Joe’s spent much of the morning researching anything and everything about new Bucs offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan.

Maybe next week Joe will speculate about Sullivan’s strong relationship with free-agent-to-be Plaxico Burress. (Noooo.)  But for now, here’s a video on Sullivan from one of his hometown TV stations KSBY out of San Luis Obispo, California. Apparently, Sullivan brings a lot of enthusiasm to his coaching — “vibing,” as Raheem Morris might have called it.

Joe’s going to go out on a limb and say Bucs new offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan knows how to call plays.

After the Jeff Jagodzinski debacle, Joe can only imagine how much Sullivan was grilled and drilled on his playcalling ability during the interview process. Why Joe wouldn’t be surprised if the Bucs even organized a pickup game at One Buc Palace just to see the West Point grad work a playbook like a fiddle.

Yes, BSPN NFL guru Adam Schefter is reporting that the Bucs have hired Sullivan, a former Army defensive back and coach who has spent the last eight years with the Giants coaching wide receivers and quarterbacks.

Allegedly, he’ll team with old NFL veteran coach Jimmy Raye, Jr., a new senior offensive assistant, to devise and deliver the Bucs’ offense. And Joe’s glad to see another guy join the Bucs, along with Butch Davis, who knows exactly what championship football and a disciplined team look like.

Joe’s on board with all these hires, and Joe’s glad to have the feeling that Greg Schiano is handpicking his staff.

Can they be successful? Who knows? But Bucs fans should feel good. Yeah, anything was better than the coaching mess that surfaced 3 1/2 months ago, but this new staff has some gravitas. (Yes, that’s a big word for a Friday night, but this is a big hire.)

Perhaps the most exciting thing about this post is that Joe gets to reference BSPN talking hottie Rachel Nichols.

It is she who Twittered earlier this afternoon that the Bucs are interviewing New York Giants QB coach Mike Sullivan for their vacant offensive coordinator gig.

Sullivan is a West Point grad, and a former Army player and coach who has been with the Giants for many years coaching receivers and now quarterbacks. Between the military background and working under Tom Coughlin all those years, one can assume Sullivan is a discipline-first kind of guy.

Also, it’s widely known that Bucs new head man Greg Schiano had good relationships with Giants coaches, who were based in his old stomping grounds.

Can Sullivan call plays? Joe has no clue. Joe’s just going to stare at the Nichols photo above and wonder.

Former Bucs stud linebacker and current Bucs director of pro scouting, Shelton Quarles, was asked today whether he thinks Tampa Bay will be players in free agency next month.

The answer to WDAE-AM 620 host Dan Sileo? “You know, I hope so,” Quarles said.

Joe got a chuckle out of that one.

Quarles said he and his staff are “grinding on tape” at One Buc Palace analyzing potential free agents daily from “before the sun comes up to after the sun goes down.”

The bell rings on unrestricted free agency in 32 days.

Joe’s not one to quote notorious WDAE-AM 620 host Dan Sileo, but Joe must admit that Sileo told his audience that Butch Davis was on his way to Tampa Bay in a matter of hours following the hiring of head coach Greg Schiano.

And since Sileo seems to have his finger on the pulse of all things related to his former football team, the Miami Hurricanes, Joe finds it worthy to share last night’s Tweet from the sometimes fabricating radio host. Sileo Twittered that veteran offensive line coach Tony Wise, a former Hurricane, will join the Bucs.

@DSHurricane93: Tony wise will be next Buc fans….ur welcome on butch davis

What a quality hire Wise would be — the fourth O-line coach in five years for the Bucs’ high-priced veteran unit. Wise won Super Bowl rings as the Cowboys’ O-line coach from 1989-1992.

Wise then moved on to the same role and an assistant head coach title with the Bears in the mid 1990s, and most recently served in the NFL with the Dolphins from 2001-2004, and the Jets in ’06 and ’07. His last job was with the University of Pittsburgh under Dave Wannstedt.

Seemingly, the Bucs could do a lot worse than an old trenches guy who knows what championship football looks like.

Bucs fans are turning over rocks, seeking some sort of conspiracy since learning of Butch Davis' title with the team.

