LIke many fans, Joe enjoyed hearing the story of how the 1996 Bucs mis-spelled Mike Alstott's last name on the jersey he wore during his first game.

Joe was beyond happy to see the Bucs honor Mike Alstott at halftime. The end zone crowd using the cards to make out Alstott’s famous No. 40 was special.

Joe was also moved to learn Alstott’s number will be retired. Aside from possibly Lee Roy Selmon, John Lynch or Derrick Brooks, no player captured the hearts of Bucs fans quite like the A-Train.

And, no, the Bucs didn’t dis Alstott by mis-spelling his name on the creamsicle jersey presented to him.

Bryan Glazer explained during the halftime ceremonies that the “ALSOTT” jersey (missing a T) was the one Mike wore in his first game with the Bucs. Glazer playfully apologized for the mistake.

Joe is sure that jersey would fetch five figures easily on Ebay.

It's all good right now in Bucsland

Football’s a simple game. Teams win games when they block and tackle, play good defense and move the chains.

That’s the Bucs. Who besides the Super Bowl champion Giants is better than the 5-2 Bucs right now in the NFC?

Certainly the Bucs have the edge in the NFC South.

The Redskins? The Bucs are better on both sides of the ball. Dallas? They’re falling apart at 4-3. Chicago and Green Bay at 4-3? The Bucs beat them. Arizona? Please.

As the Rays steal the headlines, Tampa Bay is quietly the No. 2 team in the NFC. And they’re improving.

One of the class guys in the NFL, Ike Hilliard, was hopspitalized after a ferocious hit to the head

Word is Ike HIlliard will recover from the big second-quarter hit by Seattle linebacker Leroy Hill that sent HIlliard to the hospital with a concussion Sunday night. But the shot may garner a fine by league officials, Joe learned after the game.

There was some buzz around both locker rooms that HIll’s hit might have been too high. The helmet-to-helmet blast with Hilliard coming over the middle also put Seahawks’ Pro Bowl linebacker Lofa Tatupu on the shelf with a concussion.  He was trailing the play and helped sandwich Hilliard.

Hill was humbled by the play after the game.

“I went and apologized to him,” Hill said of Hilliard. “When I looked at him he was out. I didn’t mean for it to happen like that. But that’s the game.”

“I can’t gauge if it was a high [hit] or not,” Hill said. “That’s the game. Like I said, I apologized and that’s it. I’ll have to look at the tape.”

Great win by the Bucs. Not pretty, but dominant defense.

Joe plans to have some more for you maybe later this evening. It’s late. It’s almost midnight.

Besides, the Rays have a two-run lead entering the top of the ninth. Joe is a bit distracted, like I am sure many of you are.

Could either be a historic night in Tampa Bay sports, or agonizing.

We will soon find out. Go Rays! Three more outs.

A quick note from Joe as the game enters the fourth quarter:

* While the Bucs have dominated this game, Joe doesn’t like how the Bucs haven’t put the game away. It’s only a two-possession game. Usually when you keep a lousy team in the game in comes back to haunt you.

Come on Bucs, blow this game open. Take it over!

Joe has some quick thoughts on the first half:

* First of all, great to see Ike Hilliard walk to the golf cart. That was a nasty hit he was sandwiched in and it looked pretty scary there for a while.

* Not to sound too greedy, but this easily could have been a four-touchdown lead by the Bucs.

* JoeBucsFan.com analyst Jacquez Green might be on to something. He suggested wide receiver Antonio Bryant was just coming on because he was getting used to Chucky’s playbook. Bryant is having a monster first half.

* Joe is a bit surprised that Earnest Graham is playing fullback. What an unselfish player. Joe loves him.

* The offensive line is mangling the Seahawks defensive line. The Bucs have arguably a top-three offensive line.

* Seattle quarterback Seneca Wallace looks as if he entered into a very frightful haunted house and can’t find the exit.

* The Bucs secondary is running wild. Damn this group is deep and talented.

* Cool to see Chucky break out the Wildcat offense. Not sure how much of a decoy or blocker Jeff Garcia is. Be careful Jeff. Don’t want to worry Carmella.

* Not sure how many JoeBucsFan.com readers are aware but NFL.com has the live NBC feed of the game and users get to choose any of one of five different camera angles to watch the game.

