Lovie Smith weighs in on the standard for returners

The positions where Lovie Smith says he doesn’t have a “starting rotation” yet are punt returner and kick returner.

Every other position? Well, Lovie at least has one starter — for now. [read more]

Joe’s written countless times how Bucs’ big money left tackle Anthony Collins has never started half a season.

Yes, he had successful seasons Cincinnati, but they were as a fill-in starter. But Collins still commanded serious offseason cash from the Bucs. [read more]

The sweat was pouring off Joe and your beloved Tampa Bay Buccaneers at today’s afternoon practice, the last one before Friday night’s preseason opener in Jacksonville.

Of course, Joe’s got your highlights and lowlights: [read more]

Bucs DE Michael Johnson can’t wait to lay the wood to some quarterback that is not his teammate.

Joe has been asked several times about how Michael Johnson is practicing with his new team, the Bucs. The mega-high priced free agent, the projected coup of Lovie Smith’s offseason shopping spree, is at practice every day, but to Bucs fans chagrin, there is not much else to report.

One reason Johnson hasn’t stood out is because the reason he was brought to the Bucs, he cannot do in training camp or practice. That is take quarterbacks to the ground. [read more]

A depth chart before a preseason game is always worth a laugh, even for former Bucs.

The Bucs depth chart in early August, before the Bucs even play a preseason game, has about as much meaning as an windshield ice scraper in Florida. It’s almost a choke.

Even Bucs coach Lovie Smith noted three times in his post-practice presser yesterday “not to put too much” into the depth chart, and all but admitted he would not have released a depth chart now had he not had his hand forced by the NFL. [read more]

The Bucs announced today a way for both the team and fans to remember former owner Malcolm Glazer throughout the 2014 season. Mr. Glazer, the late Bucs owner, passed away May 28. [read more]

So many Bucs faithful get all worked up about the lack of national respect for their team. They ache for the glory days, not just the wins, but the constant love and attention on BSPN.

These fans already worship Herm Edwards, and now they have a new reason to be happy. [read more]

Football math reveals a clearer picture of how the Bucs may use WR Mike Evans.

Yes, Bucs fans have indigestion over what Tampa Bay may do at guard. The Bucs already had a hole at right guard and when Carl Nicks couldn’t make a go of it, well, that guaranteed two holes.

If there is an issue up front, then the best way to combat it is with speed. Speed in unloading the ball quickly. Short drops, maybe two-step drops, or obviously, a shotgun. [read more]

Gerald McCoy absorbed a nasty hold yesterday. (Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.)

In Joe’s detailed practice notes yesterday, it was noted that Gerald McCoy has been tearing up camp and drew a nasty hold near takedown from overmatched guard Oneil Cousins.

Joe’s about 99 percent sure the photo above is it. And McCoy didn’t seem to pleased. But that’s the way it is about Bucs training camp; somebody’s always getting beat, and at least one guy ends up mad. [read more]

Hmm, Lovie Smith had great things to say about his top kicker and punter yesterday, even remarking that they’re paid handsomely. And Lovie said the versatile guy backing them up in training camp has been impressive.

But a different message seems to have been sent this morning. [read more]

Chatting with Bucs rookie wide receiver Robert Herron yesterday, Joe heard a pretty cool story.

Herron is roommates with fellow rookie Charles Sims. They’ve been together since they were drafted, and they’ve been studying — and struggling — together with the Tampa Bay playbook. [read more]

NFL offense is very new to the Bucs’ first-round draft pick. Less than a year ago, wide receiver Mike Evans was doing all kinds of freelancing with college football legend Johnny Football.

Those two buddies were extreme break dancing, essentially, while many of their peers were performing precision waltzes and tangos. You may find Joe’s dance analogy ridiculous, but it’s not. [read more]

Mark Barron is getting more kudos from the Bucs’ coaching staff.

Yesterday, Joe passed along word of Bucs coach Lovie Smith saying it is not outrageous to start using the name “Mark Barron” in the same sentence as Bucs icon John Lynch. Some Bucs fans nearly fell off their barstools reading that.

Though Lovie doesn’t run a Cover-2 or Tampa-2 all the time, his defense is about as close to Father Dungy’s defense in the Bucs heyday as it gets. Therefore, it lends itself to strong play from the safety. [read more]

Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier stated the Bucs are “counting” on the services of DE Da’Quan Bowers

For the second consecutive day, Tampa Bay defensive end (tackle?) Da’Quan Bowers could be seen in street clothes watching practice from the sidelines. This was not quite 48 hours after Bowers declared himself a newborn NFL player with the voices of Greg Schiano finally exorcised from his head.

Just from looking at the depth chart and watching Bucs defensive linemen work and produce, one could logically conclude the sands of the hourglass are running out on Bowers’ days in Tampa, given the many chances he has been afforded in years past. [read more]

Bucs LB Danny Lansanah got on Joe’s radar with this pad-popping splash hit on Tim Wright.

Joe has written several times about wide receiver Tommy Streeter. This guy was totally off Joe’s radar.

In the spring OTAs and minicamp, Streeter was invisible. That all changed last week. [read more]

Chatting with Leslie Frazier this afternoon, the defensive coordinator made it clear to Joe that the Bucs want Gerald McCoy and Michael Johnson on the field for every possible snap.

He almost laughed at the thought of McCoy getting fewer reps than he did last season. But it seems the opposite will be true for preseason games. [read more]

“Don’t put too much into it,” Lovie Smith said of the Bucs’ first depth chart issued this afternoon in advance of Friday’s preseason game at Jacksonville.

However, Buccaneers players Joe talked to about it today definitely take it seriously. [read more]

Bucs training camp marched on at One Buc Palace this evening. Of course, Joe was out there taking notes, thankfully under cloudy skies and in rain-cooled air.

Here’s all kinds of news, notes and nuggets: [read more]

What a fun time! Joe got a chance to sit down for the “JoeBucsFan Hour” with Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620 right on the training camp practice field at One Buc Palace. All things Bucs, and some takes right from the field, were on the docket.

Enjoy the audio below.