A handful of nuggets here about some former Bucs, including Saltines and anchovies peddler Jeff Faine, the man who displayed quite a bit of class saying he agreed with his offseason release from the Bucs.

Orlando Sentinel columnist George Diaz penned a piece on Faine yeterday that states Faine has been working his own version of three-a-days and expects to sign a new contract soon.

That could happen very shortly. After negotiating with two NFL teams, Faine indicated over the weekend that he is hopeful of signing with one of them within a day or two.

Of course, one has to wonder whether Faine could land in Washington, where it seems discarded Bucs go these days to end their careers.

And that leads Joe to Raheem Morris. During an interview on NFL Network today, Redskins veteran CB D’Angelo Hall repeatedly referred to Raheem as “Coach Raheem,” a title rarely heard during Raheem’s days in Tampa. “Rah” was the most popular way players referred to him. And Joe’s heard other “Coach Raheem” references out of Washington.

Perhaps Raheem is demanding more respect? Hall also said how sharp Raheem is and how “not a day goes by that we just don’t enjoy our meetings, man. We’re just having so much in there.”

Speaking of fun, Briscoe delivered a great laugh, via The Free Lance-Star in Virginia.

Briscoe, 22, didn’t attend the Buccaneers’ voluntary offseason workout program because, he said Saturday, he “had a bunch of personal stuff going on at the house” that has been taken care of. That led to the coaching staff putting him through a conditioning test, which he did not pass and was cited as a reason for his release.

“The conditioning test? Everyone didn’t pass,” Briscoe said. “I feel that was a big reason why – it stuck out with me not passing because I wasn’t there through the offseason training, so they made it seem like I’m not conditioned. [I am]. I’ve just got to take advantage of the opportunity that I have now.”

So everyone failed the conditioning test, Briscoe? Nice way to lie about your old teammates.

Barrett Ruud is battling for a starting job in Seattle, where “Film don’t lie” Antonio Bryant, one of Joe’s favorite Bucs of the Raheem era, is trying to revive his career. Bryant often referred to himself in the third person, but now he’s “The Corvette.”

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

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The man Joe and many other fans expect nothing from this season, Quincy Black, seems to be working on an epic resurrection.

Black prefers his role in the New Schiano Order defense and he’s been making plays throughout training camp. The leader of the New Schiano Order even gave a post-practice pat on the back to Quincy Black before the local media corps today. WDAE-AM 620 Bucs beat writer Tom Krasniqi documents Black’s feelings and much more from today’s camp session.

Strongside LB Quincy Black struggled mightily last season, but seems to be more comfortable in this defense.  “It’s more attacking…it’s not as much read.  It’s like get up and go and everything else falls in place”, says Black.  At one point during Monday’s practice, Black laid a hit on WR Vincent Jackson on a bubble screen.  He’s made a couple of eye-opening plays so far in camp.

What a bonus it would be for the Bucs if Black can make some plays and tackle. Joe’s hardly expecting miracles, but clearly Black’s and his giant contract will be on the opening day roster. Good luck, Mr. Black.

Joe’s tossed around the term “manbeast” over the years, but on the Bucs it best applies to Carl Nicks, the human armoire, and Demar Dotson, the Bucs’ backup tackle. The guy stands 6-9, 315 without a gut.

Dotson has come back to the spotlight lately with Donald Penn’s calf injury threatening to keep him out of preseason games. Penn has made 76 consecutive starts.

Today, close-to-the-vest coach Greg Schiano said he’s been “impressed” by Dotson. This weekend, Rick Brown of the Lakeland Ledger penned a feature on big No. 69.

Center Jeremy Zuttah has seen Dotson grow from insecure rookie to confident backup.

“He’s such a raw athlete; a, powerful dude,” Zuttah said. “The more experience he gets, the sky’s the limit for the kid.”

Dotson will likely get the start when the Bucs take on the Miami Dolphins in both teams’ first exhibition game on Aug. 10. He knows all eyes will be on him since it will be his job to protect the backside of quarterback Josh Freeman.

Click through above to read the whole thing. This is a hell of an opportunity for Dotson, the former college hoopster. This is how Penn made his mark, jumping in when Luke Petitgout went down in 2007. Penn hasn’t sat down since.

