While Kellen Winslow shared a me-first attitude for all Bucs fans to see this past season, Joe clearly sees Winslow’s value and would like him get a clean slate from the new coaching staff.

Sure, Joe would cut or bench Winslow if his whiney ways and questionable blocking effort returned, but Winslow hardly was the “problem” with the Bucs’ offense and he still catches balls — 75 last year during another healthy season.

NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas, of ESPN.com, isn’t feeling that kind of Winslow vibe. Yasinskas wrote about the likelihood of Winslow getting cut in a post Saturday. His reasoning somewhat stunned Joe; Yasinskas seems to believe the Bucs might want to save the few million bucks their tight end would cost.

Now, as I look at the details of Winslow’s contract, I’d be even less surprised if the Bucs released him. They don’t really need salary-cap space because they already have about $68 million, thanks in large part to unused cap space from 2011 that has been carried over. 

But they could instantly free up another $4.8 million in cap space by releasing Winslow. That $4.8 million figure is what Winslow’s cap figure is slated to be in 2012 and the Bucs wouldn’t suffer any cap hit if they got rid of Winslow. That’s because the contract Winslow signed after the Bucs traded for him in 2009 was structured in a unique way. 

He did not receive any signing bonus, so there is no outstanding pro-rated bonus money on a contract that runs through 2014. Instead of a signing bonus, the Bucs guaranteed about $20 million in base salary in the first three years of Winslow’s deal. 

Winslow is scheduled to earn $3.3 million in base salary this season …

Maybe Joe’s missing something, but Winslow seems like a great value at $3.3 million + potential bonus money. And why would the Bucs need more salary cap room? In addition, if Winslow’s on the team and the Bucs cut him to send a message of discipline to the club, that’s hardly an expensive lesson to teach a young NFL roster.

In one of the greatest displays of journalism in the modern era, Bright House Sports Network personality Rock Riley chased down freshly defrocked Bucs defensive coordinator Jim Bates in a fast food joint parking lot while the Bucs were working hard at One Buc Palace.

Sadly, the video is no longer available.

That written, Rock, despite the fancy TV threads and attack-dog work ethic, is just a beer-swilling, JoeBucsFan.com-reading, Bucs-loving dude like you.

Today he sits behind the mic during his normal Sunday morning show from 9 a.m.-noon on WDAE-AM 620.Those chained to a computer can listen live at 620wdae.com.

Former Wisconsin offensive line coach Bob Bostad is the new Bucs offensive line coach.

The Bucs continue to tap into the college ranks for coaching personnel and have hired former Badgers offensive line coach Bob Bostad.

FoxSports.com’s Alex Marvez must have One Buc Palace bugged because he has been breaking coaching news on the Bucs all offseason.

Bostad is leaving the Panthers to become Tampa Bay’s new offensive line coach, a source told FOXSports.com.

Bostad, who had followed new Pitt head coach Paul Chryst from Wisconsin in January, was a Badgers assistant the previous six seasons. Three of Wisconsin’s offensive linemen – Gabe Carimi (Chicago), John Moffitt (Seattle) and Bill Nagy (Dallas) – were chosen in last year’s NFL draft.

Now Marvez is correct is saying Bostad came from Pitt because in the offseason he took the gig of offensive coordinator at Pitt.

This is more than interesting to Joe. The Bucs have a veteran offensive line. While Bostad consistently built year in and year out one of the best offensive lines in college football, how will he mesh with guys who have been around the block more than a few times?

The north scoreboard behind the pirate ship was ablaze this morning.

Saturday morning, motorists driving southbound on Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa were treated to a much more entertaining sight than any Bucs fans saw on the Bucs’ stadium grass when the north scoreboard of the stadium was aflame.

Joe will let the good people of TBO explain.

Several passing motorists called 911 to report that the scoreboard was burning early Saturday morning, said Lt. William Ferguson, spokesman for the Tampa Police Department.

