The new labor agreement and its softer practice demands seem to be working against Cody Grimm

During the very brief stretches of time over the past few years when the Bucs’ run defense played respectably, safety Cody Grimm was patrolling the box and putting his face on people forcefully.

Grimm always landed on the injured list, but his game is hitting and the new labor agreement makes it hard now for guys like him to shine in practice. Grimm feels great, so he told JoeBucsFan.com in an exclusive interview last week, but he’s running a lot with the third team.

Today, the leader of the New Schiano Ordersaid he needs to see Grimm play when he can let loose.

“I think Cody’s strength is when you get into game situations and you can go live because he’ll put his face; you know he’ll go get you,” Schiano said. “And I think he’s an intelligent football player. I’m anxious just to see him play in games, special teams and defense.”

Joe’s got a lot of confidence in Grimm’s ability, though not his ability to stay out of the training room. If he stays healthy, one has to believe Grimm is a Schiano kind of guy. And Joe also suspects the regime wouldn’t mind having a roster heavy on defensive backs given the injuries and suspect 2013 future of Ronde Barber.

Yes, of course, Joe was at Bucs training camp this morning. Here are some of Joe’s thoughts and observations.

* “It is 2:36, second down, ball on the 34,” Schiano barks into a bullhorn during situation drills. No one had a problem hearing Schiano, trust Joe.

* Ahmad Black had a strong day when the rest of the defensive backs seemed to struggle. Black came firing in on a safety blitz, rushing Freeman but did not prevent a Freeman completion.

* GMC gets pressure on Freeman and his raised paw forces errant throw. Joe has noticed a lot of passes disrupted by hands in the air.

* Larry Asante got huge props from coaches in a punt blocking/recovering drill.

* Bucs practicing recovering blocked punts. Assistants literally kicking footballs into the shins of charging defenders.

* Practice does not seem crisp whatsoever. Appears very sluggish. Again, Joe’s observation.

* Either Bucs receivers have made significant progress or Bucs defensive backs need some work. Granted, Ronde Barber and Mark Barron are limited and Eric Wright is on the sidelines, but at times it seems Josh Freeman is completing passes at will unless he has a hand in his face.

* Mike Williams catches a pass in traffic from Freeman.

* Preston Parker with a sweet move spinning around in end zone along the right sideline to catch an underthrown Dan Orlovsky pass.

* A flag was dropped on a play and Schiano calls the entire team in for consultation. Joe’s guessing Schiano had a few choice words.

* Josh Freeman threads the needle hitting Preston Parker along the right sideline.

* Though he did not get to Freeman, Mason Foster’s pressure collapsed the left side of offensive line.

* Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik was working the crowd as he is wont to do. It’s not uncommon for him to climb into the bleachers to chat with fans.

* Michael Smith is clocked by Ahmad Black trying to run left.

* Muscle Hamster breaks through off right tackle for a nice gain.

Despite the fact he has been shelved part-time in practices, Bucs first round draft pick, safety Mark Barron, was all smiles when he met the Tampa Bay pen and mic club after this morning’s practice at One Buc Palace.

“I’m just doing what I can,” Barron said of practicing with his bum toe. The injury is “a minor toe issue. It is getting better every day. I just have to be careful with it. It’s more of a precautionary thing.”

Barron knows that being a high defensive draft pick on a team whose defense smelled worse than a Missouri barnyard in July comes with high expectations. In so many words, Barron said, bring it on.

“It is pressure but I like that pressure and I want that pressure put on me,” Barron said. “I am still learning, but at the same time I know that there is a lot of pressure being put on me and I am comfortable with that.”

It seems Barron has developed something of a rapport with graybeard Bucs defensive back Ronde Barber.

“The guy has been in the league for 16 years, he has been through everything an NFL player can go through,” Barron said. “I feel like if there is anything that i need to ask him, I can.”

Barron also believes the Bucs defense has the talent to make a statement this season.

“I feel like we have a very talented group,” Barron said, “We just have to put it together. I think it is crazy, a very talented group.”

Saturday, the Bucs will hold a scrimmage at the stadium on Dale Mabry Highway. Not only will thousands of Bucs fans get their first look at Barron, it will be Barron’s first chance to walk on ground hallowed by safety John Lynch.

“I am actually excited,” Barron said. “I haven’t been on the field yet in the stadium. I’m excited to get on the field.”

Bill Belicheat and Greg Schiano are on different pages when it comes to training camp fights.

Bill Belicheat might be Greg Schiano’s mentor, but they have different opinions when it comes to fighting.

