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The Bucs were so damn awful last season even the Panthers don’t want to watch Bucs film to prepare for Sunday’s home-opener in Tampa.

Now Joe’s exaggerating a bit, but not too much. Panthers head coach Ron Rivera told the Charlotte Observer he’s dialed in to watching Rutgers game tape because it’s a better indicator of what to expect Sunday.

New head coach Greg Schiano brings in his own coaching strategies, and the Panthers’ coaching staff is looking at Schiano’s old team for pointers. Carolina is looking at film from last year’s Schiano-led Rutgers team for guidance.

“When you look at what Greg’s done in the past, and it’s not just in Chicago, where both he and Rivera coached, it’s what he did in Miami, at Rutgers as the head coach, I think that’s where you really get the feel as to what he’s all about,” Rivera said. “We have spent time watching the Rutgers tape… He’s grown and changed as a coach as well. If there’s one thing you can say about what Coach Schiano is going to do, they’re going to go out and be a hard-nose, physical football team.”

Not that Joe’s counting, but in 42 days the 2013 Hooters Calendar goes on sale at HootersCalendar.com. Check out HootersCalendar.com now to enjoy videos and so much more. The calendar is an amazing, affordable, eye-pleasing gift.

Could Bucs running back LeGarrette Blount be the Bucs Fernando Rodney and close out games?

One of the biggest surprises in baseball this year has been the lights out performance of Rays closer Fernando Rodney. The guy, who wasn’t even scheduled to be the Rays closer when he was signed in the offseason, has been dominant in slamming the door on Rays opponents late in games.

And after securing a save, Rodney then does his bow-and-arrow routine to chalk up another victory for the Rays.

LeGarrette Blount may just do that for the Bucs. No, there is no such thing as a closer in football, but in theory there is. Blount just may be used in the fourth quarter to exploit tired defenses and help secure wins, so writes Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.

The idea of possibly being a closer, the runner who takes on a tired defense in the fourth quarter of a game in which his team is ahead by a score or a couple of points, is just one of them.

“Yeah, that would be fun,” Blount said as his smile morphed into a sly grin. “And it’s definitely possible. Anything’s possible. But I really don’t know what my role is yet. It really hasn’t been defined.”

How cool would it be if Blount was just used in the fourth quarter when opposing defenses are sucking air and peels off a 30-yard run for a score and then does Rodney’s bow-and-arrow routine?

Though Joe doesn’t expect Greg Schiano to use Blount in this manner, it’s a neat thought, if for no other reason than to see Blount firing off imaginary bows in the end zone.

Undrafted rookie tight end Danny Noble, the pride of the University of Toledo, chatted with Joe yesterday after learning he made the Bucs’ 53-man roster.

JoeBucsFan.com: What were your feelings waiting to find out if you made the Bucs roster? How did that go down for you?

Danny Noble: The way we did it, you really didn’t find out if you made the team until you showed up at practice [Saturday]. So, you know, I was nervous all night waiting on a phone call if they did call me. But the call never happened so I woke up and came to practice feeling good, but at the same time you have to be focused. We’ve got a game in a week.

Joe: Do you have a story on how the Bucs found you, through a certain scout or coach?

Noble: I’m not even sure. People were talking to somebody. I’m pretty sure my agent knew somebody out here and I’m pretty sure the Bucs got hold of the little college film that I did have. But I’m not really 100 percent on how they found me. When I came to the tryout I got a lot of opportunities to show what I can do and they ended up liking me.

Joe: Did you have other tryout options?

Noble: There were a couple of other teams but the opportunity seemed best here.

Joe: You broke your leg last season. Are you 100 percent?

Noble: Yeah, I’m 100 percent. The injury was a big injury and I had to come back. There’s always going to be something there. You know how injuries work. But besides that, I couldn’t be better than I am today.

Joe: As the roster sits now, there is no backup fullback and three tight ends. Are you cross-training at fullback?

