Autonomy.

Joe has already confessed this hire by Dirk Koetter to turn the defense over to former Dixie Chicks head coach Mike Smith looks better by the day. [read more]

Henry Melton has value

Jason Licht’s team of personnel gurus, combined with new defensive coordinator Mike Smith, have significant decisions to make when it comes to their own free agents. [read more]

Tagging Doug Martin is not a heinous concept.

Not sure why some believe the franchise tag is a vile option for Doug Martin — for a team well, well, well below the salary cap.

But those people exist. [read more]

Free agent DE Olivier Vernon and the Dolphins are not (yet) in serious talks.

It was very interesting that Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht invoked the name of Miami defensive end Olivier Vernon as a player he doesn’t expect to see on the free agent market. [read more]

With the chiming bells of free agency freedom set to ring in 22 short days, Joe realizes many Bucs fans think free agency is the devil that leads a team down the “dark path” Team Glazer referenced seven years ago. [read more]

New Bucs director of player personnel John Spytek.

If you are going to hire folks, you may as well reach for the stars. It also helps to have worked with the target of your affections. [read more]

Pointing toward Jags instead?

Joe has been vocal desiring the Bucs to sweep up expected soon-to-be free agent Mario Williams.

Look, the Bucs have stunk at defensive end for so long, it’s time to quit flea-market shopping for the sackless George Johnsons of the world — the second consecutive limp Johnson —  in hopes the tooth fairy putting change under their pillows will turn them into double-digit sack guys. [read more]

No wonder Jameis shunned interviews with ESPN at the Pro Bowl. [read more]

High-priced CB Alterraun Verner looks to return.

Last year the Bucs’ secondary was woeful. At times, it didn’t look like one cornerback could cover himself with a jacket in the rain. [read more]

Last Thursday night, TampaBay.com Bucs beat writer Rick Stroud wrote, “But here are some things that might surprise or even shock you: Doug Martin will make it to free agency and test the market.” [read more]

Joe literally shakes in disgust when Bucs fans bark about how Tampa Bay “can’t overpay” for Doug Martin, as if there’s some sort of magic formula of salary cap management.

Hell, the counter argument lives on their own team. [read more]

Philosophical clues offered.

Yes, last week Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht put the word out that while he will look at free agents to help build the roster, he will take a tempered approach with Team Glazer’s checkbook. [read more]

A national columnist is very bullish on Dirk Koetter. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)

One national voice Joe really respects is Xs and Os guru Andy Benoit of theMMQB.com. If you are unfamiliar with Benoit, during the NFL season he tries to break down every game from a technical (as opposed to an analytical) viewpoint. It’s good stuff. [read more]

Too little, too late.

What does it say when an NFL team’s leader doesn’t see his club fully bonded until November? [read more]

John Lynch would

This year, John Lynch will be enshrined in the Buccaneers Ring of Honor.

He’s also the guy who called the October 2014 trade of Mark Barron to the Rams a “colossal failure” by the Bucs’ hierarchy. [read more]

Would Bucs fans raise their arms in joy over Ohio State CB Eli Apple?

Joe tries to stay away from mock drafts because the whole thing has devolved into little more than a parlor game for clicks.

[read more]

Joe likes the thought of speedy free agent Steelers WR Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Yes, the Bucs do need to address their wide receiver corps this offseason. [read more]

Joe sure hopes the Bucs address wide receiver in free agency.

Sorry, Kenny Bell fans, Joe might jump on that bandwagon when he catches his first-ever Bucs pass — in preseason or regular season. [read more]

Former starting defensive end George Johnson

Bucs overlord of football operations Jason Licht has a reputation for deeply involving coaches in scouting. [read more]

Bucs free agent safety Keith Tandy gives back last weekend. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com)

As fans await the free agent dinner bell to ring on March 9, no one really knows where Bucs free agent safety Keith Tandy will be. [read more]