If you couldn’t find defensive tackles Amobi Okoye and Gary Gibson last night, it wasn’t you. Neither played against Tennessee.

This is troubling to any astute Bucs observer. Both of those veterans were brought in to shore up the depth up the gut of the Bucs defense, and that was before Brian Price was sent packing for late-round draft pick. But Okoye and Gibson are nursing injuries. Okoye practiced this week, but Joe’s unsure about Gibson.

What makes things worse is that the Bucs didn’t play well up front last night, and Greg Schiano detailed his displeasure.

“Misfits, missed tackling, and not attacking the line of scrimmage. You know, too much hovering as a defensive front,” Schiano said. “That was something that we talked about, an area of improvement. So it’s disappointing that we didn’t. But we got to go back to work and we’ll get it right. We’re going to play run defense. We will do that.”

Joe liked that Schiano line, “We’re going to play run defense.”

Thank you, Coach. Please, please, make that dream come true.

Looking at preseason attendance of Bucs games is the easiest way to get an idea of where Bucs season ticket sales are. And that’s important if you’re trying to figure out how many TV blackouts Tampa Bay will suffer in 2012.

The reality is there aren’t a ton of tickets sold for most individual preseason games, so reported preseason attendance is reasonably close to the bottom line season ticket number.

In 2011, the Bucs drew 49,313 for their preseason opener against New England, one of the few teams whose fans will by significant numbers tickets in Tampa. For the next 2011 preseason game against Miami, the Bucs reported 44,732.

Last night, the Titans-Bucs game had a reported attendance of 45,633. Frankly, Joe was hoping for a bigger number, which would have offered a little more hope that blackouts will end in 2012.

Bucs officials said months ago that there were spikes in ticket sales following major changes this offseason and free agent acquisitions, but last night’s attendance tells Joe it wasn’t any kind of crazy increase.

The Bucs need to sell about 42,500 non-premium seats per game to avoid a home television blackout under the new 85 percent rule in the NFL. How many of the 15,000 or so club seats and suite seats are actually sold per game is the key mystery. Add that unknown figure to the 42,500 and you have the magic number to get a home game televised.

Joe’s really hoping Bucs fans come through on opening day to get the Bucs-Pantheres game on TV for the greater fan base.

Joe took a Paradise Worldwide Transportation executive SUV to the Bucs-Dolphins game in Miami last week. The chauffeur was a Bucs fan, and Joe asked him what he does when a game is blacked out. His answer? “Cry.”

Now the Bucs’ defense played sloppy ball last night. “Extremely sloppy” was how Eric Wright described the Bucs’ defensive peformance after the game to Joe.

But as Joe steps away from the game a bit, Joe sees a silver lining in that the first-team Bucs defense had three 3-and-outs in their first three series.

First, Michael Bennett and Adrian Clayborn stuffed Chris Johnson for no gain up the gut on 3rd-and-1. Then Ahmad Black had his big interception. And on the third series, Jake Locker threw on first down, which was defended well by Aqib Talib, and the Bucs got off the field after a five-yard run and another incompletion.

“We had three, 3-and-outs early, which is excellent. That’s hard to do in this league,” Wright said. “We felt pretty good, but they got a long drive on us and that type of stuff happens. We’ve got to clean up our mistakes and make sure it doesn’t happen that often.”

Yeah, Locker hadn’t started a game since college, but at least that sharp start to the defense is something to hold on to after a 30-7 drubbing.

Perhaps Joe is missing something, but Joe can’t fathom the rationale behind the Bucs punting on the opening drive tonight at 4th-and-1 from their 41 yard line.

What was the point?

Greg Schiano talks about being a physical football team and one that will have the power and will to run when everyone knows its coming. What a great chance it was to get closer to that goal. Of course, the Bucs could have thrown the ball, or worked on drawing the Titans offsides and then taken the delay of game, if Tennessee didn’t bite.

Joe just doesn’t get passing on a situation that could have showcased the team’s new identity.

What was gained? An extra rep for the punt cover team?

This Bucs offense needs to build confidence. That punt was all but meaningless.

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In his postgame press conference, Bucs coach Greg Schiano stated that the ugly injury to LeGarrette Blount was a groin injury, not a knee injury.

It was a grotesque injury while Blount was trying to carry a couple of would-be tacklers when he was drilled and felled by what appeared to be a shot to his left knee.

