Lambs Quarterback Doesn’t Matter

September 12th, 2014
Lambs starter Shaun Hill was limited in practice today and Lambs coach Jeff Fisher declared him a gameday decision.

Lambs starter Shaun Hill was limited in practice today and Lambs coach Jeff Fisher declared him a gameday decision.

When preparing for the Lambs game Sunday, the Bucs know any of three quarterbacks could be playing.

As Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Twittered today, starter Shaun Hill, who inherited the job from injured Sam Bradford, was “limited” in practice today and Lambs coach Jeff Fisher declared Hill would be a gametime decision. [read more]

Tedford Is “Back In Town,” Not At Practice

September 12th, 2014

Tedford rightThe Buccaneers’ recovering offensive coordinator is still only contributing part-time. [read more]

“He’s Been All Over Lavonte”

September 12th, 2014

LavontetrainingcampDerrick Brooks heads into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor on Sunday, but it won’t be a homecoming for Mr. Brooks.

Oh, no. Brooks is a very influential and frequent presence at One Buc Palace this season. [read more]

It’s Starting To Look Ugly

September 12th, 2014
lovie 0912

Injuries are piling up on both sides of the ball

Reports coming from those at Bucs practice at One Buc Palace today are reporting that defensive end Michael Johnson did not practice (again), which really puts his status for Sunday’s game with the Lambs in doubt.

This on the heels of fellow starting defensive end Adrian Clayborn lost to the season with an injury. [read more]

“Happy To Take Tampa Bay, 20-14”

September 12th, 2014

McCownlaughThe Buccaneers are about to bounce back in a big way, become “relevant” again (a favorite word of Lovie Smith).

[read more]

Clayborn’s Bucs Days May Be Over

September 12th, 2014
Joe is pretty sure Bucs DE Adrian Clayborn played his last game for Tampa Bay last Sunday.

Joe is pretty sure Adrian Clayborn played his last game for Tampa Bay last Sunday

With news this morning that Adrian Clayborn’s season is over with a biceps injury, it’s very doubtful fans will see him line up for the Pewter Pirates again. Joe’s pretty sure Clayborn’s days in Tampa Bay are done.

Before the season, Bucs general manager Jason Licht did not pick up Clayborn’s fifth-year option, essentially turning 2014 into Clayborn’s contract year. So the Bucs were, in effect, telling Clayborn, “Prove it.” [read more]

Adrian Clayborn Out For Season

September 12th, 2014

ClaybornThe Bucs have announced Adrian Clayborn has been placed on injured reserve with a biceps injury. Joe’s presuming it’s a tear that will require surgery. [read more]

Stocker Returns To The Spotlight

September 12th, 2014

stocker2014

There’s no official word yet, but manbeast rookie tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins won’t play Sunday after walking around with his bad ankle in a boot and not practicing this week.

And that puts Resurrection of the Year candidate Luke Stocker in a glaring spotlight. [read more]

“He Ain’t No Slouch”

September 12th, 2014
Dashon "Hawk" Goldson weighs in

Dashon “Hawk” Goldson weighs in

Some think the Rams’ quarterback situation is “horrible,” and that’s even if 34-year-old backup-turned-starter Shaun Hill is ready for the Bucs on Sunday.

Goodness, Hill only has a 13-14 career record as a starter with 41 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. Those are only slightly better than Josh McCown’s numbers. [read more]

Joe Talks Bucs At 10:00 A.M. On WDAE-AM 620

September 12th, 2014

Don’t miss Joe diving into all the Bucs subjects of the day at 10:00 a.m. on the popular Ron & Ian show on WDAE-AM 620 Always a fun time.

620ronandiansky

This Ain’t The SEC

September 12th, 2014
Bucs WR Mike Evans talks about his first NFL game.

Bucs WR Mike Evans talks about big-boy pain

A lot is expected of Bucs rookie wide receiver Mike Evans. The tall seventh-overall pick is expected to lead the Tampa Bay offense into the 21st Century, even though we are 15 years into it.

