Jacquies Smith (56) and Michael Johnson (90) bring Robert Griffin III down Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com)

One pleasant surprise of the Bucs’ woeful, forgettable season has been the play of defensive end Jacquies Smith. He has three sacks this season, two of which came yesterday in the wipeout of Washington.

For weeks, Bucs coach Lovie Smith has begged, pleaded, and preached quarterback pressure and sacks. Sadly, these occurred about as often as catching a cold. [read more]

Clinton McDonald

Lovie Smith despises curse words. It’s a no-no around Lovie.

Just ask Brian Urlacher.

So it was an eye-opener today when Lovie raved about defensive tackle Clinton McDonald and evoked a PG-rated phrase. [read more]

Remember all that “speed in space” talk, and “up-tempo” chatter, and the revelation that healing offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford was a two-tight-ends nut in the Bill Belicheat mold?

That sure sounds like an alien offense that has yet to land on planet Tampa Bay. [read more]

Yes, Joe knows this is a Bucs site. But Joe thought he would give you a taste of what it is like to be a Redskins fan in the Beltway today. In short, there is unrest in the streets.

Redskins fans are in full-blown meltdown mode after losing to the previously bungling Bucs, the now 2-8 Bucs who got their second win yesterday by clobbering the Redskins at FedEx Field. [read more]

Before the Bucs’ beating of the Redskins yesterday, Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht took to the WDAE-AM 620 airwaves and raved about the hidden, off-field value of Vincent Jackson.

But what is that really worth? [read more]

Joe’s not about to urinate on the diehard Bucs optimists out there.

So for those ear-to-ear grinning folks, Joe has crunched all the options and found the Bucs’ clear path to this year’s NFC South crown. [read more]

(Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com)

Last week, much was made of Josh McCown getting so enraged and disgusted that the Bucs fell to 1-8 losing to the Dixie Chicks that he lost all composure and broke down crying.

When he took to the podium for his mandatory postgame press conference, McCown could barely spit out words he was so emotional.

Well, yesterday, if there were any tears, they were tears of joy for the Bucs’ beat down of the hapless Redskins. McCown admitted he could have lost his cool again, but for a very different reason. [read more]

The more Bucs fans watch the success of No. 7 overall pick Mike Evans, the more many salivate at the thought of what jackpot haul the Bucs could snatch on April 30, Day 1 of the 2015 draft. [read more]

On the trading block?

Buried under Sunday’s games and faux DEA raids (some folks are watching “Homeland” a little too much) was a column by a national NFL scribe that revealed information about the Bucs that is hardly a surprise or a state secret.

Jason La Canfora put fingertips to keyboard and wrote how Tampa Bay, anxious to load up on draft picks, will shop three players to see if anyone nibbles at the bait. [read more]

Defensive end Jacqueis Smith looks like the Bucs’ first dangerous threat off the edge since Michael Bennett. (Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

To hell with Anthony Barr and Aaron Donald. Step aside, CJ Mosley.

Joe’s lobbying for Bucs defensive end Jacquies Smith for defensive rookie of the year. [read more]

(Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com)

A long look at the Bucs yesterday, today, and what to expect tomorrow and beyond.

So the Bucs may have a superstar on their hands. The man Bucs general manager Jason Licht referred to as “Godzilla” this spring, wide receiver Mike Evans, is now in the history books. He is the first rookie to catch seven balls, rack up 100 yards and catch a touchdown pass in three consecutive games.

Pretty impressive. Evans sort of credited watching a 30-for-30 documentary about Randy Moss on BSPN Saturday night for motivating him yesterday. [read more]

(Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com)

Joe liked when Bucs general manager Jason Licht referred to Bucs rookie wide receiver Mike Evans as “a Godzilla.” It just happened to be mentioned the same weekend the movie by the same name debuted.

Whatever you want to call Evans, “damned good” would be just fine. He is approaching Antonio Bryant as a skilled wide receiver. It has been a while since the Bucs had that type of weapon. [read more]

Lovie Smith is excited

How about a rare video peek into the Bucs’ postgame locker room? [read more]

All offseason, Joe wrote about how the Tampa Bay offensive line was being built to pass block but it was hard to imagine them as punishing run blockers.

Anthony Collins? Pass blocking was his major strength in Cincinnati.

Center Evan Dietrich-Smith was busy keeping Aaron Rodgers upright in Green Bay. [read more]

Early in the game, Bucs punter returner Marcus Thigpen botched a Redskins punt. It could have been disastrous but the Tampa Bay defense held and a missed field goal by the Redskins allowed a deep sigh of relief.

The fumble was questionable enough that the Bucs screamed for a review. A review that never came. [read more]

A stunning shutdown

When was the last time — before today — that Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson combined for five catches for 41 yards?

Keep thinking. Take your time.

Yeah, Robert Griffin, III, missed touchdown throws, but the Bucs’ starting corners did a hell of a job on the dangerous Redskins receivers [read more]

Bucs DE Michael Johnson was no ghost today.

That shadowy figure you may have seen from time on the Bucs defense with a red No. 90 on his back was not a ghost (today), but a real live football player.

That would be defensive end Michael Johnson. The big-moneyed free agent defensive end, but for one game this year, was like a ghostly character in a Washington Irving novel. You heard he was on the roster and getting paid, but damned if you could find him. [read more]

Clinton McDonald and Lavonte David put Robert Griffin III on his back for one of the six Bucs sacks today. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com)

Until today, with the possible exception of the win over Pittsburgh, the Bucs were rumored to have a pass rush. They didn’t.

Evan against teams with beat up offensive lines put together with baling wire, the Bucs were more often than not humbled up front. [read more]