Word flying around Bucs country yesterday, after word came that Tanard Jackson let his teammates down by getting slapped with an indefinite suspension by the NFL, is that Sabby would be the new starter.

Hold up, writes Stephen Holder of the St. Petersburg Times. He too thought Sabby would start. But after further reflection, Holder believes the Bucs may have their eyes on either Corey Lynch or Cody Grimm instead.

Piscitelli seems the likeliest option given his experience and ability to play both strong and free safety. But the potential of both Lynch and Grimm is hard to ignore, and the Bucs saw playmaking ability from both of them during the preseason. Grimm has risen to second on the depth chart behind Jackson at free safety and continues to make quite the impression on special teams. Lynch has shown he has a nose for the football with his adeptness at blocking kicks and his two-interception performance in the preseason.

General manager Mark Dominik, during his announcement of the Jackson suspension, said coach Raheem Morris would use the next couple of days to mull a decision on who will start in place of Jackson.

And truthfully, maybe that’s the right course of action. Because the more you think about, the more you realize the answer here is not at all obvious.

Joe fully endorses trying the latter two options. It’s pretty clear to Bucs fans the result if Sabby starts.  Let’s see if one of the two kids can get the job done. Both seem to have more football savvy than Sabby.

Weeks ago Joe might have posted a popular farm goat photograph in this  post, but Joe has evolved — slightly.

In its place, Joe has a picture of Sabby Piscitelli, the Bucs safety who steps back into the spotlight with the very sad, season-long suspension of Tanard Jackson announced today.

It’s starting to become clear why the Bucs likely kept five safeties on the roster. They probably suspected Jackson was about to feel the wrath of the NFL’s drug policy.

So all of a sudden, the Bucs are now thin at safety. Rookie Cody Grimm and Corey Lynch have much to prove, and Sabby is, well, Sabby. His gift-wrapped starting role as a third-year safety last year was a disaster. Even Raheem Morris, before the 2009 season was over, said he needed to “fix” Sabby in the offseason.

That, apparently, didn’t happen, as the Bucs signed Sean Jones to replace him and Sabby publicly moaned that the fix was in for him and his starting job.

But now it appears to be Sabby Time. Joe’s not hopeful. Joe’s got about as much faith in Piscitelli as he does Michael Clayton, who remains unemployed. 

Of course, Morris could roll with Lynch or Grimm, but Joe doesn’t think the head coach will be willling to gamble with inexperience in his beloved secondary like he has been on the defensive line.

Sabby now has a second chance at his NFL career, and Joe’s about driven to prayer.

Joe wonders if the Bucs might be on the phone to old friend linebacker safety Jermaine Phillips, who, if he’s in pretty good shape, might be worth sniffing out during the bye week, which starts after Sunday’s Steelers game. 

All charges were dropped against Phillips in his domestic violence case — a fact still shamefully unreported by the local media outside of Joe. And brittle bones notwithstanding, they could probably use him if Sabby looks like Sabby on Sunday. 

The Bucs announced today that safety Tanard Jackson has been suspended indefinitely without pay for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.

Per Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, this has far-reaching ramifications other than missing untold games.

Specifics of Jackson’s violation were not disclosed, but Jackson’s suspension begins immediately and he cannot apply for re-instatement until July 22, 2011.

“We know that he is suspended for the rest of the year,” Dominik said. “And his contract will roll over, which means he will not be a free agent.”

Jackson was scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the 2010 season.

Just when it seemed the Bucs were on a roll, this is very bad news. In Joe’s eyes, time to cut the cord on this guy. If he can’t be trusted to keep his nose clean, how can the team depend on the guy?

UPDATE: Earlier this evening, Stephen Holder of the St. Petersburg Times Twittered that it takes more than a couple of drug violations for the NFL to drop the hammer the way it did on Jackson.

Pretty sure it takes 3 drug violations to get an indefinite suspension. Unbelievable

Yes, that is unbelievably irresponsible. It sickens Joe.