Tampa officers responded and found fire coming from the the speaker system above the north scoreboard, Ferguson said.

Tampa Fire Rescue firefighters put out the fire, which was determined to be caused by an electrical problem, Ferguson said.

Now Joe knows how cynical if not delusional many Bucs fans have become in recent years. They blame Team Glazer for everything from global warming to the Obama debt crisis.

So Joe can just guess that there will be crazy Bucs fans sitting around a pitcher of beer today or tonight, claiming this fire was somehow the work of the Bucs in order to get a new HD scoreboard installed quicker than expected.

Joe’s good friend Justin Pawlowski, aka, “The Commish,” has been won over by the new coaching staff of the Bucs.

The thing that Justin likes the most is how new head coach Greg Schiano and offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan seem to resonate respect when they are in a room, which Pawlowski detailed in a recent podcast on his site, CommishOnline.com.

“Isn’t it amazing that Mike Sullivan talks about gravitating toward Greg Schiano and what Schiano stands for? You can tell a leader from the moment he walks in the room, he commands respect and commands your attention and that is something I don’t think Raheem Morris ever did when he was coach. He was more like the popular guy in college that was throwing parites. I don’t think he inspired and ignited a fire. I talked to many players and that’s the feeling I got.

“Is [Morris] a good defensive backs coach? Absolutely. But NFL coaches are a differnt breed and Raheem Morris didn’t fit that breed. Greg Schiano fits that stereotype of that role as a leader.”

Joe has a hunch this coaching staff will not put up with the shenanigans of the past. Shoot, if a certain linebacker stands flat-footed and watches running backs run circles around him as he is wont to do, Bryan Cox just might tear his head off.

This is just what the Bucs need. Teaching, yes. But no more nonsense like not knowing plays in Week 17.

Almost 66-year-old Jimmy Raye, the less notable senior advisor added to the Bucs’ staff, is a guy Joe hasn’t written much about.

As an extra set of eyes covering all things on the offensive side of the ball, Joe’s all in favor of having Raye around. Hey, if Raheem Morris had some advisors, perhaps the Bucs would have figured out how not to get mauled in the first quarter and first half of games.

Raye’s been coaching in the NFL for, well, forever. And that includes a stint as Bucs offensive coordinator in 1985 and 1986, when he couldn’t figure out how to use Steve Young.

But despite that smudge on his resume, Joe suspects Raye has learned a hell of a lot since then and can fill his current role quite well.

Bucs humorist/blogger “Scott,” of BucStats.com, offered up a detailed and sarcastic look at Raye’s achievements recently.

The Bucs hired Jimmy Raye as senior offensive assistant. Generally, “senior” means that a guy has been around for a while and seen a lot of things and has a certain level of wisdom to pass on. Evidently, it doesn’t mean you had to have any real measure of success because Jimmy Raye has yet to be associated with a really good offense.

The Chiefs in 2000 were his best team, landing at 8th in the league in total offense and sending three players to the Pro Bowl. The team still went 7-9 and that’s the most success Raye has had this decade — or ever. Other teams where he ran the offense: 2001 Redskins (28th), 2004-2005 Raiders (17th, 21st), 2009-2010 49ers (27th, 23rd). And if you want to go digging way back in history, he was Leeman Bennett‘s offensive coordinator with the Bucs in 1985-1986 (23rd, 27th) and the OC for the 1990 Patriots (28th), possibly one of the worst teams in NFL history.

And he’s here to help.

It is easy to laugh — or cry — about Raye’s record as an offensive coordinator, and Joe’s darn glad Raye’s not the Bucs’ offensive coordinator. But that written, Raye’s got loads of position coach experience, including nearly a decade as a running backs coach.

It’s up to Mike Sullivan and Greg Schiano to seize the best out of Raye. Joe’s got to believe there’s plenty there to work with, otherwise the guy wouldn’t have lasted this long in the NFL.

