Already making his NFL mark.

(Yeah, Joe likes that headline.)

When the Bucs waved goodbye to all-around good dude and Ric Flair freak middle linebacker Mason Foster last year, it was largely because the Bucs wanted someone quicker to cover the deep middle, which in Lovie’s defense is the middle linebacker. [read more]

Bucs veteran center Joe Hawley said the rookie offensive linemen don’t play like rookies.

Joe is still buzzing over how the shaky Bucs offensive line, facing arguably the most formidable defensive line in the NFL on Sunday, not just kept the jersey of America’s Quarterback, Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston clean, but didn’t allow a sack. [read more]

With a new injury and no better numbers, Doug Martin seems to be having a repeat of his previous two seasons.

A lot of Bucs fans and officials point to Doug Martin’s Pro Bowl rookie season of 2012, in which he had 1,454 rushing yards plus 49 receptions.

Closer examination shows Martin only had five games that year in which he rushed for over 100 yards, including his career-best game at Oakland for 251. [read more]

Avoids jail.

Hall of Fame defensive tackle Warren Sapp, one of three Bucs players to have his number retired, took a plea deal from Nevada authorities yesterday over a hassle with his former girlfriend which saw him pinched earlier this year. [read more]

Not only did Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback, play well against the Texans, one NFL player thinks Jameis should be soaking in a huge honor right now. [read more]

Doug Martin has a new injury

The Bucs are banged up left and right, up and down.

Most NFL teams are. [read more]

Wins come so infrequently around these parts of west-central Florda that Bucs fans often live it up when one happens.

In fact, Bucs AC/DC-general manager Jason Licht is no different. Of course, wins mean a whole lot more to him than to most fans, for obvious reasons. [read more]

Some good news and some bad news on practice participants today

Amidst practicing under piped in crowd noise — are the Bucs really expecting that many Stinking Panthers to be in the Den of Depression for the game? — the Bucs had interesting participants and non-participants. [read more]

Bucs starting defensive end George Johnson

Joe couldn’t believe what was coming from the mouth of Leslie Frazier this afternoon at One Buc Palace.

Joe had a major Da’Quan Bowers flashback. [read more]

Hated man.

Folks love to hate. Just ask Myron Lewis.

So, armed with this knowledge, CBS Sports decided to compile a list of the most hated quarterbacks in the NFL. [read more]

Is Mike Jenkins poised for his first Bucs start?

Big-money cornerback Alterraun Verner lost his starting gig to Bears castoff and former Pro Bowler Tim Jennings.

Now, Bucs fans hold their breath to see if Verner gets the starting nod Sunday ahead of Mike Jenkins, as it seems Johnthan Banks will be out with a knee injury. [read more]

A former Buccaneer breaks down film on Lavonte David

It’s one of the few questions that keeps Joe sweating and drinking through the night: What’s wrong with Lavonte David?

It’s not just Joe wondering, either. [read more]

Hurting.

The Bucs are headed out onto the practice field as Joe types.

Presumably, one of those players practicing will be the stalwart of the defense, Gerald McCoy. [read more]

A perfect season?

Cam Newton is much better than he was last year, when the Buccaneers lost twice — twice! — to his understudy, Derek Anderson.

Newton entered this season healthy, and that much smarter and comfortable after another year in Mike Shula’s system. [read more]

Gerald McCoy says Panthers guard Trai Turner is one of his nastiest matchups

Gerald McCoy inspired Joe to shine a spotlight on the Buccaneers’ 2014 draft plan last night.

As Bucs fans remember, the Bucs were in need of offensive line help entering that draft, but opted to snag Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Charles Sims in the second and third rounds, respectively. [read more]

Kevin Pamphile

With rookie left tackle Donovan Smith saddled with a knee injury Lovie Smith led many to believe was significant yesterday, that means 2014 fifth-round pick Kevin Pamphile jumps into the spotlight. [read more]

Jameis considers Stinking Panthers QB Cam Newton a role model.

In some ways, Cam Newton had it rougher than America’s Quarterback, Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, in his path to the NFL.

Like Jameis, Newton became a hero if not a living legend in leading his college (Auburn) to a coveted national title in his first year starting, all while being raked over the coals for public (mis)perception. [read more]

There is no conspiracy theory in negotiations to upgrade the Den of Depression.

The news broke last night that, as part of negotiations to pay for substantial upgrades to the Den of Depression, in order to make the stadium more fan-friendly, the Bucs seek permission to play up to two regular season games away from Tampa.

Not only was/is this part of the standard give-and-take of contract negotiations, such a clause has not been agreed upon. [read more]

One way to overcome a soft defense is to build an offense.

Yesterday, Joe came across fans disgruntled by Lovie Smith’s defense. Understandable. Overall, the Bucs are third-worst in rushing yards allowed.

Red zone defense? Worst for allowing touchdowns once opponents reach the red zone. [read more]

The Bucs could be playing fewer home games in Tampa if a proposed deal to renovate the Den of Depression goes through.

If the Bucs get their way in negotiations to renovate the Den of Depression, then beginning with the 2018 season, the Bucs could only be playing six regular season home games in Tampa. [read more]

It was time for Joe to jump into the steel cage again with the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620.

A heated evening was in store. [read more]