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.

Joe is here to provide the weekly power rankings.

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com gave the Bucs a big bump as a result of the win over Carolina, from No. 10 to No. 5.

They reminded people they can still get after it on defense against Carolina. Jeff Garcia should stay in as the starter.

Pat Yasinskas of BSPN.com isn’t as kind, but he still has the Bucs fairly high at No. 7, up from No. 13.

Jeff Garcia is back as QB, but the Bucs are winning with defense, special teams.

Then of course there is the dean of NFL writers, Dr. Z, known also as Paul Zimmerman of SI.com. Dr. Z has the Bucs at No. 7 as he asks a rhetorical question:

Why doesn’t Jon Gruden like Jeff Garcia? Why did it take, not six picks in two games but shoulder and elbow injuries to Brian Griese to get the better quarterback in there? And is Garcia in favor only until his first interception?

Jason Horowitz and Charley Casserly of CBSSports.com break down the Buds-Seahawks game. Casserly doesn’t appear to give the Seahawks much of a chance. Joe hopes he’s right.

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Joe has learned Clemson University will make an offer to Lane Kiffin as its next football coach, so long as his father joins him as defensive coordinator.

Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin is in the crosshairs of some powerful Clemson University boosters to join the team as its defensive coordinator beginning in 2009, Joe has learned.

So long as his son, former Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin, takes the head coaching job there.

Through a source with strong ties to Clemson movers and shakers, Joe was informed of a meeting of Clemson boosters held Wednesday at the school and that many big-moneyed Tigers boosters want to throw considerable cash at Lane Kiffin to replace recently resigned coach Tommy Bowden.

The trick is the offer will be a package deal: Lane has to bring his father Monte with him.

One of the reasons the school negotiated an early release for Bowden earlier this week was so the program could get a headstart on acquiring a top candidate.

The decision to go after the Kiffins was met with some resistance, Joe was told.

Rumors still persist in Clemson’s neck of the woods that Monte Kiffin, as coach of North Carolina State in the early 1980s, blew the whistle on then-Clemson coach Danny Ford for various NCAA recruiting violations which led to the football program being placed on probation.

Some of the influential old guard Clemson boosters want nothing to do with Kiffin as a result, but they are a vocal minority Joe was told. A number of former Clemson players who logged time in the NFL are pushing for the Kiffin package.

This little bit of news reinforces whispers Joe has heard about Monte Kiffin in recent weeks.

When Raiders owner Al Davis fired Lane Kiffin, Davis stated in his press conference that Monte Kiffin told him that he, Kiffin, wanted to leave the Bucs and join his son in Oakland.

Joe also heard through various fourth estate sources that during preseason, Tampa Tribune NFL writer Ira Kaufman had hinted the Bucs were trying to ease Kiffin out and name defensive backs coach Raheem Morris as the Bucs defensive coordinator-in-waiting. Bucs general manager Bruce Allen (Bruce Almighty) pulled Kaufman aside before the Bucs hosted the Patriots in August and scolded Kaufman, saying the Kiffin situation was deemed delicate.

© JoeBucsFan.com

Media: Joe kindly requests attribution in using this information.

Former Bucs teammates Warren Sapp and Meshawn Johnson did not get along as players, and it seems the hatred still lingers.

Here’s a nice little tidbit from Neil Best, the Watchdog, of Newsday. Seems as if former Bucs defensive tackle Warren Sapp — who is no friend of former Bucs wide receiver Meshawn Johnson — couldn’t pass up the opportunity to blast his former teammate when discussing Brad Johnson on Showtime’s “Inside the NFL.”

“An accurate quarterback, a championship, someone that knows the ropes and how to distribute the ball. He’s played with worse malcontents than T.O. He played with Keyshawn. Keyshawn was kicked off the team, away from us. Terrell Owens is a choirboy compared to Keyshawn. He’ll get the ball and distribute it and they’ll be fine.”