Noble: Last preseason game I got a chance to get in at fullback. You know, coaches just wanted to see how it worked for me. It was cool. Something new. I like contact, so you know fullback’s a pretty nice spot even though I’m tall to be a fullback. But I’m learning technique along the way. We’ve got great coaches. Wherever they want me to be I’ll be there.

Joe: Anything fans might find interesting about you? Any nicknames we need to know?

Noble: (laughs) All the cats on the team call me Shwag. But you know I don’t really know how I got that. I stay clean.

The Bucs left tackle who has started 76 consecutive games and played pretty damn well, Mr. Donald Penn, hasn’t been heard from much through training camp and preseason. Penn loves to talk but he’s been keeping quiet. Why? Because Penn feels there’s been too much talk from the offensive line and not enough dominance, plus Penn believes media types have burned him by focusing on his weight. Penn and Joe chatted yesterday. Here’s the part of their exchange Joe can share.

JoeBucsFan.com: With Davin Joseph out, a guy who was a leader and a guy Coach Schiano considered a top team leader, do you feel any extra pressure to step up and lead differently than your usual style?

Donald Penn: I kind of do. But it’s kind of like, I’m going to try and do it by example more now. Not really doing a lot of talking, just go out there and do my job and do it to the utmost effort. And show other guys, you know, when they’re down they’ll look at me and see me bustin’ my butt and going hard, you know they pick it up too. When I see something super noticeable, I will speak up on it. But I’m going to approach it all will less talk and more showing. More by example.

Joe: Why less talk?

Penn: I think in the past with this O-line, there’s been a lot of talk and we show it sometimes and not all the time. So I think we need to stop talking and just come to work everyday and do it everyday because we’re very talented on this line but we haven’t put it together for a whole season yet. We’ve done it at times. This year we need to put it together for the whole season and every game be the strong point of the offense.

Joe: Your peers around the NFL voted you the 97th best player in the league, revealed on NFL Network this summer. Do your teammates have some fun with you about that?

Penn: I snuck in. I snuck in. No, it was real fun for me to find out. As a matter of fact, the person that told me was Carl [Nicks]. He texted me the day it came on and I put it on the TV. I was real disappointed when I wasn’t in it in 2011. I thought I was supposed to have been in it last year. I was happy to get there this year. It was good to get recognition from the other guys, especially where I came from [being undrafted.] Next year I’m trying to crack the 50.

Joe: Because of the media’s focus on your weight, a lot of fans care about it. Do you think it makes a difference how you play, if you’re weight changes five, 10, 20, or 30 pounds? Are you a different player at any kind of weight? Better or worse?

Penn: No. I don’t think so. I think everybody has to find something to pick at. And me, I’m never in trouble in the public. I’m never in trouble for not being here working. I’m great with foundations. I do a lot of outside stuff nobody knows about helping kids and stuff like that. I play great football. They’ve got to find something. I think that’s what they’re digging at and that’s what they’re picking at. And, you know, you can’t believe everything people tell you. I learned that a long time ago. You can’t believe everything people tell you. I’m tired of hearing about it. I’m tired of people talking about it. My play shows. I play well every game. I play my butt off. A play here and there happens; they get paid, too. You know, I’m not going to be perfect every single play. But I try, and I’m damn near close to perfect. But every slip up, it seems to blow up when it’s me. I’m just going to go out there again and keep getting better. We’ve got a great group of guys, a great team, a great coaching staff. In a couple of days we’re going to be able to show it.

Joe: In past years, you’ve had a young player alongside you to mentor and look out for, like Ted Larsen as a rookie diving in off the bench in 2010. Is there a difference for you now with Carl Nicks next to you and knowing you don’t have to worry about him?

Penn: I think it’s going to help me out a lot having that dominant guy inside, especially in the run game and the way I can focus more on the opponent. Since I’ve been in the league, I haven’t had a guard play with me consistently for more than a year other than Aaron Sears. Carl and I are going to have our timing down, and he’s always going to be there. I can count on it. I feel a lot more comfortable. I don’t have to help out that much. With Ted when he jumped in as a rookie like you mentioned, I did everything I could do to help him and get him ready and have his back.  And that’s what teammates do. But now I can worry about Donald and what Donald got to do. I don’t have to help Carl with any little things. I can completely focus on the defense.