Yesterday, Belicheat was upbeat about training camp fights, per ProFootballTalk.com.

But after today’s training camp collision involving Myron Lewis and a camp body on offense, Schiano took to the WDAE-AM 620 airwaves and had an intolerant tone about potential fighting and guys potentially getting injured.

“Fighting’s a waste of time,” Schiano said. “We don’t need to fight. No. 1, you can get hurt. No. 2, when you’re fighting, you’re not practicing.”

Co-host Ian Beckles, a former Bucs guard, reminded listeners that fighting was not permitted under Tony Dungy, who, per Beckles, would stop practice if a fight occurred.

Joe will have more later from Day 7 of training camp.

Former Bucs tight end and current radio network analyst Dave Moore revealed that the Bucs’ defensive staff thinks the cupboard is stocked pretty well when it comes to talent, in this Friday morning interview on WDAE-AM 620 available below. Last year’s failures were “more about guys out of position,” Moore said.

Moore spent time with defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan yesterday, and Moore says that after watching film as a new staff this winter, Sheridan and others were struck by so many guys out of position and believed then that the defense will be “OK” if they can teach guys to be where they’re supposed to be all the time. And that was before more bodies like Eric Wright, Amobi Okoye and Gary Gibson were added in free agency.

Give a listen. Joe liked when Moore gave the analogy that Vincent Jackson consistently looks like the varsity kid playing against the JV.

Joe’s proud to introduce Tilted Kilt to JoeBucsFan.com readers. Their great location at Drew Street and U.S. 19 in Clearwater is an awesome place to watch games and enjoy the scenery — indoors and outside. It’s definitely a favorite of Joe’s and open late. Click below to learn more.

Since Myron Lewis was drafted in 2010, he’s been pretty much a mystery because people have heard of him but few have seen him. That’s mainly because Lewis has been plagued by injuries, including troublesome hamstring problems.

As a result, it could be argued that Lewis has been behind the 8-ball. It’s hard for a player to develop in the NFL if he can’t get on the practice field much less struggle to get on the field during games.

But this season the tide may be turning for Lewis, a former Vanderbilt University standout. With injuries to E.J. Biggers and new free agent pick up Eric Wright having troubles with minor injuries himself, Lewis suddenly finds himself healthy when the team is experiencing depth issues.

“Opportunities are opening up for me and I am just trying to play hard, play fast and play physical,” Lewis said. “I’m trying to stay healthy. I’m buying in. I try to play my technique right and do the best that I can.”

No one was more frustrated with his injuries than Lewis himself. Because of his bum hamstring, Lewis is certain he has been unable to develop into a quality NFL corner.

“Injuries are frustrating, especially playing at cornerback,” Lewis said. “With a nagging hamstring injury, it is hard to go out there and cover the receivers. You saw Derelle Revis. He had a hamstring injury and it was hard for him.

“Hamstrings will set you back because you cannot play to your full potential and you cannot play at full speed. You will not be able cover receivers because they will be at top speed and maybe you are at 65-70 percent. You are not going to be able to do that.”

While Lewis admits he has been able to attend meetings in the past and stand on the sidelines at both practices and games, he says it doesn’t compare to actually being on the field.

“Lack of reps definitely will hurt,” Lewis said. “A lot of people will say the mental reps are good but you need the physical reps. Get on the field and go through the plays.”

After two years of mostly bad luck, Lewis can feel the tide turning.

“I have the opportunity out there to play fast and balls to the wall, just trying to stay healthy. I’m kind of blessed with the opportunity.”

The leader of the New Schiano Order says Blount is “hustling his tail off”

LeGarrette Blount has lost weight. Stand next to him and he looks significantly leaner, smaller. The guns don’t look as menacing.

But don’t ask Blount how much he weighs. On Sunday, Joe asked Blount — twice — and Blount wouldn’t give a number.

JoeBucsFan.com: How much do you weigh? And is your current weight good or bad, and how do you feel it’s affecting you?

LeGarrette Blount: It’s good that I’ve lost weight. So I’m going to continue to, you know, stay in the shape that I’m in.

Joe: How much do you weigh?

Blount (smiling): We don’t know.

Today, Greg Schiano was asked about Blount’s weight and transformed body, and Schiano said Blount probably weighed more than the 247 pounds he was listed at last season, but Schiano didn’t offer a new number.

“I think he’s a better player at the condition that he’s in right now,” Schiano said. “I think he’s doing well. I thought today he made some nice runs, as well. He’s hustling his tail off. The turnover the other day, he’s the one who chased the guy down and had a strip opportunity. Those are good things.”

