Joe has learned that his good friend “The Big Dog,” Steve Duemig, is reporting Bucs wide receiver Michael Clayton has resigned with the Bucs.

(“The Big Dog” has a trusted source on this, trust Joe.)

PewterReport is reporting this, as well. Joe thought he’d throw a bone to PewterReport since Joe has learned through his friends in the fouth estate that the PewterReport.com braintrust are avid readers of Joe.

Clayton, 26, will sign a new five-year contract with the Bucs, as first reported by WDAE 620’s Steve Duemig.

A 2004 first-round draft pick, Clayton received significant interest from other teams on the open market, including Detroit and Seattle. According to the Duemig, Clayton turned down more money with Seattle to re-sign with Tampa Bay.

Joe loves how Clayton blocks; hates how he drops passes. Let’s all hope that whatever demon keeps him from dropping passes has been exorcised.

Now, Joe resumes his treasured late-Saturday, early-Sunday drinking.

(FYI, generally when a player is off the Bucs roster, the squirrels at Buccaneers.com remove any and all photos of said player. For example, mere seconds after Black Wednesday’s news broke, none of the five players’ photos could be found on Buccaneers.com. Clayton’s photos cannot be found on Buccaneers.com as of 12:41 a.m. Sunday. Strange.)

Like most Bucs fans, Bucs safety Sabby Piscitelli learned of Derrick Brooks being cut by news reports.

Just because Bucs safety Sabby Piscitelli is on the Bucs payroll doesn’t mean he’s in the loop.

Speaking with Pat Kirwan on Sirius NFL Radio’s “End Zone” Saturday night, Piscitelli explained that he learned of the news of Derrick Brooks and four other Bucs teammates getting cut the same way most Bucs fans: by the fourth estate.

“I was downstairs getting something to drink out of the refrigerator and I looked over and saw Brooks’ picture on” BSPN, Piscitelli said. “I thought, ‘Uh, oh. This isn’t good.'”

Piscitelli, like most Bucs fans, is depressed over the move.

“He’s the smartest player I’ve ever played with,” Piscitelli said. “He had so much knowledge and he shared it with all of us.”

Piscitelli also noted that, ironically, Chucky helped pave the way for The Dream to get the head coaching position. Chucky often let The Dream speak to the team as a whole. So for Piscitelli, the fact The Dream is now the head coach isn’t that much of a transition.

Piscitelli too was depressed over Chucky getting fired because he “fed off of his energy.”

Piscitelli also said how he is looking forward to Luke McCown as the Bucs starting quarterback because “he’s young and hungry.”

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Justin Pawlowski talks about at the Matt Cassel trade and much more in his daily podcast exclusively for JoeBucsFan.com

The premier NFL Draft guru in the Bay area, Pawlowski hosts The Blitz, on 620 WDAE-AM, The Sports Animal.

His detailed mock drafts and intense player analysis is available to subscribers of Joe Confidential. You won’t find better draft coverage.

Joe puts re-signing Jermaine Phillips among his priorities. Hurry up already.

Joe is pacing waiting for the Bucs’ next move.

To soothe the nerves, Joe’s going to lay off the Beefeater and take a moment to offer some priorites for Mark Dominik and Raheem The Dream.

Since “the plan” for 2009  isn’t public, Joe thought he should spew some brief advice.

1) Rebuilding or not. Equip the team to certainly go 7-9 or better, so the Bay area doesn’t suffer the humiliation of blacked out games.

2) Sign or draft a guy whose jersey people will want to buy. It’s good for business.

3) Find a quarterback at least as good as Luke McCown to compete with him and back him up. (see No. 1)

4) Find a proven running back to team with Earnest Graham. Why have a young, improving, above average offensive line without big time talent and depth in the backfield? Cadillac doesn’t count.

5) Sign Jermaine Phillips. Tough, fast and nasty is more important than injury prone.

6) Let Michael Clayton drop passes for the Lions.

7) Find a beast for the defensive line. And maybe that’s through the draft. Just don’t let Jim Bates pick him. He tanked with a lot of early personnel control in Denver.

