Jeff Garcia speaks on the NFL Network about how he is preparing for Sunday's Bucs-Panthers game.

It still irritates Joe that the NFL Network doesn’t embed codes so Joe can bring you the videos in full. But that doesn’t mean the NFL Network doesn’t have quality video, and it doesn’t mean Joe won’t bring you the links.

In the first video, Rod Woodson and Jamie Dukes break down the Bucs-Panthers.

Next up is NFL Films preview of the game.

Finally Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia discusses how he is preparing for the game. It appears he will be the starter but nothing official. Yet.

Charley Casserly and Jason Horowitz of CBSSports.com take a look the key matchups in the Bucs-Panthers game. As usual, Casserly has some solid nuggets.

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Apparently, Derrick Brooks likes to mess with Jake Delhomme's head

Joe recommends today’s entertaining look at the history of the Bucs-Panthers rivalry in the Charlotte Observer.

The story takes a fun look back at the trash talking and memorable games between the two teams. Not that we wanted to remember the Panthers blocking two field goals and a punt to beat the Bucs in overtime in 2003.

Panthers QB Jake Delhomme is eager to play the Bucs again.

“I can remember throwing and hearing [Derrick Brooks] talk in that deep voice, ‘I’m gonna getcha, Jake, I’m gonna getcha,’ and just laughing, Jake Delhomme said.

eye-RAH! Kaufman thinks the Bucs-Panthers rivalry is the best in the NFC South.

Eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune has a podcast where he picks apart the Bucs-Panthers game. eye-RAH! says the Bucs-Panthers rivalry is the best in the NFC South and that the Panthers are playing at their peak. Give it a listen.

Donald Penn and the rest of the Bucs offensive line are getting flagged for too many penalties.

Chucky is mad at the offensive line.

What???

Really. And for good reason. Aside from the defense, the best element of the Bucs thus far this season is without question the offensive line, even with Davin Joseph missing five games with an injury.

Chucky, however, is upset that the offensive line, so writes Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, is getting whistled for too many penalties, specifically false starts.

“The last two games we’ve had seven or eight false starts penalties, which is uncharacteristic, unacceptable and inexcusable,’’ said Gruden, whose team has been penalized 37 times, more than all but three teams in the league. “It’s a lack of concentration, and if it’s not cleaned up we’ll have to make some changes in our lineup.’’

Joe despises mental mistakes like false starts. Chucky is right: They are inexcusable. How difficult is it to listen to the snap count called in the huddle and then follow it at the line of scrimmage? If the line is having trouble hearing, go to a quick snap. Real simple.

One of these days, a false start will cost the Bucs a touchdown and a game. Not cool!

Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune believes Chucky is using Son of Bob's injury as an excuse to bench him.

As he suggested in his podcast, Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune writes that Son of Bob’s injury was more an excuse for Chucky to change quarterbacks, not a necessity.

Brian Griese is hurt. No one is debating that. It really seems, though, as if Bucs coach Jon Gruden is using Griese’s injury as a convenient excuse to make yet another change at quarterback.

Gruden lamented again on Wednesday the miss Griese had on a throw to a wide open Jerramy Stevens on a second-and-10 play from the Denver 21-yard line last week. That, the six interceptions Griese threw the two-weeks prior to the Denver game and some other misses seem to have really dimmed Gruden’s confidence in Griese.

Joe has a simple question: Why is Chucky using an injury as an excuse to bench Son of Bob? Like anyone with a piece of a brain couldn’t tell Son of Bob is brutal beyond words?

If Chucky couldn’t figure this out, he shouldn’t be the offensive coordinator.

BSPN NFL analysts Mark Schlereth, Matthew Barry and Mike Golic break down the Bucs-Panthers game this Sunday. Fair warning: Please don’t get too irate at Golic. He has to work four hours a day at 6 a.m. each weekday with mangirl Mike Greenberg.

Bucs wide receiver Joey Galloway, also known as the "White Tiger," was actually seen on the practice field.

Bucs wide receiver Joey Galloway, nicknamed the “White Tiger” by Chucky for his prolonged absences this season, was found at practice Thursday.

Of course, Galloway was limited in his practice activities.

Galloway told Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune he’s close to being able to play.

“We’re on the right road,’’ said Galloway, who has been nursing a sore foot for close to a month now. “I am cutting [in private workouts] and I actually caught some balls today.’’

Let’s hope this isn’t false hope. The Bucs passing game desperately needs Galloway back on the field to stretch defenses.

Bucs wide receiver Ike Hilliard is hoping a few catches like this one will piss off the Panthers.

Bucs wide receiver Ike Hilliard told eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune that the Bucs and the Panthers don’t really care for each other.

“They don’t like us, man,’’ said Bucs WR Ike Hilliard. “They don’t like us a whole lot, it’s been well documented. They hate us. It makes it a lot more fun on game day.’’