If nothing else, it’s got to be good for Adrian Clayborn to mix things up in practice and work against Dotson. And it can’t hurt for the Bucs to see what they really have in him at left tackle.

It’s a game-simulation detail Joe doesn’t recall seeing in practice during the Raheem Morris era, certainly not routinely like it’s seen now. 

Offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan radios plays into Josh Freeman using a walkie-talkie, much like a headset would be used on gameday.

What does this mean? Joe can’t say it means much. But it’s another example the New Schiano Order’s focus on details.

Regarding Sullivan, offensive senior advisor Jimmy Raye told Joe that there’s been no decision made yet on whether Sullivan will call plays from the sidelines or from the big booth in the sky.

As long as there’s no Benn’d around on Sullivan’s cue cards, Joe will consider that a good start.

Perhaps no player in the NFL had a dropoff season quite like Josh Freeman.

Two years ago, Freeman came “this close” to leading the Bucs to the playoffs. He threw 25 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, an insane ratio.

Then came last season, which appeared to blow up in Freeman’s face, He had 16 touchdowns but an ungodly 22 interceptions, a truly Trent Dilfer-like year.

The key for Freeman this season is to trim down the numbers of interceptions as he has weight this offseason, so writes Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com.

In studying his tapes from last season, a horrible defense coupled with limited outside speed at receiver led to Freeman’s miscues. Many of his mistakes came when forced passes as he tried to rally his team from behind.

Quite simply, he was trying to do too much.

“Yeah, no question,” Freeman said. “When things aren’t going your team’s way, you want to make a play to win a game. You have to let the plays come to you and play within the system.”

Prisco goes on to suggest Freeman’s terrible season is why former coach Raheem Morris was jettisoned.

Now Joe won’t go that far. If one is to pinpoint a reason for Morris getting run it was the putrid defense, perhaps the worst in Bucs history, that resulted in a grotesque 10-game losing streak.

Who was the defensive coordinator? Well, that was Morris, too.

Just not having Kellen Winslow in Freeman’s ear constantly screaming for the ball should help cut down at least five picks right there, Joe believes.

In Joe’s eyes, fourth-year wide receiver Sammie Stroughter looks to be the lead returner in the Bucs’ stable of return men. Joe talked to Stroughter a bit about special teams, Dezmon Brizcoe and some guy named Sabby.

JoeBucsFan.com: It looks like you’re lining up as the No. 1 punt returner. Are you getting a feel that that’s your role?

Sammie Strougther: It ain’t no depth [chart]. You know, we’re just trying to get everyone opportunities. We’re trying to get ready to see different punters. We have a lot of good punters out here at camp. We want to get different feels as returners. So it’s no depth right now. It probably is, but I’m not looking at it like that. We’re just taking our opportunities as golden, and going after the punts with the proper procedure.

Joe: What do you enjoy more, punt return or kick return?

Stroughter: I’m very comfortable in both. But I just have to continue to get reps at it and continue to trust the different schemes. The coaching staff has a great way of preparing and putting guys in the right positions.

Joe: From an Xs and Os standpoint, how does the blocking on returns feel different this year?

Stroughter: Coach Ligs does a great job of scheming. He’s going to find the weaknesses of a team and the strengths of a team and we’re going to capitalize on that. The one thing about this coaching staff, they do a great job of preparing. Preparation is real big. And they make sure they do their homework also. You just have to continue to trust and do your best also. Make sure your when opportunity comes, you seize it.

Joe: How do you feel personally about Dezmon Briscoe getting cut?

Stroughter: It’s hard, but it’s also a business. It’s a reality check. It lets people know that it’s not guaranteed. Everybody is fighting for a job.

Joe: You came back from a serious injury late last season. How do you feel now?

Stroughter: I’m feeling good. I hold myself to a very high standard. So I just gotta continue to work and continue to grind. I have to make sure I’m preparing and not having silly MEs, mental errors, and different things like that. I have to make sure I know [the playbook], no second guessing, and just go out there and play football. Whatever happens I’ll put it all out there.