Now there’s some more fuel for the popular Blount-Doug Martin debate.

Hopefully, Blount hasn’t lost any strength. And perhaps he can even hurdle an extra inch higher.

Joe doesn’t get why Booger McFarland thinks Roy Miller should be handed a starting job

The Bucs’ run defense has been historically dreadful since the December collapse of 2008. Guys like Maurice Morris, Ryan Torain and others have gutted and gashed the Bucs like Hall of Fame backs. 

(It reminds Joe how the Rays routinely make other teams’ second-rate starting pitchers look unhittable.)

The Bucs’ pass rush hasn’t scared anyone either during that time. And at the center of the Bucs’ mess for many of those games was Roy Miller at nosetackle. Spin it however you want, Miller has largely been ineffective during his three seasons. That’s almost too kind.

So it stunned Joe a bit this afternoon to hear former Bucs defensive tackle Booger McFarland take to the new sports radio airwaves on 98.7 FM and say the Bucs should give the nosetackle job to Miller because he’s put in his time.

Perhaps Booger is unaware the Bucs have Amobi Okoye and Gary Gibson on the roster. Joe’s not quite sure. But Miller is in no position to be gifted anything.

Today, per the Tampa Bay Times, Greg Schiano said those three (no mention of Frank Okam) will slug it out to win a job and playing time.

“I think Gerald, as I’ve said before, he’s got the ability to be an elite guy with get off and the motor he plays with,” coach Greg Schiano said. “Then we have to figure out how we’re going to deal with the other position and how we’re going to create depth at the three technique. As we work through it, Gary, Roy, Amobi and then whoever else we throw into that mix, it’s just going to be competition. Whoever performs the best will get the bigger chunk. Then next best will get a little bit smaller chunk and we’ll just roll it through.”

While Miller is healthy and doing some good things in practice, Joe still thinks he’s got a load to prove.

Yesterday, new Bucs left guard Carl Nicks said he wants to maul opposing defensive lineman. Joe caught up with fellow Bucs guard Davin Joseph today. He too echoed Nicks’ feelings for guys lining up across the line of scrimmage from him.

JoeBucsFan: Carl Nicks said he wants to maul people to establish a running game. Is that sort of the mentality of the offensive line this season?

Davin Joseph: Definitely. We are out here working hard to finish guys in the run game, working hard to finish guys in the passing game, working hard to be the most physical line we can be. Yeah, all of that applies.

Joe: Tell me how that physical play in the run game applies to blocking on pass plays.

Joseph: When you are able to be physical in the run game, it opens up your entire offense, really. It allows you to be so much more versatile once you get the run game going, especially when you have guys like LeGarrette who are home run hitters. You can do just about anything you want to.

Joe: So you agree with Carl Nicks that seeing a guy on his back motivates the entire line?

Joseph: Of course. Any time you can flat-back a guy it gets the juices going even more.

With near 100 names on the Bucs’ training camp roster, players, other than returning starters or coveted high draft picks, can get lost in the shuffle. That’s the predicament for defensive end George Johnson.

A third-year pro from the Land of Schiano, Johnson is aware that he has to stick out to make the team.

“There are always opportunities,” Johnson said. “I have to prove myself every down. There’s not one spot on this team that is guaranteed. You have to do something to impress the coaches.”

Aside from his college connection to first-year Bucs coach Greg Schiano, Johnson may have fate on his side. The Bucs are dinged up on the defensive front. Michael Bennett is hobbled. Amobi Okoye is hobbled. E.J. Wilson is coming off an injury. This is not lost on Johnson, who admits he is still learning on the NFL level.

“I learned things like pushing through,” Johnson said. “Like pushing through the heat, pushing through tired, push through being hurt. Learning that, it makes your job that much easier when you are not faced with those circumstances.”

To make sure he gets noticed, Johnson all but admitted he has to make splash plays. He has the past couple of practices. Johnson has been getting heat on quarterback Josh Freeman and today, Johnson was able to get his paw on a Freeman pass, deflecting the pass which set up an interception.

“Anything to help the team,” Johnson said. “We all have to do our job. If we don’t get to the quarterback, we have to get our hands up, that is something we are really emphasizing if we don’t get to the quarterback.”

Joe was out at muggy Bucs training camp this morning (what, you expected Joe to blow off a training camp practice?), which was closed to the public. Here are some observations:

* There is no detail too small under the New Schiano Order. While running red zone walk-throughs, everyone on offense runs past the back line of the end zone and then circles around the pylons.

