Vulcan Mind Meld Time For Bucs’ New QB

September 7th, 2015

The Bucs’ new QB will be in a similar position next Monday

For those who missed it, Tampa Bay has a new quarterback. Yes, a third quarterback, a guy plucked off waivers who will be on the 53-man roster for at least a few weeks, per NFL rules.

His name is Ryan Griffin. [read more]

Titans Watch: Six More Days

September 7th, 2015

Phil Simms offers powerful words for Bucs and Titans coaching staffs

Joe’s already called opening day against the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 13 in Tampa a “must-win.”

It’s not a must-win for the standings. Duh. But it is necessary for the psyche of a fan base that hasn’t seen a home victory since 2013, and compares Jameis Winston to Marcus Mariota. [read more]

Programming Note

September 7th, 2015
Will No. 34 overall pick, rookie left tackle Donovan Smith, practice today?

Will No. 34 overall pick, rookie left tackle Donovan Smith, practice today?

Busy day, Bucs fans.

It’s game week!

The Bucs are back on the practice field and Joe will have all kinds of stuff as the day progresses. Stick with Joe throughout the day.

NFL Coach Of The Year: Dan Quinn?

September 7th, 2015

LovieJagsJoe sees that mighty Sports Illustrated and TheMMQB.com chief Peter King is calling this morning for a massive Falcons revival and first-year coach Dan Quinn to be named NFL Coach of the Year.

Joe can’t help but think of how that could reflect on Lovie Smith.

[read more]

Buccaneers: 2015 Team Of Destiny

September 6th, 2015

jameis 0829The funny analyst on World Series of Poker broadcasts makes his real money as a sports columnist.

Joe’s talking about Norman Chad, who is very hard to top when it comes to quick wit and regular-guy humor. [read more]

Week 9 Return For Demar Dotson — Maybe

September 6th, 2015

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After right tackle Demar Doston wrenched his knee during the first preseason game 22 days ago, he was hopeful to be ready to play by October 1. [read more]

Bucs Sign Kush, Experienced Backup Center

September 6th, 2015

After the virgin center experience of Garrett Gilkey last year, Joe has learned to embrace the little things, such as claiming a backup center today that has real NFL experience. [read more]

Half Of The Milk Cartons Gone

September 6th, 2015

milk cartonLast year, Joe deemed fifth-round picks of offensive linemen Kadeem Edwards and Kevin Pamphile the “Milk Cartons” because they were missing in action. Joe can’t remember one single block either made. [read more]

Bucs Select QB Off Waivers

September 6th, 2015
New Bucs QB Ryan Griffin.

New Bucs QB Ryan Griffin.

Uh, oh…

Seems the drama torch at One Buc Palace has been lit. The Bucs released the list of players AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht selected off waivers. Among them is a new Bucs quarterback! [read more]

Titans To Start Rookie RT, Melton Is X-Factor

September 6th, 2015
How will Lovie Smith counter and attack the Titans starting a rookie right tackle?

How will Lovie Smith counter and attack the Titans starting a rookie right tackle?

In seven days, Tennessee will start a rookie third-round pick at right tackle.

What are you made of, Lovie Smith, Bucs’ defensive shot caller? [read more]

Valuable Veteran Help

September 6th, 2015
Did the Bucs make the best choices for Jameis Winston?

Did the Bucs make the best choices for Jameis Winston?

Joe does not underestimate the value of coaching and the value of experience.

It’s one reason Joe scratched his head when the Bucs hired a first-time NFL quarterbacks coach for Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback, and didn’t have a savvy veteran QB in training camp to help drive Jameis. [read more]

Symbol Of Dysfunction Omameh Gets Cut

September 5th, 2015

patrick omamehHow does a second-year player who started 16 games last year at right guard get cut from a team that has only one guard on the roster with any NFL regular-season experience at the position? [read more]

Your 2015 Bucs 53-Man Roster — For Now

September 5th, 2015

EvanSmith

Here’s the breakdown, position by position: [read more]

“We Feel Good About It”

September 5th, 2015
Lovie seems OK with the offensive line.

Lovie seems OK with the offensive line.

Nothing rankled Bucs fans this offseason quite like the offensive line. Despite AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht drafting two offensive linemen in the second round and signing a former first-round pick of an offensive tackle, fans remain irritated, as if they showed up at a bar sober and heard the awful cry, “Last call!” [read more]

Report: Bucs Cut Rookie Kaelin Clay

September 5th, 2015
Clay

However …

Tampa Bay Times beat writer Rick Stroud is Twittering that the Bucs have waved good-bye to 2015 sixth-round pick Kaelin Clay. [read more]

Pondering Christian Ponder

September 5th, 2015

JameisWord flowing around Twitter this morning is that the Raiders will cut former Vikings and Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder today. [read more]

DE Injuries Spooking Coaches

September 5th, 2015
Lovie preparing for what he refers to as the second draft this weekend.

Lovie preparing for what he refers to as the second draft this weekend.

It was common for Bucs fans to pace so much at night that they wore a path in their bedroom rug fretting over the edge rush.

There really wasn’t much to fret about because there wasn’t much of a rush to even get worked up over. [read more]

The Bizarre Chicago Ousting Of Tim Jennings

September 5th, 2015

Tim Jennings speaks out

So let’s get this straight, the Bears cut good citizen cornerback (sans the bad driving) Tim Jennings, a 2012 and 2013 Pro Bowler with $4.4 million of guaranteed money on his contract.

When does that happen to a healthy NFL player? [read more]

Joe Talks All Things Bucs

September 5th, 2015

joemugshotThis was a different kind of radio appearance for Joe.

Todd Wright, filling in on WDAE-AM 620, brought Joe on the air for a cerebral, big-picture kind of chat. [read more]

Jameis Belongs “On The Bench”

September 5th, 2015
Jameis Winston 2

It’s not about that. … More nonsense is flowing. 

There is some credibility, Joe believes, to the notion that rookie quarterbacks learn best from the sidelines.

It is no coincidence Aaron Rodgers had years to acclimate to the NFL while watching Brett Farve work his magic. When Rodgers did assume signal-calling duties for the Packers, made about as smooth of a transition as you will ever see. [read more]

Kenny Bell’s Season Is Over

September 4th, 2015
No "Afro Thunder" running routes for the Bucs this season

No “Afro Thunder” running routes for the Bucs this season

Per the Twittering of Bucs beat writer Greg Auman, rookie fifth-round wide receiver Kenny Bell will wait until next year to make his mark on the NFL. [read more]

Three Healthy Guards With No Experience

September 4th, 2015
Jason Licht needs to find the next Ted Larsen

Jason Licht needs to find the next Ted Larsen in a hurry

Before Garrett Gilkey suffered a significant injury last night, Joe wrote a story about how general manager Jason Licht must jump all over guards that hit waivers on Saturday.

But now things have reached crisis mode. [read more]