“That Wouldn’t Be The Answer”

October 17th, 2018

Dirk Koetter has said a couple of times that he wouldn’t get too involved with the Buccaneers defense led by Mike Smith because he’d probably get in the way and wouldn’t add much value to an experienced staff. [read more]

Gerald McCoy, Vinny Curry Don’t Practice

October 17th, 2018

The injury bug has returned to bite the Buccaneers defense. [read more]

Offense Feeling Heat

October 17th, 2018

Gravity of Mike Smith firing felt by offense.

This is a remarkable time to be a Bucs fan. The offense is humming like never before, but — ugh! — the defense. [read more]

New Beginning — Or The Beginning Of The End

October 17th, 2018

BY IRA KAUFMAN

In theory, every NFL regular-season game counts the same.

You win, you lose or you tie and it all goes into the mix. You have 16 opportunities to put your best self forward and at the end of the year, you are what your record says you are.

So how come this one feels different? [read more]

Derrick Brooks Talks Mike Smith Firing, Atlanta Loss & More

October 17th, 2018

TAMPA TWO is on!! Derrick Brooks takes on the tough questions of the day — your questions — with sage columnist Ira Kaufman.Click below and enjoy this great production from The Identity Tampa Bay and JoeBucsFan.com, presented by Caldeco Air Conditioning & Heating.   

Duffner Says He Already Knows Players Personally — On Both Sides Of The Football

October 17th, 2018

Man of the people

Joe already has written that newly-promoted Bucs defensive coordinator Mark Duffner is one super-high-energy coach — and part of that extends to getting to know a big roster. [read more]

Mark Duffner Will Roam The Sidelines

October 17th, 2018

Newly-promoted Bucs defensive coordinator Mark Duffner will bring his high-energy brand of coaching to the sidelines. Nope, he won’t be high in a booth like ousted Mike Smith was. [read more]

It Didn’t Matter

October 17th, 2018

“Well Mike, who are fans going to blame Chris Conte on now?”

This really shouldn’t surprise many Bucs fans. [read more]

Browns Run Defense Stinks

October 17th, 2018

“Let’s maul.”

Last week, the Bucs faced a Falcons team with a poor run defense and — Poof! — the Tampa Bay ran the ball successfully. [read more]

Back In The Kick Return Cellar

October 17th, 2018

You know what’s a bad NFL combination? Owning a horrendous defense and the worst kickoff return unit in the NFL. [read more]

Creative, But Poor Execution

October 17th, 2018

Breaks down final play — video style!

Man, if only the Bucs could have made that final play work. [read more]

Consistency The Final Frontier

October 17th, 2018

Dirk Koetter explains his quarterback’s lone flaw. (video)

Joe damn near lost his mind reading the JoeBucsFan Twitter feed Sunday night into Monday. [read more]

Team Glazer Loot And Mike Smith

October 17th, 2018

Was accounting at play in jettisoning Mike Smith?

Now this is a unique angle Joe didn’t put a whole lot of thought into.

Maybe he should have? [read more]

Defining A No. 1 Running Back

October 16th, 2018

Joe has noticed a faction of Bucs fans that doesn’t consider Peyton Barber a No. 1 running back, and these same people get agitated when Joe refers to him as such. [read more]

Ira Talks Mike Smith Firing & Aftermath, Who Ordered The Hit, Outside Help, And Much More

October 16th, 2018

Tampa Bay’s only Pro Football Hall of Fame voter doesn’t hold back in his take on various elements tied to the firing of Mike Smith and its aftermath. Regardless, it’s always a fun and informative time on the Ira Kaufman Podcast presented by Ed Morse Cadillac Tampa and Ed Morse Cadillac Brandon.

Click play above or tune in at iTunes, Google Play or Podbean.com. And you can find it on the Google Play podcast “Top Charts,” ALL genres. Stay informed, thinking and smiling every single Tuesday & Thursday — and there is NO offseason.

Listening to “The Sage” is fun, free and easy. Enjoy!

Deeper Issues On Defense?

October 16th, 2018

Sounds off on defense.

Joe is confident you watched Booger McFarland give his two cents into the firing yesterday of Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith. But there was something Booger said that got Joe’s attention. [read more]

Booger: Next In Line Is…

October 16th, 2018

Offers his take on Bucs.

Yes, Bucs coach Dirk Koetter shocked a lot of people when he dismissed his long-time friend and colleague Mike Smith as the Bucs defensive coordinator. [read more]

Dirk Koetter: Noah Spence Is Not A Linebacker

October 16th, 2018

More insight into the Noah Spence mystery

Things keep looking worse for Noah Spence, unless new defensive coordinator Mark Duffner has changes on his mind. [read more]

Duffner Brings Needed “Energy”

October 16th, 2018

New DC Mark Duffner

Newly promoted Bucs defensive coordinator Mark Duffner is a humble guy with strong religious roots. As a kid he wanted to be the first Pope from the United States.

But the two sentences above paint the wrong picture of football coach Duffner. [read more]