As many of Joe’s regular readers know, Joe is a two-headed monster: one grew up in the cornfields of southern Illinois, the other in the wilds of Sopranos country in New Jersey.

For the Joe of the cornfields, when he grew up, college football (at the time) was little more than a bore. All that damned wishbone offense. Joe was allergic to the wishbone as in high school, as a safety, that offense simply buffaloed him.

With the exception watching Notre Dame game replays early on Sunday mornings (Lindsey Nelson, anyone?) featuring Jerome Heavens, Joe’s Saturday afternoons were limited to watching Nebraska hero Johnny Rodgers and Oklahoma icon Billy Sims slice through helpless defenses and seeing wildman Ohio State chieftain Woody Hayes deck a sideline cameraman.

More importantly to Joe, those cloudy, gray, cold Saturday afternoons in the fall brought NFL Films into Joe’s home, which was must-see TV for Joe. He’d watch NFL Films’ Game of the Week and other NFL Films highlight shows before he’d watch the boring Big Ten (and some people think the Big Ten is boring now, ha!).

This was long before the NFL Network, long before BSPN, hell, before cable. So for millions like Joe, NFL Films was the weekly window into the NFL. It was where Joe first heard (and saw) the likes of Jim Plunkett, Rocky Blier, Mick Tinglehoff, Doug Plank and Billy “White Shoes” Johnson.

It seems Warren McCarty of the NationalFootballPost.com was enamoured with NFL Films  from his Texas outpost as Joe was. It was there, McCarty writes, that he fell in love with the ultimate workhorse running back, James Wilder of the Bucs.

McKay realized that after a dismal 2-14 campaign in 1983, he needed to ride the best player on his roster. To say that Wilder was the focal point of the offense might be an understatement…he was the offense. Wilder ran for 1,544 yards that year on an amazing 407 carries. That was a single-season NFL record, which has only been surpassed twice (Larry Johnson now holds the record with his 416 carries in KC in 2006). On September 30, 1984 he carried the ball 43 times against the Packers, which is the 2nd most carries in a single game in NFL history.

Okay, so the Bucs fed Wilder the ball a lot, you saw him a few times on the Sunday pre-game shows and liked their unis, but they went 6-10 that year and went on to stink for another decade. Big deal. Golf clap, right? Wrong.

In 1984, Wilder also led the Bucs in receiving with 85 catches. That’s not a type-o. He had 85 catches to go with those 407 carries. 492 times the Buccaneers put the ball in Wilder’s hands, hoping for something positive, and the end result was 2,229 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns. 45% of the Bucs offensive plays ended up in his hands. That’s a lot of collisions, and a lot of pounding. No other player in the history of the NFL has touched the ball more in one season than James Wilder did that year.

One can only wonder exactly what Wilder would have done on a decent team with the overall talent he had.

While no NFL coach with a conscience will ever feed a running back that many times again, Wilder, in many respects, is the type of running backs teams are still seeking.

“Coach told me that he was going to come by [Pepin] and get a tour and learn more about the school and I was in town just working out,” said Talib. “So he asked if I wanted to come along. I definitely wanted to come along to see a different learning environment, something I had never seen before, something I didn’t know existed, really.”

It’s a nice story and Joe suggests you click and read it above.

Perhaps Talib really has his toes on the line and has overhauled his life? And Joe wonders how that might translate positively on the field.

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Leave it to a former offensive lineman to call for the Bucs to pound the rock relentlessly and thoroughly play to the strength of its O-line.

Ex-Bucs guard Ian Beckles drilled home that point this week during the Ron and Ian Show on WDAE-AM 620, explaining that the Bucs had a strong line last year but didn’t put enough faith in them, and this year the line is even better and the running backs might be as well. (Beckles is not one to believe in a rookie, Doug Martin, until he proves himself.)

“They didn’t let the offensive line lead last year; We averaged 4+ yards a carry last year and didn’t run the ball nearly enough,” Beckles said. “Hopefully they’ll let the offensive line lead now. We should have the players to get it done.”

In fact, the Bucs averaged 4.2 yards per carry in 2011, tied with three other teams for 15th best in the NFL.

Hell, if the Bucs dropped the damn Benn’d around play, which clearly hurt their average, they might have ticked up a notch to 4.3 yards a carry and finished tied for 12th with the Ravens, Lions and Chargers.