In the latest TBO Bucs vlog, Woody Cummings and eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune tackle the subjects of blackouts, the Bucs and the NFL. Joe would like to read your reactions to their comments.

As for the Steelers game with the Bucs Sunday, the deadline for a sellout is Thursday at 1 p.m., though the Bucs can always ask the NFL for an extension if the team believes there’s a chance of selling any remaining the tickets. 

Joe reported Friday that the game will be televised.

Last week when the Steelers played at Nashville, offensive linemen were dropping like flies. That won’t get any easier for the Steelers when they wear their black jerseys in the middle of a Florida summer day.

Yeah, Joe knows it’s technically fall, but fall doesn’t come to Florida until Halloween.

Seems as though the heat Sunday is already in the heads of the Steelers, per a quote from Steelers offensive lineman Chris Kemoeatu, documented by Scott Brown of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Left guard Chris Kemoeatu, on the offensive linemen preparing to play another warm-weather game Sunday at Tampa.

“It shouldn’t be a factor, but as far as us big guys up front, we’ve got to make sure we hydrate (during the week). We sweat a lot, and we’re big men moving around. We’re used to playing in the cold. We’re not used to the hot weather.”

The heat only goes so far. Will it help the Bucs? Sure. Will the heat win the game for the Bucs? Of course not.

In what could have been a football blooper for years to come, center Jeff Faine snapped a misguided, bizarre high fly to Josh Freeman while Freeman stood in the shotgun position Sunday against the Panthers.

Thankfully, Freeman grabbed the ball and there was no turnover.

Speaking on WDAE-AM 620 on Monday night, Faine admitted that he screwed up and didn’t know Freeman was lined up in the shotgun, so he just fired off a standard under-center snap. Buccaneers Radio Network host Dave Moore, the former Bucs tight end and long snapper,  was surprised that Faine didn’t realize Freeman’s hands weren’t effectively up Faine’s ass. 

Faine explained that he gets “so geeked” before the snap and snaps are so second nature, that it doesn’t shock him that he missed that Freeman wasn’t there.

Faine went on to talk about the Bucs running game and said the Panthers’ defense was very fast and physical up front, especially their linebackers. He said Carolina consistently had eight men in the box and clearly had a game plan of forcing Freeman and the Bucs young receivers to make plays.

Steelers coach and former Bucs assistant Mike Tomlin took time out for his weekly chat with co-hosts Rich Gannon and Adam Schein on “The Blitz” Tuesday, heard exclusively on Sirius NFL Radio, and had a few things to say about the Bucs, coached by his friend Raheem Morris.

Mike Tomlin: Raheem who? (laughs). No, that’s the nature of our business.

Rich Gannon: The Bucs, this is not the same team as last year.

Tomlin: They really are playing with emotion and playing well together in all three phases. They are doing a nice job. The most positive thing for them is that they are putting points on the board. They are doing a good job on third downs. They lead the league in third down efficiency. Their young quarterback is playing great.

There are a lot of reasons when you look at this why they are 2-0. We are really respectful of them and the environment and the atmosphere we are going into.

Adam Schein: Mike, a lot of people are comparing Josh Freeman with Big Ben, especially his escapability and the way he can sling the ball downfield.

Tomlin: I do see that. [Freeman] is a very big guy and uniquely mobile.  Just Sunday he converted third downs with his legs. He’s got a strong arm. I know they are very excited about him. When Raheem and I get together, that’s all he has to say about him: positive things about that young man. He is a big reason they are undefeated.

Gannon: Tell us about Gerald McCoy. He’s different than Warren Sapp, he’s longer, but he’s already made a difference.

Tomlin: He really has similar quickness, you are right. They have different body types but they are similar in that their key component with the two is how they defend as an undertackle. He is an athlete who happens to be oversized as opposed to oversized guys who are athletic. The body control, the change of direction, the quickness, he is like Warren that way but I’m not comparing him to Warren. That’s unfair.

