Unless Joe missed a snap, newcomer defensive end Trevor Scott entered the game on third down midway through the second quarter and promptly recorded his first sack in pewter. He tossed Ryan Tannehill to the turf with Lavonte David coming in late to help.

This might not be a big deal for most teams, but for the pass-rush starved Bucs, every time a quarterback is hit is worth noting.

Daniel Te’o-Nesheim and Adrian Clayborn got starting nods at defensive end. As for Da’Quan Bowers, well, Joe will write more about him later.

Update 9:30 p.m.: Scott recorded another sack early in the third quarter. It’s possible it will be recorded as a half sack to be shared with Bowers. It was, though, Scott whose pressure made the play.

Update 9:45 p.m.: Scott beat his man 1-on-1 from the right defensive end and forced a sack-fumble in the third quarter.

MIAMI LAKES, Fla. — Good evening from (nee) Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami Lakes as Joe is at the Bucs-Fish game where he will bring all sorts of updates both on this here corner of the Interwebs and on Twitter.

Joe noticed something way cool about Joe Robbie Stadium that can be used (if the Tampa Sports Authority ever gets off its arse) at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway: Ringed outside the stadium is taps of both domestic and craft beers. There are dozens of wooden patio decks, covered, where people can have a few beers and hang out like a backyard picnic. Joe was impressed.

Anyway, feel free to sound off on the game. It looks like there may be some rain. Joe drove through a downpour just as he entered the Broward County line off of Alligator Alley. There are both white puffy clouds and very dark puffy clouds hanging over the stadium.

As always, if you want to share links to illegally streamed broadcasts of the game among yourselves, feel free. Posting said links in this thread will get you banned. Thanks and enjoy the game!

Per the Buccaneers official Twitter feed, Darrelle Revis will not play tonight in Miami but he is not hurt or in the midst of a setback from his knee rehabilitation.

Bucs guard Davin Josepsh is active!

He was cleared to play. Whether Joseph gets snaps or not is unknown now, but Joe suspects he’ll get at least a series.

Preseason Game 3

Bucs at Dolphins

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

TV: WFLA-TV Channel 8, locally. Game will be broadcast via tape-delay on the NFL Network at 7 a.m. Sunday, and at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network (in Tampa WFUS-FM 103.5, and WDAE-AM 620); SiriusXM Channel 136.

Weather: Per AccuWeather.com, looks like a beautiful South Florida evening with a kickoff at a pleasant 84 degrees falling slightly through the night under partly cloudy skies.

Odds: Per FootballLocks.com, Dolphins -3.

Outlook: This should be the final dress rehearsal for starters that Bucs coach Greg Schiano is confident will start. For guys still fighting for jobs (Dekoda Watson, Jonathan Casillas, Da’Quan Bowers, etc.), they should get plenty of snaps. It will be interesting to see how many snaps Bucs franchise quarterback Josh Freeman gets. He has played scant minutes thus far, and Joe has noticed a pattern across the NFL that has quarterbacks are getting pulled quickly (see Aaron Rodgers last night). Schiano would not speculate how many plays starters will log, so only time will tell. Aside from the Watson/Casillas battle, Joe will naturally keep an eye on Johnthan Banks to see if he’s still a stud. There is always a surprise chance Darrelle Revis plays, though Joe would doubt it. Who plays where on the offensive line also will be important, as who knows when Davin Joseph and Carl Nicks can return to the lineup?

Greg Schiano talked this week about how you don’t just plug a cornerback into the nickel position because he’s not as good as a team’s top two cornerbacks or is a liability on the outside.

It’s a darn tough job, Schiano explained, and nickel requires diverse skills and mature awareness.

So who is the Bucs’ nickel cornerback? It’s a critical position, especially in the NFC South.

Ronde Barber is busy bashing Josh Freeman. Eric Wright is back in California where he belongs. Danny Gorrer has missed two weeks of practice with a blown groin. Rookie Johnthan Banks is learning the ropes on the outside in Darrelle Revis’ absence.

Last year, the Bucs pulled Brandon McDonald off the street to be their nickel cornerback on opening day. He’s now out of football at 27 years old. Veteran Michael Adams has plenty of experience at nickel in Arizona, and Leonard Johnson is a hard worker and has talent, but he has to develop and he’s hardly the quickest guy on the block.

Joe will be watching the nickel position closely tonight. Sean Peyton and friends likely are keeping an eye on it, too.

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Yes, it has been a rough week for Bucs fans. With the MRSA scare and the bad news about Carl Nicks that accompanied it, following a lackluster effort in New England, Joe can understand why Bucs fans heads are pounding this sunny Saturday morning.

Thus, Joe will try to cheer them up.

