“Humbling” May Motivate Bowers

August 4th, 2015
Last chance.

Last chance.

Bucs fans don’t want to hear it, but Joe thinks the re-signing of former second-round pick Da’Quan Bowers last week was a smart move.

Look, the guy is coming in as camp meat. He’s being paid as camp meat. No promises were offered. Prove it or lose it. [read more]

Lovie Won’t Touch Jameis Winston’s Emotions

August 4th, 2015

JameisIf America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, wants to have a visible freakout because he threw an interception — like he did too often in yesterday’s practice — then Lovie Smith is just fine with that. [read more]

Smith (Finally) Recognizes “Jameis”

August 4th, 2015
Bucs C Evan Smith has finally given up his silent treatment of "America's Quarterback."

Bucs C Evan Smith has finally given up his silent treatment of “America’s Quarterback.”

Progress is being made at One Buc Palace.

And it has to do with the two guys who touch the ball on every offensive play: veteran center Evan Smith and “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston. [read more]

Learning Curve Huge For Marpet

August 3rd, 2015
Bucs second round pick, OL Ali Marpet, talks to Joe about his NFL learning curve.

Bucs second round pick, guard Ali Marpet, talks to Joe about his NFL learning curve.

Maybe it was a good thing there was a flooding emergency of sorts in Tampa and the Bucs closed what was an open practice this afternoon, in part, to keep people safe and off the local rivers streets. [read more]

Day 3 – Training Camp Notes & Observations

August 3rd, 2015

LovieCamp

It sure is soggy at One Buc Palace, but the Bucs threw on the pads and hit each other for the first practice today. Joe got a first-hand look.

Enjoy! [read more]

The Moss Files

August 3rd, 2015

mike evans 1113Everyone knows Mike Evans had a couple of training sessions this offseason with eventual Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss.

Evans already explained to Joe that Moss is one of the “tightest dudes” he’s ever met, but what did they really work on? [read more]

“We’re Kinda Catching On”

August 3rd, 2015
Clinton McDonald

Clinton McDonald

The Bucs were grinding at a fast pace today at practice. The pads were finally on, and 11-on-11 was in full swing with live blocking.

Late in the two-plus hour session, guard Kadeem Edwards was roasted, and then Logan Mankins, on successive snaps. [read more]

Brooks Gave Jameis Winston “Homework”

August 3rd, 2015

BrooksLovieLovie Smith insists Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback, does not need a mentor.

But that doesn’t mean Jameis is without one. [read more]

Ticket Sales Improved “Dramatically”

August 3rd, 2015

raymond james stadium 2

Joe often gets this question. A lot. And Joe doesn’t have an answer. How are ticket sales? Good guess.

First, Ticketmaster is in business solely to sell tickets. It is neither their job nor their obligation — nor in their interest — to release accurate ticket sales information. The data on their website is often grossly inaccurate, yet fans mistakenly consider it fact. [read more]

Bucs’ Blunder Comes Full Circle

August 3rd, 2015

Gonzalez

During the very early weeks of the Mark Dominik-Raheem Morris regime in 2009, Joe was pounding the drum loudly for the Bucs to trade for legendary tight end Tony Gonzalez.

Tampa Bay choked and the arch rival Falcons got Gonzalez for a second-round pick. [read more]

Dotson Details A Changed Mankins

August 3rd, 2015

Mankins training campLet’s add this up. Former superstar left guard Logan Mankins reported to the Bucs revitalized in April with “six-pack abs” (perhaps he gave up grilled meat?) and was called the “father of the locker room” by Tampa Bay management last week.

Then, Mankins talked yesterday about his revived motivation. [read more]

Bucs Practice Closed To Public

August 3rd, 2015

rachel watson 0803

The Bucs have just announced that today’s practice at 2:30 p.m., which was open to the public, is now closed to the public, so the Bucs mobile app alert that Joe received stated.

The practice was closed because of the downpours in Tampa that have left roads dicey and unsafe for traveling.

The next Bucs practice open to the public is Tuesday at 9 a.m.

“If You Don’t Understand Where You Can Get Beat, Then You’re Beat.”

August 3rd, 2015
Ronde Barber opens up to Joe about the Bucs' defense.

Ronde Barber, and Bucs middle linebacker Bruce Carter, open up to Joe about the Tampa Bay defense.

When Joe thinks of the glory days Bucs defense, Joe thinks of the talent, precision and relentless hunger.

One thing Ronde Barber thinks about is how well the legendary unit understood its weaknesses. [read more]

Door Opening For Bowers?

August 3rd, 2015
Can DT Da'Quan Bowers take advantage of a roster opening in his last gasp as an NFL player?

Can Da’Quan Bowers take advantage of a roster opening in his last gasp as an NFL player?

Joe and the rest of Bucs fandom learned the awful news that good guy and defensive tackle Akeem Spence is out for “months” due to back surgery following an offseason weightlifting mishap. [read more]

“I Want To See Him Tell Evan Smith To Shut Up”

August 3rd, 2015
Seems Bucs OC Dirk Koetter is irritated with C Evan Smith, too.

Seems offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter is irritated by Evan Smith, too.

It seems like the lone Buccaneer who refuses to call “America’s Quarterback,” Jameis Winston, by his first name must be awfully mouthy in the huddle. [read more]

“We Have Full Faith In Lovie”

August 3rd, 2015
Faith in Lovie.

Faith in Lovie Smith.

Joe has maintained that the moment Bucs coach Lovie Smith announced that “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, was the starter for the 2015 season, that barring some unforeseen catastrophe, Lovie cemented his return for the 2016 season if not beyond. [read more]

Video: Jameis Shows His Command, Control

August 2nd, 2015

JameisthinkHey, when it’s a rookie quarterback in a padless, Day 2 training camp practice, there’s only so much that can be gleaned.

So Joe must look for subtleties. [read more]

Garrett Gilkey Is Your No. 1 Right Guard

August 2nd, 2015

GilkeyJoe can’t shake that annoying Emergency Broadcast System tone pulsing through his head right now. For now, on August 2, Garrett Gilkey is the Buccaneers’ first-team right guard. [read more]

Akeem Spence Out For “Months”

August 2nd, 2015
Bucs DT Akeem Spence is out for some time after back surgery.

Bucs DT Akeem Spence is out for some time after back surgery.

The Bucs have taken a nasty hit to their defensive tackle depth.

It was learned today that third-year pro Akeem Spence will miss a good chunk of the season due to a non-football-related back injury. [read more]