Joe’s all in favor of the O-line leading and Greg Schiano resurrecting the undefeated 1972 Dolphins’ offensive philosophy, with two 1,000-yard backs — in a 14 game season — and homerun shots downfield. It certainly would play to the talent core of the team, and keep the defense off the field, a defense that right now makes Joe tremble.

Now Joe and just about every Bucs fan has noticed Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik has been active in the offseason picking up free agents.

But lost in the glitz and the accolades of landing high profile players like Carl Nicks and Vincent Jackson, if one is to believe Khaled Elsayed of ProFootballFocus.com, Dominik’s signing of lesser known interior defensive linemen will have as much or maybe more of an impact as Jackson and Nicks.

Elsayed decided to put interior defensive linemen from last year under the microscope, and two of the defensive tackles who graded out the best for pass pressure under Elsayed’s study were picked up are now Buccaneers: Amobi Okoye and Wallace Gilberry.

Per Elsayed, Okoye was sixth in the NFL for logging plays on pass rushing snaps and Gilberry was rated at No. 6 for getting heat on the quarterback. (Two spots lower than Gilberry is former Bucs defensive tackle Facestomper Haynesworth.)

Now there’s also a cautionary tale amid this study. Fourth-year Bucs defender Roy Miller was graded as the fourth-worst defensive tackle in the NFL in 2011 for getting after the quarterback.

Joe believes Miller has scant time to prove himself in training camp. The way Dominik loaded up on defensive tackles, that’s not a sign of security for Miller, who in three seasons has done little to establish himself as a solid NFL defensive tackle.

Update: The luxury bus is staying for the postgame concert on Saturday. We’ve had many sellouts this season, so don’t wait too long.

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If Brian Price can put heat on more quarterbacks as he did Matty Ice, the Bucs could develop into a fearsome defensive front.

The folks in Bristol, looking to fill air time in the downtime of the NFL just a month before training camps open, are mining the NFL for what it calls “hidden treasures.”

So ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas picked up the baton and points to the Bucs defensive line as a treasure, albeit, hidden.

Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, the third overall draft pick in 2010, has been slowed by injuries his first two seasons. But he did show some promise when healthy. The new coaching staff believes McCoy can be a dominant player and cornerstone of this defense. But the obvious key is he needs to stay healthy. If he does, he ideally will line up next to fellow third-year pro Brian Price, who also has dealt with some injury issues. But the Bucs went out and got Amobi Okoye and Gary Gibson in the offseason and the hope is to use them in a rotation that can help keep McCoy and Price fresh.

If McCoy and Price finally can blossom, that should provide a tremendous boost for second-year defensive end Adrian Clayborn. He recorded 7.5 sacks as a rookie without much around him. The Bucs believe Clayborn can hit double digits in sacks. The line suffered a big blow when Da’Quan Bowers tore his Achilles tendon in the offseason. At best, Bowers could return around midseason. At worst, he’ll miss the entire season. But this still has a chance to be a decent defensive line because Michael Bennett can start opposite Clayborn.

Well, Joe believes Yasinskas may be on to something, but perhaps a year too early.

Yes, GMC must stay healthy. Yes, Price has to somehow bounce back from an injury that would put most people in a wheelchair, or at least crutches.

The Bucs defensive line could be a treasure at full strength. And Joe firmly believes Clayborn will be a stud for years to come.

But until GMC, Price and Bowers can stay on the field, Joe doubts that the promise of the Bucs defensive line will be met.

Joe is still trying to dry out from the monsoon that the trollop known as Tropical Storm Debbie dumped on the area. It was so bad, as many know, Bayshore Blvd. in Tampa became Bayshore River. But this didn’t stop Captain Fear from taking advantage of what was a bad situation.

(Hat tip Tiffany Jimenez! Yes, THAT Tiffany Jimenez.)

In a move clearly designed to start the New Schiano Order on the right foot and end the community stain of TV blackouts of home Bucs games, Team Glazer has announced it is selling home-opener tickets early — starting Friday — plus opening-day concessions will be half price and some free parking will be available for that game.

One can only hope this means Joe’s Blackout Tour will not have to resurrect for its third season.

Fans attending the game will be treated to a commemorative Ronde Barber gym sack, while also receiving 50% off all concessions (excluding alcohol) in both General and Club levels, and being offered free parking in select lots.

