Locker room chatter and more from the Sage of Tampa Bay sports

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Hey, it’s a start.

The long, depressing losing streak is over for a Buc team that displayed more energy Sunday. Tampa Bay remains in the NFC South basement and as Luke Stocker noted after the game, “we’ve got a long way to go to get out of this deep hole,” but long journeys often begin with small steps.

The 15-10 triumph was no modern art masterpiece, but for Buc fans, it was a thing of beauty. The Jets had an opportunity to reach 5-5 before their bye week, but they were outplayed on both sides of the ball.

Here’s how it happened: [read more]

Lavonte David and the Bucs defense was strong on third down today.

Third downs have been a problem for the Bucs this year, both on offense and on defense. [read more]

Emerging leader?

A lot of folks talk about leaders. But as Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Ham once said, that vast majority of talk of leaders is just “rhetoric.” [read more]

Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Guilty!  [read more]

Jameis keeps his teammates fired up during today’s win over the Jets.

It was a happy if not relieved bunch of Bucs as they came off the playing field of the Den of Depression, into the tunnel and headed towards the locker room. [read more]

Kwon speaks

Yes, those daily early-morning film sessions with Kwon Alexander and defensive coordinator Mike Smith haven’t stopped. It’s been over a year. [read more]

Homework paid off.

Joe has no idea where the Bucs would be without the services of ageless Brent Grimes. [read more]

Dirk Koetter and Jason Licht set out in search of a backup quarterback in free agency this offseason and today proved they succeeded.

Yes, Joe watched the game and the rather inept Bucs offense. But that’s not the point at all. [read more]

Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Joe had to perform periodic pulse checks throughout today’s win against the Jets. [read more]

Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Joe is sucking his “W” fingers right now. It’s delicious.

How about that Buccaneers defense — stifling, stunning and flying to the football today in suffocating the Jets

They played hard and overcame an abysmal offensive performance. Your Bucs are 3-6. [read more]

Comment throughout this afternoon’s Buccaneers-Jets game with intense, wild and usually reasoned Bucs fans. Great fun!

Direct all personal attacks at Josh McCown, Austin Seferian-Jackwagon and Jets players and coaches, not each other (Joe’s filters are tuned up for the haters.)

Enjoy and prepare for Joe’s award-winning postgame coverage, including Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways.

Go Bucs!!!!

Ugly third-down numbers.

Since Joe is on a third-down kick this morning, it’s time to look at the third down defense of the Bucs. [read more]

New York weighs in

Jets fans, media and players know very well what Bucs starter Ryan Fitzpatrick is all about.

And that’s why they’re drooling this morning. [read more]

Third down struggles.

Joe enjoys how BSPN’s NFL Matchup does a lot of research and floats the results on Twitter for all to consume. [read more]

Ex-NFL QB waiting for Mount Jackson to explode.

The clock is ticking. [read more]

Game 9

Jets (4-5) at Bucs (2-6)

Kickoff: 1 p.m. [read more]