Seahawks (1-4) at Bucs (4-2)
Week 7
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m.
TV: NBC, WFLA Channel 8.
Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network (in Tampa WFUS-FM, 103.5 and WDAE-AM, 620); Sirius Channel 127.
Weather: Per AccuWeather.com, fantastic football weather with temperatures expected to be in the mid-60s under clear skies at kickoff with temperatures slipping into the low-60s at the end of the game.
Odds: Per Bodog.com, Bucs -11.
Outlook: Seattle has never lost a game in Tampa. That should end tonight. The Seahawks are starting Seneca Wallace at quarterback, a glorified option/slash type quarterback. The Bucs defense should eat him alive so long as they contain him. Given the fact the Bucs have faced guys like Michael Vick in the past and contained him, they shouldn’t have a problem with Wallace.
As usual with the offense, the Bucs should use their great offensive line and pound the rock until the Seahawks scream for mercy.
This game really shouldn’t be close. And those are the types of games to worry about.
As an added bonus, the Bucs are honoring former great, fullback Mike Alstott at halftime. Thanks for the memories, Mike!

Last week was the first time this season that the Bucs were better off without Brett Favre.

Joe takes a weekly sort of pointless look at how almost-Bucs quarterback Brett Favre did with the Jets compared to whoever is playing quarterback for the Bucs.

Last week in the Jets 26-14 win over Cincinnati, Brett Favre completed 25 of 33 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown. He was also sacked twice and threw a pair of interceptions.

Jeff Garcia completed 15 of 20 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. He was not sacked and did not throw a pick.

This was the first week of the season where the Bucs were better off without Favre.

Better late than never. As he does each week, Joe documents Bucs defensive end Gaines Adams’ every move on the field.

NIP: Not in the play.
NOF: Not on the field.

Carolina – 14:52
First possession
1st-10, CAR24 14:52 Delhomme passed to Smith down the middle for 11 yard gain.
Initially stopped but slides inside. NIP.Adams is double-teamed and pushed to the right.
1st-10, CAR35 14:11 Williams rushed to the left for 1 yard gain.
Manhandled by tight end Jeff King.
2nd-9, CAR36 13:26 Delhomme incomplete pass to the left .
Dropping back into pass coverage in the right flat, Adams drops an interception.
3rd-9, CAR36 13:19 Delhomme passed to Hoover down the middle for 5 yard gain
At left end Adams gets around right tackle Jeff Otah and gets some pressure on Delhomme.
Carolina – 12:16
Second possession
1st-10, CAR25 12:16 CAR committed 5 yard penalty.
Adams lures left tackle Jordan Gross into an illegal procedure.
1st-15, CAR20 12:16 Williams rushed to the right for 1 yard gain.
Unblocked but Williams runs away from Adams.
2nd-14, CAR21 11:38 Williams rushed to the left for 1 yard loss.
Gets past the line but stops to provide contain in case of a reverse.
3rd-15, CAR20 10:57 Delhomme incomplete pass to the right.
Starts with a little outside move then cuts inside and past the line but Delhomme gets the ball away quickly.

Carolina – 6:00
Third possession
1st-10, CAR20 6:00 Stewart rushed up the middle for 1 yard gain.
Slides inside and squirts through the bodies to get the tackle.
2nd-9, CAR21 5:27 Delhomme incomplete pass down the middle.
Owned by Gross.
3rd-9, CAR21 5:03 Jackson intercepted Delhomme for 25 yards. TB committed 15 yard penalty.
At left end Adams blows past right tackle Jeremy Bridges but curves around and doesn’t go for the sack instead providing contain as if he expected Delhomme to run left.

Carolina – 2:32
Fourth possession
1st-10, CAR28 2:32 Delhomme passed to Smith to the right for 48 yard gain.
Adams is handled, no pressure.
1st-10, TB24 1:45 Stewart rushed up the middle for 4 yard gain.
Adams rolls outside while Stewart runs inside.
2nd-6, TB20 1:08 Delhomme passed to Muhammad to the left for 5 yard gain.
Unblocked but Delhomme rolls to his right.
3rd-1, TB15 0:32 Hoover rushed up the middle for 1 yard gain.
Adams slides inside and gets an assist.

