In this NBCSports.com video, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik talks to the creator, curator and overall guru of ProFootballTalk.com, the great Mike Florio, about the direction of the Bucs, free agency, the draft and college hoops.

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Moments after Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik made a splash that is still being felt through NFL circles by signing receiver Vincent Jackson, cornerback Eric Wright and guard Carl Nicks, Joe predicted there would be cries from Raheem Morris apologists that he was unfairly jettisoned.

While Super Bowl-winning coach Brian Billick wasn’t the first to make such a claim, he has a much bigger microphone to broadcast his displeasure.

Though Billick hinted at the following when Joe interviewed Billick at Super Bowl Media Day, Billick this time took to Twitter and expressed his bewilderment at the firing of Morris.

@CoachBillick: I wonder what Raheem Morris is thinking right now? Had #Bucs spent this kind of money last offseason, he’d still have a head coaching job!

Um, Joe guesses it’s always fair to play Monday Morning Quarterback, but let’s think about this a moment:

Though Joe is confident Wright will help the Bucs, would he alone have been able to turn around a franchise-historic trainwreck of a defense? Would Wright have prevented Gerald McCoy from getting hurt; Cody Grimm from getting hurt; Aqib Talib from getting hurt? Would Wright have saved what turned out to be one of the worst linebacker units in all of football? Would Wright have made Brian Price’s pelvic injury vanish?

Consequently, would Jackson and or Nicks prevented clueless offensive coordinator Greg Olson from not using his best weapon, LeGarrette Blount? Would the new offensive duo have prevented Olson from calling the now infamous Benn’d Around play repeatedly?

Could any player have stopped the Bucs’ slow starts, aka getting outcoached from the opening whistle?

While Joe appreciates the esprit de corps Billick displays when discussing his coaching fraternity, let’s not go all revisionist history like some Bucs fans are wont to do when they whine about the Bucs not drafting Adrian Peterson.

Please.

The Bucs might have overpaid for cornerback Eric Wright, but it seems the team has drawn a line in the sand for ex-Falcons middle linebacker Curtis Lofton, a run-stuffer young free agent that would seem to be a stout fit at middle linebacker. 

NFL Network and NFL.com insider Jason La Canfora is Twittering that the Bucs have offered Lofton a satchel of cash but he’s still shopping around.

@JasonLaCanfora Curtis Lofton will visit Saints this weekend. Tampa submitted an offer. NO also brought in David Hawthorne for visit

Joe can’t believe the nerve of Lofton. Can’t he see the Bucs are big spenders in the NFL? Isn’t it apparent that rockstar general manager Mark Dominik came to the free-agent party with gobs of Benjamins? Does Lofton really believe the Bucs, of all teams, are throwing him a lowball offer almost right out of the gate of free agency?

This is 2012, baby, as Dick Vitale might say.

Perhaps this Lofton isn’t smart enough to pick up Greg Schiano’s new defense if he’s not sharp enough to realize the Bucs probably gave him a sweet deal in the new free-agency-is-glorious era.

So didn’t Vincent Jackson’s age, 29, and his few brushes with the law, including two impaired driving issues, scare the Bucs when they considered breaking the bank for the wide receiver’s fat new contract?

Rockstar general manager Mark Dominik was hit with that question today during his appearance on ProFootballTalk Live with Mike Florio.

Dominik said Jackson keeps himself in incredbile shape, obvious when Bucs studied his film over the past five seasons.

The Chargers waiting until the last minute on deciding whether to keep Jackson, Dominik said,  let him know they still had desire for him and that was a strong positive in the decision-making process.

As for the troubles in Jackson’s past, Dominik agreed with Florio’s premise that they’re “in the rearview mirror.”

The way the NFL Draft is shaping up the Bucs will have strong options with their No. 5 overall pick.

And one option could be trading down, so says rockstar general manager Mark Dominik.

“We’re not married to that No. 5 spot,” Dominik said on ProFootballTalk Live to host Mike Florio today. “We’re open for business.”

Of course, this likely is all GMspeak as there’s no reason why Dominik wouldn’t consider offers, especially if some fool team wants to offer a king’s bounty for the right to draft Ryan Tannehill. It’s not like the Bucs couldn’t use more premium picks.

Just because Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik said the Bucs are about “at the tail end” of free agency, he didn’t say the Bucs would not sign more players.

Given the injuries and general subpar play of the Bucs’ defensive tackles, many Bucs fans believe this is a weakness. (Given how poor the Bucs back seven may be, Joe’s of the mind the Bucs defensive tackles are a strength.)