“As we usher in a new Buccaneer era that kicks off in September, we are looking forward to celebrating Ronde Barber’s 200th straight start,” said Buccaneers Co-Chairman Bryan Glazer. “Ronde has made us all proud during his 15 seasons with the team, and this next milestone is yet another along the road that we expect will lead to Canton. Our fans have a lot to look forward to this season, and we hope this promotion helps give everyone the chance to both celebrate a Bucs great and join the fight.”

While Joe would hardly wager on the game selling out, one can legitmately hope that this move, plus premier free agents in house, plus a new regime, plus Cam Newton in the building will get the job done.

Trying to remember the Bucs’ 2011 season, including the grotesque 10-game losing streak, it reminds Joe of the fateful night he experimented with peppermint schnapps.

So Joe can understand how new Bucs coach Greg Schiano’s stomach has turned several times over, especially watching so many turnovers.

With this in mind, Joe and other members of the pen and mic club at One Buc Palace over the past several weeks were witness to how taking care of the ball has been a paramount focus of the New Schiano Order.

It has been such a focus that eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune explained how ball security is so important to right the Bucs ship.

“For everyone who touches the ball, we give specific coaching points about ball security being paramount,’’ said new running backs coach Earnest Byner. “It is consistently emphasized and coached. The bottom line is we can’t score if we don’t have the football.’‘

The three teams with the fewest turnovers—San Francisco, Green Bay and New England—went a combined 41-7 last season. The clubs with the most giveaways—Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Washington—were a collective 17-31.

“More games are lost than won in this league,’’ Byner said. “That’s because people are giving away opportunities, shooting themselves in the foot.’‘

This can be easily corrected, Joe believes.

First, Josh Freeman had an unthinkable 22-interception season. Say, cutting that in half — not unlikely — would be a big boost right there.

And to see all of the Bucs running backs biting the football in preseason practice, Joe wouldn’t be shocked if the Bucs force more turnovers this season than times they cough up the ball.

In what Joe hopes sends a resounding message to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell about the validity of the recently dropped felony assault case against Aqib Talib, the Dallas County District Attorney dismissed the felony assault with a deadly weapon charge today against Okolo Talib, Aqib’s mom.

Okolo Talib also had a charge against her of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, based on a previous conviction, which also was dismissed today.

Aqib Talib and his mother’s nearly simultaneous arrests had stemmed from the same March 2011 incident outside Talib’s sister’s home in Garland, Texas.

This is very curious considering that both Aqib Talib and his mother told police, per police affidavits, that Okolo Talib fired a gun multiple times during the March 2011 domestic disturbance that led to their arrests. In that affidavit linked above, there also are reports of witness statements that Okolo Talib fired at Shannon Billings, the sex offender who was involved with Talib’s sister and was reportedly fleeing from the scene.

Not that Joe wishes ill on Talib’s mom, but something really stinks here in the dropping of both charges. And the stench isn’t coming from the Talibs.

Again, Joe hopes Roger Goodell takes note and passes on holding Talib accountable for the events surrounding the March 2011 shooting.

There are many questions coming into Bucs training camp in just a hair over a month. But one question does not surround the No. 1 receiver.

That question was stamped in red ink when Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik signed Vincent Jackson as the new toy in quarterback Josh Freeman’s playpen.

Joe is pretty sure, barring injury, that Mike Williams is the No. 2 receiver. In fact, Joe would be shocked if he isn’t to hear Freeman talk.

But new wide receiver Tiquan Underwood seemed to open the door to the belief that the No. 2 receiver position is not yet set in stone, as he told Stephen Holder of the Tampa Bay Times.

“Once you get past (Jackson), it’s just a bunch of guys trying to make a name for themselves in this league. That just brings about competition. Competition is always good, because that makes the cream rise to the top.”

Underwood added that he likes the fact that the Bucs are “a younger team. And in this league, it’s a quarterback-driven league. Josh (Freeman) came out the same year as me and is going into his fourth year. And I just like the direction Coach is taking and the attitude he has with this team. It’s all about hard work and I want to be a part of that.”

This is an interesting quote, but again, Joe will believe it when he sees it, if Williams is not the No. 2 receiver.

After that, it’s a jumble between Arrelious Benn, Preston Parker, Sammie Stroughter, Dezmon Briscoe and Underwood at this early date.