8 ) Use some of that cash to target high quality special teams players. Great field position and a solid running game are lifesavers for any young quarterback.

9) Think long and hard about re-signing Ike Hilliard. Yeah. Yeah. Joe knows he’s old and the Bucs are rebuilding. But catching the ball on third down and running smart routes is always critical. Moving the chains helps young offenses gain valuable experience.

10) Don’t throw the ball 50 times this year in the Meadowlands.

Cassel's off to K.C. in a trade. Joe wonders whether the Bucs will be interested in Tyler Thigpen. After all, he's young, fast and aggressive.

Take Matt Cassel out of the running for the Bucs QB job, reports NFL Radio.

The network just reported Cassel has been traded for the Chiefs for undisclosed draft picks.

Joe has to tip his cap to the Patriots. The grabbed Cassel out of nowhere turned him into an 11-5 quarterback.

Now the Patriots get to reload. Joe wonders how much they’ll be favored in October against the Bucs in England.

Joe wonders if the rumors pointing Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel to Tampa Bay have any merit?

If Anwar Richardson and Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune are reporting this, then the blog mentioned below must have a crumb of credibility.

Per MusketFire.com, a Patriots blog, the Bucs are trying to work a deal to bring quarterback Matt Cassel to Tampa Bay.

In short, the Patriots blog hints that a “major” three-way deal involving the Bucs, Chiefs and Patriots will result in the Bucs landing Cassel.

This new deal is rumored to involve the Bucs’ 1st round draft pick this year (#19) and their second round pick in the 2010 draft (conditional),in exchange for Cassel. With NE sending Vrabel to KC for a draft pick, and KC getting another player. Also rumored is that TB is working details on a new contract roughly worth close to $ 30 million for four-years for Cassel.

Joe would rather pass on Cassel. Joe is of the impression Cassel is a system quarterback. If Cassel could be had for the right price (second round pick), OK. Joe just thinks Cassel benefited too much from playing in a perfect system. Otherwise, he would have been a starter in college.

THE PESSIMIST can hear Vince Lombardi screaming right now, from those classic NFL Films, throwing his rolled up playbook to the ground.

THE PESSIMIST wants to start cursing and throwing things right now. Right at Mark Dominik. But THE PESSIMIST  can’t. He’s at work and would get fired for such a stunt in a professional environment.

Good grief, THE PESSIMIST just can’t believe what is going on! First Dominik runs out the classiest act in the NFL (two actually) and a few hours later trades — willingly! — draft picks to get this mental midget jerk Kellen Winslow, Jr., like the Bucs don’t already have enough terribly underperforming spawns of Hall of Fame players.

Winslow… really Dominik??? What, you are trying to upgrade the character of the Bucs by (potentially) replacing a five-star a-hole (no, not Alex Rodriguez) like the King of Turds for a four-star a-hole??? The guy who thinks he’s some dime store Green Beret, cheap shot artist and mentally challenged six-year old kid all rolled into one?

Why do you think Eric (Not So Much Of A) Mangenius wanted no part of this walking injury report? Let’s take a peak at this moron’s brief football career:

When at the (eff) U, Winslow freaks out after a game, telling one and all he’s some sort of Audie Murphy in cleats, screaming to one and all how he’s “a solider!” and that football is “war!”

Meanwhile, real men fighting a real war protecting our freedom are being shot and killed by those animals that fly planes into buildings and behead people.

Yeah, some solider you are Winslow!

Then there’s the time when Sgt. Winslow was drafted by the Browns, he decided to reach out to his inner child (not much of a stretch), buy a crotch rocket and blow out a knee popping wheelies in a parking lot.

Then, two years ago on national television playing the Steelers on NFL Network, Sgt. Winslow has one of the all-time late hit of late hits on Steelers linebacker James Farrior. It was so terrible, players were walking to their huddles. It was so out of hand, Chris Collingsworth belted out to Sgt. Winslow, “Yeah, I know you’re supposed to a solider and everything but you have got to use your head!”