There is a chance, though Joe wouldn’t put much cash on it, that Bucs guard Davin Joseph could log a play or two tonight in South Florida when the Bucs face Miami. Joseph practiced all week and while it may be premature to put a guy in a preseason game after just a handful or practices, Donald Penn said he saw all he needed to see from his teammate to believe Joseph is ready to roll.

“He’s had a great week of practice,” Penn said. “I think he’s kind of underestimating where he’s at right now, because he really did great this week in practice. He really looked good.”

Joseph at least practicing with the first team, and practicing well, bodes well for when the Bucs travel to Gotham to face the Jets to open the season.

So there you have it Bucs fans, a bit more sunshine in your otherwise gloomy Bucs morning.

The Buccaneers’ 2012 sack leader and tackles-for-loss manbeast, Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, sat down for an extensive interview with ESPN Radio in Seattle this week. And Bennett recorded one more sack — of Greg Schiano.

Bennett explained why he’s skeptical of New Schiano Order tactics and said he doesn’t believe it’s an ideal method for grown men

“The coaches are very different. You know, Coach Schiano is more hard-nosed, military-type guy. And Coach Carroll is so laid back, it gives the guys chances to not be on their back but still coach them at the same time,” Bennett said. “Because I think a lot of players, they’re adults, too, and when you treat them like kids they get offended by that. You know what I mean? Because players, you know, they got their mortgages, they got their kids, they got wives, they got family, they got things they can do.

“So they know it’s their job and they know when they make mistakes. But it’s a coach’s job to keep them honest, you know what I mean. But when a coach is just too much on them, I think the players rebel. Because, you know, they’re going to be like, ‘Why is he on me like this? It’s my fifth year in the league. I know more than him.’ Guys are just like, you know, it just becomes a big conflict, I think.”

None of this surprises Joe. However, Joe is troubled hearing it come from Bennett, who is a very level-headed guy. Bennett also appeared to be the textbook Buccaneer Man under Schiano. He was hard-working, versatile and he played through an injury and took on a tremendous number of snaps.

Current Buccaneers surely share Bennett’s attitude. But Joe has no problem with that. You don’t have to love your boss. Numerous hard-nosed NFL coaches have achieved greatness, including Tom Coughlin winning two Super Bowls recently. Schiano’s tactics can work. Joe’s more skeptical of Schiano’s ability as a game-day coach. (You can hear the Bennett audio below.)

A premier NFL voice believes the Bucs will regress in 2013, despite the presence of eight Pro Bowl players 30 and younger.

Pat Kirwan, a former Buccaneers scout who coached linebackers alongside Monte Kiffin with the New York Jets, also was a longtime Jets personnel man, a friend of Raheem Morris, and now co-hosts the popular Movin’ The Chains show on SiriusXM NFL Radio. Kirwan’s also seen regularly as an NFL analyst on CBS Sports.

In his leaguewide predictions for CBSSports.com, Kirwan calls a 6-10 record for Tampa Bay, an 8-8 mark for Carolina, 10-6 for the Saints, and a division title at 11-5 for the Falcons.

There’s something about this team that is not in harmony. I like the skills of quarterback Josh Freeman, but he’s as inconsistent now as he was last year. The receiving weapons are there, the running back is dynamic but the line protection is questionable. The defense stopped the run last season, but couldn’t stop the pass. They hope veterans Darrelle Revis, Dashon Goldson and rookie Jonathan Banks can fix their secondary. The coverage will be better, though I’m not convinced the pass rush will be there.

Joe expects 6-10 or 7-9 will be a pretty common final Bucs prognostication by national pundits. Their logic is that the Bucs might be improved but not nearly enough in a very strong conference and division.

Kirwan’s concerns about the pass rush and Josh Freeman are valid, though Joe would argue the Bucs have strong pass protection, though not yet seen in the tiny preseason sample of first-team offense.

Get used to it. The Bucs have a lot of high-profile doubters.

The Bucs have little use for Peyton Hillis.

Doug Martin is the superstar in the backfield stable. Veteran Brian Leonard played very well against the Ravens’ first team and was called “a winner” by Greg Schiano. And rookie Mike James had a breakout game last week in New England, and the organization has been very high on his team-first attitude and versatility since April’s NFL Draft.

Hillis will not leapfrog any of those guys on the depth chart, and both Hillis and Schiano have said Hillis is not a special teams player.

But what’s intriguing about Hillis is his potential trade value and how the Bucs could try and showcase him a bit in Miami on Saturday. Hillis already has 22 preseason carries for 86 yards.

Running backs typically drop like flies around the NFL, and rockstar general manager may just be able to snag a sixth- or seventh-round pick for Hillis, who is sure to get a ton of carries in the preseason finale. Not every team has running back depth like the Bucs, and Joe would be surprised if Schiano would gamble that Hillis, and the baggage of his past, would be content and quiet as the new captain of the inactive list in Tampa.

