“You’re Going To Get Calls Immediately”

January 7th, 2015
lovie and licht

Trade up/down calls are a sure thing to be happening right now, explains a former GM.

Phones have been ringing at One Buc Palace for days, ever since Tavarres King left his mark on Bucs history and Tampa Bay locked up the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. [read more]

Rebuild Of Offensive Line “Necessary”

January 7th, 2015
Fox Sports Florida columnist Andrew Astleford suggest the Bucs offensive line requires another rebuild.

Fox Sports Florida columnist Andrew Astleford suggests the Bucs’ offensive line requires another rebuild.

It’s difficult to fathom just how nearly everything Bucs coach Lovie Smih touched turn to disaster this past season.

Oh, sure, one could point to the improved defense (“improved” does not equate to “good,” and good defenses don’t hack up six fourth-quarter leads). After that, this team was an unequaled nightmare. [read more]

Shameful Quarterback History

January 7th, 2015
Not even Vinny Testaverde could change the fortunes of Bucs quarterbacks.

Not even Vinny Testaverde could change the fortunes of Bucs quarterbacks.

One could argue the Bucs have had such a putrid past with quarterbacks, the team has never had a franchise quarterback. It really is sad.

Oh, sure they got competent play (barely) from Doug Williams, and squeezed a Pro Bowl out of Jeff Garcia and Brad Johnson, which resulted in a Super Bowl, and a flash in the pan from leaky, sleepy Josh Freeman. [read more]

Jameis Watch: “The Spat”

January 6th, 2015

jameis and jimbo

Crab-legs-stealing, BB-gun-shooting, obscenity-hollering, Heisman-Trophy-winning, former national champion James Winston, the pride of Florida State University, continues to look like a much better quarterback prospect than Mike Glennon and Josh McCown.

It’s Joe’s daily nugget on the Jameis Watch, celebrating the best quarterback to wear No. 5 ever in the state of Florida. [read more]

Joe Talks QB Shopping, Coordinator Options, Tedford Fear, Barbecues & More

January 6th, 2015

joemugshotIt was time again for the popular JoeBucsFan Hour with the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve “The Big Dog” Duemig of WDAE-AM 620.

Whoa! Things got heated. [read more]

“Book It Right Now. They Will Draft Him.”

January 6th, 2015
Sal Paolantonio offered strong words on the Bucs' draft pick, Team Glazer, and the future Lovie Smith.

Sal Paolantonio offered strong words on the Bucs’ draft pick, Team Glazer, and the future of Lovie Smith.

Well known ESPN NFL voice Sal Paolantonio, a man who freaked out on Joe 11 years ago in the Tampa Bay locker room because Joe had the nerve to accidentally stand on his long microphone cord, made very bold statements about the future of the Buccaneers. [read more]

Greg Roman Sets Higher Goal

January 6th, 2015

greg romanDamn, the Bucs need a strong offensive coordinator. That’s why they were so quick to interview 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman in California last week. Roman was given permission by the Niners to find a new job.

But Roman is a guy in demand. [read more]

When Doug Martin Healthy, He’s Good

January 6th, 2015
The decline of Bucs RB Doug Martin is surprising.

A healthy Doug Martin is a productive Doug Martin.

Early in the season, Bucs running back Doug Martin stunk. There is no other way to put it. He averaged less than three yards a carry.

Of course, Bucs fans screamed bloody murder the offensive line was a smelly bag of trash. Joe can’t debate that as every time turnover-prone quarterback Josh McCown went back to pass, it was an adventure. [read more]

Local Eyeballs Were Glued To Rose Bowl

January 6th, 2015

WinstonMariota

What makes the local TV ratings for the Marcus Mariota vs. Jameis Winston battle stunning is the drop in Florida eyeballs for the other college football playoff game on that same New Year’s Day. [read more]

THE OPTIMST: Stability Is The Savior

January 6th, 2015

lovie and mccown 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]

Center Of Attention

January 6th, 2015

All eyes on Raiders guard/center Stefen Wisniewski

Joe’s not waving the white flag. Joe can’t grin and accept that the Bucs are going play status quo with Logan Mankins and Evan Dietrich-Smith, and hope an average right tackle in his seventh season (Demar Dotson) can magically transform into a good left tackle.

