Various national and local media keep pushing a line of thinking that Greg Schiano and Josh Freeman have a lukewarm relationship.

Joe, however, has heard from multiple sources that Schiano and Freeman are actually tight and respect each other very much.

Freeman addressed his relationship with the Bucs head coach yesterday on the WDAE-AM 620  “Sports Page” show.

“Actually, I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Coach Schiano’s office [this offseason], talking with him around the facility,” Freeman said. “Just, you know, getting to know him better, talking about aspirations, what we’re trying to do with this team, you know, the direction.  I actually feel like my relationship with coach Schiano is probably the best of any coach. I got to know him extremely well.

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“Like with anybody, the more you get to know them, the more you find out what they’re about, their morals, just what they stand for. And you know Coach Schiano is all about doing things the right way. It’s been an awesome relationship.”

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Does Joe really have to be graphic about the Bucs’ horrifying pass defense last year? The second-worst in NFL history?

For Joe, watching that pass defense was like re-experiencing the nuns that taught him in grade school: a period of Joe’s life he tries to purge from his memory, often with the help of Joe’s good friend, Mr. Alcohol.

So when Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik went on SiriusXM NFL Radio recently and spoke openly about upgrading the secondary, he wasn’t joking. It’s possible the Bucs have gone from the worst secondary to potentially the best.

For this reason, Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News gives the Bucs an “A” grade for their offseason transactions.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Grade: A

Best addition: S Dashon Goldson

So the Bucs finally did trade for Revis, but given the concern about his knee, the secondary move that deserves more love is the signing of Goldson away from the 49ers. He does everything at safety and is the perfect complement to another hard hitter in run support, Mark Barron. The Bucs aggressively addressed their huge secondary need with a home run.

On paper, it sure looks like the Bucs did a complete 180 with the secondary, including the drafting of Johnthan Banks in the second round.

For this reason in particular, Joe is intrigued to see how the Bucs defend the pass come September.

He could fly, and backflip, with the best in the NFL. Yes, of course Joe remembers speedy Horace Copeland, who caught 115 balls with the Bucs from 1993-1997.

“Hi-C” has been a regular at FanFest in past years, and he’s still working hard on various charitable community projects. FOX-13 caught up with Copeland about a free football camp he’s having today in Spring Hill. All the info. is here.

Joe is amused by the frenzy surrounding the infancy of the Bucs’ quarterback competition/controversy. Rookie Mike Glennon is a third-round pick in a quarterback-hungry league who has yet to perform in a real practice.

Plenty of observers, however, think he could be on the field quickly.

Twice during his ESPN.com live chat today, NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas wrote that Bucs fans should expect to see Glennon if Josh Freeman gets off to a rough start in 2013.

Joe knows all this blubbering about Freeman comes down to what kind of standards/expectations Greg Schiano has set for Freeman.

If Schiano expects consistency and greatness from Freeman, then history says there’s a solid shot he’ll be let down. Perhaps all Schiano wants is no mistakes as he pounds Doug Martin and moves the chains, playing the kind of football he talked about craving this time last year.

As for Glennon, Joe really hopes not to see him outside of preseason. That likely would mean the Bucs are in trouble, though again it comes back to Schiano’s expectations for Freeman.

Joe could envision a scenario where even if the Bucs are winning, Schiano gives Glennon a start to replace a struggling Freeman, assuming Schiano liked what he saw from Glennon’s big preseason workload. He can always go back to Freeman if it doesn’t work out. Schiano had no problem shuffling QBs at Rutgers, so there’s no reason to think he wouldn’t consider it at the NFL level.

You know what impressed Joe most about last season? It was how Doug Martin, after a modest start, turned the corner and became a Pro Bowler despite running behind a line riddled with injuries.

Some believe Martin not only will be better this season, but he could very well have a record-breaking campaign.