Tampa Bay Times beat writer Stephen Holder says fans shouldn’t be surprised if LeGarrette Blount is traded because Michael Smith might have made him expendable. Joe is horrified by this speculation.

Greg Schiano wants to “run the football.” He’s said it a hundred different ways.

His Bucs came out in their first possession of the preseason and ran four times on 4th-and-goal in Miami. Touchdown!

Months ago, Joe joined an off-the-record luncheon with Schiano and various media types. Joe asked Schiano only one question. Essentially, the question was, “what the heck does this ‘run the football’ really mean because we’ve heard that before about how the Bucs want to run the football?”

While Joe can’t reveal Schiano’s answer, Joe feels comfortable saying Schiano really embraces everything that a fan of the ground game could want “run the football” to mean.

So it is with horror that Joe reads Stephen Holder’s speculation tonight that the Bucs’ acquisition of former Giants backup running back D.J. Ware means LeGarrette Blount could be on the trading block.

We can’t assume anything, but you should be careful not to rule anything out, either. That includes the possibility that the Bucs have other plans for Blount, who already has seen his role diminished by the addition of new starter Martin.

Blount could have some trade value, so the possibility can’t be dismissed. Smith’s impressive training camp and preseason doesn’t help Blount, either. He’s capable of playing in all situations and is a real asset on special teams.

To be clear, the Bucs might be content to keep all four running backs on their active roster, even though it’s likely just three of the four would dress on game days. But if that’s not something Tampa Bay is willing to do, then don’t be surprised if there’s a change of some kind in the works.

First off, outside of all the confusing hedges in Holder’s claim, to say Michael Smith is “capable of playing in all situations” is really a stretch. Joe likes Smith’s speed as much as the next guy, but he’s not been running behind the first-team offensive line and he only caught four balls in the preseason for 29 yards. He’s a seventh-round pick with potential, not a 1,000-yard, bruising running back with elite ability.

But forgetting about Smith, it would make absolutely no sense and not jibe with the New Schiano Order to trade Blount. To deliver the offense the Bucs claim to covet, they need Blount in 2012. They’re not going to find a replacement of the same caliber at this late hour to help them pound the snot out of Carolina on opening day.

Last year, Joe and every other Bucs fan was — or should have been — horrified by the mis-use of Blount and the blame cast upon him. Joe’s hammered Greg Olson for not figuring out how to use Blount and floating the foolishness that Blount wasn’t capable of versatility. 

But the only crime worse than that would be to give up on Blount completely. Joe can’t imagine the New Schiano Order would be so foolish.

This is hardly Bucs news, but interesting nonetheless. Adam Schefter of BSPN is reporting that Kellen Winslow was cut by the Seattle Seahawks.

Winslow’s jettisoning reminds Joe of the Three Little Bears. In 2012, Winslow’s porridge with Greg Schiano was too hot. Pete Carroll’s porridge clearly was too soft. Maybe things will be just right for Winslow on his next team.

For now, Winslow will have plenty of time to spin records and moan about OTAs.

The plot got a lot thicker at running back this afternoon as the Bucs signed running back D.J. Ware, who was cut from the New York Giants yesterday.

Ware was with the Giants since 2007, in a backup role. He played in every game last season and is also known for his special teams play.

Clearly Mike Sullivan gave the green light to jump all over Ware, 27, who likely has that Schiano-Coughlin work ethic down pat.

Of course, he might not stick, but Joe would be very pleased to have a veteran back around LeGarrette Blount, Doug Martin and Michael Smith, if Smith hangs on.

The Bucs haved added Corvey Irvin to bolster the defensive line depth.

When the Bucs pulled Wallace Gilberry off the practice field earlier this afternoon to be cut (ouch, the NFL is cruel), the Bucs were darn thin on defensive line.

