Evidence is growing that Raheem The Dream will be quick to lose the smile when Bucs players step out of line. I'll "rip their faces off and they can accept it."

Raheem The Dream has told the world he wants a violent team, one that plays with venom and practices with that same intensity.

And what All-American football fan can’t get excited about that kind of talk? It’s a violent game, and that aspect of football should be embraced. It’s surely not a loser’s mentality.

That said, Joe is intrigued that The Dream’s growing body of quotes and media features reveal a violent streak behind that million-dollar smile of his.

Even Friday’s well done company-line, OTA wrap-up story on Buccaneers.com quotes The Dream’s violent philosophy on disciplining players who step out of line.

The Dream talks about ripping their faces off.

“If you give them something, they’ll do it, and when they don’t you can rip their faces off and they can accept it,” said Morris. “We’ve had incidents as far as people not listening or people not getting stuff done, and when it’s brought to their attention you get them to respond. You’d be surprised at how much they do care. NFL players and pro players period just get a bad rap of not caring when they do. You just need to bring it to their attention and tell them what you want and they’ll do it.”

Today, old-school St. Pete Times columnist Gary Shelton busted out a too-long feature about Raheem The Dream growing up on the tough streets of Irvington, New Jersey, where the Bucs head coach fought on the streets and once roughed up a boy who threw an egg on his new leather jacket.

“Raheem chased them down,” Kyle said. “He was roughing up one of the guys, and he kept saying something I couldn’t understand because he as taking so fast. About the eighth time, I finally understood. He was yelling “You’re Going to Clean My Jacket.”

As Steele says it, the phrase comes out as a high pitched squeal: “You’regoingtocleanmyjacket.”

“Back in the day, fighting wasn’t a bad deal,” Morris said. “It was just a fight. You didn’t have to worry about getting stabbed or shot. It was hand to hand. No one was afraid to get their backs dirty.

Joe gets a kick out of The Dream referencing “back in the day.” He’s only 32 years old. And it’s that fight of a youngster that still seems to simmer in the Bucs new head coach. 

Let’s hope it rubs off on the Bucs in the right way. 

There is no writer Joe enjoys reading more than Phil Mushnick of the New York Post. No one.

Norman Chad of the Washington Post is a close second.

Let Joe be clear: He does not like any New York teams though he is amused by JetFan. But Joe does enjoy good writing and Mushnick provides it time after time after time.

In a recent column, Mushnick, who like Joe loathes BSPN and the rank idiots that largely populate it, unloads on the “frauds” of sports broadcasting. Though the ink of Rodney Harrison’s contract with NBC is hardly dry yet, Mushnick takes him apart while invoking the name of former Bucs great Warren Sapp, not in a positive light.

But Harrison annually was among the leaders in personal fouls, fines, suspensions — one for drugs — and all sorts of me-first misconduct, the kind that once would have disqualified a fellow from representing a national TV network.

But we now know better. To be known as a creep gives one a significant advantage in landing a TV or radio gig. Consider that the fellow who annually competed with Harrison for the most personal fouls and fines, Warren Sapp, is a regular on the NFL Network and Showtime’s “Inside the NFL.”

As much as Joe admires and respects Mushnick, truly a giant in a dying industry, Mushnick might want to be careful there. Mushnick did not provide any facts or numbers to support how Harrison and Sapp annually competed for the NFL lead in penalties and fines.

That written, Joe just couldn’t pass up this little nugget from Mushnick about sweaty ass Chris Berman.

If you didn’t know any better, you’d think Berman is a natural fool rather than a practiced one.

The NFL’s finest blocking wide receiver, the Bucs’ Michael Clayton, did nothing to quash mounting rumors of Tampa Bay pursuing future Hall of Fame WR Marvin Harrison while speaking Friday on 1040 AM.

In fact, Clayton said Harrison was a better fit for the Bucs than future NRA spokesman Plaxico Burress, who recently has elicted lustful yearnings from Raheem The Dream.

Joe did not hear the Clayton interview himself but is grateful that Clayton’s interviewer The Fabulous Sports Babe personally provided Joe some of Clayton’s comments.

With all the Marvin Harrison-to-Tampa Bay smoke billowing — and no denial or company-line spin job from Clayton — Joe is convinced there is real teeth to the Bucs’ interest in Harrison.

