Concerns Over Pressuring The Quarterback

May 16th, 2013
da'quan bowers

The Bucs have placed a lot of pressure on Da’Quan Bowers to drop opposing quarterbacks this season.

There are lots of “ifs” this season, if the Bucs are going to turn around their fortunes.

IF Josh Freeman plays well…

IF the offensive line can be dominant and injury-free…

IF the Bucs can pressure the quarterback…

Those are just three “ifs” off the top of Joe’s head. And the third “if” also is of concern to the Football Outsiders crowd. In a series called “Red Flags,” they list the Bucs’ pass rush as a red flag, per BSPN.

“(Previously), we said Tampa Bay’s biggest hole was at pass-rusher, and they’ve since gotten weaker there, not stronger. Michael Bennett, who led Tampa Bay with 9.0 sacks last season (the only Bucs player to crack the top 50 in sacks) signed with Seattle in free agency.’’

Granted, the Bucs will sing a different song, but the reality is the Bucs are placing their their hopes on just that, hope.

The Bucs hope Adrian Clayborn can bounce back from knee surgery.

The Bucs hope Da’Quan Bowers can shine with a full season free of injuries.

The Bucs hope Gerald McCoy stays in one piece and stays a Pro Bowler.

Hey, Bowers, Clayborn and GMC could prove to be a lethal troika of defenders. It just seems to Joe that Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik is placing a lot of projected success based on hope.

Elite Athlete Boyd Looking For Roster Spot

May 15th, 2013

If rookie Bucs camp meat? wide receiver Jheranie Boyd was at the NFL Scouting Combine, he would have turned heads during the glorified track meet.

But Boyd wasn’t there. He fell off the radar after being stifled by an ankle injury during his senior season at the University of North Carolina last year. The big receiver made up for it at his Pro Day and landed with the Bucs.

Former Ashbrook standout and University of North Carolina senior Jheranie Boyd continues to maintain his dream of playing in the NFL. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound wide receiver has plenty of reason to be optimistic after he impressed scouts and draft-evaluators at UNC’s recent pro day this past week.

Boyd posted a 41.5-inch vertical leap and an 11-foot broad jump. Both of those numbers would have tied him for second-best among all receivers at the NFL combine.

The quote above is from a feature on Boyd in the Gaston Gazette, which references Boyd’s 4.4 second time in the 40-yard dash.

There’s little doubt Boyd arrived in Tampa with a nod from former Tar Heels head coach Butch Davis, Greg Schiano’s somewhat covert advisor. Boyd did have a rare stat in college. Of his 44 career receptions, a whopping 13 were for touchdowns.

Joe has scant interest in little-known roster hopefuls, but there are spots to be won at wide receiver, and at least Boyd has the raw talent to play in the NFL.

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May 15th, 2013

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Dominik Says Glennon Might Dominate Preseason

May 15th, 2013

Mark Dominik says Mike Glennon has to play a ton in August

The stage will be there for rookie Bucs quarterback Mike Glennon to implant a quarterback controversy in the minds of Bucs fans.

Per rockstar general manager Mark Dominik, via a recent NFL.com podcast, Glennon will get all kinds of work come August.

“We’re going to put a lot of pressure on [Glennon] and see a lot of reps from him in the preseason. He’s got to play,” Dominik said. “We may not see as much of Dan Orlovsky or even of Josh Freeman somewhat in the preseason as much as you’re going to see Glennon …

“We’re excited about just the little bit we saw from him [during rookie minicamp] in terms of mentally what he could handle. We kept piling more on him and he kept doing a great job digesting it, regurgitating it and running the team.”

This is great to hear, and it will make for an absolutely fascinating preseason.

“Get In Line With The Movement”

May 15th, 2013

TCDominik11Marques Colston, Steve Smith, Julio Jones, Roddy White, these are NFC South names that inspired rockstar general manager Mark Dominik this offseason, so he said during an NFL.com podcast this week.