Sorry Chris. That’s hard for Sgt. Winslow to do since he had no head to use.

And now the Bucs have this jerk. Nice, real nice.

MEMO TO THE GLAZER BOYS: Will you please tell your employees they are not to, under any additional circumstances, trade for any more failed sons of Hall of Famers. Please!

What the hell is happening to our Bucs? THE PESSIMIST demands an explanation and there better not be one freaking reference to “The Plan.”

Among the non-big name free agents the Bucs are reported to be eyeing is Steelers wide receiver Nate Washington.

As Randy Cross of Sirius NFL Radio suggested yesterday, don’t expect the Bucs to go crazy in free agency now that the Bucs didn’t land the big fish, Albert Haynesworth.

Peter King of SI.com, who ironically once a week co-hosts “The Opening Drive” on NFL Radio with Bob Papa and Cross, wrote today on his site that the Bucs, despite being a record amount under the cap, won’t be spending like the proverbial drunken sailor.

Tampa Bay, a record $61 million under the salary cap after purging everyone but the office secretaries this week, was targeting New Orleans middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma and Pittsburgh wide receiver Nate Washington. The Bucs don’t want to hit home runs in free agency, but rather doubles with solid players they don’t have to overpay.

This is somewhat smart. Get good if not decent second tier players and then if the Bucs can hit home runs in the draft the next two years (Joe fully expects the Bucs to have a lousy record in 2009 thus a good spot in the draft in 2010), it will go a long way to getting the Bucs back in the playoffs in 2011 and beyond.

Yes, you read that right, 2011.

All one needs to know about Derrick Brooks was the first sentence that came out of his mouth in his farewell press conference at One Buc Palace.

“It’s been a pleasure.”

That floored Joe. Here is a guy that got kicked to the curb by the team he shed blood for, was virtually his entire life the past 14 years, and he tells the Pen and Mic Club (and indirectly, the fans listening on live radio), “It’s been a pleasure.”

Damn.

There were other tidbits too. Such as how he continues, after he was let go, to mentor linebacker Geno Hayes. This guy Brooks clearly doesn’t consider himself above others. Rather, he’s putting others before him, as he always seemed to have done.

This guy is special.

Just reading between the lines, it seems Brooks is done unless he gets a contract offer that knocks his socks off when he said, “Tampa will always be my home.”

The most ironic thing Brooks had to say was how payback might be a bitch. Joe heard Brooks speak to a small group once and confessed he nearly went to Florida if not for the bond he developed with Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews.

What assistant recruited Brooks for Florida? Jim Bates. Yes, the same Jim Bates who apparently decided Brooks wasn’t worthy of playing one more year for the Bucs.

Payback or irony?

Ian Beckles asked on his radio show on the Sports Animal, WDAE-AM 620, what athlete is a better sports model.

Joe can only think of maybe two. Maybe Roberto Clemente, who literally gave his life to help others.

Jackie Robinson, who indirectly gave his life for others, also springs to mind.

No question Brooks is, has been and likely will be the ultimate role model for Tampa Bay athletes.

No Derrick, you’re wrong. The pleasure has been ours.

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Don't stretch to find awesome analysis of the NFL draft. It all starts here Saturday. Give a listen below.

Hmm. Where would a Bucs fan go for the best NFL draft analysis on the planet?

The answer is right here, at JoeBucsFan.com

Courtesy of Justin Pawlowski, draft guru of The Sports Animal, 620 WDAE, the party starts here Saturday and runs into May.

 It’s going to cost you $10, and Joe will send you a $10 gift certificate to Courtside Grille. So basicially in a roundabout way, Joe is giving you Bucs draft coverage you will not find anywhere else on the planet, or the World Wide Web.

You can’t beat that.

Hear all about it below.

Derrick Brooks spoke to BSPN during its NFL Live show Thursday. Joe is sure this is just a taste of what Brooks will talk about at 9:30 a.m. this morning in his Bucs farewell news conference at One Buc Palace.

