Though some will suggest otherwise, Joe does not bash blocking icon Michael Clayton as much as some Bucs fans and local radio hosts. But even those from the ivory towers of the fourth estate are befuddled as to how Clayton has kept his job.

In a recent question-and-answer session on TBO.com. Tampa Tribune Bucs beat writer Anwar Richardson confesses that the job security of Clayton is a puzzle that perhaps Steven Hawking would be hard-pressed to solve.

Q: The Bucs require obvious assistance at many positions. DT, OT, CB, S and WR. Maybe you can tell me and the rest of the free world why are they holding onto a reciever that can’t and doesn’t catch the ball, and has been injured 98 percent of his career? Clayton needs to be shown the door now, and maybe we can recoup a draft pick even in the 6th round for a perennial subpar player who is taking up an exorbitant amount of money.

Chuck King, Palm Beach County

A: The answer to your question is more confusing than “The Da Vinci Code.” After Clayton had five catches for 93 yards in Week 1, Raheem Morris challenged the media to question why his favorite receiver was still on the team. Clayton finished the season with 16 catches for 230 yards and one touchdown and, needless to say, Morris never challenged the media on that point again.

— Anwar Richardson

You know what puzzles Joe more than Clayton keeping his job?

That Bucs management has done so little to beef up the wide receivers to help out their franchise quarterback, who on paper looks like he is being hung out to dry. Not even a throwaway fifth round pick for an elite receiver like Santonio Holmes moved the Bucs to help out Freeman.

Is Reggie Brown really the next coming of Cris Carter?

To solve the riddle of Clayton’s job security, Joe can sum it up in one word:

Cash.

"So, Rah, how about the value in all those corners and receivers available at the bottom of the first round?"

Last week, the Buccaneers announced that their much ballyhooed in-stadium draft party tonight was from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., a schedule that left anyone who wanted to watch the final two-thirds of the opening round at the stadium scratching their heads.

Joe speculated that the 9 p.m. cutoff was the Bucs tipping their hand that they had no plans to trade down.

Now, Joe has just learned from his partners at WDAE-AM 620 that the Bucs are extending the draft party to midnight, and WDAE, the Bucs’ flagship radio station, will be covering the draft there live into the wee hours.

Hmmm.

Either an event director got quite a scolding, or somehow this is all tied to the Bucs actual draft plans.

Trade down, anyone?

Best food without a doubt. Plus great TV views from all seats. Open late every night!

Joe was honored that one of the top broadcasters in the country took a few moments from his time at media day at the Super Bowl to talk Bucs and broadcasting with Joe.

Bob Papa is one of the busiest broadcasters working. Men hear him broadcast Thursday night football on the NFL Network. Savvy football fans also listen to Papa weekday mornings as he is the co-host of “The Opening Drive” on Sirius NFL Radio.

Papa is also the voice of the New York Giants. As if that isn’t enough work, Papa also is a boxing broadcaster for Showtime and calls college basketball games for the Westwood Radio Network.

Given his status in the sports broadcasting world, one would expect Papa to think of himself as too good to mingle with the littles like Joe. Not true. Papa is very much an affable guy and is always willing to talk pigskin.

JoeBucsFan: The hatred for Raheem the Dream by many Bucs fans is scary. Granted he made mistakes last year, even Raheem would likely admit it but it was his first year on the job. With the fan backlash, the lack of ticket sales, do you think he needs to have a winning season to save his job or do you think he has job security? How much longer do you think he will be given to turn things around?

Bob Papa: I like what they did with the quarterback [Josh Freeman] this past year. I loved how they handled that. I said that when the Giants played the Bucs. You had a veteran [Byron Leftwich] playing. Let the kid stand on the sideline and watch a little bit, let him understand what it takes to prepare. Then they got back after the bye and you put [Freeman] in. I like how they handled that.

Another thing in defense of Raheem Morris, I like how they competed at the end of the year. They were down 17-0 at New Orleans against the Saints. The Saints were about to wrap up the No. 1 seed, they could have laid down there. So I think there is something there. But I agree, they have to do something this year. They have to show its going in the right direction. There are a lot of question marks.

Joe: There are two trains of thought with what happened with both coordinators: One is the glass is half-full. The Bucs decided they made mistakes and decided to cut their losses. The flip side is the glass is half-empty. Why did you hire these guys? Your thoughts?

Papa: I am of the glass is half-empty philosophy on that one. You are starting a new regime and you are coming in and that is part of the judgment process? Right? Isn’t it? I mean you hire the right people to do what you want done and do it the right way. To fire the offensive coordinator when they did and then get rid of the defensive coordinator when they did, it makes you think, “What was your plan? What did you think when you brought these guys in?”

You know [ousted Bucs offensive coordinator Jeff] Jagodzinski, had he done it before at that level? What happened in the interview process? Didn’t you ask him any of these questions? Didn’t you find out some of this stuff before you went about it?

You knew they were doomed right then and there because teams that fire their offensive coordinators before the season started, they got what they deserve. It was a mess.

If you are a player, put yourself in the player’s shoes: You are sitting there, you go through the offseason programs and minicamps and practice and all this stuff. These are the principals of our offense and this and this and this and you study your playbook and that and that and that and halfway through training camp, ah, scrap everything we told you.

Joe: Freeman actually said the change in coordinators and offenses really delayed his development in learning an NFL offense.

Papa: Yeah, you totally do something different. You rip everything up and the players must be saying to themselves, “If this is all so easy why did we spend all of that time in the offseason?”

Joe: It seems like you are having a blast doing play-by-play on the NFL Network. Then you mix things up with the Senior Bowl on the NFL Network and a high school all-star game on NBC?

Papa: The NFL Network has been great to me. I love working with them. Our schedule gets stronger and stronger and we are now in 55 million homes. We keep moving up. We have had tremendous ratings last year and the games were great. I love doing the stuff on Sunday doing the pregame show. They have me doing stuff at the Super Bowl, calling the game for the world feed with Joe Theisman. Any time you get a chance to call a Super Bowl it’s great. The NFL Network is a great place to work. Our presence is getting bigger because we are geared toward the football fan. That’s what we all love.

Joe: Joe has a saying here at JoeBucsFan.com, “If you are a man, you have the NFL Network.”

Papa: I like it!

Joe: I know you are based in the New York metro area and you are a native of the area and that New York is not big on college football. So when you called the Senior Bowl, did you have to start burying yourself into research or do you just let Mike Mayock take over?

