The cheerleader of every Bucs fan’s dreams, Rachel Watson, and her lovely daughter, were introduced to Joe this morning at Bucs training camp. Joe’s week is complete.

Devoted Joe readers might get quite a smile out of this one. Joe sure did.

This is a day at Bucs training camp that Joe will not soon forget.

Today at One Buc Palace, one of the all-time greats, Bucs icon Rachel Watson, was introduced to Joe.

Yes, that Rachel Watson.

What can Joe say? How cool was Rachel to tell Joe that she regularly reads JoeBucsFan.com and has no problem with Joe often referencing fantasies of her someday knocking on Joe’s door in the wee hours for unbridled pleasure.

It was odd. A representative of the Bucs media relations staff approached Joe, who was seated watching the final minutes of Bucs practice. “Joe, we have a celebrity here we think you would want to meet.” There were two women, one was Bucs cheerleader coach, Catherine Boyd. The second woman was carrying a child and even while wearing aviator sunglasses seemed stunning.

“You should know me,” Rachel said to Joe, or something along those lines. Joe didn’t recognize Rachel until she shed the shades.

Joe busted up laughing, as did Rachel, but it seemed no one got more of a reaction to this epic encounter than Woody Cummings of The Tampa Tribune, who nearly fell to his knees he guffawed so much.

Joe told Rachel he hoped he didn’t embarrass her much with his constant references to her. Rachel laughed, admitting she often reads Joe’s musings and genuinely seemed to get a kick of being a celebrity on this site.

And if you must know, yes, although much shorter than Joe envisioned, Rachel is just as ravishing in person as she is in front of the camera.

“Attitude’s a choice. We’ve had five practices and I’d say probably 2 1/2 of them have been at a level where that’s what we need to be. And 2 1/2 of them have not been. And you know I’m very honest with our guys. I told them from Day 1, ‘I’m not going to BS you. I’m going to let you know where we stand.’ Today, there was some really good stuff coming off a [day off]. I thought we started fast. We started with fresh legs. And we about midway through the practice we began to wane. And we can’t do that. As you get to the end of the game you have to be at your best. That’s when games are decided in this league. I read something where 72 percent of the games are decided by seven points or less. So that’s what we need to practice for, prepare for, and learn to be at our best, you know, in that fourth quarter. And that’s attitude. That’s a choice when you’re tired and you’re hurtin’. It’s also a habit. You gotta make it a habit by doing it every day in practice. There’s no double sessions anymore, so you gotta do it all in one practice, which makes for a little bit longer of a practice. Guys gotta fight through it.” — Greg Schiano following today’s practice.

Check out the whole interview below with Schiano on The Ron and Ian Show on WDAE-AM 620. Schiano touches on many subjects, including Gerald McCoy’s “elite get-off.”

Vincent Jackson grabs a pass in front of Mark Barron Wednesday morning.

Some observations Joe had from this morning’s training camp practice at One Buc Palace:

* If a player made a big impression on Joe time and again in practice today, it was wide receiver Tiquan Underwood. He seemed to always find a way to make a play, even if he was covered like paint by a defensive back. Joe will have more later, but Underwood (partly because of Arrelious Benn’s injury) was getting a ton of reps with the first team offense. Barring injury, not only is Underwood a lock for the roster, he may push Preston Parker and Arrelious Benn for the No. 3 slot.

* The defense had two players that made big impacts today. One was defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who seemed to own the inside. Once, he burst through the line and dropped Muscle Hamster like a rag doll for about a five-yard loss. The second defensive player to stand out to Joe was Lavonte David. Man, is he fast. David had a nice interception on Josh Freeman and nearly had one earlier when Freeman rifled a pass to Sammie Strougher along the left sideline, just a hair before David got his mitts on the ball.

* Sans a couple of fumbles, the practice was crisp.

* Somehow, with cornerback Leonard Johnson draped all over him, Sammie Stroughter was able to make a nice grab on a ball along the right sideline. His nice play came with a price as Johnson leveled Stroughter with wide receivers coach P.J. Fleck barking “Finish the play, finish the play.”