2nd Quarter
Carolina continued
1st-10, TB14 15:00 Williams rushed to the right for 7 yard gain.
Adams steps backwards as if waiting for a backside pass or a reverse.2nd-3, TB7 14:30 Williams rushed to the right for 4 yard gain.
Adams slips trying to go inside.
1st-3, TB3 13:50 Williams rushed up the middle for 2 yard gain.
Blown off the line by Gross. NIP.
2nd-1, TB1 13:13 Stewart rushed to the right for 1 yard loss.
At left end blown off the line again.
3rd-2, TB2 12:42 Delhomme incomplete pass down the middle.
At left end flies past blockers but gets no pressure as Delhomme unloads pass right away.

Carolina – 8:58
Fifth possession
1st-10, CAR20 8:58 Williams rushed to the left for 1 yard gain.
Pushed inside. NIP.
2nd-9, CAR21 8:15 Williams rushed up the middle for 3 yard gain.
Held by Gross but no flag.
3rd-6, CAR24 7:35 Delhomme incomplete pass to the right.
At left end gets around blockers and chases Delhomme into the right flat.

Carolina – 5:38
Sixth possession
1st-10, CAR6 5:38 Stewart rushed up the middle for 1 yard gain.
Cuts right to contain weakside. NIP.
2nd-9, CAR7 4:47 Stewart rushed to the right for 4 yard gain .
Swim move inside just misses Delhomme.
3rd-5, CAR11 4:01 Delhomme passed to Smith to the left for 22 yard gain.
Gets some pressure on Delhomme.
1st-10, CAR33 3:37 Delhomme passed to Smith to the left for 6 yard gain.
Cuts inside and is lost in the scrum.
2nd-4, CAR39 3:12 Delhomme passed to Muhammad to the left for 14 yard gain.
No pressure as Delhomme gets off a quick pass.
1st-10, TB47 2:33 Williams rushed up the middle for 5 yard gain.
NOF.
2nd-5, TB42 2:05 Delhomme passed to Smith to the left for 6 yard gain.
NOF.
1st-10, TB36 1:59 Delhomme passed to Williams down the middle for 2 yard gain.
Loops around and nearly sacks Dehomme.
2nd-8, TB34 1:10 Phillips intercepted Delhomme for 58 yards. TB committed 15 yard penalty.
Cuts inside and is lost in the pileup.

Carolina – 0:09
Seventh possession
4th-3, CAR41 0:09 Delhomme rushed up the middle for 1 yard loss.
Dehomme takes a knee to run out the clock and the Bucs apply no push.

Third quarter
Eighth possession
Carolina – 10:35
1st-10, CAR1 10:35 Williams rushed to the right for 1 yard gain.
Shoved inside. NIP.
2nd-9, CAR2 9:53 CAR committed 1 yard penalty.
Shoots right past Stewart who had the ball.
2nd-10, CAR1 9:49 Hoover rushed up the middle for 1 yard gain.
Gets some penetration.
3rd-9, CAR2 9:04 Williams rushed to the right for 3 yard gain.
Shoots right past Gross but Williams rushes opposite side of the field.

Carolina – 5:56
Ninth possession
1st-10, CAR24 5:56 Stewart rushed to the right for 3 yard gain.
Right guard Travelle Wharton handles Adams. NIP.
2nd-7, CAR27 5:17 Delhomme incomplete pass down the middle.
Curls right cuts inside. NIP.
3rd-7, CAR27 5:10 Delhomme incomplete pass to the right.
Delhomme throws the ball away to avoid a sack as Adams was breathing down his back.

Carolina – 14:05
10th possession
1st-10, CAR27 14:05 Delhomme passed to Muhammad down the middle for 35 yard gain.
Drops back into pass coverage in the right flat. NIP.
1st-10, TB38 13:36 Delhomme incomplete pass to the left.
After getting nowhere outside cuts inside. NIP>
2nd-10, TB38 13:20 Talib intercepted Delhomme for 11 yards. TB committed 15 yard penalty.
Curls outside and gets some heat on Delhomme.