Dominik talked about focusing on winning the division and joining the NFL trend of countering elite receivers with elite, big defensive backs.

“We’re trying to get in line with the movement,” Dominik said.

Dominik talked about limiting the production of the NFC South’s great receivers, and how the Bucs are focused on length of defensive backs because it’s a game of inches. Or as Greg Schiano might say, “a shoe.”

Dominik also went on to talk about how Darrelle Revis will add leadership and free up Greg Schiano to be more flexible with Xs and Os — “open up the defense.”

Interestingly, Dominik also touched on his excitement that Revis will bring a national spotlight to the Bucs. It’s been somewhat rare during the Schiano regime to hear anyone from the Bucs talk about anything other than performance on the field.

No Underwear Football For Darrelle Revis

May 15th, 2013

The 2013 Buccaneers will hit the practice field for the first time Monday when they run around with shorts and helmets but don’t hit each other, and it’s no surprise they’ll be missing someone.

Per Stephen Holder of TampaBay.com, Darrelle Revis, the Bucs’ $1 million a game cornerback, will sit out offseason practices while he continues to get his surgically-repaired knee ready to play football again.

Essentially, the man who is expected to be the most vital member of the defense won’t join his teammates on the field until the first day of training camp, at the earliest.

It’ll be interesting to see when the Bucs stop being cautious with Revis, whose ACL surgery was performed seven months ago.

Joe’s a little surprised to read, if true, that Revis won’t be a part of the mandatory minicamp in late June. Again, that’s still underwear football, as Raheem Morris used to call it, and one would think Revis would be healthy for limited participation, enough to soak in the defense with his teammates.

Might Revis potentially sit out the entire preseason schedule yet start in the Meadowlands on opening day?

Joe’s fine with that, but it’s rarely a recipe for a superstar season.

Getting Ronde Barber And The Hall Of Fame

May 14th, 2013

Yesterday, “TKras,” Tom Krasniqi of WDAE-AM 620, lassoed Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Ira Kaufman of The Tampa Tribune for a few words on Ronde Barber and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Kaufman made no secret he is in Barber’s corner, but he also cautioned Bucs fans who are of the belief that Barber will be inducted in his first year of eligibility in 2018.

“Look, [John] Lynch didn’t get in the room [final ballot] last year; he didn’t make it, he made it to the semifinals,” Kaufman said. “Only four defensive backs who retired in the past 25 years have gotten in. I think he eventually gets in. But to say he’s a slam dunk [is irresponsible]. That class of 2018 is shaping up as a tough one. Ray Lewis certainly, Randy Moss if he doesn’t play again, and some other big boys that will be eligible — [Brian] Urlacher if he doesn’t get picked up. There is quality people in that group. I’m just trying to apply a little perspective and I am getting beat up.”

What complicates matters is only five players can be elected each year (and up to two additional players nominated by an old timers committee). As Kaufman pointed out when Krasniqi busted his chops for the Hall of Fame voters not electing Michael Strahan this year, “Who would you take out then, Jonathan Ogden? Bill Parcells? Cris Carter? Warren Sapp? Larry Allen?”

To hear the full interview, click on the button below.

Cryptic Mike Williams Contract Update

May 14th, 2013

Joe brought word last week, via Tribune beat writer Woody Cummings, that the Bucs and Mike Williams scheduled a sit-down to discuss a contract extension yesterday.

Joe already detailed why he believes it’s doubtful a deal gets done, but there’s at least reasonable hope.

Williams, it seems, was peppered by fans on Twitter for an update yesterday, and he Twittered out a couple of apparent responses.

@MikeBuc19 – Sorry everyone didnt sign nothing today 🙁 I appreciate everybody for you guys concern but no matter what I’M STILL A BUC FOR LIFE!! ##BUCNA … GOOD THINGS DON’T COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO AND EARNS IT

Perhaps the Bucs and Williams are miles apart on a deal, perhaps not.