Joe: How’s your old friend and teammate Sabby Piscitelli? Do you stay in touch? What’s he up to these days?

Stroughter: Of course we’re in touch. Sabby’s my big brother. He’s working out really hard out there in Boca [Raton]. He’s working out just waiting for that phone call. I wish him nothing but the best. I have the utmost confidence in him, and when he gets back out there he’s going to ball out. I worked out with him a little this offseason. He’s in really good shape. He looks like he’s ready. He was my mentor to me when I got here. So I’m always going to look to him for advice, and vice versa.

Joe knows most fans can’t/won’t make training camp. So Joe likes to give a look inside the scene. Photographer Kyra Hallett deserves some applause.

Preston Parker can work kids parties when his playing days are over

Greg Schiano shows plenty of emotion

Not a bad Chucky face

Jeremy Trueblood had his hands full with Michael Bennett. Greg Schiano kept a close eye.

The beard doesn’t work, Mike. Yeah, that’s right. Joe said it.

Mark Barron often keeps his helmet on when others don’t. Barron reguarly takes a very terminator-like stance.

LeGarrette Blount after hearing someone say he can’t catch, block or digest a playbook

Adrian Clayborn hunts the football like no other Buccaneer

A practice without cheerleaders is like a Sunday without football

Anthony Gaitor going all out in a position drill

Sammie Stroughter has had a strong and healthy training camp

Schiano likes what he sees from Preston Parker

Wide receivers coach P.J. Fleck takes no prisoners during drills

“Look Glazer, toes on the line and tuck in your shirt.”

“You talkin’ to me?”

Mark Dominik reacts to a fan yelling to him, “Hey Dominik, you’re a rockstar!” True story.

Greg Schiano is often seen talking to his linebackers

Offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan barks orders

Ronde Barber does everything in practice, like an undrafted rookie fighting for a job.

New Bucs front seven coach Bryan Cox won’t put up with excuses for poor play.

One of the cool things Joe thought about the Bucs hiring outspoken, former intimidating linebacker Bryan Cox as a defensive assistant is that Cox wouldn’t think for a second about getting in someone’s face who needed to get their rear ends chewed, no matter their draft status, paycheck or years in the league.

So far that same mentality that Joe welcomed from Cox is already coming out, so documents Alan Dell of the Bradenton Herald.

Speaking to Dell, Cox blurted that the other 31 years in the NFL are not going to ball up in a fetal position because the Bucs are young.

Cox has never been shy about speaking his mind, a blessing for a young Bucs squad that is surrounded by doubters.

“Anytime you have a lot of young guys, people will try to build on that as an excuse, and we don’t want to be looking for built-in excuses,” he says. “Who cares how young they are. They are not going to cancel the season or feel sorry for us because of our youth. Fortunately, we have a lot of guys who can do a lot of different things, and we can move (them) around. All of them, including the veterans, are unselfish and willing to do whatever it takes to turn this thing around.”

Too many players at too many positions on the defensive side of the ball simply waltzed through last season, ending in a grotesque 10-game losing streak. It seemed to Joe there were ample times players needed a swift kick in the rear end instead of being coddled.

Consider Cox willing to kick tail if that’s what it takes to motivate a Bucs defender.

Justin “The Commish” Pawlowski, a man known for his work on the Buccaneers Radio Network, his draft coverage, and his appreciation of full-size Publix subs, offers takes on today’s practice in this JoeBucsFan.com video. The Commish speaks of Myron Lewis’ giant bubble, troubling breakdowns in the Bucs’ secondary, the greatness of Doug Martin, and more. (Editor’s note: Joe is not a dwarf. The Commish stands 6-5.)

“No wasted movement!” screamed visibly frustrated Bucs tight ends coach Brian Angelicho watching his TEs during catching and 1-on-1 blocking drills today.

Perhaps he was, in part, frustrated the many drops his unit turned out. Dallas Clark’s slippery fingers were evident again after a rough day Saturday. Drake Dunsmore and Zack Pianalto also missed easy catches.

Luke Stocker’s hands were sharp, but Angelicho was coaching him up consistently about making sharper turns after the catch.

