Joe’s unsure what tomorrow’s game means for the underdog Bucs against the Panthers, winners of seven consecutive regular season games, plus a playoff game in between their 2014 finish and their undefeated 2015 start.

For Lovie Smith, a victory, or at least a strong showing, might mean a chance to stop contradicting himself and speaking in clichés. [read more]

Around these parts, Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston is known as “America’s Quarterback.”

In his hometown of Bessemer, Ala. and college, he is known as “Jaboo.” [read more]

With the Bucs back in Tampa for a two-game home stand against the Panthers (Sunday) and Jaguars, Joe demands one simple goal be accomplished: win a home game.

Frankly, it’s the only thing that will keep Joe from lying prone in the fetal position, weeping and nursing a bottle of Jack Daniels. [read more]

NFL “Rookie of the Week.”

For the second time in as many weeks, the Bucs have the NFL’s “Rookie of the Week.”

Last week, it was America’s Quarterback, Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston. [read more]

Mike Evans hopes to avenge his two-catch, 13-yard effort against Carolina in December.

The newly crowned NFC Defensive Player of the Month, Panthers cornerback Josh Norman, is a huge trash talker.

And not only did he and Mike Evans get into it last year, but they engaged in an offseason Twitter spat, too. [read more]

Brady Quinn

Smile, Bucs fans.

Joe’s got national love for what Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback, has accomplished, and a victory prediction for Tampa Bay! [read more]

Lovie Smith can’t let Greg Olsen beat him for the third time in 20 games

Aside from the obvious blowouts, perhaps the most telling sign the Bucs’ defense had serious issues last year came on December 14 against the Panthers. [read more]

Joe remembers all the Raheem Morris haters blubbering on and on back in 2010, because the Bucs didn’t have a “signature win” under their belt.

These lunatics claimed the Bucs had five, six, seven, eventually 10 wins without beating a good or a full-strength team. [read more]

Yes, Joe was on ESPN Tallahassee radio yesterday 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]

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]