Joe Twittered out the link to Alex Marvez’s piece yesterday announcing that Butch Davis would be the Bucs’ “senior defensive assistant” and Joe instantly was hammered with e-mails and Twitter messages asking for both an explanation and demanding to know who will wear the defensive coordinator title.

Joe will explain, which should satisfy the grassy knoll types.

As Rick Stroud wrote in the Tampa Bay Times, it’s not quite a done deal with Davis, largely because Davis is still being paid by the University of North Carolina and is owed millions. The contract also forbids Davis from coaching anywhere or he could forfeit that cash.

So as much as Davis may want to coach, who exactly can flush away seven figures of legal tender?

Hence, why Davis may not be the coordinator but an “advisor.”

Why won’t Davis be the coordinator?

It’s likely because of a buyout in his contract with North Caro­lina, which fired him last year. It calls for him to receive about $2.7 million unless he accepts another coaching position. He already has received $933,000 and is set to receive $590,000 in January of 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Now for the grassy knoll types: there could be much more than what we know at face value.

Having Davis be an advisor means the job of defensive coordinator is still open. This allows the Bucs to hire an NFL position coach to come in and serve under that title, all the while learning from Schiano and Davis. Think Bill Muir when he was listed as the Bucs’ offensive coordinator under Chucky, but Muir was nothing of the sort.

Or, the Bucs could grab a college guy — let’s throw out a name like Tom Bradley — and said coach could ease into the position while Schiano (and Davis, wink, wink) do the heavy lifting for a few seasons.

Now Joe’s going to go all Area 51 on people: Joe has heard whispers — nothing more than rumors — that Schiano will implement a strict blackout of assistants talking to the pen and mic club, not unlike Tuna Parcells used to have and currently what Bill Belicheat has in place.

This practice began to spread so quickly, given the copycat nature of the league, that the NFL, tired of head coaches hogging the spotlight, put a kibosh on the growing trend and forced all NFL teams to offer up both the offensive and defensive coordinator to the press on a weekly basis. Other assistants are under no such mandate and if ordered by the head coach (Belicheat for example), can be prohibited from speaking on the record.

If, as Joe hears, Schiano implements this restriction on his staff, and Davis keeps his moniker of a special assistant (not a coordinator by title), he would never have to deal with reporters covering the Bucs, yet still have a heavy hand in molding the Bucs defense each week (wink, wink).

Now mind you, this is all speculation. Shoot, we don’t even know if North Carolina will swallow this scheme much less NFL warden commissioner Roger Goodell.

But isn’t it fun to play David Brock?

The more Joe ponders this Davis maneuver, the more brilliant the plan appears.

He surely didn’t come cheap. He’s got Super Bowl rings. And Joe suspects he’s not about to take any crap from his players.

Butch Davis has joined the Buccaneers as a “senior defensive assistant” coach, so reports Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com. No, Joe has no clue what that title really means, or if the title is accurate. But Marvez is credible and Davis is sure to be wearing pewter and red.

A source told FOXSports.com that Davis was hired Thursday as a senior defensive assistant. Davis will work closely with new Bucs head coach Greg Schiano and whomever the team ultimately names its defensive coordinator.

After winning a national championship at the University of Miami, Davis was hired by the Cleveland Browns as their head coach in 2001. Davis was unable to duplicate his college success, resigning under pressure just before the end of the 2004 season. Davis had a 24-35 overall record with the Browns, but he did lead Cleveland to what remains its lone playoff appearance since returning to the NFL in 1999 as an expansion team.

It will be interesting to see if the Bucs really bring in a defensive coordinator, or whether Davis and Schiano effectively share the role. As the Cowboys’ defensive line coach during their glory years, Joe is very intrigued to see who comes in as the next D-line coach — or perhaps there will be two working under Davis’ watch.

Marvez also reports that NFL coaching veteran Jimmy Raye, Jr. will be a senior offensive assistant, though Marvez did not report that Raye will work closely with Schiano.

It will be interesting to see how many coaches the Bucs end up with. Perhaps Schiano is trying to build a staff that ensures he has a close eye — and a firm grip — on the new “Buccaneer Way” he plans to instill.

