The anticipated debut of rookie running back Charles Sims could come Sunday.

Coming off ankle surgery, Sims talked to media today. [read more]

In recent years, the model franchise for ineptitude has been the Cleveland Browns. A woebegone franchise with a rich history, the Browns have gone through coaches and general managers like Joe goes through 12-packs of Bud Light.

With new coaches and staffs, one thing (until this season) remains constant in northeast Ohio: losing. [read more]

What was an August nightmare for Bucs fans looks like it could become a November reality on Sunday. [read more]

“You ain’t no Derek Carr, buddy.”

The man some Bucs fans are missing these days, left tackle Donald Penn, weighed in with a take on leaky, sleepy Josh Freeman and Mike Glennon recently.

Of course, Joe has to share. [read more]

Yes, Joe was as surprised to read the following as you might be.

The Browns have the best pickoff artist in the NFL. Tashaun Gipson and his five picks lead the NFL. He has eight picks in his last 10 games and three in his past two games.

In other words, the guy is on fire. So it would help Bucs quarterback Mike Glennon to stay away from this guy. [read more]

It’s Joe’s weekly podcast with silky-toned Ronnie Lane of WDAE-AM 620 and the Buccaneers Radio Network!

Joe dives into some locker-room happenings, among Bucs-Browns chatter and more. [read more]

“Details, my son, details.”

The quarterback of the future has a little something going this week that he relishes.

You see, Mike Glennon studies loads of film and that work is a extra special when it’s a team like the Browns. But why? [read more]

The Bucs coaching staff, in particular the offense and, of course, Lovie Smith, always talks about starting fast on offense.

But the only fast thing about the offense is how quickly it gets off the field after yet another three-and-out series in the early minutes of games.

In the second half, especially in crunch time, the offense appears to have life. [read more]

Another former Tampa Bay Buccaneer sees the Bucs aching for offense and believes Josh McCown is worth starting again.

Joe can’t believe the cries for McCown. They are illogical. [read more]

In these unsettled times of devastating Bucs losses, constant change and growing pains, Joe thought it would be wise to bring back THE OPTIMIST.

THE OPTIMIST is Nick Houllis, a Bucs fan and an accomplished writer whose steadfast allegiance to the Buccaneers goes back to the 1970s. Houllis is the founder, creator and guru of BucStop.com, a place Joe goes to get lost in time via Houllis’ stunning video collection.

THE OPTIMIST will shine that positive light in your eyes. Some will love it. Some won’t. … Of course, THE OPTIMIST’s opinions are his alone and are not influenced by Joe. [read more]

Much like the Vikings’ Everson Griffen, the Browns have their own dangerous, late-blooming pass rusher, former Super Bowl hero Paul Kruger.

Kruger, a 3-4 rush linebacker, ripped off three sacks against the Raiders on Sunday (none against Donald Penn). [read more]

Lovie Smith was given the business this morning by Tampa Bay Times writers Rick Stroud and Tom Jones for what they believe were contradictions in the head coach’s comments yesterday. [read more]

Bucs icon Derrick Brooks knows his beloved Bucs are at a critical point in their season.

Things could go in either direction. [read more]

Mike Evans seemed to imply the “Dunkaneers” offense left with former offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford.

Remember how we heard all about the “Dunkaneers?” You know, the new brand of offensive football with the Jeff Tedford-led Bucs offense?

You remember, don’t you? Where quarterback Josh McCown heaves the ball deep and lets the taller than tall Tampa Bay receivers (Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans and Austin Seferian-Jenkins) just go up and get it; sky over cornerbacks for those long passes? [read more]

Pretty telling stuff was revealed when the St. Louis media dove into their end of the Mark Barron trade to the Rams.

The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety, along with Rams head coach Jeff Fisher, had plenty to say. [read more]

When Team Glazer hired Lovie Smith in January, ending a months-long courtship, one concession Lovie must have had from Team Glazer was an allowance and freedom to spend big time on free agents.

While we are not quite at the halfway point of the 2014 season — the Cleveland game this Sunday will be game No. 8 — thus far the Bucs’ new free agents haven’t exactly been lottery winners. Let’s take a quick look: [read more]

With Tampa Bay having the worst record in the NFC and the NFL’s 32nd-ranked defense (yards allowed and points allowed), Joe’s already devoting attention to the NFL Draft.

And that brings Joe to the young coveted quarterback prize as the Bucs try to build a Super Bowl contender. Welcome to another edition of Jameis Watch. [read more]

Lovie Smith sends mixed messages about former safety Mark Barron.

Yesterday, Bucs general manager Jason Licht found a sap suitor to take safety Mark Barron and his contract off the Bucs’ hands.

Today, Bucs coach Lovie Smith raved about Barron as a player, but then sent mixed messages when he stated the trade was made to improve the team today, not down the road. [read more]

(Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

If you can stomach watching the Bucs-Viking game again, you’ll see splash plays by starting left defensive end Will Gholston.

Yes, Gholston has been starting since Week 2 and has been way too quiet, but he is heating up. [read more]

Michael Johnson has a new issue

It’s not just an ankle issue any longer for struggling defensive end Michael Johnson.

Lovie Smith revealed that Johnson has a new ailment and was limited in practice today. [read more]