It is, however, fair to assume that the Bucs are not interested in overpaying for Williams in May, and that Williams is in no hurry to jump on an offer now.

Joe predicts the Bucs will make another move to extend Williams just before training camp. The Bucs need to lock him up, and Williams, who is being paid like the fourth-round draft pick he was, might bite at some solid guaranteed money rather than risk injury in 2013.

No Surprise Bucs Have Many Doubters

May 14th, 2013

There are plenty of experts on the record already calling the 2013 Bucs at least a 10-win team.

But it should be no surprise that the money gurus in Las Vegas and other NFL analysts doubt the Bucs will win more than seven games this season. Tampa Bay Times columnist Gary Shelton explored the heavy-hitter doubters in his column today.

And on and on it goes. Brian Billick, the ex-Ravens coach, has the Bucs 20th in his post-draft power rankings on fox.com. ESPN has them at No. 19. And Bovada, the betting site, has them at 50-1 to reach the Super Bowl. It has 19 teams as a better bet. Cbssports.com had them at 20th before the Revis trade.

Here’s where Joe stands. Joe believes the Bucs have a very legitimate win-now offense, meaning the necessary talent is there to be a playoff-caliber unit. Plus, the overall production was there last year, and the offense should advance in its second season in the regime. On defense, the Bucs have three Pro Bowlers in their prime, assuming Darrelle Revis is healthy, and some excellent young players. Overall, the special teams are above average.

This should be an improved Bucs team in the win column.

However, the Bucs coaching staff has a lot to prove. Nobody can tell Joe that Greg Schiano and his coordinators are proven game coaches, and especially when compared to Mike Smith and Sean Peyton and their NFC South staffs. That’s a huge Bucs question mark.

The Bucs also have massive depth concerns on defense and they’re gambling they won’t be tested.

Again, as of today, Joe believes the Bucs should be an improved team in 2013, but Joe surely wouldn’t wager on them having a better record.

Ten out of 16 NFC teams had better records than the Bucs did last year. Joe’s not sure how many of them the Bucs leapfrogged this offseason.

“Most Underrated Defender Of His Generation”

May 14th, 2013

Joe must admit he’s suffering from Ronde Barber fatigue.

Please do not misunderstand. Joe thinks the world of Barber and, yes, believes someday Barber will be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Or at least should be.

But Joe ran a huge endless Barber stories for three whole days. Of course, for a guy leaving the game like Barber, it was warranted coverage. But even Joe was having his fill reading Barber story after Barber story for days.

The way Joe looks at it, if a hardcore Bucs fan like Joe was getting tired of reading about Barber, then so too, Joe guessed, were his readers.

But this story Joe is bringing to his readers, well, Joe thinks it is extraordinary.

Jeff Chadiha of ESPN wrote a long piece mocking those who don’t understand how good of a player Barber was, and goes so far to proclaim Barber as the most underrated defensive player in NFL annals.

The easy knock on Barber was always that he was more a product of Tampa’s Cover 2 scheme than a gifted lockdown defender. He wasn’t asked to shut down one half of the field, and nobody ever saw him as the second coming of Deion Sanders. The truth is that Barber was plenty effective at what the Bucs did demand from him on a weekly basis. He played within the defense, displayed a knack for the big play and never shied away from contact. Few defensive backs with his size — he was listed at 5-foot-10 and 184 pounds — were as willing to throw their bodies around the way Barber did.

These are the parts of his game that should be best remembered. The reality is that it will be harder to measure Barber’s excellence once he’s eligible for the Hall of Fame. The NFL is tilting so much toward offense these days that defensive players will have a tougher time being immortalized. Iconic talents like Sapp, Woodson and Ray Lewis don’t have to worry about such issues. Understated stars like Barber face an entirely different problem.

