you’ll see an empahisis with the fullback in the run game. I think you’ll see it more involved.

Joe: How has your position coaching changed?

Lorig: It’s definitely different. You get a different coach, coming from a different perspective and experience. This year we have a great coach. A great, great running backs coach in Earnest Byner. He’s a former player, 14 years. He’s a phenomenal coach both with the playbook, as well as on the field. I couldn’t ask for anything better for me, especially, coming into my third year here. That’s exactly what I need and what I want.

Joe: You look like you’ve lost a significant amount of weight. What’s the deal there?

Lorig: I’ve leaned out a lot more. I’ve really focused on my diet. The staff here has come at us really at a hard angle with diet. Our [Bucs] nutritionist, I’ve been working with him all offseason to lean out and be stronger, faster and then ultimately lighter.

Joe: Did you approach this offseason differently outside of the diet?

Lorig: I got some experience under my belt. So I think about different things in the offseason when it comes to the game as a result. Instead of thinking about camp and getting ready for camp all offseason, I’m thinking about little things in camp, like what kind of technique I’m going to use on [a specific] play.

Mossis Madu fumbled (likely after a whistle) on the sweltering fields of One Buc Palace today. Jeremy Trueblood also was flagged for a false start. Anthony Gaitor was flagged covering Tiquan Underwood about eight yards off the line of scrimmage. Dan Orlovsky dropped a snap.

Analyzing “penalties and ball security” issues is Greg Schiano’s personal priority following practice, so the leader of the New Schiano Order told the media Sunday.

Schiano delegates plenty to his assistants, but the message was that his focus is on how giveaways and mistakes occur.

Details!

As Joe wrote earlier, Trueblood was yanked immediately from the first-team line for a few plays and had to run with the second team after his penalty. It was classic Schiano.

Oh, the drama of the battle between LeGarrette Blount and Doug Martin.

After today’s first practice in pads, Greg Schiano said in response to a question about Doug Martin being able to handle a “bell cow” load that he had no concerns about that. “He’s pretty rocked up,” Schiano said of Martin, aka Muscle Hamster.

Schiano also said LeGarrette Blount looks good. And this is the same coach that stays away from calling out players by name positively or negatively to the press.

Schiano made it clear, though, that what fans saw today in quick-whistle 11-on-11 was not a good indicator. “Until they have to break a tackle,” Schiano said, full evaluation is not possible.

Martin wowed the crowd a few times today with his quick cuts and burst, but it’s just not meaningful yet. As Joe wrote earlier, Martin clearly looks better in pass blocking than Blount based on the few times each was challenged in that area. So he might have an edge right now there.

Yes, Joe wasn’t just watching the sweaty cheerleaders.

The early work in today’s first full-pads, full-contact practice of the season brought some noteworthy nuggets:

*Sammie Strougther appears to be No. 1 on the punt returner depth chart.

*Mason Foster laid a big hit on Stroughter, who who held on following an eight-yard pass.

*The Bucs picked up a blitz that included Ronde Barber, which led to a long completion to Vincent Jackson — in stride. A tremendous touch throw by Josh Freeman.

*Quincy Black, yes, Quincy Black, twice was lauded for plays in the backfield.

*Eric Wright had an impressive breakup on Vincent Jackson.

*Jeremy Trueblood was flagged for a false start and was immediately pulled from the first team in favor of Jamon Meredith. After running with the second-team O-line for a bit, Trueblood returned to the first team.

*Tiquan Underwood beat Myron Lewis easily on a homerun ball on the left flank. Throw by Dan Orlovsky.

*Wide receiver hopeful Greg Ellingson made a diving grab laying out over the middle of the field. That brought a rare personal fist-bump from Greg Schiano.

*Blount was beaten soundly by Lavonte David, a bad blitz pickup up the gut. Conversely, Doug Martin had some shining moments in pass blocking.

*Adam Hayward intercepted a tipped ball by Dallas Clark.

*Underwood absorbed a big hit from Adrian Clayborn on a short pass and held on.

*Everything seemed a bit too easy for the Bucs offense in the running game.

Plenty more from Joe throughout the day.

It’s one of the greatest quotes in modern football history, uttered by Raheem Morris when asked what’s different about training camp versus Spring practices. (Here’s the famous video.)