Carolina – 7:15
11th possession
1st-10, CAR10 7:15 Delhomme passed to Rosario down the middle for 9 yard gain.
At left end blows past Bridges and gets pressure on Delhomme.
2nd-1, CAR19 6:52 Delhomme passed to Jarrett to the left for 4 yard gain.
Runs an inside stunt. NIP.
1st-10, CAR23 6:28 Delhomme passed to Muhammad to the right for 14 yard gain.
Gets some pressure on Delhomme.
1st-10, CAR37 5:56 Delhomme passed to Smith to the left for 19 yard gain.
Races past blockers and gets some pressure on Delhomme.
1st-10, TB44 5:45 Delhomme incomplete pass to the right.
Initially goes outside and then shifts inside. NIP.
2nd-10, TB44 5:38 Delhomme incomplete pass to the left.
Adams is put on the ground by King.
3rd-10, TB44 5:31 Delhomme incomplete pass to the left.
NOF.
4th-10, TB44 5:20 Delhomme incomplete pass to the left.
NOF.

Carolina – 2:46
12th possession
1st-10, CAR24 2:46 Delhomme passed to Stewart down the middle for 1 yard gain.
At left end loops left and gets some pressure.
2nd-9, CAR25 2:19 Delhomme incomplete pass to the right.
Stutter steps past Bridges but gets no pressure.
3rd-9, CAR25 2:15 Delhomme passed to Rosario to the right for 12 yard gain.
Again gets past Bridges but gets no pressure on Delhomme.
1st-10, CAR37 2:00 Delhomme passed to Jones to the right for 13 yard gain.
Curls outside and then cuts inside on a stunt but no pressure.
1st-10, 50 1:53 Delhomme passed to Rosario to the right for 7 yard gain.
NOF.
2nd-3, TB43 1:30 Delhomme passed to Williams to the right for 6 yard gain.
NOF.
1st-10, TB37 1:02 Delhomme passed to King to the left for 3 yard gain.
NOF.
2nd-7, TB34 0:54 Delhomme incomplete pass to the right.
NOF.
3rd-7, TB34 0:48 Delhomme incomplete pass down the middle.
NOF.
4th-7, TB34 0:37 Delhomme incomplete pass to the right.
NOF.
Game over.

JoeBucsFan.com analyst Jacquez Green, the former Bucs wide receiver (1998-2001) and All-American at the University of Florida (1995-1997), checks in with his breakdown of the Bucs offense, specifically the passing game.

Green, who won back-to-back Madden Bowls, is currently the offensive coordinator at Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg.

Joe: When the Bucs came out throwing long passes last week which was something that wasn’t happening with Brian Griese, does that get the receivers motivated?

Jacquez: All wide receivers want to make big plays. You get tired of five-yard passes all of the time. It helps to open up the offense. Tampa Bay can dink and dunk with the best of them. When they start hitting big plays that loosens up the underneath coverage even more which will also help the short passing game. It gives the quarterback more time to get into the groove also. It enables him to hit deep passes.

Joe: Since the Bucs seem to like short passes, would it be wise for them to go deep a few times?

Jacquez: Yeah. The long passes opens up the underneath passes even more. That’s Tampa’s specialty: getting the ball underneath. It loosens up the team even more.

Joe: In the past, you said the flip-flopping between Jeff Garcia and Griese prevented the receivers and the quarterback from getting into a rhythm, is that why deep passes were so rare? Now that Garcia is back at quarterback do you think they are getting into a rhythm?

Jacquez: That’s part of it. I think Garcia is more comfortable now. I think he was injured early in the year and that he is probably a lot more comfortable. Antonio Bryant has only been here four or five games now. He is probably more comfortable, too. Gruden’s offense is pretty complicated. I’m sure Bryant wasn’t really sure about a lot of his routes.

Joe: When Gruden is asked if Garcia is set at starting quarterback the rest of the year he doesn’t give a straight answer. Is that just gamesmanship?

Jacquez: Gamesmanship, man. It’s keeping both quarterbacks on their toes. You like to have competition at the quarterback position. That keeps guys fresh. Keeps them on their toes. Keeps them on top of things. You have two veteran quarterbacks in that offense. That’s great for an offensive coordinator.

