An exciting update emerges

As Joe has stated before, if the regime of Jason Licht is to hang on for more than a handful of years, Licht must get production, solid production, out of his second-round draft picks.

Licht put a lot on the line drafting left tackle Donovan Smith hoping he can protect “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston. And Licht took a helluva gamble on fellow second-round pick, Division-III product Ali Marpet, tabbing him to be the answer at right guard. [read more]

Ask Joe why the Bucs — or any team — haven’t made a transaction, and the answer usually is staring you in the face.

Take this Dan Connolly. A starter on the reigning Super Bowl champions, not even Bill Belicheat wants the offensive lineman back. Connolly is unemployed. Not only the Bucs, but 31 other teams haven’t picked him up. [read more]

A new Lovie Smith story offers insight into the head coach’s style

Maybe it’s no surprise that Da’Quan Bowers and Jorvorskie Lane were busted last year under the NFL substance abuse policy for using (allegedly) banned drugs to lose weight. [read more]

Those who believe Jameis Winston needs a babysitter — and the Bucs were determined to have a babysitter-like influence for him — might want to look at who was told to spend a lot of time next to America’s Quarterback. [read more]

Joe enjoys hockey, even played as a kid on streets, driveways and tennis courts with their nets removed for winter.

But Joe’s really getting annoyed by all the loudmouths spouting how Tampa likes the Lightning more than the Buccaneers.

Stop the nonsense. [read more]

Bucs coach Lovie Smith directing traffic at OTA practice this week. Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.

Yes, there was another week of OTA practices at One Buc Palace this week. And yes, Joe only was permitted to see one practice. It was fun, though.

The good people of Buccaneers.com have put together a highlight package of practices this week, albeit underwear football. Among the highlights is a sweet catch along the sidelines by Mike Evans and “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, running a keeper off a read option. [read more]

The spreadsheeters seem to be holding their noses over the Bucs receivers, after looking past Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson.

Joe knows there is speculation that the Bucs are deep at wide receiver. Until proven otherwise, Joe is suspicious of such a notion.

Yes, the Bucs are top-heavy. Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans are as good a pair of Nos. 1 and 2 as there is in the NFL. [read more]

Yes, NFL players, by way of NFL Network, think Bucs second-year wide receiver Mike Evans is great. That says a lot coming from fellow NFLers, especially for a rookie like Evans was.

However, there may be a more august authority than NFL players. [read more]

A neat and fresh story relayed by a former NFL linebacker sheds more light on “America’s Quarterback,” Jameis Winston. [read more]

For an old dog like Vincent Jackson, getting up for work or a game must have been drudgery the past few years. When he played for the Chargers, just about every year they were in the playoff hunt or better — with Super Bowl aspirations.

In his last three years with the Bucs? Since the final weeks of 2012, when the team the took a nosedive into the Gulf, Tampa Bay has been just wretched. [read more]

A leader at One Buc Palace offered firm language when it came to discussing how fans too often overlook depth. [read more]

Robert Herron takes on a garbage can at Bucs OTA practice

When Joe gathered intelligence from covert drones and ground operatives at Wednesday’s OTA practice, (not yesterday) Joe learned that rookie Division III wide receiver Donteea Dye and undrafted Clemson product Adam Humphries have important people at One Buc Palace grinning. [read more]

Dirk Koetter came to lead Tampa Bay’s offense and didn’t bring a single player with him from his Falcons regime. [read more]

Bucs WR Mike Evans talks about his sore hammy. Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.

Bucs fans’ collective gasp could be heard in Fort Myers when stud wide receiver Mike Evans tweaked his right hamstring last week.

It was the second time in as many years Evans had a bum hammy in OTAs. Last year, Evans was hobbled as a result into the summer. [read more]

Joe really had a good laugh reading Rick Stroud’s story about Lovie Smith possibly getting more involved on the defensive side of the ball this year. [read more]

V-Jax dissects Jameis Winston’s throwing

Before the Bucs drafted “America’s Quarterback,” signal-caller Jameis Winston, young Jameis made no secret of his desire to play for Tampa Bay and, in particular, throw passes to Vincent Jackson.

Who could forget Jameis telling Steve Mariucci on NFL Network while pointing to a receiver on the white board, “I hope that’s Vincent Jackson.” [read more]

Lovie Smih explains after Jameis Winston was a second-team QB yesterday. Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.

One thing Joe learned talking to a trusted Bucs source last week was that the days of gifting players starting gigs is over.

Oh, sure, the Bucs expect Donovan Smith to start at left tackle. And they hope, before the end of the season, Ali Marpet will start at right guard. But it doesn’t mean those two are locked in as starters. [read more]

When “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, was at Florida State, he was anything but timid. Loud, brash, confident, often FSU coach Jimbo Fisher had to reel in Jameis to lasso his emotions. [read more]

“America’s Quarterback” points out defensive coverage during Bucs OTA practice today at One Buc Palace.

Yes, Joe is excited as the next guy when NFL players put on helmets, jocks, socks and little else. It’s football! And we live in a football world. [read more]