The pride of Northwestern, Scott Smith, writing for “The Captain’s Blog” on Buccaneers.com, thinks Martin could have a 15-touchdown year.

The problem with choosing a specific statistical first-time achievement for a Buccaneer player is that there aren’t too many obvious milestones left, especially after Freeman’s 4,000-yard campaign last year. Doug Martin rather noisily chased 2,000 yards from scrimmage last year, and while that would have made him just the third rookie to hit that mark it wouldn’t have been a first time for the Bucs. James Wilder had 2,229 during his amazing 1984 season. 100 catches, 1,500 rushing yards, 25 touchdown passes, 200 tackles, 15 sacks, 10 interceptions – they’ve all been done.

We could go with 30 touchdown passes or 20 sacks or the next even number up on some of those lists, but we’ve chosen the 15-touchdown campaign – scoring 15 TDs, that is, not throwing them – for one good reason. The Buccaneers are the only team in the NFL who has never had a player hit that milestone. James Wilder’s 13 touchdowns in 1984 remains the franchise’s single-season record.

Obviously, Doug Martin would be the leading candidate. He had 12 touchdowns as a rookie, which is a pretty impressive opening salvo. If one assumes a little more development in his (already outstanding) game, and in the Bucs’ offense as a whole, it’s not hard to envision a jump of three more scores. Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams might have a shot, as well.

So let’s say this does happen, that Martin reaches such a milestone. That gives Joe good vibes. If a running back sets records, that generally means his team isn’t throwing the ball that much. Often, lousy teams rack up a lot of passing yards because they are playing from behind.

If Martin is scoring that many touchdowns, it tells Joe the Bucs are winning the time-of-possession game, which often translates into victories.

Lots of fun in this video of Bucs rookie defensive tackle and fourth-round pick Akeem Spence.

Among many topics, Spence explains why he can’t impress ladies with a Jamaican accent even though he’s from Jamaica. Plus, Spence gets into why the Bucs “fell in love with me,” taking double-teams away from Gerald McCoy, Ron Zook, and why he’s determined to be the strongest Buccaneer.

And Joe always enjoys a guy sitting down for an introduction to Buccaneers fans everywhere sporting a “Don’t Sweat My Swag” t-shirt.

The New Schiano Order said it wanted competition for Josh Freeman and now it’s got a guy that isn’t taking a backup mindset.

Rookie third-round pick Mike Glennon talks a good game and isn’t viewing himself as a backup quarterback, so he explained on Movin’ The Chains on SiriusXM Radio yesterday. Co-host Pat Kirwan went fishing for Glennon’s mindset and came away impressed.

Pat Kirwan: It’s easy for some [quarterbacks] that go to places where they might already be considered the starter. How do you establish yourself where you are? Do you take a backseat and kind of keep your ears and eyes open and your mouth closed? Do you try to take charge and get some receivers together outside the realm of club activities and do things throwing the ball?

Mike Glennon: First I just want to be a good teammate. I’m going to be a good teammate to all the guys, to the quarterbacks, to the line, to everybody. And earn the respect that way and kinda take everything in and listen to what they have to say. But at the same time, I don’t know if taking a backseat would be the right term because I’m a competitor and I’m going to do whatever I can to compete. So at the same time, though, I understand I’m a rookie and it’s a process, and I’m just going to worry about getting better each and every day and let things play out that way.

Joe knows every great backup quarterback must approach everything like he’s the starter. There’s really no other way to do it successfully.

So it’s great to hear Glennon already is dialed in to getting after every inch of his opportunity. He wouldn’t be competition for Freeman if he wasn’t thinking that way.

Respected NFL writer Doug Farrar, of Yahoo! Sports, made an appearance recently on WHBO-AM with Charlie Bernstein and talked all things Bucs.

Farrar, naturally, was asked about Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman. In so many words, he referred to Freeman as the Tony Romo of the Bucs.

Charlie Bernstein: What is your take on Josh Freeman?

