Lovie: No Plans To Cut Mike Williams

March 25th, 2014

mike williams 0915Reasoned, religious, sensible, non-reactionary Lovie Smith has no plans to fire Mike Williams for being the victim of a stabbing on Sunday.

Imagine that.

Tampa Tribune Bucs beat writer Roy Cummings shared, via Twitter, word from the Bucs head coach at the NFL Owners meetings in Orlando. [read more]

Bucs Sitting On $16.2 Million

March 25th, 2014

lovie smith 0113The spreadsheet geeks and number crunchers at ESPN have communicated with Bucs beat writer Pat Yasinskas, and it seems Lovie Smith has work to do in order to reach his stated goal of spending all available nickels. [read more]

Donte Moncrief And The Bucs

March 25th, 2014
donte moncrief

Would Donte Moncrief of Ole Miss be a good third-day draft pick?

Yes, many Bucs fans are all worked up about the Bucs drafting a wide receiver. And this was before Mike Williams’ brother (allegedly) decided to go all Ginsu and knife Williams in the thigh Sunday.

The majority of those same fans are fixated on the shiniest lure in the pond, and that is Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins. [read more]

Judge: Stay Away From Mike!

March 25th, 2014
Mike Williams' brother, Eric Baylor's mugshot.

Mike Williams’ brother, Eric Baylor, has been ordered by a judge to stay away from Williams.

The judge handling the case of Eric Baylor, the brother of Bucs wide receiver Mike Williams, may have done the Bucs the biggest favor since former Bucs rock star general manager cut Myron Lewis.

Baylor, who is alleged to have gone all Ginsu and knifed Williams Sunday, turned himself into authorities last night and had to stand in front of a judge this morning for a bail hearing. [read more]

“I Don’t Care If It’s July”

March 25th, 2014

Bucs special teams chief Kevin O’Dea has no room for loafers

Lovie Smith is steadfast in his expectations: every single one of his defensive players will pursue the football all-out hard on every snap, and his special teams will be a relentless band of brothers.

The offense? Well, that’s a mystery. But we’ll soon find out.

[read more]

“Manziel Scares Me”

March 25th, 2014

johnny football 0114bThe chronic condition known as Johnny Football fear seems to be contagious in NFL circles.

NFL.com reporter/feature writer Albert Breer dove deep into the risks of overvaluing a quarterback in the NFL Draft in his most recent work, and it’s noteworthy that two of his sources give identical takes on the young man who could revolutionize Buccaneer football. [read more]

Dietrich-Smith On The Rise

March 25th, 2014

evan Dietrich-Smith

Two things jumped out at Joe after a modicum of research on new Bucs center Evan Dietrich-Smith.

The first thing that crossed Joe’s mind was when Bucs general manager Jason Licht was hired, he emphasized “value” in acquiring free agents.

Also, when speaking last week on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Dietrich-Smith mentioned Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was upset he left the team. [read more]

Eric Baylor Surrenders

March 25th, 2014
Mike Williams' brother, Eric Baylor's mugshot.

Mugshot of Eric Baylor, Mike Williams’ brother.

The brother of Bucs wide receiver Mike Williams and the same man accused of knifing Williams Sunday afternoon has turned himself in.

Eric Baylor, who has been a fugitive from the law since the incident happened, walked into the Orient Road jail in Tampa and surrendered, documents Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times. [read more]

Mike Williams “Could Play” Sunday

March 24th, 2014
Mike Williams only needed a few stitches after being knifed Sunday.

Mike Williams only needed a few stitches after being knifed Sunday.

Well, the Williams Camp has spoken. And, no, it’s not Bucs wide receiver Mike Williams. It’s his agent.

Hadley Engelhard, who represents Williams, downplayed the severity of Williams getting knifed by his brother, who by the way remains a fugitive and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Though, obviously, it is the offseason, Engelhard told Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune that if Williams’ brother decided to plunge a blade into Williams’ thigh in the same manner during the season, Williams could still play a football game come Sunday. [read more]

Glennon, Johnson Rack Up Performance Pay

March 24th, 2014

mike glennon 1216bThe NFL has a fancy system that essentially rewards players for playing above and beyond their draft status and salaries.