Joe has no problem with Davis, and Joe surely wouldn’t mind if Davis’ University of Miami ties help Jonathan Vilma find his way to the middle of the Bucs’ defense.

Joe ran into Super Bowl-winning coach Brian Billick at Media Day during Super Bowl week. The current NFL Network/FOX analyst gave Joe his thoughts on the current state of the Bucs. While Billick likes new Bucs coach Greg Schiano, he stated blaming Raheem Morris for the grotesque 10-game collapse is unfair.

JoeBucsFan: Your thoughts on Greg Schiano as the new Bucs coach?

Brian Billick: Yeah, I have known Greg a long time, back when he was in the NFL. Hopefully that is the thing that will distinguish himself. College guys coming into the NFL of late have not done real well as of late, Jim Harbaugh notwithstanding, but I think that led a little bit to that. “Well yeah, this could be a good thing.” But you have to remember Jim Harbaugh had 15 years in this league. So he had a different perspective [than other college coaches]. But I think the time Greg Schiano’s experience in the league will help his approach and transition than typically college guys have.

Joe: It seems like Schiano is a big fundamentals guy…

Billick: … yes…

Joe: … and he probably got that from Joe Paterno…

Billick: … oh, absolutely …

Joe: … and this is something the Bucs sorely need, fundamentals.

Billick: Well, [the Bucs] are an excellent young team. We saw that two years ago. Obviously, that didn’t quite turn out this year. I think you have to be careful that once you make a change, “Oh, now we are going to be fundamentally sound.” You know what; they were fundamentally sound under Raheem.

Joe: Really?

Billick: Oh, sure. Raheem is a good coach. The thing is to believe just because you make a change, “Oh, now we are going to be OK.” Then five years down the line if things don’t work out you make another change and then again say, Oh, now we’re going to be OK” – so I don’t know if that is a fair criticism. But there is no question in my mind Greg will do a good job and [fundamentals] will be a priority.

Joe: Can you put a finger on what triggered the Bucs collapse? They were 4-2 with wins over two division foes, both playoff teams.

Billick: I think what we saw last year is what we expected two years ago. If that happened two years ago, we would be saying, “Oh, yeah, that makes sense. They are a young team, they are transitioning.” And then to have the year two years ago and 10-6 and maturity shows up and not turning the ball over. Then last year it kind of got juxtapositioned. I don’t know the specific reasons why so I can’t point to it but this is a very good young team that has a chance to come together and now mature as a young team and be pretty good.

Joe: Do you think then that wins over the Saints and the Falcons and jumping out to a 4-2 record were a mirage?

Billick: No, there is no such thing as a mirage in the NFL. You earn every win you can get. It showed their capability. The ability to sustain it over the season, that is when you show the maturity of your team.

Remember when the Bucs fired successful offensive line coach Pete Mangurian, the man who had James Lee, Derek Hardman and Ted Larsen ready to jump off the bench and help win games in 2010?

Well, one theme heard after Mangurian’s exit from various pundits and media types was that Mangurian, a disciplinarian and a longtime colleague of Raheem Morris and a former Patriots tight ends coach, was not a Greg Olson guy. Olson didn’t hire him, and the Bucs were throwing Olson his guy when they hired O-line coach Pat Morris last year, who was one of the highest-paid O-line coaches in the NFL in Minnesosta before he came to Tampa.

So that got Joe wondering, as names of alleged new Bucs assistant coach hires are spread around the Interwebs. If these names have indeed committed to the Bucs, then they weren’t hired by their respective defensive and offensive coordinators.

Is that a problem? Joe doesn’t know. All coaches should be able to be professional and successful — that goes for the coordinators and the assistants — but certainly chemistry with a boss/direct report is important. For example, if the Bucs do hire John Shoop to be offensive coordinator, will he be on board with P.J. Fleck as receivers coach for a very young receiving corps?

Recently, rockstar general manager Mark Dominik referenced Monte Kiffin’s patience and knack for hiring superior assistant coaches from the college ranks. That’s great, but it seems the Bucs’ new defensive coordinator might not be afforded the same opportunity to find the right fits.