Hilliard was asked if the feeling is mutual.

“Yes,’’ he said. “They’re a good football team and good football teams love to play each other. We obviously have to pick up our intensity based on what we put on film last week.’’

When two teams despise each other, it usually makes for entertaining football. Joe hopes the Bucs come out on top of this brawl. At least the human holding penalty Kenyatta Walker is long gone. Thankfully.

Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune suggests Chucky was ready to bench Son of Bob before he got hurt Sunday.

Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune has a 13-minute podcast in which he discusses the Bucs game Sunday with Carolina which Cummings refers to as “a must win.”

Give it a listen. As always Cummings has solid information. In the podcast, Cummings suggests Chucky was about to pull Son of Bob when Son of Bob got hurt and in effect made the decision for him.

Bucs MLB Barrett Ruud suffered a knee injury against Denver. Chucky doesnt seem worried. Should Bucs fans?

With such a strong opponent in the Carolina Panthers, the Bucs need everyone healthy. Sadly, arguably the Bucs best player is hurting and his playing status Sunday is uncertain.

(And, no, Joe is not referring to Son of Bob. The absolute gall to suggest such a thing!)

Bucs middle linebacker Barrett Ruud suffered a knee injury in the loss to Denver. But Chucky, per the PewterReport.com, doesn’t seem overly concerned that Ruud will miss any playing time Sunday.

“You’ve got concerns,” said Bucs head coach Jon Gruden. “Barrett did not practice today, but knowing Barrett he will find a way. You need your middle linebacker flying around and feeling good. But that’s pro football. We do have some injuries to key guys, and that’s the way it is. It’s an opportunity for other guys to step up, but I have confidence that Barrett will find a way to take the field. This is a big game for us.”

Just in case, the Bucs signed former South Florida linebacker Ben Moffitt to the practice squad. Let’s hope Moffitt doesn’t have to take any tests to stay employed with the Bucs.

Though nothing official yet, it appears Jeff Garcia will start at quarterback for the Bucs, but it’s not locked in stone. BSPN.com’s Pat Yasinkas, who covers the NFC South for the four-letter network, in Tampa this week and discussed the Bucs quarterback situation, the game with the Panthers and the NFC South as a whole. Give it a peek.

Once again, Joe brings Bucs fans weekly power rankings from some of the heavy hitters of the fourth estate.

As is custom, Joe leads off with Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com. Prisco only slightly downgraded the Bucs after the loss to Denver, from No. 8 to No. 10.

“At some point we have to start questioning the validity of Jon Gruden as offensive wizard. They can’t throw the ball down the field. Or they won’t.”

Pat Yasinskas of BSPN.com isn’t as kind as Prisco, ranking the Bucs at No. 13.

“The Bucs need to find an offense as they head into division showdown with Carolina.”

The notorious Dr. Z, otherwise known as Paul Zimmerman of Sports Illustrated, was willing to give the Bucs a pass on the loss, holding at No. 9.

“Same spot as last week, and maybe they’re not a top 10 team, but why punish them for a game in which they lost their QB and still hung in tough all day, in one of the worst places for a visiting team. I’m talking about Denver’s Mile High, with that rabid air and thin fans…or do I have them confused?”

Rick Brown of the Lakeland Ledger has a new hat. It’s not leather. But it’s still backwards.

But Brown hasn’t lost his touch for bringing Bucs fans his weekly video report. Brown seems to be making some excuses for Dexter Jackson (not that Dexter Jackson). Give the video a look.

Alex Smith has developed into a solid tight end and could be better if the Bucs had a receiver to stretch the field.

It’s possible, even with King of Turds, the Bucs may have the best set of tight ends in the NFL. Tom Balog of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune points out that the Bucs tight end trio of Alex Smith, John Gilmore and King of Turds give Chucky three strong weapons to work with.

“The ball distribution among that position is no surprise, because the tight end is a staple of head coach Jon Gruden’s West Coast style offense.”

However, as Joe has pointed out today, if the Bucs don’t have a receiver to stretch the defense, the Bucs could have Tony Gonzalez, Jackie Smith and Jimmie Giles as tight ends and it won’t matter because defenses will pack everything in and deny the Bucs offense a chance of recovering from a penalty or a sack.

… and says nothing.

The NFL Network has a clip of Chucky speaking emptytalk about who will start in Sunday’s game. If Chucky has a modicum of common sense, it will be Carmella’s husband.

(Yeah, it’s been a while since Joe posted a picture of Carmella. Too long in fact.)

… and says nothing.

Joe thinks T.J. Houshmandzadeh would look a lot better in Pewter and Red.

Long before the regular season kicked off, Joe wrote (numerous times actually) that the Bucs most valuable player is Joey Galloway and that if Galloway doesn’t play, the Bucs offense will suffer, and down go the Bucs.