Gary Gibson and Daniel Te’o-Nesheim were the backups to Roy Miller and Gerald McCoy.

The leader of the New Schiano Order didn’t skirt the D-line depth issue today and made it clear that “we’re going to bring in some new bodies.”

And late this afternoon the Bucs signed Corvey Irvin, who was cut from the Jaguars. He played in four games during the 2011 season. Irvin was a third-round pick of the Panthers in 2009.

There’s a huge buzz of action at One Buc Palace, and look for practice squad and other signees later tonight.

Joe caught up with Arrelious Benn after the Bucs pounded each other in pads this afternoon at One Buc Palace. Benn talked about his health, his status for opening day, special teams, and more.

JoeBucsFan.com: What do you want to tell fans about how you feel?

Benn: I’m almost there. I’m feeling like I’m taking it slow. It felt good to be out there today running and banging around in pads and game-planning for Carolina and the season opener. I feel confident in my body, so I’m pretty much good to go.

Joe: Do you expect to play on opening-day?

Benn: Oh, yeah. I definitely expect to play. It’s just a matter of me getting out there and gettting back into it and go through the little things and let it everything fall in place.

Joe: Do you feel you’re behind on the playbook?

Benn: Not at all. One thing I did was stay in it mentally. You know, I feel as though I know the playbook like I’m one of the coaches now. Just staying in it, all the little things. That’s all I could have done when I was out [injured] just get the mental reps.

Joe:  Are you on all phases of special teams this year?

Benn: Pretty much. I’m getting back there returning some kicks this year. I’m looking forward to that.

Last night Philadelphia Eagles guard Julian Vandervelde was a victim of roster cuts.

Today, he is heading to Tampa Bay to be a member of the Bucs, so he Twittered just a little while ago (unearthed by Rick Brown of the Lakeland Ledger).

@BirdNerdJV73: Philly, I love ya, but today this Eagle flies south to join Tampa Bay. Thanks for a great time.

Well, that takes a little bit off of Joe’s mind that an experienced (former college teammate of Adrian Clayborn) big ugly will try to plug the hole left by Davin Joseph’s injury.

It seems as if Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik made a roster change with the Bucs in the middle of this morning’s practice, under the very eyes of the local Tampa Bay pen and mic club.

Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune was one of the witnesses.

@RCummingsTrib: Bucs OT Bradley Sowell and DT Wallace Gilberry left practice just after it started Sat. Looks like they have been cut and replaced

Cummings later wrote, judging by the numbers of the two new players who walked on the field and began practicing, they were an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. The Bucs have yet to identify both players.

What is interesting is that the Bucs are even still thinner at defensive tackle now that Gilberry is gone.

It was roughly 12 hours after the Bucs announced their 53-man roster (yes, it is supposed to be 53 players but the Bucs were one short of the ceiling) and Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik was already up to his elbows working to try to find a gem among the 1,200 players walking the streets looking for work.

NFL insider Adam Caplan got wind of who the Bucs worked out and reports there were 14 players. Among the players were quarterback John Parker Wilson, guard/center Jason Slowey and running back Davin Meggett.

The name “John Parker Wilson” makes Joe laugh out loud. Just after being jettisoned by Team Glazer, former Bucs coach Chucky worked the NFL Combine for the NFL Network and he slobbered over Wilson more than Joe does Rachel Watson.

To be fair, Wilson couldn’t be much worse than Brett Ratliff.

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After some Internet wackiness yesterday, Cody Grimm is, in fact, a Buccaneer. This is good news, as Grimm battling with Ahmad Black for reserve playing time means the Bucs have solid depth, with rookie Keith Tandy learning the ropes.

Bucs icon John Lynch joined Gary and The Commish on 98.7 FM yesterday and shared some great takes and stories. One explained how he personally lobbied Grimm’s case to Greg Schiano this week. Definitely an enjoyable listen.