After making the rounds at the Super Bowl, Gerald McCoy headed back to One Buc Palace this week to meet Greg Schiano and chat it up with Scott Smith of the video team at Buccaneers.com.

And in what feels like another veiled shot at the previous regime, McCoy shared his take that the new coaching staff will have profound impact immediately.

“[Schiano’s] mindset and his core beliefs, you know, can flip this whole organization around in a hurry. We can win. Fast.,” McCoy said. “I’m excited about it.”

Can the Bucs be a winner in 2012? The thought seems farfetched now, but boundless hope surely will return with an infusion of offseason talent and seeing Josh Freeman look sharp in the preseason.

As for the “core beliefs,” didn’t Raheem Morris have those? Joe wonders why playing “hard, fast, smart and consistent” is somehow not as good as “trust, belief and accountability.” Bucs fans will find out in 2012.

Joe really gets a kick out of all the “core beliefs” stuff. Joe’s played on a lot of teams on a lot of different levels, which has left Joe big on accountability. If you play like crap, you should pay for it on the bench or dearly in practice, or with your job. The Bucs need a heavy dose of that, which Schiano should deliver.

In the video linked above, McCoy also talked a good game and set the bar very high for himself.

“I know I’m puttin’ in all the work to have a breakout year,” McCoy said. “The staff they’re putting together, they’re putting everybody in place, you know, to if I do do my part on my end, which is come in in the best shape I can and put in all the work, this will be a breakout year for me.”

Joe’s pulling for McCoy and in his corner, but the Bucs would be nuts not to bring in a veteran to push him and Brian Price — someone to help keep them accountable.

He’s got a Super Bowl ring as linebackers coach for the 2007 Giants, and he had an embarrassingly quick exit (but not Bates-Jagodzinski quick) from the Giants’ defensive coordinator job after the 2009 season.

His name is Bill Sheridan, and he’s your new Buccaneers defensive coordinator, so reports The Lantern, a college newspaper out of Ohio State University.

 Sheridan recently was named to a defensive assistant job with the Buckeyes after serving as Miami Dolphins linebackers coach in 2010 and 2011.

Sheridan also was a defensive position coach (defensive line and linebackers) at Army alongside new Bucs offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan, who also coached linebackers and defensive backs for the famed Black Knights.

For this late in the hiring game, Joe thinks this is a great hire by the Bucs. Overall, the jury is out, though. Surely Sheridan’s one season calling defenses for the talented Giants didn’t go so well, as the Giants allowed a pile of points that season.

But this time Sheridan has two defensive guys above him on the depth chart, head coach Greg Schiano and defensive operative/stealth assistant Butch Davis.

If Sheridan can find a way to stop teams from gutting and gashing the Bucs up the gut, Joe is prepared to erect a statue of him on Dale Mabry Highway.

Update: The Bucs announced Sheridan’s hiring on the team’s official Twitter feed.

Now this news has brought a smile to Joe’s face.

Per NFL insider Adam Schefter, he Twittered a short while ago that the Bucs are expected to bring Bryan Cox in as a defensive assistant.

Tampa Bay also is expected to hire Bryan Cox as defensive asst coach.

Joe has followed Cox since his days in high school. He grew up not far from Joe, under very different circumstances. Joe’s a child of the corn. Cox grew up in a true definition of a “hood,” East St. Louis, Ill.

Cox is simply crazy and loyal to a fault. He’s from the Bill Parcells/Bill Belicheat tree, having played for the former and coached for the latter.

Cox is crazy. There are many stories about how Cox is a good guy, but nuts. Joe’s favorite is when he signed with the Bears (whoops, there’s that Dave Wannstedt connection again), Cox showed up for his introductory press conference wearing a Blues jersey.

For those from the Midwest, you can understand how that went over with the Chicago types.

