The Dream was praised on NFL Radio for his infectious personality

On Sirius NFL Radio Monday morning Adam Schein, host of the The Blitz (Justin, Joe trusts you have trademarked the name of your show), spoke about meeting both Bucs general manager Mark Dominik and Bucs coach Raheem The Dream last week at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

And while Schein admitted he’s a big fan of Chucky and Bruce Almighty and was critical of the Glazer Boys for canning the dynamic duo, his mind is beginning to open towards Dominik and The Dream.

“I feel good about the direction of Tampa Bay. You can’t help but fall in love with Raheem Morris. He has an infectious personality but also will kick your ass on the field.

“Dominik gets it. He has a good sense of a plan. I think Tampa Bay is in good hands.”

Joe certainly hopes Schein is correct.

Joe is concerned that free agent defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth may not be worth the risk. Peter King of SI.com is of the same mind.

A lot of Bucs fans are jumping on the Albert Haynesworth bandwagon, hoping the Bucs throw the bank at the free agent defensive tackle.

Peter King of SI.com, in his weekly Monday Morning Quarterback column today, takes a good look at Haynesworth and isn’t exactly drinking the Kool-Aid. In fact, King suggests only a few teams are looking seriously at signing the 28-year old (and King doesn’t mention the Bucs as one of those teams). King did write about Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder as being smitten with Haynesworth.

In fact, Washington might be the logical landing spot. Hmmmm. I wonder why Redskins owner Dan Snyder was having dinner with the agent for Haynesworth, Chad Speck, at Morton’s here Saturday night. I’m sure they were just talking about how it was colder here than at the Arctic Circle. But I kept asking all weekend: “Who wants Haynesworth — or, more appropriately, who’s going to pony up for him?” And I got the old “it only takes one” answer a few times. But one coach told me the smartest thing, and this was a coach who has some interest in getting Haynesworth at the right price, which is about half of what Haynesworth is hoping to get. “Everybody I’ve asked this weekend says, ‘We’re out of that,’ or ‘I don’t think you’ll see us involved in Haynesworth.’ ”

Sad, really, because he’s a great football player, an impactful player who can change a game from the interior defensive line spot. The downer stuff about Haynesworth:

• He’s never played a full season. He’s started three, 11, 10, 14, 10, 12 and 14 in his seven seasons.

• He’s never played more than 65 percent of the Titans’ defensive snaps in a season. You might say a Nnamdi Asomugha is tremendously overpaid at $15-million a year (much more on him later in the column), but Asomugha or a quarterback is going to play 95 percent of his unit’s plays in the course of a year, barring injury. Even if healthy, Haynesworth’s going to come off the field a third of the time, minimum. So do you want to pay quarterback money to a player who never touches the ball and plays two-thirds of the snaps a franchise quarterback plays? It makes no sense.

• He’s got a reputation for coasting on some plays.

• He’ll be 28 on opening day. You want to pay a 335-pound guy who’s never started more than 14 games and is entering his eighth year $13 million or $15 million a year? Good luck.

In the end, my guess is Snyder will pay up and grab him. He’s the kind of trophy player Snyder would love to have, and the kind of player, if healthy, who will really help the Redskins close the gap on the Giants in the NFC East.

The thing that spooks Joe about Haynesworth is that he is nearly 30 and there is significant evidence that once defensive tackles reach 30, because they’ve been beat on so much, their production drops like a rock. So in essence, the Bucs would be throwing cash at a guy for two or three seasons.

Is that worth the gamble? Joe isn’t so sure.

Watching Chucky on NFL Network, it’s clear that he has a future in broadcasting. He’s not a star, but he’s got potential when he’s not glowing about seemingly every single player.

JoeBucsFan.com analyst Bob Fox takes a look at Chucky’s immediate future in the studio, which could land him the seat he always craved –alongside Brett Favre.

Check out Fox’s analysis now in the JoeBucsFan.com Features section.

Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com suggests the Bucs will select a quarterback in the first round and it will be Mark Sanchez.

Well, at least this makes a helluva lot more sense than Josh Freeman or Alex Mack.

Like Mel Kiper of BSPN, Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com opines the Bucs will draft a quarterback in the first round. Unlike Kiper, Schrager believes it will be USC quarterback Mark Sanchez.

I know, I know. Sanchez is going as high as No. 3 to Kansas City on some other mock drafts. And yes, it seems absurd that he’d slip all the way to 19. But I’m not crazy about him as an NFL quarterback, and I’m not so certain NFL draft experts are either. Tampa Bay’s QB spot is a mystery, and they did draft Josh Johnson a year ago. At 19, this is a risk worth taking. As for the other mock drafts, remember — most had Aaron Rodgers going second overall in 2005 and Brady Quinn going as high as first.