Gannon: Is Cadillac Williams the same player?

Tomlin: I think he is. I was there his rookie year, pleased to witness him burst on the scene. He delivers. He is a violent runner. He keeps you missing with sideways jukes. But his personality is that he squares and pounds you with power runs. He is a workhorse and a legitimate one. I have great respect for him.

In this Pittsburgh Post-Gazette video below, Tomlin (with special guest appearances by vaunted Steelers beat writer Ed Bouchette) discusses who the Steelers may play at quarterback, injuries to the offensive line, and how to beat the heat in Tampa Bay.

Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman called in to Sirius NFL Radio for an interview on “The Blitz” Tuesday, co-hosted by Rich Gannon and Adam Schein. Joe transcribed the interview for the littles to read.

Rich Gannon: That thumb was ugly-looking, it didn’t look good to me, it was black and blue. How is the thumb?

Josh Freeman: It’s getting better. It’s not completely healed. I am able to protect it while I’m on the field and I’m able to progress.

Gannon: How painful is it?

Freeman: You know, it wasn’t too painful last week but Week 1 leading up to Cleveland, it was not real painful, just moving and dropping back, you want to squeeze [the ball] and hold on to it and that is when I experienced pain.

Adam Schein: What are the keys to the success of the Buccaneers passing attack?

Freeman: There are a number of things. A lot of guys have stepped up. The offensive line is playing great football; they’ve only given up three sacks. One of which I didn’t break on a hot route and a second was an all-out blitz and I ate it and the third was my fault for holding onto the ball too long. They’re doing a great job. Last week they had a pocket for me all day. I was able to step up and make decisions.

Also, the receivers, they are young but talented. When we call on them to make plays they have all season.

Gannon: There’s been a lot of talk about Mark Sanchez and all the work he did in the offseason and you were busy too. A week and a half after the season you went back to work. You told me an interesting story, tell me about that, how Greg Olson coached Drew Brees at Purdue and you went to San Diego to work out with him and work in the classroom.

Freeman: That was really important. Coach Olson coached Drew in college and I had the opportunity to go out and spend time with him and learn about him as a football player and a person off the field. I was able to spend quality time with him and it was a great experience. We talked football but he didn’t up give any family secrets. It was successful. He told me what he has done as a quarterback and his mental approach.

Schein: It’s pretty amazing the chemistry you have with Mike Williams. When did you realize the talent the cat had?

Freeman: Rookie minicamp. I was not sure about the guy until you see him on the field and performing. We first drafted Arrelious Benn and then Mike Williams. There was a lot of talk about Mike and his issues. I was curious to see what kind of a player he was. When I turned on the tape, he was making catches, big and physical, so I had to check him out at minicamp and it was obvious he was a guy we could use.

So when he came back [for the second minicamp], that’s when I worked with him that first day and worked with him to teach him about the offense and we worked on our timing routes. One of those passes we worked on when he came back, he caught in a game for a touchdown. You can see his growth and work ethic.

Gannon: How much further along do you feel in this system as opposed to this time last year?

Freeman: This time last year I was third string. I was not even active on gameday. I was just trying to catch up. I was trying to watch film and study defenses. The toughest thing was not having a quarterback coach, not having a guy to come in and look at film with me. I didn’t have someone with me to watch film with. This year I do. [Bucs quarterback coach] Alex Van Pelt is there now and he shows me what to look at. It’s truly been a big help.

Schein: Before the season, did you think this team would get off to a hot start? I was one of these guys who thought two wins, three wins, four wins for the Bucs this season. When did you know this team would be better than what yours truly predicted?

Freeman: First off, I appreciate your honesty. Really, last year we were getting into a rhythm offensively and defensively. We didn’t pull out the games but you could see we were making strides. I knew having a full offseason [with the same coordinators] this team was going to be better. We have confidence. You expect to have a chance to win. We go into every game knowing we have an opportunity to win. The mentality of the team and the culture changed in the offseason to give us the confidence.