It might be easier to see this another way if Barber had Sapp’s brashness or Lewis’ charisma. It also would’ve helped his cause had he played in a bigger market, as his brother surely could attest. The beauty of Barber’s game was that he was so consistently adept at the little things that result in big moments. He impressed you more with his savvy than he ever did with sensational highlights.

Joe has written the following before but it bears repeating: This nonsense that Barber was a system cornerback, Joe just wants to ring someone’s neck when he hears this.

Joe Montana was a system player. So too was Lawrence Taylor. And Franco Harris, as well as Kellen Winslow. All four are considered to be either the best or among the very best at their positions.

Hell, every player is a system player. The frauds who claim Barber is a system player, well, that’s akin to suggesting others freelanced each and every play.

Look, every team plays within a system. To knock a guy for that is really just reaching for an excuse to drag a guy down because someone isn’t intelligent enough or observant enough to bring a better premise to the table.

Gerald McCoy No. 3

May 14th, 2013

Yes, when Bucs great Ronde Barber retired last week, he suggested Gerald McCoy would pick up the mantle as the leader of the Bucs defense.

It seems like Barber’s view of his former teammate is shared by others.

On CBSSports.com, former Bucs scout, NFL coach and front office man Pat Kirwan typed a piece where he ranked all defensive linemen in the NFL. In this article, Kirwan claims GMC is the No. 3 defensive tackle in a 43 front.

3. Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay (29): There were times last season McCoy was the best in the league. He is tall for the position but has demonstrated the ability to get under the pads of the offensive linemen. He was a Pro Bowl player last year but there are players closing in on him this year and he needs to keep improving.

Through no fault of his own, GMC will be linked forever to Ndamukong Suh, the Lions’ defensive tackle, and Kirwan ranks Suh higher than GMC, but not as the best 43 defensive tackle. Kirwan believes Geno Atkins of Cincinnati is the best DT as a 3-technique.

Sure, GMC got off to a slow star because of injuries but he showed last year what he can be. If that means in some people’s eyes GMC is the third best defensive tackle in a 43 defense, Joe will take that.

No, It’s Not “Too Early To Tell”

May 13th, 2013

There’s trying to be objective as a journalist, and then there’s plain silliness.

Joe will now bring you an example of silliness, courtesy of TampaBay.com Bucs beat writer Stephen Holder.

Holder penned a piece studying position battles entering the start of Bucs OTA practices next week. Holder believes there’s a mystery at No. 2/backup running back.

While veteran free-agent signing Brian Leonard is a solid addition, he is best suited for the role the Bucs are projecting for him: a third-down back expected to be active in the passing game. That leaves sixth-round draft choice Mike James and second-year man Michael Smith as the primary candidates.

Some in the organization have indicated James has the edge here, but it’s much too early to tell. That’s, perhaps, something that can be clarified a bit in the coming weeks.

Joe zeroed in on Holder claiming it’s “too early to tell” whether Mike James has an edge on Michael Smith.

Jimminy Christmas! Of course James has an edge right now. Smith was captain of the Bucs inactive list after being the 2012 opening-day kick returner and subsequently getting permanently yanked, despite the Bucs turning to streetwalkers to return kicks. Then the Bucs went out this season and drafted James, a guy the organization has openly compared to Earnest Graham for his versatility, work ethic and team-first mentality.

Why the heck would the Bucs trade up and draft James if Smith was thought of so highly?

Plus, rockstar general manager Mark Dominik has said many times he prefers big running backs. James has 20 pounds and an inch on Smith.

Joe views James as the handpicked backup running back, a role he’s likely to keep unless he starts fumbling, which was an issue with Smith at times during 2012 practices.

Court Date Coming Up?

May 13th, 2013

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Bucs Secondary From Woeful To Feared

May 13th, 2013

Joe can’t begin to explain the acid reflux he suffered on football Sunday nights last year after having nightmares of the Bucs secondary.