Lynch also explains why he believes Greg Schiano will get the 2012 Bucs to “max out.” However, Lynch doesn’t believe that Bucs’ 2012 ceiling includes a winning season.

The dust settled last night on the Bucs roster, and Derek Hardman, Ted Larsen and Jamon Meredith are still Buccaneers.

The Bucs kept a hefty stable of O-linemen, incuding rookie undrafted tackle Brady Sowell and Demar Dotson, plus the starters.

The Bucs are practicing this afternoon at One Buc Palace, and previously in training camp Greg Schiano expressed a desire to have starters named early at all positions so the team can build on that and have continuity.

It’ll be interesting to see and hear about who trots out there today. If the Bucs don’t snag another guard soon, Joe suspects a starter among Larsen, Hardman and Meredith and will be named by Monday at the very latest.

Joe’s curious why Hardman hasn’t been talked about more. The guy was top notch as a rookie in 2010 filling in for Davin Joseph. Hardman was one of the few that season to keep Ndamukong Suh in check.

Wallace Gilberry will play his fifth season in Tampa

After the dust settled on defensive tackles Brian Price and Amobi Okoye, they ended up as teammates in Chicago. So now the Bucs will backup Gerald McCoy and Roy Miller with Wallace Gilberry, a defensive end with a lot of experience in Kansas City rushing inside, and Gary Gibson, Greg Schiano’s handpicked Rutgers man.

Gibson was rather invisible in preseason with an unknown ailment, but he, like Gilberry, has solid NFL seasons under his belt. Schiano said Gilberry’s versatility was a plus for him a few weeks ago.

This is hardly great depth at the position, so Joe suspects defensive tackle will be a priority area for the Bucs in the second draft, aka rockstar general manager Mark Dominik plucking guys off the still-hot waiver wire this weekend.

Yes, Myron Lewis remains a Buccaneer after tonight’s latest round of cuts to get the roster to 53 players. 

Joe’s not sure how that happened, but it illustrates the uncertainty the Bucs have at cornerback. They kept seven on the roster.

Leonard Johnson
Anthony Gaitor
Brandon McDonald
Myron Lewis
Aqib Talib
E.J. Biggers
Eric Wright

Greg Schiano was the Bears secondary coach, and clearly he wants a live and large stable of bodies, especially with an injury to Biggers, and Talib already having tweaked a hamstring in training camp. And add Gaitor’s hamstring into the mix, and Wright did miss a little time this spring and summer.

Joe’s feeling great for Johnson, the Largo High rookie who made the team through undrafted free agency.

Kudos to rookie tight end Danny Noble, the pride of the mighty Toledo Rockets, for making the Bucs roster.

He’s the third tight end behind Dallas Clark and Luke Stocker.

The Bucs gave up on tight ends Zach Pianalto and 2012 seventh round pick Drake Dunsmore. It was the second season in a row that a drafed seventh-round tight end didn’t stick.

Noble saw time with the first team against Miami in preseason and made a couple of catches. He broke his leg early in his senior season at Toledo, where he primarily was a big target in the passing game at 6-5, 248 pounds.

Now he’s a “Buccaneer Man.” The Bucs will go with no backup fullback … for now.

Sammie survives for his fourth season in pewter

Here it is below, the list of cuts today from the Bucs. And it’s no surprise that there are some surprises under the New Schiano Order.

Joe will have much more through the night.

RELEASED

DT Frank Okam
DT Amobi Okoye (injury settlement)

WAIVED
S Larry Asante
S Sean Baker
WR Landon Cox
LB Rennie Curran
LB Jacob Cutrera
TE Drake Dunsmore
K Kai Forbath
T Jermarcus Hardrick
RB Robert Hughes
FB Cody Johnson
RB Mossis Madu
DT Jordan Nix
C Moe Petrus
TE Zack Pianalto
QB Brett Ratliff
CB James Rogers
WR Jordan Shipley
WR Tiquan Underwood
DT Teryl White
DL E.J. Wilson
G Desmond Wynn (injured)

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