Lovie Is All Smiles, Optimism And Confidence

May 2nd, 2014

NFL.com writer Michael Silver got exclusive time with Jason Licht and Lovie Smith for a new feature on the Bucs’ head coach.

Silver was all pitchforks for Greg Schiano shortly after he was hired, but Silver is all-in with Lovie. He paints a picture of nirvana in the bowels of One Buc Palace. [read more]

“Be A Man,” Says Anthony Collins

May 2nd, 2014

anthony collinsThere’s a decent chance the Bucs could draft an offensive tackle like Jake Matthews with the seventh overall draft pick next week.

But then what? Would Matthews, new left tackle Anthony Collins or Demar Dotson move inside to fill one of the Bucs’ apparent holes at guard? [read more]

Pining For A Quarterback

May 2nd, 2014
Per the respectable OverTheCap.com, Bucs QB Josh McCown's contract is only guaranteed in 2014.

Bucs QB Josh McCown’s contract is only guaranteed for 2014.

When Joe looks at the Bucs’ roster, sure he sees holes, but Joe believes new Bucs coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht have done a fine job upgrading.

The defense, in Joe’s eyes, is set. On offense, Joe is worried as hell about the thin offensive line. A wide receiver or two will sure help in this deep receiver draft. Then there’s quarterback. [read more]

Johnny Football: A Modern Day Brett Favre

May 2nd, 2014
johnny football 0114c

Former Bucs QB Jeff Carlson weighs in

Joe wants to crush a beer can whenever he hears someone compare Johnny Football to Tim Tebow. That’s like comparing Rachel Watson to Rosie O’Donnell.

Tebow flat out couldn’t throw the ball. He was a glorified wishbone quarterback. Johnny Football has better wheels than Tebow, and a much, much, much better arm. [read more]

Sammy Watkins Is Not A Pipe Dream

May 2nd, 2014
Draft guru Mike Mayock believes it's not outrageous to think Clemson WR Sammy Watkins could fall to the Bucs.

Draft guru Mike Mayock believes it’s not outrageous to think Clemson WR Sammy Watkins will fall to the Bucs.

Joe knows the following will force those afflicted with the Sammy Watkins Fetish to stand at attention and walk quickly to the nearest bathroom at work for a private moment.

Mike Mayock thinks the Bucs have a prayer of landing Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins. Yes, you read that correctly. [read more]

Evans vs. Watkins? Chocolate Vs. Vanilla

May 1st, 2014
Mike Evans or Sammy Watkins? Depends what flavor you like.

Mike Evans or Sammy Watkins? Depends what flavor you like, says NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock.

Joe listened to the two-hour Mike Mayock teleconference this afternoon and it was some kind of awesome to get prepped for the draft. Remember how Joe has been pimping Penn State wide receiver Allen Robinson in the third round? Mayock said that is where Robinson will get drafted.

Yes, Joe actually does research and puts thought into things. [read more]

“Not Gettin’ Too Nosy” Under Lovie

May 1st, 2014
More evidence Greg Schiano was being tuned out by his players

More evidence Greg Schiano was being tuned out by his players

An order Commander Greg Schiano would often scream was “Do your job!”

The premise was simple: just do what the New Schiano Order asks you to do on any given play. Don’t be a hero. Don’t even think about making a play. [read more]

Mayock: Murray Probably A Third-Round Pick

May 1st, 2014
Aaron Murray potentially is a great fit for the Bucs for multiple reasons

Murray potentially is a great Tampa Bay fit for multiple reasons

Chucky’s second favorite QB in the NFL Draft, Aaron Murray, is steadily moving up team draft boards and NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock said this afternoon he expects Murray to be a third-round pick next week.

Speaking on his annual pre-draft conference call, Mayock made the claim along with all kinds of heavy praise for Murray’s intelligence, experience, readiness and ability. [read more]

“Plan B”

May 1st, 2014
Joe would not be shocked at all if Jake Matthews is selected by the Bucs next week.

Joe would not be shocked at all if OL Jake Matthews is selected by the Bucs next week.

There is no doubt the Bucs need a wide receiver (perhaps two) in next week’s draft. Good timing, as the draft is lousy with wide receivers.

Now we all know Joe has an infatuation with everything Johnny Football, from his hyper Labrador-puppy-like running to his pocket accuracy, to his rabbit-out-of-the-hat playmaking ability and his harem of hot women. [read more]

Watch Jason Licht

May 1st, 2014

Informative video here by talented Amanda Borges of SportsTalkFlorida.com. It’ll give you a great summary feel for Jason Licht and Lovie Smith blowing smokescreens addressing the media on all things NFL Draft this week.

D.J. Moore Holds A Draft Key

May 1st, 2014
Lovie was so dialed in to the nickel back position in Chicago, he coached the position himself in 2008.

Lovie was so dialed in to the nickel back position in Chicago, he coached the position himself in 2008.

Joe has put in way too much research into the eight-year Lovie Smith regime in Chicago.