“We’re working on the fundamentals and the details of it,” Stocker said. “As a tight end there are a couple of different breaks that we do, and we’re really trying to get the details down of putting our feet in the right places so we can maximize our speed coming in and out of our breaks.

Stocker also said the Bucs have a bit of a second tight ends coach, senior offensive advisor Jimmy Raye.

“Jimmy Raye, he kind of hangs around the tight ends a lot,” Stocker said. “You know, he has a lot of background with tight ends. He’s got 35 or 36 years of coaching, such a wealth of experience. He has tons of things to chime in and say to us and tidbits here and there. And you know everything he says is extremely valuable.”

One fun moment out of the tight ends work today, Stocker was playing defensive lineman while rookie hopeful Danny Noble (6-5, 248) tried to move him. Stocker was barely nudged.

Early in Sunday’s practice, the 90 Buccaneers and coaches formed a tight circle in the middle of a practice field and there was plenty of hootin’ and hollerin’ with views rather shielded from media and fans, except those higher in the One Buc Palace bleachers.

It turns out, per Cody Grimm, it was a tone-setter Oklahoma drill, man-on-man battles of technique and strength. …Grimm talked about that and more during this interview with Rock Riley on WDAE-AM 620.

From the limited reps thus far seen in training camp, it seems the Bucs are planning to use a more traditional blocking fullback this season. Joe had a chance to talk to FB Erik Lorig, who confirmed that more fullback play is likely. Lorig also talked about transforming his body and Earnest Byner.

JoeBucsFan.com: How would you tell the typical Bucs fan how the fullback’s role in the offense will be different versus last season?

Erik Lorig: I think the fullback’s role will have more responsibilities, more of a role with the offense. I think you’ll see the fullback more, and I think you’ll see an empahisis with the fullback in the run game. I think you’ll see it more involved.

Joe: How has your position coaching changed?

Lorig: It’s definitely different. You get a different coach, coming from a different perspective and experience. This year we have a great coach. A great, great running backs coach in Earnest Byner. He’s a former player, 14 years. He’s a phenomenal coach both with the playbook, as well as on the field. I couldn’t ask for anything better for me, especially, coming into my third year here. That’s exactly what I need and what I want.

Joe: You look like you’ve lost a significant amount of weight. What’s the deal there?

Lorig: I’ve leaned out a lot more. I’ve really focused on my diet. The staff here has come at us really at a hard angle with diet. Our [Bucs] nutritionist, I’ve been working with him all offseason to lean out and be stronger, faster and then ultimately lighter.

Joe: Did you approach this offseason differently outside of the diet?

Lorig: I got some experience under my belt. So I think about different things in the offseason when it comes to the game as a result. Instead of thinking about camp and getting ready for camp all offseason, I’m thinking about little things in camp, like what kind of technique I’m going to use on [a specific] play.

Mossis Madu fumbled (likely after a whistle) on the sweltering fields of One Buc Palace today. Jeremy Trueblood also was flagged for a false start. Anthony Gaitor was flagged covering Tiquan Underwood about eight yards off the line of scrimmage. Dan Orlovsky dropped a snap.

Analyzing “penalties and ball security” issues is Greg Schiano’s personal priority following practice, so the leader of the New Schiano Order told the media Sunday.

Schiano delegates plenty to his assistants, but the message was that his focus is on how giveaways and mistakes occur.

Details!

As Joe wrote earlier, Trueblood was yanked immediately from the first-team line for a few plays and had to run with the second team after his penalty. It was classic Schiano.

Oh, the drama of the battle between LeGarrette Blount and Doug Martin.

After today’s first practice in pads, Greg Schiano said in response to a question about Doug Martin being able to handle a “bell cow” load that he had no concerns about that. “He’s pretty rocked up,” Schiano said of Martin, aka Muscle Hamster.

Schiano also said LeGarrette Blount looks good. And this is the same coach that stays away from calling out players by name positively or negatively to the press.

Schiano made it clear, though, that what fans saw today in quick-whistle 11-on-11 was not a good indicator. “Until they have to break a tackle,” Schiano said, full evaluation is not possible.