It seems Dominik may be inclined to agree with these same Bucs fans.

Adam Caplan, who writes for the Eagles’ official website and works for SiriusXM NFL Radio, Twittered this morning at the Bucs are one of a handful of teams trying to land Bears defensive tackle Amobi Okoye. Yes, the same supergenius who was drafted as a 19-year-old college senior back in 2007.

@caplannfl: Out of the 4-5 teams that have already expressed interest in DT Amobi Okoye, the Buccaneers are an interesting fit. … The adjustment in the Bucs defensive scheme this season will take advantage of a DT’s speed.

Now Joe’s not sure how this differs from the Raheem Morris defense, in that he also used quick defensive tackles like his mentor Monte Kiffin.

Oh, well. There’s only so much one can put into 140 characters.

Yesterday when Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik said that the free agent grab the Bucs were in was “just about at the tail end,” there was a little wiggle room short of an absolute closing of the door from Dominik’s statement.

As Joe hinted at earlier this week, the Bucs have gotten journeyman quarterback Dan Orlovsky to sign on the dotted line, per Buccaneers.com.

Orlovsky, whose seven previous NFL seasons have been spent in Detroit (2005-08), Houston (2009-10) and Indianapolis (2011), is coming off a strong finish to the 2011 campaign in which he started the Colts’ last five games and led the team to its only two wins of the season. He appeared in eight games overall in Indianapolis, completing 63.2% of his passes (122 of 193) for 1,201 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions, leading to a strong passer rating of 82.4.

This pretty much signals the end of Josh Johnson as a Bucs quarterback. A cool dude and a smart guy, Johnson is still looking for his first win despite five starts. In none of his starts did Joe have any confidence he could pull out a win.

Unless Johnson, also a free agent, agrees to be more of a “Slash” kind of a player playing all sorts of different offensive positions, it’s a good bet Bucs fans have seen the last of him in a Bucs uniform.

Joe heard it. And Joe even heard it a few times.

Speaking yesterday on his afternoon drive show on WQYK-AM 1010, host J.P. Peterson said Ronde Barber will return to the Buccaneers for his 16th season.

“I have it on very good information that Ronde Barber will be back, as well, someone very close to the source,” Peterson said to new Bucs cornerback Eric Wright on the air Wednesday.

So should fans believe Peterson? Joe does.

Frankly, Joe’s been keeping an ear on Peterson thinking he would be the one to break any news regarding Barber’s future. Years ago on WFLA-TV, Ch. 8, when Peterson was a sportscaster there, he produced an in-depth feature on Barber and Joe knows the two strengthened their relationship at that time. In recent years, Barber has often given Peterson candid, long radio interviews.

So Joe suspects the person “close to the source” is Barber himself.

Imagine if Barber returns, the Bucs draft Morris Claiborne, and Aqib Talib comes back. That’s some serious depth with the versatile Wright in the mix.

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In addition to admitting he lives a simple life, Eric Wright weighed in on Greg Schiano calling him "stern."

Joe’s been enjoying getting to know the Bucs’ new toys, aka Eric Wright, Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks.

Researching Nicks over the past week, Joe quickly learned he was a media favorite in New Orleans and is a guy that loves to interact with fans. He’s got a quick wit, and Joe suspects Nicks will give Donald Penn a huge run for his money in that department.

Wright also loves to talk and has a well developed sense of humor. That was evident in yesterday’s news conference. But Wright also came across as a very humble family man during an interview with multimedia czar J.P. Peterson of WQYK-AM 1010 Wednesday.

Peterson asked Wright what he’ll do first with all that guaranteed money. Wright responded saying he and his wife are not very materialistic and will be very happy to put the money in the bank and live off the interest.

“I have nothing to buy. I have nothing to do,” Wright said.

That mindset, in part, was why Wright landed in Tampa Bay. He said money wasn’t a factor for him.

“The organization itself has a reputation for being, you know, very classy,” Wright said. “And the team has a reputation for being right there on the brink of greatness, you know, nothing short of greatness. We have a team full of young players, given the right opportunity and the right leadership and the right coaching, we can take this thing to a huge level.”

Asked to explain his impressions of Greg Schiano, Wright said “he’s real stern and very focused on what he wants to get accomplished.”