Papa: The Senor Bowl is interesting. The coaches are pro coaches and so you know them. It helps. The players, we got a chance to talk to them. Look, I can’t say that I am a huge college football fan. I like it but I like it like everybody else: I sit on the couch and watch a big game. I don’t study it. But my job is to call the game and get the names and numbers right: Who they are and everything. Mike, that’s his life work — and Charles Davis and Corey Chavous and Paul Burmeister. I let the experts be the experts and I just do my job. It’s fun to get to know the kids and how they get through the draft process. If they aren’t on the Giants, they may be with a team that we have on the NFL Network.

It’s always good to make good contacts early.

NFL Films, via the NFL Network, has an early look at what to expect from the Bucs in the 2010 season in this video.

Whoever wrote this piece (Steve Sabol?) seems to be of the opinion that the Bucs offense, sans any wide receiver of note, will rely on the gimpy knees of Cadillac Williams.

Joe’s not sure about that. Is it just Joe who every time Cadillac runs around right end holds his breath?

Do recent moves have the Rams leaning more toward Ndamukong Suh?

With NFL fans everywhere wondering whether the Rams will really draft Sam Bradford and shell out the $40+ million guaranteed it will take to sign him, NFL Draft guru Justin Pawlowski delivers all the angles on how the Rams might approach the draft.

It’s all part of the draft countdown series on JoeBucsFan.com.

Miss the Bucs breakdown?

Want a fresh, in-depth mock draft?

Want another 50 draft articles – position breakdowns, audio takes and more? It’s not too late!

Enjoy the Rams breakdown.{+++}

Joe caught Tampa Tribune Bucs beat writer Anwar Richardson making a salient point about the Bucs draft that Joe had never considered.

While enthusiastically talking all things Bucs with The Fabulous Sports Babe Wednesday on WHBO-AM 1040, Richardson wanted to know what the Bucs plan to do with 12 draft picks.

The Bucs are tied with the Patriots for having the most draft picks in this week’s draft, five of which are slotted for the seventh round.

Remember that per NFL rules, there is a limit to the number of players that can be brought to camp. If all 12 draft picks happen to make the squad, that means one fourth of the current Bucs roster will be banished from the Tampa Bay area.

“They covet these draft picks like no other,” Richardson said of Bucs general manager Mark Dominik and his staff. “I’ve never seen a team so consumed with acquiring draft picks. They may have 15 [by the time the draft starts].

“Most of the time a seventh round pick is a throwaway. You hope upon hope someone turns out well. Where do they place all of these guys? They only have a 53-man roster. Are they planning that much of an overhaul? Remember the danger of placing guys on the practice squad is they have to clear waivers. What are you planning to do with all of these guys?

“You have to wonder if you are an older guy on this team, is your time up? I just want to know where they are going to place all of these guys?

“With 12 picks, everyone is going to have to fight for a position. After we see the picks this weekend, we will know what veterans they are looking to replace. With five seventh round picks, those are basically minimum wage jobs. With 12 picks, everyone is going to have to fight for a position. Aside from quarterback, you could say every position needs help. “

Richardson also talked about the Bucs trade of backup quarterback Byron Leftwich to Pittsburgh earlier this week.

“They obviously feel that the guidance from Leftwich is no longer important,” Richardson said. “They feel like he has been battle-tested and works well with [offensive coordinator Greg] Olson.”

As for the schedule, Richardson isn’t as enthusiastic as some. Richardson believes the potential wins on paper won’t be that easy on the field. St. Louis and Cleveland, for example, have good running attacks, which is the Bucs’ Achilles heel.

“The Buccaneers haven’t stopped the run in a year and a half,” Richardson said. “When is the last time a Buccaneers team stopped a running back? If they pull off five wins, it will be a successful season.”

For Bucs fans, today is Christmas in April.

Many Bucs fans have waited for this day since midway through the 2009 season. There wasn’t much else to look forward to.

In a few hours, the Bucs should have a new defensive tackle. Or will it be an offensive tackle? Or maybe a safety? Joe is excited.

There’s no need to think of going anywhere else. As can be expected, Joe will post throughout the day, and will man his home computer tonight, with the live streaming feed of the NFL Network, and will bring you post after post well into the night.

While other outfits may be partying, Joe’s going to be working. Joe has cleaned out his notebook from attending media day at the Super Bowl and today and tomorrow will have interviews with two of the biggest names in sports journalism; one electronic, the other print. Joe is certain you will enjoy these interviews. 

Have fun today, tomorrow and Saturday. It should be fun! 

With NFL fans everywhere on high alert for the Lions possibly shaking up the draft with a trade for facestomper Albert Haynesworth, NFL Draft guru Justin Pawlowski delivers all the angles on how Detroit might approach the draft.

It’s all part of the draft countdown series on JoeBucsFan.com.

Miss the Bucs breakdown?

Want a fresh, in-depth mock draft?

Want another 50 draft articles — position breakdowns, audio takes and more?

Enjoy the Lions breakdown. …Rams tomorrow. {+++}

[audio:Lionsdraft.mp3]

The Bucs need talented wide receivers in the worst way.

And the most exciting WR prospect in the draft might very well be there for the Bucs to make a play for late in the first round of the NFL Draft. 

Free falling Dez Bryant can be had with the No. 21 pick, says BSPN analyst John Clayton, The Professor. And that makes Bryant the No. 1 value pick during Thursday’s first round, so Clayton said on the The Fabulous Sports Babe Show yesterday.

“The bargain is Dez Bryant. Say what you want, the best wide receiver in the draft falls down to No. 21. I think at 21 that’s a bargain for a team,” Clayton said.

Sure, Bryant has had well documented problems. But Jean-Jaques Taylor, of the Dallas Morning News, penned a column today that  analyzed the risk of drafting Bryant. Taylor didn’t find what he would consider major red flags.

Joe recommends the read.

Bryant isn’t Pacman Jones. He isn’t Randy Moss. He doesn’t even belong in the same sentence with either one.

Bryant has never been arrested. He’s never had a drug problem. He’s never had an alcohol problem. He’s never had a problem with violence.

And he doesn’t come with a posse. He’s had the same best friend since the third grade.

“There are no absolutes,” said Dr. Herbert Martin, who has worked closely with NFL and NBA players for nearly two decades on matters involving personal and professional development. “But prior behavior is usually a good indicator for future behavior.

“If he hasn’t had any issues with drugs, alcohol or violence against women when he was at his most vulnerable, then there is a great probability that by the time he enters the league, he won’t engage in conduct detrimental to the NFL.”

You can’t find a teammate, coach or scout who says Bryant is a bad person. You can’t find a teammate, coach or scout who questions Bryant’s work ethic on the practice field.

His biggest flaw: He is habitually late.