* Overall, the Bucs defensive backs were not having a good day as not only was Freeman completing passes right and left, wide receivers were making crazy catches throughout practice.

* Intensity level was pretty high in Joe’s eyes. Walk-through running plays weren’t exactly walk-through, more like sprint-through.

* Doug Martin had better days. He twice put the ball on the ground, the second time timeout was called and Bucs coach Greg Schiano gave the offense a stern lecture.

* Wide receivers coach P.J. Fleck is an in-your=face kind of a guy. He often will cover receivers in drills. He also used some sort of hand-drill where receivers fight off handsy defensive backs. It looked like a class in karate or some martial arts teaching.

* Mike Williams never gave up on a play that Joe saw. Once, Freeman terribly underthrew Williams but Williams raced back to the ball and made a diving catch of the errant Freeman offering.

* Once, Freeman could have ordered a pizza he had so much time in the pocket, allowing a receiver to get open along the left sideline for a massive bomb completion.

* Dakoda Watson is explosive coming off the snap.

* Once, Lavonte David held Doug Martin to just a one-yard gain which got Greg Schiano all pumped up for the Bucs rookie linebacker.

Hopefully, it’s nothing head-injury related, but Bucs defensive end Michael Bennett, a surefire starter, left the training camp practice field dizzy today.

Greg Schiano made the revelation on WDAE-AM 620 following practice.

Schiano was unsure whether Bennett’s problem was heat related. Bennett will be thoroughly evaluated, Schiano said.

Former Bucs guard Ian Beckles (1990-1996) was out at Bucs camp today for the first time broadcasting his radio show, and Beckles is not upbeat on the Bucs defensive line.

Beckles repeatedly said there’s “no dog” in Gerald McCoy and that McCoy is too nice on and off the field and there’s never been a great defensive tackle that has that personna. “I don’t want no chess players,” Beckles said.

Regarding Amobi Okoye, Beckles call him “servicable,” but doesn’t think fans should be overly excited about him, especially if Rod Marinelli let him get away. “If he was spectacular, Chicago wouldn’t have let him go.”

Beckles is also down on Frank Okam, saying he’s what guys referred to in his era as a “slug,” defined as a lineman that takes up a lot of space but gets blocked all the time.

Of all the pundits that weigh in on the Bucs, John Lynch surely is among the most credible. The Bucs icon is a TV analyst for the team’s preseason games, and he spends time at practice and has an inside track to players and staff. Lynch also works some Bucs games for FOX.

Knowing what he knows, Lynch ranks the Bucs as the 26th best team in the NFL, per the Associated Press. Lynch can’t shake the demons from the Raheem Morris era.

John Lynch (Fox Sports, 26): Here’s hoping my former team makes me eat my words under new head coach Greg Schiano. I like Bucs’ talent, especially with additions of Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks that will help QB Josh Freeman rebound. It’s hard to erase from my mind this team quitting last year. Attitude adjustment time in Tampa.

Among others surveyed, former NFL starts Cris Collinsworth and Rich Gannon had higher opinions of Tampa Bay; eye-RAH! Kaufman of The Tampa Tribune concurred with Lynch.

Rich Gannon (CBS Sports/SiriusXM NFL Radio, 22): From 4-12 to 8-8 in one season under Schiano.

Cris Collinsworth (NBC Sports, 22): Greg Schiano reminds me of coaches on the top of this list.

Ira Kaufman (Tampa Tribune, 26): Could feature eight new starters under first-year coach Greg Schiano.

Lynch’s pessimism synchs up with Warren Sapp’s contention that the Bucs have too far to go defensively in order to “contend.”

It’s hard to argue against. The Bucs should have a top-10 or top-12 offense assuming Mike Sullivan is a competent playcaller, but the defense is another story. There are so many legitimate question marks it’s impossible to be confident in the unit.

The Bucs simply cannot turn out much worse than the ole defense they displayed last year. It was so miserable, matadors were found hiding their faces in the palms of their hands.

Stronger secondary play? Sure. Better linebacker play? It cannot be worse. How about the defensive line?

It is there that Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune suggests the 2012 impact player can be found and his name is Gerald McCoy, so Cummings writes in a TBO Bucs Q&A.