The Pessimist can't believe linebacker Matt McCoy (above) was released less than 12 hours after getting a DUI, yet the King of Turds is still on the roster.

Hypocrisy, thy name is Chucky. And Bruce Almighty.

The Pessimist came across a little bit of news and is so upset, he can hardly drink a beer despite tons of college football on the tube.

Seems as though Bucs linebacker Matt McCoy got pulled over this morning 500 feet from his house in Tampa and got popped for a DUI.

Hours later, the Bucs released him.

While it’s novel that Bruce Almighty and Chucky had the moral courage to cut a reserve linebacker over a DUI charge (note: he hasn’t plead guilty or gone to trial), it’s the height of hypocrisy that the piece of human debris, the King of Turds, Jerramy Stevens stays on the roster.

Stevens, like McCoy, is a reserve. And unlike the King of Turds, while serious, McCoy hasn’t come close to pulling the stunts that the King of Turds has.

And yet, the scum that is the King of Turds claims he’s being singled out. The nerve!

The fact it took the Bucs hierarchy a few hours to wash their hands of McCoy and embrace that dirtbag Stevens is beyond an outrage. With McCoy, who gets a DUI, Bruce Almighty and Chucky have courage. With the King of Turds who was charged with heinous crimes against women, the Dynamic Duo bend over.

And yes, Bucs fans, Bruce Almighty and Chuck are slapping you in the face with this decision. For Bucs fans of the fairer sex, the Dynamic Duo spits in your face.

This is enough for The Pessimist to throw a beer on the King of Turds tomorrow and get thrown out of the CITS and arrested. It would almost be money worth spent.

In short, cutting McCoy while embracing the King of Turds, is disgusting.

Joe would like to extend a belated thanks to J.P. Peterson of WQYK-AM 1010 Sports for hosting Joe as a guest on his show Thursday.

Joe and J.P. talked about the JoeBucsFan.com exclusive report: Clemson University wants to acquire both former Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin and his father, Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.

Joe encourages readers to check out J.P.’s show, “Happy Hour with J.P.” which airs weekdays 3-6 p.m. and on streaming audio via the station’s Web site. Also please check out J.P.’s own Web site TampaBaySportsCentral.com which will offer more local video features and news than any other television outlet.

Joe hopes Earnest Graham can lead the Bucs to their first home win against the Seahawks.

The NFL Network still won’t use embed codes on its videos. But Joe has dug up the links.

First, Chucky explains why he doesn’t like night games. One reason: He gets too tired.

Next, NFL Films gives the game preview. Joe was unaware the Bucs have never beaten the Seahawks in Tampa. The Bucs are 1-7 all-time against Seattle.

Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia talks about how it feels to be the starter again, which Joe feels should have happened weeks ago.

Lastly AccuWeather.com forecasts “football weather” for the first time this season at RJS — mid-60’s and clear at kickoff.

JoeBucsFan.com analyst Steve Campbell thinks Bucs offensive tackle Jeremy Trueblood should get a test from Seattle defensive end Patrick Kerney.

JoeBucsFan.com analyst Steve Campbell reviews the Bucs’ offensive line play in Week 6 and projects what fans can expect against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

In the 1990s, Campbell was a NCAA Division I lineman and played semipro football (he likes to say he was a tackling dummy for a future NFL defenisve tackle). His analysis appears here weekly.

After a disappointing effort in Denver the week before, the Buccaneer offensive line got back on track with an outstanding effort against a very good Carolina Panther defense. The Bucs had proved they could run the ball against average defenses, but what they did on the ground and in protecting Jeff Garcia Sunday, will go a long way to asserting themselves as one of the top OL units in the league.

The Bucs totaled 136 yards from the three tailbacks and averaged 4.1 yards per carry. You do that every week and don’t turn the ball over, and that’s a recipe for winning more than losing.

Left tackle Donald Penn turned in another outstanding performance against one of the league’s best defensive ends in Julius Peppers. Gone are the days of 2004 and 2005 for the Bucs offense when Jon Gruden was forced to leave backs in to chip defensive ends and leaving tight ends in for max protect schemes. The Bucs have a legitimate offensive line and as a result you’re seeing improvements in league rankings in yards(11th) and points scored(13th). For what it’s worth, both Earnest Graham and Warrick Dunn are on pace to rush for over 1,000 yards each.