Joe’s far more concerned about the chemistry of the coaching staff versus how long it takes the Bucs to find coaches.

One thing does seem certain, the “one voice” Greg Schiano referenced in his opening news conference seems likely to be reflected in the coach-hiring process. The voice will be Schiano’s, as he’ll have made nearly all, if not all the hires.

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Without any upgrade to the secondary, it is a very real possibility Myron Lewis will be a starting cornerback for the Bucs this fall.

Amid all the rumors and guesses people have about who will join Greg Schiano on his first coaching staff with the Bucs, one thing remains certain for Joe: the Bucs secondary needs a great deal of help.

This is not lost on the ProFootballWeekly.com crowd, which has the Bucs secondary as a unit of top concern for the Pewter Pirates.

It’s not clear if Ronde Barber will return, and Aqib Talib’s future is uncertain, too, so there could be major changes on the way at this spot. Those two have been the Bucs’ top corners, and the Bucs don’t have any other players at the position who they think are ready to be full-time starters. Corner will be a priority early in the draft. … Sean Jones, who has started every game at strong safety since the Bucs signed him before the 2010 season, is due to become an unrestricted free agent and he may not fit into the team’s plans. The Bucs are looking for an upgrade here – both vs. the run and in coverage. Jones simply didn’t make many plays, and his performance declined over the course of last season.

Let’s be honest here: It’s quite possible the Bucs will have an completely new secondary come August. Joe doubts Ronde Barber will be back — nothing more than a hunch. Even if — a key if — Aqib Talib escapes both jail time and the court of NFL warden commissioner Roger Goodell, is he really worth all the drama? Schiano may not want any part of him.

Then there are the safeties: Tanard Jackson, after a fine first game, sure looked like he had been out of the league for a year and with one more slip up and he is gone for good. Jackson sure didn’t look like a capable NFL starter the final two months of the season. And yes, Jones may very well be gone too.

So it’s possible that the starting lineup, without any additions, come August will be E.J. Biggers, Myron Lewis, Cody Grimm and Corey Lynch.

This just reinforces Joe’s point that the Bucs need to get their mitts on Mo Claiborne, the studly talented corner out of LSU.

My, how things change in just a year’s time.

Last year when the Bucs finished the season with a 10-6 record, nosed out of the playoffs on a tiebreaker by the eventual Super Bowl champs Green Bay Packers, Bucs fans throughout the globe were geeked as it finally seemed like the Bucs had a potent passing game.

Quarterback Josh Freeman combined with electric rookie No. 1 wide out Mike Williams appeared to be a lethal tandem for years to come.

But days after introducing Greg Schiano as the Bucs new coach after the entire team collapsed in 2011, largely due to bad coaching, now it appears the Bucs are of the belief Williams is not a No. 1 receiver. That’s the word from Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune in a recent Bucs TBO question-and-answer feature.

Q: I agree with some of your recent comments about free agents. What do you think the possibilities of luring Dwayne Bowe here? I think Williams is a No. 2 in this league and Benn would be great in the slot. Your thoughts?

Craig, Tampa

A: I think you’re absolutely right about Mike Williams. Even more importantly, the Bucs feel the same way. As for Benn, the Bucs believe his speed is a big asset that might be wasted in the slot. He’s a faster No. 2 than Williams, but still a No. 2 probably. The Bucs definitely need a deep threat to finish off what is a decent receiving corps and Bowe could help there. He’s worth looking at, so he’s someone to keep on the radar as free agency rolls around.

– Woody Cummings

Well. Joe is happy to read that the Bucs braintrust figured out the weekly Benn’d-around play was not exactly the best way to utilize Arrelious Benn’s talents. Whew.

However, if that is the case, that Bucs coaches were not utilizing Benn properly, why are we to make the leap that this same coaching staff was using Williams appropriately as a No. 1 receiver?

Joe’s of the mind that neither of these receivers were used correctly — that the Bucs’ offensive coaching staff simply couldn’t devise the correct schemes in order for both Williams and Benn to utilize their best skills.