As for the reigning captain of the inactive list, running back Michael Smith, he was injured during the Pats-Bucs preseason game and was walking in the dreaded walking boot this week at One Buc Palace. Joe suspects Smith won’t make the team but could become a prime practice-squad target.

Joe gets questions from time to time why he loathes BSPN. Joe has answered this question enough times, he doesn’t care to rehash it. Simply put, if one cannot figure out why Joe hates the four-letter, there’s not much to say. Now that doesn’t mean the four-letter doesn’t do good work, which is why Joe gave up on the place years ago out of frustration, knowing they can do better. Its coverage of college football is the gold standard. Pretty good job of covering college hoops, too, sans the constant beating of the drumbeat of everything Duke and Carolina. BSPN’s NFL coverage? Meh. Its baseball coverage is nothing less than an embarrassment and for all Joe cares, they can shove the non-basketball league into Joe’s septic tank. Below is an example of what BSPN can do right. A lengthy interview with Bucs cornerback Darrelle Revis conducted by former Bucs wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson.

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Joe joined the Ron & Ian show this morning on WDAE-AM 620 to talk all things Bucs. The full audio is below.

It would allow Joe to rest easier at night if Bucs left defensive end Da’Quan Bowers has a monster game tomorrow.

For all intents and purposes, Saturday’s game with the Fish in South Florida will be the last time many Bucs projected starters will face a snap against angry competition until the Bucs head to Gotham to face the Jets.

Will Josh freeman look like the franchise quarterback he is? Will Doug Martin get on track? Will the banged up offensive line do well? Can the Bucs breathe on an opposing quarterback?

It is that last question that WDAE-AM 620 Bucs beat writer Tom Krasniqi believes is the most important.

The Bucs would love to see their front four apply some pressure to Ryan Tannehill and company on Saturday. With that being said, expect to see quite a bit of the rookies, especially defensive ends William Gholston and Steven Means in particular. They have flashed some pass rush ability in camp and the Bucs are looking for anyone that can apply pressure. Rookie defensive tackle Akeem Spence will also see quality playing time. The team has been pleased with his progress at the tilted nose tackle position and coaches believe he can provide a push up the middle. Expect Spence to start on Opening Day.

The key to the team’s ass rush are defensive ends Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers. Clayborn is starting to come around but Bowers has been admittedly out of shape and the team could play him quite a bit on Saturday. Schiano continues to push Bowers in practice. “Oh, I think the ceiling is unknown,” Schiano said regarding Bowers’ potential. “I think he can really be a fantastic player. Consistency is the big thing right now, but I do think he’s making strides. I think he’s improved in this training camp.”

It would be awfully nice Da’Quan Bowers cement his anointment at starting defensive end and look like the stud the Bucs thought he would be prior to the season based on shaky personnel decisions. For the Bucs to make a serious run to a postseason berth, pass rushing must be evident in each and every game.

Every Bucs fan knows the question on offense.

Last week Bucs fans got a scare when Doug Martin, while pass protecting Bucs franchise quarterback Josh Freeman, took a knee to the head and had his bell rung, forced to leave the game.

Some Bucs fans may wonder why Martin, a smallish yet bowling ball kind of build, is pass protecting since he is such a vital part of the offense. Well, don’t expect that to stop, Martin told the Tampa Bay pen and mic club yesterday. If Martin is in the game and the Bucs call a pass, he will be blocking if not catching passes.

“I am good at it,” Martin said. “To be a productive back, you have to pass protect. Read the defense and protect the quarterback. It is a fight. It is a fight. You have to have that want-to.”

Yes, Martin has that want-to. But Joe is worried. This is not the first time Martin had his noggin’ rattled. It happened in the final game of the regular season at Atlanta too when Martin said that he and then-Dixie Chicks cornerback Dunte Robinson each knocked “each other out.” The way the NFL is paranoid about concussions, could Martin be in the early stages of developing a pattern of getting minor concussions or worse?

Friends, without Martin in the backfield, this team is in a world of hurt.

To hear more from Martin, click the arrow below. Audio courtesy of Joe’s friends at WDAE-AM 620.

Davin Joseph explains

Joe knows Bucs fans freaked out over the annoying loss to the Patriots last week and began an avalanche of criticism levied upon Bucs franchise quarterback Josh Freeman.

But it is just preseason. It doesn’t mean anything. Nothing in fact. Trust Joe,  Bucs players heard the fans flip out, but guard Davin Joseph put the uproar into perspective, noting you cannot judge a season by the preseason.

“It is hard to tell,” Joseph said. “Some teams win all the preseason games and will be .500 and under and other teams that won’t win a game in the preseason and will go on an undefeated streak. I think fantasy football has a lot to do with that. People have to get their team right. They pay attention a lot with preseason. We look at it different. We look at it as executing to decide the final 53 guys here. We really don’t game plan.”