Martin wowed the crowd a few times today with his quick cuts and burst, but it’s just not meaningful yet. As Joe wrote earlier, Martin clearly looks better in pass blocking than Blount based on the few times each was challenged in that area. So he might have an edge right now there.

Yes, Joe wasn’t just watching the sweaty cheerleaders.

The early work in today’s first full-pads, full-contact practice of the season brought some noteworthy nuggets:

*Sammie Strougther appears to be No. 1 on the punt returner depth chart.

*Mason Foster laid a big hit on Stroughter, who who held on following an eight-yard pass.

*The Bucs picked up a blitz that included Ronde Barber, which led to a long completion to Vincent Jackson — in stride. A tremendous touch throw by Josh Freeman.

*Quincy Black, yes, Quincy Black, twice was lauded for plays in the backfield.

*Eric Wright had an impressive breakup on Vincent Jackson.

*Jeremy Trueblood was flagged for a false start and was immediately pulled from the first team in favor of Jamon Meredith. After running with the second-team O-line for a bit, Trueblood returned to the first team.

*Tiquan Underwood beat Myron Lewis easily on a homerun ball on the left flank. Throw by Dan Orlovsky.

*Wide receiver hopeful Greg Ellingson made a diving grab laying out over the middle of the field. That brought a rare personal fist-bump from Greg Schiano.

*Blount was beaten soundly by Lavonte David, a bad blitz pickup up the gut. Conversely, Doug Martin had some shining moments in pass blocking.

*Adam Hayward intercepted a tipped ball by Dallas Clark.

*Underwood absorbed a big hit from Adrian Clayborn on a short pass and held on.

*Everything seemed a bit too easy for the Bucs offense in the running game.

Plenty more from Joe throughout the day.

It’s one of the greatest quotes in modern football history, uttered by Raheem Morris when asked what’s different about training camp versus Spring practices. (Here’s the famous video.)

“Training camp is a little bit different. You know to me, that’s when you establish the men. You know you take off your underwear. You put on your big boy pads. And you put your face on people. And that’s what training camp is about.” — Raheem Morris

Well, today is the day. The pads come on for the Bucs for the first time. The crazy new labor agreement in the NFL seriously limits the amount of old school, win-a-job-by-hitting-people-in-camp days available to coaches. So every practice in pads is critical.

Greg Schiano wants a beastly physical team. Well, fans will get to see how that’s interpreted today.

Last week, Joe was asking linebackers coach Bob Fraser about evaluting his unit, and Fraser very candidly said while the Bucs linebackers are working extremely hard and the team can evaluate a player’s pace of learning and his ability to “get there,” it’s a complete unknown whether guys can do more than that.

“Can he make the play? That’s what you find out when you put pads on,” Fraser said.

The Bucs linebackers have more to prove than any other unit in the NFL, and Joe can’t wait to see what they’ve got — starting today.

Beer-guzzling, Jim-Bates-stalking, real-talkin’, multimedia good guy Rock Riley takes command of the WDAE-AM 620 air chair this morning from 9 a.m. to noon at Bucs training camp. What a way to start your Sunday!

Rock will have his share of great interviews and be able to give you a taste of the training camp action if you can’t be there.. So don’t forget to tune in as you stumble around this morning fumbling for coffee and hangover remedies.

Those chained to a computer can listen live at 620wdae.com.

On Friday, the leader of the New Schiano Order said he didn’t want to talk about guys that impressed him because talking about a standout player in a practice is tantamount to saying others did not impress him.  

That seemed somewhat wacky to Joe. What’s wrong with publicly patting a guy on the back? But Joe understood the concept.

Therefore, Schiano speaking today about young cornerbacks and specifically naming second year CB Anthony Gaitor as someone “doing better every day” was significant.

On Friday, Gaitor showed standout closing speed on a deep ball to Sammie Stroughter, a ball Stroughter laid out for and was disrupted by Gaitor. Perhaps Gaitor is one of those 2011 rookies that was stunted by the asinine lockout and no offseason program.

Gaitor clearly is someone to watch as the Bucs search for cornerback depth. And, by Schiano’s logic it might be worth noting that he didn’t mention Myron Lewis today in that discussion about young corners.