Wright added that Schiano is a unique blend of a stern, no-nonsense leader but still with a college mentality to make sure the team is having fun. Guys will understand “when it’s time to kick it,” they’ll get to have fun, too, Wright said. Wright likened Schiano to the strong parent who knows just when to let the kids go out and play and then get back to their homework. 

Joe’s not crying about this widely expected move announced by the Buccaneers: center/captain/entrepreneur Jeff Faine has been released.

Faine was scheduled to make gobs of money in 2012, and clearly he was not going to be a starter once manbeast guard Carl Nicks was signed and Jeremy Zuttah was given starter’s money in a longterm deal.

Faine just wasn’t that good, nor was he versatile enough for the Bucs to want to restructure his contract to have him stick around as a reserve.

Joe always appreciated Faine’s candid interviews. He was one of the more interesting and insightful Buccaneers in years. Though Joe thought Faine was a collossal ass for his stances during the lockout: that players would be eating Saltines and anchovies, and that his presence was meaningless at voluntary offseason informal workouts led by Josh Freeman.

Good luck, Faine. Joe suspects there won’t be much demand for his services, if he’s only looking to be a starter.

 Fresh off writing a few fat contracts, Mark Dominik’s rockstar status was back in full swing on SiriusXM NFL Radio today. Dominik was a guest of The Blitz, with co-hosts Adam Schein and Rich Gannon, following the news conference introducing Vincent Jackson, Eric Wright and Carl Nicks. The often-barb-throwing Schein even called Dominik “an outstanding general manager.” Of course, Joe took notes.

Dominik called this year “an opportunity market” given the rare quality of free agents, in part because many players after the lockout signed one-year deals.

Dominik emphasized Jackson’s role in the development of young receivers, Mike Williams, Arrelious Benn, Dezmon Briscoe and Preston Parker. For those who want to read between lines, Dominik did not mention Sammie Stroughter. Is he odd man out?

Dominik said research on free agents encompasses everything from college days to media interviews, plus what you can find on “Tweets” and “blogs.”

Concerned about all the change around Josh Freeman in his short career? Dominik says Josh Freeman’s intelligence will overcome any issues with a new system. Dominik says Freeman already is in meetings with Mike Sullivan going over terminology.

Why Nicks? Dominik says “we got tired of playing against Carl Nicks. He’s a great football player, a two-time Pro Bowler.” Dominik reiterated that a talent like Nicks rarely hits the free agent market. When talking about the 2012 offensive line, Dominik made no mention of Jeff Faine, only Jeremy Trueblood, Donald Penn, Davin Joseph and Jeremy Zuttah.

On Wright, Dominik said “what I like so much about Eric is he’s willing to tackle and he has great ball skills.” 

On Ronde Barber: “He’s earned the right to be on his time,” Dominik said of Barber’s decision-making timetable. Dominik said Barber is welcome and the Bucs are in no hurry for his decision.

Two things struck Joe about the introduction of Vincent Jackson, Carl Nicks and Eric Wright as new Bucs players Wednesday:

Both rockstar general manager Mark Dominik and Jackson couldn’t stop smiling.

Dominik sat to his far right at the table. Whenever Jackson spoke, Dominik beamed liked a proud father. That could be because it was Jackson’s signing which opened the door for Wright and Nicks.

When Nicks learned of Jackson’s signing, he admitted it meant the Bucs were serious in trying to turn around the recent (mis)fortunes of the team.

Wright, who Dominik courted last offseason as a free agent, also confessed it helped motivate him to sign. A midnight ride to Tampa to sign his contract and meet his new teammates and the Tampa Bay press aboard a private jet, courtesy of Team Glazer, didn’t dissuade him from signing either.

The barrel-chested Nicks stated he had a nice offer to return to the Saints but the Jackson contract made him stop and think.

In short, Dominik’s sale pitch with Nicks and Wright worked. A thick check from Team Glazer helped.

But it was Jackson’s signature on a Bucs contract that indirectly landed Nicks and Wright.

The Bucs landed three huge fish in free agency over the past 24 hours, and rockstar general manager Mark Dominik seemed to imply that the big-game hunting is over.

Asked about what might be next in free agency for the Bucs to close the introductory news conference of Eric Wright, Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks, Dominik said, “as an organization, our eye is toward the NFL Draft.”

Of course, the Bucs will sign more free agents to fill the roster and add depth, and Dominik’s comment could be a bit of a negotiating ploy with other agents in players.

But Dominik could very seriously be closing the vault on landing bigger free agent names, which would make some fans cry. Hell, the Bucs just added about 25 million in payroll for next year. So that wouldn’t be a huge surpise.