Cox is not known for keeping his intense, outspoken feelings to himself. To put it bluntly, Quincy Black is in for a very, very, very rude awakening, which may just be what he needs.

UPDATE: Per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, he Twittered Cox has indeed been hired.

"Olie, man, we couldn't figure that first-quarter thing out ... and now we're position coaches on bad teams."

If you’re a brand new Bucs fan, good for you. You weren’t scarred by the Bucs routinely getting pounded and mauled by opponents in the first half of games over the past three seasons.

Joe is not a new fan, therefore Joe is sensitive to anything that offers some hope that the Bucs might compete from the opening whistle every week.

Listening to new Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood this morning, Joe really liked a comment he made that indirectly talked about averting slow starts. Flood, a former Greg Schiano assistant, chimed in on The Dan Sileo Show on WDAE-AM 620 with the following:

“As soon as [Schiano] gets that team together with those players after the draft, I promise you the first things he’s going to be talking about are being a smart football team, being a tough football team, playing situational football, and just making sure that you don’t lose the game before you can win it,” Flood said.

Joe liked that line, “make sure you don’t lose the game before you can win it. Unfortunately, the Bucs did that more often than not in 2011.

Yes, Joe knows Raheem Morris preached about “situational football” all day long, but the message was tuned out, and perhaps Raheem didn’t talk about the opening series being as important a “situation” as one late in a game.

Joe knows Bucs fans are still scratching their heads after listening to — what the hell is his title? — Butch Davis discuss with the local pen and mic club his duties and parameters. The parameters he knows about, that is.

But this angst is not shared by Joe’s good friend “The Commish,” Justin Pawlowski. A self-described “free agent,” Pawlowski got behind a live mic for the first time in a month while manning a stint as a guest co-host this morning with Mike Pepper during “Hooters Nation” on WQYK-AM 1010.

While Pepper still has reservations about what is currently going on with the Bucs and the team’s still incomplete coaching staff, Justin took the opposite approach.

“I am looking at this situation as the glass is half full. I was not a big fan of the Raheem Morris regime. Everything since has been better.

“Having been over [at One Buc Palace] as part of the Buccaneers Radio Network and you hear about all the chaos and all the rumors you hear and then you see in the paper that Raheem is out drinking at the same place all the time, it just didn’t seem to be what an NFL team should be. There didn’t seem to be any leadership.

“I have been more impressed with the first two coaches’ press conferences than the hundreds of press conferences I had been to with Raheem Morris and Greg Olson. They need leaders and teachers and they have that now.

“People say the Bucs lack talent. I think the Bucs have done a good job in the draft. It’s that talent has just not been developed.

“I am excited.”

Joe is somewhat excited as well. Joe can just about assure Bucs fans we will not see the weekly Arrelious Benn’d Around play which couldn’t even fool a dude with a white cane.

That alone is progress.

Yes, the Bucs need a special teams coach. Yes, the Bucs need a defensive coordinator. Yes, the Bucs are still out there knocking on doors and not always getting the answer they desire.

The latest “no thanks” delivered to Team Schiano appears to be from Alabama Crimson Tide offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, so reports Al.com’s Alabama beat writer Izzy Gould, a source Joe knows well and trusts.

Stoutland was invited to visit with Tampa Bay, but decided he wanted to stay at Alabama according to the source.

The Buccaneers are searching to fill vacancies on first-year coach Greg Schiano’s staff. He replaced Raheem Morris, who was fired with his entire staff last month after Tampa Bay finished the 2011 season with a 10-game losing streak.

Stoutland has been with the Crimson Tide for one season, and helped guide Alabama to its 14th national championship with a 21-0 win over LSU on Jan. 9. 

Stoutland is credited with helping the offensive line develop Barrett Jones into a successful starting left tackle en route to earning the Outland Trophy. He also successfully managed Jones’ vacancy at right guard where Anthony Steen and Alfred McCullough shared time.

Stoutland will enter the second year of a two-year contract that pays him $395,000 annually. 

