Todd Bowles is watching.

It sounds like the polish is dripping off Buccaneers third-round pick Jalen McMillan, the receiver out the University of Washington. [read more]

Newcomer is impressing. And no, it’s not Antonio Brown.

Joe has tried to warn fans that “the preacher” is also a baller. [read more]

It’s always nice when the collective yawn of underwear football season, aka voluntary spring practices, is interrupted by something that makes you sit at the edge of your chair for a moment.

That happened today when the greatest receiver in Bucs history, Mike Evans, took time off from rest, relaxation and his well-known training regimen to attend the Bucs’ seventh “OTA” session of the season at One Buc Palace. It was the third open to media.

Evans was in shorts catching easily thrown balls and bonding with teammates.

The team’s mandatory minicamp is next week.

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Click above to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford, BillCurrieFord.com. Reach out to Ira’s friend and GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles at Bill Currie Ford.

Plenty on today’s Bucs buffet. Enjoy!

The wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford. Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts or Podbean.com, Other platforms, too.

Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

Let his wheels take over.

Yes, Joe understands the Bucs drafted a gifted receiver, Jalen McMillan, in the third round. Just based on that investment, one could guess he’ll get on the field a bunch this season. [read more]

Still disrespected.

Last year, long-time SI.com NFL columnist Conor Orr picked the Bucs to lose 15 games. [read more]

Misleading ranking.

At first glance, this appears to be a slap in the face to Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield. But pulling the onion skins back, it’s almost a compliment. [read more]

You could whine about the Bucs offensive line if you wish — and so many do. Habitually. Constantly. [read more]

BY IRA KAUFMAN

It’s almost impossible to lead from behind.

Lavonte David remains amazingly productive, but he’s 34 and the clock is winding down on his accomplished career. When David retires, the Bucs will need a new face for their defense and the clubhouse leader by a nose is Antoine Winfield Jr.

Winfield has the goods and the contract to justify that status, but most defensive leaders patrol the front seven, not the secondary. [read more]

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JoeBucsFan.com draft guru Sean Sullivan has a quick but deep dive into the drafts of the Falcons, Panthers and slimy Saints. Enjoy!

Listen by clicking above. Or enjoy at Apple Podcasts and other platforms. All the fun is presented by Bill Currie Ford, home of the nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles. Sean also is the eager Bill Currie Ford GM ready to help you personally with all of your automotive needs. Fire off questions on football and more to Sean at BestInClass@BillCurrie.com.

Counted out by rightsholder.

Joe is trying to figure out what Baker Mayfield did to hack off #NFLMedia. [read more]

Outmaneuvered star player.

Now Joe doesn’t want to type something like how Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht got over on Mike Evans. It’s not like the two are adversaries. [read more]

Can he get nine sacks?

On a nice, sunny Sunday afternoon when the Gulf of Mexico or cold beers at Hooters are trying to lure Joe out of his lair, unlike most normal Tampa Bay area residents, Joe stays indoors and does research on the Bucs.

Hey, it’s what Joe does! [read more]

Poor ranking.

Rachaad White may be the second-best running back to catch passes in the NFL behind Christian McCaffery. [read more]

Bucs GM Jason Licht.

The phrasing from this insider really intrigued Joe because he’s been a confidant of Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht. [read more]

Feed him screen passes.

Joe is a huge believer that if a team is having success with something, then it should keep going to that well over and over until a defense proves it can stop it. [read more]

Joe climbed the roof of One Buc Palace and started bugling when Tampa Bay’s safeties unit got the best-in-the-NFL label from a former coach and personnel executive who crowned them as such two weeks ago. [read more]

Podcast appearance.

Really cool podcast sitdown Bucs defensive lineman Will Gholston had late last month. [read more]

Bucs ILB K.J. Britt.

After Tuesday’s underwear football practice, Bucs coach Todd Bowles said inside linebacker K.J. Britt never truly struggled in pass coverage. [read more]

Bucs rookie RB Bucky Irving.

Joe landed in a heated conversation with a Bucs fan recently about rookie running back Bucky Irving out of the University of Oregon.

Tampa Bay drafted him in Round 4. [read more]

Average moving the chains.

When the Bucs keep it on the ground on third downs, it’s just about a flip of the coin if they succeed or fail to move the chains. [read more]

Free agent in 2025.

Since the day he was drafted in 2017, Chris Godwin has sort of played in the shadow of Mike Evans. Still, year after year, Godwin produced. [read more]