Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan confesses his adoration for Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber and how he often talks trash via text with Raheem Morris in this CSNWashington.com video.

Joe recently had the chance to talk with rookie cornerback Myron Lewis. Given all the injuries to the Bucs secondary, the Vanderbilt graduate will see plenty of playing time the rest of the season.

JoeBucsFan: It’s pretty impressive that you have lost so many players in the secondary to injuries and other things, but still the secondary plays well. Can you explain that?

Myron Lewis: As a DB, you always have to be ready to accept the challenge. If a player goes down you always have to be ready to go out there and put up the effort and stand up. Football is all about competition. All of us our teammates. When we’re on the sidelines we’re cheering them on. When they have to come to the sidelines and we are on the field, they are cheering us on.

Joe: How much does it help to have Ronde Barber around here to help you out, a guy who has seen so much in the NFL?

Lewis: It’s great to have Ronde. He’s the guru of the team. He knows everything, all the positions on the field. He knows how to get us lined up right. He knows the plays that are coming before the play even happens. He’s been around the league so long that it’s like second nature.

Joe: Do you guys lean on him?

Lewis: Oh, yeah. He’s the father of our defense.

Joe: What has been the biggest challenge for you this year? Was it earlier in the year when you were dinged up?

Lewis: Yeah, it’s always frustrating when you are hurt. You want to be out there on the field. But when you are hurt, you try to take it day by day.

Derek “Old School” Fournier of WhatTheBuc.net wonders aloud whether Bucs offensive coordinator Greg Olson will stick with the run and pound the soft Redskins rush defense?

The way Joe has read about the weather and field conditions of FedEx Field, Joe is sure hoping the Bucs have flexible hamstrings.

It appears that the turf of FedEx Field is a complete mess for tomorrow’s game against the Redskins, so reports eye-RAH! of the Tampa Tribune Twittering on the TBO Bucs Twitter feed.

If the Bucs think they played on sloppy turf last week in Tampa, wait until they get a look at rain-soaked FedEx Field tomorrow.

This is what concerns Joe. The Bucs will be playing in cold weather, conducive to pulled muscles. The very last thing the Bucs need is for more injuries, whether nagging or major. The Bucs are banged up as it is. No need for more Red Cross cases.

Ryan O’Halloran discusses the Redskins chances Sunday in this CSWashington.com video.

The beast of a man who drags defenders and punishes all in his path (except when he needs just one yard) wants the Bucs to throw him the ball.

You could hear the drool dripping down LeGarrette Blount’s face just talking about bearing down on defensive backs last night on the Buccaneers Radio Network. 

“I hope they start throwing me the ball more.  I’m just learning the pass routes. I’ve been on that a lot lately. So here in the last few weeks I’ve been learning that a lot. And I’ve got it down pat for the most part. So I’m definitely hoping in the last four games that I can get the ball out in space with some DBs,” Blount said.

Blount rates his hands as a “10” on a scale from 1 to 10.

Joe remembers when it was said Cadillac Williams couldn’t catch the ball out of the backfield. And Caddy later talked about how he always had good hands but just wasn’t getting a chance.

Of course, Joe can only imagine Blount catching one of those little tosses that used to go Mike Alstott’s way before Chucky decided those effective plays were beneath his intelligence.

It’ll be interesting to see if Blount gets his number called before the season is done.

THE OPTIMIST explains that John McKay and Tony Dungy were completely screwed out of Coach of the Year honors. THE OPTIMIST says Raheem Morris has to get the award if the Bucs finish 10-6.

You’ve all read THE PESSIMIST, who spews his Bucs-related anger like no other. But Joe also wants you to know THE OPTIMIST. 

THE OPTIMIST is Nick Houllis, a Bucs fan and an accomplished writer whose steadfast allegiance to the team 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.

One important issue was left out of last week’s buzz over former Bucs head coach John McKay and his induction into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ring of Honor. 

They talked about his one-liners, and how he brought an expansion team to the brink of a Super Bowl in 1979, they brought his famous golf cap to 53,000 Bucs fans, but they left out one piece of information that few will consider.

John McKay was passed over for NFL Coach of the Year in 1979 for Jack Pardee, head coach of the Washington Redskins, who did not even make it to the playoffs that year.

You would think if you take a team that goes 0-26, worst team in the history of the NFL, and turn them into division champions in only their fourth year of existence, you would get the honor.

John McKay, like his football team, was overlooked.

Fassell Trumped Dungy

Fast forward 18 years, 15 of which were double-digit losing seasons, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a new coach who turned around the losingest franchise in the last two decades! It was a given right; anyone who could end the Bucs’ 14 straight years of losing football would be a lock for coach of the year.