Q: Who do you think will be the biggest impact player on the defense to turn us around after last year’s horrible effort?

Brian, Normal, IL

A: I think Gerald McCoy will make the biggest impact. He has to stay healthy, obviously, but he was a difference maker when he was healthy last year and he’s a smarter player now. This could be a breakout year for McCoy. The Bucs believe it will be. He does have to stay on the field, though.

— Woody Cummings

Boy, it would sure help if GMC could stay healthy for a change. He could be a difference maker. Per Ronde Barber, he was the difference-maker. Remember, with GMC last year the Bucs were 4-2. After he left with an injury, the Bucs were winless, including a grotesque 10-game losing streak to end the season.

Feel free to do the math on this as well.

Amidst the excitement of training camp kicking off Friday, the Bucs fired up single game ticket sales that morning. And via Joe’s look at Ticketmaster.com this afternoon, $30 seats (including service charge) are still available for every game.

Not surprising? Troubling?

Whatever it is, that’s the reality.

Yeah, the economy is still bad around these parts, but there are plenty of folks that can afford $30 and another $20 to get to and through opening day wihout fasting.

Hopefully, the Bucs’ performance in preseason games will make a positive difference.

Poor Roy Miller.

The kid came out of college in 2009, where he had a good career playing at 285 or 290 pounds, so Miller detailed last year. Then he was drafted by the Bucs and Jim Bates made him fatten up with all the other D-linemen to allegedly help them in his two-gap scheme that was kicked out along with Bates after half a season.

Miller got up to 325 in 2009, and never felt comfortable and has battled the weight ever since. During the 2011 season, Miller was asked to step on a scale for a Sky Sports (England) TV feature, and the digital scale readings popped 315 pounds.

Miller also was saddled with a MCL tear on the first play of the first 2011 preseason game. And Miller messed up his back so bad after that he could barely sit in a chair for much of last season, so he told WDAE-AM 620 Bucs beat writer Tom Krasniqi recently. Keep in mind Miller played every game in 2011.

But Miller also told Krasniqi his weight is down to 308, as of this weekend, and he feels great. Miller also drew strong reviews at Bucs practice Monday.

Renowned NFL Radio analyst Pat Kirwan, a former Jets linebackers coach and front office executive, said multiple times on the air during the offseason that Miller was among the best players likely to be released when final cuts are made across the league. But that was before Brian Price was shipped to Chicago for a can of Pringles. Kirwan is of the mind that Miller has a lot to offer.

Joe’s not about to pretend Miller has shown enough in his career to get anyone excited. But there are at least strong signs that he could battle the flashing Quincy Black for most-improved-Buccaneer honors in 2012.

One thing good about those fancy “Buccaneers Insider” videos on Buccaneers.com, outside of Scott Smith’s haircut, is the film look from training camp.

It’s one thing to see it in person, but it’s another to get a chance to slow down the tape.

 In the latest video, at the end, you can get a good look at Doug Martin’s footwork picking up a blitz, Dan Orlovsky making a precision throw, and Myron Lewis, well, doing what Myron Lewis does in coverage.

Though Joe enjoys the feedback he gets from fans on Twitter about training camp, Joe often chuckles when he gets the “How’s [player-X] look?”

As Joe often answers, the player looks about what his listed dimensions appear to be.

Until players compete in actual games, even preseason games, unless a player is owning training camp, there’s little to tell about practices, specifically when they practice in underwear.

But to the trained eye, such as the pair of eyeballs from Bucs coach Greg Schiano, Monday’s practice was much better than the “sloppy” practice Sunday, so typed Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.

“I thought the effort was outstanding today,” Schiano said. “Probably the best we’ve worked in the four days, certainly the hardest. We cleaned some things up, which is good.”

The Bucs concentrated more Monday on situational football than they have in other workouts and one of the players that stood out to the coach was veteran tight end Dallas Clark.

Clark, whom the Bucs signed as a free agent during the offseason, made a diving fingertip catch along the sideline during one drill and has performed impressively since camp opened.

Again, it’s nice to make fingertip catches while performing drills. But doing that when a cornerback from another team is draped all over a receiver is when Joe will take notice.

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.