Blount writhed in pain for several minutes on the ground and gingerly walked off the field, with the aid of Bucs trainers.

As halftime ended, the video feed of the Bucs broadcast of WTSP-TV showed Blount pacing up and down the sidelines with his full pads on sans helmet, limping, but walking.

This is very good news for Bucs fans as there is no secret Schiano wanted to use Blount and rookie Doug Martin as a two-headed monster in the backfield.

Look for Blount to likely be shelved for a week or two so his groin recovers properly in an effort to get him ready for the season opener.

Blount spoke to the local pen and mic club and while he admitted he was in pain on the field, he downplayed the seriousness of the injury, stating he would be evaluated Saturday,

Joe can confirm that Blount’s knee was not in any type of a wrap in the locker room.

When the leader of the New Schiano Order sprinted off the field at halftime, somehow a brave member of the Bucs media relations staff was able to corral him for a few questions and, not surprisingly, Schiano was not pleased with the Bucs play in the first half.

“I don’t think we protected very well,” Schiano said of the pass blocking.

Schiano had harsher words for the defense. When asked if the Bucs had improved tackling, Schiano said, “Some guys [yes], others no. It really was a half of missed opportunity. We had some chances to make some plays that weren’t tough plays and we didn’t make them.”

Something tells Joe the Bucs players are going to have a penance to pay this week in practice for the slop that was displayed on the field of the stadium on Dale Mabry Highway.

Halloween came in August for Bucs fans and it was no treat at the stadium on Dale Mabry Highway.

The offensive line couldn’t block. The defensive line couldn’t tackle. LeGarrette Blount hurt his knee.

The Titans’ pass rush was such a jailbreak repeatedly that backup quarterback Dan Orlovsky only wished he could make it to the back line of the end zone in order to escape the game in one piece.

But even in the most trying of times, there is a glimmer of light. The Bucs’ linebackers actually played OK. Rookie linebacker Lavonte David actually played really well.

No, he didn’t flash for a pickoff, he didn’t shine on a sack. But he did the little things right.

One example was on a run play by Chris Johnson to the right side. The Bucs linebackers had Johnson bottled up and as Johnson is wont to do to many NFL teams, he was ready to reverse field for a big gain.

But no! As soon as he turned to his left, he was met — rudely, in fact — by David.

On the run play, to the opposite side of the field from David, the Bucs rookie trailed Johnson, filling the gap which is the disciplined thing to do. This prevented Johnson from being able to reverse field.

So when plays of this ugly night creep back into Joe’s memory (Jeremy Trueblood getting routed; Jeremy Zuttah getting abused; Blount’s injury), Joe will also try to remember how well David played in this mess of a game.

Donald Penn is expected to resume practicing with the first team on Monday after being activated earlier this evening.

It may have flown past some Bucs fans heads earlier this evening when the Bucs activated Donald Penn, but the Bucs All-Pro left tackle should resume practice full-time next week, so said his backup Demar Dotson.

“I think he will be back next week, will likely be back [practicing with the first team] Monday, which will push me back to a backup position,” Dotson said. “Hopefully he is healed and he will be ready to go next preseason game.”

That would be a week from tonight when the Bucs host the Patriots.

Roy Miller was targeted early and often by the Titans Friday night.

This season, Joe noticed there was some hype about the apparent new Myron Lewis. Yeah, Joe noticed Lewis was making some plays in training camp… and was giving up just as many plays as well.

Also, Joe learned that there was a new Roy Miller, who seemed to fit Greg Schiano’s defense. That suddenly, free of pain, Miller was the stud of the defensive line.

It appears both forecasts were, well, premature.

Myron Lewis was his usual self Friday night, either getting burned on a play or getting caught in the wash enabling Chris Johnson to run amok.

Johnson was also able to gash the Bucs defense up the middle, largely because Miller was getting worked over.

The Bucs defense Friday night looked eerily like the Bucs defense that got lit up last November (although the play of the linebackers was mostly OK).

If Miller is to be the starting noseguard, he simply has to play better, there is no way around that.

Joe doesn’t know what to write about Lewis at this point.

The way the Bucs played last week against the putrid Dolphins, it seemed the offensive line was going to lead the way to an offensive renaissance.

A week later, Bucs fans have come back to reality.

Against the Titans, in some cases, the line was porous. Jeremy Trueblood struggled and yes, he was flagged too.

