Joe sort of touched upon this yesterday, but if there was a rock among the Bucs, it was Ronde Barber.

The name of the franchise for so many years let loose yesterday he was retiring. He makes it official this afternoon.

Barber was simply a class act. Even Tampa Tribune columnist Martin Fennelly was moved.

Barber was the last connection to the Super Bowl Bucs, and he just kept on lasting and lasting.

His career was his job, his business, and he approached it that way — he was feeding Claudia and the girls. Here was one of the great professionals in Bucs or any franchise’s history.

“I’ll be as proud of my last game as I was of my first,” he once said. “My mom tells me the same thing every time I play: Play proud.”

That’s the thing that impressed Joe. Whether he was pushing 30 or pushing 40, Barber was Barber. Durng the last two seasons of Derrick Brooks’ tremendous career, Brooks signs of age. Same with Warren Sapp. Same with Simeon Rice. Even Father Time was dishing out injuries to John Lynch in his final NFL days.

Not Ronde Barber. Even with a move to safety, Barber was still among the NFL’s elite and could have easily been named to a Pro Bowl his final season, playing not corner, but safety.

Selfishly, would it have been cool to see Barber for one more season? Yes. But now, Barber goes out on top. Never missing a step, never missing a beat.

Leave it to No. 99 to imply that Ronde Barber retired because he wasn’t offered enough money for 2013.

Warren Sapp does just that in this NFL Network “Total Access” video.

But Sapp also talked about Barber’s role and work in the glory years.

“He was our criminal. He made sure everything was right where it was supposed to be, and then he was such a film guy,” Sapp said of Barber. “And he’d look so deep in the game plan and he’d know exactly that opportunity when he could go snatch one.”

Yes, Barber will be missed spiritually and literally. There’s no doubt the Bucs could have used Barber this season.

Joe doesn’t know where to start when writing about Ronde Barber. Intelligent, classy, professional, consummate teammate. All apply to Barber and may be understated.

Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com has a better description for Barber. He refers to Barber as “the rock” of the Bucs’ franchise.

Tony Dungy’s “Tampa 2” defense was one of the most dominant trends of the last decade. In many ways, Barber was the defining Tampa 2 cornerback. He could tackle, cover, blitz, and had great instincts to make big plays. He could play inside and out.

Barber will be an interesting case for the Hall of Fame Committee someday, and we believe he’ll have a shot at enshrinement. But that’s a debate for another day. There is no debating Barber’s place as the rock of Tampa’s franchise over the last two decades, a player that outlasted his talented twin brother by six full NFL seasons.

Well-stated. Joe will never forget being at Ferg’s Sports Bar during the 2002 NFC Championship game. When Barber picked off Donovan McNabb for a 92-yard pick six, dudes were running down the length of the bar on the patio — a good 30-yards long — as if they were blocking for Barber, pushing him themselves down the field and across the goal line.

With the possible exception of Derrick Brooks, who was beginning to show his age his last two years with the Bucs, Joe cannot think of a Bucs player who was just as good in his final season as he was his rookie year. Barber never appeared to be aging.

A rock? Indeed.

It appears that the greatest cornerback to wear a Bucs uniform is hanging up his jersey for good.

Per NFL insider Jay Glazer, a confidant of Ronde Barber, the long-time Bucs corner is done with playing football and will retire.

@JayGlazer: Just got off the phone w Ronde Barber who told me he is officially retiring. “I’ve had a better run than I ever could’ve dreamed of having.” … Ronde has been mulling his decision for a while. The last man standing of that great Bucs defense

And yes, Glazer nails it, in more than one way. The last link to one of the greatest defenses in NFL history is now hanging it up.

Joe assumes Barber didn’t want to play a lesser role in the Bucs’ defense. He would have been at best a backup safety and at worst a backup corner, who probably would have been asked to play special teams.

Now the next steps for Barber are the Bucs’ Ring of Honor and, eventually, the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Bucs beat writer Woody Cummings penned a nice update on Da’Quan Bowers today, and all kinds of good quotes from Bowers are in the TBO.com video below.

Bowers dives into how his knee wasn’t physically ready for the 2011 season (hopefully Darrelle Revis won’t sing the same song) and how the Bucs trusted him to have a near miraculous rehab of a torn Achilles and return quickly last year. Now, Bowers says, “They’re trusting in me again.”

They sure are, Da’Quan.

