Doug Martin shares his investigative work

The running back fraternity around the NFL is pretty tight. These guys talk, especially the top-dog backs.

Joe chatted about the new Tampa Bay offense with Doug Martin, and Martin revealed that he tapped his share of contacts to know what he might be in for under the new Tampa Bay regime. [read more]

The Bucs entertained just shy of 15,000 fans tonight at their annual training camp night practice at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway. The autograph hounds were out hawking current and former Buccaneers. And there was even football being practiced on the field. [read more]

Yes, this is a special weekend for not only the Bucs, but for one of the greatest linebackers whoever donned a helmet in the NFL. Mr. Derrick Brooks, double-nickel, No. 55, will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame tomorrow evening.

(Hint, those planning on watching best not be late. Brooks will be the first of this year’s class to be inducted and to speak.) [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’s going to provide a regular glimpse at what’s happening around the NFC South. [read more]

Jeff Demps tells TBO.com’s Olivia Stacey about his newfound desire.

One reason Joe wasn’t doing cartwheels when Tampa Bay got running back Jeff Demps as a throwaway item in the LeGarrette Blount trade was because Demps was an Olympic star with his focus on winning a gold medal.

Joe has no problem with that in itself. It’s a noble goal that few humans have ever accomplished. More power to him. But Joe was worried about the Bucs and had no use for a guy who treated the team as an offseason hobby. [read more]

Lovie Smith isn’t losing sleep over new NFL rules

There are new NFL rules for 2014, and rules the NFL will enforce a bit more, which the league refers to as “point of emphasis.”

One is the “Mel Blount Rule.”

Never heard of the Mel Blount Rule? It’s where defensive backs can’t touch a receiver once he gets five yards downfield from the line of scrimmage. [read more]

Bucs fans fantasize that the Tampa Bay offense will hum with Vincent Jackson or Mike Evans drawing single coverage and Josh McCown will hurl a well-placed jump ball to be plucked out of the sky, and over the outstretched arms of a too-short cornerback.

The Bucs are expecting that, too. [read more]

Bucs TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins is a monster.

Watch Bucs general manager Jason Licht talk about rookie tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and you will see a grown man’s face light up as if Carmella Garcia was whispering naughty thoughts in his ear.

ASJ hasn’t performed a ton of work with the first-team or second-team offense in training camp thus far. He’s still somewhat learning the ropes after missing spring workouts recovering from ankle surgery and attending classes at the University of Washington, which conflicted with the Bucs’ schedule.

When ASJ does get on the field, this dude is a matchup nightmare. Think a young Vincent Jackson playing tight end. [read more]

Peter King wagged a finger at a new Buccaneer

Esteemed fight-instigating, barista-training, pedestrian-bumping, olive oil-lapping, popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, fried-chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, circle-jerking, beer-chugging, cricket-watching, scone-loathing, college football-naïve, baseball box score-reading Peter King, of Sports Illustrated and NBC Sports fame, was at Buccaneers practice yesterday and shared a little negativity with Buccaneers.com. [read more]

Whatever Herm Edwards is inhaling at ESPN headquarters hasn’t been passed on to noted NFL insider “The Professor,” John Clayton.

Clayton likes what Lovie Smith is building but doesn’t believe it’s enough to make Bucs fans smile all around Tampa Bay. [read more]

Can Lovie Smith simply release the hounds?

When an established defensive coach has a loaded roster on defense, you would suspect good things to happen. Then when that same coach stocks up the offense as if he’s at a Publix and a hurricane is hours away, well, it is easy to see how Bucs fans have their hopes up.

(A good gauge on how excited Bucs fans will be is how they fill up the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway tonight for the night practice, which begins at 7:30 p.m.) [read more]

A fan surprises Jason Licht

Usually, Joe is a cranky cuss in the morning, especially if he had a couple of cold ones the night before, and certainly before his morning ration of caffeine has kicked in. That’s why Joe’s most emotional rants often happen first thing in the morning.

Today, there’s no room for being petty, at least not to start off this fine Friday. Joe stumbled across the following accidentally and was taken aback. Never heard of such a thing before. [read more]

It seemed like an uneventful day out at One Buc Palace for Day 6 of Bucs training camp 2014. But Vincent Jackson continued an incline in improvement, really setting himself apart. Tommy Streeter continued to consistently catch balls. Robert Herron continued to struggle finding the handle on passes.

For the second day in a row, linebacker Danny Lansanah is blasting Bucs offensive players. The Jeff Tedford offense is beginning to look fun. [read more]

It was Vincent Jackson raving earlier this week about how Josh McCown is an extraordinary athlete, surprising his teammates at 35 years old. (You can read about that here.)

So today Joe figured he’d asked McCown if he still felt like the same guy who cranked out a 4.57-second 40-yard dash and a 38.5-inch vertical leap at the NFL Scouting Combine back in 2002. [read more]

Of course, Joe knew who wide receiver Tommmy Streeter was. He was a massive target with wheels who scared the life out of shorter defensive backs in the ACC because of his size and speed.

The 6-5, 215 receiver is a huge target and potentially a future member of the “Dunkaneers.” During this spring’s OTAs and minicamp, Streeter was a total non-factor. [read more]

Bucs coach Lovie Smith broke his months-long silence on RB Mike James today.

Even a guy walking around with a white cane can see the Bucs have a loaded backfield. Doug Martin, Charles Sims, Bobby Rainey, Jeff Demps.

Oh, yeah. And Mike James. Maybe you remember him?

The same guy who ran for 158 yards against eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle last season? [read more]

A two-way player?

Man, the Bucs have a crowded backfield. First, there is the Muscle Hamster himself, Doug Martin, plus Charles Sims, Bobby Rainey and Mike James. Pretty good stable of backs.

Then there is Jorvorskie Lane, a Texas A&M guy. He’s one of those birds who is nearly on the endangered species list. A fullback. [read more]

Pro Bowl cornerback Alterraun Verner was in a floppy hat and sneakers for the third consecutive practice

Cornerback Mike Jenkins officially joined the wounded Tampa Bay secondary this afternoon. He walked gingerly off the field yesterday with a hint of a limp, and Lovie Smith said he’s got a leg injury.

That meant all kinds of action this afternoon for Danny Gorrer, and questions about what this means for Pro Bowl CB Alterraun Verner adjusting to a defense and a press-coverage style new to him. The Bucs’ first preseason game is in eight days. [read more]