Vincent Jackson speaks on the progress of Jeff Tedford’s offense

The mysterious Jeff Tedford offense is no mystery to the Buccaneers. Not anymore. The learning curve is in the rearview mirror, says Vincent Jackson.

V-Jax was peppered with questions from Rich Gannon about the brand new Tampa Bay offense on SiriuxXM NFL Radio this week. [read more]

Sometimes, former NFL types who work networks let their passion and relationships get in the way of clear, reasoned, objective analysis. It’s understandable. These guys are not trained journalists, they are football talking heads. Joe gets that.

As much as Joe likes former Bucs assistant coach Herm Edwards, one must wonder if his friendship with fellow ex-Bucs coaching comrade Lovie Smith may be getting in the way of clear thinking. It’s nice that Herm thinks Tampa Bay is a Super Bowl team, but it makes Joe wonder if that is coming from the head or the heart. [read more]

Bradenton native cornerback Mike Jenkins is hoping to revive his career with Lovie Smith.

You are not supposed to go home again, so author Thomas Wolfe once sugggested (yes, Joe knows that is not the exact quote).

Bucs cornerback Mike Jenkins is hoping to prove Wolfe wrong.

The Bradenton native has seen better days in his NFL career, which began with a wildly up-and-down, flag-happy five years with Dallas. Highlights included a rift with Jerry Jones, a Pro Bowl selection, gutless plays where he pulled on potential touchdown-saving tackles against Derrick Ward and James Jones (which won him permanent ire from Cowboys fans), and getting fried like a Sunday chicken dinner by none other than the immortal Vince Young. [read more]

If there is one thing that lights up Lovie Smith’s eyes — aside from watching big ol’ double-D Demar Dotson high-step with the football into the end zone — it’s the topic of speed. Lovie loves speed.

Who doesn’t?

Speed is a game-changing trait that cannot be coached. That’s why Lovie is smitten with Jeff Demps, despite his rash of the dropsies. The plays Demps makes in wheel routes on linebackers are intoxicating. But when Demps puts the ball on the ground, it ignites indigestion. [read more]

Who’s jacked up for football season? Joe sure is. And it was fun to get back into the popular “JoeBucsFan Hour” this evening with the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve Duemig on WDAE-AM 620.

Miss the show? Well Joe dove into discussion about the value of guard play, life at One Buc Palace and early views of the mysterious Jeff Tedford offense. [read more]

The hell with Cam Newton, Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick, the Bucs have their own do-it-all super athlete at quarterback.

Back in March, Lovie Smith raved about how 35-year-old Josh McCown was going to surprise with his athletic ability and how his legs were very fresh by NFL standards. But now it’s not just Lovie weighing in. [read more]

Mason Foster is secure in his starting job

Sometimes Joe doesn’t get Bucs fans. There is a sect of Tampa Bay faithful out there who, for some reason, want middle linebacker Mason Foster gone.

Joe just cannot wrap his brain around this mentality. Why? Is Foster Jack Lambert, Dick Butkus, Ray Lewis? No. But he’s no Barrett Ruud, either. [read more]

Bucs coach Lovie Smith is trying out all sorts of guys at kick return.

Historically, the Bucs have been just miserable in returning kickoffs for a score. When was the last time you heard of a team going 31 years without a touchdown on a kick return?

That was the case with the Bucs. The franchise went 31 years (and damned near 32) without a kickoff return for a touchdown. The drought was finally snapped when “Run Michael run” Spurlock broke through with a 90-yard return for a score at home against Atlanta, Dec. 16, 2007. [read more]

Jamon Meredith got a “slow feet” label

Former Bucs starting guard Ian Beckles (1990-1996) is not optimistic about the messy situation on the Tampa Bay offensive line.

He doesn’t question that the O-line, with all kinds of new faces, can jell quickly with veteran starting guards like Oneil Cousins and Jamon Meredith. Greater factors have him worried. [read more]

Yes, Joe throws back shots of whiskey to dull the pain from the state of the Bucs’ offensive line. But Joe’s also celebrating early about rookie tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Premature exuberance is always a good thing to stay balanced.