Dominik didn’t dismiss that other players could be signed but added, “We are just about at the tail end” of chasing after players.

Dominik said that the new addition to the foundation — Jackson, Nicks and Wright –would likely be it until the draft.

Dominik also stated that the signing of Wright has zero bearing on whether Ronde Barber returns.

“All [Wright’s signing] means is that Ronde will have a new teammate if he decides to come back,” Dominik said.

Rockstar general manager Mark Dominik and Greg Schiano opened the news conference at One Buc Palace today and emphasized that all three new free-agent signings, Vincent Jackson, Eric Wright and Carl Nicks, were “desperately” wanted by their previous teams.

Dominik said last year was not the time to strike big in free agency, largely because proven, highly desired guys like Wright, Nicks and Jackson were not available. Dominik later said the Bucs negotiated with Wright last year as a free agent but lost him to Detroit.

Vincent Jackson spoke first and slapped Greg Schiano on the back (Schiano was alongside him) and said coach was there to pick him up at the airport at 4 a.m. and that says a lot. Jackson said the “family” atmosphere at the Bucs is obvious. Asked why he came to Tampa, Jackson never mentioned money, only excitement about playing for Schiano. Jackson said the Bucs were “very aggressive” about getting him and he had other offers.

Jackson said the Bucs’ 4-12 record is ancient history and the 2012 team will be different and the rebuilding mentality is all perspective that he doesn’t share. Jackson said he’ll work hard on being a complete receiver and he can do it all, not just the deep ball.

Eric Wright also talked about family and seemed impressed by Team Glazer flying him to Tampa on a private jet. Wright said he got great endorsements from fellow NFL players about playing for the Bucs. Wright emphasized his versatility as a cornerback that can play all positions. (Gasp!) Wright even talked about winning a Super Bowl, and he took a roundabout playful shot at the “yungry” term saying this Bucs team really is hungry and added he meant no disrespect to Raheem Morris.

Wright said last year was a real solid season for him, “and I think I was able to put together both” getting the ball and good tackling. He said he thought he responded well to a new style of defense in Detroit. Wright said 2009, in Cleveland, might have been his best season.

Carl Nicks said Schiano got him “really fired up” when they spoke and Nicks emphasized how much he loves to run the football. Nicks said he saw on his cell phone that the Bucs signed Vincent Jackson and that let him know the Bucs were serious and crafting something special. Nicks said he looks forward to doing to the Saints what he used to do to the Bucs. Nicks said BountyGate was no factor in his decision.

Nicks said coming to a real running team in the Bucs is exciting and a lure. “Here it’s a little different,” Nicks said, after calling the Saints a total pass-happy team. Nicks talked about his joy in “mauling people.”

‘That’s how I live,” Nicks said.

Schiano said “we’re going to punish” people in the running game. Schiano also said he’s not afraid to stick to an offensive gameplan and punting is OK sometimes when you’re going to throw a tough defense on the field.

Dominik called landing all three players a tremendous team effort from his staff and the preparation required to successfully be ready to court and sign top talent to “three big deals.” Illustrating the growing presence of social media, Dominik referenced the uncertainty running through him when Nicks recently Tweeted that he had an offer from the Saints.

Did the Bucs overpay?

SiriusXM NFL Radio just spit out contract terms for new Bucs cornerback Eric Wright signed this morning. He locked up a five-year deal worth $37.5 million, with $15.5 million guaranteed.

Not too shabby for a guy that never made a Pro Bowl. That’s some damn good incentive for Aqib Talib to stay out of trouble — if he can stay out of jail. Is Wright even better than Talib, or Ronde Barber?

Remember, the Lions tried to retain Wright but couldn’t afford it. So Joe’s not saying the Bucs didn’t grab a strong cornerback here.

Damn the Bucs are throwing around cash.

The spending spree for Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik continues with the Carl Nicks signing and Joe has heard rumblings about yet another signing that could be announced soon.

This latest signing should get a reaction out of Bucs fans.

Stephen Tulloch? Not yet.

Curtis Lofton? Um, not now.

Try Dan Orlovsky.

The journeyman backup quarterback is rumored to be in talks with the Bucs and Joe’s source has confirmed Dominik and Orlovsky’s people are in discussions, but nothing is imminent.

In his quest to upgrade the roster of the Bucs, one position apparently targeted by Dominik is backup quarterback. Now Joe thinks Josh Johnson is a cool guy, a smart guy, but he too is a free agent. And let’s be honest, Johnson, in his five career starts, is still looking for his first win. In none of the his starts did Johnson strike confidence that he could rack up a victory.