How rotten was the second-worst pass defense in NFL history? The Family Resource Council petitioned the FCC to remove Bucs games from broadcast television fearing the long-term damage to childrens’ mental health after viewing two games.

But Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik went to work, and in some people’s eyes, has turned the NFL’s worst secondary into perhaps the best in a matter of weeks.

In a well-detailed article on NFL.com, Bucky Brooks breaks down just how well the Bucs secondary should play, and why they will be so improved, and not just because they added a name cornerback and drafted a corner in the second round.

Of course, the lynch-pin to the flexibility and makeover of the Bucs secondary is Darrelle Revis.

Having studied Revis’ game throughout the years, I’ve been most impressed with his versatility, technique and instincts. Revis is a rare commodity at the position, possessing the size and strength to match up with big-bodied receivers on the perimeter while also boasting the quickness and burst to run with speedsters. Most importantly, he is a technically sound player with the capacity to play man or zone utilizing a variety of techniques.

From mugging receivers in press coverage at the line of scrimmage to keying the three-step drop while adhering to hash-split rules — cornerbacks will anticipate routes from receivers based on their alignment and the location of the ball on the field — Revis’ mastery of the fundamentals allows him to thrive in any scheme. This gives the defensive play-caller ultimate flexibility in the game plan, allowing him to diversify coverages to take away the strengths of the opponent’s personnel.

Now, Revis might not return to All-Pro form immediately following a lengthy rehab from a torn ACL, but that shouldn’t deter the Buccaneers from building packages around his immense talent. When healthy, he has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to take on the opponent’s No. 1 receiver with little assistance from a safety over the top. This could encourage the Buccaneers to utilize more “quarters” coverage concepts, with Revis playing as the field corner.

In Brooks’ piece, you can find out why Revis is so important, not just to add talent, but he makes players around him better.

For example, with Revis (if healthy) the Bucs can roll coverage of the safeties to help out either Eric Wright or Johnthan Banks because Revis can handle so much real estate himself. It’s almost like having a third cornerback on the field, Revis can be that good.

If Brooks’ observations and studies come true, Joe can look forward to a solid night’s rest on Sundays this fall without having to eat TUMS like M&Ms.

What To Make Of Remaining Bucs UFAs

May 13th, 2013
Of the four Bucs unrestricted free agents still unsigned, wide receiver Sammie Stroughter may have the best chance of returning.

Among Bucs unrestricted free agents still unsigned, it seems wide receiver Sammie Stroughter may have the best chance of returning.

So a month from now when the Bucs gather for their first offseason mini-camp, their summer training camp roster will be just about set.

Oh, there will be guys on the fringes available to fill in a spot or two as teams generally will shave some salaries after June 1, but not many.

Four Bucs unrestricted free agents are still out there who — theoretically — could return. The fact they are unsigned in the middle of May suggests the Bucs aren’t enamoured with them. So Joe is going to take a look at what is happening with the fab four.

Dallas Clark: The former starting tight end has yet to sign anywhere. Though past his prime, he is still productive. Recently, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik noted that Clark’s representatives said they “want to go in a different direction.” And it could be that said direction is retirement, if Clark can’t get a dollar figure he has in mind.

Brandon McDonald: A backup corner on one of the worst secondaries in NFL history, McDonald may have just “played” — if that’s what you want to call it — his way out of the NFL. The Bucs were caught combing local nursing homes they were so desperate last year for corners. Given a chance, McDonald often was dreadful beyond words. It’s fair to say McDonald may be working a farm before he’s back on an NFL roster.

Roscoe Parrish: Partially because Michael Smith became captain of the inactive list, the Bucs struggled to find a decent returner all season, pinning hopes on a veteran like Parrish to somehow channel his earlier career. It didn’t happen, and with Johnthan Banks, who could return, as well as the rights to track star Jeff Demps, it sure seems like the Bucs have turned the page on Parrish.