No. 5 is feeling and liking the new vibe around the Bucs locker room, and he explained as such to TampaBay.com author Stephen Holder yesterday.

Josh Freeman didn’t detail the vibe, though it’s got him jacked up and it’s coming from former outsiders.

“I’m definitely fired up about this team, top to bottom, all the way around,” Freeman said. “I haven’t had a chance to meet all the rookies and free agents, but the addition of (Darrelle) Revis and (Dashon) Goldson, you can see (something) in those guys just in the way they carry themselves around the locker room. I’m fired up.”

Forget about the All-Pro skills of Revis and Goldson for a moment, the Bucs bought themselves some big-time leadership. Joe’s glad to see they’re already having an effect.

The only true swagger coming from the field on Dale Mabry Highway in recent years has been from the Bucs cheerleaders. Joe sincerely hopes that’s going to change immediately.

It’s back!

Click on through below to learn more about the best deal in Tampa Bay sports, the No Excuses Tour to Tropicana Field. Find out how nearly 1,000 fans have enjoyed Rays games since 2011.

Joe must admit he’s intrigued by defensive end Steven Means, the surprising Bucs’ fifth-round pick last month out of the mighty State University of New York at Buffalo.

Means had 6.5 sacks in the MAC last year, hardly impressive, and he wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. But at an undersized 257 pounds, he managed to be a fifth-round pick and is looking to score sacks for the Bucs and play special teams.

This Buccaneers.com video reveals Means sitting down with Bucs video guru Scott Smith to talk about life and football. Means explained that he wanted to be a professional football player when he was a toddler and his father promised to help him. Dad would work him out hard after high school football practices.

“Later that night I’d put the parachute on, I’d run, and you know, it kind of like grew on me so after a while I was doing it on my own and I’d let [my dad] know how many I did when I came in,” Means said. “He’d let me know whether or not to go outside and do some more. He kept me definitely focused on that aspect and my mom kept me focused on the books, which was why I was able to get through college.”

Means and fourth-round pick, defensive end Williams Gholston, clearly are project players, both in their own unique ways.

Can Bryan Cox and Randy Melvin develop these guys? Means already mentioned the fiery Cox’s teachings in the video.

Joe must keep a close eye on Means and Gholston, given that rockstar general manager Mark Dominik seems content relying on DaQuan Bowers and Adrian Clayborn with little depth behind them. One of these kids is likely to get a primetime shot.

“Look, Bill, just give us something for Talib and I’ll teach you the kneel-down buster and how to block punts.”

The question in the headline may seem absurd. But NFL Network insider and former Patriots beat writer Ian Rapoport says the Greg Schiano-Bill Belicheat relationship may cut both ways.

Perhaps Belicheat is obsessed with Schiano’s player development methods, leading to him again collect Rutgers players this offseason (three in the draft)?

In this NFL Network video, Rapoport references the relationship between the two coaches and their plans for more joint practices and consultation.

“Don’t be surprised if Belichick is doing this so he can be a little bit better, too,” Rapoport said.

You know you want a steaming, hot plate for only $6.99! Click here or below for your nearest Original Hooters location.

Former NFL QB and Michigan State game analyst Jim Miller implies that William Gholston is a better pass rusher than Adrian Clayborn.

Last week, SiriusXM NFL Radio host and former NFL quarterback Jim Miller popped on the local airwaves to talk to Joe’s good friend “The Commish,” Justin Pawlowski of WHFS-FM.

Just why was Miller talking football with Pawlowski? Because Miller is also the color analyst for Michigan State football games and Miller was talking about fellow Michigan State product, defensive end William Gholston, who the Bucs drafted in the fourth round.

In short, Miller said as long as Gholston is coached up and motivated, he will be on the field for the Bucs this fall.

“I don’t think he will be waiting on the sidelines very long. That is just my opinion on William Gholston because he can be tremendous. I know, because I cover the Big Ten, I have seen Adrian Clayborn. I have seen other defensive ends. They don’t compare to William Gholston. I can tell you that right now. That kid, it is up to him how good he wants to be. That’s all it is. He has all the talent in the world, all the God-given ability. The long arms, the explosion, the speed, it is up to him how good he wants to be. If the correct coaching is given, he will not be on the sidelines very long. At minimum, he will be in there on third down passing situations. And that kid can get to the quarterback when he puts his mind to it.”

Now this is some high praise. Even better than Adrian Clayborn? Wow.

