How injuries hurt bubble guys.

The NFL can be a cold business. And that will be evident in six days when the Bucs, and teams throughout the NFL, cut their rosters to the mandated 53 players by Sept. 1 at 4 p.m. [read more]

Edge standout

It’s been exactly four weeks since manbeast first-round draft pick defensive tackle Vita Vea went down with a calf injury. So Joe’s thrown in the towel on Vea making an impact on opening day.

But who else might? [read more]

Tradebait?

Yes, the Bucs have looked sharp this preseason with the first- and second-team offenses on the field. [read more]

Defended.

Joe has written previously about a phenomenon known locally in the Tampa Bay area as “ConteHate.” [read more]

The running back the Bucs brought in for a look today isn’t just a live body freshly unemployed. [read more]

Decisions.

A week from today, we will know the initial roster of your 2018 Bucs. [read more]

Injury updates

Detailed injury news is often hard to come by at One Buc Palace because Dirk Koetter is adamant about not sharing unless the NFL tells him he must — and that doesn’t happen in preseason. [read more]

Joe’s going to make a call here and say Vernon Hargreaves has locked down a starting job on opening day opposite Brent Grimes. [read more]

Jameis Winston, right, congratulates Chris Godwin on a touchdown catch Friday night. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)

Last night Chris Godwin showed why Bucs types are so geeked about his future. [read more]

Joe would be paranoid, too. [read more]

Dishes out credit.

Last week when Bucs offensive coordinator and straight-shooter Todd Monken spoke with members of the Bucs’ pen and mic club, he tried to say in a roundabout way he wasn’t the reason the first and second team offense has been humming in the preseason. [read more]

Jameis Winston, right, congratulates Chris Godwin on a touchdown catch Friday night. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)

Boy, the Bucs quarterbacks were sharp tonight. [read more]

Solid job by OL coach George Warhop’s backups.

If this wasn’t a preseason game, Bucs fans would be more nervous than a priest in a cathouse. [read more]

Adam Humphries scores on his kick-six Friday night. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)

The Bucs now have their version of a kick-six. [read more]

Joe never would have imagined typing that headline. But it became a reality tonight.

Joe’s so damn stunned, here’s the 2nd-quarter video for you to savor yourself. What a boost for Gholston, who has had a very up and down summer.

Will Gholston brings down Matthew Stafford to end the drive!#GoBucs | #DETvsTB https://t.co/mnaw7iaNbJ

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) August 25, 2018

BY IRA KAUFMAN

The Bucs came within 30 seconds of their first 3-0 preseason start since 1999, when they advanced to the NFC championship game.

Let’s not get carried away, I don’t see the second coming of Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks or Ronde Barber out there, but I don’t see a 5-11 club, either.

Tampa Bay’s 20-6 halftime advantage was well deserved because the Bucs outplayed the Lions in all three phases. The start of the game was delayed an hour by dodgy weather, but the real storm front was an offensive line that manhandled Detroit on the opening drive.

If you didn’t see the game, shame on you. Here’s what you missed: [read more]