Stoutland, 49, was probably best known for being interim coach at Miami after Randy Shannon was fired.

Ultimately, Joe only cares about what the eventual Bucs coaching staff turns out on the field. However, Joe can’t say there’s no value in having the staff together early.

This week, offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan said P.J. Fleck and Brian Angelico, (the supposed new Bucs receivers and tight ends coach, respectively) are key contributors in developing the new language of the offense and all that goes into building a new playbook. Therefore, Joe suspects it would be a big positive to have the rest of the staff by Sullivan’s side during that process.

Joe has made his feelings known about Bucs legend Ronde Barber. He’s the best cornerback in Bucs history and may have made the greatest play in Bucs history, returning a Donovan McNabb pass for a pick-6, sending the Bucs to their first (and to date, only) Super Bowl.

Joe has stated several times that Barber should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Whether he gets that honor at some time in the future, well, that’s a different story.

Barber has 14 seasons under his belt, all with the Bucs. Whether he sees a 15th is up for debate. There are several factors that will sway Barber’s (and the Bucs’) decision.

One of those elements is, as Stephen Holder points out in the Tampa Bay Times, is simply if the Bucs actually want him back?

The Bucs probably don’t have a clear-cut answer on this question right now. Coach Greg Schiano is still getting up to speed on his players and hasn’t even hired a defensive coordinator.

Decisions on personnel will, for the most part, have to wait. And in this case, a decision on Barber is not yet a pressing matter, so time is not an issue.

How will Schiano and his staff view Barber? That can’t be answered until they evaluate his film. But in light of the many question marks in the secondary – for example Aqib Talib’s legal problems and free agent Sean Jones’ likely departure – a little continuity probably won’t be seen as a bad thing.

It’s a valid point. No one knows if new Bucs coach Greg Schiano actually wants him back. And would Barber want to go through all of the hassle of learning a new defense, all for just one year?

Joe has no inside information on this and it’s only a hunch. But it’s very likely we have seen the last of Barber wearing the pewter and red.

The Bucs’ new super assistant in chief, Butch Davis, looked very presidential today at One Buc Palace as he sported a navy suit, red tie and spewed major love for Bucs head coach Greg Schiano.

Here are key highlights:

*Davis called Schiano “one of the best football coaches and the best men that I’ve ever had a chance to work with.” Davis explained that Schiano was someone “he hit it off naturally” with years ago at Miami.

*Before Schiano took the Bucs job he called Davis to ask him to join him.

*Davis said the University of North Carolina is “very comfortable” with his role and job with the Bucs. The inference was the school will not try to break its contract with him and withhold his severance pay. Davis said money concerns and a lack of interest in coaching palyers are not factors in his role with the Bucs. “That played absolutely no role,” Davis said.  He said he can get a ton accomplished “without actually having to have the chalk in your hand.”

*Davis said he will not talk to players. … Later in the news conference he said he might talk to players that approach him about being a professional and encourage them. He said he won’t be “teaching and coaching and hands-on” with players.

*The primary piece of advice for Schiano? “Be yourself.”

*Davis was non-committal when asked how long he has committed to the Bucs.

*Davis said he expected to have some sort of gameday role “upstairs” but didn’t offer details. Strange to Joe, Davis said he didn’t know if he’d be allowed to have a headset on.

*On Mark Dominik, Davis said he is “unbelievably professional,” and he praised Dominik’s intelligence and communication skills, citing specifically how well he and Schiano are communicating.

*How do the Bucs look on film, Coach Davis? Davis said he’s only watched one hour of film so far. He offered no opinion on the Bucs other than heavy praise for Josh Freeman. Davis was clear that he will be evaluating the entire roster.

*Davis said he’ll “be in the room” when the Bucs interview dozens of players individually later this month at the NFL Scouting combine. Davis explained that he’s been stressing to Schiano about maximizing the 15 minutes allowed with potential draft picks there.