Joe found what Miller said about how Gholston will be on the defensive line for passing situations very interesting. Just after Gholston was drafted, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik said Gholston could play in the middle on passing situations, not just at end.

Given the fact that projected defensive tackle starter Akeem Spence is not known for rushing the quarterback, perhaps Gholson will spell Spence on third-and-long situations.

Even with all the new toys Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik landed in the offseason, expecting a playoff berth in 2013 is a helluva tough task in the loaded NFC.

Now Joe has heard in recent days from excited Bucs fans that if the Bucs don’t make the playoffs, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik should be jettisoned, Josh Freeman should find a job elsewhere and even some fans think a playoff-less 2013 should have Team Glazer thinking twice about bringing back coach Greg Schiano.

Joe thinks this is borderline outrageous.

Joe was just thinking last night about the NFC. Folks, in case you haven’t looked, the NFC is absolutely stacked.

There are two Wild Card berths per conference each year. Here are some of the teams that the Bucs will have to battle:

NFC West
Likely the strongest division in the NFL. Seattle, which is loaded, will battle San Francisco, which is loaded. It doesn’t seem unreasonable that the bridesmaid to the division winner will secure a Wild Card berth.

NFC North
The perennial playoff bound Packers will fight for the division title against Chicago, a 10-win team last year with a very good quarterback who now has a quarterback guru as a coach. This is not to mention a retooled Vikings team that also made the playoffs last year.

NFC East
The always-tough Giants, two Super Bowl titles in five years, will fight against the Washington Redskins, a playoff team last year, and dark horse Dallass.

NFC South
A quarterback-driven division, the Bucs will, of course, face the dangerous Saints and the loaded Dixie Chicks.

If the Bucs finish with a winning record and don’t make the playoffs, Joe isn’t sure how blame can be placed on Dominik or Schiano, or for that matter even Freeman. The conference is as loaded as Joe has ever seen.

Now if the Bucs finish, say, 4-12 with limited injuries, then that is a different issue entirely.

The best way for the Bucs to make the playoffs is by winning the division. That’s how strong the NFC is this season.

Joe just thinks it is unreasonable, if not unfair, to demand heads to roll if a playoff appearance is not achieved, given how stocked the NFC is.

There seems to be no end to the debate on whether or not Josh Freeman can lead the Bucs to the playoffs. This discussion ran wild for weeks on local airwaves and on interweb sites after the 2012 season, partially fueled by comments from Bucs coach Greg Schiano.

After dying down, this issue was whipped up again when the Bucs drafted quarterback Mike Glennon.Even Joe has admitted he is leaning skeptical about Freeman but is of the mind that Freeman still is the Bucs’ best bet.

A reader recently asked Woody Cummings of The Tampa Tribune if Freeman is Schiano’s guy in a TBO Bucs Q&A.

Q. Any truth to the rumor that coach (Greg) Schiano is “not sold” on Josh Freeman? All the coach’s public statements support Freeman as the Bucs’ guy. Despite some inconsistency – and a couple of really bad games down the stretch – Josh performed well last year, not to mention that spectacular midseason streak when he was awesome. At least three or four losses were due, not to poor play by Freeman, but to the collapse of the pass defense late in the games.

How about some comparison of Josh’s performance to today’s “elite” QBs at a similar stage of their careers?

– Carl Weekley, Lake Placid

A. I’ve heard the unsourced reports suggesting Schiano does not support Freeman, but I have a hard time buying them, especially after he’s gone out of his way this offseason – several times – to say Freeman is his quarterback and that he believes No. 5 can lead the Bucs to where they want to go (which I assume is the Super Bowl).

Schiano is right to want more out of Freeman, but I also know from talking to Schiano that after he looked back at last season he felt a lot better about Freeman’s play than he suggested at season’s end. He realizes that Freeman only had a couple of bad games. Now, those bad games need to be turned into good ones, but Freeman, at age 25, isn’t so set in his ways that he can’t make the necessary adjustments.

As for comparisons, the Bucs offered one late last season, just before Freeman had the two meltdown games that soured everyone on him. It showed his passer rating to that point ahead of several notable Pro Bowl quarterbacks.

– Woody Cummings

This is what Joe will say about Freeman: Joe is sometimes called a “Freeman hater,” which is absurd. Joe hates Freeman’s inconsistency.

There is no question Freeman is the answer for the Bucs, if the team is to make the playoffs this season. Anyone who thinks Glennon can lead the Bucs this season to January games, well, the bartender needs to cut them off before they hurt themselves.

