Late in the second quarter tonight, the complexion of the Buccaneers’ season changed. [read more]

The Bucs lost more than a meaningless preseason game

Well, that sure was a buzz kill. The Bucs’ defense picked up where it left off on its worst days last season. And the first-team offense did not score a touchdown. [read more]

OK, Bucs fans. We made it. Football, albeit preseason, is here. America’s Quarterback takes the field.

Joe’s got a twist tonight with the open thread. It will be in the all new JoeBucsFan Message Boards. The direct link is HERE.

The message board is easy. If you haven’t already, just register, confirm the automatic email, and then sign in and play. Easy!

Given how easy and lightning fast the message board is to navigate and post, this should be a lively night. Have fun. Bad words and naughty posters will be filtered.

Bucs GM sheds light.

Joe is getting hammered with this question the past two days or so and sorry, Joe doesn’t have a specific answer because Bucs coach Lovie Smith doesn’t even know for sure.

“How long with Jameis play?” [read more]

Preseason Game One

Bucs at Vikings

Kickoff: 8 p.m. [read more]

The prideful Samoan, Bucs rookie Joey Iosefa, is ready to hit somebody.

It’s Week 1 of the preseason, which means the orgasm of real football is here but quickly fades after 15 minutes or so.

Then the backups start flowing in.

For those fans who stick out the entire game, Joe’s got a handful of names to watch. [read more]

Bucs great Derrick Brooks rattled then-rookie Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington just by standing on the field

Cool story in an NFL Network video buried in a chat about “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston. Joe thought he’d share.

Yes, Joe already wrote about how special this day is for Bucs rookies. It is a day they will never forget. Just ask former NFL linebacker LaVar Arrington. [read more]

Geeked for his NFL debut.

Yes, today marks the NFL debut of “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston. It is a day he will never forget, no matter the outcome. So too it is a big day for his fellow rookies.

Some, specifically undrafted rookie) may be working baggage claim at an international airport somewhere near you in a few weeks. [read more]

Marcus Mariota and the sickly Tennessee Titans, the Bucs’ opening day opponent, kicked off the preseason last night in Atlanta.

First, Joe must say that the Falcons’ aerial assault was razor sharp, absolutely carved up the Titans. Matt Ryan opened up 6-for-6 with a touchdown on the first 91-yard drive and did not return. Sheesh. [read more]

Speaking to college football teams.

Joe understands fully how Bucs fans want to know the current comings and goings of Bucs past, including one of the most popular wide receivers in recent memory, the blocking icon, Michael Clayton. [read more]

Mike Glennon has not had a strong training camp. There, Joe put it on the table.

At no time did Glennon play like a guy who should be competing for a starting job. [read more]

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]

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]

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]

A 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]

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.

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]

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]

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]