THE OPTIMIST finds a number that shows the 2015 Bucs offense equals the franchise’s best ever.

In these unsettled times of devastating Bucs losses, constant change and growing pains, Joe thought it would be wise to bring back THE OPTIMIST.

THE OPTIMIST is Nick Houllis, a Bucs fan and an accomplished writer whose steadfast allegiance to the Buccaneers 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. … Of course, THE OPTIMIST’s opinions are his alone and are not influenced by Joe. [read more]

The anti-Gerald McCoy crowd is no longer just a local curiosity.

For reasons unclear, collectively, Bucs fans more and more are beginning to hate defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.

Joe doesn’t get it. [read more]

NFL history.

Joe knows there is a sad sect of Bucs fans that work over their rosary at night hoping and praying for America’s Quarterback, Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, to fall flat on his face and fail in the NFL. [read more]

Vincent Jackson explains Jameis Winston has transitioned to veteran performance and presence

The way Vincent Jackson was talking yesterday, it seems like Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback, already has transitioned from rookie quarterback to something more. [read more]

Lovie shares a philosophy

Is suffering a crushing loss good for a football team?

Lovie Smith thinks so. [read more]

A stat Lovie Smith can’t spin.

Bucs coach Lovie Smith readily admits he likes stats. But after probing, the stats he likes seem to only make him look good.

Other stats, well, Lovie likely will try to dismiss them as some form of distortion. [read more]

A former Buccaneers quarterback is floored by what he’s seen from Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback. [read more]

Not a good year.

Joe is aware fans like to rant on Gerald McCoy for the woes of the Bucs.

Trust Joe, the Bucs are not a garbage football team because of GMC. Far from it. [read more]

Last night, Vincent Jackson spoke out and detailed his status, and shared his distaste for NFL rules that likely left him with an injured knee. [read more]

Former Lovie Smith coaching intern believes Lovie must change or his rotten defense will never improve.

You want to get inside the Bucs’ meeting rooms with coaches and players? Well, good luck, short of buying the team.

That doesn’t mean you cannot get a window into what might be going on behind closed doors at One Buc Palace. [read more]

Henry Melton needs to earn a chunk of his $4 million on Sunday

Your Buccaneers are paying free agent defensive tackle Henry Melton about $4 million this season.

The man was hyped massively in August, and now it’s time to deliver. [read more]

Austin Seferian-Jenkins was a busy guy during the early part of practice today

Keeping it real, the Bucs have to be feeling desperate to get tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins on the field Sunday. [read more]

The groin-stomp loss to the Redskins on Sunday was just that, a horrific shock to the system. Mike Evans took that to a new level last night. [read more]

Center Joe Hawley and Gerald McCoy speak out

Intimate knowledge of an opponent matters little, according to many NFL players and coaches.

But there was a different vibe flowing through two Buccaneers when it comes to the Falcons. [read more]

Yes, Joe was on ESPN Tallahassee radio earlier this week talking Bucs with Jeff Cameron, he of “The Jeff Cameron Show.”

Joe has long been a fan of Cameron, a St. Pete native who puts together damned good radio. [read more]

Lovie Smith said potshots at Gerald McCoy are misdirected.

For reasons Joe is unsure of, some Bucs fans have come to loathe one of the better players on the team. That would be defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. [read more]

Thank goodness there’s a Bucs game in two days. It’ll finally wipe the lingering stain of the Washington washout from the minds of Bucs fans.

But the seasoned football men aren’t expecting a competitive Bucs team in Atlanta on Sunday. [read more]

Sunday isn’t just another game for many Bucs fans

Believe it or not, there are fans that only care about wins and losses and whether their beloved Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in the playoff hunt. [read more]

Believes Bucs need a roster housecleaning.

One thing Joe loves about Shaun King when he does a hit on local sports radio is that he brings it. No beating around the bush. [read more]

Trade and re-sign?

No, to the best of Joe’s knowledge, Doug Martin is not on the trading block.

And no, to the best of Joe’s knowledge, he has not been traded. [read more]

With Vincent Jackson out, one would think Mike Evans is sure to see a steady diet of double teams.

Not so, Evans told Joe this week. [read more]