As far as quarterback ratings that Cummings cites, don’t get Joe started. Stats, damned stats and USA Today. Quarterback rating may be one of the worst made-up stats in recent years. It’s bogus.

What is Joe supposed to say about a stat that is purported to measure the value of a signal-caller when slugs like Jeff George, Marc Bulger and Neil Lomax have higher quarterback ratings than Johnny Unitas and Phil Simms?

To quote the great Normal Chad, only in fantasy football would you actually want Jeff George. As Joe has stated countless times, aside from Rachel Watson, Joe doesn’t live in a fantasy world.

First it was Buccaneers Radio Network analyst and former Bucs tight end Anthony Becht saying the Bucs are at least a 10-win team in 2013.

Now it’s veteran Tampa Tribune beat scribe eye-RAH! Kaufman checking in with a double-digit prediction. “It’s a 10-win football team,” Kaufman said on 98.7 FM yesterday.

Joe fully expects many more pundits to weigh in with lofty expectations for the Bucs. Rightfully so.

And this is why Joe just loves this season. Greg Schiano is entering Year 2 of his regime with nine former Pro Bowlers on his roster, including roster hopeful WR Steve Smith. Plus, Schiano has a massive coaching staff, veteran players at key positions and, well, no excuses.

Joe is often asked, “who is on a bigger hot seat entering the 2013 season, Schiano or rockstar general manager Mark Dominik?” It’s a tough answer.

Wake up truck, van and SUV owners!

Check out the good guys (and great Bucs fans) at Topper Town on U.S. Hwy. 19 in Clearwater. They’ve got all kinds of accessories to improve appearance and functionality of your vehicle — toolboxes, ladder racks, utility covers and toppers — for work or fun. Topper Town does it all.

So stop by Topper Town, check them out online, or give the guys at Topper Town a call today to get a quote to freshen up your car, truck, van or SUV.

Topper Town has been a family owned business for 35+ years. These guys will take care of you big time and already have impressed many JoeBucsFan.com readers. Check out the Topper Town website today.

Dallas Clark

Yesterday, Joe brought the interview of Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik conducted by “Movin’ the Chains” co-hosts Pat Kirwan and Tim Ryan, heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

Immediately following the interview, both Kirwan and Ryan had a few things to say about the Bucs, specifically about the Bucs’ tight end situation.

Both seem to be concerned that the Bucs have not addressed the tight end position, aside from acquiring Packers backup Tom Crabtree, who left Ryan rather flat.

Tim Ryan: Pat at one point the Bucs were 6-5 and I did the Carolina game where [Josh] Freeman led them down the end with some great drives and terrific dimes, throws to Vincent Jackson and Dallas Clark for the win. Then they lose four of their next five games. I still think – it sounds like Dallas Clark is ready to hang it up and go into retirement – I guess Tom Crabtree has the skill sets. I guess, but to me he is more of a blocker than a receiving tight end. I don’t believe they have that guy on the roster as I see it.

Pat Kirwan: I don’t either. That is why I asked if they were still in the hunt for somebody. I mean, they are not going to show their hand to us which is totally understandable but I agree with you. I think you have to go get a tight tend. Maybe in the back of their minds they think Clark may come back and you can get him late for the short term. For Bucs fans, go look at who drafted tight ends. Is there a veteran one of those teams who may be threatened and therefore, expendable? Go at it that way and see if you can come up with a name no one is thinking about now.

Kirwan brings up a good point. Who drafted tight ends? That is likely where you will see a tight end cut.

Now Joe is told the Bucs have high hopes for Crabtree. No, he didn’t show a lot of offense, but the Bucs believe he has the skills to go down the middle to haul in passes. It’s just that he had little opportunity stuck behind Jermichael Finley on the depth chart.

Now Joe also spoke with someone who was with Josh Freeman out in public a week or so ago. One fan went up to Freeman and asked if the Bucs were going to draft a tight end. Freeman shrugged and said, in so many words, don’t bank on it because in Mike Sullivan’s offense, the tight end is not utilized often.

This would explain why Dominik has not made a splash in getting a tight end. What’s the point of getting a stud tight end if he isn’t used in the Bucs offense?

So go ahead and take the Kirwan test. What tight end is vulnerable to getting cut because his team drafted a tight end? And could said tight end be in play for the Bucs?

When was the last time the Buccaneers gave one of their own a whopping contract extension before said player’s contract was played out?