The Bucs need to get younger, nastier and hungrier on that line. [read more]

“You Can’t Put A Price Tag On That”

January 6th, 2015

Yesterday, Joe brought word that a former Buccaneer said Vincent Jackson isn’t worth the $10 million owed him in 2015.

Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht agrees. [read more]

Tampa Bay On Hard Knocks Watch List

January 6th, 2015

Outside of a full-moon stroll on a deserted island with Rachel Watson hanging on Joe’s every word, what could be more fun than watching Lovie Smith and friends on HBO’s Hard Knocks?

It could happen this year.

Unfortunately, Joe’s referencing Hard Knocks and the Bucs. [read more]

Not Confident In Lovie’s OC Hire

January 6th, 2015
Being a first-year coach is no longer an excuse for losing in today's NFL.

Being a first-year coach is no longer an excuse for losing in today’s NFL.

No, no, no, NO! Do not misread the headline above. “Hire” is not past tense. It means when Bucs coach Lovie Smith hires a new offensive coordinator.

Given the Bucs have interviewed no less than three men (Greg Roman, Dirk Koetter and Marc Trestman), it’s easy to believe by the end of next week, the Bucs may have their new OC. [read more]

Lovie And Marc Trestman Meet

January 6th, 2015
Former Bears coachMarc Trestman has been reported to already have interviewed with the Bucs as an offensive coordinator.

Former Bears coach Marc Trestman interviewed for the Bucs’ offensive coordinator spot, per NFL Network.

From the day the Bears jettisoned Marc Trestman as head coach, a large number of Bucs fans have beaten the drum for the Bucs to hire him.

Well, the first step in such a process has begun. [read more]

The Offensive Offensive Line

January 5th, 2015
You have to laugh to keep from crying while watching the Bucs offensive line attempt to block.

Bucs fans had to laugh to keep from crying while watching the Bucs’ offensive line last season.

As bad as the swing and miss on Josh McCown — evidence suggested many different things about McCown than what the Bucs pumped out about him prior to the season — Joe just cannot comprehend the Karlos Pena-like swings and misses the Bucs had in free agency on the offensive line.

It was terribly offensive to any thinking person. [read more]

“He Ain’t Worth No Damn $10 Million”

January 5th, 2015

vincent jackson 0929

Joe’s “V-Drops” nickname for Vincent Jackson comes approved by a former Buccaneer. [read more]

Jameis Watch: “He Has It All”

January 5th, 2015

jameis 1215Crab-legs-stealing, BB-gun-shooting, obscenity-hollering, Heisman-Trophy-winning, former national champion James Winston, the pride of Florida State University, continues to look like a much better quarterback prospect than Mike Glennon and Josh McCown.

It’s Joe’s daily nugget on the Jameis Watch, celebrating the best quarterback to wear No. 5 ever in the state of Florida. [read more]

Could Do Worse Than Greg Olson

January 5th, 2015
Former Bucs OC Greg Olson would be a nice  hire as quarterbacks coach.

Former Bucs OC Greg Olson would be a nice hire as quarterbacks coach.

It is obvious that it won’t be just a new offensive coordinator the Bucs will have this month (one would hope he is selected by the time the Senior Bowl practices roll around). One would assume the new OC would select his own quarterbacks coach.

Joe just cannot imagine ill-suited Marcus Arroyo hanging around Tampa Bay, unless the Bucs need someone to fetch bagels and make coffee runs to Dunkin Donuts to stay awake during late-afternoon meetings. [read more]

Who Should The Bucs Draft?

January 5th, 2015

Have your say.


“Quite A Bit Of Substance To It”

January 5th, 2015
Bucs GM Jason Licht weighs in

Bucs GM Jason Licht weighs in

Bucs fans learned last year to expect the unexpected from the Tampa Bay front office.

The Bucs didn’t need a tight end, but they drafted one in the second round. They were set at running back, but grabbed one in the third. [read more]