Things smell a lot different around One Buc Palace these days for Gerald McCoy, and it’s not just the absence of MRSA sanitation chemicals or vomit-inducing defensive line stunts.

What McCoy is sniffing is a different kind of leadership. [read more]

New Bucs’ O-line coach George Warhop shares his intriguing philosophy

The radically overhauled Buccaneers offensive line, complete with its new coach and new-to-the-NFL offensive coordinator, has a very tough task ahead.

This bunch must find a way to be in sync at a level that can withstand the punishing front-7s of Carolina and St. Louis in Weeks 1 and 2 of the season. [read more]

Joe pessimistic towards Da’Quan Bowers, especially after defensive line coach Joe Cullen fired a warning shot in the direction of Bowers last week, as recounted by Woody Cummings of The Tampa Tribune.

In short, Cullen groused how Bowers was not in shape (again) and needed to be in “great shape” in order to fulfill all the expectations of him when he was drafted in 2011. [read more]

Greg Schiano didn’t have the motivational prowess of Lovie Smith.

That was the message from Gerald McCoy last week. [read more]

Football Outsiders has harsh data on Bucs CB Alterraun Verner.

Regular readers of Joe are well aware that he is no fan in any way of cornerback Mike Jenkins. Joe doesn’t give a damn where he is from or where he played college ball at, the guy is a slug. [read more]

The gem Joe found over the weekend, where John Madden believes most teams in today’s NFL don’t fret much over their offensive lines, looking to only block the two A-gaps and unload the ball quickly, sure seems that describes what the Bucs are building on offense.

Sure, the Bucs signed Evan Dietrich-Smith. He’s a damn fine center and that surely helps with blocking up the middle. Then there are the two guards, or lack thereof. [read more]

NFL.com believes Bucs QB Josh McCown will “Make the Leap.”

This morning, NFL.com, in an effort to keep eyeballs on the site from now until training camp begins in some six weeks, kicks off a list of 25 players who its various writers believe will “Make the Leap” into stud NFLers.

And in the first installment, Chris Wesseling believes none other than first-year Bucs quarterback and NFL veteran Josh McCown will make the leap from journeyman and backup to a top shelf starter. [read more]

For reasons unknown to Joe, it seems rookie wide receivers take a little longer to acclimate than, say, a rookie running back.

Former NFL scout Greg Gabriel believes Bucs rookie wide receiver Mike Evans won’t have much of a transition. In his column for NationalFootballPost.com on breakout rookies, Gabriel lists Evans as an instant star. [read more]

Labeled “a grinder” by Greg Schiano, Mike Glennon is impressing one of his teammates in a big way.

Lovie Smith’s ordained “quarterback of the future” impresses the leader of the Buccaneers’ defense.

In fact, Gerald McCoy sure sounds like he wants to live up to Mike Glennon’s example. [read more]

Bucs LT Anthony Collins isn’t relaxing with his new, fat contract.

When the Bucs made left tackle Anthony Collins a very wealthy man despite him never having started half an NFL season, it instantly made the signing one of the most controversial of the Tampa Bay offseason.

Collins, who turns 29 in November, is being asked to step up in a way he never has before — for a new offensive line with holes and question marks. [read more]

Super Bowl-winning GM Bill Polian preaches defense on radio, but he always built his winning franchises with a quarterback-first design.

Few football people make Joe stop everything, put down his beer and pay rapt attention like when Bill Polian is behind a radio microphone. The guy is incredible.

The Super Bowl-winning general manager is a complete wealth of knowledge. Joe just wishes he would be on SiriusXM NFL Radio more often than once or twice a week, max. The thing Joe enjoys so much about Polian is he teaches so much about the game. [read more]

When people asked Joe about the recent Bucs draft, the first of the Lovie Smith era, Joe often responded to get back with Joe in three years. It is often a crapshoot to judge a draft before a training camp practice has even been held.

So, Joe thinks it is fair to ask about the 2011 draft. Looking back, with three seasons of history, it was a miserable draft, even though Bucky Brooks of NFL.com, who should never be allowed to do a mock draft (his record is abysmal) thinks the Bucs drafted OK. He game them a C-grade, in fact. [read more]

Talk to Bucs starting quarterback Josh McCown and he’s bound to share how urgent it is for the 2014 Bucs to hit the ground running like a polished offense that’s been together a long time.

Easing in to a new offensive line, a quarterback with new targets, and an offensive coordinator that has never called an NFL snap, is not OK with McCown. [read more]

The Bucs were in a hurry to re-sign cornerback Danny Gorrer this offseason

If it’s possible to get Bucs fans jacked up for a football game in June (only two months till the preseason opener), then a new video on Buccaneers.com might be the tonic.

The Bucs did a great job compiling highlights from recent OTA practices. [read more]

Despite Da’Quan Bowers just turning the corner on his rehab, his position coach isn’t throwing roses.

Joe is on record losing hope that Bucs defensive line coach Joe Cullen can turn around the career of Da’Quan Bowers. Since the Bucs drafted Bowers in the second round in 2011, Bowers has made much more news for either being out of shape or hurt or involved in a New York gun hassle than he has on the field. [read more]

Hall of Fame coach John Madden may have unlocked the secret to the Bucs offense.

From about the day after the free agency dinner bell rang, Joe has been grousing about the Bucs’ offensive line. Joe just doesn’t believe the offensive line is average right now.

For years, Bucs coach Lovie Smith, when he guided the Bears, had a rotten offensive line and yet he won, despite many failed transactions trying to beef up his line. [read more]

Effective leadership again is a focus for Gerald McCoy

Great players, regardless of sport, typically inspire and raise the games of those around them.

Gerald McCoy hasn’t done that yet. [read more]

Expect Bucs OC Jeff Tedford to use tight ends like Tim Wright in creative ways.

With the possible exception of running back, the Bucs’ deepest position may be tight end. Shoot, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the best tight end last year, who as a rookie never playing the position before finished in the top half of receiving yards for tight ends, could be the No. 3 tight end this year.

That’s not because the Bucs don’t like Tim Wright — they very much do. It’s just that the team is well stocked. Hearing Bucs offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford talk this week to the Tampa Bay pen and mic club, he spoke of using two-tight end sets. [read more]

Joe tried and tried to get Bucs special teams chief Kevin O’Dea to name some names when it came to his emerging leaders and top returners.

O’Dea was more elusive than Devin Hester. [read more]