Jeremy Zuttah was abused often.

Even Demar Dotson got burned.

There were a few holes for LeGarrette Blount and Doug Martin to run through. The best run of the night came on the heels of a holding penalty. Once, Blount was nailed by three defenders in the backfield at about the same time he got the handoff.

If the Bucs want to be a strong, smashmouth running team, the offensive line has to do better and it also needs to keep Josh Freeman’s jersey clean. Too often he either had to rush a pass or was flushed out of the pocket, usually from a rush from the right side.

It’s only halfway through the preseason schedule and no time for panic, but Josh Freeman still hasn’t completed a deep pass.

On the Buccaneers Radio Network pregame show today, rockstar general manager Mark Dominik reminded Bucs fans that offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan is a play-action guy and that throwing deep will be a big part of the Bucs’ offense.

Well, Josh Freeman finished the night 4-of-10 for 21 yards. Vincent Jackson’s evening was highlighted by a drop and an eight-yard, first-down grab on the opening drive.

Joe could see that receivers weren’t open for Freeman, but Joe also wasn’t liking opening the game with a barely sold play-action fake to LeGarrette Blount that didn’t fool anyone.

Sure, the Bucs will complete passes this season. But Joe would have liked to see more creativity in the offense tonight, and the Bucs stick to the power running game early. Unlike in Miami, the offense had no identity against Tennessee.

Even if Blount escapes a serious injury, Joe’s confident Bucs fans won’t see him for the rest of the preseason.

Quite a scary moment when LeGarrette Blount was drilled in the left knee late in the first half tonight. Blount was on the ground for a solid minute and gingerly walked off the field.

Blount was seen limping on the sidelines in the second half in full uniform, and the Bucs will update his condition in the coming days.

But regardless of how the Bucs list Blount’s injury, Joe’s confident Blount is done for the preseason. There’s no reason to play him next week against New England if he’s not 100 percent. And there likely won’t be any first-teamers playing in Washington five days later.

Doug Martin has quite an opportunity to shine next week and possibly earn bell-cow status.

Titans 30, Bucs 7

The preseason is the best time for stinkers, right?

Well, the long-awaited home opener of the New Schiano Order sure had an ugly odor to it.

While lousy for the fans, this is probably a good thing for the Bucs. Schiano is sure to give the team a verbal humbling and a huge reality check this week in the film room. Bill Belicheat and the Patriot Way coming to One Buc Palace this week to practice with the Bucs couldn’t come at a better time.

OK boys and girls, here is the open thread to discuss, banter and scream and holler about the Bucs first preseason game of the 2012 season, hosting the Titans.

Always remember and never forget: Pasting links to pirated video feeds will result in banishment, no questions asked. However, you may share via e-mail any links.

Have fun and behave!

Preseason Week 2

Titans at Bucs

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

TV: WTSP Channel 10. The game is blacked out in the Tampa and Orlando TV markets, but will be broadcast on a tape-delayed basis tonight at 11:30 p.m. on WTSP-TV Channel 10 locally. The game also will air Saturday at noon on Ch. 10. The NFL Network will replay it Sunday, Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. and Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 1 p.m. The game is also available at NFL.com and on Apple/Android tablets with a subscription to NFL Preseason Live.

Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network (in Tampa WFUS-FM, 103.5 and WDAE-AM, 620); SiriusXM Channel 93.

Weather: Per AccuWeather.com, expect a good chance of thunderstorms early but those should disperse by the end of the first quarter. Temperature at kickoff is expected to be 83 and will only drop slightly to 80 by game’s end.

Odds: Per Sportsbook.com, Bucs -2.5.

Outlook: This will be Bucs fans’ first look at the team under game conditions at home for the 2012 campaign. Here are a few things Joe would like to see and/or monitor:

Will scatback Michael Smith get a chance to play with on the first-team offense and against a first-team defense? Smith showed against future insurance salesmen and beer truck drivers he is lethal in the return game. Can he do the same against NFL regulars? Also, Smith had a rough go of it in the backfield with bouncers blocking for him. Joe would love to see what Smith can do with his wheels with the big boys blocking for him.

Don’t put the ball on the ground. Yes, Joe is looking at Preston Parker, who had an ugly game at Miami. If he fumbles again and gets another stupid 15-yard penalty, Joe’s not sure how much longer he sticks with the team. Those two offenses are cardinal sins in the New Schiano Order.