“Training camp is a little bit different. You know to me, that’s when you establish the men. You know you take off your underwear. You put on your big boy pads. And you put your face on people. And that’s what training camp is about.” — Raheem Morris

Well, today is the day. The pads come on for the Bucs for the first time. The crazy new labor agreement in the NFL seriously limits the amount of old school, win-a-job-by-hitting-people-in-camp days available to coaches. So every practice in pads is critical.

Greg Schiano wants a beastly physical team. Well, fans will get to see how that’s interpreted today.

Last week, Joe was asking linebackers coach Bob Fraser about evaluting his unit, and Fraser very candidly said while the Bucs linebackers are working extremely hard and the team can evaluate a player’s pace of learning and his ability to “get there,” it’s a complete unknown whether guys can do more than that.

“Can he make the play? That’s what you find out when you put pads on,” Fraser said.

The Bucs linebackers have more to prove than any other unit in the NFL, and Joe can’t wait to see what they’ve got — starting today.

Beer-guzzling, Jim-Bates-stalking, real-talkin’, multimedia good guy Rock Riley takes command of the WDAE-AM 620 air chair this morning from 9 a.m. to noon at Bucs training camp. What a way to start your Sunday!

Rock will have his share of great interviews and be able to give you a taste of the training camp action if you can’t be there.. So don’t forget to tune in as you stumble around this morning fumbling for coffee and hangover remedies.

Those chained to a computer can listen live at 620wdae.com.

On Friday, the leader of the New Schiano Order said he didn’t want to talk about guys that impressed him because talking about a standout player in a practice is tantamount to saying others did not impress him.  

That seemed somewhat wacky to Joe. What’s wrong with publicly patting a guy on the back? But Joe understood the concept.

Therefore, Schiano speaking today about young cornerbacks and specifically naming second year CB Anthony Gaitor as someone “doing better every day” was significant.

On Friday, Gaitor showed standout closing speed on a deep ball to Sammie Stroughter, a ball Stroughter laid out for and was disrupted by Gaitor. Perhaps Gaitor is one of those 2011 rookies that was stunted by the asinine lockout and no offseason program.

Gaitor clearly is someone to watch as the Bucs search for cornerback depth. And, by Schiano’s logic it might be worth noting that he didn’t mention Myron Lewis today in that discussion about young corners.

You’ll be impressed if you take advantage of the amazing service specials at Ed Morse Cadillac Tampa, and check out their new and pre-owned inventory. It’s a great time to experience a Cadillac, and Ed Morse Cadillac Tampa is the only place you’ll need to go. Joe can’t say enough good things about them.

Speaking to the Tampa Bay pen and mic club after practice of Day 2 at Bucs training camp today, Bucs coach Greg Schiano shed some light on the injuries sustained to wide receiver Arrelious Benn and cornerback E.J. Biggers.

But just a little.

The two got tangled up in practice yesterday. Benn has a sprained MCL and Biggers has a broken bone in his foot.

Schiano was playing rope-a-dope when hit with questions about the injuries, even going so far as to say he didn’t know which foot Biggers injured.

“It’s not certain what [the time missed] will be but it is not a short-term thing for both of them,” Schiano said. “If it is more than two weeks, and you go from there. You never know. I always ask for a worst-case and a best-case and it is usually somewhere in between.

“These two guys will get back.”

Joe’s friend Derek “Old School” Fournier of WhatTheBuc.net resumes his daily video reports on the Bucs, today focusing on Day 2 of training camp.

Joe brings you more photos of Day 1 of Bucs training camp Friday, featuring the work of photographer Kyra Hallett. Enjoy.

Wide receiver Armahd Lewis sprints across the field.

Bucs coordinator of pro scouting and former linebacker Shelton Quarles watches the team intently.

Of course the Bucs cheerleaders were on hand, soaking in the sun and fun.

Doug Martin bolts around the right end.

Cheerleaders treated the fans while the Bucs took water breaks.

LeGarrette Blount bites the football.

Mark Barron, Jordan Nix and Mason Foster running in drills.

LeGarrette Blount meets the press. Hey, Joe’s in there somewhere.