Now the only question is when will St. Pete Times writer Rick Stroud will consider this speculation worthy of his Bucs blog.

The weekend is here, as is (finally) a Florida summer. Anyone who had to do anything outside earlier today should know that.

Boy, the cold beer sure tastes good as a result.

So tomorrow at Bucs Fan Fest, make sure to break out the sunscreen and, of course, don’t forget to hydrate while you are gawking at the 2009 Bucs cheerleaders who will make their season debut!

Joe hopes he isn’t too hungover after watching Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals tonight to miss much of Fan Fest.

Just because it’s the weekend and Fan Fest has arrived doesn’t mean Joe’s taking a break. He will be posting through the weekend, Twittering through the weekend and likely fooling around on Joe’s Facebook account through the weekend.

One man’s BS is another man’s hot rumor.

Remember all that talk about over-the-hill, sure-fire Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison joining the Bucs? You know, the rumor first circulated by St. Pete Times beat writer Rick Stroud who later scolded his followers for quoting his Twitter comments about Harrison?

Well, Pat “Vacation Man” Yasinskas, NFC South beat writer for BSPN.com, is keeping the Harrison chatter alive. He likes the odds of Harrison coming to Tampa, so he wrote in his NFC South chat this afternoon.

Jason (In Tampa)

Pat, there have been consistent reports of the Bucs looking for a high profile receiver. Holt was talked about, Burress we are following. I was wondering about maybe getting Matt Jones since we are not overly concerned with character in T-Town (i’m not anyways). Your thoughts??

Pat Yasinskas

Nice ideas, but I don’t think so. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Keep an eye on Marvin Harrison. I’m not saying anything is going on yet, but keep an eye on that.

With all this recent talk of adding a quality wide receiver, Joe just can’t help continuing to wonder how down on Michael Clayton’s receiving skills the Bucs brass might be.

Among the many changes to the Bucs this season is a change at head coach and a change at tight end. Both Chucky and Alex Smith have gone their seperate ways; Chucky to BSPN and his bunker at the Ice Palace, Alex Smith to the Patriots.

In an article written by Christopher L. Gasper of the Boston Globe, Smith addressed his inconsistency with the Bucs and made a not-so veiled comment at the way the Bucs offense was run. And take a wild stab as to who ran the Bucs offense since 2002?

Yup. Chucky.

The biggest difference for Smith between the Patriots and the Buccaneers is the stability New England offers at quarterback with Tom Brady. Smith, whose reception numbers declined each season in Tampa after he led all rookie tight ends with 41 receptions in 2005, played with six starting quarterbacks in his four seasons with the Bucs.

“It’s a very different feeling,” he said. “I’m still just trying to learn these plays, and hopefully get some timing down with Tom, but just to know who that guy is going to be makes you want to build that chemistry with him.”

To Chucky’s credit, he didn’t have Tom Brady at quarterback. To Alex Smith’s credit, Tom Brady would likely be best remembered as Marcia Brady’s long lost brother had Chucky tried to develop him.

Football is a violent game played by sometimes scary characters you would never want to run into in a dark alley at night. In that sense, FoxSports.com’s Adrian Hasenmayer writes about the top NFL players you would not want to fight.

Helmet-wielding Aqib Talib makes the list at No. 10.

Aqib Talib, Buccaneers CB
Talib is a newcomer to this list after a recent infamous minicamp brawl in Tampa turned ugly when the Bucs’ second-year corner snapped and began using his helmet as a weapon, swinging it wildly … at his teammates. In non-contact minicamp. In May. Although he later expressed remorse publicly, I would not suggest provoking Mr. Talib.

Yeah, Joe can understand this. If a guy is going to assault one of his own teammates on a practice field, God forbid running into him in a dicey situation on the street.

Projected Bucs starting LB Angelo Crowell sat out 2008 after a rare knee surgery and has had a setback in his recovery

Yes, the Bucs took a smart, no-risk shot in their signing of former Bills linebacker Angelo Crowell. The guy had a great year once and is still young, just 27.

But Joe has been telling you since Crowell was signed that he is seriously damaged goods, coming off a very rare knee surgery that caused him to miss all of 2008 and may never have been performed on a professional football player who returned successfully to the field. Plus Crowell has missed games with a torn tricep and broken leg.