Gannon: Tell us about the Steelers’ defense.

Freeman: I’m excited about the opportunity. Cleveland had some exotic blitz packages but not quite what Pittsburgh does. Carolina was pretty basic. This team, it’s a veteran defense and they get after it. I was surprised when I turned on the tape and saw how basic they were on first and second down. It’s not all that crazy on first and second down. But it’s tough because they walk around all over the place.

But it seems Troy Polamalu, the things he does he has free reign. When you throw downfield you have to account for him each time or he will read the route. The first couple of weeks he’s made some incredible plays.

Schein: Are you like Ben Roethlisberger as a quarterback? Many have compared you to him.

Freeman: Obviously Ben has had a great career. He has two rings. It’s flattering people compare me to him. I still have growth and learning to do but we are both big and physical and able to make guys miss us with escapability in standpoints so, yeah, I can see that.

Gannon: Tell us about Kellen Winslow, how is his knee holding up?

Freeman: He didn’t participate in offseason because he was just trying to recover and get ready for this season. After Week 1, Kellen was in a lot of pain but the courage he showed to step up and play ball told me, “Hey, I’m great. I’m ready to play.” He is a warrior. When he is up on Sunday, he will give it all he has got.

Schein: People talk a lot about Mark Sanchise. They think Mark Stafford will be a great quarterback. You may be having a better year than those two. Do you think you are left out of the conversation when quarterbacks from the 2009 draft class are discussed?

Freeman: Ha! That’s interesting. I know both of those guys really good. They got drafted higher than myself. Mark had a good run last season. Obviously he will get the hype but I am not so worried about hype. I am worried about developing and improving as a football player. I don’t care about hype. It’s what you do on the football field that will determine your worth.

The Professor, John Clayton of BSPN, explains who the savior of the season is for the Bucs in this BSPN video.

Is the Bucs’ 2-0 record misleading? Joe will know for sure after Sunday’s game with the Steelers. But Peter King, co-hosting Sirius NFL Radio’s “The Opening Drive” this morning with Ross Tucker, suggests it may be.

King explained how Howard Katz, who is in charge of NFL scheduling, specifically tried to pair up teams with losing records from the previous season in early 2010 match-ups in order to drum up interest in dormant NFL communities.

“I know he wanted to give fans in Cleveland, in Kansas City, in Tampa Bay, something to get excited about where maybe there might not be any hope,” King said.

Consider that Cleveland played two teams right out of the gate with terrible 2009 records, the Bucs and Kansas City. The Bucs also played two teams in two weeks with subpar 2009 seasons, Cleveland and Carolina.

King’s theory (conspiracy?) seems correct. At least the premise does. Chiefs fans are all of a sudden worked up into an early froth. Bucs fans have their ears perked up when just two weeks prior, black clouds were prevalent.

Outside of being 2-0, the young Buccaneers are also healthy. 

It’s a fact that defensive mastermind/head coach Raheem Morris credits mostly to his players’ offseason dedication. Speaking on The Raheem Morris Show on WDAE-AM Monday, the head coach explained that the team took his words to heart and it’s showing up on the field.

“The first thing I told these guys when they left [for weeks before returning for training camp] was physical conditioning precedes everything, and they took that to heart,” Morris said. “You gotta give our coaching staff, our weight staff, Todd the trainer, all those guys, a lot of credit. Fortunately, we’re healthy. We’re in shape. And we’re able to run all day. And it’s awesome.”

Bucs veteran Jeff Faine said the Bucs, himself not included, are not just fit but so young they’re legs are full of life. He said as a veteran it’s hard to impart the benefits of taking care of your body to young players.

“At that age you’re just feeling so great just popping out of bed,”  Faine, 29, said on WDAE-AM on Monday. “Now, [for me], you get out of bed and it takes you about 10 minutes to get three steps out of the way.”

Faine said he’s a typical — but rare — veteran at One Buc Palace, making full use of “masseuses, ice tubs, heat packs, and whatever is necessary to make it on game day.”