Joe doesn’t care for Sapp or Meshawn. But what Joe does love about this is, he knows Meshawn won’t let that comment lie. He’ll fire back, and soon there will be a season-long war of words between the two.

Awesome!

UPDATE: Here’s the video (thanks to AwfulAnnouncing.com):

Carmella's famous father-in-law takes his shots at Gruden and Griese

Hey, Bob Garcia, you can be a guest analyst for JoeBucsFan.com anytime.

In an interview with the Gilroy Dispatch, that famous California-garlic-country rag, local football coaching legend Bob Garcia, Jeff Garcia’s dad, voiced his displeasure at Tampa Bay’s quarterback controversy.

The guy [Brian Griese] throws eight interceptions or 10 interceptions in three games, how the hell … c’mon. Hey, I kept waiting for the damn thing to backfire on [Gruden] because he was going to teach Jeff a lesson or whatever the case was, not that it didn’t come down to the Denver game, but they didn’t move the ball much those first three quarters. But it haunts you if you’re just saying, ‘I’m gonna do what’s best for the team (by sitting Jeff).’ Well you know what? Jeff is what’s best for that team because he has more talent, he understands the offense and he doesn’t turn the ball over.

Joe wants to throw a beer back with this guy. The elder Garcia offers some other Bucs gems is his weekly blog at www.GarlicSports.com

Joe thinks Bucs made a smart choice in picking up fullback Jameel Cook.

In a move that did not surprise Joe one bit, the Bucs signed former fullback Jameel Cook.

Cook was needed as injuries have knocked out both of the Bucs fullbacks.

Cook was drafted by the Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2001 draft. He played with the Bucs from 2001-05 and has 15 carries for 43 yards and 81 receptions for 486 yards and three touchdowns in his career.

To make room for Cook, the Bucs cut former South Florida linebacker Ben Moffitt. Maybe Moffitt had to take a test and he couldn’t shake down his ex-wife to do the work for him?

Seattle running back Julius Jones is the leading candidate for dumbass of the week.

It appears Sunday evening may be a very long night for Seahawks running back Julius Jones. In a blog entry by Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, Jones stated that some of the Bucs’ defensive side of the ball are getting long in the tooth and an athletic player can expose them.

“They’re smart players and what you have to do with those guys is kind of beat them athletically,’’ Jones said. “I know a couple guys are up there in age and that’s how we’re going to try to get around those guys – beat them athletically.’’

Well. I’m sure this is news to Steve Smith. Or DeAngelo Williams. And Drew Brees. And Michael Turner. And Mike Jenkins, just to name a few.

Memo to Jones: Best keep your mouth shut if you want to walk away from the CITS in one piece. BTW, what’s your team’s record again?

BSPN’s Pat Yasinskas talks about Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia’s chances of keeping his starting job. Just a sneak preview: He’s not convinced Chucky will lock in Garcia.

Yasinskas also talks about Cadillac Williams’ chances of returning to the Bucs.

In a fan survey of NFL stadiums, Sports Illustrated rates the CITS at No. 18 in the NFL.

Joe enjoys going to Bucs games. Who wouldn’t? But when Joe hears people rave about the CITS, Joe is confused. Joe doesn’t mind the CITS, but doesn’t quite understand why people think the stadium is so great.

Joe doesn’t think the CITS is much better than OK.

Well, it seems others agree with Joe.

In a fan survey conducted by Sports Illustrated, the gameday atmosphere at the CITS was ranked No. 18 in the NFL. The categories included affordability and food, tailgating, team quality, atmosphere and accessability. The highest the CITS ranked in any category was team quality (No. 14); the worst was accessability (No. 23).

Lauren Shehadi of CBSSports.com talks with Pete Prisco for a video version of Power Rankings. Prisco has the Bucs at No. 5. We’ll let him spill the beans on why.

Watch CBS Videos Online

Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune podcasts and gives an update on the Bucs white tiger, Joey Galloway.

Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune has another podcast and it’s yet another example of the solid work he does. He takes a peek at the Bucs-Seahawks game Sunday and gives an update on Joey Galloway.

Cummings also breaks some news in that the Bucs may resign former Bucs fullback Jameel Cook. The University of Illinois product was cut by the Houston Texans back in August and hasn’t been on an NFL roster since.

Also, Cummings suggests Seneca Wallace may be the starting quarterback for Seattle, not Charlie Frye.

Rick Brown of the Lakeland Ledger is back with his weekly video report on the Bucs, specifically looking back at the Bucs win over the Panthers.

But there is something different this time. Brown lost his hat, both of them!

Here’s the evidence:

Joe would rather look at Matt Hasselbeck's sister-in-law than the Seahawks quarterback.

Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will not play Sunday Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. He has a hyperextended right knee.

“As it turns out, the back situation that he had aggravated in our preseason was actually creating the problem with his leg,” Holmgren said. “Now we know where we’re headed with the treatment, and it’s tied in with the disc situation.”

Bad back, bad knee, bad luck for the Seahawks.

So what does Hasselbeck’s injury mean? Ladies and gentlemen, I present to the Bucs defense on a silver platter, the head of Charlie Frye.

Oh well, Joe would rather look at Hasselbeck’s sister-in-law, even though she’s annoying as hell to listen to.

Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune suggests the Bucs are getting shafted by the national media. Joe doesn't totally agree.

Are the Bucs getting dissed by the national media? Joe doesn’t think so.

Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune suggests the Bucs aren’t getting any love from the national fourth estate. He cites how  Bucs highlights were buried on TV this weekend by the networks.

You expect Dallas and Green Bay to grab a lot of national attention, but Arizona has received way more attention than Tampa Bay and both teams have the same record.

Joe understands where Richardson is coming from and doesn’t completely disagree. But Joe also understands why the Arizona-Dallass (yes, Joe spelled that word incorrectly on purpose) highlights got so much play.

Much to Joe’s chagrin, Dallass is white trash America’s Team. Whenever Dallass is on TV, it draws eyeballs. BSPN, FOX and NBC are for-profit companies; they are not PBS which is funded by federal tax dollars. Eyeballs = more ad revenue.

So Dallass is naturally going to get more play. There’s a reason people like Joe aren’t on TV but people like Cobie Smulder are. Networks try to draw as many people as possible, not chase people away.

Besides, the Desert Rats — guided by the worst owner in the history of North American professional sports, Bill Bidwill — beat Dallass in dramatic fashion in overtime on a blocked punt, the first time in NFL history that has happened.

Again, Joe totally gets why that game got so much play.

In fact, Atlanta QB Matt Ryan is being built up as the league’s next great quarterback, leading his team to a 4-2 record, but Tampa Bay dismantled him recently. The Falcons are also 0-2 in the NFC South, but Tampa Bay stands atop the division at 2-1.

Joe understands this as well. To the casual fan, quarterbacks are sexy (except to Suzy Kolber) and the Dixie Chicks have a budding superstar in Matt Ryan. Here, too, was an upset in dramatic fashion against a team that oh, BTW, is from the nation’s third largest market (Chicago), pulls in a lot of viewers and is a power team in the NFC North.

The story of the NFL so far this year is the Dixie Chicks. They were expected to be the dregs of the NFL and are now tied for first in the NFC South with a stud rookie quarterback.

There’s a pattern here: Last-minute upsets of good teams that are also very popular to many Americans.

Joe has pointed out when national media people have lauded the Bucs such as Peter King and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo. So while Joe sees where Richardson is coming from, Joe doesn’t agree that the national media is giving the Bucs the shaft.

And let’s be honest, BSPN has its favorite seven or eight teams and they beat viewers over the head with them time and again. If your favorite team is not one of those select seven or eight, in BSPN’s eyes, your team doesn’t exist.

And if you rely on BSPN to provide you with highlights, you are cheating yourself. Go to the NFL Network. If you don’t get the NFL Network and are an Out House Networks subscriber, well, that’s your problem.