This week against Seattle, the Bucs face a defense that has me puzzled and the rest of the NFL puzzled. I look up and down the Seahawks’ defensive roster, and I see talented players, but for some reason that is not translating to success on the field. Seattle comes to town with the 27thh ranked defense in the league. They have given up 126 rushing yards a game, and I’m anxious to see what the tandem of Graham and Dunn can do against them.

Along the defensive line, I like LDE Patrick Kerney quite a bit. He is having a productive season with four sacks, and Tampa Bay RT, Jeremy Trueblood will have his hands full with him. Kerney gave Trueblood fits last year in the season opener in Seattle, so it will be interesting to see how the improved Trueblood will handle Kerney.

Up the middle the Seahawks are very formidable. I like Brandon Mebane, the second year DT out of Cal. He and Rocky Bernard will hope to keep center Jeff Faine away from MLB Lofa Tatupu. If Aaron Sears/Jeremy Zuttah and Davin Joseph can handle Mebane and Bernard with no help, that will go a long way in slowing down Tatupu, and getting the running game cranked up. LT Donald Penn will have another tough task this weekend with Seattle RDE Darryl Tapp. He will also see a lot of LB Julian Peterson on passing downs. Peterson is a double-digit sack guy, and the Bucs will need to avoid the penalties and stay out of third-and-long to keep Kerney and Peterson controled.

With inexperienced Seneca Wallace running Seattle's offense, it will take a Sunday night miracle for Seattle to win at RJS.

Some fresh, inexperienced meat will line up under center for the Seahawks on Sunday night, when quarterback Seneca Wallace gets the start for Seattle at Raymond James Stadium.

We know what Monte Kiffin and the Bucs defense do to those poorly seasoned QBs; They eat’em up and beat’em up, especially at home. Just ask Aaron Rodgers (Packers) and Matt Ryan (Falcons). And Wallace isn’t anywhere near the league of those guys.

Standing just 5’11”, Wallace, subbing for the injured Matt Hasselback, was a fourth-round pick by Seattle in 2003. He’s been soaking up Mike Holmgren’s offense ever since.

Joe looked up his stats. And Wallace has started just four games, all in 2006.  His numbers:

• 15-for-13, 198 yards, 3TDs and 2 picks in a loss at K.C.
• 18-for-30, 176 yards, 1TD in a 16-0 home win against a bad Raiders team
• 15-for-23, 161 yards, 2 TDs. He rallied team for a late home win vs. Rams
• 19-for-31, 252 yards, 2TDs, 3 picks. TDs came late in 20-14 loss at S.F.

So Wallace is 2-2 as a starter, has never won a road game and has never faced a defense anywhere near as good as the Bucs’. Plus, he’s coming back from a calf strain, which could limit his mobility.

Let’s say it all together now, “The Bucs move to 5-2.”

Tomorrow's Bucs game against Seattle is NOT sold out. But good luck finding a link to Ticketmaster on the Bucs Web site. ScalpHub and the "Season Ticket Waiting List" are easily accessible.

A visit to the Bucs official Web site this morning revealed two ticket options on its homepage. But it’s odd how there’s no option for Ticketmaster to actually buy tickets to Sunday night’s game.

At the Bucs’ site you can click on a link to StubHub (aka ScalpHub) and pay a premium for Bucs tickets. Or you can click one of two links to get on the “Season Ticket Waiting List.”

Well, Joe took an apparently unauthorized trip over to Ticketmaster and, less than 36 hours from kickoff, you can buy pairs of tickets (together) in various price ranges. Joe found a pair in Section 331 ($85 each) and Section 144 $99 each. Plenty of more expensive seats are available, too.

Now Joe finds this bizarre, considering the Bucs had huge advertisements all over the newspapers, radio and the team Web site near the start of the season telling fans that good seats were still available for all games.

But those ads have disappeared. Maybe ScalpHub didn’t want to pay big sponsorship dollars to a team that advertises plenty of seats available?

Who knows. But Joe thinks the Bucs should stop leading fans to believe that the place is sold out. Like they do with the big “SOLD OUT” message you see when you click on a link to “General Tickets” 

Isn’t the whole idea to get fans at the games?