The Bucs need a true No. 1 receiver.

While Joe would pass on Bryant, Joe would understand the Bucs making a move — within reason — to grab the best one available in the draft.

Might the Bucs get aggressive to land this guy? Will they even have to?

It’s the final manbeast of a mock draft from NFL Draft guru Justin Pawlowski.

You can soak in all the position breakdowns, team analysis and more right here. Still more to come.

Enjoy!

1. St. Louis Rams – Sam Bradford – QB – Oklahoma
6’4’’ – 236 lbs – DNP

 Rams’ Needs: DT, OLB, CB, WR, TE, OG, QB

Commish’s Take: For the first time during this draft process, I have questioned the Rams going with Bradford. The trade of Adam Carriker to the Redskins gives the Rams nothing at defensive tackle. Ndamukong Suh has to be considered here for the Rams, but in the end, Bradford will be the selection. The Rams have never drafted a quarterback in the 1st round of any draft, but after passing on Matt Ryan and Mark Sanchez, the Rams need some hope for their players and their fans. Sam Bradford can be that hope.

2. Detroit Lions – Ndamukong Suh – DT – Nebraska
6’4’’ – 307 lbs – 5.04

 Lions’ Needs:  DE, DT, OG, LT, CB, RB

Commish’s Take: A potential trade of Albert Haynesworth will be key here. If the Lions get Haynesworth, expect them to go with Russell Okung.  If they don’t get Haynesworth, expect them to draft the most powerful and dominating player in this draft. Suh is ideal for Jim Schwartz’s 2-gap system for his defensive tackles. Suh would be Schwartz’s new “Albert Haynesworth.”

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Gerald McCoy – DT – Oklahoma
6’4’’ – 295 lbs – 5.07

 Buccaneers Needs’:  WR, RB, OT, DE, DT, MLB, CB, SS

Commish’s Take:  As much as Suh is a fit for the Lions, McCoy is a fit for the Bucs. The speed is key here as McCoy has explosion off the ball and the ability to penetrate into opposing backfields. That penetration makes the ends better because opposing quarterbacks cannot step up in the pocket. It makes the linebackers better because opposing running backs will be knocked off their initial path and forced to bounce runs, which allows the Buccaneers linebackers to use their speed and create more tackles in the backfield. It also makes the defensive backs better because opposing quarterbacks will be forced to rid themselves of the ball quicker.

4. Washington Redskins – Russell Okung – OT – Oklahoma St
6’5’’ – 307 LBS – 5.15

 Redskins’ Needs:  OL, DE

Commish’s Take: The big debate here is Russell Okung vs. Trent Williams. I’ve started to hear Williams is a better fit for what Washington wants to do. I’m not fully sold on that logic, and it could simply be a team floating that rumor out there in hopes of having Okung fall to them.  Okung is a very athletic and strong offensive tackle.  None of the offensive tackles this year are elite like Joe Thomas, but Okung is very solid and is a potential Pro Bowler. 

5. Kansas City Chiefs – Trent Williams – OT – Oklahoma
6’5’’ – 315 lbs – 4.88

 Chiefs’ Needs:  S, WR, OL, TE, NT, OLB, MLB

Commish’s Take: Bryan Bulaga has become the popular pick here and rightfully so.  Bulaga fits the type of offensive tackle Scott Pioli drafted in New England, but the measureables and the film both favor Williams.  Bulaga’s short arms are reminiscent of Robert Gallery, and someone like Scott Pioli will pick up on that quickly.

6. Seattle Seahawks – Eric Berry – S – Tennessee
5’11’’ – 211 lbs – 4.47
Seahawks Needs:  LT, QB, RB, FS, DE

Commish’s Take: With Williams and Okung off the board, Pete Carroll turns to his good friend, Monte Kiffin, for advice. With a big need at safety and for a playmaker, Carroll gets both in Berry. Berry fits a need and will start from day 1 for the Seahawks.

7. Cleveland Browns – Derrick Morgan – DE – Georgia Tech
6’3’’ – 266 lbs – 4.72

 Browns’ Needs:  CB, S, OLB, RT, QB, RB, TE, DE

Commish’s Take: With Eric Berry gone, the Browns will consider Earl Thomas, Joe Haden, and Kyle Wilson for their defensive backfield, but will realize that might be a bit early for any of them.  The true debate will be between Jared Odrick and Derrick Morgan.  Morgan will stand up at outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense for the Browns, but also have the ability to move to defensive end if there is a coaching change and the Browns switch to a 4-3 defense.  Hint hint.  Morgan has great character and is the most balanced defensive end in the draft.

8. Oakland Raiders {+++}– Mike Iupati – OG – Idaho
6’5’’ – 331 lbs – 5.30
 Raiders’ Needs:  DE, NT, QB, OT, OLB

Commish’s Take: You have to think outside the box with the Raiders.  Who is the most impressive player to look at?  I think a few players should be under consideration here; Bruce Campbell and Jason Pierre-Paul come to mind.  Don’t forget about Rolando McClain, especially with Kirk Morrison in the last year of his deal.  With that being said, I’m going with the most imposing and dominant offensive lineman in this draft.  Iupati might not have perfect technique or footwork, but he is dominant and plays the game mean.  This would be the first time that I agree with a Raiders draft pick!

9. Buffalo Bills – Bryan Buluga – OT – Iowa
6’5’’ – 314 lbs – 5.25
 Bills Needs:  OLB, DE, OT, QB, WR, NT

Commish’s Take: Nope, no Clausen here for me.  With Bulaga slipping a little, the Bills fill their biggest need by far with the Big Ten offensive tackle.  Bulaga is a nasty lineman who’s physical and has a great work ethic.  This should probably be a no-brainer for the Bills. 

10.  Jacksonville Jaguars – CJ Spiller – RB – Clemson
5’10’’ – 196 lbs – 4.37

Jaguars’ Needs:  DE, QB, LB, OG, S

Commish’s Take: This rumor has picked up so much steam that it is hard to ignore.  A pairing of Maurice Jones-Drew and CJ Spiller would give the Jaguars the best pair of running backs in the AFC, and maybe the NFL.  Drew would still be the every down back, but Spiller would bring the Jaguars offense to another level with his speed and playmaking ability.  Look out for the wildcat in Jacksonville if this happens.

11. Denver Broncos (via CHI) – Rolando McClain – MLB – Alabama
6’3’’ – 254 lbs – 4.61

Broncos’ Needs:  OC, OG, QB, TE, WR

Commish’s Take: After addressing their defensive line in free agency, the Broncos can look towards other needs in the draft.  McClain is the “Tim Tebow”of the defensive players in this draft.  His intangibles are off the chart.  McClain was a hell of a player at Alabama and was the leader on a defense that led Alabama to the National Championship.  A pairing of McClain and DJ Williams would be very scary for offenses in the AFC West.