Nothing more than hope for his health is what the Bucs have been banking on.

Today, Roy Cummings, of The Tampa Tribune, chilled some of that hope by reporting Crowell has had a setback in his recovery and the Bucs are looking harder at Geno Hayes and Quincy Black in starting roles.

Cummings started his story with the following sentence that brought a slight smirk to Joe’s face:

The situation at linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is nowhere near as settled as it once seemed.

Joe was never one to think the Bucs linebacking corps seemed settled with a 30-year-old safety and a guy with a mysterious knee injury as projected starters, plus a bunch of unknown commodities backing them up.

That said, Cummings is absolutely correct. Crowell’s setback further unsettles the Bucs situation in a big way.

The Bucs bedfellows at Pewter Report have transcribed an interesting interview with Greg Olson, Bucs quarterbacks coach.

Olson, Jeff Garcia’s old buddy and a somewhat surprising holdover from the Chucky administration, makes it painfully clear that only Luke McCown and Byron Leftwich are competing for the starting quarterback position, despite Raheem The Dream’s “five dogs; one bone” comment. 

The pain Joe is feeling is for Josh Johnson, a good kid who has gotten caught up in the empty promises and cutthroat world of the NFL.

Is it uncomfortable not having a clear cut number one quarterback?
Olson: “Not at all really, that is the nature of the business. They’ve all been through it. Luke has been through it when he was in a quarterback competition before not just in Tampa but in Cleveland as well. Byron [Leftwich] has been through it before, so they understand the situation. The new guy Josh Freeman he is really the guy because we are finding a number one between Luke and Byron, I wouldn’t say that it is stunting his growth but he’s not getting the repetitions like he would if we had a clear cut starter like we did a year ago, and he would be getting all the number two reps. Now he’s the guy that is why we try to do the extra practice or extra period at the end of practice to make sure he gets the reps that he would’ve normally gotten if we had a number one quarterback.

In the interview Olson also playfully touches on Leftwich’s slow delivery and poor athleticism. This is why Joe continues to pull for McCown in the QB derby because he potentially can do more positive things on the field.

But may the best player win the job, take the Bucs to the promised land, and turn bust-in-waiting QB Josh Freeman into a mere afterthought. 

Ultimate good guy and multi-talented running back Warrick Dunn is still out there for the taking. But where will he wind up?

Jason Horowitz and Pat Kirwan of CBSSports.com discuss high-profile free agents and Kirwan explains why he thinks the Eagles are in Dunn’s future. Kirwan also throws his two cents into the mix about Raheem the Dream’s wet dream of the month: NRA spokesman Plexiglass Burress.

Not a whole lot of sober Bucs fans expect much from the team this year; there is a lot of hope but expectations are low. There are many reasons that lead fans to this conclusion, but Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com offers some jarring analysis.

Schrager ranks the top 99 players in the NFL and the Bucs don’t have anyone in the top 74. The highest ranked Bucs player is Barrett Ruud at No. 75.

75. Barrett Ruud, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Who? Perhaps the least familiar name on this list, Rudd checks in at No. 75. Ruud put himself on the national radar with a breakout 2008 — ending the season with 137 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions. With Derrick Brooks out of the picture and a completely new defensive system in Tampa, a lot will be expected out of Ruud

What is disturbing to Joe about this ranking is that Ruud has a terrible habit of becoming invisible in the latter weeks of the season, none more glaring than last year’s December tank job by the Bucs defense.

Oh, by the way, Ruud is also in hiding during offseason workouts, seemingly wanting a new contract (but he’s able to show up to his own charity golf outing).

Oddly enough, Ruud is the only Bucs player to be ranked in Schrager’s top 99. That speaks volumes to Joe.

It was weird of Joe to learn earlier this offseason the Bucs signed former Jets kicker Mike Nugent to a $2.4 million contract. Joe wondered what the point was? Incumbent kicker Matt Bryant is one of the NFL’s best, and roughly half the price of Nugent.

Joe understands Raheem the Dream wants competition at all positions, but Bryant could have gotten competition from some guy off the street for about 90 percent less than for what Nugent signed. It just didn’t add up for Joe.

