Baseball’s Out — In Writing
May 4th, 2015
When Jameis Winston throws out the first pitch at a Rays game soon, that might be the last time he throws a baseball for 20 years. [read more]
Big Balls Are On The Table
May 4th, 2015
New Bucs guard Ali Marpet, a second-round pick out of Division III Hobart, is a tremendous underdog story. The guy’s the highest ever draft pick out of the lowest ranks of college football, where scholarships don’t exist.
Marpet also represents Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht putting a hefty set of balls on the table. [read more]
Martin’s Option Not Picked Up
May 4th, 2015
It seems Doug Martin may be entering his last Tampa Bay season. Martin has learned it is show me time.
Per Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, the Bucs have elected to not pick up his fifth-year option, essentially turning this season into Martin’s contract year. [read more]
Winston Stiffarms BSPN
May 4th, 2015
Regular readers know how much Joe detests BSPN, the TV outfit. It’s not sports, it’s schlock.
Good people work there. This is not a shot at those folks, like Ed Werder, John Clayton, Dickie V, Mike Wilbon and others. This is about the mentality of the suits at the four-letter. [read more]
Thanking Josh McCown
May 4th, 2015
We must give thanks to Josh McCown for this gift.
Well, the Bucs finally have a quarterback. Finally.
Joe has harped on this for years. The Bucs simply were going nowhere without a quarterback. Since leaky, sleepy Josh Freeman went mental, this team was doomed and the record reflected that. [read more]
The Donovan Smith Narrative
May 4th, 2015
Browsing the Interwebs you will find all sorts of things, both good and bad, about new Bucs left tackle Donovan Smith out of Penn State.
The second round pick seems to generate a wide range of reviews. One label Smith has been stuck with is “lazy” — but both NFL Network’s Mike Mayock and Charles Davis are not in this group. [read more]
“Right Now, He’s Going To Get The Opportunity To Be Our Combo Returner”
May 3rd, 2015
Bucs general manager Jason Licht was quite forthright after the NFL Draft. He wasn’t just talking in generalities about the new Tampa Bay picks.
Hopes are pinned on these guys coming in and playing major roles. [read more]
Fear Factor In The Bucs’ Draft Room
May 3rd, 2015
Yes, there was nail-biting in Buccaneers’ draft war room.
The second round ticked down and the Bucs were like the playground captain afraid to get stuck with the dude wearing a skirt. [read more]
Jameis Winston Key For Kenny Bell
May 3rd, 2015
New Bucs WR Kenny Bell talks more about a chance to play with Jameis Winston, Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans.
Yes,when wide receiver and fourth round draft pick Kenny Bell spoke with the Tampa Bay pen and mic club via conference call yesterday, Joe lost count how many times Bell said “excited.”
At one point, Bell admitted he was a “broken record” for using the word over and over.
By the tone of his voice, he wasn’t acting. [read more]
Bucs Add A Ballhawk
May 3rd, 2015
Joe doesn’t get all hot in the pants for undrafted free agents, as many fans do. These guys have a slim shot to earn a roster spot.
But there’s always an intriguing prospect or two in the bunch. [read more]
Thumbs Up
May 3rd, 2015
Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.
While it is fun as hell to grade an NFL draft just hours after it concludes, it’s also irresponsible.
There is no way of knowing how good a draft class truly is for at least three years. [read more]
Kwon Alexander To Push Lansanah
May 2nd, 2015
Bucs OLB Danny Lansanah will have competition this summer.
A feel-good story of last season was the emergence of linebacker Danny Lansanah.
One of the last signees by former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik in 2013, Lansanah, a former UFL player, had a strong training camp and eventually unseated Jonathan Casillas at strongside linebacker. [read more]
Roger Goodell Talks Jameis Winston
May 2nd, 2015
Bucs fans had heard a little about Jameis Winston’s pre-draft meeting several weeks ago with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Well, after Winston was selected by the Bucs, Goodell talked about it. [read more]
Jason Licht’s Dad Plays Bucs GM
May 2nd, 2015
Heeding dad’s advice.
After the Bucs drafted wide receiver Kenny Bell, Joe noted how Nebraskans hold their Cornhuskers dear to their hearts.
In fact, Bucs general manager Jason Licht was once a walk-on for Tom Osbourne.
NFL Draft Day Three, Open Thread
May 2nd, 2015
So the Bucs have their franchise quarterback, and two potential starting offensive linemen. What else?
There are a couple of O-linemen out there for the taking, but will any of them still be there when the Bucs select with the 29th pick in the fourth round?
Unless the Bucs make trades, they have five picks today including two fifth-round selections.
Bang your comments and thoughts here as the second half of the draft fires up today.
Mike Glennon Unwanted?
May 2nd, 2015
No NFL team called this weekend to try to swing a trade for QB Mike Glennon.
Last year, the Bucs fielded many calls from various NFL teams wanting the services of quarterback Mike Glennon.
At the time, the Bucs had high hopes for Glennon, even knighting him with the moniker “Quarterback of the Future.” This, despite throwing wads of Team Glazer cash at turnover-prone Josh McCown. [read more]
Joey Iosefa Highlights
May 2nd, 2015
Marcus Mariota, who many Bucs fans wanted to draft, was a speedy Hawaiian. Instead, with their last pick in the 2015 draft, the Bucs drafted a slower than slow player in Hawaii.
Joey Iosefa, a running back from Hawaii, posted the slowest time of any running back in the combine at 5.02. Below are his highlights. [read more]