Galloway has played sparingly due to injury. This is not a knock of Galloway. Joe likes him, but Father Time rests for no one. Galloway will soon be 37 and, to be polite, Galloway is brittle. To be blunt, the Bucs cannot count on Galloway any more. If he is able to play, it’s icing on the cake.

Notice that aside from a freak two or three minutes when Chicago’s defense was gassed the Bucs passing game has been pretty much lame (a lot of that has to do with the stiff behind center: Son of Bob)? This is due to the fact the Bucs can’t stretch the defense without Galloway. Stephen Holder of the St. Petersburg Times has pointed out that the Bucs have only five completions over 20 yards; third lowest in the NFL.

“Here’s another reason this is troubling: When the Bucs find themselves in third-and-long situations, as they frequently do, it’s difficult to convert when the majority of your passes gain fewer than six yards (for the record, the Bucs are tied for 22nd in third-down conversion ratio at 35 percent).”

As the trade deadline is approaching, Joe takes a look at a few wide receivers on garbage teams that might be available.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals: Joe always thought this guy had ability. Sure, he’s a jackass. But Chucky already has the King of Turds. It’s not like being a jackass will prevent Chucky from grabbing him.

Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs: He averages 12 yards a catch and has two catches over 20 yards… almost half of what the Bucs have.

Andre Johnson, Texans: Joe always liked the former Hurrigangsta. Sadly, he hasn’t been the same since he blew out a knee but he’s surely better than Maurice Stovall. Johnson averages 13 yards a catch and has three over 20 yards.

Plaxico Burress, Giants: No, the Giants aren’t garbage. Far from it. But it seems “Plaxiglass,” as he was known in Pittsburgh for being oft-injured, has worn out his welcome in the New Jersey Swamplands. As he demonstrated in the NFC Championship game last winter, when he wants to be, “Plaxiglass” can be an absolute stud of a downfield receiver. Sure, he has baggage. Like the King of Turds doesn’t?

The trade deadline approaches and it's time to unload alleged rapist Jerramy Stevens. Bucs fans deserve to sleep better at night.

As the trading deadline approaches, Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune writes today that the Bucs could be strongly considering landing a wide receiver or possibly Tony Gonzalez from the Chiefs.

Cummings says Joey Galloway’s age and injuries might force their hand. But it’s odd that Cummings makes no mention of who the Bucs might trade or what draft picks they might consider moving.

Joe has an idea.

King of Turds Jerramy Stevens, known more for his alleged rapes and dirtbag-like behavior, should be included in any deal. Heck, the other teams can cut him for all we care.

Stevens has five catches in three games after sitting out the first two for a suspension related to a DUI.

Plus, Stevens has yet to rape any of the women in the Tampa Bay area, (hopefully) so this might be a good time to unload him. He’s not known as a great blocker, and with just five catches he’s surely not important to the Bucs offense.

There’s got to be lots of teams lining up for this 28-year-old, big-target tight end. He’s a stud talent, Chucky tells us, and he seems to be acting like a human. For now.

Joe says Sunday's game against the Panthers is the biggest of the season for both teams.

The buzz in Carolina puts the 4-1 Panthers on a  path to Tampa for the Super Bowl in 2009.

Jake Delhomme is back, and Carolina has a healthy Steve Smith, a running game and a defense some say is better than during they’re 2003 Super Bowl season.

Joe says the Panthers haven’t shown enough yet.  So far, they’re perfect at home with a last-second road miracle victory at San Diego. (Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?) That’s what makes Sunday’s Panthers-Bucs game at Raymond James Stadium the most critical game of the season in the NFC South.

The Panthers win, and they’re the runaway favorite in the division. The Bucs win, and they set themselves up to go 5-2 with a home win against the horrible Seahawks on October 18.

The "White Tiger" will further test his injured paw today.

While you were probably watching the Rays clinch their series with the White Sox, Joey Galloway was hosting his weekly radio show on 620 AM The Sports Animal.

Galloway says today is a big day for him, as the Bucs training staff has cleared him to run and make cuts on his injured foot and ankle. Galloway implied that if today goes well, that could set him up for a return on Sunday against Carolina.

Joey Galloway ran Sunday with Bucs trainers. Chucky says Sunday could mark his return.

Chucky said today at his news conference that Joey Galloway ran on his injured foot with members of the Bucs’ training staff on Sunday.

Great news.

Gruden said Galloway could return as early as Sunday against the Panthers at Tampa, or perhaps as late as Nov. 16, the Sunday following the Bucs’ bye week.

Galloway makes the other receivers better and his mere presence would help the running game.

Joe says put him out there on the field Sunday, even if you don’t throw his way. His ability to stretch the defense will be critical to beating a Carolina team that has a MUCH better defense than the Broncos’.

The Bucs need to do everything they can to keep pace in the division.