Bucs starting quarterback Josh McCown appears to be the only guy on the roster to have an on-the-field link to iconic Warren Sapp.

Then a six-year veteran in 2007, McCown started nine games for a miserable, 4-12 Oakland team. The Raiders were a brand new club for McCown, but gameday in Oakland was a new experience thanks to No. 99. [read more]

Ironman Donald Penn, the Bucs’ practice squad pick-up who was thrust into the starting lineup in 2007 and never missed a game in his left tackle post, was released today.

Joe really enjoyed Penn on and off the field. He was a Pro Bowl player and a Pro Bowl personality. Joe’s definitely saddened by the loss of this great Bucs warrior.  Joe predicts Penn will find a new team quickly and have a great 2014.

Joe has calmed down considerably from yesterday’s kick-in-the-groin news that the Bucs threw to the ditch all-world cornerback Darrelle Revis. Joe just wanted to dropkick the neighbor’s cat he was so outraged. It is quite likely Bucs fans will never see the likes of Revis at corner again.

The NFL itself, though it wasn’t shocking, rumbled last night with news that Bill Belicheat signed Revis for a cool $12 million. Not just Bucs fans were upset but it appears Jets fans have now taken to the streets in anger, and not just because they are homeless. [read more]

Bucs fans are hugging their bedtime teddy bears firmly these days as the Bucs are reworking their roster like a local Hooters replacing the help after a May college graduation.

New defensive backs, new offensive linemen, a new quarterback, new defensive lineman, it is an incredible whirlwind of activity at One Bucs Palace short of a cheerleaders practice. [read more]

New Bucs starting quarterback Josh McCown is not only elated because he’s gone from career journeyman to the unquestioned general of the Bucs offense, Team Glazer also made McCown a very rich man.

ESPN delivered the stunning numbers. [read more]

It’s all about the picks for Alterraun Verner.

No, former Bucs commander Greg Schiano was not always wrong. He used preached about creating turnovers. Schiano all but drooled about building a defense that forced turnovers, and he absolutely was right.

Turnovers often lead to wins. And yes, Schiano built a defense that created turnovers. The Bucs were fifth in the NFL in turnover margin. Yet inexplicably, the Bucs had a horrible record.

If you need evidence why Mike Glennon is now a backup, right there is one glaring reason. He couldn’t take advantage of all the Bucs turnovers and turn them into points. [read more]

Updated 10:59 a.m. – It sure looks like the Donald Penn era is over. The Bucs have signed free agent left tackle/right tackle Anthony Collins this morning to a five-year, big-money contract.

Joe finds this one a bit curious. Collins has never started a full season. He’s been a strong backup who has stepped in and performed well when asked at both tackle positions. He made nine starts last year, has 25 in his career.

Collins turns 29 in November. [read more]

It’s changed the Bucs’ draft and more, explains Woody Cummings of The Tampa Tribune

The past two days have been nuts for Joe, and the Bucs. So much so Joe almost dreaded surfing Twitter late last night, fearful it would keep him from being able to hit the sack by 2 a.m.

Tampa Tribune beat writer Woody Cummings and Olivia Stacey take a deep look at the flurry of activity and discuss the makeover of the Bucs roster in this TBO.com video. Check it out below. [read more]

Lovie Smith soothed the Mike Glennon Mob this morning

An interesting revelation this morning by Lovie Smith was that he enjoys listening to “talk radio.” In the context of his conversation on WDAE-AM 620, it was clear Lovie was talking about the beloved bellowing, analysis and fan ranting of sports radio.

It’s something Lovie says he did plenty of in his Illinois basement after getting booted by the Bears. Man, Lovie must have a strong stomach, especially if he was watching film of the Bucs’ pass rush. [read more]

“Look, King. I appreciate going to the ‘love’ card as much as the next guy in our business, but don’t tell me this McCown character could hold Brian Greezy’s jock.”

Bucs fans actually get to see Shaun King break down Bucs free agency in the NBC Sports Network video below.

Joe notes that because so many King haters inexplicably seem to not believe he really has job and national respect. Also, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com lays out the bad news for the Mike Glennon Mob. [read more]

No coach wants to watch other teams play, unless they are prepping for an upcoming opponent or watching their kids play. Coaches want to coach.

After the Bears waved goodbye to Bucs coach Lovie Smith following the 2012 season, Lovie decided he was going to do some soul-searching, some self-scouting, toss ideas around with fellow coaches and come back ready to rock and roll for the 2014 season. [read more]

New Bucs DE Michael Johnson wants to be the next Simeon Rice.

Yes, the Bucs had a fine defense with a strong pass rusher in now Hall of Famer Warren Sapp. And that defense became legendary when it added defensive end Simeon Rice.

With Sapp creating havoc in the middle and Rice virtually unblockable on pass plays from the right side, that defense put the fear of God into opposing quarterbacks, from Brett Favre to Chris Redman. To give Bucs fans an idea how long it has been since the Bucs could regularly breathe on a quarterback, it is since Rice himself (involuntarily) left the Bucs, with Rice screaming that Chucky was “a scumbag” on his way out the door. [read more]

Joe’s got a long memory, as well as deep hatred for all things Carolina Panthers. It’s a disorder Bucs fans know well.

And it’s why Joe is disturbed tonight to learn the Bucs have a visit planned with free agent Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn. [read more]

Buccaneers backup quarterback Mike Glennon’s Tampa Bay career will be in jeopardy if the Bucs draft a quarterback this spring.

Lovie Smith made it clear to Joe today that he’s not a three-quarterbacks kind of guy. [read more]

How fitting is it that Greg Schiano’s mentor, Bill Belicheat, is now in possession of Schiano’s former Bucs savior, Darrelle Revis. [read more]

The dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620, had 1-on-1 time with Bucs general manager Jason Licht following the impressive rollout of the Bucs’ new free agent signings at One Buc Palace this evening.

Among the highlights, Licht said there will be competition at defensive tackle: “Akeem Spence has every opportunity to keep his starting job.” The GM also said the Bucs could end up with a “7-to-1” ratio of players by tomorrow when you factor in what they’ll buy with the $16 million Darrelle Revis would have earned in Tampa. [read more]

Now Joe is really starting to get excited. No, not as excited as opening his front door and seeing leggy Rachel Watson wearing Daisy Dukes with a revealing, low-cut number carrying a cooler full of cold beer. But excited nonetheless.

It seems Steelers wide receiver and roadrunner Emmanuel Sanders is visiting the Bucs. That’s the word Joe got from NFL insider Jason LaCanfora of CBS Sports. [read more]

Bucs GM Jason Licht discusses the decision to release all-world cornerback Darrelle Revis.

Bucs general manager Jason Licht spoke with the Bucs pen and mic club today following the introductory press conference for the newest Buccaneers. Licht discussed how the signings came about and he made a clear connection to the contract of all-world cornerback Darrelle Revis.

Revis’ departure “has nothing to do with the system,” Licht said. “It had nothing to do with the system. You saw the four (new Bucs) here, and you saw the transaction adding the new quarterback. We are not done yet. We wouldn’t have been able to have done [added the free agents] if certain transactions had happened.” [read more]