Spoiled by years with Devin Hester, it’s understandable Lovie Smith might be soured by watching a mortal return man.

Lovie keeps saying how the Bucs need a greater spark from their return game, though not naming rookie Solomon Patton. And now Eric Page returned off the street last week. (more…)

In these unsettled times of devastating Bucs losses, constant change and growing pains, Joe thought it would be wise to bring back THE OPTIMIST.

THE OPTIMIST is Nick Houllis, a Bucs fan and an accomplished writer whose steadfast allegiance to the Buccaneers goes back to the 1970s. Houllis is the founder, creator and guru of BucStop.com, a place Joe goes to get lost in time via Houllis’ stunning video collection.

THE OPTIMIST will shine that positive light in your eyes. Some will love it. Some won’t. … Of course, THE OPTIMIST’s opinions are his alone and are not influenced by Joe. (more…)

When teams endure stunning stretches of losing like the Bucs have, negativity grows like summer weeds. You pluck a bunch of those weeds with a victory, but another couple of losses adds about triple the weeds you pulled initially.

Fans want hope and want to believe, but ultimately, after so much losing, only consistent winning makes them believers. (more…)

Former Bucs defensive end and 2014 Bucs coaching intern Steve White takes his beloved team over his knee for its dismal play

Boy, oh boy, Joe doesn’t know where to start with this. At least the competent, candid analysis is refreshing.

Former Bucs defensive end Steve White knows something about the Tampa-2. He spent each of his Bucs seasons under Father Dungy. Even more, White was a coaching intern with the Bucs this past spring. (more…)

So far, the Bucs’ secondary can’t cover themselves with a blanket at night, including safety Mark Barron.

Man, the Bucs’ pass defense is a trainwreck. Not only are the Bucs threatening to allow the most yards in the 95-year history of the NFL, but also the most points.

It is simply incredible how with all the Pro Bowlers and high draft picks on the defensive roster they can get so lit up so badly. It really is a difficult task to be this bad.

John Parolin of BSPN seems to know what ails the Bucs. (more…)

The most verbal, in-your-face coach on the Bucs’ staff might be high-energy cornerbacks chief Gil Byrd. Joe can still hear his spring and training-camp intensity.

Byrd was visibly and passionately teaching the finer points to Alterraun Verner from Day 1 back in April. (more…)

The chorus of former Buccaneers appalled by their team’s performance has reached a new crescendo.

One of three quarterbacks to lead the Bucs to the NFC title game, Shaun King of NBC Sports Network, says the Bucs have a Division 1-AA pasty feel about them. (more…)

In a quarterback-driven league whose television popularity is fueled by fantasy-football-loving lunatics, it’s the starting QBs whbo command the greatest interest.

But when it comes to Bucs games, TV producers don’t have much use for Mike Glennon. (more…)

It’s Joe’s weekly chat on the popular Ron and Ian show on WDAE-AM 620/95.3 FM. Always a fun time.

Click below to listen online at 620wdae.com.

Earlier this week, one way Gerald McCoy defended himself against attacks from those who call him too soft was to remind the world that the day after his wife birthed twins he was at One Buc Palace running gassers at 6 a.m.–  by himself, his own decision to continue his fierce offseason regimen.

McCoy’s dedication already had been documented, but Joe was glad to learn it at least rubbed off on someone. (more…)

Joe hoped that after the circus the Bucs franchise had become since the jettisoning of Chucky, Team Glazer tapping Lovie Smith on the shoulder to take over the franchise meant happy days were here to come.

Joe understood Lovie’s defense takes a while to grasp but thought with his resume, demeanor and ability to work with players — all the qualities of a fine teacher — that the Bucs would climb out of the NFC cellar. (more…)

Changes coming to the nickel corner position?

You wanted change. Joe wanted change. Lovie Smith wanted change.

And change you may have. It appears the Bucs head coach and overlord of football operations is coming through with his previous promise. (more…)

Derrick Brooks is looking for a “mentality” change. Warren Sapp is ready to vomit. Others are talking about “tissue-paper soft” Buccaneers.

Former Bucs tight end Anthony Becht is on their bandwagon. (more…)

It’s not even Halloween and small children are too frightened to watch the Bucs. That is how bad it has been.

Tampa Bay is not just 1-5, they are miserable beyond words. Even with guys like Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David, the defense is on pace to be the absolute worst in the 95-year existence of the NFL. (more…)

Bucs cornerbacks coach Gil Byrd speaks out.

One reason the Bucs defense is getting tasered game in and game out is the putrid pass defense. Starting quarterbacks (not just scrubs like Derek Anderson and Austin Davis) are frying the Bucs secondary like it is a high school seven-on-seven tournament. (more…)

There are plenty of bright spots in the Buccaneers’ 29th-ranked offense.

And this isn’t just Joe injecting happy talk amid the doom and gloom coming from all angles. (more…)

Derrick Brooks is not a happy guy. The problems on his beloved Buccaneers have brought a dark cloud over his typically glowing Bucs optimism.

Brooks let plenty hang out during his chat with Steve Duemig on WDAE-AM 620 yesterday. (more…)

Just the thought of watching that horror show at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway last Sunday makes Joe want to bury his face in his hands. Joe had seen bad Bucs football, but that joke might never be topped.

Then, after postgame chats with players and performing simple math from what he learned, and figuring out just how badly Lovie Smith got outcoached by John Harbaugh, well, Joe just shakes his head.

Another person scarred by that eyerake of a football exhibition is none other than the “Custodian of Canton,” eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune. (more…)