It’s been a long while. Joe can’t recall.

That brings Joe to Mike Williams, who is entering the final year of his four-year, $2.3 million contract, which also has additional incentives in it. There’s been loads of published chatter about how the Bucs are eager now to lock up Williams for years to come. But Joe is skeptical this will get done.

Why would the Bucs want to drop the necessary pile of guaranteed cash on Williams now when they could let him play out 2013 on the cheap and still potentially franchise Williams for 2014, if they can’t re-sign him after this season? The 2014 franchise tag still would be less guaranteed money (about the same gifted to Michael Clayton) than it would take to secure Williams long-term today.

There is the theory of using this season’s remaining mile of salary cap room to front Williams money to help keep cash available to re-sign other top Buccaneers down the road. But it’s rare around the NFL, and un-Buccaneer-like, to drop a bag of cash on a young guy (Williams turns 26 next week) when it’s not necessary.

The Tampa Bay Rays do a masterful job locking up talented players by waving lottery tickets in front of their faces before they have to, ones the players cash in versus waiting for bigger paydays. It doesn’t happen often in the NFL.

Joe suspects the Bucs will toss a calculated carrot in front of Williams to see how hungry he is.

The Bucs’ woeful pass rush won’t be rescued by former USF defensive end George Selvie anytime soon.

Selvie was signed by the Bucs in March but was booted from the team late yesterday as part of roster changes to make room for the following guys on the 90-man roster.

Jheranie Boyd, WR, 6-2, 190, North Carolina
Jace Daniels, OT, 6-4, 300, Northern Michigan
Chris Denton, WR, 5-11, 195, Mount Union
Ka’lial Glaud, LB, 6-2, 230, Rutgers
Andre Neblett, DT, 6-0, 310, Temple

No, Joe didn’t think journeyman Selvie was some sort of Bucs savior. However, the Bucs’ pass-rush conundrum is still there.

The New Schiano Order is a letting so much ride on the backs of DaQuan Bowers and Adrian Clayborn. Remember, for those yearning for rockstar general manager Mark Dominik to sign John Abraham or Dwight Freeney make a late move for a pass rusher, Dominik told Sirius NFL Radio last week not to expect another big signing from the Bucs because they’re happy with their roster.

Make it the best day ever for mom with the whole family in a Tampa Bay party bus or a Tampa limo?

You’ll never regret it, and why potentially risk a a DUI when Paradise Worldwide Transportation can make your day or night safe and extraordinary?

Joe supports Paradise Worldwide Transportation 100 percent. They’re a dedicated local company specializing in top-shelf service, professionalism and reliability at competitive rates. And what happens in the limo stays in the limo!

Paradise also has superior and fancy stretch SUVs, luxury buses of various kinds, executive SUVs, Tampa wedding party limos and so much more in their late-model fleet. Paradise Worldwide Transportation also offers service worldwide, so you can book airport transfers or corporate transportation easily — anywhere. One phone call gets the job done.

Need a limo Tampa? Make it easy and call Paradise Worldwide Transportation at (800) 729-4713, or click thought on the image or links above.

There’s a lot to like with Bucs rookie nose tackle Akeem Spence. First, Joe isn’t sure the guy ever wipes the smile off his face. He’s always in a good mood.

Joe would be, too, if he could build himself into an NFL draft pick anda potential starter by hitting the weights big time, documents veteran sports columnist Gary Shelton of the Tampa Bay Times.

“The weight room — that’s where I make my living, man,” he said. “Anytime you don’t see me in the locker room, you’ll probably find me in the weight room trying to get stronger.”

The question with Spence is how much he can apply that strength to his football play. At Illinois, he didn’t always use the best leverage, which is one of the reasons he was still there in the fourth round.

“I hear it, but I don’t try to pay attention,” Spence said. “I’m weight-room strong, but I feel like I take it to the field real well. Sometimes people don’t understand it’s the scheme. With me being so strong, sometimes people expect me to grab the blocker and throw it into the backfield. But at the same time you’re still playing football. You’ve got to pay attention to the scheme.”

As so eloquently spoken by the great Warren Sapp, “You don’t pump weights on the 50-yard line.” So true.

What does impress Joe with Spence, aside from his beaming smile, is that Spence is durable in the devil’s den that is interior line play. He started 38 straight games and left Illinois after his junior year.

Well it seems Bucs legend Ronde Barber’s decision whether to come back for one (or two?) more season with the Bucs has been made.