Tony Dungy came along, and turned it all around. But “Coach of the Year” for 1997 was given to Jim Fassell of the New York Giants.

Tony Dungy not only got robbed that year he outcoached the winner in week 13. Jim Fassel took a delay of game penalty to try and draw the Bucs offside on fourth down, costing the team five yards moments before Brad Daluiso missed a 47-yard FG. Then, trailing 14-8 with 12:02 left in the game at the Bucs’ 47, Fassel elected to go for it on 4th-and-1 and Tyrone Wheatley was stuffed for no gain by safety John Lynch. The Bucs used the field position and a pass interference call to set up Errict Rhett’s one-yard TD run to put the game away.

Fassell got Coach of the Year; Tony Dungy got two playoff games.

Twice then the Bucs head coach accomplished something incredible, yet excuses were made instead for why other coaches were given awards they deserved.

Raheem Morris needs to be made Coach of the Year if the Bucs finish 10-6 regardless of whether the team makes the playoffs, which didn’t matter in 1979 and shouldn’t now.

A Case For Raheem

Tell me someone who has done better with what he has had to work with. Bucs players have been transferring from regular roster to I.R. at an alarming rate!

Tanard Jackson gets suspended — so Cody Grimm steps in and does great. Grimm goes down, Corey Lynch takes over and Roddy White is held to under 100 yards.

Of course, its not all at safety; Aqib Talib goes down and E.J. Biggers goes on to help with the 100-yard shut down.

Cadillac Williams to LeGarrette Blount, rookies everywhere, Erik Lorig as a defensive end to starting at fullback, and the Bucs continued to win with players from different positions. What do they all have in common? Raheem Morris has coached them all up.

So who would Morris go up against? Probably the best competition would be St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo, who like Raheem is in his sophomore season as the team leader. Unlike Morris however, his team won only one game last year, and NO ONE was calling for his job.

But while Raheem’s Bucs get criticized for not beating any winning teams, at least the Bucs are arguably a member of the league’s toughest division: the NFC South. Spagnuolo’s Rams deserve a lot of credit, but they are in the NFC West where two teams are tied for the division lead with 6-6 records. It’s entirely possible the division winner could get into the playoffs with a 7-9 record, and host a home game!

Todd Haley is another who comes to mind that could be considered if the award is going to be leaguewide. Haley also enters his second season as head coach, but he is an offensive guy and the Kansas City Chiefs are making waves in the AFC with their defense.

Todd was the offensive coordinator for the Cardinals, and Dallas Cowboys during those two teams recent good years. But this team has had an influx of talent from both team and front office personnel that has a very heavy New England Patriots flair to it. Matt Cassel QB, Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis, Defensive Coordinator Romeo Crennel all have head coaching experience. With a staff like that, and proven veterans like Thomas Jones, Mike Vrabel and Brandon Flowers, rising to the top of the semi-weak AFC West isn’t really that much of a feat now is it?

And Maybe Jack Del Rio deserves a little attention for his Jacksonville Jaguars who are also 7-5 and in first place in the AFC South.

But Raheem needs to get the award in his pocket for 2010, because if it waits one more year, then everyone is going to say the Bucs were expected to do well, so their effort would not be “Coach of the Yearish” in nature as the effort this season.

No, 2010 is the year that Raheem Morris should be recognized for the efforts he has put forward in preparing this team to fight until the very end of games, with all the comebacks, and even in the blow out early season losses, the players never got down and always responded with great efforts.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Bucs really beat down Washington, nor should it be a shock to find our head coach recognized as the best one of the 2010 season.

Joe wasn’t aware the Bucs changed their team name to “You Guys,” but in this video Emory Hunt of FootballGamePlan.com discusses how the “You Guys” can beat the Redskins.

What a great day for a new ride!

Shop online now at Ed Morse Auto Plaza or visit their great selection on U.S. Hwy. 19 in Port Richey. Don’t forget to follow them on Facebook to win great prizes. More Bucs jerseys to be given away Dec. 20.

Joe’s good friend and sometimes Saturday radio personality Justin Pawlowski of WDAE-AM 620 gives his weekly fantasy football advice. Also included in this video is breaking news for all football fans and Justin decided to serenade viewers with a Polish tune of some sort.

Joe so very much appreciates an unsanitized NFL player interview. They are far too rare in this world of politically correct BS that has permated every aspect of society.

This is one reason why Joe is a big Donald Penn fan. The man delivers his truth brilliantly and naturally, arguably the best interview on the Bucs.