As a Bucs fan, Joe can say a lot of Lovie’s time in Chicago is incredibly encouraging, some is downright frightening, and the rest offers great insight into Lovie. [read more]

Bucs’ “Top-10 In Ink” By This Weekend

May 1st, 2014

lovie and lichtWhen Jason Licht was hired as Bucs general manager, he said he would pound on Lovie Smith’s office door over and over and over again, if necessary, in an effort to sell Lovie on a player.

There would be no 11th-hour, draft-day hollering and angry chest bumping to make a decision, Licht said. [read more]

Licht: No Change In QB Ratings Since February

May 1st, 2014

teddy bridgewaterJason Licht wasn’t kidding when he said Tuesday that Pro Days are of little value to the Buccaneers.

The Bucs’ general manager said this morning on WDAE-AM 620 that Tampa Bay’s rankings of the 2014 quarterbacks class has been static for more than two months. That means Licht is saying Teddy Bridgewater’s widely panned Pro Day did not impact the Bucs’ brass. [read more]

Are Bowers And Clayborn “For Sale?”

May 1st, 2014
Pat Kirwan of SiriusXM NFL Radio wondered aloud if Bucs DE Adrian Clayborn is "for sale."

Pat Kirwan of SiriusXM NFL Radio wondered aloud if Bucs DE Adrian Clayborn is “for sale.”

Now Joe has already brought up a possibility — nothing more than that — the Bucs could be shopping running back Doug Martin in order to stock up on valuable draft picks for next week’s draft. Martin, for a third-year guy, already has a lot of wear and tear on his tires and is coming off an ugly shoulder injury.

With the Bucs being deep at running back and some team dangling draft picks for Martin, would Bucs coach Lovie Smith nibble at the bait? [read more]

Fact: Johnny Is The Best QB Prospect

May 1st, 2014

johnny football III

In this “Fact or Fiction” segment with Maggie Gray and fight-instigating, barista-training, pedestrian-bumping, olive oil-lappingpopcorn-munchingcoffee-slurpingfried-chicken-eatingoatmeal-lovingcircle-jerkingbeer-chuggingcricket-watchingscone-loathingcollege football-naïve, baseball box score-reading Peter King of SI.com, King explains why Johnny Football is the best quarterback prospect in next week’s NFL draft. [read more]

Joe Talks Waterboarding, Freefalling, Johnny Targeting, Banks Evaluation, Evans Love, Bucs Smokescreens & More

April 30th, 2014

Joe went into double overtime this evening with the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620. All things Bucs were on the table.

How Do The Bucs Stack Up?

April 30th, 2014

lovie 0322

The Bucs sure have made this offseason go somewhat quickly, even if Joe has been waterboarded with mock drafts until he finally waved the white flag and circled the return of Jack Bauer and 24 next week on his calendar and not the draft.

The pollution, both digital and electronic, that these mockers have littered our life with is out of hand, and Joe is calling for the FCC to step in and put a moratorium on these things for the public well-being. [read more]

“Red Flag” For Marqise Lee

April 30th, 2014

Will explosive Lee be there for Tampa in Round 2?

Lurking behind the paywall on BSPN.com lives all kinds of data on potential draft picks. It’s where stats gurus will tell you that Jadeveon Clowney isn’t a good pass rusher and explosive Southern California receiver Marquise Lee is a bust-in-waiting. [read more]

“I Think Mike Glennon Has To Go”

April 30th, 2014
mike glennon 0217

ESPN NFL insider Adam Caplan told WDAE-AM 620 that if the Bucs draft a quarterback next week, then you can wave goodbye to backup QB Mike Glennon.

It is eight days from the draft and it seems all the NFL world is talking about is Johnny Football. Oh, there are some muttering about Derek Carr or Blake Bortles or Jimmy Garoppolo or Teddy Bridgewater or Khalil Mack.

But turn on NFL Network (and try not to gawk at hottie Molly Qerim in her flaming red dress) or SiriusXM NFL Radio, and Johnny Football dominates the chatter. Hell, you don’t see Zach Mettenberger on the cover of Sports Illustrated, but there’s Johnny Football. [read more]

Introducing Bucs QB Mike Kafka

April 30th, 2014

Despite being out of football for a year, quarterback Mike Kafka was hotly pursued by the Bucs and signed in February.

In this exclusive JoeBucsFan.com locker room video, Kafka talks about becoming a Buccaneer and you can enjoy coveted looks from last week’s first practices under Lovie Smith. Enjoy.

Thanks to the Buccaneers and NFL. By league rule, this video can only be seen for 24 hours after it’s published.

Mileage Matters

April 30th, 2014

doug martin 0913Joe was loudly criticized a couple of weeks ago after suggesting Doug Martin might not have a long future with the Bucs.

Those who thought Joe was a complete moron might want to read former Packers salary cap chief Albert Breer’s new column about running backs’ value in the NFL. Martin’s uncertain future is touched upon. [read more]