If Joe had to bet, it would be that Underwood makes the team before Briscoe, who missed much of the Bucs offseason practices due to a variety of things that Joe doesn’t want to get into as he’s not a reality TV kinda guy.

Just a hunch, neither is Greg Schiano.

Before former Bucs safety Sean Jones turned into a serial loafer, he was a “Wolf,” so Raheem Morris dubbed him. It was one of the more comical nicknames during the Raheem The Dream era.

And now the 30-year-old Jones finally has found a new job. Signed by the Lions yesterday, Jones is even going to compete for a starting gig in Detroit, so says the Detroit Free Press.

Joe’s not quite sure what the Lions liked on Jones’ film, but Joe wishes Jones well.

The whole likelihood floated yesterday of joint training camp practices between the Bucs and Patriots led Joe to do a little research on what these things are really all about.

One ex-player told Joe that in addition to adding intrigue and excitement deep into the tedious training camp routine, the Bucs’ offensive line will draw the greatest benefit because of the chance to play against the Patriots’ challenging 3-4 defense. The practice repetitions will be a phenomenal way for the Bucs’ O-line to work on the footwork and subtleties of playing against the Pats’ two-gap scheme, he said, which should help when the Bucs take on a 3-4 defense during the season.

As for the practices themselves, a Patriots beat writer sent Joe the following. The Pats have done this before with the Saints and Falcons, though there was nothing last year thanks to the asinine lockout.

From what I remember, the first part the teams work on their own on separate fields, then eventually, you’ll see 11-on-11, and 7-on-7 drills, with the Pats and Bucs locking horns both with their respective offenses and defenses going toe-to-toe. I also remember seeing the Pats offense go against the other team’s defense in the red zone, and vice versa. And, there were also individual drills involving the offensive linemen with pass rushers. It’s kind of a typical practice. You also see a lot of coaching. If there’s a second day, they might scrimmage a little. It’s all pretty cool to watch down at the field level. It’s something different for them, not having to go up against their teammates.

There’s also trash-talking, and apparently the Patriots don’t take water breaks and cool-down breaks like the Falcons, so noted the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“You’ve got a chance to be up close and personal with a team which is not that easy to be up close and personal with,” said Dimitroff, and he should know. He worked for New England.

“Bill [Belichick] was very up front, [saying], ‘We’re coming there. Your rules. Your house,'” Dimitroff said.

The Falcons practiced against Jacksonville last week, but that wasn’t preceding a game between the teams, and, as Gonzalez said: “Nothing against Jacksonville or any other team, but when you go against New England you’re going against one of the best teams in the NFL. It’s good to see where you stack up.”

It was a little eye-opening, particularly for those of us who generally aren’t allowed to watch the other team practice. I’ll break protocol here: No. 12 likes to throw to No. 81. That’s sure to get me banned from future New England practices. Actually, Randy Moss (81) burned the Falcons’ secondary a couple of times, and made certain they knew it. “What’s up? That’s two today,” Moss said as he jogged back behind Falcons’ defenders on the sideline after catching a deep pass.

There were no fights and no real heated moments. Tom Brady (that No. 12) didn’t bring Gisele Bundchen and Kroy Biermann didn’t bring Kim Zolciak. (Imagine the look on Belichick’s face with that potential TMZ moment.) The Patriots were mildly amused when Falcons coach Mike Smith announced, “Everybody to the cool zone.” (That’s the players’ tented rest area.)

“We’ll go over to the hot zone,” a New England aide said. “They’ve got a cool zone, water breaks — we don’t have any of that,” Brady said.

Joe really can’t imagine a better all-around scenario for the Bucs than what these joint practices would deliver. And Joe has learned that opposing coaches spend time together and that Greg Schiano should expect detailed, real-time feedback on the Bucs from Bill Belicheat, which would be invaluable.

Joe’s also been wondering how much time Ronde Barber actually will get in preseason games to adjust in his new position and read opposing quarterbacks from a different vantage point. Getting practice looks against Tom Brady should help him sharpen up that much faster.

"Look Bill, I love you like a father and all, but we must keep that 7-on-7 drill to under 3 1/3 minutes."

Make no mistake that wily Bill Belicheat is doing whatever he can to help the New Schiano Order. Greg Schiano himself detailed this two weeks ago during a radio interview.

So it’s no surprise to learn that the Boston Herald is reporting that the Bucs and Patriots have been examining having joint practices in August, before the two teams square off in the Bucs’ final home preseason game.