Evans has shined at times in practice and made a few really nice plays in the preseason. But his first taste of regular season football on the NFL level? Well, he learned quickly he’s not playing Arkansas any longer. [read more]

Lovie Miffed At “Source”

September 12th, 2014
Bucs coach Lovie Smith was not fond of an unsourced USA Today item that spoke ill of RB Doug Martin.

Lovie Smith was not fond of an unsourced USA Today item that spoke ill of Doug Martin.

Joe can’t say he knows Lovie Smith after not quite nine months on the job. Joe chatted 1-on-1 with the head coach a few times and he seems to personify the word “gentleman” because he seems to be a gentle man.

But talking to a person for a total of possibly 45 minutes doesn’t reveal everything. What Joe can say is Lovie is about as even-keeled as they come. Nothing seems to get him too worked up. Nothing seems to get him jumping up and down or chest-bumping people. [read more]

Logan Mankins Returns In Pads

September 11th, 2014

mankinspracticeLovie Smith had the Bucs hitting each other in the afternoon swelter today at One Buc Palace. And back on the field was All-Pro left guard Logan Mankins.

Ahh, music to soothe the panicked Tampa Bay fan. [read more]

“A Horrible Quarterback Situation”

September 11th, 2014

Lovie Smith, Jeff Fisher

Talk about pessimism; Joe just watched a CBS Sports analysis of the Rams being poised to score the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft, what some believe will be the Jameis Winston jackpot.

So if they somehow beat the Bucs on Sunday, where would that leave Tampa Bay? [read more]

“He Is Definitely Missed”

September 11th, 2014
jeff tedford 0911

QB coach Marcus Arroyo confessed today that the Bucs do miss Jeff Tedford (above) — contrary to previous claims by Lovie Smith and some players — as Tedford recovers from having heart stents implanted.

Ever since Bucs offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford took a medical leave of absence to have heart stents implanted, and subsequently has been slowly trying to get back in the swing of things at One Buc Palace, Bucs coach Lovie Smith and most players did their best to spin Tedford’s absence as no big deal.

Joe simply didn’t buy it then. And didn’t buy it Sunday when Doug Martin looked Joe straight in the face and forcefully said Tedord’s absence did not have an effect on the offense against Carolina. [read more]

“I Think He Just Calmed Down”

September 11th, 2014

The Buccaneers’ veteran leader, the elder statesman, very much played like a high school sophomore for much of last Sunday.

And it seems Bucs coaches assessed Josh McCown as a guy who was feeling pressure — from within. [read more]

Jeff Tedford Misses Work Again

September 11th, 2014

Jeff Tedford missed his second straight day of practice

Updated: 12:51 p.m. Earlier this week, Bucs coach Lovie Smith noted that offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford was performing full-time duties. It was welcome news as Tedford recovers from having multiple heart stents implanted.

Tedford was not at practice yesterday, as he had a doctor’s appointment to get clearance to return to work full-time. Apparently, he does not have that. Yet. [read more]

McCoy Reveals Official “0-1” Team “Motto”

September 11th, 2014

So what were the Bucs talking about on the practice field yesterday.

What was their mindset? [read more]

Will It Be A Packed House For Derrick Brooks?

September 11th, 2014

BrooksLovieIn case you forgot, Bucs icon and Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks will be inducted into the Ring of Honor at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway on Sunday.

Packed house? Incredible demand for Brooks, the game and a free Brooks bobblehead doll? Not really. [read more]

“It Starts Up Front”

September 11th, 2014
It is really a salute to Gerald McCoy that he can play so well and get zero help from edge, game after game after frustrating game. Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.

It is really a salute to Gerald McCoy that he can play so well and get zero help from the edge, game after game after frustrating game. Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.

Man, Joe just does not know what the Bucs are going to do about a pass rush. Oh, Gerald McCoy is beastly. He is tied for second among defensive tackles for most sacks (15.5) since the 2012 season. GMC is hardly the problem.

It is everybody else, with the possible exception of Clinton McDonald. The Bucs are simply getting nothing from the defensive ends. Nothing. [read more]