Last year Bucs rookie wide receiver Raymond Webber severely blew out a hamstring early in the preseason and landed on the injured reserve list. He’s busy making a comeback rehabbing in St. Louis, and the facility where he is working out made a video of his progress.

Inhaling a monstrous sandwich and reading CommishOnline.com today, Joe was reminded that 49ers wide receiver/stud returner Ted Ginn, Jr. is likely to be an unrestricted free agent in a matter of weeks.

Ginn is a very intriguing free agent name to Joe. And given that rockstar general manager Mark Dominik and new coach Greg Schiano are vocal devotees of strong special teams, Joe wonders if Ginn is high on the secret free agent radar screen in the bowels of One Buc Palace.

Joe’s written before about the Bucs’ aversion to using Micheal Spurlock last year, and about how Preston Parker didn’t rank well among returners, plus he had fumbling issues.

Ginn would fix all that and possibly and add a deep threat in the passing game. Yes, Joe knows Ginn (19 catches in 2011) is not a No. 1 wideout.

But on special teams Ginn is top shelf. In 2011, he ranked fourth in the NFL among guys with more than 20 punt returns with 12.3 yards per return. As for kickoffs, Ginn was sixth best among those with 16 or more returns. Ginn took both a punt return and a kickoff to the house and didn’t fumble all season.

How exactly could this 26-year-old guy not help the Bucs? Joe would applaud such a signing.

Sometimes the irrational beliefs of some Bucs fans make Joe shake his damned head. Such was the case this morning when a Bucs fan in dire need of a hug from a cheerleader called “The Blitz,” co-hosted by Adam Schein and Rich Gannon, heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio, and was nearly in tears over what he perceives Team Glazer and Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik are doing to the team.

“They are trying to sink their ship on their own. As far as ownership, it seems they want to pack their bags and set themselves up as the team that moves to Los Angeles. I need answers!

“I just don’t see any direction or answers to what they are trying to do. Enlighten me a little bit. Make me want to be a Bucs fan. Last year I thought we were headed back in the right direction. This year, right back in the same boat again. Last place is good enough. It seems that is where we are headed.”

Joe has an answer for this man: Before one makes outrageous statements about the Bucs moving, e-mail the Tampa Sports Authority and ask for a copy of the Bucs’ lease. It’s public record.

The Bucs have an absolute sweetheart of a deal. If Team Glazer were to move the Bucs, a) Team Glazer wouldn’t have spent millions of dollars on One Buc Palace; b) sought to have stadium renovations (which are already written into the lease that was approved by Hillsborough County voters years ago) in order for the city to host another Super Bowl (only held at stadiums which house an NFL team).

The Bucs are actually hiring coaches who instill discipline. The future is looking brighter. Though Schein and Gannon had little to say in response to the distraught Bucs fan caller, since they were heading into a commercial break, Schein did say he is getting good vibes for the Bucs in 2012. “Seriously.”

As for those who are of the belief Team Glazer is going to move the Bucs, Joe suggests an intervention is in order.

Michigan football coach Brady Hoke is moonlighting working mornings on BSPN Radio and told his co-host Mike Greenberg he believes the Bucs will go defense with the first round pick.

One of the most overrated national morning sports radio shows (but not nearly as vapid as the “Dull Patrick Show”) happens to be hosted by Brady Hoke Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg of BSPN. Recently, the duo decided to take a break from slobbering over the non-basketball association to discuss football.

In a segment called “Two-a-Days,” they devoted some time to the Bucs. Joe’s got a hunch Hoke Golic and Greenberg didn’t read the new NFL CBA.

At any rate, Greenberg called the Bucs the “most disappointing team” of 2011 and Hoke Golic seems inclined to agree with Todd McShay that the Bucs will draft a cornerback with the No. 5 pick.

The entire BSPN segment can be heard by clicking this link.