Joe doesn’t know what to make of Sanchez. At first glance, USC has a veritable quarterback factory in the City of Angels. But Sanchez only shined for one season. Can you say “Akili Smith?” Had Sanchez staying in school and shredded Pac-10 defenses another year, Joe would be fully on the Mark Sanchez bandwagon.

Joe isn’t sure he’d pull the trigger on Sanches with the No. 19 pick.

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Though this is a bit dated, Joe stumbled upon a John Lynch interview for XX Sports Radio out of San Diego. Lynch talks about all sorts of things including his transformation from Pro Bowl safety to TV talking head, about how the last three coaches he played for are now all unemployed, how he’s too old to be an NFL head coach and some inside stories of his battles with Mike Tomlin with the Bucs and what he thinks of Raheem The Dream.

The San Diego sports radio hosts refer to Lynch as “The mayor of Tampa.”

NFL Network has a video highlight package of Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks titled “2008: Best Derrick Brooks.” As one can expect from NFL Films and the NFL Network, it’s good stuff.

Though it’s not 100 percent that Brooks will be back next season, Joe just cannot see Brooks not being with the Bucs. Sure he’s getting up there in years but he’s still a solid linebacker. The public relations hit the Bucs would take just wouldn’t be worth it (remember the John Lynch fiasco?).

Brooks should, and Joe believes will, line up as usual for the Bucs in his No. 55 this September.

NFL Network stud reporter Adam Schefter caught up with Raheem The Dream on the sidewalk in Indianapolis yesterday at the NFL Combine.

As usual, The Dream doesn’t say a whole lot but he did have an interesting story of being with Mike Tomlin on the field of the CITS when the Steelers clinched the Super Bowl earlier this month. Hopefully something about that moment will wear off on The Dream.

Veterans like Joey Galloway will have to drastically alter their physical preparation under The Dream regime

So it seems Raheem the Dream’s “Staying the Course” philosophy will not include Jon Gruden’s preservation approach to practice.

Chucky was known leaguewide for giving select veterans Wednesdays off and more between games and for practicing without pads often.

In the Dream’s regime, time off and glorified walkthroughs make a team soft and hurt chemistry, he tells the St. Pete Times.

Morris also indicated he won’t tolerate some players taking scheduled days off during the week while the rest of the team receives no such benefit.

“Everything has got to change as far as that,” Morris said. “It’s my job to relate to those guys what I expect out of them, what I need them to give me and then hold them accountable doing it. Once I get a chance to do that, it will be fine.

“You’re looking for 53 guys who are going to buy in and then go to war with those guys. If it’s only 40 at the time, then you play with those 40 until you can develop the other guys and you tolerate the rest until you can replace them.”

Interesting that Dream says he will tolerate those who don’t buy in and then replace them. That comment, in Joe’s eyes, shows a lot of maturity on his part.

Joe wonders whether Dream will have a big doghouse, or just work with said players, communicate with them effectively and get the most out of them until he sends them packing.

Life will change greatly for the Bucs veterans. Guys like Joe Galloway and Warrick Dunn had gotten very comfortable with Chucky’s tender loving care when it came to their bodies.

Albert Hayneworth is almost 28, has never played a full season and is officially on the Bucs radar as a defensive savior

“Vacation Man,” in his NFC South blog for ESPN.com, notes that Raheem the Dream’s comments about free agent defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth on Friday might earn him a spanking from the Bucs’ general manager.

Here’s why you’ve got to love 32-year-old, first-time head coaches. They talk.

Enjoy it while you can because Tampa Bay’s Raheem Morris probably already has received a lecture from Mark Dominik on the importance of not saying much about personnel.

So what did Dream say about Haynesworth? Not much. But something for Joe and other Bucs fans to chew on during these long February weekends.

I’m not even sure if it’s legal for me to talk about him yet because we haven’t started (free agency),” Morris said. “But he definitely has talent. He’s definitely on the radar and we’ll see when that time comes.

If you happen to be drinking the Derek Anderson-traded to the Bucs rumors that are starting to pick up steam — Ozzie the Sports Junkie proudly boasts he started the rumors — then, in the words of Ian Beckles, “Hold up!”

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com explains why that likely will not happen.

Please take some time this evening before you turn in for the night to hear Joe on the radio.

Joe will be making a special in-studio appearance 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.

Sounds like lovely Mrs. Garcia could grace the Bucs sidelines once again.

UPDATE: Friday, 2/20, 1:30 p.m.: Joe has learned from a trusted source that Jeff Garcia has not, in fact, closed the door on a return to Tampa Bay.

As Joe reminded you the other day, he is a man. Therefore he watches NFL Network regularly.

Joe also listens to NFL Radio on Sirius.

Raheem The Dream was on NFL Radio today talking glowingly about Jeff Garcia and his winning ways and leadership and how the Bucs wanted to let him test the free agency market.