The only thing left is for him to make his decision public.

That’s the word from Tampa Bay electronic sports czar J.P. Peterson, a confidant of Barber’s. Peterson appeared on WTSP-TV Channel 10 (one of Joe’s proud media partners) Monday night to discuss Barber’s status with Ch. 10 sports director Dave Wirth.

Peterson had a text conversation with Barber Monday night and Barber told Peterson his announcement on his decision is “imminent.” Peterson took that to mean Barber will announce his future endeavors within a few days.

Per Peterson, Barber was about to announce what his decision was last week, but didn’t want to interfere with the ceremony at One Buc Palace to announce Warren Sapp’s entry into the Ring of Honor and jersey retirement announcement.

Joe was there for that ceremony and amongst the many ex-teammates of Sapp’s in attendance; Barber was not among them.

If Barber comes back, it’s hard for Joe to see him starting, surely not at safety with the Bucs investing heavily in Dashon Goldson and Mark Barron. Joe’s not sure Barber would start at corner either, so long as Darrelle Revis is healthy and second-round pick Johnthan Banks has no issues learning the NFL game.

Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik told SiriusXM NFL Radio last Thursday he would welcome Barber’s return.

Last week, just before rookie minicamp got going, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik dropped a phone call on Pat Kirwan and Tim Ryan, co-hosts of “Movin’ the Chains,” heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio to talk all things Bucs. Naturally, Joe recorded the show (thanks to a tip from a loyal JoeBucsFan.com reader as Joe was busy with Warren Sapp news at One Buc Palace and missed the interview originally) so he could type it later.

What, you expect something different from Joe?

Tim Ryan: He is the general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mark Dominik joining us on the program, hey Mark.

Mark Dominik: Tim, Pat how are you doing?

Pat Kirwan: Hey, Mark, how are you, man?

Ryan: I always appreciate you showing up and showing up on time, sort of like that haircut. Well-groomed and ready to go.

Dominik: (laughs) I appreciate that very much. I tell you, guys down here are excited. We have guys going through the locker room getting ready for rookie mini-camp. Seeing how our draft picks do and we have one of the biggest tryout camps as well. See how these young men can do in a quick weekend.

Kirwan: Let’s get into that. It’s a long, grueling process, trying to get everything right. Now you have the draft and now you get a chance to see if the players look like you thought they would during the research. I used to love that day: The first day the players are out there with the coaches. They are our property. Most of the time it was a great experience. Do you have any anxiety when you go out there to watch those guys for the first time under the guidance of your coaches and not the college coaches?

Dominik: You do, obviously. And you are right. It’s a very exciting day when they go out there on the field and move around and do some drills and watch their footwork and their explosion and get-off and all of those things. Those are all fun things we love to watch. In the back of your mind you are watching your picks and watching to see if they perform the way you want them to comparably to the guys that are out there. A bigger day is when we get to the veteran minicamp and after [the rookies] spend a couple of weeks with the coaches, learning and see how they measure up to the veterans and see how they hold up the ropes to get themselves in positions to make plays. Yeah, tomorrow is a special day in that you really get to open up your gifts on Christmas morning. You got to pick your presents but you haven’t got to touch them. Now the coaches get to touch them.

Ryan: Well, you haven’t had a chance to open up the biggest gift yet and that is Darrelle Revis. Love what you did at No. 13 by moving that pick to the Jets along with at third-rounder next year. Darrelle, health=wise Mark, where is he, what is he able to do and do you guys envision him being ready to go come September.

Dominik: Yeah, we feel great about Darrelle being in this building. I tell you what: Every day being around him, you understand what has made him such a great player. Unselfish guy. Great personality. Great teammate. He’s been good downstairs. He is now officially No. 24 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mark Barron has moved to No. 23. So Revis retains his number and Mark Barron is going to create his number which we like. And you know, from a health perspective he is ahead of schedule and right where we wanted to be. I think the most impressive thing about Darrelle is that he came into the big press conference with his family and everything like that, instead of heading back and getting stuff or anything, he never left our building since. He’s been downstairs because it is important to him. Staying with our training staff, staying on target to come out to practice the first day and being able to line up against the Jets Week 1.

Ryan: Other than having a great teammate in Darrelle Revis, what is Barron getting for the number switch? Is he getting paid? Did you just coerce him to do that? What happened?