The 2013 winners were announced today at the NFL Owners meetings in Orlando. [read more]

Window For Bucs To Release Williams

March 24th, 2014
mike williams 0208

A good chunk of Mike Williams’ guaranteed cash doesn’t kick in for a year

Last year, former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik signed Mike Williams to a four-year pact worth some $40 million. A good chunk of the cash is guaranteed.

Williams, after signing the contract, tore a hamstring so badly it required surgery. He was placed on injured reserved list and since, Williams’ behavior has been, well, interesting. He’s making news for all sorts of petty reasons, including a mattress in his front yard and having the gall to get knifed in his own house. [read more]

Cops: No Horseplay

March 24th, 2014
mike williams 0211

Authorities don’t believe Mike Williams’ account of what happened in his home when he was knifed yesterday.

Last night when Bucs receiver Mike Williams was knifed by his brother (allegedly) in the left thigh and was briefly hospitalized for treatment, Williams told Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies he and his brother were involved in horseplay.

The cops believe that is horses(p)it. [read more]

Why Is Mike Williams Ducking The Bucs?

March 24th, 2014

mike williams 0131

Now Joe’s not going to be an idiot and want to nail Bucs receiver Mike Williams to a tree because he was stabbed in his own home yesterday by his brother, allegedly, who remains on the run from the law.

Williams is a victim. He was home — not fighting over some chick in a bar at 3 a.m.

No, Joe is not disturbed by this. Why should he be? But there is something raising Joe’s antennae; it appears Williams is trying to hide from the Bucs for some odd reason. [read more]

Carl Nicks Returning?

March 24th, 2014
carl nicks 0107

Is the trade of Jeremy Zuttah a sign that Carl Nicks is healthy, or is that just blind hope?

Joe’s a big Bobby Knight guy. Joe just loves him. Joe remembers those incredible Indiana basketball teams with suffocating defenses.

(An annoying thing about basketball is all the mindless timeouts in the final minute of a game. What is a wonderful game comes screeching to a halt with a timeout every 10 seconds at best.) [read more]

O-Line Is A Major Work In Progress

March 24th, 2014

Dotson

Joe’s confident the Buccaneers’ offensive line will look better on paper in the coming months. Breathe easy. More help should be on the way.

Right now, however, the offensive line doesn’t look strong and deep. Here’s a breakdown: Caution, side effects may include nervous stomach and hives. [read more]

“More Disappointment” From Lovie

March 24th, 2014

A reporter reveals a possible steak scenario

Mike Williams is a victim, “but” …

That was the drum beat this morning from Bucs beat writer Rick Stroud on WDAE-AM 620. Stroud talked to Lovie Smith last night. [read more]

“Still Searching” Outside And Inside One Buc

March 24th, 2014

lovie 0322It’s the kind of attention the Bucs absolutely don’t want. News crews outside One Buc Palace this morning reporting live on the stabbing of Mike Williams and his allegedly rogue brother, who is on the run from police. [read more]

Trestman Happy For McCown

March 24th, 2014
Bears coach Marc Trestman is happy that Bucs quarterback Josh McCown has the opportunity to be a regular starter.

Bears coach Marc Trestman is happy Bucs starting quarterback Josh McCown got a promotion

Bucs starting quarterback Josh McCown will have a lot of eyes on him when training camp begins. A journeyman QB who will be 35 in July, McCown’s only real success in the NFL came last year in relief of bratty Jay Cutler.

Whether McCown can bring that success to Tampa Bay is another matter. Lovie Smith is gambling a lot on it.

Another guy smiling on McCown happens to be Bears coach Marc Trestman, as he told Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times. He’s glad McCown is not returning to Chicago. [read more]