Last year when Gerald McCoy started for the Bucs, the team was 4-2 with wins over division rivals and eventual playoff teams Atlanta and New Orleans.

GMC was far different than his rookie year. No, his critics are quick to point out, he didn’t have many sacks. But he was damned disruptive. Talk to any defensive coordinator and you will learn that being disruptive and blowing up plays in the backfield are as important if not more so than a sack.

When GMC went down with another arm injury, lost for the season, the team began its grotesque 10-game free fall which resulted in Raheem Morris being jettisoned.

Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. But the numbers geeks at ProFootballFocus.com believe GMC’s loss may have been a domino effect. so they explained while breaking down the pros and cons for each NFC South squad.

More snaps needed
Gerald McCoy

How different could the Bucs year have been if McCoy hadn’t been lost for the year? The talented DT looks the kind of every-down player who can make plays regardless of what the offense is doing. One of the biggest things the new coaching staff can do is ensure McCoy is healthy, because if Tampa Bay is to challenge the powerhouses of the NFC South, they need players like him.

With GMC healthy, combined with the studly play of Adrian Clayborn and the emergence of Da’Quan Bowers, the Bucs had a formidable front four. With GMC out and Brian Price hobbled, the Bucs were nothing less than a sieve, especially with zero help from the linebackers.

For the Bucs to bounce back next season, it is imperative that GMC be healthy.

Bucs fans have been wringing their hands in angst over the Bucs’ inability to complete a coaching staff as late February approaches on the calendar.

With only an offensive coordinator and special assistants announced and rumors of other coaches on the staff, it may be a race to the finish for new Bucs coach Greg Schiano to have a full staff on board by the time the glorified indoor track practice NFL combine starts next week.

And Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik is OK with this. Talking to eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune, Dominik is of the mind that a good staff selected late is better than having a staff thrown together just for the sake of show.

At this rate, there’s no certainty the Bucs will have a full complement of assistants when Dominik and Schiano attend their first combine together.

“In working with coach Schiano, one of the things that has made him so successful is he’s detailed and he’s organized,’’ said Dominik. “He’s making sure anyone who comes in this door is someone he feels extreme confidence in.’‘

[Six] days after hiring former Giants assistant Mike Sullivan as their offensive coordinator, the Bucs are still on the prowl for a defensive coordinator to implement the principles Schiano developed in 11 seasons as head coach at Rutgers.

Joe has touched on this before: If there is a problem with assembling a staff this late, no one is to blame other than the hierarchy at One Buc Palace. If, as Joe was told from the inside, that the former coaching staff knew the handwriting was on the wall in early December about their fate, then the cord should have been cut at that time in order to get a head start of the coaching search.

Joe has zero issue with what the Bucs are calling “due diligence” in the coaching search. In fact, Joe applauds such an approach rather than throwing insane money at the coaching flavor of the month.

That, however, doesn’t preclude an organization from being proactive and thus avoiding painting itself in a corner like the coaching staff is in now, without a defensive coordinator nearly seven weeks after the regular season.

So what will a Mike Sullivan offense look like?

Well, the new offensive coordinator didn’t offer much detail today about that at One Buc Palace. (What offense doesn’t want explosive plays and a tough running game?)

But that’s ok. Sullivan admitted the writing of the Bucs’ new playbook is in its early stages, and he’s working hard so he can descend from the offices of One Buc Palace and present it to his team.

However, the new man has core beliefs for the offense in place: “Tough, physical, disciplined, smart and explosive.” That’s the goal, Sullivan explained.

As for what attracted Sullivan to the Bucs, he referenced the “special talent” of Josh Freeman as the major lure. But Sullivan also referenced the “veteran offensive line” and “some hard running backs.” No verbal bone was thrown to the receiving corps.

As Joe wrote earlier, Sullivan stressed preparation repeatedly, and even went so far to say that he wants to see Josh Freeman have an “obsession” with preparation.