Even if Orlovsky found the back goal line tricky once upon a time, he has at least won a couple of games as a starter.

Joe wonders how cheap David Carr can be had?

If the Bucs don’t have the best offensive line next year, Tampa Bay should have the most expensive.

The Bucs didn’t let Carl Nicks out of their grasp once he touched down at Tampa International Airport late last night and got their new left guard.

Nicks, per SiriusXM NFL Radio and Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, will sign his contract with the Bucs today, once doctors give the thumbs-up on his physical this morning.

Beware the rubber glove, man.

On one hand Joe is sort of excited because the Bucs, barring injuries, should have zero excuse for not using their running backs. On the other hand, Nicks is a luxury. It wasn’t like the Bucs had a terrible offensive line last year.

The Bucs sorely need linebacker help, specifically in the middle. Now that Jeremy Zuttah will move to center and Jeff Faine’s contract will go bye-bye, could that money be used to lure a Curtis Lofton or a Stephen Tulloch to One Buc Place?

Surely, unless he restructures his contract, Faine has played his last snap for the Bucs.

SiriusXM NFL Radio is reporting Nicks will be the highest paid guard in the NFL in both guaranteed money and average cash per year. BSPN says it’s a five-year, $47.5 million deal. Co-host of The Opening Drive, former NFL defensive back Solomon Wilcots, believes the Bucs have evaluated their team and detertmined they can best help their porous defense by crafting a dominating running game.

Wilcots and Ross Tucker believe the table is now set to draft Trent Richardson.

For those unfamiliar with Nicks’ measurements, he checks in at 6-5, 343 pounds, complete with “sweet feet,” as the NFL Radio analysts have been raving about all month.

When Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik landed a top-flight wide receiver seconds after the gun sounded opening the free agent frenzy, Bucs fans were almost giddy in unison over the first solid wide receiver aquisition since Chucky’s days.

But the signing of Vincent Jackson brought to mind not a celebration for Joey Johnston of the Tampa Tribune, but perhaps the worst moment in Bucs history.

@JJohnstonTrib: For 2nd time, Bucs acquired guy named Vincent Jackson. First time was 1986. 1st overall pick. Went by his nickname – “Bo”

Yup. That would be Bo Jackson. The worst moment in Bucs history was when then miserly owner Hugh Culverhouse (and Bucs fans call Team Glazer “cheap,” ha!) wouldn’t re-sign Doug Williams; the freefall was quick and swift.

Four years later Jackson, a true beast of a running back, stood up Culverhouse, as if Jackson was Tuna Parcells himself.

It took the Bucs a full decade to recover from that debacle.

So please, for Joe’s sake, don’t call Vincent Jackson “Bo.” Please.

It’s inevitable that blubbering media types soon will float the ridiculous notion that Raheem Morris got screwed by the Bucs because they didn’t buy him Grade A free agents last year while Greg Schiano now has his bosses waving fists of cash around like an old man with a fat money clip at a strip joint.  

Yeah, Raheem really took it on the chin. Give Joe a break.

Raheem’s beloved players tuned him out and hung him out to dry. He proved to be a historically lousy defensive coordinator on top of that. The man also was consistently outcoached last season.

Sure, Raheem could have used free agent help. But Raheem didn’t need that to win six or seven games and save his job.

Just like his predecessor, Greg Schiano surely will be shown the door if he can’t compile respectable results after three seasons. This year’s free agent signings are meaningless without the Ws, and those need to come quickly. Yes, Joe falls into the camp that believes Raheem Morris had talent to work with, at least enough to win a few more games last year and not get seal-clubbed repeatedly to end the 2011 season.

Schiano, too, will have plenty of talented players. Now all he has to do is coach.

Joe hasn’t even swallowed his massive cup of java yet this morning and Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik is already at it and the sun hasn’t risen yet!

Per Adam Schefter of BSPN, the Bucs got their cornerback, Lions defensive back Eric Wright.

@AdamSchefter: First deal of day is in: CB Eric Wright reached agreement with Tampa Bay, signing deal today.

Joe stands up and offers a standing ovation. The Bucs have a cornerback, which along with linebacker was sorely needed. For those wondering, yes, the Lions tried to re-sign Wright. He wasn’t a castoff.

Now if the Bucs grab Morris Claiborne in the draft, a responsible pick, the Bucs will have a stout secondary.