12. Miami Dolphins – Jason Pierre-Paul – DE – USF
6’5’’ – 270 lbs – 4.69
 Dolphins’ Needs:  NT, OLB, TE, S

Commish’s Take: Even before the loss of Jason Taylor, I was saying this was a good match.  Bill Parcells loves drafting these hybrid players for his defense.  Pierre-Paul rushed so much better standing up for USF in 2009, so I think the transition should be seamless.  Parcells will view Pierre-Paul as a “DeMarcus Ware” type of player.

13. San Francisco 49ers – Anthony Davis – OT – Rutgers
6’5’’ – 323 lbs – 5.40
49ers’ Needs:  CB, MLB, RT, S, RB, LDE

Commish’s Take: The 49ers struck gold (no pun intended) with Joe Staley a few years back, but are in desperate need of an offensive tackle opposite of him.  Davis gives the 49ers to move Staley back to right tackle and play him at left tackle or vice versa.  Davis might have the most impressive film of any offensive tackle in this draft, and has been called the top pass protector in this draft.  Character concerns are the only issue here, but Mike Singletary has proven to work well with these types of players.

14. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) – Charles Brown – OT – USC
6’5’’ – 303 lbs – DNP
 Seahawks’ Needs:  LT, RB, FS, DE, WR

Commish’s Take: I’m sure the Seahawks were hoping for Spiller here, but addressing offensive tackle is also a big need.  After Brown, I see a drop off in talent at the position.  Brown is a converted tight end, so he’s still raw and learning the position, but no one knows him better than Pete Carroll and Jeremy Bates who had him at USC.  Brown’s athleticism will make him a good fit in Alex Gibbs zone blocking offense.

15. New York Giants – Brandon Graham – DE/OLB – Michigan
6’1’’ – 268 lbs – 4.72
Giants’ Needs:  DE, MLB, DT, OL, S?

Commish’s Take: I’ve heard that the Giants want Jason Pierre-Paul, CJ Spiller, or Rolando McClain with this pick.  What happens if each of those players are gone?  That’s the dilemma I faced here.  With the recent rumors of Osi Umenyora being shopped around, I think a defensive end makes a lot of sense here.  Graham fits the Tom Coughlin mold of being a hard worker who had great production in college.

16. Tennessee Titans – Dan Williams – DT – Tennessee
6’2’’ – 327 lbs – 5.16

Titans’ Needs:  OC, DE, CB, MLB, DT

Commish’s Take: This pick will depend on the recent Albert Haynesworth rumors and where he gets traded to, if he gets traded.  If he’s traded to the Titans, they’d obviously take another position like defensive end, center, or corner.  If he isn’t traded to the Titans, Dan Williams would give the Titans an “Albert Haynesworth” type player from the same college Haynesworth went to.

17. San Francisco 49ers (via CAR) – Earl Thomas – S – Texas
       5’10’’ – 208 lbs – 4.49
49ers’ Needs:  CB, MLB, RT, S, RB, LDE

Commish’s Take: I feel that if the 49ers like Clausen, they’d take him with the 13th pick.  If you like him that much, why risk missing him at 17?  I’m guessing they don’t like him as much as other players.  I think the 49ers see an ability to win the NFC West this year, and they want draft picks who can contribute right away.  Clausen would find himself a seat on the bench for at least a year.  The 49ers have a need at corner and safety, so why not draft a guy who can play both?  Thomas is one of the best pass defenders in this draft, and his playmaking and centerfield ability makes him standout among the rest.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kyle Wilson – CB – Boise St
5’10’’ – 194 lbs – DNP
Steelers Needs:  FS, CB, LB, OL

Commish’s Take: The Steelers have a need for a corner.  Wilson has been rising up the boards and fits the Steelers mentality.  He is a physical player with good speed and coverage ability.

19. Atlanta Falcons – Sergio Kindle – DE/OLB – Texas
6’3’’ – 250 lbs – 4.71
 Falcons’ Needs:  OC, DE, OLB, RT

Commish’s Take: Rumors recently have linked the Falcons to Sean Weatherspoon, which makes a lot of sense.  I like Kindle a little better for the Falcons because he can play outside linebacker on 1st and 2nd down then move down to end on passing downs in nickel defense.  Kindle is an aggressive player who fits Mike Smith’s aggressive defense.

20. Houston Texans – Joe Haden – CB – Florida
         5’10’’ – 193 lbs – 4.40
 Texans’ Needs:  CB, DT, OG, S, WR, RB

Commish’s Take: The biggest need for the Texans is in the defensive backfield.  I’m not falling for the running back talk.  This team needs corners and safeties desperately in a division that contains the Colts.  Haden has been considered by many to be the top corner in the draft.  Haden will step in and be the number one corner for the Texans, replacing Dunta Robinson.

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Jermaine Gresham – TE – Oklahoma
6’5’’ – 261 lbs – 4.72
 Bengals’ Needs:  OC, OG, S, TE, DT

 Commish’s Take: The Bengals have avoided drafting a tight end high long enough.  The Ben Utecht experiment failed.  Gresham gives the Bengals a legitimate threat at the tight end position to go with Chad Ochocinco and Antonio Bryant.  Gresham makes much more sense then Dez Bryant here.

22. New England Patriots – Dez Bryant – WR – Oklahoma St
6’2’’ – 225 lbs – DNP
Patriots’ Needs:  DE, OLB, ILB, RB, WR, CB, TE

Commish’s Take: With Randy Moss in the final year of his contract, the Patriots need some insurance in case he leaves.  Bryant is a dynamic threat with the talent of a top 3 pick.  His character will force him to drop, but the Patriots have proven to work well with these types of players. 

 23. Green Bay Packers – Jerry Hughes – DE/OLB – TCU
6’2’’ – 255 lbs – 4.69
 Packers’ Needs:  OT, CB, OLB, S, RB

Commish’s Take:  Offensive tackle and corner have been popular picks here, but I’m gonna stick with Jerry Hughes.  I love the way this guy gets to the quarterback.  I also feel he has enough athleticism to drop into coverage from the outside linebacker position.  Look out for the Packers if Clay Matthews Jr. and Jerry Hughes are coming off the edge.