The Herald has learned the Pats and Bucs have been exploring the possibility to hold joint practices prior to their Aug. 24 preseason game in Tampa, which makes sense given Belichick’s relationship with new Bucs coach Greg Schiano. If it happens, it would be a short week for the Patriots, who host the Eagles on Aug. 20. But again, nothing is certain.

One would assume the Patriots would come to Tampa to practice, though Joe wouldn’t be shocked if Schiano wasn’t interested in getting the Bucs out of town for a few days to bond and train in Massachusetts.

Regardless of the venue, this can only be a good thing for the Buccaneers and their young roster. Aside from the good example of Team Belicheat, the Bucs would get to see first-hand how a championship team operates. And it could help bring home Schiano’s radical culture change for the doubters that might be on the roster.

Yesterday, eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune typed a column about how the Hall of Fame in Canton will likely add some Bucs players in the next few years.

Yes, we all know about Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks and John Lynch and Ronde Barber.

Later yesterday, Joe was watching (again) the “Top 10 Sack Artists” on the man’s channel, the NFL Network. Other than the top 10, many others were mentioned as those who just missed the cut.

In neither of Kaufman’s column nor in last night’s show on the NFL Network was the name Simeon Rice mentioned. This despite how Rice had double-digit sacks in eight of his 12 NFL seasons.

Joe wonders why Rice is rarely mentioned as one of the Bucs greats?

Yes, the Bucs had a strong defense when Rice came to Tampa Bay in 2001, but Rice made the Bucs defense simply lethal. Not only did quarterbacks and offensive linemen have to worry about Sapp, they now had to worry about Rice as well, a frightening proposition.

In Joe’s eyes, Rice should have been the MVP of the Bucs Super Bowl win against the Raiders. He simply harassed, hounded and, yes, sacked Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon all game long.

Now Joe knows that Rice getting elected into Canton is a Hail Mary pass. It likely won’t happen, not unless he is added by the seniors committee some 20 years from now.

Joe always found it strange when the top Bucs players from such a wicked defense are mentioned, Rice’s name is often overlooked.

One of the most exciting hires by the Bucs last year was pass-rush guru Keith Millard. He came to Tampa with big-time experience and a strong endorsement from Warren Sapp, who was coached by Millard in Oakland. Plus Millard brought an old school work ethic and everything about him screamed that he was a no-BS football coach.

Dare Joe say Millard seemed to exemplify a coaching version of what Greg Schiano calls a “Buccaneer Man.”

But Millard, who had no 2011 offseason to teach the defensive line thanks to the asisnine lockout, got the boot with the rest of Raheem Morris’ coaching staff. It was the one staff loss that made Joe cringe. And those who want to know how hard Millard took the news can read Joe’s two-part interview with him after last season.

Millard landed with the Titans and Tennessean reporter John Glennon has penned an interesting feature story about Millard’s instant impact with his new team. Here’s an excerpt:

Judging by what the team’s defensive linemen are saying, Millard is doing just that. He’s in the process of overhauling much of what the Titans have learned about pass-rushing, whether that means changing their hand placement, footwork, hip movement or strategies to get after the quarterback.

Defensive tackle Shaun Smith called it Football 101. Defensive end Derrick Morgan said it’s about demanding perfection to detail.

And defensive tackle Karl Klug, who led the Titans with seven sacks last season, admitted he was a little overwhelmed during offseason practices.

“He’s teaching a lot of different stuff than what we went through last year,” said Klug, whose sack total led all NFL rookie defensive tackles. “Everything, from footwork to the rhythm of the pass rush that he’s been getting us to learn, has kind of been a struggle for most of us.

“It’s just different and it takes a while to get used to. Hopefully by the time training camp rolls around, I’ll have a better grasp of it.”

Randy Melvin and former NFL great Bryan Cox have taken over the role of molding the Bucs’ defensive line. And mysterious advisor Butch Davis, an accomplished defensive line coach himself, likely is scrutinizing practice film of the Bucs’ D-linemen.

The prized prospects along the Bucs’ D-line might be in great hands, but Joe really can’t say with certainty the Bucs have upgraded their coaching in that area.

Joe is fired up!!!!

In 32 short days the Bucs will open up One Buc Palace to fans to watch training camp practices, as players put on the pads and try to win jobs and playing time the old fashioned way. Joe can’t wait to see the many camp battles, highlighted by LeGarrette Blount and Doug Martin trying to earn real carries with every preseason touch.

