During a week when Lovie Smith is preaching a “mentality” change, quite a picture was painted yesterday of the defensive hunger the Bucs should have.

Former Tampa Bay starting linebacker Ryan Nece, a rookie on the legendary Super Bowl team, explained what a guy like Teddy Bridgewater coming to Tampa used to mean. (more…)

The Bucs defense has struggled mightily to get off the field, and all that extra playing time isn’t helping. (more…)

With the exception of Gerald McCoy, the Bucs have swung and missed so often on pass rushers since Chucky was jettisoned, Joe thinks he is watching a Rays game.

Joe just cannot remember a Tampa Bay team that for five years running has spent so many draft picks and so many zero-filled checks from Team Glazer in an effort to pump up its pass rush.

Yet the Bucs are probably worse off now than they were when Raheem Morris took over. (more…)

Yes, the Bucs are getting healthier, with high-profile names like Josh McCown and Dashon “Hawk” Goldson returning to the practice field at full speed Monday. But injuries remain. (more…)

The spreadsheeters have a strong opinion

Joe doesn’t think if he suggested the Bucs are a mess, few would argue. The defense is the laughingstock of the league. Blocking is an issue on offense and there is no running game to speak of.

Oh, early in the year, Bobby Rainey ran well, but virtually fumbled his way to the sideline. (more…)

Bucs opening-day returner Solomon Patton, who replaced Eric Page, was cut today. He was replaced by newcomer Trindon Holliday, as Page sits on the Bucs’ practice squad after being plucked from his couch last week.

Lovie Smith is finding that life after Devin Hester isn’t so pretty. (more…)

The “JoeBucsFan Hour” was back with its usual vengeance, as Joe sat down for his weekly chat with the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620 this evening.

It got heated at times. (more…)

Insert your one-liners.

Da’Quan Bowers will sit for two games after getting pinched by the NFL. (more…)

A wise ass might say that since the Vikings’ defense has been so bad on 3rd-and-long this season (and 4th-and-long), they’re a great Sunday matchup for Tampa Bay, which finds itself in 3rd-and-long quite often.

Yes, the Minnesota defense has been very solid but has folded at key moments. (more…)

Johnthan Banks talks about his bad neck. Joe sees interesting background video.

Neck injuries are bad news.

They’re even worse when your job includes being a fearless tackler or getting tackled. (more…)

The swirling Vincent Jackson trade chatter is quite intriguing.

Would the Bucs really keep V-Drops Jackson and his eight-figure salary next year — for a wide receiver who appears to be on the decline? (more…)

Doug Martin has changed and Joe isn’t sure why.

Yes, we can mock the swings and misses by Bucs coach and overlord of football operations Lovie Smith for personnel decisions. Thus far, there have been big time strikeouts.

Hey, Joe has swung and missed, too. He, too, thought the Bucs would have a decent defense. (more…)

These are not days of laughter for former Bucs CB Darrelle Revis.

Former Bucs coach Raheem Morris did few things right. Making in-game adjustments to his horrid gameplans was one. His quote about when to get rid of players is another.

Morris famously said, in so many words to the immortal Stylez White, I will tolerate you until I can replace you. (more…)

One of the NFL’s worst full-time punt returners last season, a guy coming off a pulled hamstring this summer, will wear a Buccaneers uniform soon.  (more…)

No, Myron Lewis is not back with the Bucs. You wouldn’t know any better the way the secondary has played.

Yes, the arrival of the bye week doesn’t mean beat writers get to run off to some sun-drenched Caribbean island full of loose, scantily-clad, sultry babes and cheap alcohol.

One can only dream. (more…)

Joe’s got video of Josh McCown!

Yes, it might make the Mike Glennon Mob seek counseling, but it was the big deal at practice today. (more…)

The Vikings have adapted quickly to the defense of first-year head coach Mike Zimmer

If Tampa Bay loses at home Sunday to a banged up and struggling Vikings team with a rookie quarterback, then there might not be a Bucs fan alive who will emerge with a good attitude.

Minnesota (2-4) is in rough shape. (more…)