24. Philadelphia Eagles – Maurkice Pouncey – OC – Florida
6’4’’ – 304 lbs – 5.15

Eagles’ Needs:  DE, MLB, CB, S, RB

Commish’s Take: The Eagles have stockpiled picks, but still carry the same mentality of addressing both sides of the line first.  Pouncey can play center or guard and could be the leader of the Eagles line for a long time with Kevin Kolb.

 25. Baltimore Ravens – Kareem Jackson – CB – Alabama
5’10’’ – 196 lbs – 4.48
 Ravens’ Needs:  OC, CB, DT, OLB/DE, S, TE

Commish’s Take: Jackson is a physical and aggressive corner who fits the Ravens mold.  The Ravens were to their 5th and 6th string corners last year, so addressing that position will be a priority.  Tight end is also a possibility here, but I feel they can do that in a later round with that position being pretty deep.

26. Arizona Cardinals – Jimmy Clausen – QB – Notre Dame
6’3’’ – 222 lbs – DNP

Cardinals’ Needs:  OC, QB, TE, RT, OLB, ILB

Commish’s Take: The wait is over.  Or is it?  I’m hearing that some teams might be sending feelers to the Steelers for Ben Roethlisberger.  You have to think that the Cardinals are one of those teams.  Ken Whisenhunt was Big Ben’s offensive coordinator when he first came into the league.  If Roethlisberger is traded, I think the Cardinals will be a main player in it.  If he isn’t trade, and Clausen falls this far, the Cardinals will have to consider him.  There really isn’t a hybrid linebacker, middle linebacker, offensive tackle, or center available that I’d be willing to take here.  Clausen would be able to battle for the starting job in 2010, but most likely become the starter either later in 2010 or in 2011.  The weapons are there for the Cardinals, it just depends on how much faith they have in Matt Leinart.

27. Dallas Cowboys – Rodger Saffold – OT – Indiana
6’5’’ – 316 lbs – 5.20
 Cowboys’ Needs:  OG, MLB, LT, FS, WR, CB

Commish’s Take: With the release of Flozell Adams, the Cowboys are in need of at least depth along their offensive line.  Saffold can play tackle or guard and has a quiet confidence about him.  He’d be a good pick to battle Doug Free for the starting left tackle job.

28. San Diego Chargers – Ryan Matthews – RB – Fresno St
5’11’’ – 218 lbs – 4.45
Chargers’ Needs:  RB, RT, SS, NT, DE

Commish’s Take: The Chargers have big needs at running back and nose tackle.  I feel there will be at least 3 nose tackles the Chargers can choose from at the beginning of round 2, but if they want Matthews, they’ll probably have to take him here because the Lions will be waiting to pounce.  Please pardon the pun.  Matthews is a balanced back who can carry the ball 20-25 times a game.  He’d be a good complement to Darren Spoles. 

29. New York Jets – Jared Odrick – DE/DT – Penn St
6’5’’ – 304 lbs – 5.06
 Jets’ Needs:  DE, OLB, S

Commish’s Take: Odrick is a player who could go as high as No. 7 to the Browns or right here to the Jets.  It’s just that kind of draft.  If Odrick is available here, I’d be shocked if he is not taken by the Jets.  The Jets need to address their front 7, but most importantly their defensive line.  Odrick is the top end for a 3-4 defense in this draft. 

 30. Minnesota Vikings – Devin McCourty – CB – Rutgers
5’10’’ – 193 lbs – 4.48
 Vikings’ Needs:  DT, QB, OG, CB

Commish’s Take:  Cedric Griffin going down at the end of the NFC championship game was devastating for the Vikings.  He’s questionable to be ready for the regular season, so corner is a top priority for the Vikings.  I feel McCourty should be in the discussion to be the top corner in this draft.  He is great in coverage, a good tackler, and the best special teams player in the draft.

31.  Indianapolis Colts – Sean Weatherspoon – LB – Missouri
6’1’’ – 239 lbs – 4.68
 Colts’ Needs:  OG, OC, OT, CB, DT, OLB

Commish’s Take: Without an offensive lineman to draft here, the Colts will consider the top player who fits their defense.  Weatherspoon is a great fit for the “Tampa 2” as an outside linebacker.  His coverage ability matched with his ability to stop the run is a great combination for this type of linebacker.

32.  New Orleans Saints – Taylor Mays – S – USC
6’3’’ – 230 lbs – 4.43
 Saints’ Needs:  OLB, OC, DT, S

Commish’s Take: With the recent additions of Alex Brown and Jimmy Wilkerson, I don’t expect the Saints to be taking a defensive end early in this draft.  I’m sure they’d be pissed if Sean Weatherspoon was off the board and would probably consider Daryl Washington, but safety is also a need for the Saints.  There is uncertainty as to whether Darren Sharper will be coming back, and even if he does, he won’t beplaying much longer.  Mays is an incredible talent with an unbelievable blend of size and speed.  Gregg Williams will find multiple ways to use Mays.

2nd Round

33.  St. Louis Rams – Brian Price – DT – UCLA
6’1’’ – 303 lbs – 5.15

Commish’s Take:  The trade of Adam Carriker opened up a huge hole at DT.  Price is an active defensive tackle who plays with a mean streak and will bring an attitude to the Rams’ defense.

34. Detroit Lions – Jahvid Best – RB – Cal
      5’10’’ – 199 lbs – 4.35

Commish’s Take:   The Lions are tired of losing Kevin Smith to injury.  Despite Best’s durability concerns, he is a big time playmaker in the Chris Johnson mold for Jim Schwartz.

35.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Demaryius Thomas – WR – Georgia Tech
6’3’’ – 224 – DNP

Commish’s Take:   This would be a dream come true for the Bucs.  Thomas gives the Bucs a legit number one receiver.  Don’t be surprised if the Bucs package this pick with a 3rd or a 4th to move back into the 1st round for Earl Thomas or Sean Weatherspoon. 

 36.  Kansas City Chiefs – Golden Tate – WR – Notre Dame
5’10’’ – 199 lbs – 4.42

Commish’s Take: Tate and Weis together again.  Tate opposite of Dwayne Bowe gives the Chiefs dynamic weapons on offense.

37.  Philadelphia Eagles (via WAS) – Everson Griffen – DE – USC
       6’3’’ – 273 lbs – 4.66

Commish’s Take:   Andy Reid stays along the lines.  Griffen tested very well and could finally give the Eagles a rusher off the edge with Trent Cole.

38.  Cleveland Browns – Tim Tebow – QB – Florida
6’3’’ – 236 lbs – 4.72

Commish’s Take:   Colt McCoy or Tebow?  Tebow’s intangibles win out for Mike Holmgren.  If Gruden is the next Brown’s coach, he’d be happy. 

