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“Don’t put too much into it,” Lovie Smith said of the Bucs’ first depth chart issued this afternoon in advance of Friday’s preseason game at Jacksonville.
However, Buccaneers players Joe talked to about it today definitely take it seriously. [read more]
Bucs training camp marched on at One Buc Palace this evening. Of course, Joe was out there taking notes, thankfully under cloudy skies and in rain-cooled air.
Here’s all kinds of news, notes and nuggets: [read more]
What a fun time! Joe got a chance to sit down for the “JoeBucsFan Hour” with Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620 right on the training camp practice field at One Buc Palace. All things Bucs, and some takes right from the field, were on the docket.
Enjoy the audio below.
Lovie Smith suggested S Mark Barron could be the modern Bucs version of John Lynch.
When the Bucs defense was at its boastful, brash, rib-cracking height, there were five players that fans embraced the way Joe would if Rachel Watson fell in his arms.
The Fab Five would have been Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, John Lynch, Ronde Barber and Simeon Rice. Two of those five are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Two others should be someday. The fifth (Rice) would be a long-shot, likely by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Committee. [read more]
The Bucs play a total of six games a year against the hated Dixie Chicks, the Stinkin’ Panthers, and the bounty-loving Saints. For those who want to snoop on the Bucs’ hated rivals, Joe provides a regular glimpse at what’s happening around the NFC South. [read more]
Never forget, nor even think, that Bucs coach Lovie Smith is anything but a defensive coach. And in some ways, he reminds Joe of Father Dungy.
The man who helped turn the franchise around preached defense. As he sadly demonstrated, Father Dungy neither cared for nor liked offense. Had no use for it, which essentially killed his days with the Bucs. [read more]
The Bucs released the first depth chart of the 2014 preseason, even though kickoff is a few days away. Joe knows depth charts released before the preseason schedule starts have about as much relevance as Punxsutawney Phil, but they are still fun to pick apart.
Here are highlights:
Joe will have Bucs cheerleaders in view, courtside seats for an intense training camp practice and be on the air with the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620.
What could be better? Catch the “JoeBucsFan Hour” at 5 p.m. Joe will dive into all the Bucs subjects of the day.
Still coy about the offense.
It is hard not to get excited about the Bucs offense (!) when you see a monster tight end like Austin Seferian-Jenkins toy with a linebacker like a snake would a trapped mouse.
Of course, Vincent Jackson looks to be in mid-season form and Mike Evans makes an elevated catch now and then to remind people he’s in the mix, too. [read more]
More cash to entice Gerald McCoy?
Amicably waving goodbye to former All-Pro guard Carl Nicks last month appears to have saved the Bucs some cash.
Per a FOX report last year, Nicks’ 2014 contract had a $6 million injury guarantee. [read more]
A prominent former Buccaneer doesn’t want to see a repeat of last year
The Bucs had a pretty sad and perplexing preseason last year, and the on-field mess carried into the regular season.
Commander Schiano didn’t want to give starters, especially Josh Freeman, a lot of August reps, after limiting Freeman’s first-team reps in practice so Mike Glennon could get plenty of work. [read more]
So when you’re seriously guard challenged like the Buccaneers are, where do you place a nasty, aggressive rookie who has a lot to learn but has the tools to be successful?
The answer is right guard. [read more]
A thumbs up for former Bucs offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan was well deserved when it came to using Vincent Jackson.
V-Jax arrived in Tampa from San Diego, where he was used almost exclusively as a deep threat, the over-the-top guy. But Sullivan changed that. [read more]
After serving as a defensive line coaching intern on the sidelines and in the meeting rooms of One Buc Palace this spring, former Bucs defensive end Steve White (1996-2001) surely has unique insight into your Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Yesterday, White shared some of his impressions. [read more]
Bucs TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins has crazy high standards.
Joe is really starting to buy the hype surrounding rookie tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. It’s hard not to when you see the guy on the field.
First, the dude is a monster. Yeah, you recognize Vincent Jackson and yeah, you recognize Mike Evans, two big guys in their own right when they take the field. But when ASJ steps foot on the turf, you do a double-take and your eyes are locked on him. [read more]
Fun times at Bucs practice. The weather cooperated in that it was overcast, which kept the high temperatures more moderate. Didn’t do much about the humidity, though.
There were some neat plays in the passing game made by Bucs wide receivers. A couple are highlighted in these videos below, courtesy of the Bucs’ official Vine account. [read more]
Bucs DE Adrian Clayborn logged reps at tackle today in passing situations.
Joe noticed something both strange and telling today at practice.
While recommitted Bucs defensive end Da’Quan Bowers was found in his familiar spot on the football field — the sideline in street clothes — his teammate and fellow Bucs defensive end Adrian Clayborn was taking reps at defensive tackle.
That is not one of Joe’s typos. It is true. Clayborn was working at defensive tackle. [read more]
Bucs DE Da’Quan Bowers was sidelined (again) Monday, as was oft-injured TE Luke Stocker.
Joe is not trying to be mean or hurtful in this post, but if there was any sight at Bucs practice that spoke volumes about the status and shaky futures of a pair of Bucs hangers-on, it was seen today.
On one side of the Tampa Bay practice field in a sparkling clean white jersey and red shorts, wearing a Bucs cap and a compression bandage on his right leg, stood fan favorite, tight end Luke Stocker. [read more]
