It’s the weekly, 24-hour Bruce Arians Confidence Poll. Posted at 12:51 p.m. See last week’s results here.

What to do?

The more Joe thinks about it, the more Joe is of the mind this needs to happen for Bucs sack king Shaq Barrett. [read more]

Ira’s award-winning column pops three times a week. Click through here to shop the great deals at BillCurrieFord.com.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

So what are we to make of these Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the three-quarter pole?

For one thing, they’re playing good football, particularly in the past two weeks on the road. They kicked Atlanta’s butt, then humbled the Jaguars amid strong indications this defense has jelled.

You can appreciate the improvement — or wonder why it has taken so long for this team to come together. Both sides of the equation have their merits. [read more]

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There’s high-fiving and a lot of cautious Bucs optimism and deep analysis in this episode with The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports. Always a fun ride with Joe, though Ira shares his Thanksgiving driving mishap, too. The Ira Kaufman Podcast is presented by Bill Currie Ford, where all 2019 models must go and prices are at record lows! And thanks to Buffalo Wild Wings and Pin Chasers.

Click play above or listen at iTunes, Google Play or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too. Stay informed, thinking and smiling (crying?). Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy!

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Confidence building.

Yeah, football coaches will detail the importance of turnovers. Some (coughLovieSmithcough) take it to the absurd level and forget about having a decent team first. [read more]

Beasting. Again.

For a pair of consecutive games in early October, opponents figured out Bucs outside linebacker Shaq Barrett. [read more]

Joe walked out of the Gator Bowl Sunday night — that place changes names every two years it seems so it will always be the “Gator Bowl” to Joe — happy for a Bucs win that sure didn’t feel like a win. [read more]

Remember those crazed, playoff-hopeful Bucs optimists Joe wrote about three weeks ago, they were seen marching through downtown Dunedin in the wee hours this morning. [read more]

Firm words for a former Buccaneer

Joe loves when former Buccaneers call it straight. [read more]

Streak snapped.

Lost in the win yesterday was a downer. A strong offensive streak came to an end. [read more]

Last month on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Bucco Bruce Arians talked about the irony of how sack artists get paid for one great play per game but offensive linemen get skewered by fans for 59 good plays and one bad one. [read more]

Happy with secondary.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Bucs have Mr. Entertainment.

And the defensive side of the ball, the Bucs have “fun” players. That nugget comes from none other than Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians. [read more]

A little postgame locker room intensity never gets old. [read more]

An ex-Buc weighs in on the future

A former Buccaneer likes the “recipe” for the Tampa Bay defense.

Joe agrees, but the problem is the Bucs won’t be able to afford all the ingredients. [read more]

Game-changer.

The Bucs were leading 7-0 and the lead was about to get bigger. [read more]

The bye weeks are finished and stats across the NFL finally are on an even plane.

And two gunslingers stand out from the crowd. [read more]

Anoints Bucs defender.

One of the elite watchers and chroniclers of America’s Game has stepped out upon his balcony, lifted his staff in the air and bestowed upon the thousands that beckon his golden words that a Bucs player was one of the best the NFL had to offer Sunday. [read more]

Lauded by columnist.

Bucs tight end O.J. Howard caught five passes yesterday and shared the team lead in catches with Breshad Perriman.

And for that, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht gets the props. [read more]

“Jason, either spend money on defense of use the draft capital.”

Yes!!

Our beloved Bucs victory yesterday only cost them one spot in the current 2020 NFL Draft order.

Anyone up for cornerback Kristian Fulton out of LSU? [read more]