Doug Farrar: [Pauses] [Deep sighs] You know, I think he is talented. I don’t’ think he has gotten the most out of his talent. He is kind of in that Tony Romo category where he is going to be really good at certain points and be eye-poppingly horrible at others. When it comes to the upper echelon of quarterbacks, that is just not how it is done. I guess frustration is one word for Greg Schiano, who is controlling, which all college coaches are.

And Freeman is a guy Mark Dominik drafted and I think part of it is Schiano wants his guy. He wants his own guy in there. A guy he can groom.

I think this year he will get the most out of Freeman [because it is his contract year and] he will either be the guy or he will walk.

Russell Wilson happens once in a decade so let’s slow down.

Joe found this to be interesting. The main hangup on Romo is that he cannot win big games, despite his talent. Isn’t that what Bucs fans are waiting for Freeman to do, win big games?

If the Bucs are going to make the playoffs this year, a dicey proposition given how top-heavy the NFC is, Freeman cannot be Romo. Freeman needs to be above the fray in big games this season.

Could the Bucs use an extremely versatile, durable defensive lineman, who’s also productive?

The answer seems like a no-brainer.

But for some reason the Bucs are passing on free agent Israel Idonije. who had 7 1/2 sacks with the Bears last season and hasn’t missed a game since 2006.

Super Bowl winning former general manager Charley Casserly, of NFL Network, also is flummoxed by Idonije’s NFL homelessness, as he explained in this NFL Network video.

“I watched the guy in five games last year. Every time you watch him this guy makes a play!” Casserly said of Idonije. “He can give you a nickel rush inside. He can still be a solid defensive end outside in a rotation. And every now and then he’ll give you a rush from the outside, a little mystery to me why this guy’s not on a roster. But as a rotating defensive lineman he can play all four positions in a rotational role. Good sign, I think.”

Idonije is 32 years old, and it’s unknown what kind of money he’s seeking.

Perhaps Idonije is no better than Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, but if Joe were the Bucs’ general manager, he’d want to give the guy a workout and an interview. What’s to lose? Idonije spent the past three years on Rod Marinelli’s defensive line in Chicago and was blossoming there.

This video contains a visual most Bucs fans might have thought impossible two years ago: LeGarrette Blount wearing Patriots gear.

Patriots media caught up with Blount for a 1-on-1, which includes Blount describing himself as “a tough-nosed, kinda old school player,” — hey, that sounds like a Buccaneer Man — as well as a great NFL Films look at his iconic Bucs touchdown in Green Bay.

Joe wishes the big fella well.

Yes, Joe wrote earlier today that there are all sorts of questions along the Bucs defensive line.

Sure, on paper, in a perfect world, the Bucs should put pressure on quarterbacks. Da’Quan Bowers is healthy, as is Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy. And Adrian Clayborn is returning from an ugly knee injury.

Of course, this depends on Bowers staying healthy, GMC staying healthy and Clayborn being able to bounce back from surgery.

This week on his Instagram account, Clayborn posted a picture that seems to suggest he is well on his way back. He posted the picture above with the caption, “Progress is real. #living”

It sure is comforting to see Clayborn doing agility drills at One Buc Palace. Now if he can play at 100 percent, it sure would help GMC out and draw traffic away from him.

Danny Gorrer choked away the Eagles game but his overall play “impressed” the Bucs

Yes, the Bucs’ secondary was ugly last season.

Yes, the Bucs fixed it on paper.

But there’s still love for the returning men who, hopefully, will assume their suited roles as backups this season: Danny Gorrer and Leonard Johnson.

They’ve been praised before, but rockstar general manager Mark Dominik elaborated this week during an NFL.com podcast.

“Leonard Johnson did step up and stepped through and got better as the season went on. Danny Gorrer is a guy that we had to rely on that I was impressed with how he did,” Dominik said. “But that’s not where we want to be at the NFL level, specifically, as you guys know, in the NFC South, where it’s dangerous in the passing game.”