But BSPN.com’s Vacation Man notes that Nugent’s contract isn’t really a factor.

This battle could turn out to be very interesting. On the surface, it may look like the Bucs want Nugent to win the job since they gave him a $2.4 million contract. That’s basically double what Bryant is scheduled to make. But you have to look at the details of Nugent’s contract to really understand this situation.

None of Nugent’s money is guaranteed and the Bucs could be off the hook for the entire amount if they release Nugent. The guess here is that the Bucs brought in Nugent to push Bryant a bit. But they’d be delighted if Bryant rose to the challenge and won the job in camp.

While this does shed some light on the situation, why sign a guy off the street, which Nugent was, to such a contract? There’s a reason why Nugent was unemployed. Why offer him nearly double as Bryant and maybe hack off one of the NFL’s best kickers in the process?

Because he was slapped with the franchise tag in the offseason, wide receiver Antonio Bryant whined a great deal before, somewhat recently, piping down about his contract status.

Bryant had a breakout year last season. But maybe because of his checkered history the Bucs only signed him to a one-year deal with the franchise tag. Michael Fabiano of NFL.com hints that was a smart move by the Bucs. Because he’s a free agent, Bryant will be motivated for another big year.

Bryant, who put up career numbers in what was a contract year last season, has been franchised by the Buccaneers and will have to "sing for his supper" in 2010 and beyond. While the motivation for a rich, long-term contract is evident, changes at the quarterback position and Bryant’s lack of consistent seasonal production in his career limits his value. Consider him a No. 2 fantasy wideout with middle-round value.

Joe could give a rat’s ass about Bryant’s “fantasy value.” Joe’s idea of fantasy has nothing to do with football (but a lot to do with Rachel Watson). Despite this, Fabiano’s point is clear: Bryant will bust his tail this year to get another big pay day.

Stylez White didn't cave to oily player agent Drew Rosenhaus

The business of players’ agents is shady and agent Jack Bechta, who represents Bucs defensive lineman and road rash victim Stylez White, wrote a column for NationalFootballPost.com in which he explains some behind-the-scenes agent dealings.

Oddly enough, Bechta details how oily Drew Rosenhaus works.

In short, Bechta claims Rosenhaus uses his clients to get new clients. Rosenhaus, who also loves to Twitter about such things, has his clients host parties. Of course, these players invite teammates and that’s when Rosenhaus goes to work, using the opportunity like a feeding frenzy being the shark he is.

But White avoided Rosenhaus’ advances at one such event.

Believe it or not, there is some client loyalty in the business. I’ve been told by my clients which agents approach them and what they say. My client, Styles G. White (formerly Greg White) of the Buccaneers, for example, was approached last year by Rosenhaus at a charity event that I believe was put on by one of his clients.

Greg told me that Rosenhaus approached him and said, “You have some story, Greg (he had played in the Arena League the year before and had 8½ sacks and seven forced fumbles in 2007). Do you know who I am?” Greg said he did. Drew replied, “Well, you need to talk to these guys here about me. They’ll tell you what I’m about. They’ll tell you how to get in touch with me.” As Stylez was telling me this, he said to me, “Where was this guy when I was playing Arena ball for three years?” He had no idea who I was then. You stuck with me for five years until I made it. You’re my guy.”

Stylez, I appreciate your loyalty.

Everything Joe reads about White impresses Joe. Seems like a great guy. Hope you get better Stylez and for God’s sake stay off those death machines, at least until your NFL career is over.

Also, Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune is reporting that White doesn’t think he can practice until training camp due to his road rash.

In addition to massive debt, the Glazer Boys are ringing up championships and record revenue with Manchester United.

Most Manchester United fans are weeping this morning, although the Glazer Boys are probably high-fiving over their Shephard’s Pie.

No surprise to Joe that the Glazers have agreed to sell the premier 24-year-old stud in their Manchester United soccer stable for a world record $131 million today. That’s a lot of half-season ticket packages at the C.I.T.S.

Was there every any doubt for the cash-strapped Glazers?

On the world soccer stage you don’t trade players, you sell their rights. And the Glazers accepted the $131 million bid to move former World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo to Spanish power Real Madrid. Now Ronaldo has to negotiate a contract with his new team, which should just be a formality.

