Yes, this is a sad Christmas Eve tradition for Joe but it is an otherwise hopeful Christmas as it appears Santa has given the Bucs a playoff berth with bright and shiny things to come in the coming year.

Meaningful football games in January for a change!

The following is an example to demonstrate how the snooping of the federal government upon innocents can get out of hand without proper checks and balances.

On his rounds from the North Pole this evening, Santa Claus was detained by TSA agents — tipped off by the IRS thugs — who have decided to call in the notorious Jack Bauer to interrogate Santa in the bowels of CTU, presumably for not wearing a mask while flying over the left coast and suspected of having a small business open.

(This, boys and girls, is why you cough up the $85 so you too can utilize TSA Pre.)

Dealin.’

With NFL failure and former Bucs fourth-string quarterback Josh Rosen getting picked up by John Lynch and the 49ers, it left a hole on the ever-popular practice squad. [read more]

Scotty Miller

From Lakeland to Largo, Buccaneers fans have been talking about their beloved team’s maddening slow starts. [read more]

Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians.

[UPDATE: 3:16 p.m.: Carlton Davis is listed as doubtful for Saturday on the Bucs’ Thursday injury report.]

Last night on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Bucco Bruce Arians sounded as if Bucs corner Carlton Davis might not play Saturday in the team’s final regular season road game at Detroit. [read more]

Mike Evans has the extra attention of his head coach

Mike Evans is on cusp of major NFL history and he might need his head coach’s help to get there.

So Joe asked Bucco Bruce Arians about the situation today. [read more]

Bucco Bruce Arians

Bucco Bruce Arians is 68 years old and has survived cancer and other medical issues. [read more]

Bucs OC Byron Leftwich.

In Joe’s mind, the absolute worst coach (in any sport) is the type who thinks he has everything figured out, won’t listen to anyone (in particular, players) and doesn’t try to learn and adapt. [read more]

[UPDATE: 10:22 a.m.] Seems like the Lions will be coached on defense by quality control assistants.

The Lions will be on their third head coach of the season Saturday when they host the Bucs. [read more]

TAMPA TWO is firing back up with Episode 1 of this week. Buccaneers legend Derrick Brooks and Ira Kaufman serve up their special brand of sage analysis. All the fun is presented by The Identity Tampa Bay and Joe.

Questions Bruce Arians.

This entire conversation came across to Joe like the theater of the absurd. [read more]

This is Day 9 for 900-yard rusher Ronald Jones on the NFL’s COVID reserve list, and a Bucs official has provided insight into what life away from the team has been like for the Tampa Bay running back. [read more]

Carlton Davis fans won’t like this news. [read more]

No harm, no foul.

A sect of folks in the Tampa Bay area still believe Father Dungy walks on water, even though he gets way too much credit for acquiring the talent of the Bucs’ glory years and way underachieved with that same talent. [read more]

Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians.

For a good chunk of the Lost Decade, one could Google penalty stats on NFL teams and it was not uncommon to find the Bucs as one of the most penalized teams in the NFL. [read more]

Bucs DC Todd Bowles.

By all accounts, Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is a man of few words. He may be less talkative (around those not in his inner circle) than Father Dungy, who was known for his calm demeanor. [read more]

Early in his weekly news conference today, Tom Brady said he’s faced physical, mental and emotional challenges this season.

So Joe followed up to ask Brady what an “emotional challenge” is and what that looks like for him in 2020. [read more]