Joe asked Joseph if preseason football was like spring training baseball, in that sometimes pitchers will only work on one specific pitch and will not deviate, no matter the hitter or the count. Football teams will use preseason games to sometimes work on one thing, only. Joseph did not disagree.

“Yeah, you have a small package of plays so you could say it is similar,” Joseph said. “You are not running your full menu of plays, just a sampler. Running certain formations of plays. [A] quarterback will run certain plays in the offseason and what not. What I get from a preseason game playbook is nothing like what we see in a regular season game.”

There you have it. While Bucs fans naturally want the Bucs to win a preseason game, the games are not played for the scoreboard. Rather, they are a tool to improve and prepare for the regular season.

Late Thursday afternoon, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik issued a statement concerning the MRSA infections contracted by Bucs guard Carl Nicks and kicker Lawrence Tynes.

“Our primary concern is always the health and safety of our players and staff. Our players were informed of the situation and we sought the advice of experts, including the NFL’s medical advisor, who provided counsel and approved of our comprehensive measures including the treatment of our practice facility.”

Joe just wonders if the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway has to be hosed down? The Bucs played a game there a week before Nicks was found to have MRSA. Since no one knows the origin of the infection, can that stadium be ruled out?

The Bucs confirmed today that guard Carl Nicks and kicker Lawrence Tynes have been infected with MRSA, an aggressive form of staph infection.

The Bucs first realized that MRSA, a very contagious form of staph, hit the team when Carl Nicks’ blister on the right side of his foot — not his turf toe — was infected when the Bucs were practicing in New England last Thursday. Shortly thereafter, Tynes, who did not accompany the team to New England, also was diagnosed with MRSA in his ingrown toenail.

Once the Bucs learned of the infections, ownership authorized an immediate and thorough cleaning of One Buc Palace as a precautionary measure, as the team does not yet know where the MRSA originated. The cleaning cost tens of thousands of dollars, Joe has learned.

To date, no other Bucs player has been found to be infected with MRSA. Nicks’ infection is starting to respond to treatment and recede, Joe has been told. Tynes’ treatment is also showing positive results.

Because MRSA is aggressive and resistant to standard forms of antibiotic treatment, a special blend of antibiotics is required to combat the spreading of the MRSA, which infects the skin. The Bucs have consulted with disease specialists both locally and outside the area. The Bucs have also been in contact with medical experts at NFL headquarters in New York.

The Bucs emphasized they do not know the origin of the MRSA. The fact no other Buccaneers are infected suggests the origin may not be One Buc Palace, but no one with the team is certain.

Monday, Bucs coach Greg Schiano met with the team and informed the players of the MRSA issue and the team was given an orientation on how to prevent MRSA. The players also were issued special soaps used to prevent and combat the infection.

UPDATE: The Bucs just confirmed, via Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, that a second sterilization of One Buc will be performed this weekend..

Donald Penn spoke about functioning with malfunction on the offensive line due to injuries.

The Bucs have, as Donald Penn calls it, their “core five” on the offensive line. That would be, from left, Penn, Carl Nicks, Jeremy Zuttah, Davin Joseph and Demar Dotson.

But the Bucs have not played with their core five during the regular season. Davin Joseph went down in the preseason last year. After Dotson unseated turnstile Jeremy Trueblood, Nicks went down with his first of two hoof injuries.

Now, Nicks has a nasty infection — Joe smells staph infection — and Joseph has yet to be cleared as 100 percent to play in games. So chaos on the front line seems to be the norm for the Bucs.

“That’s the nature of the beast in the NFL,” Penn said. “That’s how I got my start. When someone got I hurt I came in and stepped up. That’s how it goes. I can’t wait to get those guys back. But that is the nature of the beast. Guys have to come in and step up when their time is called. Last year, we did a great job of doing that. We expect nothing less than this year.”

Until Joseph is ready — he practiced this week and Penn lauded his play — and Nicks is over his foot issues, if he is every over his foot issues, it appears the Bucs could start the season back where they ended last season, down two starters.

But Penn isn’t fazed much by that. He believes the Bucs may have the best offensive line coach in the NFL with Bob Bostad and with the addition of Gabe Carimi, who has practiced at left guard. That gives the Bucs unparralled depth, Penn told Joe.

Blistergate, the Carl Nicks saga, won’t really be updated until next week, Greg Schiano explained today at One Buc Palace.

Schiano reiterated that Nicks is taking medicine for his blister/foot infection and that medicine needs five to seven days to do its thing. Based on the current timeline, that means Schiano likely will reveal news on Nicks at his Monday news conference.

Joe assumes Nicks can ride a bike and stay fit, but that’s unclear. Nicks’ toe issues already were affecting his training.

Hopefully, if Nicks can recover quickly from his foot, then he’ll be able to get in game-ready shape, assuming his toe holds up.