Today’s reports from England now say Ronaldo wanted to leave, contradicting his earlier stated desire to stay with Manchester United, which probably was a just a negotiating tactic.

So the Glazers are off the hook with their fans and their cash flow just improved, although they will have pay to replace Ronaldo.

Joe is certain that this, the world’s biggest sports news of the day, can only be good news for Bucs fans.

By JEFF CARLSON

Former Bucs quarterback Jeff Carlson writes the weekly QB Blast column here at JoeBucsFan.com. Joe is ecstatic to have him firing away. Carlson has sports radio and TV gigs in the Bay area and trains quarterbacks of all ages via his company, America’s Best Quarterback.

Before these dog days of OTAs and minicamps end and give way to the dog days of training camp, where the players grind each day out as one bleeds into the next without much difference, let’s open a dialogue regarding interesting Buccaneers conversations I’ve had with people on various topics.

One regarded Derrick Brooks’ future as well as his past. 

I read Chris Hovan’s comments about enjoying playing with Brooks and how he had never seen anyone take over a locker room like Brooks did.

My question is what is the value of being great in the locker room to value on the field? It’s kind of like defining a team with chemistry. When the team wins it has great chemistry, but when it’s not winning, the chemistry isn’t so good. 

Going into December, the Bucs needed to win one of their four games to go to the playoffs and then it would have been a whole new season in the playoff tournament. But for all of the great locker room guys, whether it was Brooks’ leadership or Jeff Garcia’s or anyone else, they couldn’t muster enough mojo to get a single win in the final month of the season.

So should there be a lot of worry over losing the locker room leadership provided by any of the players from last year’s team?  The guys that are still on the roster, and the guys that are gone, couldn’t rally the private locker room setting to get it done in public. 

Don’t think I’m bashing a player, I’m taking on a concept.

I want my football team full of Derrick Brooks-type players — players who lead by example on and off the field. But let’s not keep having that conversation about locker room leadership, because that obviously doesn’t win games in December and that is really the only measurable at the end of the season.

Bucs quarterback Byron Leftwich joined co-hosts Adam Schein and Jim Miller on “The Blitz” on Sirius NFL Radio Wednesday afternoon for a spirited discussion of what’s going on at One Buc Palace. Leftwich seemed like a good guy, never passing on a chance to take a shot at himself. Leftwich also seems to be the president of the Sgt. Winslow Fan Club.

Adam Schein: How is Tampa?

Byron Leftwich: Everything is great. It’s going good for me. I’m just picking up the system. I’m out throwing the ball and having a blast. It’s going great.

Jim Miller: Everything we hear is that you are making a move up (the depth chart)?

BL: I don’t purposely think about that. This is going to be a true competition so I will try my best and prove I am the guy for the job. I’m sure the others guys will too. I’m not going to talk about (starting). They promised me the best quarterback will play.

AS: What was your reaction when the Buccaneers went out and drafted a quarterback in the first round?

BL: I knew it was a possibility. I already understood that no matter what, the best quarterback will play. That’s all I needed to hear. I was ready for a challenge after what I’ve done in the league.

JM: Freeman is raw. It takes time to mature. You are not one that lacks arm strength and Jeff Jagodzinski likes to throw downfield. Where do you see yourself? I’m guessing you won’t be doing a lot of footwork?

BL: I fit in perfectly. It’s not a true west coast offense. I think they call every offense now a west coast offense. But this offense I fit in perfectly. We will run the ball and attack downfield. There are some west coast philosophies but it’s not a true west coast offense. It’s completely different. It’s more of an attack downfield and wait for them to make a mistake. It fits me perfectly.

AS: What do you think about Winslow?

BL: I knew he was good. I didn’t know he was this good. I mean that. Every time he goes out on the field he brings intensity and he brings out intensity to the position. It’s very rare to be around a guy like that. I never knew he was that good. Every time I see him do something it puts a smile on my face. He makes a quarterback a better football player.

JM: The Bucs offensive line, I’m excited about the line. Yeah, Sears is having issues but Zuttah can fill in well.

BL: You’ve got guys here who understand that they are good. It’s something to have an offensive line and to drop back in the pocket and not have anyone come close to you. That makes the quarterback a whole lot better. They are close and they are physical. That’s all you want. They are able to run block and pass block and that gives you a chance to do a lot of things offensively. That’s all you can ask for. I really appreciate that.

