Joe received an interesting story in his e-mail box recently from noted St. Louis-based NFL writer Howard Balzer. While Balzer is a national football writer, he hangs out a lot at the Lambs facilities because, well, it’s in the same area he lives.

Rams starting guard Davin Joseph (who still calls Tampa home) was a popular Buccaneer for years– partly because he was a No. 1 pick, partly because of all the good things he did for folks in need, in particular, Tampa Bay high school football programs that received money from his foundation. [read more]

Lovie Smith admits the Josh McCown seen in Washington was the quarterback he envisioned back in March, when Lovie was quick to move on McCown with Team Glazer’s checkbook.

McCown has looked the part — for the most part — since returning two Sundays ago. [read more]

Crab-legs-stealing, BB-gun-shooting, obscenity-hollering, Heisman-Trophy-winning, national champion James Winston, the pride of Florida State University, continues to look like a much better quarterback prospect than Mike Glennon and Josh McCown.

It’s Joe’s regular nugget on the Jameis Watch, celebrating the best quarterback to wear No. 5 ever in the state of Florida. [read more]

Bears WR Brandon Marshall and his WR teammate Alshon Jeffery are both listed as probable for Sunday’

One perplexing thing with the Bears is their offense is inconsistent despite having weapons all over the field. Take Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall. Damn near any team would drool to have those tall twins at receiver.

Both receivers, however, are dinged up but Bears coach Marc Trestman has listed both as probable for Sunday, documents Michael C. Wright of BSPN.com [read more]

Hey, it’s Friday. Happy hour approaches.

So in the happy hour spirit of dart throwing, pool playing and business-babe gawking, Joe has important stats for you. [read more]

To hear from some, Bears fans mourn the day Bears general manager Phil Emery jettisoned Lovie Smith after a 10-win, 2012 season. The Bears haven’t been the same since and appear to be on the verge of a meltdown under Marc Trestman.

However, a CSN Chicago panel of David Kaplan, Rick Telander and Hub Arkush seem to disagree. They’re not impressed with Lovie, and they don’t believe fans have special feelings for him. [read more]

UPDATED: 1:18 p.m. — The latest from One Buc Palace sure makes it seem like the Bucs will have to find a way to win Sunday without Lavonte David, the NFL leader in tackles.

TampaBay.com Bucs beat writer Greg Auman shared the grim news via Twitter. [read more]

It’s amazing what a victory will do for a team.

The Bucs pounded the Redskins and are talking playoff probabilities. [read more]

(Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Any changes happening inside the bowels of One Buc Palace?

Yes. Lovie Smith felt the need to take defensive matters into his own hands recently. [read more]

Joe’s weekly Friday visit to the Ron and Ian show on WDAE-AM 620 is now at 1 p.m. Don’t miss it today. Click through below.

Remorse and panic in Chicago

Joe can sense it from not-as-chilly Florida; residents of the frigid windy city are on meltdown watch. If the Bucs can beat the Bears, that town is going to turn not just upside down, but go into full Blackhawks backers.

Joe has received e-mails from old college buddies in that neck of the woods, writing in so many words, “If Lovie beats Trestman… ” [read more]

Lavonte David missed practice Thursday with a hamstring injury after being limited in practice on Wednesday.

It’s time to do the smart thing. [read more]

A scene painted of Tampa Bay’s Wednesday practice was somewhat disturbing, especially when you consider the weather forecast for the Bucs-Bears game on Sunday in Chicago. [read more]

Is Bears DE Jared Allen over the hill?

The offseason free agent frenzy had many Bucs fans wanting defensive end Jared Allen to come down to Tampa Bay.

Joe had wanted Julius Peppers. Thus far, Green Bay got the better of those two.

To be fair, Allen had a bout of pneumonia and lost 18 pounds in September. Joe doesn’t know how folks could play with that. [read more]

Bratty Jay Cutler

Joe was rifling through statistical notes of the Bears offense and, frankly, Joe is confused. Their offense has been a mess lately, yet the Bears have serious firepower.

Yes, Bratty Jay Cutler often seems he would rather have ingrown toenail surgery without the aid of Novocaine than play quarterback, but damn, he is fifth in the NFL in both completions and completion percentage and tied for sixth in touchdowns. [read more]

Crab-legs-stealing, BB-gun-shooting, obscenity-hollering, Heisman-Trophy-winning, national champion James Winston, the pride of Florida State University, continues to look like a much better quarterback prospect than Mike Glennon and Josh McCown.

It’s Joe’s regular nugget on the Jameis Watch, celebrating the best quarterback to wear No. 5 ever in the state of Florida. [read more]

Do the Bucs have Roger Goodell to thank for their fast start Sunday?

Lost in the Danny Lansanah interception to open the Bucs’ beating of Washington was a missed sack, a very heinous play — by blitzing Lavonte David.

Watching that, you’d never believe David is All-Pro material. [read more]

It’s time for Joe’s weekly podcast with smooth-piped Ronnie Lane of the Buccaneers Radio Network and WDAE-AM 620!

Joe dove into all kinds of topics, including how for some reason losing to Tampa Bay causes mass lunacy among opposing fans. [read more]