“Why Not” Start Ali Marpet?

August 14th, 2015
John Clayton dishes on Bucs G Ali Marpet.

John Clayton dishes on Bucs G Ali Marpet.

Yes, yesterday the human windup doll, “The Professor,” John Clayton of BSPN, was at One Buc Palace, as the blanket of coverage by national networks continues on “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston.

Joe refers to Clayton as a windup doll because Clayton is so knowledgeable when it comes to the NFL. You ask him a question and he talks in rapid-fire succession for minutes on end, barely taking a breath. [read more]

McCoy’s Lessons Come Fast And Furious

August 14th, 2015
McCoypoint

Joe’s got video!

So much has been made of the fast development of Ali Marpet. It was obvious to those watching training camp, and Jason Licht threw a bunch of gas on the simmering — and exciting — Marpet fire.

From Division-III Hobart to sound starting guard in a matter of months? [read more]

Koetter Talks “Pitch Count” For Jameis, Mankins

August 14th, 2015
Mankins training camp

Former Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins weighs in

Over and over and over Joe is asked how much Buccaneers starters will play tomorrow night in Minnesota. [read more]

Lab Video: Jameis Winston And Vincent Jackson

August 14th, 2015

vincent jackson 0804A rookie quarterback in a new offense is a recipe for more mistakes than expected.

But impressive chemistry brewing is still brewing in Tampa. That’s a key component of the training camp experience. [read more]

JoeBucsFan Watch Party For Preseason Opener! Saturday, Aug. 15.

August 14th, 2015

It’s time to gather and celebrate history!

Get off your couch and have fun with Bucs fans at a top-shelf sports bar and grill. It’s an official JoeBucsFan.com Watch Party.

WatchPartyNEAle-House

Depth Addressed

August 14th, 2015
Smart signings by Bucs GM Jason Licht already paying off.

Smart signings by Bucs GM Jason Licht already paying off.

Joe can understand how many Bucs fans grumbled in March when the Bucs didn’t go out and get any big-name free agents.

Fans like buzz and drama (oh, yes you do.) and the easiest way for that to happen is to bag a bunch of big fish. [read more]

Bucs Spared “Overrated”

August 14th, 2015
SI.com considers former Bucs S Mark Barron one of the most overrated players in the NFL.

Mark Barron is among three former Bucs labeled the most overrated in the NFL.

Some good news for Bucs fans on this fine Friday morning (is there such a thing as a bad Friday morning?).

In fact, you may want to raise a glass over the following. [read more]

One Buc Palace Buzzing

August 14th, 2015
jameis 0508e

John Clayton, “The Professor,” provides Bucs’ back-room feedback on Jameis.

So roughly two weeks of training camp are in the books. The next item on the calendar is the first Bucs preseason game tomorrow night in Minnesota.

Prime time.

And prime time is the right time for “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, as he makes his Tampa Bay and NFL debut. The eyes of the nation will be on young Jameis via the NFL Network broadcast. [read more]

Rookies Were George Warhop’s Top Choices

August 13th, 2015
Bucs rookie left tackle Donovan Smith

Bucs rookie left tackle Donovan Smith

Based on the offensive line performance last season, especially the efforts of newcomers Anthony Collins and Evan Dietrich Smith, as well as Browns rejects Oniel Cousins and Garrett Gilkey, many Bucs fans used O-line coach George Warhop as a verbal punching bag. [read more]

Bucs Move Practice To Tropicana Field

August 13th, 2015

Update: 6:08 p.m.: It seems the Bucs are playing April Fools’ Day jokes on Joe. After Joe arrives in St. Pete, the Bucs decide improving weather will keep practice in Tampa.

Afternoon downpours and thunderstorms rolled into One Buc Palace just in time to screw up training camp practice today.

After a brief delay, Tampa Bay got in its stretching and some very light work before the skies opened and the lightning alarm sounded. [read more]

Won Over By Jameis

August 13th, 2015
Convincing non-believers.

Convincing non-believers.

Joe thinks, at least in training camp practices, that “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, has turned the corner.

Jameis had uneven practices early on. But the last three practices, even with two picks yesterday, have been stellar. That’s what happens with rookies. They learn and grow. [read more]

“Finding A Franchise QB Is Like Finding A Great Woman”

August 13th, 2015

rachel watson 1229Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht is a lucky man. That’s why Shaun King believes Licht bedded a 10.

King, the pride of St. Petersburg and one of three quarterbacks to lead the Bucs to an NFC Championship game, used the analogy of hitting the lottery with a hot chick to Licht being able to draft “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston. [read more]

“In College, You Don’t Have Linebackers That Can Actually Defend The Pass.”

August 13th, 2015

Jameis rookieCue the ACC bashers.

Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback, wasn’t too impressed by college linebackers. [read more]

Titans Watch: 31 More Days

August 13th, 2015
It's huddle time for Marcus Mariota

It’s under-center time for Marcus Mariota

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]

Chasing Tiger, Brian And Devin

August 13th, 2015
Rookie returner Kaelin Clay. Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Rookie returner Kaelin Clay. Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Once upon a time, legendary Redskins return man Brian Mitchell took the opening kickoff of his rookie career — yes, preseason — and finished the play celebrating a touchdown.

And Mitchell’s impact is still being felt — at Buccaneers training camp. [read more]

Possible WR Shake Up Is Not Bad News

August 13th, 2015
"America's Quarterback" will not see his career implode if he does not have WR Louis Murphy as a slot man.

“America’s Quarterback” will not see his career implode if he does not have Louis Murphy as a slot man.

It pays to talk to folks and actually watch training camp practices, even though, like players, scribes like Joe are starting to get worn out.

Now through at least the next three weeks, you will see many prognostications about who will be where on depth charts, even though a depth chart before the first preseason game is about as useful as a snowblower in the Florida Keys. [read more]

Siege The T-Shirt

August 13th, 2015
Clay

It appears the Buccaneers have quashed promotion of players’ new t-shirts.

As a Buccaneers fan, sometimes it’s healing to embrace the comedy and misfortune surrounding the past 100 games, in which the team has lost 70.

It’s been a bizarre, maddening and hair-losing ride. [read more]

Stay Healthy

August 13th, 2015
Healthiest since his rookie season.

Healthiest since his rookie season.

Yes, Joe gets the dreaded question a lot this year. “Who is looking good?”

It’s the kind of question Joe avoids because unless a player is flat out balling, the answer is unsure. [read more]

Big Brother GMC

August 13th, 2015
Gerald McCoy wants Jameis to just be Jameis.

Gerald McCoy wants Jameis to just be Jameis.

Joe thinks the term “leaders” may be the most misused and perhaps the most overblown word in sports, particularly football and specifically when talking about a 2-14 team. So you led your team to the worst record in the league? Cute. [read more]