* During place-kicking drills, Schiano stands directly behind holders and watches handing of snaps and holds intently.

* The defensive backs were doing a drill where they dive and slap at ankles, in order to bring down a wide receiver who may have burned them.

* Joe was not sure what drew the ire of Greg Schiano, but Joe could hear him hollering from the far end of the field.

* Despite Michael Bennett being unable to participate in drills, it didn’t stop Schiano from having Bennett and his mysterious illness suit up in full pads and go through what Schiano likes to call “mental reps” with his fellow defensive linemen.

* Receivers were working on coming back to poorly thrown balls along the sidelines. Joe wonders if this tactic is used by Brett Favre at the Mississippi high school team he coaches?

* Doug Martin running and pushed outside to left because of strong pressure up front by the defense.

* Josh Freeman was doing a solid job of stepping into the pocket to buy time.

* Anthony Gaitor had a solid breakup of a pass while guarding Mike Williams, which Williams even got his mitts on.

* Though working with the second string, defensive end Jayme Mitchell of Ole Miss raced in one play and nearly beheaded Dan Orlovsky before the backup quarterback just avoided Mitchell. Overall, Mitchell was getting heat on quarterbacks and playing disruptively.

* Overheard from another member of the Tampa Bay pen and mic club: “Look, Myron Lewis made a play!” He made a couple in fact.

* Bucs wide receivers were practicing stripping the ball away from defensive backs, simulating interceptions. The receivers tried to punch balls out from the would-be defensive backs.

* LeGarrette Blount  powers up through the one-hole for a score.

* George Johnson tips a Freeman pass which results in pickoff. Overall, Johnson consistently got heat on Freeman.

* Sammy Stroughter totally loses Myron Lewis in the corner for a touchdown. Later, Tiquan Underwood spun around Leonard Johnson in the back of the end zone to break free but Freeman didn’t see him.

Tim Hasselbeck and Sage Steele discuss which NFL quarterbacks need a bounce back season in this BSPN video. You can guess without much effort what local quarterback is in this group.

Bucs fans love debating the competition between LeGarrette Blount and Doug Martin.

Most of Joe’s media brothers have stated their confidence that Blount has little shot at being the Bucs’ go-to running back. Beat writer and WDAE-AM 620 personality Rick Stroud, and the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve Duemig, have been among the most vocal of late. They focus on Martin’s draft position as a major reason he’ll be the Bucs’ primary back.

Right now, under Greg Schiano’s loudly proclaimed clean slate, all the head coach has said is that both running backs look good and they complement each other well.

But ball security is one of Schiano’s personal obsessions and Martin lost the rock yesterday at practice. Joe has yet to see Blount fumble this offseason. On Sunday, long after practice, Schiano was not happy about a Mossis Madu fumble that appeared to come after the play was blown dead.

Does that mean much? Probably not. But Joe knows it would be national news if Blount fumbled in practice.

Joe’s wise enough to understand that Martin’s draft position at the end of the first round is a factor, but Joe also knows that Schiano’s credibility with his team is far more important.

If Schiano is telling players that they will earn their playing time, then that must apply to the running back position or he risks far more than not getting the most out of a first-round pick.

Think the players aren’t watching? Davin Joseph told the Tampa Bay Times this week that Blount is his favorite running back.

Joe just wants to make the point that he believes the running back battle is wide open at this point and that the most impressive RB in preseason will be the opening-drive guy on opening day.

Ronde Barber went out of his way this weekend to emphasize how much he appreciates Schiano’s win-now attitude and urgency. It’s comments like those and others that lead Joe to believe nothing is pre-determined — or already determined — in the running backs competition. Joe’s not buying that draft and personnel politics are a big deal for a new coach with a five-year guaranteed contract.

Hopefully, both Blount and Martin will thrive, allowing the Bucs to pound the ball 35+ times a game. That should translate into a strong season.

The sometimes sizzling, sometimes fizzling Rays are back home this weekend, which means it’s time to have more fun going to Rays games and save money.

Get your butt on the No Excuses Tour chauffeured luxury bus to Tropicana Field, courtesy of Paradise Worldwide Transportation and Lee Roy Selmon’s.

You get to ride in style — with beer and food in hand — and get dropped off right at the gate!!

Click on through to grab a seat, and get all the details at NoExcusesTour.com.

Don’t flush your gas and parking money down the toilet. More than 800 fans have enjoyed the Tour. Get on board!