Anyone find it wierd that Brooks is holding his press conference at the headquarters of the team that just kicked him out the door?

WFAN-AM in New York claims the Bucs may land Giants running back Derrick Ward.

Joe isn’t much for listening to New York sports radio, though he loves the passion and fire of New York radio hosts; Joe gets his fill of Yankees talk when he listens to Chris “Mad Dog” trying to do a national radio show on Sirius, but always slides back into A-Roid talk.

Besides, Joe listens to Sirius NFL Radio when he’s not listening to local shows in the afternoon. What red-blooded American male wouldn’t?

Joe just received a call from his good friend Ozzie the Sports Junkie of WTMY-AM in Sarasota, who does listen to WFAN-AM, which is reporting the Bucs are the leading contender to land Giants running back Derrick Ward.

This move would please Joe. Ward is a proven solid runner and behind the Bucs offensive line he should so quite well.

Joe isn't going back to bed and curl up in a fetal position over the Bucs losing out on the Albert Haynesworth sweepstakes.

Joe breathed a sigh of relief this morning when he rolled out of the rack and learned Danny Snyder outbid the Bucs for Albert Haynesworth, as documented by Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post.

Despite the Bucs having more cash to play with than Obama, Joe just couldn’t justify throwing the federal treasury at Hanynesworth with so many red flags flying.

This news, however in Joe’s eyes, opens the door for the Bucs to get a good young(er) defensive tackle at a reasonable price, Kedric Golston of the Redskins. Surely Snyder, who didn’t have that much wiggle room under the cap, won’t spend top dollar to land Face Stomper and also keep Golston.

NFL Films has a variety of “Best Of… ” videos of a variety of Bucs (and former Bucs).

First up is the “Best of Jeff Garcia.”

Then there’s the “Best of Antonio Bryant.”

And what would be complete without the “Best of Clifton Smith.” Oddly, none of his fumbles at running back were highlighted. Joe thought that was why the Bucs unloaded Warrick Dunn? Strange.

As Joe has pointed out, former (Joe almost chokes up writing that) Bucs great Derrick Brooks is scheduled to hold a press conference from One Buc Palace at 9:30 a.m. today. There, he is to announce his plans.

He tipped his cap earlier today on BSPN’s NFL Live and said he wanted to play for any team, so reports Stephen Holder of the St. Petersburg Times.

“That’s my wish,” Brooks said when asked if he planned to continue playing. “We’ll see what the interest is out there and what options come along with it. I’ve never been in this situation so I really don’t know how to approach it outside of let’s see what teams call and look at it from that perspective with my family. If it’s one that I’m comfortable with I’ll move forward. If it’s not, I won’t.”

Apparently as of 1:17 a.m. this morning, BSPN hasn’t uploaded the video. When/if BSPN does, Joe will embed it for you.

Derrick Brooks will stand before the local media today.

Joe really doesn’t want to hear Brooks be all classy and nice. All Joe wants to hear is No. 55 say he’s going to play football this season.

The great ones go out on their own terms, or their bodies shut down.

 If Brooks quits now, he leaves at the hands of Mark Dominik and Raheem Morris.

That’s no way to go.

Joe is scheduled to go on the air at 11:30 p.m. this evening with Ozzie the Sports Junkie on WTMY-AM 1280 in Sarasota.

Ozzie can be heard weeknights from 11 p.m.-1 a.m.

The show can also be heard from the station’s website. No special software is needed. Just go to the site and listen, it’s that simple.

Former Bucs quarterback Jeff Carlson trains QBs of all ages with his company, America’s Best Quarterback. You can hear him as host of The Game on ESPN 1040AM, Sundays at 11 a.m. He’s a regular contributor to JoeBucsFan.com.

By Jeff Carlson
JoeBucsFan.com analyst

Looks like the Bucs’ new management is filled with avid readers of JoeBucsFan.com. And they take my opinions pretty seriously.

It’s no secret that I have been a big fan of giving the best athlete on the team a chance at quarterback and they brought back Luke McCown as a top priority.