39.  Oakland Raiders – Terrance Cody – DT – Alabama
                   6’4’’ – 354 lbs – 5.72

Commish’s Take:   After getting their offensive lineman in the 1st round, the Raiders other big need is at defensive tackle.  Why not address their biggest need with the biggest player in the draft.  Cody will eliminate opposing team’s run games. 

40.  San Diego Chargers (via SEA) – Linval Joseph – DT – East Carolina
6’4’’ – 325 lbs – 5.11

Commish’s Take:   Joseph has been moving up draft boards and is a good fit at either end or nose tackle in a 3-4 defense.

 41.  Buffalo Bills – Cam Thomas – DT – North Carolina
6’4’’ – 330 lbs – 5.28

Commish’s Take:   With a move to the 3-4 defense, the Bills will need to bring in personnel that fits it.  Nose tackle is a key position for a 3-4 defense, and Cam Thomas can step in right away and be that for the Bills.

 42.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via CHI) – Carlos Dunlap – DE – Florida
6’6’’ – 277 lbs – 4.61

Commish’s Take:   A ton of talent, but does Carlos Dunlap want to be great?  There is risk with him, but the Bucs need talented players, and Dunlap’s reward would be worth the risk here for the Bucs.

43.  Denver Broncos (via MIA) – Arrelious Benn – WR – Illinois
6’1’’ – 219 lbs – 4.53

Commish’s Take:   The Broncos need a new receiver with Marshall gone.  Benn is a raw receiver with a ton of talent and potential.  He has good character and a strong work ethic.

 44.  New England Patriots (via JAX) – Aaron Hernandez – TE – Florida
6’2’’ – 245 lbs – DNP

Commish’s Take:   The Patriots don’t have any tight ends you’d recognize.  Don’t underestimate the relationship between Urban Meyer and Bill Bellichick.  Hernandez gives the Patriots another option in their offense.

 45.  Denver Broncos – Colt McCoy – QB – Texas
       6’1’’ – 216 lbs – 4.81
Commish’s Take:   Great fit for Colt McCoy.  He can come in and learn behind Kyle Orton for a couple years before taking over.  McCoy is the type of leader Josh McDaniels wants.

46. New York Giants – Daryl Washington – LB – TCU
6’2’’ – 230 lbs – 4.66

Commish’s Take:   Washington is a perfect fit for the Giants new aggressive “Tampa 2” defense.  He’s a big hitter and a sure tackler with a lot of speed.

47.  New England Patriots (via TEN) – Corey Wootton – DE – Northwestern
6’6’’ – 270 lbs – DNP
Commish’s Take:   Wootton’s size and strength allows him to come in and replace Jarvis Green along the Patriots defensive line.

 48.  Carolina Panthers – Mardy Gilyard – WR – Cincinnati
       6’ – 187 lbs – 4.52

Commish’s Take:  The Panthers are desperate for a receiver opposite of Steve Smith.  Gilyard was one of the most dynamic receivers in the Big East the last couple years, and can also contribute as a returner.

49. San Francisco 49ers  – Patrick Robinson – CB – FSU
5’11’’ – 190 lbs – 4.46

Commish’s Take:   Although the 49ers got Earl Thomas in the first round, they can play him at safety and play Patrick Robinson at corner.  The 49ers defensive backfield goes from being depleted to being one of their strengths.

50.  Kansas City Chiefs (via ATL) – Nate Allen – S – USF
     6’ – 207 lbs – DNP

Commish’s Take:  The Chiefs have a need at safety and a need for a leader on defense.  Nate Allen fits that perfectly and would start from day 1.

51.   Houston Texans – Lamarr Houston – DT – Texas
      6’3’’ – 305 lbs – 4.85

Commish’s Take:   Houston has great measurable and good character.  He’s a good pair for Amobi Okoye inside.

 52.  Pittsburgh Steelers – Jon Asamoah – OG – Illinois
6’4’’ – 305 lbs – DNP

Commish’s Take:   Jon Asamoah has gone unnoticed because of Iupati and Pouncey, but Asamoah is a very solid guard who will upgrade the Steelers interior line immediately.

53.  New England Patriots – Dexter McCluster – RB/WR/KR – Ole Miss
5’8’’ – 170 lbs – 4.44

Commish’s Take:   McCluster is a big time playmaker who can be the replacement of Kevin Faulk in New England.  I view McCluster as a luxury pick to a team with fewer needs and multiple picks. 

54.  Cincinnati Bengals – Tyson Alualu – DE/DT – Cal
6’2’’ – 295 lbs – 4.93

Commish’s Take:   Alualu’s motor and work ethic will fit right in with the Bengals defense.

55.  Philadelphia Eagles – Chris Cook – CB – Virginia
                   6’2’’ – 212 lbs – 4.48
 
Commish’s Take:   Now that the lines are taken care of, the Eagles can focus on skill positions.  Cook gives the Eagles a bigger corner to pair with the smaller and quicker Asante Samuel.

 56.  Green Bay Packers – Bruce Campbell – OT – Maryland
6’6’’ – 314 lbs – 4.85

Commish’s Take:   This is good value for Bruce Campbell.  His film is not elite, but the potential is there.  For a team like the Packers who need an offensive tackler, Campbell is worth the risk here.

57.  Baltimore Ravens – Rob Gronkowski – TE – Arizona
6’6’’ – 264 lbs – DNP

Commish’s Take:   The Ravens are in search for a tight end that is balanced.  There is no more balanced tight end in this draft than Rob Gronkowski.

 58.  Arizona Cardinals – Dorin Dickerson – TE – Pitt
        6’1’’ – 226 LBS – 4.40

Commish’s Take:   Dickerson is one of the bigger wildcards in this draft.  He doesn’t have elite size or blocking ability for a tight end, but his speed and hands make him very valuable.

59.  Dallas Cowboys – Morgan Burnett – FS – Georgia Tech
6’1’’ – 205 lbs – DNP

Commish’s Take:   The Cowboys are looking for help in their secondary.  Burnett would’ve benefited from another year in college and might have been a top 15 pick in 2011, but came out early.  He is a raw talent who has a lot of potential.

60.  Seattle Seahawks (via SD) – Damian Williams – WR – USC
6’ – 197 lbs – 4.53

Commish’s Take:  Pete Carroll and Jeremy Bates get another familiar face.  Williams gives them their receiver to grow with Charlie Whitehurst.

61.  New York Jets – Chad Jones – S – LSU
        6’2’’ – 221 lbs – 4.56

Commish’s Take:   With the trade that sent Kerry Rhodes to Arizona, the Jets are in need of a safety.  Chad Jones is a big hitter from the strong safety position.

