Game 1

Titans at Bucs

Kickoff: 4:25 p.m. [read more]

Wiley Titans DC Dick LeBeau.

Yes, the NFL baptism today of America’s Quarterback, Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, will be a memorable one for the pride of Bessemer, Ala.

The thrill of finally reaching his dream will come true, and a savvy defensive sage across the field will do his best to see that this dream is a complete nightmare for young Jameis. [read more]

Lovie discusses today’s season opener.

One key saying of Bucs coach Lovie Smith comes when he refers to a future opponent. Lovie will claim the Bucs are either ready — or not ready — by saying “(insert name of foe) ready.” [read more]

Remember the recent comments of Alterraun Verner and the head coach

Yeah, Joe wants a win so damn badly today, but Joe’s also looking for something just as big.

Will the Bucs show up and play for Lovie Smith, something the head coach this week dared to admit they didn’t do last year? [read more]

Dear Football Gods,

It’s your old friend Joe, your willful servant who awakened Dec. 28 and dared to ask a favor.

Winning the Chase for Jameis was that important. And your infinite power delivered Tavarres King, whose mighty hands transformed into Michael Clayton’s upon your priestly blessing. [read more]

Voice of the Bucs, Gene Deckerhoff, has lofty expectations for the pewter pirates with America’s Quarterback barking signals.

Back in training camp, Joe talked to longtime Buccaneers play-by-play man Gene Deckerhoff. He is one of the very few (maybe the only one working; Joe can’t find the answer) who worked the microphone for both a Super Bowl winner and a college football champion.

Deckerhoff, of course, is the voice of the Florida State Seminoles. Joe chatted with Deckerhoff about America’s Quarterback, Bucs rookie signal-caller Jameis Winston, and what made the kid special and the Bucs’ No. 1 overall pick. [read more]

Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter is coming off an amazing season in Atlanta

In these unsettled times of devastating Bucs losses, constant change and growing pains, Joe thought it would be wise to bring back THE OPTIMIST.

THE OPTIMIST is Nick Houllis, a Bucs fan and an accomplished writer whose steadfast allegiance to the Buccaneers goes back to the 1970s. Houllis is the founder, creator and guru of BucStop.com, a place Joe goes to get lost in time via Houllis’ stunning video collection.

THE OPTIMIST will shine that positive light in your eyes. Some will love it. Some won’t. … Of course, THE OPTIMIST’s opinions are his alone and are not influenced by Joe. [read more]

Ron “Jaws” Jaworski loves him some America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.

The problem is Jaws has studied Jameis and the Buccaneers’ offensive line. [read more]

Stats show Lovie’s flippant public attitude over CB Johnthan Banks is terribly unwarranted.

It just drives Joe nuts how, for whatever reason publicly, Lovie Smith seems to have it in for cornerback Johnthan Banks, the third-year man out of Mississippi State.

Whenever Lovie is asked about Banks, it is seems like it offends him and he immediately invokes Mike Jenkins’ name. [read more]

Former Pro Bowl center Shaun O’Hara shined a spotlight on Evan Smith versus Dick LeBeau.

Damn, Joe is salivating at the thought of a real Bucs game tomorrow, especially one with America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, under center.

Haleleujah! [read more]

Win lunch with Joe!

You’ve seen enough. You’ve ached for the return of real Bucs football for 8 1/2 months. (One might suggest it’s been nearly three years.)

Now it’s time to predict this 2015 season. [read more]

Mickey is flummoxed why he cannot watch the Bucs Sunday.

Of course, Joe later will post the weekly in-season TV map for Bucs fans to learn where in the country they can lay prone on their Barcalounger and watch the Titans-Bucs game without the need for DirecTV.

One area where Bucs fans must cough up money for NFL Sunday Ticket or get off that Barcalounger and head to the local watering hole is Orlando, which for decades was deemed by the Bucs as its secondary market. [read more]

Doug Martin has made it clear that he hates the perfectly good nickname “Muscle Hamster.” Don’t dare call Martin that.

But what do his teammates call him? [read more]

Intense praise for the Bucs’ 21-year-old middle linebacker

Only one college man received the high blessing by the defensive gurus, wizards and personnel chiefs at One Buc Palace over the past two years.

And Lovie Smith showered him with a great compliment yesterday. [read more]

If Joe is doing a podcast with smooth-talking Ronnie Lane of the Buccaneers Radio Network, then you know it is football season.

In this first weekly edition of 2015, Joe talks the offensive line, the embarrassing recent history of non-edge rushers and honeys on Instagram. [read more]

Help him!

There is no question that the front line for the Bucs is a major question mark.

Can Logan Mankins right himself? Can Evan Smith save his career? Does Gosder Cherilus have anything left in his tank and old knees? Can Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet not play like rookies? [read more]

When the Bucs invested a third-round pick on Charles Sims, despite not needing a running back, Tampa Bay officials and national media were lauding the golden soft hands of Sims. [read more]