Penn kept it real this week in an interview for the real man channel – NFL Network. The Bucs have it up on their website for all to watch.

Penn was asked if it bugs him that he doesn’t have a Pro Bowl on his resume. Here’s Penn’s response:

“It bothers me. It bothers me so much. You guys have no idea. I mean, I’ve been working hard. I’m kind of a cocky guy. I have a lot of faith in myself and stuff I do. I think I should be in there. I know I’m a Pro Bowl caliber guy. You know, I wasn’t a first round pick. I don’t play for the Dallas Cowboys or Washington Redskins, New York Giants, you know where they get all the pub. Philadelphia Eagles, where they’re on TV every week. …It’s hard for the world to see what I can do. …If you watch film, my film doesn’t lie.”

Lots of other good stuff in the interview.

Joe hopes to see Penn get his Pro Bowl honor in a couple of weeks. Outside of a legend nod to Ronde Barber, Joe doubts any other Buccaneer has a shot.

Regular readers know how fond Joe is of Pat Kirwan and the many different hats he wears in his many web/TV/radio gigs talking NFL. The former Jets player personnel executive explains to Jason Horowitz in this CBSSports.com video that all the injuries the Bucs have incurred leave him “nervous.”

Joe routinely listens to the Total Access player shows on the Buccaneers Radio Network to try and glean a nugget or two of interest during the one-hour sessions, which are often love feasts rivaling a Karl Rove interview on FOX News.

On Thursday, host Scott Ledger sat down for The Josh Freeman Show, and Freeman talked about the final Bucs drive against the Falcons and had a pensive-sounding moment when he said he lost the game for his team before getting cut off quickly by Ledger.

“When we got the ball back [trailing in the fourth quarter] we were all just kind of like, ‘Alright, let’s get this thing over with and go ahead and win this game.’ I mean everyone in the huddle, we knew we were going to get it done,” Freeman said. “It’s a great play by [Brent] Grimes. That’s all. You hate to be the guy that loses a game for the team.”

“Nananananana. No. No. No,” Ledger interjected.

Freeman then tried to talk over Ledger. “I mean, yeah, it’s rough. It really was. But at the same time my teammates were like, ‘Hey, it’s all right, man, we’ll get’em next time,’ Freeman said.

Joe appreciated learning that Freeman’s mindset is that he was the goat of the day Sunday. That was a real “total access” moment for fans before it was cut off.

Joe surely didn’t feel for a moment that that Freeman was a goat when he tossed the game-ending interception Sunday. Joe’s mind was going more toward the death knell that was the 102-yard kickoff return by the Falcons and the gaffes on defense late.

But it makes sense that Freeman put the loss on himself. He threw the pick.

Freeman went on to talk about the Bucs’ desire to meet Atlanta in the playoffs.

“We really feel like if we can go out and run the table we’ll have a chance to back to Atlanta. That would be the ideal matchup,” Freeman said.

Of course, the Falcons are on track to have an opening-week bye in the playoffs. So if Freeman’s goal comes to fruition, that would mean the Bucs would face Atlanta after winning a playoff game of their own. Joe would like the Bucs chances if that came to pass.

As Joe sifts through the usual bizarre flow of e-mail in his inbox, Joe can’t help but notice there are more than a few fans tickled by the news on NFL.com that Bill Cowher is talking about coaching again.

You’d think Rachel Watson just arrived at these readers’ homes in a thong demanding to play leap frog. 

Sure, Cowher was rumored to be under consideration to take Raheem Morris’ place following the 2009 season. But the guy clearly was never serious about coaching anywhere. And the Bucs are 7-5 with a roster on the rise. 

Like nearly every head coach in the NFL, Morris has detractors.

But despite being the frontrunner for Coach of the Year honors, Morris hasn’t been publicly assured of his job for next season and beyond. It’s been reported that Team Glazer holds a two-year option it can exercise to lock up Raheem through the 2012 season.

Joe wonders when that will happen.

Brethrens of The News Center, video star Anwar Richardson and Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, are taking Bucs coach Raheem Morris to task this morning.

It seems Raheem is saying the Bucs cannot use youth as an excuse for their recent losing ways, a two-game losing streak. Joe seems to side with Raheem on this issue and Cummings makes Joe’s case late in this TBO Bucs vlog.

Please monitor the video and let Joe know your reaction to both Richardson’s and Cummings’ analysis.

Back for his weekly trip to the end zone of the NFL universe, popular radio personality Adam Schein travels through football space and time outs. Consider yourself sucked into the latest episode of Cosmic Schein!