Ross Tucker of Sirius NFL Radio called Steelers linebacker James Harrison one of the "big boys" the Bucs will face Sunday.

A Steelers fan, who apparently isn’t much of a Steelers fan because he didn’t know where this week’s Steelers-Bucs game is being played, called Ross Tucker this morning during “The Opening Drive” on Sirius NFL Radio to have the Princeton grad and journeyman NFL offensive lineman break down the game.

Tucker believes the Bucs better be ready for what is about to hit the CITS Sunday. He also has the nasty habit that causes Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times to lose sleep, referring to local teams as “Tampa.”

“Well, it’s down in Tampa. Tampa is playing with confidence. I think they will keep it competitive, especially with the Steelers quarterback situation.

“It’s good for them it is at home. I think they believe. But this is big boy football right now. This is big boy football. James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley, man, it’s hard for me to describe those guys without swearing. They are some bad, bad dudes.

“Tampa was playing jayvee football the last few weeks. Now, they are playing varsity football, under the big lights, on the big stage.”

Tucker is exactly right. The Steelers ‘defense absolutely smothered Matt Ryan and Michael Turner in Week 1 and last week drove Vince Young to the sidelines and buried Chris Johnson.

Joe believes this Steelers challenge is more than a formidable task for the Bucs.

Despite the Bucs winning two games right out of the chute and being one of only eight undefeated teams out of 32, not everyone is sold.

Peter King, who originally believed the Bucs would win two games, has already admitted he was misguided. But it seems his mea culpa has only insulted Saints fans who have not been won over by the early Bucs success, per King’s Monday Morning Quarterback Tuesday edition.

“You were not wrong about Tampa Bay. The Bucs played the two worst teams in the NFL these first two weeks. The Bucs have only proven that they are no worse than No. 30 out of 32.”

— Mike M, Garyville, La.

Well, I wouldn’t be so sure Carolina and Cleveland are the two worst teams in the league. Buffalo and St. Louis are in the discussion there. But Tampa Bay’s defense is too strong for it to be in the bottom three or four, I think.

Nothing like a Saints fan, drunk on hurricanes, stuffed to the gills on po’ boys, muffalettas and beignets, to be irritated by King making a correction. Joe will have to remember this the next time he visits the most filthy (though fun) city in America.

Nothing like walking down the main drag of a quaint American city constantly dodging mule dung in the middle of the summer.

Bucs tight end Kellen Winslow appeared on Sirius NFL Radio’s “The Blitz,” co-hosted by Rich Gannon and Adam Schein earlier today. Joe scribbled down the interview.

Rich Gannon: This Bucs team must be feeling really good right now?

Kellen Winslow: We have grown up a lot. We’re only going to get better. We have a lot of confidence. We’re a young an energetic team and we’re having a lot of fun out there.

Adam Schein: I was one of many who thought this would be a bleak season [for the Bucs]. Where did you get the confidence in this success that someone like me didn’t?

Winslow: With a guy like Raheem Morris, he’s an easy coach to play for. He gets on you both good and bad. He wants you to get better. To have a coach like that, he prepares us to get ready and that’s where the confidence comes from.

Gannon: How tough was last year?

Winslow: It was really tough. It was frustrating, coming from Cleveland, I wanted a new start. We got a new coordinator, you could tell we were getting on the right page and it built confidence for the following year and now you see it.

Schein: How bad did you want to beat the Browns?

Winslow: I did, I did. They are just another team and it’s your job but when you are released or traded or cut, you have a little vendetta against your former team. I’m lucky to be in Tampa. I couldn’t be playing for a better team.

Gannon: Tell us about Raheem Morris.

Winslow: He is calling the defense now. He has guys ready and rolling and they are showing how fast they are. They are energetic and causing chaos. He is the best coach I have ever been around.

Schein: Wow, elaborate on that.

