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If the Bucs defense has really turned a corner, if Leslie Frazier and Lovie Smith are savvy, elite defensive minds, then the Panthers’ offense should be handcuffed starting two rookie guards and a backup quarterback tomorrow.
Anything less would be unacceptable. [read more]
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]
It was time for Joe’s weekly visit to the popular Ron and Ian show yesterday and, as usual, it was a rapid-fire affair filled with all kinds of stocking stuffers. [read more]
There is little doubt Lavonte David is one of the best outside linebackers in the NFL. Maybe the best. Joe wouldn’t argue.
But when fans vote for the Pro Bowl, they don’t often look at David’s tackles and his sideline-to-sideline play. [read more]
Joe can think of two guys who have had bad seasons on the offensive side of the ball because of circumstances beyond their control. One is acting offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo. The man is simply over his head in a no-win situation.
The other is Charles Sims. [read more]
After a game off with an elbow injury, Bucs left tackle Anthony Collins practiced all this week and should start against Carolina on Sunday.
In Week 1, Collins locked down Panthers’ beastly pass rusher Greg Hardy, but Collins has had only a few good games since. [read more]
Whenever sports analysts, players or team officials speak for the fans, Joe’s ears perk up.
Often, that’s a dangerous slope.
Don’t mess with the masses. [read more]
Lovie Smith talks about building a winning culture with the Bucs.
Not that long ago, winning wasn’t expected at One Buc Palace. It was demanded.
Division titles were expected. The team had loftier goals than merely getting to .500.
Oh, how things have changed. [read more]
Marcus! Jameis! Marcus! Jameis! Marcus! Jameis! Marcus! Jameis! Marcus! Jameis!
Oh, what a maniacal frenzy it will be if the Bucs maintain their current 2015 draft position, the No. 1 overall pick.
But that specific No. 1 slot is critical. [read more]
Birds of a feather
Six weeks ago, former Buccaneer Mark Barron took all kinds of heat for saying the safety position in Lovie Smith’s defense was too “passive,” following his trade to St. Louis.
Even Lovie Smith took exception to that. [read more]
Crab-legs-stealing, BB-gun-shooting, obscenity-hollering, Heisman-Trophy-winning, 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]
Danny Lansanah is a better outside linebacker, Bucs DC Leslie Frazier said.
Recently, Lovie Smith made a not-so-subtle suggestion he wants to find more snaps for Danny Lansanah at middle linebacker.
Lansanah had lined up there against Detroit in place of starter Mason Foster, who has been slowed by an Achilles heel injury. Lansanah later bounced around after Lavonte David left with a concussion. [read more]
Freakish ability usually separates NFL legends from simply great NFL players. It’s like that at nearly every position.
One prominent Buccaneer calls those guys “mutants.” [read more]
Since the moment Stinking Panthers quarterback Cam Newton got tossed around in his truck earlier this week from an accident, Joe has heard Bucs fans moan that the Pewter Pirates will now have to face Newton’s backup Derek Anderson.
Why would Bucs fans be scared of such a thing? Anderson, really? Yeah, yeah, yeah, Joe knows Anderson picked apart the Bucs on opening day, specifically targeting tight end Greg Olsen. [read more]
New gig already?
One reason Tampa Bay let former offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford out of his contract — aside from the fact, you know, he had heart problems — is to allow Tedford to pursue other football opportunities.
It appears that may be about to happen. [read more]
A former Buccaneer says don’t point a finger at the running backs
The Buccaneers’ stable of running backs is just fine.
A former Buccaneer says Tampa Bay is well set at that position and puts this year’s running game failures on the blocking in front of them. [read more]
Gerald McCoy said he has too much respect for his teammates to sit out
Last week, Gerald McCoy did the ultimate in leadership. Felled by a knee injury — minor or serious, depending on who you believe — he decided he couldn’t sit on the sidelines and watch the rest of the Bucs-Lions game like a fan with a field pass.
Today in his weekly press conference, GMC explained why he had to suck up the injury and get back on the field. [read more]
Crab-legs-stealing, BB-gun-shooting, obscenity-hollering, Heisman-Trophy-winning, 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]
Like fellow Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson is nearing a franchise record.
Joe has found it interesting, in a good way how until very recently opposing defenses haven’t really focused on shutting down Bucs rookie Mike Evans, despite the fact he is on pace to set a franchise record for touchdown catches in a season.
It seems, again, until recently, teams were more concerned about reputation (read: Vincent Jackson) than numbers (Evans). [read more]
Bucs-Packers tickets are selling for triple face value
Joe’s been stunned by the furious demand for the Packers-Bucs tickets, Tampa Bay’s second-to-last home game on Sunday, Dec. 21.
Of course, the game sold out months ago with the help of sun-starved Wisconsin types and local transplants that bleed cheddar. [read more]
Yeah, yeah, yeah, lots of Bucs fans want Tampa Bay to lose its final three games and get in position to draft an elite quarterback prospect.
But there is a game to be played Sunday, and Joe wants to see defensive wizards Lovie Smith and Leslie Frazier find a way to stop Panthers quarterback Derek Anderson, the fourth best QB in the NFC South. [read more]