Video: Cosmic Schein: Week 14

It was perhaps the signature play in the Bucs’ run to the Super Bowl. It may be the signature play in Bucs history: Ronde Barber taking a Donovan McNabb pass 92 yards to the house to send the Bucs to their first Super Bowl.

Joe is confident every Bucs fan knows exactly where he was at, what he was doing, what he was drinking at that very moment Barber crossed the goal line.

Barber has always tormented McNabb. If there is one player that has haunted McNabb the most, it has been Barber.

The two meet again, as Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune points out, likely for the last time. The two are in their mid-30s and Barber has not yet made a decision on whether he will return for a 2011 season (if there is a 2011 season).

Richardson offers proof that Barber is in McNabb’s head.

It could be their final meeting. McNabb is 34; Barber is 35.

“Ronde has made some plays, obviously, as we all know,” McNabb said. “He’s a talented guy, one that might possibly find himself in the Hall of Fame. Maybe I’ll do his speech.”

McNabb might have a lot to say after the game. Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib sustained a season-ending hip injury during last Sunday’s 28-24 loss to Atlanta, meaning Barber’s responsibilities are expected to increase.

Joe thinks it’s a safe bet that given Barber’s domination of McNabb and the fact the Bucs will be using a number of young defensive backs due to injuries, McNabb will rarely throw Barber’s way.

If nothing else, it’s a sign of respect for a guy that has cost McNabb more than a few sleepless nights.

There is no question the Bucs offense turned the corner when the Bucs offensive coordinator began to give LeGarrette Blount the damned ball.

Even Joe could tell the difference through the fog of several adult beverages.

It was the game at Arizona. Blount was running wild. So much so the Cardinals began stacking the box and suddenly the Bucs’ passing game blew up.

This was not a coincidence. For the first time all season opponents had to respect the Bucs’ running game which freed up so many other elements of the  offense.

But the sad thing is, despite being a hulking 250 pounds, Blount has struggled to gain a simple yard when needed. That’s because the pride of Perry, when he played at Oregon, never, ever had to do such a thing, documents good guy Stephen Holder of the St. Petersburg Times.

So while it might be surprising to see Blount get tackled for a loss on third and 1, remember, this is all new to him.

“You don’t take the ball and go downhill at Oregon,” Blount said. “You take the ball and go lateral. Then, when you see an opening, that’s when you get vertical. That helped me a lot with being patient.”

It’s a quality that has served him well at times, allowing blocks to develop, then slamming into available crevices. But that’s not the idea when all that stands between the Bucs and the end zone is 36 inches.

Yeah, it sounds simple to get the ball and run over a linebacker or a cornerback filling the gap. But when you have been taught for years to do other things in a different running style, just changing overnight isn’t as simple as it may appear.

Give Blount time. He’ll learn. Shoot, anyone remember how Mike Alstott used to put the ball on the ground almost as much as a Trent Dilfer pass attempt? Alstott adapted and changed and stopped the fumbling.

Blount can change as well.

For more on Blount, monitor Joe later this morning for a special Cosmic Schein.

Jonathan Forsythe, LaVar Arrington, Rick Maese and Cheeseboy break down the Bucs in this Washington Post video, and largely crucify the Redskins.

Of course Jeremy Trueblood is upset with losing his starting gig. Joe can understand that.

But what impresses Joe is Trueblood’s reaction to the demotion.

Rather than stomp his feet and whine constantly to whoever will listen, the former starting right tackle wants just one thing to happen in the next month: playoffs, so he told eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune.

“It’s disappointing, but I’m trying to be a team player first,” Trueblood said Wednesday. “It’s more disappointing than anything else, anger too, but honestly I can’t be that mad. I have a job playing a kid’s game.

“I just want to contribute to wins,” said Trueblood, a potential free agent in 2011. “I don’t like standing on the sidelines. This is when it gets exciting and you’d like to be in there. If I’ve got to be a good team guy and get our defense ready, that’s what I’ve got to do. Things happen and I realize that. James Lee is my friend and I wish him the best. I don’t want him to do bad so I can go back in there … I want him to succeed so the team does well.”

How refreshing is that? Joe has newfound respect for Trueblood, who Joe always liked, the brainfart penalties he was usually guilty of notwithstanding.

With this kind of a team attitude, Joe would love to see Trueblood stick around.

It’s Thursday so that means it’s Jenny Dell Day here at JoeBucsFan.com. The gorgeous Jenny Dell spouts her statistical mumbo jumbo about the Bucs-Redskins game Sunday in this BSPN video.