Winslow: He has guys ready. He knows what he wants. If it’s not the right decision, he will [change] but he is usually right. It’s so easy to play for a guy like this. He keeps you going every day.

Gannon: Not many people realize that Freeman is playing with a broken thumb and it’s painful. Talk about the improvement from Freeman.

Winslow: There is so much stuff that goes on, it’s hard to concentrate on someone else that you don’t even notice it. [Freeman] continues to get better and you don’t have to tell him much anymore. He’s responsible for the protection and he and Faine and the offensive line are working well together. It will only get better with him but there’s a lot of upside with that kid.

Schein: Do you see similarities between Freeman and Ben Roethlisberger?

Winslow: Oh yeah, the way they are able to escape and make plays downfield. I would say they are pretty identical.

Gannon: Mike Williams, tell us about how great he is.

Winslow: Mike Williams is going to be good, man. We have some good receivers but he sticks out. That’s what we need to take the pressure off of our running game.

Schein: What kind of a teammate is Mike Williams?

Winslow: He will be fine. He just needs to learn this is not college but a job, an everyday job. He just has to be consistent. The young guys have to learn from the vets, how to take care of their body, how to study the game, how to watch film, all of that pays off in the end. He will be fine. We have vets around him who are leading the way, even Sammie Stroughter is helping him. That’s how young we are. It’s so much fun. He will be fine.

Gannon: How are things changing for you? Are you adding more responsibilities, trying to be more of a leader?

Winslow: I have. It’s more what is not said than said. The way you prepare yourself, the way you prepare in the film room, how you take care of your body. It’s more unsaid than said. Coaches will have them ready. I just have to lead by example.

Schein: You didn’t practice last week but you played well in the game [against Carolina]. How is the knee?

Winslow: It’s still OK. It’s just taking the toll of the season. The team decided [last week] to rest me and I had to get an OK and an MRI. Practicing would have made it worse but I’m not going to let my teammates down.

Gannon: Tell us about the Steelers.

Winslow: Coming from Cleveland, I am used to their physicality. They are the best defense I have ever been around. They get after the quarterback and I wouldn’t want to play against another guy than Troy Polamalu. I respect the hell out of him. He’s a great player. We will be ready.

Bucs fans rejoiced and cringed when Panthers rookie Greg Hardy put a late, low hit on Josh Freeman in the third quarter Sunday.

Freeman showed a little exaggerated agony and got the call – a 15-yard penalty against Hardy.

Now it was clear that Hardy hit Freeman, but it was an obvious acting job by the young QB to sell the call.

Speaking on The Raheem Morris Show on WDAE-AM Monday, the Bucs’ head coach praised the gamesmanship of his QB and said it’s especially important given the strength and size of Freeman.

“It was emphasis. I stress to the refs all the time. ‘You know, Josh is a big guy. And sometimes you have a tendency to treat this guy like he’s not a quarterback.’ You know, a lot of these quarterbacks in this league, man, they’re protected, and I expect my quarterback and our quarterback, to be protected the same way,” Morris said. “I don’t care that he’s 6-6 and 250 or whatever he is; That’s irrelevant. He’s a quarterback. Protect him. If you’re going to protect some of them, protect them all.”

Joe’s all in favor of players doing what they have to do to sell a call to a referee. It’s part of every sport. Though Joe does think the NFL would be wise to adopt a policy — similar to soccer — that could give a player a personal foul for an outrageous, phony acting job that officials sniff out during the game.

Many, including Joe, held their breath when Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman was pulled from the first home preseason game against the Chiefs after fracturing the tip of his thumb following through on a pass, hitting his thumb on the helmet of Tamba Hali.

Sometimes, this can lead to months on the bench. Fortunately for the Bucs, this happened to Freeman early in the preseason.

The way Freeman played in the Bucs’ win at Carolina, it’s easy to forget it’s quite possible his thumb hasn’t healed. This was the topic of conversation from former NFL quarterback Rich Ganno.n as he discussed the Bucs with his Sirius NFL Radio co-host Adam Schein during the Tuesday broadcast of “The Blitz.”