Rumor has it the White Tiger will play Sunday. Joe's tired of the talk. Joe wants action, not speculation.

TBO.com is reporting that Bucs wide receiver Joey Galloway, otherwise known as the “White Tiger” because so much is heard about him but little seen, could be on the field Sunday night for the Bucs game against the Seahawks.

When Joe refers to “on the field,” he is not referring to just standing on the sidelines.

First, Woody Cummings claims all signs point toward Galloway returning.

First, he took about a hundred passes without suffering a setback before last Sunday’s game against Carolina. Then he practiced on Wednesday, which he seldom if ever does. Now, he’s practicing again today. Finally, Galloway did not make himself available to the media during the open locker room session either yesterday or today. That’s the real giveaway. When Galloway is healthy and playing he hardly ever talks to the media. When he’s hurt, he’s very accommodating.

Second, Anwar Richardson spoke with Chucky who claims there’s a 50 percent chance the White Tiger will prowl the CITS.

Galloway did practice on Thursday and it appears there is a chance he might play this Sunday against Seattle. Gruden said Galloway has a 50-50 chance of playing on Sunday, which is far more optimistic than he has been over the past few weeks.

“He’s getting better,” Gruden said.

It’s to the point where seeing is believing. Until Joe sees Galloway racing down the field to catch a pass from Carmella’s husband, Joe won’t believe the hype.

Joe is still trying to get through the morning after that wretched Rays meltdown last night. Some people turn to comfort food. Joe turns to comfort viewing.

Apologies to Bucs fans. Joe’s not trying to turn this into a Bucs cheerleader blog. But for some odd reason, Joe doesn’t think too many will quibble.

Cadillac Williams is eligible to begin practicing, but hasn't. Joe doesn't see any need to rush his return.

Bucs running back Cadillac Williams is eligible to being practices, so reports Stephen F. Holder of the St. Petersburg Times, but he’s still in the garage. The Bucs have three weeks to either play him or put in on injured reserve list for the season.

Given the way the Bucs are running the ball, Chucky isn’t in much of a hurry with the former first round pick.

“We’re going to keep looking at him,” Gruden said. “We’ve said it time and time again: He’s getting better and better and better. All of his hard work is going to pay off.”

In September of last year Williams tore his patellar tendon. He hasn’t practiced since.

Joe doesn’t see the need to rush him. Unless there’s a rash of injuries to the tailbacks, let Caddy heal.

Apparently, Rays third baseman Evan Longoria has been more than simply admiring Bucs cheerleaders.

Yes, this is a Bucs blog.

Yes, this has a Bucs angle.

Yes, Joe is still more than peeved about the Rays collapse last night and now fears the worst.

But Joe did find something that perked him up.

It seems Rays third baseman/stud Evan Longoria admires the Bucs cheerleaders like the rest of us. Only he’s doing something about it rather than just drooling (of course, it helps to be a multi-milliionaire jock).

The photo above is of lovely Bucs cheerleader Jaime Hanna who apparently has been caught on the arm of Longoria. Per SportsbyBrooks.com:

Thanks to several eagle-eyed tipsters to SbB, I found out that the vibrant, no doubt pilates-sculpted young woman in the video above MIGHT BE a cheerleader for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Well done, Evan. Well done! I’m sure Ms. Hanna was able to comfort Evan in his time of need when the Rays returned home.

Now just take care of things Saturday night Evan. And don’t make another stupid error! I’m sure Jaime will reward you in a special way.

Joe nominates the lone Bucs star in the Pro Football Hall of Fame to be in the first to be honored on the new Ring of Fame next year: Lee Roy Selmon.

Breaking news has kept Joe busy over the past 36 hours. So apologies are in order for the delay in posting this.

As Joe is sure Bucs fans are aware, the Glazer Boys finally relented and will add a Ring of Fame to honor  greats in Bucs history. The team also break out the orange jerseys in 2009  to honor the team’s fourth decade.

As for who the Bucs should honor on the Ring of Fame, well, Joe thinks the first player is a no-brainer.

Get No. 63 up there, Lee Roy Selmon.

(Besides, Joe likes his restaurant.)

Who else should the Bucs honor? Let’s see the nominations people.