Sammie Stroughter: Once looking like a steal in the late rounds of the 2009 draft, Stroughter, when healthy, was productive. The problem is Stroughter is oft-injured. On face value, the Bucs have loaded up on wide receiver depth signing Kevin Ogletree and Steve Smith, which doesn’t bode well for Stroughter coming back.

Joe is quite sure the Bucs have moved on from Clark, McDonald and Parrish. Still, if any of the four Bucs UFAs could return for training camp, if not mini-camp, it may be Stroughter. What’s to lose? He will come cheap, and if nothing else he provides Bucs coach Greg Schiano with that coveted “competition.”

Barber’s Three Beasts

May 13th, 2013

During one of his many interviews last week, retired Bucs icon Ronde Barber talked about how Panthers WR Steve Smith was his toughest career matchup because Smith would outwork defensive backs on the field, and it was evident to Barber that Smith’s smarts from film study were off the charts.

Barber explained that he was always committed to outsmarting and outworking opponents on and off the field but couldn’t always match Smith’s effort.

Olive oil-lappingpopcorn-munchingcoffee-slurpinghomeless-mistakenfried-chicken-eatingoatmeal-lovingcircle-jerkingbeer-chuggingcricket-watchingscone-loathingcollege football-naïvebaseball-box-score-reading Peter King, of Sports Illustrated and NBC Sports fame, talked to Barber about matchups for his Monday column and got Barber to reveal his fearsome threesome of wideouts.

“I played a lot of great players. The receiver position today … so hard to match up now. Megatron [Calvin Johnson] was impossible to cover. Randy Moss in his prime: nothing you can do. But to me, Steve Smith was the toughest guy I faced. When I played him, he was just like me. He chose to outwork everyone else out there every day. That was me.”

If one read’s King’s article further, it’s obvious King will be quick to put Barber in the Hall of Fame when he appears on the ballot in five years.

As for Barber’s list of beastly receivers, Darrelle Revis and friends will get all kind of work against great passing attacks this season, starting in Weeks 2 & 3 against the Saints and Patriots, respectively. Joe’s glad the Bucs secondary got a Week 1 game to work out its issues against the woeful Jets passing attack.

Idolizing Warrick Dunn

May 13th, 2013

Who the hell wants to work on a Monday morning? That’s why you should catch this interview with rookie Bucs running back Mike James.

James is asked about his favorite team growing up and responds by saying he didn’t have a favorite team only favorite players, then he specifically mentions Warrick Dunn for his charity work. It was a classy and telling answer by one of the newest “Buccaneer Men.”

James hits on many topics and goes on to talk about how he’s most excited about impacting the Bucs on special teams, a wise take given that Doug Martin could be used more often than any other running in the NFL.

Making An Impact

May 13th, 2013

There are theories out there claiming Bucs cornerback Eric Wright will be a starter until or unless second-round pick Johnthan Banks takes over the starting job.

They may be accurate. Bucs officials believe Wright may be best suited to being a slot corner and that Banks, unless he is woefully behind others, will get the starting nod when the Bucs travel to Gotham to open the 2013 season, noted the Associated Press in a recent feature on Banks.

The Bucs are confident Banks has the skills and maturity to develop into a top-notch pro, and he is ready to take advantage of an opportunity to contribute right away.

“I’m not going to put myself out there like that,” Banks said of his chances of becoming an immediate starter in a defense that nearly set a NFL record for passing yards allowed last season. “I’m coming in here willing to work hard — special teams, defense — and do anything I can to help.”

There is also the possibility, and this is pure speculation from Joe, that if Banks needs a work before he can start, the Bucs could instead start Leonard Johnson and keep Wright at slot.

Either way, one fun aspect of the upcoming Bucs minicamp will be observing the depth-chart pecking order the Bucs place Banks — just days after he was drafted.