Then The Dream happily said, “Who knows, at the end of the day he may be a Buccaneer.”

(Joe couldn’t believe after that bombshell there was no follow up question by host Adam Schein.)

Sounds to Joe like the Bucs and Garcia were initially far apart on money, so they told him to test the market and come back soon to talk.

Now 39, Garcia will struggle to find a No. 1 job in the NFL. The Bucs might just be ready to offer him market value – lower than Garcia hoped – and a chance to compete for the starting job.

As we know, among The Dream’s first words were that he planned to “Stay the Course.”

Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said on Sirius NFL Radio Friday afternoon that Cadillac Williams might still be available this season.

It was Bucs Lunch on Sirius NFL Radio today.

Shortly after Raheem The Dream made an appearance on “The Sirius Blitz” with Adam Schein and Solomon Wilcots broadcasting live from Indianapolis at the NFL Combine, Bucs general manager Mark Dominik stepped to the microphone.

When asked if the Bucs were looking to add to their running back stable, Dominik didn’t deny it, saying, in as many words, the Bucs are always looking to upgrade that position. Dominik didn’t rule out Cadillac Williams for 2009.

Dominik noted that Earnest Graham “is fine, he’s OK,” and began to rave about Williams.

“He’s making remarkable progress,” Dominik said. “Come June or July, we’ll have a better idea about how he’s coming along.” Until then, Dominik said, the Bucs cannot now rule him out for the upcoming season.

Dominik did say the Bucs offensive staff will be trying to work in Clifton Smith more in game plans.

The Dream says Antonio Bryant brings passion to the locker room, not a me-first disruptive presence

In between leaving open a possible Jeff Garcia return during his aforementioned interview on NFL Radio today, Raheem The Dream was asked about newly franchise-tagged Antonio Bryant.

The Dream made it clear that he wants “passionate” players like Bryant on his team. And referring to Bryant he said the wide receiver is “not disruptive” but “passionate.”

The Dream went on to say he he’d like Bryant signed to a long term deal.

If ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio really believes the Bucs will select California center Alex Mack in the first round, Florio really needs a nap or a health evaluation.

Joe loves Mike Florio’s ProFootballTalk.com and goes there several times a day. Joe was fortunate to run into Florio at Super Bowl Media Day and he was as kind as can be to Joe, which only reinforced Joe’s opinion of him.

Sometimes, however, Florio is so far out there Joe has to take exception. For example, Florio is still beating the drum that Chucky will wind up at Notre Dame if not Tennessee.

When Joe reads this, he’s convinced Florio needs more sleep. Joe has noticed at times Florio posting past 1 a.m. and then posting again at 6 a.m. And Florio also has a law practice.

(Sure, Joe too posts in the wee hours of the morning, but at least he’s not posting again until at least 7 a.m.).

This morning, Florio posted his own mock draft. Joe is of two minds about mock drafts: he will never have one or participate in one but Joe also confesses to enjoy reading them.

That written, Florio’s pick for the Bucs with the 19th selection is…

California center Alex Mack.

Hey Mike, far be it from you to take advice from Joe. After all, Joe has only taken a couple of law classes (and passed both if you can imagine). Joe doesn’t pretend to be a physician or play one on TV. But Mike, you really, really, really need to take some time off and get some sleep.

Of all the needs the Bucs have they should draft a player for their strongest unit, offensive line? Shoot, Mel Kiper’s prediction of drafting Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman makes more sense than this.

THE PESSIMIST says Antonio Bryant's me-first attitude should have the Bucs thinking trade

Antonio Bryant is already unhappy and his new Lotto ticket hasn’t even cleared the bank.

What a piece of work.

The Bucs gave Bryant a chance to return to the NFL last year. He delivered. Then on Wednesday they gave him a nearly $10 million windfall in the form of the franchise tag for 2009. Now Bryant wants financial “security” in the form of a long term deal, he told the Tampa Tribune. And his agent gave the St. Pete Times an earful about Bryant’s disappointment.

The dude needs to shut his mouth.

Bryant should be grateful he landed on a team so devoid of receiving talent it had to franchise an unstable personality who hasn’t made a Pro Bowl. Joe has already guided you to read between the lines of Doug Williams’ comments, which reveal Bryant is a head case in need of a good shrink, even in good times.

The Bucs don’t really need Bryant. They just need talent under 37 years old at wide receiver.

Face it, Bryant doesn’t get the franchise tag if Michael Clayton could catch the damn ball and if Chucky had stopped punishing Joey Galloway last year long enough to get the old guy 50+ catches.

The Bucs tagged Bryant out of desperation. That’s no way to operate.

Would anybody bet Bryant is all smiles for Jeff Jagodzinski or the Bucs new starting quarterback? Is he really a lock to get along with two new coaches in a row under the pressure of another contract year? THE PESSIMIST surely wouldn’t lay money on either.