Joe finds it a bit curious that the team has dismissed Williams as a No. 1 receiver after just a few months under poor coaching.

Chucky’s old QB coach John Shoop (2004), a former Bears offensive coordinator (2001-2003), is the latest name to swirl around the Bucs and their many coaching vacancies.

Alex Marvez at FOXSports.com — does this guy have One Buc bugged? — recently Twittered that Shoop is interviewing with the Bucs today for the offensive coordinator gig.

At least Shoop lived and breathed quality NFL football with the Bears back in 2001, when Chicago went 13-3 with Jim Miller and Shane Matthews as QBs before losing to Philadelphia in the playoffs. Coaching under Dick Jauron, Joe suspects Shoop was no puppet for his defensive head coach. Shoop was fired after the Bears went 7-9 in 2003, when they tried to revive Kordell Stewart’s career — bad idea.

Does this mean Ron Turner is a no-go? Joe sure hopes so.

Hopefully Shoop believes the Benn’d around play is something that should only be seen at Mons Venus.

The creator, curator and overall guru of ProFootballTalk.com, the great Mike Florio, discusses the state of the Bucs in this NBCSports.com video. Florio offers a theory that the Bucs’ “chickens have come home to roost.”

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Joe never imagined he’d become so obsessed with Rutgers football.

Reason 1: The last time Joe was on the Rutgers main campus he left fleeing slow-footed dorm security following a brawl Joe didn’t instigate, though Joe did throw a couple of roundhouse rights. 

Reason 2: Rutgers football has improved drastically, but it hasn’t been exciting since Ray Lucas was making plays.

But alas, Joe is now, temporarily, obsessed with Rutgers football as well as Bucs football. So it’s very intriguing to Joe that recent Rutgers offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti, Jr. is now the St. Louis Rams’ quarterbacks coach, so reported Alex Marvez of FOX Sports.

Cignetti, a former Saints and 49ers QB coach, was rumored to be on his way to Tampa Bay. Joe’s not going to assume the Bucs lost out on this guy, but that wouldn’t look good if they did. Joe certainly hopes Cignetti didn’t go to St. Louis because alleged Bucs offensive-coordinator-in-waiting Ron Turner didn’t want him.

As for a tight ends coach, per the Rutgers campus newspaper, The Daily Targum, Rutgers tight ends coach Brian Angelichio is likely to head to Tampa. Angelichio coached tight ends at the University of Pittsburgh before joining Rutgers. Prior to that he spent 10 coaching at Division III Ithaca Collage.

Joe wonders how Kellen Winslow would respond to that guy.

Bucs fans are growing restless with the deliberate method by which Greg Schiano has taken on the task of filling the Bucs’ coaching staff with credible men.

Fear not Bucs fans, you should not feel guilty. It seems eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune believes your fears have merit.

Tuesday, speaking on “Primetime” co-hosted by Ronnie Lane and Tom Krasniqi on WHBO-AM 1040, Kaufman suggested the Bucs and Schiano in particular are up against a tight deadline to fill staff vacancies without repercussions to the team.

“I believe by the end of this week, [the Bucs] will have a complete offensive staff or a complete defensive staff or even more. Guys, the clock is ticking. People say, what’s the big deal? Well, it is. You have to send your guys down to Indy in a couple of weeks for that combine. You have to start making preparations. You want your coaches involved in free agency deliberations. There is a time factor here. I don’t think they have another month to put this thing together. It’s a little bit discouraging what has gone on so far. Not jumping the gun and saying this is going to be a terrible staff. I will be shocked, gentlemen — shocked — if the entire staff is made up of college coaches. Then the Bucs will merit criticism.

It doesn’t appear the Bucs will have all college coaches, as one of the names rumored to join the Bucs on the offensive side of the ball is the notorious Ron Turner, who frankly should have stayed in college.

Joe’s of the mind that if Turner is to be named offensive coordinator, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik should immediately get on the phone and call Jacksonville quarterback coach Greg Olson to ask (beg?) if he will return as the Bucs offensive coordinator.

Earlier today, Alex Marvez of FoxSports.com reported Bucs new coach Greg Schiano is nearly finished compiling his new staff.