“Top-3” Secondary In The NFL

May 12th, 2013

After delivering a pass defense in 2012 that should have prompted Team Glazer to issue free Tums to all season ticket holders, the Bucs now have NFL types raving about what could be the best secondary in the NFL.

Former general manager Charley Casserly and his pundit colleagues ponder this thought/fantasy and more in this NFL Network video.

Casserly is of the mind that Darrelle Revis might not be used to take out the opposition’s stud wideout talents. “You double cover their best receiver and [Revis] goes to their other receiver, and now they have nowhere to go with the football,” he said.

Regardless, the consensus in the video is that the Bucs possess a “top-3” secondary or darn close to it, assuming — perhaps the biggest assumption of the offseason — that Revis shows up healthy and ready to go on opening day.

Happy With Hayward?

May 12th, 2013

The only holdover from the Monte Kiffin years on the Bucs defense, linebacker Adam Hayward, managed to earn — and hold onto — the starting the strongside linebacker starting job after Quincy Black went down injured last season.

Joe found this significant for two reasons: Dakoda Watson couldn’t beat Hayward out, and the New Schiano Order didn’t punish Hayward (on the field) for aggressively shoving coach Bryan Cox along the sidelines.

So Joe must wonder, are the Bucs simply happy with Hayward?

The Bucs’ 2013 plans at strongside linebacker have been the subject of much speculation, especially with the recent addition of former three-year Saints backup Jonathan Casillas. But he’s no hidden Pro Bowler.

Hayward hits hard, has a wealth of experience and is only 29 years old, and he may very well be an upgrade over the improved 2012 edition of Quincy Black. It’s also his second year in the Schiano system. The more Joe considers the situation, the more Joe thinks there may be no real question at all what will happen at strongside linebacker.

“That Freaking No. 93 Is Heck To Deal With”

May 11th, 2013

gerald mccoy 0814It’s hard to believe legions of Bucs fans believed Gerald McCoy was a third-rate football player only one year ago.

Well, that was a garbage take, as the NFL and locals found out. And in a piece penned by Tampa Tribune beat scribe Woody Cummings, Bucs icon Ronde Barber actually fingers McCoy as the defense’s next leader and brings insider word from John Lynch on how opposing coaches break into a sweat when they think of McCoy.

A lot of people don’t give Gerald credit for the year he had last year, but the people that played against him (did),” Barber said. “And when you talk to a guy like John Lynch, who did a lot of games (as a Fox TV analyst), he’ll tell you.

“He’s talking to the other coaches all the time and asking them, ‘What is it with this (Bucs) team that you know you have to stop to beat them?’ And, without fail, they all said, ‘That freaking No. 93 is heck to deal with.’ So, yeah, he’s the guy.’

That sure was enlightening. For those who don’t realize, when John Lynch, or any other analyst, calls a game, he gets to meet with the game’s head coaches about 48 hours prior to kickoff to dive into game plans and pick their brains. So it’s pretty cool that Lynch is getting this feedback.

Married To Mason Foster

May 11th, 2013

With all the personnel housecleaning done by the New Schiano Order, it’s interesting that Mason Foster has been granted the highest blessing by Greg Schiano.

Foster has absolutely no one competing with him for his middle linebacker job.

Entering his third season having just turned 24, the Bucs’ middle linebacker has shown flashes of greatness. But he’s essentially a solid, young guy lacking elite talent.

Schiano not only is a defense-first coach but was a linebacker during his college playing days, and he scrutinizes the position. So Foster must have gotten grades of the highest order last season. The Bucs have plenty of cash under the salary cap and are investing peanuts in their linebackers unit. Therefore, Joe believes no movement to push Foster represents a massive endorsement.

Schiano didn’t have to marry himself to Foster, a third-round pick in 2011, but he has.

Joe’s rather confident Foster can up his game another step. A second year in the Schiano defense and continued sound coaching — geez, Bucs coaches even helped take Quincy Black of Bucs fans’ hate lists — should make a difference.