Bryant was flapping his arms and whining on the field last year when he didn’t get the ball. And that was all happening with a coach who loved him dearly in the middle of what likely was a career year. 

Anquan Boldin can be had. The Cardinals can’t realistically afford him and Larry Fitzgerald and free agent Kurt Warner. Boldin’s done it longer and better than Bryant, and he’s a Florida guy who wants out. His agent is even on the record saying he wants to play in Florida.

The Bucs should find a way to acquire Boldin, trade Bryant and pick up a free agent receiver whose name doesn’t end with Clayton.

From the Edmonton Eskimos to the Buccaneers comes Kelly Campbell. Yes, the Eskimos look like the Packers.

Kelly Campbell has bounced around the NFL, as well as jail cells and court rooms.

Now the top receiver for the Edmonton Eskimos is a Bucs wide receiver, says Pewter Report.

Campbell is a little guy known for his speed. He was an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech signed by the Minnesota Vikings in 2002. In 2008, he led the CFL in yards per catch (22.6) and also returned kickoffs. 

It sure seems to Joe that the new Bucs regime has zero hopes for Dexter Jackson.

The lovely Tiffany Simons and somebody named Gregg Rosenthal of NBCSports.com have a two-part series of something rather vapid called “The Fixies.” Joe isn’t really sure what purpose this serves, but in the opening seconds to the video posted below, Ms. Simons utters the phrase, “Off the field fantasies.”

Ah, Tiffany, if you could only read Joe’s mind.

In Part One of the series, Ms. Simons drops the names “Mike Alstott” and “Antonio Bryant.”

Joe wishes Tiffany would drop something else, but Joe has to remind himself this is a PG-rated blog.

Justin Pawlowski revisits the steep price paid by the Bucs for Keyshawn Johnson

Justin Pawlowski, host of The Blitz on 620 AM, The Sports Animal, has entered the new millenium with his Draft Rewind Series (scrowl down slightly on his page).

Pawlowski reminds us how the Bucs dealt two first round picks for Keyshawn Johnson, and how one should look at the success of the deal in evaluating the draft. Thought-provoking stuff.

From where Joe sits, Keyshawn helped push the Bucs over the edge into the promised land. He’d make the trade again.

Joe is now just nine days away from the debut of Pawlowski’s exclusive NFL draft coverage debuts on JoeBucsFan.com.

It will be can’t-miss coverage!

Pat “Vacation Man” Yasinskas is reporting the Bucs have re-signed Ryan Sims. This is not exactly big news, but Yasinskas speculates it could be an indication the Bucs will jump into the Albert Haynesworth sweepstakes.

Joe doesn’t necessary follow Vacation Man’s logic, but it seems he thinks Jovan Haye is a goner.

Defensive coordinator Jim Bates likes monsters in the middle of his defensive line, and Sims is about 6′ 4″, 320 lbs. But there’s no reason to believe Sims will become a good player.

Big doesn’t always mean much, Yinka Dare and Georghe Muresan come to mind. Yes, Joe watched a couple of NBA games last night.

The fact that new Bucs defensive coordinator Jim Bates refused to comment on the status of Ronde Barber is unsettling to Joe.

So the Bucs braintrust rolled out new defensive coordinator Jim Bates to swap stories with the local pen and mic club yesterday. There were two related elements Bates discussed that intrigued Joe. Specifically, one of the elements that Bates didn’t speak of raised Joe’s antennae. (Coincidentally, this photo of Carmella raised something else, but Joe won’t get into that.)

Earlier this week Joe posted a nugget from ProFootballWeekly.com that the Bucs have placed a high priority on signing cornerback Philip Buchanon because of the declining play of Ronde Barber. Bates intends to have his cornerbacks play more bump-and-run and, so insiders say, this is not Barber’s forte.

Wednesday, Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune noted what Joe terms as eye-opening.

Bates still is in the process of evaluating players on the team and could not give his opinions on every individual, including whether he thought CB Ronde Barber and LB Derrick Brooks could still be key players this season. He will leave for the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday and continue to figure out what Tampa Bay’s biggest needs are.

To Joe, this is not comforting. Though Joe fully expects Brooks to return, the fact that Bates wouldn’t comment on Barber’s status speaks volumes. It’s not like Barber is some scrub that might fly under the radar of some coaches. Barber’s a longtime stud and deserves sober consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Surely Bates knows all about him.

In Joe’s eyes, if Bates had any desire whatsoever of keeping Barber around, or at least in the starting lineup, he would have said something empty or transparent to pacify the fourth estate like, “Ronde is a true professional and his body of work speaks for itself.” Per Richardson, Bates refused any comment on Barber.

Sometimes, silence is quite loud.