Safety D.J. Swearinger’s mentality fits perfectly with Lovie Smith’s defensive philosophy. Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.

Yes, Bucs coach Lovie Smith loves turnovers. Joe means he is obsessed with turnovers.

If you ever have the chance to chat with Lovie in public and start talking about turnovers, he suddenly gets animated — yes, animated! — and prattles on about turnovers. [read more]

Shotgun snaps continued to haunt Bucs G/C Garrett Gilkey in practice today.

Yes, Joe was at practice this morning. It was rather toasty, too. Few fans showed up. Maybe it was the short-notice time change? Maybe it is because school is in session? Maybe it is because folks can’t skip work in the mornings?

There were maybe 400 fans. If that. Likely closer to 300. Far short of the 3,500 that packed the place for the first training camp practice. Crowd was so sparse, it was like a high school volleyball match. When the Bucs switched sides of the field to work on, people just got up and moved with them, and had ample elbow room if not room on the bleachers to stretch out and take a nap. [read more]

Lovie loves adversity.

Fans have gone bonkers (until the preseason farting by the Bucs in Minnesota) about rain (what, are the players made of sugar and will melt?).

Even yesterday, Joe got Twitters from angry fans about the rain-shortened practice. [read more]

Your new Bucs starting MLB.

In what Joe finds to be a shocking move, Bucs coach Lovie Smith elevated rookie Kwon Alexander to the top of the depth chart at middle linebacker, despite the Bucs going out and signing free agent Bruce Carter to handle those duties. [read more]

Recruiting magnet.

New Bucs right tackle Gosder Cherilus could have gone to a variety of teams. It isn’t just the Bucs that need help on the offensive line. And truth be told, perhaps the Bucs overpaid for his services.

After all, there’s a reason the eight-year veteran was unemployed in August and not signed by Capt. Lou Albano in Buffalo after a tryout last month. [read more]

Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht monitors offensive line drills Tuesday. Photo courtesy Chris Fischer/WTSP-TV.

Scrambling for help at right tackle with Demar Dotson out several weeks (funny, Lovie has different information on Dotson than a burger joint waitress), the Bucs appeared to fill the hole signing former first-round pick and free agent right tackle Gosder Cherilus.

He would just slide into Dotson’s spot and all would be well until Dotson recovers, if he recovers. Right? [read more]

Don’t bring your negativity to Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback.

Oh, no. Jameis is ordering you to kill it right now. [read more]

It’s Joe’s world famous comprehensive practice notes from today’s rain-shortened slugfest at One Buc Palace.

Yes, the Bucs were in pads and hammering each other after some extended specials teams work where there is no hitting. [read more]

Steve Duemig

It was that time again. Joe was in the steel cage with the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620.

Today, Joe was broadcasting live on the training camp sidelines for the popular JoeBucsFan Hour. [read more]

The analysts said Jameis Winston came out of college extraordinarily NFL-ready. And the way Jameis talked to Joe and other media this evening, that was never in doubt during his first preseason game. [read more]

Joe’s got exclusive video

The Bucs got in half a training camp practice at One Buc Palace, but a steady downpour delayed the action and then cancelled it.

At one point the team returned to the field to resume action, but Bucs officials changed their minds. Jameis Winston seemed very disappointed. [read more]

Look no further.

For enraged Bucs fans who threw their remotes at their TVs Saturday night — a desperate ploy to convince their significant others to upgrade to a 70-inch HDTV? — over the porous Bucs offensive line, below is more ammunition for your next shrink visit. [read more]

Joe absolutely has to give it up to Lovie Smith.

Congratulations, Coach. Joe smells real positive change from a man known for sticking to his plan at all costs. [read more]

Bucs rookie left tackle Donovan Smith

A former Buccaneer issued a passionate plea to Lovie Smith and Bucs offensive coaches yesterday. [read more]

 Joe’s already called opening day against the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 13 in Tampa a “must-win.”

It’s not a must-win for the standings. Duh. But it is necessary for the psyche of a fanbase that’s hasn’t seen a home victory since 2013, and compares Jameis Winston to Marcus Mariota. [read more]

A noted NFL Network analyst and former quarterback was impressed with “America’s Quarterback.” Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.

There were more than a few Bucs fans disappointed by the play of “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, in his first game as an NFL player.

A few were even outraged. [read more]

Rough start for Kevin O’Dea’s special teams

Tampa Bay’s lone Hall of Fame voter, eye-RAH! Kaufman, aka The Custodian of Canton, dropped the hammer on the Bucs’ special teams yesterday. [read more]

Scouring preseason tape from across the NFL.

Yes, the Bucs picked up a veteran offensive tackle yesterday when AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht signed free agent Gosder Cherilus.

Joe suspects that won’t be the last newcomer to the offensive line corps between now and when the Bucs host the Titans to kick off the season. [read more]

Fans need to be patient, said former Bucs QB Shaun King.

Joe understands how Bucs fans have chewed up couch pillows like a hungry dog and punched their windshields into a cobweb after the first preseason game. [read more]