This kid is a striking presence on the football field. He’s a defensive-end body with burst and speed and hops and hands, and he can block. [read more]

Middle of the field challenge is greatest for Bucs, Sapp said.

Never at a loss for words. Warren Sapp was at Bucs practice over the weekend with NFL Network and, frankly, never stopped talking on and off the air. Joe suspects Sapp talks to himself, too.

During one Bucs segment for NFL Network, Sapp dove into the challenges of the Tampa-2 defense and explained how money can’t motivate like it used to. [read more]

Bucs TE Luke Stocker is aware he may be a victim of a numbers game.

It doesn’t take a calculus professor at Northwestern to figure out that fan favorite Luke Stocker’s chances of making the Bucs this season is poor. Now in his fourth season with the Bucs, the tight end from Tennessee has caught but 28 passes the past three years in an inconsistent and injury-plagued career.

The writing was on the wall for Stocker’s shelf life when the new Bucs regime signed a free agent tight end, drafted a tight end in the second round, and openly gushed over a rookie free agent wide receiver turned tight end who caught the Bucs if not the NFL by surprise. [read more]

Bucs WR Tommy Streeter’s play early in training camp has caught Lovie Smith’s attention.

Joe, as always, is pestered on Twitter, “What player is impressive?” (through 3 1/2 practices). For Joe, the answer is clear. That guys is wide receiver Tommy Streeter.

While Bucs fans want Joe rave about Jeff Demps, that is just not the case. Yes, Demps is quick. Who didn’t know this? Has Demps made a couple of splash plays? Sure has. But he has also shown that ball security remains an issue for him. [read more]

Bucs RT Demar Dotson was styling Monday.

Where should Joe start to discuss Monday’s afternoon practice in the broiling Florida sun for the Bucs, their fourth practice of training camp? There were a few notables.

Wide receiver Tommy Streeter continued to practice well. Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins really flashed some skills. And, speaking of skills, who knew big Double-D Demar Dotson could channel Beyonce while scoring a touchdown on a botched field goal attempt? [read more]

Emerging Bucs wide receiver Tommy Streeter was taken down by cramps late in practice today.

Just before Joe shot this picture, Jamon Meredith was asked teammates how much more time was left in practice. Joe saw several Bucs wilting after two hours in the afternoon swelter today.

Lovie Smith got his wish. His troops were in pads for the second consecutive afternoon and were forced to deal with elements that likely will face the team on opening day against the Panthers, and in Week 2 against the Rams. [read more]

The Bucs were sweating big time in the glare of the west-central Florida July sun today to prep themselves for when the real hitting begins in September.

Below are video clips of Practice No. 4 of Bucs training camp 2014. [read more]

Bucs OT Demar Dotson showed his dance moves while scoring a touchdown after a botched snap on a field goal attempt today.

Call it the Double-D Dance. And no, get your heads out of the gutter. This has nothing to do with bouncy, unwieldy objects in a clothing-optional establishment.

It was the Demar Dotson touchdown celebration. It was part-Beyonce, part Deion Sanders and all 6-9, 315 pounds of Bucs tackle Demar Dotson. [read more]

Bucs G Patrick Omameh trusts OL coach George Warhop to be able to solve the riddle of the Bucs’ starting guards.

Just by reading comments on this here corner of the interwebs, Joe knows Bucs fans are staring at the ceiling deep into the night trying to figure out how the Bucs will replace departed left guard Carl Nicks.

One could argue the Bucs also had a hole at right guard after Davin Joseph departed. Consider one of the candidates to win a starting job, Patrick Omameh, not overly concerned. [read more]

No helmet and pads for Pro Bowl corner Alterraun Verner today, just a floppy hat.

A day off today for All-Pro cornerback Alterraun Verner is no big deal on the surface, but on a deeper level it’s not a good thing, given Verner’s learning curve.

Lovie Smith’s defense was foreign to Verner when he was signed as a big-money free agent in March.  [read more]