Once again, the Buccaneeers will install bleachers for fans to watch training camp. Nine public practice dates have been released. Admission is free. And the best news is that eight out of nine of these open practices will be in the morning, rather than in the afternoon summer swelter as in years past. The non-morning practice is the popular night event at Raymond James Stadium.

Here’s the current schedule, which is always subject to change:

Friday, July 27,  8:45 – 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, July 28,  8:45 – 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, July 29,  8:45 – 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 1,  8:45 – 11:30 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 3,   8:45 – 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 4,  6:30 – 9:00 p.m. (Night Practice at RJS)
Monday, Aug. 6,  8:45 – 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 7,  8:45 – 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, Aug. 12,  8:45 – 11:30 a.m.

Buccaneers.com will update fans with more details as training camp approaches. There’s always a chance free tickets will be required for entry, so Joe advises you to not just show up without checking JoeBucsFan archives or the official team website.

The 2011 season was a horror show for the Bucs. What started off as a promising season at 4-2 with two wins over playoff teams suddenly imploded into a grotesque 10-game losing streak to end the season.

The defense was particularly horrid, but perhaps no player had a worse season for the Bucs than the team’s most important player, the guy Bucs officials like to point to as being the franchise player, quarterback Josh Freeman.

Freeman’s play recently came under the flim microscope of Jaws, former Eagles quarterback and NFL resident quarterback guru Ron Jaworski, now of BSPN. Evan Silva of ProFootballTalk.com documented Jaworski’s breakdown of Freeman’s play last season.

According to ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski’s game-tape study, Freeman lost confidence, made poor decisions, and did not improve the finer points of his game.

“In 2011, Freeman threw four red-zone interceptions,” Jaws noted. “No quarterback threw more. It was part of a season in which Freeman took a step back. He struggled all year with his decision making. He tried to make too many throws that were not there.

“In addition, his ball location was not precise enough. Throws that you have to make became turnovers. Freeman has a lot of work to do. … I saw a lot of deficiencies that plague young quarterbacks. Poor decision making, lack of confidence. The physical talent is there, the consistency is not.”

Hhhmmm? So Freeman “tried to make too many throws that were not there,” eh? Smells to Joe like Kellen Winslow, no?

Jaws also noted he expects the Bucs to go heavy on play-action passes this season.

Of all the things wrong with the Bucs last year, righting Freeman may be the most important task of the New Schiano Order.

Greg Schiano may have a five-year contract, but that doesn’t mean he has a lot of time to turn around the Buccaneers.

The Bucs undeniably have a win-now offense chock full of talent. There’s no rebuilding going on there. And then there’s the matter of Schiano’s militant style. That might lose its positive effect if the Bucs don’t start winning quickly, so said former Bucs linebacker and current Buccaneers Radio Network analyst Ryan Nece on WDAE-AM 620 last week.

It was a sentiment that’s been expressed by others: the New Schiano Order has got the heat turned up, which runs a risk of backfiring if results don’t follow soon after.

“When you come in as a coach and you come into a situation where you are a polar opposite to the type of coach that was there before, and you bring a culture that was counter to whatever the culture there before, it’s a very hard adjustment,” Nece said. “It’s a hard adjusment for everybody … and yes, there’s going to be players that aren’t going to like it, and there’s going to be players that it’s not going to suit well because it’s hard to please everybody. And I think what he said is, ‘Hey, you’re either with me, or you’re against me.’ I remember that was a line Coach Gruden said all the time, ‘You’re either with me, or you’re against me. And if you’re against me, we can’t have you on this team.’

“But at the end of the day, all that matters is what happens on Sunday. Guys can buy in and say, ‘Hey, We like it now. This is different.’ All that’s going to matter is what happens on Sunday. If they go out there and they win, this is going to be a great adjustment, guys will buy in and they’ll believe in it. But if things start to look bad and they start losing, this makes it a much harder sale when you come in and change things this drastically as he has. It makes it harder for some of these veteran players to swallow that type of medicine.”

Joe found it interesting that Nece likened Schiano’s team-building mindset to Chucky’s. Clearly, Gruden had a doghouse, where those allegedly not in lock step would land.

Joe suspects anyone Schiano finds out of order will find the street or a new team rather than a doghouse.