Father Dungy Blesses Marcus Mariota For Bucs

December 15th, 2014

father dungyBucs icon Father Dungy is endorsing potential NFL stud quarterbacks again.

In March, Dungy gave his full backing to Johnny Football, saying, “If I’m committed to winning, I’d take him.” [read more]

“Really? I Thought It Was My Elbow.”

December 15th, 2014
anthony collins 1003

Was Anthony Collins told he was benched or just resting an injury?

Uh, oh!

It seems the Bucs might have a confused camper in their locker room. [read more]

Bucs Could Do Worse Than Bill Lazor

December 15th, 2014

The next Bucs offensive coordinator? Dolphins OC Bill Lazor (r) has helped develop multiple quarterbacks.

They’re calling for Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin’s head, from the Miami Herald and beyond. Seven- and eight-win seasons aren’t tolerated in South Florida.

Imagine that.

That means Philbin’s first-year offensive coordinator, Bill Lazor, could be walking the streets in 14 days and ready for the Buccaneers. [read more]

Offense? “Blow It Up”

December 15th, 2014

josh mccown 1215

The Bucs’ offensive line is, at best, a jumbled mess. Anyone who thinks Josh McCown is anything more than a turnover-prone journeyman has to be watching games well into a bottle — and the running game is a rumor, short of accidents here and there.

This offense is truly a mess. In five of the Bucs last seven losses, the defense has held its opponents to 22 or fewer points. That right there tells you the offense is a hot mess. [read more]

Will New Coordinator Hire Position Coaches?

December 15th, 2014
Will Jeff Tedford's replacement get to hire his own position coaches? Did Tedford?

Will Jeff Tedford’s replacement get to hire his own position coaches? Did Tedford?

Jeff Tedford started his Tampa reign with Lovie Smith’s running backs coach and receivers coach, meaning friends of Lovie who coached with him in Chicago.

Tight ends coach Jon Embree and offensive line coach George Warhop? They were veteran NFL guys and members of the Browns’ blown up 2013 staff.

Embree was a Pac-12 head coach at Colorado when Tedford was at “Cal,” but Joe never felt like Tedford, a career college coach with a CFL background, had the guiding hand in those hires.

[read more]

Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow

December 15th, 2014
Wholesale roster changes afoot from Bucs GM Jason Licht?

Wholesale roster changes afoot from Bucs GM Jason Licht?

A long look at the Bucs yesterday, today, and what to expect tomorrow and beyond.

Well, well, well, Joe smells a shakeup. So Anthony Collins got benched and Demar Dotson was moved to left tackle. If you read between the lines, it doesn’t seem temporary, short of the Bucs drafting a left tackle in the first round (God help us).

Joe remembers Bucs general manager Jason Licht saying a huge thing he learned working with Bill Belicheat was that Belicheat said, if you make a mistake, then cut your losses and move on. Everyone makes mistakes, but hanging onto a guy with the hope he turns things around will dig your grave. [read more]

Who Is “Upstairs?”

December 15th, 2014

DotsonJoe brought word yesterday when Lovie Smith stated on the Bucs-Stinking Panthers pregame show that inconsistent left tackle Anthony Collins was getting benched and right tackle Demar Dotson would shift to fill Collins’ spot.

After the game, Lovie said it was a “coach’s decision.”

It seems Dotson believes the call came from higher up the food chain. [read more]

Bucs Clinch Last-Place Schedule For 2015

December 14th, 2014
The Bucs and Bears likely will clash next season

The Bucs and Bears likely will clash next season

The Bucs own the NFC South cellar for the 2014 season. Today’s loss at Carolina guaranteed that.

As a result, the Bucs’ schedule for next season gets a little clearer. [read more]

Run, Dougie, Run!

December 14th, 2014
MartinPanthers

(Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

After sporting a dreadful running attack for weeks — perhaps since Bobby Rainey went wild (144 yards) against the Rams in Week 2 — Tampa Bay found its mojo today and ran the ball all over the Panthers.

What a surprise! Joe had almost thrown in the towel on the rushing attack. But the Bucs’ success today further illustrated the ineptitude of the passing attack. [read more]

GMC Should Shut It Down

December 14th, 2014

gmc 1211

Look, no one loves Gerald McCoy as much as Joe. He is the heart and soul of this team. He is a self-professed leader.

But after leaving today’s game with the second knee injury in as many weeks, an injury Lovie Smith called a hyper-extended knee injury, enough is enough. Time for GMC to start planning on his Cancun vacation. [read more]

McCown Logic Is Hard To Explain

December 14th, 2014

mccownlovie1After today’s display of poor ball security and pedestrian play, Josh McCown’s statistics now reveal a veteran quarterback who is worse than Mike Glennon in nearly every category.

Man, Glennon sure could teach McCown how to tuck the ball and eat a sack, a lesson McCown simply hasn’t learned. [read more]

Bucs Must Be Prepared In 15 Days

December 14th, 2014

lovie and lichtJoe’s getting nervous.

Will the Bucs be ready to hire a new offensive coordinator in 15 days, when Black Monday comes and coaches are fired around the league? [read more]

Missing Mason Foster

December 14th, 2014
The Bucs defense suffers (like today) when MLB Mason Foster is in street clothes.

The Bucs defense suffers (like today) when MLB Mason Foster is in street clothes.

It’s unclear why a good chunk of Bucs fans don’t like Mason Foster. Joe doesn’t get it. At one point in Foster’s career, Joe thought the middle linebacker would be eating pineapple.

Foster has had a not-so good season this year, mainly because of injuries, of late, an Achilles problem. And lest fans think Foster is a bad player, consider how the Bucs defense has (not) fared with him watching from the sidelines, per good guy Gil Arcia of TheBayCave.com. [read more]

Demar Dotson Move Might Be Permanent

December 14th, 2014
Jason Licht talks about today's major lineup change

Jason Licht talks about today’s major lineup change

The way Bucs general manager Jason Licht talked about Demar Dotson today, it sure seemed like Dotson’s relocation to left tackle was not just a one-time thing.

Dotson slid left and played reasonably well for his first game at left tackle. It could signal the end of the Anthony Collins era. [read more]

Wake Up!!!

December 14th, 2014

dumb

This information gets Joe so whacked out he just wants to ram his head through the wall. It is unconscionable.

Does the Bucs offense stick their collective heads in a urinal at halftime (and flush)? What is going on?

On the very first friggin’ play from scrimmage in the second half, the Bucs get called for a false start by Garrett Gilkey. [read more]

Hyperextended Knee For GMC

December 14th, 2014

gmc 1215

On the Buccaneers Radio Network postgame show on WDAE-AM 620, Lovie Smith updated Gerald McCoy’s injury.

Right now, per Lovie, Bucs fans from all corners of the globe can let out a collective sigh of relief and grab a cocktail. [read more]

Larry English Helps Bucs Cling To No. 1 Pick

December 14th, 2014

Joe knows plenty of Bucs fans will be sending gifts to backup defensive end Larry English tomorrow.

Perhaps roses are in order. [read more]