Dominik: We let those guys handle their business downstairs. We stay out of it. We let those two men work it out. I think part of it is Mark Barron understands that Revis spent six-plus years developing that number and shows what he has done with NIKE and Barron said it was also a chance to be a great teammate and show that he is welcoming him in here. And I think that shows the secondary is already growing close with Goldson and Barron and Revis and Eric Wright and now with Johnthan Banks, I think they will continue to grow together fast.

Kirwan: That leads me to Banks. I said this about Banks when we had to review him on the radio show, look, you can harp on his speed, you can criticize him on his speed but he has played very well his whole college career with the same speed. He has figure out how to play at a very high level with the gifts he has got. I wouldn’t worry so much about it. I think the guy has an understanding of what he is and what he isn’t and a guy who is going to play very effectively in the NFL. Your thoughts on him and how do you overcome the speed issue, and I would love to hear from you as I am sure you have your own idea on what you saw on tape.

Dominik: I would say the main thing was, did it show up? You know that from your years in scouting. What does the tape say? Thing that you say when you step back from this draft class and just really from the league in general, 25 percent of this draft class came from the SEC. These are the same players that Banks has lined up against the past four years. The players that are playing in the National Football League, a lot are coming from the SEC. He is lining up against some of the best receivers on the college level for four straight years. He has done it. Then you watch the tape, he has the quickness, he has the feet that you look for and really need to have. He has anticipation and instincts that make a great corner. Look, if we were all caught up on 40 times back in 1997 when Ronde Barber came out, then Ronde Barber probably wouldn’t have been a Buccaneer. Instead at the time, Jerry Angelo, Rich McKay, Tim Ruskell made a smart selection for this organization and the guy hasn’t missed a game since. You know, you have to look at all of the big picture and Banks has the important elements that we think will make a great corner.

Ryan: Is there still a spot for Ronde Barber, Mark, if he wants it? Take us through that conversation.

Dominik: There is. I have to say I haven’t spoken to Ronde since after the draft, but there is. It is his decision. It is his choice. We are leaving it there for him. If he wants to come back there is absolutely a spot for him and a spot for him the rest of the season.

Ryan: Man, I tell you, your secondary looks so much better, not just on paper but on the field going into 2013 season. When I look at your third round selection Mike Glennon, the quarterback out of NC State, it tells me that with Damontre Moore and other pass rushers still on the board, you guys must feel really good about Adrian Clayborn coming back and Da’Quan Bowers and some of the other guys you have rushing the passer. Talk about your d-line.

Dominik: Yeah, that’s one thing we did address in the draft. I think we stayed true to the board. I think that a lot of people will say in the third round a lot of people did have Mike Glennon rated on our draft board and we also felt there was a need in our organization to draft him so that is why we pulled the trigger on a really young, we think is an ascending young quarterback, a guy with a lot of potential in front of him. A guy with a big arm and can throw the ball down the field and can throw off of play action, a guy who played for some great coaches who coached some great pros at that level. And then the first selection of the third day of the draft we went aggressive on the defensive line, we selected three guys on the defensive line. Gholston from Michigan State and we traded up to get Akeem Spence to be our nose tackle and took a young man from University of Buffalo, Steven Means who has a lot of traits to be an interesting pass rusher at the next level?

Ryan: Where is Da’Quan health-wise and how is Adrian Clayborn coming off of his injury?

Dominik: Very fair questions. Da’Quan is great. Everything is fine. He had the unfortunate injury last season but everything is good this offseason. He is ready to go and Adrian is well ahead of schedule. He has been outside running around. He has not been cutting as much because we don’t need to as much as he would like to. There is no need to force it. Both of those guys are ready to rock and roll Week 1 against the Jets.

Kirwan: Mark, I have heard different views on how they are handling their quarterback situation. I’ve heard everything from it is an open competition to its this guy’s team. Define yours for us. I am assuming it is Josh’s football team and then I’d like to know how many quarterbacks you think you will keep on the roster.

Dominik: I would say that it is Josh’s football team. Again, he set a lot of Buccaneer records for us last year and he is a good quarterback who got a lot of experience that we are excited about and will continue to == you know, I am excited about having Carl Nicks and Davin Joseph in front of him…

Ryan: Yes!

Dominik: … so that Josh will continue to feel comfortable back in that pocket so he can make more plays. So it is his football team and I am excited to have him on this football team and have him be the leader on that side of the ball. Quarterback-wise? Could we keep three or four? We could keep as many as four. Some teams kept two. We kept two and had one on the practice squad. This year with the addition of Mike Glennon and I like Dan Orlovsky as a true veteran leader and we have a kid with some potential in Adam Weber so we will see who plays in the preseason as well. We will take four to camp and see how it plays out from there.

