Makes case to stay.

Joe hates to be repetitive but it is so mind-blowing given the Bucs’ history, both recent and distant, it bears typing again. [read more]

Peyton Barber reacts

A couple of times the past week or so, Dirk Koetter kind of sighed that the Bucs defense was getting the better of the offense in practice. [read more]

With all the positives out of last night’s game, Joe was actually fired up most about rookie safety Jordan Whitehead, the Bucs’ fourth-round pick who happens to be Darrelle Revis’ cousin. [read more]

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Is preseason great again? Last night was for Bobby Fenton, @bobbygameday. A Bucs fan from his days in the womb, Bobby has plenty to say about the Bucs’ debut and more. It’s never boring on The Free Stretch! Dive in right here and right now above, or listen and/or subscribe free at  iTunes and Google Play. Listen or download above. 

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No time to relax in bid to start

With Caleb Benenoch getting a shot to win or lose the starting right guard position, and rookie Alex Cappa also getting plenty of work there in training camp, it seems many (including Joe) seemed to forget that veteran offensive lineman Evan Smith is still on the roster. [read more]

Not there yet.

Yeah, Bucs stud defensive tackle Gerald McCoy was happy the Bucs pulled out a win last night. He said if a score is kept, the goal is to win. Period. [read more]

Did his hometown proud.

It wasn’t the greatest debut of a Bucs defender, but the longer he stayed in the game, the better he got. [read more]

A Bucs icon weighs in

During last night’s victory against the Dolphins, America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, took a checkdown throw very quickly to Jacquizz Rodgers on 3rd-and-10 and the field goal unit trotted onto the field.

Man, Joe couldn’t remember the last time Jameis did that. [read more]

BY IRA KAUFMAN

The Bucs had lost five consecutive preseason openers, so there are plenty of positives to feel good about after Thursday night’s victory.

There were also several areas of concern because the Dolphins moved the football up and down the field all evening. Let’s give Tampa Bay an overall grade of “B” as the Bucs move on to next week’s scrimmages and matchup in Nashville.

Here are 10 of the particulars: [read more]

Ran like a starter.

For the past two years, the Bucs simply have not had a running game. [read more]

“Dang Fitz, you looked like you played this game before.”

Lovie Smith always used to talk about fast starts — when he wasn’t talking about takeaways and talking up the Hall of Fame skills of Mike Jenkins. [read more]

Dreadful.

Until or unless Bucs embattled cornerback Ryan Smith gets coached up, he’s going to cost someone or some people their jobs. [read more]

Mixed reviews from the head coach

You saw rookie RB Ronald Jones score his first professional touchdown run tonight, a two-yarder after left tackle Michael Liedtke blew a hole open for him.

And you saw Jones flash his KY hands with a bad drop. [read more]

Dripping with sarcasm

Your beloved Buccaneers marched down and scored a touchdown in their first possession tonight in Miami.

It felt like a Christmas miracle, but only for about 25 seconds. [read more]

Ronde Barber has spent a lot of time at Jason Licht’s side this month

During tonight’s TV broadcast of the Bucs-Dolphins game, analyst and Buccaneers icon Ronde Barber made it very clear that he’s had recent chats with Jason Licht, Dirk Koetter and Mike Smith. [read more]

Fire up the in-game chatter in the comments section all throughout tonight’s preseason opener in South Florida.

Please keep it respectful, but don’t hesitate to mix it up. Joe is live on the scene and come back all through the night.

There’s so much to keep an eye on, even in the second half when future gym teachers, grad students, and mattress movers take the field against Fins.

Go Bucs!

Bucs need him healthy. Mike Evans recalls a moment.
(Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)

Tonight, Bucs fans won’t see Brent Grimes. [read more]

Half of magic pair?

Batman and Robin. Moe and Curly. Maris and Mantle. Grant and Sherman. Roth and Van Halen. Montana and Rice. History shows when there is a magic pair that has chemistry, they can live through the ages. [read more]

A couple of renowned Bucs have been talking independently about standout (so far) rookie cornerback M.J. Stewart. [read more]

Dirk Koetter is a no-nonsense guy. If you ask him a question, you will likely get a (good), direct answer. Or you might get a short, bark of a retort. Far more often than not, Koetter is patient with sometimes uncomfortable questions from reporters. [read more]