Looking forward.

So we know who the Bucs will play this season. We just don’t know when.

That should come in a couple of weeks. [read more]

At One Buc Palace today.

Busy, busy day for the football operations staff with the Bucs.

First, Joe brought word Florida State safety Derwin James was one of the team’s allotted 30-man visits to One Buc Palace. Now from the keyboard of Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, University of Washington manbeast Vita Vea is also at Bucs headquarters today.

Joe understands Vea is popular among many Bucs fans. If the Bucs were to draft him, my goodness, the defensive line may have the most depth Joe has seen since the glory years of Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice.

Key position to deal.

Joe has maintained two things: the Bucs are sitting pretty at No. 7 and should trade down if the opportunity arises. [read more]

Work. Work. Work.

It’s the way of America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston. It’s awesome and admirable, but it also dredges up negativity. [read more]

Mingling with Bucs.

For the two or so folks that for some reason are irked with fan favorite Chris Conte, this will make their day. [read more]

Miko adds clarity

After a hiatus for about six weeks, mercurial NFL super wife Miko Grimes, spouse of Bucs cornerback Brent Grimes, was back delivering her candid, entertaining IHeartMiko Podcast on Sunday.

And she made a firm point to issue a public service announcement for NFL players.

(content may not be suitable for children)

[read more]

Ronald Darby is a name that makes a lot of Buccaneers fans cringe, but so are Vernon Hargreaves and Ryan Smith.

So fresh chatter out of Philadelphia is a worth a couple of minutes of attention. [read more]

UCF CB on Bucs’ radar.

An interesting if not a depressing potential future Bucs player will be visiting One Buc Palace as part of Tampa Bay’s 30 official invites this month. [read more]

“Don’t worry, Jason, I’ll pick up the tab for the steaks and onion rings. But you need to get rid of that tailor.”

It seems Jason Licht really, really wanted center Ryan Jensen. [read more]

Bucs OC Puts ACC RB Through Drills.

Quite honestly Joe doesn’t know much about this Nyheim Hines, a running back for North Carolina State. But it seems like Joe better start brushing up on him. [read more]

Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last offseason the Bucs weren’t talking publicly about toughness and the internal drive of players very much.

It was more about getting more explosive.

Things have changed. [read more]

UPDATE: The initial hotel room block at the rate below sold out, but 10 more were just added. You’ll need to truly hurry if you want in on that. They’ll surely be gone this week.

The Draft Party is for EVERYONE. It’s more of a block party this year and you will be blown away. … If you attended last year, just think double the size and energy. And if you didn’t attend last year, well, don’t deny yourself the pleasure. “Lit” is the only appropriate description.

Be there for Thursday’s Round 1, April 26. Arrive early. Return for Rounds 2 and 3 the following day.

Joe had a private conversation with general manager Jason Licht about his “change of scenery” list last week in Orlando.

But then Licht referenced it publicly the next day, so Joe is comfortable typing a bit about it here. [read more]

Failed strip club investor.

Knowing how much free financial advice the NFL provides to players, often from some of the greatest financial minds in the western world, not to mention from NFL owners themselves who know how to make a buck or two, it stuns Joe how many bad investment deals players make. [read more]

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Bucs excitement is ramping up in a huge way for the Sage of Tampa Bay sports, as the NFL Draft is just over three weeks away. Ira has plenty more to share after sitting down with Team Glazer and additional mingling at the NFL Owners meetings, and there’s a healthy share of tension with Joe. Enjoy the podcast here and  at iTunes, Google Play or Podbean.com. Ranked on the Google Play podcast “Top Charts” for nearly SIX consecutive months (all genres nationwide), the Ira Kaufman Podcast keeps you informed and entertained every Tuesday & Thursday — and there is NO offseason. Click or download above. It’s fun — free and easy, too. Enjoy!

“Jason, we’re a patient team. But about that jacket.”

Team Glazer has a reputation for going all Grim Reaper on its head coaches when you least expect it.

Patience just hasn’t been their typical way. [read more]