 62.  Minnesota Vikings – Vladimir Ducasse – OT – UMASS
6’4’’ – 332 lbs – 5.27

Commish’s Take:   Ducasse can play inside or at tackle.  He’s an underrated raw talent who plays with a mean streak.

 63.  Indianapolis Colts – Jared Veldheer – OT – Hillsdale
6’8’’ – 312 lbs – 5.08

Commish’s Take:  After the Super Bowl, Bill Polian was very critical of his offensive line.  Veldheer is a very athletic tackle from a small school.  He has a big frame and quick feet for someone his size.

 64.  New Orleans Saints – Navarro Bowman – OLB – Penn St
6’ – 242 lbs – 4.72

Commish’s Take:   Bowman is the next linebacker from “Linebacker U.” He can step in right away and start for Gregg Williams.

The draft of former Bucs defensive end Booker Reese was a mistake in more ways than one.

As we all wait with baited breath for the start of the draft, Vacation Man, of the Stalinist BSPN.com, has a way cool story of how the Bucs fouled up and landed with offensive lineman Sean Farrell.

As Vacation Man points out, Farrell turned out to be a helluva player. But what happened after that pick seems to be standard fare for how the Bucs crumbled in the early 1980s.

In short, seemingly almost out of a Three Stooges episode, the Bucs representative in New York couldn’t quite make out who the Bucs wanted to draft in the first round and sent in the wrong name on the card to then-NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle.

That’s when the fun started.

His message was to select Reese. But, again, the line wasn’t functioning right and Marcuccillo never heard that part. He was getting a little nervous and he asked if he should turn in the card he had written out. In perhaps the only part of the conversation that wasn’t ruined by the phone line, Herock answered that question and Marcuccillo turned in the card — with Farrell’s name.

Back in Tampa , the Bucs’ brass freaked out. They so desperately wanted to correct their mistake that they quickly worked a trade with Chicago. The Bucs traded away their 1983 first-round pick to move up to the early second round where they selected Reese.

As it turned out, the Bucs should have just been happy to get Farrell. Reese spent two disastrous seasons with the Bucs before they traded him away for a 12th-round draft pick. Reese also earned infamy when he got his first check, a very big one. He took it to a Tampa auto dealer and selected a car. When it came time to pay for it, he handed the salesman the check. There was a big difference between the amount of the check and the price of the car (we’re talking thousands of dollars) and the salesman asked Reese how he wanted to complete the transaction. Reese reportedly said, “Just give me the change”, which would have added up to about five more cars. After that, the Bucs started paying a little more attention to Wonderlic test scores.

This move apparently was just gas on the fire as the Bucs freaked out and quickly made a trade for the infamous Booker Reese.

This is the first Joe heard of this story and Joe thanks Vacation Man for sharing. Joe always thought the Bucs (John McKay?) panicking by sending a first round pick to Cincinnati for the Throwin’ Samoan, Jack Thompson, was the beginning of the end.

So the Buccaneers open 2010 with four out of their first six games at home and a bye week in between.

Surely Raheem The Dream and Mark Dominik are jumping for joy after being gifted the best possible opportunity for a good start to the season.

But if the Bucs only come away with a 2-4 record after that span, then Raheem The Dream surely will be on the hotseat. Especially considering the Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Lambs are in the mix.

Sept. 12 Cleveland, 1 p.m. (WTSP, Channel 10)*
Sept. 19 at Carolina, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)
Sept. 26 Pittsburgh, 1 p.m. (WTSP, Channel 10)*
Oct. 3 Bye
Oct. 10 at Cincinnati, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)
Oct. 17 New Orleans, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)*
Oct. 24 St. Louis, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)*

If the Bucs do, in fact, open up 2-4, even the most optimistic fans would start thinking the season is lost because the next block of games conversely features four of six on the road, including two West Coast trips followed by a road game in Atlanta and a cold-weather game in Baltimore. The two home games are against Atlanta and Carolina.

Ouch.

Oct. 31 at Arizona, 4:15 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)
Nov. 7 at Atlanta, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)
Nov. 14 Carolina, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)*
Nov. 21 at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)
Nov. 28 at Baltimore, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)
Dec. 5 Atlanta, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)*

The Bucs will be lucky to win two out of those six.

The final four games will be the most interesting study — to see how Raheem The Dream has his team playing in December.

Raheem The Dream loves to compare his team’s progress to the early Dungy-era clubs. Well, Dungy’s teams performed very well late in the season. So if Raheem The Dream wants to keep playing the Dungy card — which he has no business playing to begin with — then the Bucs must win two of the final four. 

Dec. 12 at Washington, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)
Dec. 19 Detroit, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)*
Dec. 26 Seattle, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)*
Jan. 2 at New Orleans, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)

While Joe knows Team Glazer is all caught up in their we-think-long-term mindset, Joe firmly believe that anything less than five wins from this schedule will drive them into secret meetings to contemplate Bill Cowher Raheem The Dream’s future.

Joe doesn’t see the Glazers being all that patient after a pile of blackouts and a four-win season.

Nobody’s that patient.

Joe was a little surprised yesterday afternoon. No, not because just after Byron Leftwich was traded to the Steelers — a move Joe suggested weeks ago — Joe couldn’t connect to a WiFi hotspot with his laptop so he could blog about it.

Upon hearing of the trade and giving up trying various different hotspots in northeast St. Petersburg in order to serve Joe’s loyal readers, Joe sat back on a bench, Blackberry in hand, and began thumbing through the various people he follows on Twitter looking for reaction to the trade.

To Joe’s surprise, the vast majority of NFL insiders reacted as if the Steelers had delivered Leftwich from purgatory.

Consider the following Twitters (Joe hates the word “Tweet”) from Chris Mortensen of BSPN, Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com and former NFL front office executive and current NFL Network analyst Michael Lombardi on the news of the Bucs trading Leftwich back to the Steelers.

@mortreport Steelers/Tomlin/players loved Leftwich when he was there…everyone was waiting for this to happen.

@PriscoCBS Good for Byron Leftwich going back to Steelers. he is one of the NFL’s good guys

@michaelombardi The Steelers players loved Leftwich, he was a controlling influence. His return is another step in the cleansing of their locker room

Joe knows that the majority of Bucs fans hated Leftwich nearly as much as they loathe Raheem the Dream, but Joe just doesn’t get it. Joe saw with his own eyes how, two years ago, Leftwich came off the bench for an injured Ben Roethlisberger to lead the Steelers to a road win at Washington in a key victory. Take that loss away, a game Leftwich won, and the Steelers don’t win the AFC North and likely don’t go to the Super Bowl, a game the Steelers won in Tampa.