It’s somewhat interesting that Dominik makes it clear that Gorrer and Johnson playing starting and prominent roles are “not where we want to be at the NFL level.” Joe agrees, and that calls into question the Bucs’ depth at cornerback.

The Bucs had the cash to upgrade the cornerback position even more this offseason but passed. Hopefully, Darrelle Revis, Eric Wright, and Johnthan Banks will stay healthy and behave themselves.

The Bucs have placed a lot of pressure on Da’Quan Bowers to drop opposing quarterbacks this season.

There are lots of “ifs” this season, if the Bucs are going to turn around their fortunes.

IF Josh Freeman plays well…

IF the offensive line can be dominant and injury-free…

IF the Bucs can pressure the quarterback…

Those are just three “ifs” off the top of Joe’s head. And the third “if” also is of concern to the Football Outsiders crowd. In a series called “Red Flags,” they list the Bucs’ pass rush as a red flag, per BSPN.

“(Previously), we said Tampa Bay’s biggest hole was at pass-rusher, and they’ve since gotten weaker there, not stronger. Michael Bennett, who led Tampa Bay with 9.0 sacks last season (the only Bucs player to crack the top 50 in sacks) signed with Seattle in free agency.’’

Granted, the Bucs will sing a different song, but the reality is the Bucs are placing their their hopes on just that, hope.

The Bucs hope Adrian Clayborn can bounce back from knee surgery.

The Bucs hope Da’Quan Bowers can shine with a full season free of injuries.

The Bucs hope Gerald McCoy stays in one piece and stays a Pro Bowler.

Hey, Bowers, Clayborn and GMC could prove to be a lethal troika of defenders. It just seems to Joe that Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik is placing a lot of projected success based on hope.

If rookie Bucs camp meat? wide receiver Jheranie Boyd was at the NFL Scouting Combine, he would have turned heads during the glorified track meet.

But Boyd wasn’t there. He fell off the radar after being stifled by an ankle injury during his senior season at the University of North Carolina last year. The big receiver made up for it at his Pro Day and landed with the Bucs.

Former Ashbrook standout and University of North Carolina senior Jheranie Boyd continues to maintain his dream of playing in the NFL. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound wide receiver has plenty of reason to be optimistic after he impressed scouts and draft-evaluators at UNC’s recent pro day this past week.

Boyd posted a 41.5-inch vertical leap and an 11-foot broad jump. Both of those numbers would have tied him for second-best among all receivers at the NFL combine.

The quote above is from a feature on Boyd in the Gaston Gazette, which references Boyd’s 4.4 second time in the 40-yard dash.

There’s little doubt Boyd arrived in Tampa with a nod from former Tar Heels head coach Butch Davis, Greg Schiano’s somewhat covert advisor. Boyd did have a rare stat in college. Of his 44 career receptions, a whopping 13 were for touchdowns.

Joe has scant interest in little-known roster hopefuls, but there are spots to be won at wide receiver, and at least Boyd has the raw talent to play in the NFL.

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Mark Dominik says Mike Glennon has to play a ton in August

The stage will be there for rookie Bucs quarterback Mike Glennon to implant a quarterback controversy in the minds of Bucs fans.

Per rockstar general manager Mark Dominik, via a recent NFL.com podcast, Glennon will get all kinds of work come August.

“We’re going to put a lot of pressure on [Glennon] and see a lot of reps from him in the preseason. He’s got to play,” Dominik said. “We may not see as much of Dan Orlovsky or even of Josh Freeman somewhat in the preseason as much as you’re going to see Glennon …

“We’re excited about just the little bit we saw from him [during rookie minicamp] in terms of mentally what he could handle. We kept piling more on him and he kept doing a great job digesting it, regurgitating it and running the team.”

This is great to hear, and it will make for an absolutely fascinating preseason.