With the NFL trade deadline just hours away (4 p.m.) the Bucs have a limited window to pull off a deal to get a fullback now that both Bucs fullbacks are on the shelf with injuries.

The Hate Chucky Club is losing membership

“Gruden can’t win two years in a row. …He gets lucky. …He can’t sustain anything in the organization because he mistreats the players.”

 

You’ve heard that kind of talk from the legions of Jon Gruden haters, who gather daily on sports radio to hold hands and share conspiracy theories.

Joe and his associates here at JoeBucsFan.com second-guess Chucky regularly, but nobody here ever questions his ability to have the Bucs ready to play every week. And he and Bruce Almighty have found a way to inject quality youth into the organization and rebuild on the fly. That’s not easy.

It looks like this is the year Chucky breaks his can’t-win-two-straight-years-in-Tampa cycle. So fans better get used to Chucky being here for many years to come, or at least until Brian Griese plays a full season.

Here’s a look at Chucky’s career stats.

Bucs backup fullback Byron Storer suffered a torn ACL Sunday and is out for the season.

Special teams wasn’t so special for Bucs backup fullback Byron Storer. He suffered a torn ACL in the Bucs win over Carolina Sunday and is out for the year, Rick Brown of the Lakeland Ledger reports.

Storer had started the three games while B.J. Askew nursed a bum hamstring.

If Askew can’t go Sunday night, don’t be surprised if Chucky uses Earnest Graham at fullback much like he did in the win over Carolina with Warrick Dunn at tailback.

There also is some buzz that former Bucs FB Jameel Cook could be signed soon.

NBC Football Night in America analyst John Madden and his Madden Bus won't be parking in Tampa this Sunday.

NBC Football Night In America analyst John Madden will not be in Tampa to broadcast the Bucs-Seahawks game, per Stephen Holder of the St. Petersburg Times.

Madden travels to his games via the “Madden Cruiser” because of his widely-known fear of flying. Doing Sunday’s game in Tampa would require Madden to travel a significant distance from his home in California. Yesterday’s NBC telecast featured the Patriots and Chargers in San Diego. This decision presumably would allow Madden to return home in Northern California and spend extra time there.

Chris Collinsworth will substitute for Madden in the booth.

It appears Madden, per his contract with NBC, is allowed to have a week off. Since next Sunday there will be no NFL football on Sunday night due to the World Series (hopefully played at the Fruitdome in St. Petersburg), taking this week off will give Madden essentially a two-week break.

The main reason Madden chose not to be in Tampa is it would be the second cross-country trip for Madden in as many weeks. Oct. 5 Madden called the Steelers-Jaguars game in Jacksonville. This past Sunday Madden was in San Diego for the Patriots-Chargers game.

Madden does not fly, but takes his Madden Bus.

It just seems kind of odd that the Madden Bus is bankrolled by Outback Steakhouse, and Outback Steakhouse is headquartered in Tampa.

Like Jeff Garcia when he was benched for Son of Bob, Joe is confident Tomy Romo will be able to find ways to pass the time until the pinkie on this throwing hand heals.

Joe never likes to see a player suffer an injury, even a trivial one. So when Joe learned Monday that Dallass quarterback Tony Romo (who graduated from the same school as Mike Shanahan, Sean Peyton, Brad Childress and Joe) broke the pinkie on his throwing hand, he had to smile.

First, a broken pinkie is nothing. Second, that means when Dallass will face the Bucs in two weeks in Dallas, the Cowgirls will not have the services of arguably the best quarterback in the NFL.

Cowgirls backup Brad Johnson is quite a dropoff.

As long as Chucky doesn’t get stupid and put Son of Bob back in the starting lineup, there are few games the Bucs should lose on the rest of the schedule. Late season games at Carolina and Atlanta will be tough. Other than that, the Bucs should not be an underdog the rest of the regular season.