In a posting from January 16 following Jon Gruden’s firing I wrote about the following about the talent level on the Bucs:

Earnest Graham is the only running back with potential. Antonio Bryant is the only quality receiver on the team – and he’s a free agent. The defensive front is questionable. Barrett Ruud is a stud, but Cato June is a question and Derrick Brooks should be a reserve. Ronde Barber is going to the Pro Bowl, but should be a situational nickel-back. Most of the role players don’t have upside (future starter) potential.

Those are opinions based on performance on the field, not memories of the good ‘ol days of yesteryear.

With that basis in mind, is today’s news of the Bucs releasing Derrick Brooks, Cato June, Warrick Dunn, Ike Hilliard and Joey Galloway really that surprising?

Mark Dominik made it pretty clear they didn’t want to see Brooks standing on the sideline in a ball cap, but for all the fans that want to get caught up in his history of greatness (and that is what it is, history) and his sure-fire Hall of Fame future, Brooks isn’t playing at that level anymore and he isn’t going to be running down on kick-offs or punt coverage.

Raheem Morris could not continue to show the individual favoritism to the likes of Joey Galloway’s prima donna practice schedule, if he wants to take this team back to an elite level.

Nothing tears apart a football team more than preferential treatment, no matter how good you are.

The good news is the GM and the coach aren’t making emotional fan-like decisions, but good solid football decisions. Go back to the earlier quote above from January and see if Ronde Barber’s role doesn’t get redefined before the season, as well.

I don’t know that we have seen the last of this group of ex-Bucs, but just keep reading my posts and you’ll be able to prepare yourself for the next move by the Bucs’ brass.

Warrick Dunn's forced exit from the Bucs makes as little sense as Derrick Brooks' departure.

One of the things that has Joe still shaking his head from Black Wednesday is what happened to Warrick Dunn. By most accounts, the Bucs are shorthanded at the running back position. Earnest Graham was dinged last year. Cadillac Williams is far from a certain return.

So why make the backfield even weaker and thinner? It’s not like Dunn wasn’t productive. As a part-time back, he got over 1,000 yards offense including 300-plus yards receiving, averaging seven yards a carry. How many part-time backs that diverse are walking the streets looking for work?

Again, like Derrick Brooks getting the pink slip, Dunn is a local if not statewide icon whose releast had nothing to do with salary cap concerns.

Some suggest the Bucs wanted to work Clifton Smith in the mix, which is OK. Anyone want to take a guess why Smith didn’t get too many chances under Chucky? Here’s a valid reason.

Half — literally, half — the attempts Smith had at running back he fumbled. Joe constantly rags on Son of Bob for his turnovers and will continue to do so so long as that stiff with a famous dad is wearing a Bucs jersey (unless he’s sitting in the stands and bought a ticket like Joe).

So a guy fumbling the ball half the time he touches it, well, Joe totally understands why Smith didn’t get many chances. So it’s even harder for Joe to swallow the fact a good man who is still a good player got cut so a guy who fumbles half the time can get more carries.

So this is The Dream’s “plan?”

Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune obtained a transcript of Joey Galloway’s interview on Sirius NFL Radio’s “The Red Zone” with Solomon Wilcots and Gil Brandt.

Because Chucky couldn’t figure out how to use both him and Antonio Bryant at the same time (yet this is the same coach who someone figured out how to use Jerry Rice, Tim Brown and Jerry Porter at the same time), Galloway took the field only a scant few times. As a result, he hasn’t been dinged up and he’s healthy.

Because of this, Galloway is geeked about playing for whatever team will sign the graybeard.

“I came out probably as healthy as I’ve been in my 14 year career. So I’m pretty excited about what happens next. I’ve started working out, preparing myself, which I always do at this time of year. So I’m looking forward to it and I feel great physically, mentally. I’m looking forward to the new challenge.”

Like Galloway, Joe was not surprised with Galloway getting shown the door. Galloway is good people. Joe only hopes he has some good success and few injuries wherever he lands.