One name that popped up is defensive backs coach Jeff Hafley. It seems like that is a done deal for Hafley to come to Tampa Bay. Bucs defensive back Larry Asante is Twittering that Hafley is indeed the Bucs’ new defensive backs coach.

Hafley comes from — wait for it — Rutgers! Prior to joining Schiano last season, Hafley worked for Dave Wannstedt at Pitt.

LeGarrette Blount doesn’t get too much time in front of the camera, so Joe wants to be sure you see this recent NFL.com/NFL Network interview of the Bucs’ beastly running back.

Just click on the link and the video will open.

You’ll see great NFL Films views of some of Blount’s runs, plus Blount clearly is excited by the thought of a head coach that is committed to running the football.

Joe hopes this isn’t true. Let Joe explain.

Alex Marvez, who is a very-well-plugged-in NFL type who writes for FoxSports.com and works for SiriusXM NFL Radio, just posted a report that new Bucs coach Greg Schiano has his staff just about set.

A source told FOXSports.com that Ron Turner and Bill Lazor are among the candidates being considered at offensive coordinator. Schiano also will be adding three of his former staff members at Rutgers University — Bob Fraser (linebackers), Brian Angelichio (tight ends) and Jeff Haley (assistant defensive backs coach).

This frightens Joe to his very bones. Ron Turner is a horrible quarterback coach and has — at best — an underwhelming resume as an offensive coordinator. Unless a guy’s name is “Mike Martz,” why in the world would anyone want a jettisoned Bears quarterback coach?

Currently, Turner’s career highlight is developing Kurt Kittner.

Oh, and he got run from Illinois for having a putrid offense as well.

Joe is crossing his fingers this report is inaccurate, if for no other reason than for Josh Freeman’s career.

Gerald McCoy has been awfully chatty of late about jettisoned Bucs coach Raheem Morris, which sheds more light into how and why the grotesque 10-game collapse took place.

Last week from Indianapolis Joe brought word, via “The Godfather,” Gil Brandt, that GMC told Brandt how he hopes new Bucs coach Greg Schiano is organized.

Now comes more GMC critique of his old coach, this time via popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, fried chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, beer-chugging Peter King of Sports Illustrated, tucked away in his must-read “Monday Morning Quarterback” column, where King also wagged a finger — like Joe — warning GMC to stay away from that old hag Madonna.

I think that was a cringing moment, when Gerald McCoy, working for whatever that Chad Ochocinco channel is, got up at the Madonna press conference and asked her for some career advice. Ouch. But I hand it to McCoy for his honesty when I saw him during the week. I told him new Bucs coach Greg Schiano would bring hardline discipline and organization to Tampa Bay. “Good,” McCoy said. “We need it.” We saw that last year.

Man, things must have been a nightmare the way things are slowly seeping out of One Buc Palace and from Bucs players chattering about Morris to others.

Maybe Schiano’s organization can garner the Bucs a pair of wins this season no matter how many college coaches are on his staff.

No relation to the legendary big man who changed the NBA forever, Packers tight ends coach Ben McAdoo joins the growing list of coaches the Bucs were interested in but won’t be hiring.

Green Bay has exercised its right to deny the Bucs a shot at interviewing/hiring McAdoo for their offensive coordinator gig, so claims Jason La Canfora, of NFL.com.

Schiano recently lost out on his top choice for offensive coordinator when Arizona refused to let then-wide receivers coach John McNulty interview; McNulty eventually became the quarterbacks coach.

Schiano could end up having to hire a number of his former Rutgers staffers. The overall inexperience of former coach Raheem Morris’s staff was a big issue for Tampa and led to his eventual departure. Tampa began its coaching search by interviewing almost exclusively veteran NFL coaches with significant pro head coaching experience.

Clearly the Bucs are paying a price diving into the assistant coach search late in the game, and/or rockstar general manager Mark Dominik and Greg Schiano are being incredibly thorough and deliberate.

McAdoo was in the mix to become the Packers new offensive coordinator, but Tom Clements was promoted into that gig late last week — another name the Bucs can cross off their list.