Can the Bucs offense repeat last week? The Bucs moved the ball well against the putrid Dolphins. The Titans are a little bit better. Mounting clock-killing drives again would be comforting.

Stopping Jake Locker. Joe has been on record that the Bucs defense still scares him. Jake Locker, the second-year Titans quarterback, is starting tonight. If he moves the ball on the Bucs, along with running back Chris Johnson, this may be a harbinger of the season.

Mark Barron. If his toe is healthy, he will start tonight and promises to show Bucs fans his physical play which has been dialed down in training camp because Greg Schiano doesn’t want his offensive players visiting a hospital.

Bucs linebacker Najee Goode blasts Miami wide receiver Roberto Wallace in both teams’ preseason opener last week.

Having just finished his first NFL training camp, rookie linebacker Najee Goode has noticed how the Bucs came together under the brutal Florida sun and new coach Greg Schiano.

“It has been fun,” Goode said. “It was a learning experience. They say the first training camp used to be a lot tougher, but with Coach Schiano, we came together as a family. The heat made it hard but we are better for it.”

Goode explained how he had no shortage of help from other players into learning the New Schiano Order.

“I learned a lot from the veterans, guys at my position like Quincy [Black] and Adam [Hayward],” Goode said. “I even learned from guys not at my position like Ronde [Barber].”

Goode explained that whoever the Mike-linebacker is, calls the defensive plays, with a caveat.

“Coach Sheridan calls the plays, we just have to execute them,” Goode joked.

But it was second-year linebacker Mason Foster who Goode believes he may have learned the most from. Goode talked about how he roomed with Foster in Miami during last week’s first preseason game of the season and the two rarely left the hotel room, choosing instead to cram for the game like a final exam.

“It was really cool,” Goode said of Foster’s help. “We just going over plays and relaxing.”

One reason some believe the in-home experience of enjoying NFL games is superior to the in-game environment is missing the long lines just to get into the stadium.

That can be brutal on Florida last-summer and early-fall days with the sun beating on fans while they stand on blistering concrete with no shade to speak of.

Long lines are due, in part, to safety measures the NFL enacted to keep fans from harm’s way. The lines developed because fans were fondled patted down and, in some cases, frisked.

Well, no more pat-downs. Hello scanners.

Fans attending the Bucs game tonight will be wanded, much like when you forget your car keys are in your pocket when you walk through security at an airport, so reports a nameless typist at TBO.com.

“We’re optimistic that as fans get accustomed to this procedure, it will result in less time in line and smaller crowds at the gate prior to kickoff,” said Mickey Farrell, operations director at Raymond James Stadium.

Fans will need to have keys, phones and other metal items in their hands during the wand screening.

Bag searches will still take place, and prohibited items may be confiscated.

Joe hopes this lessens the wait in line for fans, which is the reason the wands were broken out. Thunderstorms are expected right around kickoff. The last thing needed is a line waiting to get into the stadium clogged by security checks when there is lightning in the air.

“Just being perfectly honest, there’s not a whole lot next to him,” John Lynch says of Gerald McCoy.

Count Joe among those who get hives thinking about the Bucs’ defensive line depth and overall talent level.

It seems right now that Wallace Gilberry and George Johnson are the backups at defensive end. Then on the interior line, a significantly banged up Amobi Okoye and Gary Gibson are sitting behind Roy Miller on the depth chart. Joe’s feeling more hope than confidence.

Speaking of Miller, it seems John Lynch is depressed by the Bucs’ crop of nose tackles. Lynch had hefty praise for Gerald McCoy this morning during an interview WDAE-AM 620, but the Bucs icon is concerned McCoy will not benefit much from the guy next to him.

“What would concern me is, Does he get worn out?” Lynch said of McCoy. “Because you’re going to ask a lot of him because he’s the best you have. Just being perfectly honest, there’s not a whole lot next to him. So I think he’s going to be the guy getting doubled all the time.”

Lynch went on to say he’d like to see whether a defensive end emerges to rush inside to take pressure of McCoy on passing downs.

Hopefully, Lynch’s study of the Miami game film was off the mark and the Bucs’ D-line is a shining star, as longtime NFL personnel guru Bill Polian recently claimed. This is definitely another thing to zero in on tonight.

Below is the full Lynch interview: He drops a great story about how Bill Belicheat tried to turn him into a linebacker.