Yet this same fellow isn’t good enough to be a back up on a terrible Bucs team in the eyes of fans? Really?

This isn’t counting the tutoring Leftwich undertook with Josh Freeman. Joe witnessed in the Bucs locker room last year — on more than one occasion — Leftwich giving Freeman tips on various things, specifically how to handle himself after a game.

So Joe asks, exactly what was so vile about Leftwich? If he’s good enough for the Steelers, one of the model organizations in the NFL and a team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, why do fans believe he isn’t good enough to be a backup on the Bucs?

Joe hears all the talk about how the Bucs need leaders. Joe believes that concept to be a bit overblown, but there is a kernel of truth to it. If the Steelers believe Leftwich could add valuable leadership in a locker room gone astray, why do fans think the young Bucs couldn’t use those same attributes?

What, Marc Bulger of all people could demonstrate leadership?

The daily draft countdown by NFL Draft guru Justin Pawlowski, of WDAE-AM, has finally reached the Bucs.

And this is quite a detailed effort by Pawlowski, including many trade scenarios and the actual value of draft position.

Sheesh. Joe knows there’s nothing like this intricate breakdown of all things Bucs found anywhere else.

Yes, you can still subscribe to the draft coverage and print out all the position breakdowns to use as a draft guide. Plus, Justin’s final mock draft will be posted here before noon.

For now, here’s just about every possible Bucs draft scenario.

Enjoy!  {+++}

[audio:bucsdraft.mp3]

It seems Mark Dominik pulled off another backup-quarterback-for-a-throwaway pick earlier today when arguably one of the most hated Bucs players, Byron Leftwich, was shipped back to the Steelers for a seventh round pick.

Now the Bucs have 12 picks, as many as New England and the most in the NFL draft this week.

Joe never understood the hatred for Leftwich who by all accounts is a good guy. The Steelers — a team and organization far superior to the Bucs — not only wanted him, but from various reports on Twitter, welcomed him with open arms.

Yet fans in the Tampa Bay area thought more of last week’s garbage.

Now what do the Bucs have as a backup, a gimmick quarterback who looked more like he was heaving the ball downfield and praying the ball would fall into someone’s hands. Joe also remembers fairly recently the Bucs boasting how much Leftwich helped mentor franchise quarterback Josh Freeman, and Joe himself saw this with his own eyes.

So much for that idea, huh?

If the Steelers wanted Leftwich that bad — and they do need a backup quarterback since sleazy molester/flasher (allegedly) horny Big Ben Roethlisberger will surely be paying penance in NFL warden commissioner Roger Goodell’s halfway house shortly — you’d think Bucs general manager Mark Dominik would be able to pry a better draft pick out of a team that needed Leftwich than what Dominik got last year in return for journeyman backup Luke McCown.

Joe has to apologize upfront. He was away from his computer (work called) for most of the evening and though he had wireless Internet access, Joe’s laptop would not connect.

Ggggggggggrrrrrrrrrr!

So, belatedly, below is the Bucs 2010 schedule.

2010 Bucs Schedule
Sept. 12 Cleveland, 1 p.m. (WTSP, Channel 10)*
Sept. 19 at Carolina, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)
Sept. 26 Pittsburgh, 1 p.m. (WTSP, Channel 10)*
Oct. 3 Bye
Oct. 10 at Cincinnati, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)
Oct. 17 New Orleans, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)*
Oct. 24 St. Louis, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)*
Oct. 31 at Arizona, 4:15 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)
Nov. 7 at Atlanta, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)
Nov. 14 Carolina, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)*
Nov. 21 at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)
Nov. 28 at Baltimore, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)
Dec. 5 Atlanta, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)*
Dec. 12 at Washington, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)
Dec. 19 Detroit, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)*
Dec. 26 Seattle, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)*
Jan. 2 at New Orleans, 1 p.m. (WTVT, Channel 13)
* – denotes blackout rules apply.

As expected, there are no primetime games, though if by some miracle the Bucs put together a solid season, they can be moved to a Sunday night game beginning with Nov. 21.

It’s folly to try to predict the record as teams sometimes come out of nowhere to be good, and teams expected to be good stink the joint up. Who would have expected Washington and Pittsburgh to have such bad years prior to last season?

That written, Joe doesn’t see the Bucs winning more than six games. Joe hopes that is not the case; that the Bucs win many more.

The release of the 2010 NFL schedule is just hours away, but it seems a Pennsylvania radio station might have revealed the opponent for the Bucs’ home opener: the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The station, WDVE-FM, a Steelers’ radio broadcast affiliate, posted the Steelers’ entire 2010 schedule on its Web site earlier today, so reports ProFootballTalk.com.

While the station removed the schedule from its site, ProFootballtalk.com reported that the Steelers third game was at Tampa on Sunday, Sept. 26. If the Bucs open the season with two road games, this Steelers game would be the Bucs home opener.

Frankly, the Bucs lucked out on a lot of fronts, if this information is true.

For one, the Steelers have a massive nationwide fan base and might just help the Bucs sell out that game, subsequently avoiding a blackout.

And if sleazebag Ben Roethlisberger is suspended to start the season, the Bucs have a much better chance of winning.

Joe can’t wait for the official schedule to be revealed tonight.

[UPDATE I: Correction made to date of Steelers-Bucs game.]

[UPDATE II: Per a leaked Lions schedule, Detroit plays at Tampa Bay Dec. 19 per ProFootballTalk.com.]

It’s time for Sam Bradford to get the Chucky treatment. Is it just Joe who thinks Bradford looks incredibly bored?

"You better %^#'n believe I've got a say in this draft. You got that?"

First, for those who thought Joe was making ridiculous, moronic leaps connecting Chucky’s quarterbacks series on BSPN with a covert, unethical scouting operation for Mike Holmgren, well, Joe has something for you to shove up your nose.

BSPN senior NFL analyst John Clayton, The Professor himself, said today on 1040 AM that because of Chucky’s close ties with Holmgren, if the Browns pass on quarterback Jimmy Clausen at No. 7 then you can make the connection “that Gruden didn’t like him.”

Now, for those who think the Bucs are trading out of that No. 3 overall pick on Thursday, Clayton doesn’t agree with you. 

Speaking on The Fabulous Sports Babe Show on 1040 AM earlier today, Clayton said the draft has so many A+ prospects that trades won’t happen high in the first round because every team will like what’s in front of them.

“Maybe see no trades in the top 12. In the end, these players are so good, you won’t see trades,” Clayton said.