The rookie and the graybeard. Safeties Mark Barron and Ronde Barber take a break.

Jeremy Zuttah follows LeGarrette Blount up a hole

Ronde Barber mobbed by the fans for an autograph.

Quincy Black was supposed to be a manbeast rushing off the edge last year for the Bucs in the famous Redskin package. But that never happened, and it appeared Dekoda Watson had far better pass rush skills. It seems Greg Schiano might feel the same way. Playing SAM outside linebacker in camp, Watson was working on pass rushing in 1-on-1 drills with the offensive line today.

JoeBucsFan.com: You’ve had a nice tipped pass and some other plays early in training camp. Have you had other good moments you want to speak to?

Dakoda Watson: I’m not going to read to deep into anything I’ve done this early positive or negative. You still got a whole lot of days to get better. I’m nowhere close to where I need to be, and we’re not close to where we need to be. I’m not going to sit here and dictate what’s a good day or anything like that. I just want to continue to play better.

Joe: You’re one of the most fit guys on the team, if not the fittest. There’s been a lot made of tougher training this year and fitness. Has it been harder on you at all, or is it a piece of cake given your conditioning level?

Watson: Nothing is a piece of cake. You work for it. I’m just blessed and fortunate to have the body fat that I have. Just hard work and things like that year-round here in Tampa. I’m not going to say it was easy. Conditioning is very much a mindset. I make sure I’m prepared. I stuck to my own regimen, just try to outwork everyone. Work. Work. Work. Eating right is the biggest thing. The center of being fit is nutrition. I live by that code.

Joe: Where are you with your game right now? And what do you feel is different this year?

Watson: For me, there’s just a lot more confidence this year. I know how to study better and smarter. There’s not much different. Not yet. The heat is still the same, and I still have the same work ethic. Just trying to learn the new plays and getting used to the new coaches and getting used to the whole new system and feeling comfortable and buying in. I’m getting more confident each day.

Former Bucs greats, like Batman Wood above, have been accessible at past FanFest events.

Usually held in June, the popular Bucs FanFest was canceled because of the asinine lockout in 2011, and it seemingly was not going to happen this year.

But, in fact, it will happen next Saturday at 4 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium prior to the Bucs night training camp practice, which is supposed to feature an intrasquad game.

FanFest has always been a pretty cool event, with lots of autograph opportunities with current players and loads of former Buccaneers. More information is expected from the Buccaneers soon.

Some quick thoughts on the happenings at One Buc Palace on Day 2 of training camp.

Today Vincent Jackson looks like one of those high school kids playing with his peers that you know is going to make the pros. He just comes off as a few notches better than his fellow receivers and those covering him on the other side of the ball. … And this is hopefully why the Bucs are paying him $55 million.

Despite plenty of cloud cover, practice is a little less intense today, more water breaks, more smiles from Greg Schiano and players alike. But Joe doesn’t want to give the impression there’s slacking going on. There was plenty of early-morning fundamentals work.

There’ll be an official update from the Bucs later today, but E.J. Biggers has a significant foot injury suffered yesterday that will sideline him for a while. Per WDAE-AM 620, Biggers and Arrelious Benn were injured colliding with each other.

Myron Lewis and Anthony Gaitor definitely will get their chances to shine.

Joe realizes many fans might crack a smile at the thought of Biggers getting cut, but the Bucs need the depth at the position. Biggers is not a bad reserve player.

Enjoy some atmosphere from training camp on Friday. JoeBucsFan.com photographer Kyra Hallett was on the scene.

LeGarrette Blount carries high and tight behind massive Demar Dotson.

Leaner, and hopefully meaner, Josh Freeman mingling with fans after practice

Yes, injured Donald Penn was working in the broiling heat with trainers. Penn looks as fit as he ever has in his Bucs tenure.

Wide receivers coach P.J. Fleck supervises a dive-for-a-ball drill. Nobody is on every detail like the high-energy Fleck.

Fleck often sneaks up on receivers and tries to rip the ball from them

Bryan Glazer was a presence on the practice field. “So Mark, who are we cutting today?”

And Glazer mingled among the common folks

“Toes on the line!”

Hopefully Freeman and Dallas Clark were discussing directions to the team hotel and not crossing routes