Ryan: Mark, what is it with Josh Freeman because one week, he looks great and the next week, not so good. He certainly has the skill sets. Is it just about, obviously winning games, or is it about consistency with him?

Dominik: Yeah, I think that is what we all want. Again, I agree with what you are saying Tim. There is a consistency you want. For about six to eight weeks, he showed it. That is one thing we have to remind ourselves of. It’s not just the negatives, but consistency yeah. He did play at a premiere level in this league. I am still, we are still very optimistic in Josh’s future, and that is why we make sure to surround him with guys not only the offensive line and keep that intact but going out in free agency and pulling a Kevin Olgetree or a Steve Smith to continue to get more weapons for Josh but to keep him clean up front in that pocket.

Kirwan: We asked Ron Rivera this and we will ask Coach Belichick the same later, about the draft, you didn’t have that many picks, you had six if I count them up right here. That makes to me, with short picks or even with the standard seven, the undrafted class becomes critical and there is an opportunity for at least, maybe one or two or three guys to make the football team. How did you feel about the college free agent pool after the draft, Mark?

Dominik: We thought it was fairly strong. There were some spots that looked like there was some good ability to it. Guards and centers we felt really good about that. And at corner, we still pulled out a couple of guys we felt excited about.

Kirwan: You have a lot of cap space. You are using it prudently. Actually, I think it is coming along quite nicely. Yet, when I look at the league you are in a very good spot. I’m interested to know – you don’t have to tell me any names – if you will be active in free agency? Are you actively shopping or do you like the 90 that you now have? Are you still hunting for guys?

Dominik: We are always a little bit in the hunt. As you know, you are always looking for a way to improve your roster. Do I see a big signing in our future? I don’t see that. Our team is pretty excited about where we are at. Again, let’s see if these young guys can keep going. We want to see [Tom] Crabtree more. We want to see Banks. We want to see [Jonathon] Casillas work, who we picked up in the offseason. A Keith Tandy who we drafted last year. Guys with ability that are still developing. That is what is exciting. We stocked this team with some veterans like Brian Leonard who I think brings a lot to this team. A guy like Derek Landri who has been in the trenches a long time and can play tilted nose for us…

Ryan: Don’t let the bad body fool you, Landri can play.

Dominik: … No doubt about it and we are excited for him. He can fill in different roles for us, be active each Sunday and play a lot. If he is a starter or a backup, we know he can play. It may not be glory work but he can help the whole team produce at a high level. We feel good about where the 90 is headed right now. We are 90 strong and if we don’t do anything else, we are happy with this group.

Ryan: Hey Mark, last one for me and I am going to predict something here, you can agree – I am sure you are not into predictions – or disagree. I see more sacks in 16 games for Gerald McCoy this year than I have seen in his whole career. When you talk about ball-screening guys behind him in terms of coverage guys, it all works together. As I said since I was a college player. I used to turn around and say to Mark Carrier: “Pressure pick/coverage sack. I get the pressure, you get the pick; you get the coverage, I get the sack.” McCoy is going to get double-digit sacks for you this year, you watch.

Dominik: Well, again, he is continuing to develop as well going into Year Four. He had two unfortunate injuries his first two years and finally got to play a full season last year. Still, there is a lot more coming with Gerald and again, having Landri or Spence next to him, obviously having a healthy Bowers and a healthy Clayborn, he’s never had those on the field at the same time, really. And so all of those things coming together finally, then with the backend with Revis and Eric Wright and Johnthan Banks and the two big safeties behind them. The play of Lavonte David and Mason Foster we like. We’ve had a guy who has been around for three years Dekoda Watson who will do everything he can to be the SAM linebacker. We are excited about the group. We have a long way to go, this is just the start of the offseason program but I know our coaches are working hard to get the most out of each guy and we will be ready to go for training camp, Week One.

Ryan: I don’t care where he is right now, Schiano has the whistle in his mouth.

Dominik: (laughs) He probably does. He is pacing somewhere in this building to make sure things are getting done the right way. That is why he is a good football coach.

Kirwan: Mark, go ahead and enjoy what’s left of the spring preparation for training camp and we will see you for sure on the camp tour.

Dominik: Thanks guys.