“I don’t think we have made enough of this,” Gannon said of Freeman’s bum thumb. “I did the Bucs game in the opening week and I watched him at practice the Friday before. That thumb was ugly-looking, it was it was swollen, it was sore. I didn’t think he would play but he did and he made plays. He’s a big reason why the Buccaneers are undefeated.”

Schein added that bandwagon Bucs fans need to tune their car radios and computers to Sirius NFL Radio for quality Buccaneers talk.

“We are the official home of your undefeated, 2-0, well-coached, Bucs,” Schein declared.

Joe may never have rooted harder for a sweltering 1 o’clock Sunday kickoff as he is right now.

Reading in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the Steelers’ win this week in Tennessee, Joe was pleased to learn how Pittsburgh’s offensive line was dropping like flies in the swelter.

[Charlie] Batch, 35, watched as his offensive linemen shuffled in and out and down and over all game. Only rookie center Maurkice Pouncey played every snap. Guards Trai Essex and Chris Kemoeatu left for a time with cramps. Tackle Flozell Adams was dehydrated. Jonathan Scott, starting for the first time with the Steelers because of an injury to left tackle Max Starks, played at both tackle spots. The only available backups, Tony Hills and Doug Legursky, both played.

“At the beginning of the fourth quarter, that is when I really noticed,” Batch said. “I was looking down and all of a sudden you see Trai cramping up and Chris cramping up and even Flozell. There was a lot of times when guys were running out. It was just a matter, really at that point, to give guys a rest to the point that they feel they can come back into the game.”

Sunday’s forecast for the Steelers-Bucs game is 89 and humid, a typical September day, and about  the same temperature as it was for Pittsburgh in Nashville last week.

Joe expects the Bucs to have success on defense Sunday, as the Steelers must choose between Charlie Batch and Byron Leftwich at quarterback.

If the Bucs can keep it close, maybe the heat will be a real factor in the fourth quarter. Back-to-back road games for Pittsburgh in the South — in black uniforms — has to be a positive for the good guys.

The Bucs are 2-0, one of just eight teams still undefeated.

Last year, the Bucs were so horrid, it was a real possibility that they could go winless. Joe himself braced for it.

The Tampa Bay sports voice of reason, Joe Henderson of the Tampa Tribune, believes the Bucs are light years better than last year. He takes a quick, brave look at the Bucs at this point last season to illustrate just how much better things are for the Pewter Pirates.

The Bucs lost 33-20 to a lousy Bills team and fell to 0-2 under rookie head coach Raheem Morris. Being winless was bad, but they way they got there was worse.

The Bucs trailed 17-0 after one quarter. They allowed five touchdown passes of 32 yards or longer in the season’s first two games and were about to change quarterbacks from Byron Leftwich to Josh Johnson. That wouldn’t be the last major personnel move of the season, either.

I honestly wondered whether they’d win a game. Well, they won three. Big whoop. No wonder expectations outside One Buc were for more of the same this season.

The first and perhaps the most important thing Bucs coach Raheem Morris did last year was to bail on the heinous Jim Bates Experiment. It was one of the absolute worst square peg/round hole stunts in recent NFL memory for Joe.

Just telling Bates to go eat at Boston Market while the Bucs practiced was an improvement beyond words.

When Peter King set aside his bowl of oatmeal, filled his face with popcorn and started slamming coffees Sunday night writing his Monday Morning Quarterback column, he included much Bucs love.

One of the things he wrote about was his new crush for Bucs linebacker Quincy Black, and King may have had a few too many shots of espresso when he penned the following:

Quincy Black might not ever be Derrick Brooks, but the Bucs linebacker makes a couple of plays a game that remind me of him.

King didn’t elaborate, but as much as Joe was happy with the play of the defense, that was a bit much. Black played well, damned well, but let’s not get carried away.

As the great Mike North of Fox Sports Radio would say, “SLOW DOWN!”