They love them some Kellen Winslow in Seattle. And Winslow seems joyful too, especially since he says “I wasn’t happy” with the New Schiano Order, in this 710AM podcast out of Seattle. Click the arrow below.

Winslow talks about his health, having fun under Raheem Morris, Bucs fans, and more.

For those who listen, notice in this in-depth conversation how Winslow never talks about winning.

Man, when Mike Williams burst onto the scene as a rookie, it appeared the Bucs may have had their best deep threat since perhaps Kevin House. That’s a long time, folks.

But last year opposing defenses figured out a way to take Williams out of his game virtually each week and he struggled. New Bucs coach Greg Schiano doesn’t like to talk about the Bucs’ past (well, he doesn’t like to talk much, period), so Schiano can only speak about Williams in the present day.

And Schiano likes him, writes Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.

“Certainly, that last play he made (Wednesday), that’s an NFL play right there,” head coach Greg Schiano said of a touchdown pass Williams caught in the back corner of the end zone to finish a two-minute drill. “That’s what we need to be able to do.”

It’s something Williams, in particular, needs to do. After leading NFL rookie receivers with 65 catches for 964 yards and a team record 11 touchdowns in 2010, Williams struggled to find the end zone last season. Though he again caught 65 balls for a respectable 771 yards, Williams reached the end zone only three times in 2011.

Joe has seen Williams make circus catches in the back of the end zone before. He did it in his NFL debut against the Browns and Joe watched Williams duplicate that move in this spring’s minicamp.

Williams may be the key to the Bucs’ passing attack. We all know Vincent Jackson is going to get hounded by two and perhaps three defenders. How Williams can take advantage of this will go a long way toward seeing the passing game rebound from a terrible season last year.

Now, Williams just has to rid himself of that Grady Wilson-like beard he has. It isn’t working, Mike.

Top-shelf reminiscing here between Warren Sapp and John Lynch on The Rich Eisen Podcast on NFL.com.

The Bucs icons share all kinds of stories, and even take playful yet serious jabs at Father Dungy because he didn’t hold the Bucs’ offense accountable. “Jonny didn’t wanna just punt,” said Sapp, explaining a difference between Dungy and Chucky.

Lynch also talks about how jealous and disappointed he still is that his Bucs didn’t win more Super Bowls. And Lynch tells the story of how he got up to fight No. 99 on a plane.

The fun starts at about 34 minutes of the podcast found here.

Now Joe knows that Bucs fans would have a hard time choosing between an intimate evening with Rachel Watson and a punishing running game where defenders are put on their backs time and again by a physical offensive line.

Well, Joe has just the guy for you and his name is Carl Nicks. The studly offensive guard nearly drooled over the thought of punishing defenders the way Joe’s good friend Justin Pawlowski salivates over a Buffalo chicken tender sub at Publix.

Nicks explained to the Tampa Bay pen and mic club after practice this morning how he gets off on running the ball.

“The first thing, running the ball gets the defensive line tired and it helps your pass protection,” Nicks said. “Another thing is, knocking a guy down and watching him get up and seeing the tiredness and the hurt in his eyes, you just thrive on that.

“If I can maul someone every play, that’s what I will do. I’m excited.”

While Chuck Bednarik is largely considered the last ironman to play in the NFL, a guy who played both sides of the ball who is largely forgotten is Roy Green of the 1980s St. Louis Cardinals.

Green, a cornerback, converted to wide receiver and played both sides of the ball on occasion, developing into an All-Pro wide receiver. In one game against the Redskins, Green caught a touchdown pass, had an interception and ran back a punt for a touchdown.

Why is Joe writing about Green? Because if Tiquan Underwood makes the squad, or finds himself as, say, a No. 3 receiver, it will largely be thanks to Green, who Underwood hired as a tutor.

Wednesday in practice, Underwood stood out big time. He made play after play and he constantly got separation on defenders.

This, Underwood told Joe, is something he learned from Green.

“The thing I learned with Roy is, just being patient,” Underwood said. “Just be patient running routes, be smooth, don’t be choppy and give any indications to the defensive back.”

Underwood also noted that working out with Larry Fitzgerald helped as well.

Underwood sure looks like a guy that if he doesn’t climb up the depth chart with the absence of injured Bucs receiver Arrelious Benn, he’s going to put the fear of the Grim Reaper in other receivers to improve themselves. Underwood didn’t deny this, though he brushed off any talk of being a No. 3 receiver.

We are pushing each other as a group,” Underwood said. “We just come out here and try to get better each and every day. It’s competition, sure, but it is working together.”