JM: I look at a dropback passer like you, you are not mobile. You will sit back there seven-step drops, five-step drops, whatever, and you just need a fraction more to throw. How’s that help your confidence?

BL: Everyone knows I am a true pocket passer. Of the 32 quarterbacks who start, there might be 28 of those. I’m not the slowest quarterback in the league; I’m just the slowest black quarterback in the league. That is the difference. I’m not as nimble as McNabb or Vince Young but I understand who I am and I will not play outside of my pocket. I need help from the offensive line but so do all pocket passers. I can’t do what Vince young does. I have to use my mind and get the ball in the hands of guys that cam make plays.

JM: Defenses will rush guys in the center to move you. Where are you at mentally with that?

BL: Once you are a pocket passer you are a pocket passer. You have seen it all. It’s not new to you. You learn to adjust and react. They have been doing the same thing to pocket passers for years. I just need to get the ball in the right guy’s hands. You know as a pocket passer where they will come with pressure. You get so much practice you understand.

AS: How do you handle the enthusiasm and the teamwork if it’s not your team right now?

BL: I’ve been behind Ben Roethlisberger and I haven’t changed. I love this game. I learned what it’s like to play this game and that’s what I do each game whether I am starting or not. If you are a starter you let the football play speak for itself. I don’t change. If I was a third string guy and I see someone do something wrong — we need you to do this or to do that — and it makes us all better as a team. I’ll just be myself. I love this game and you’ll see that in how serious I take this. I get guys to follow me.

AS: How do you throw a ball with a big fat ring on your finger?

BL: It’s exciting, but I will put it up in a frame. I understand what playing on a championship team is now and I will try to get another one. I think I understand what it takes now. I think I understand by being in the locker room with the Pittsburgh Steelers. I learned what it takes day in and day out.

AS: What did you learn?

BL: I learned so much. I’ve been on 2-14 teams and I’ve been on good teams. But now, I know what the locker room is supposed to be like. I’ve been around Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu and James Harrison and Ben Roethlisberger and Casey Hampton and Ike Harris and James Farrior and those guys and I see how they treat the game of football and when you treat the game of football like they do, it gives you a chance. I can’t exactly pinpoint it but when you are doing it you know. You can feel it.

Does Arron Sears have the blues?

The latest Aaron Sears rumor floated by Pewter Report has Arron Sears battling depression rather than concussion effects.

Whatever is going on with Sears, Joe knows the young man is in desperate need of guidance. If Sears is, in fact, having mental struggles, he needs to know better than to show up smiling, giddy and coaching at an Alabama kids football camp while his teammates are sweating their rears off during OTAs.

Sears’ camp appearance surely doesn’t take away from problems he may or not be having, but Jimminy Christmas it looks horrendous to his new teammates and coaches who may not be as understanding as Joe.

Sears could miss training camp, speculates Petwer Report’s mysterious third unnamed source on the subject (Joe’s journalism mentors would shudder at such absolute recklessness).

The whole Sears situation should become much clearer when the Bucs report for mandatory mini-camp on Tuesday. Joe is hoping for a miraculous Sears recovery. The Bucs don’t need a chink in the team’s strongest unit, and it would be criminal for Sears to stain his burgeoning career.

Maybe Derrick Brooks, Tony Dungy or Rachel Watson can reach out to the guy.

Competition at every position and guys battling for jobs was said to be among the hallmarks of Raheem The Dream’s regime in 2009.

So what’s going on at safety?

Sabby Piscitelli is acting like he’s the new sheriff in town now that safety Jermaine Phillips has been relocated to replace Derrick Brooks and all of Bucs nation prays Phillips can figure out how to play linebacker in the NFL at 30 years old.

Per the Piscatelli interview Joe brought you earier, Piscatelli didn’t flinch — or talk about competition — when the Oregon sports radio hosts asked about him being gift-wrapped the starting job.

KFXX: OK, so the Bucs moved Jermaine Phillips to linebacker to free up space for you. How satisfying is it to know you are slated to start?

SP: I’m extremely excited. I’m looking forward to it. It’s a big challenge and I’m getting my career started off big. Last year I was limited to six games but I played in each one. I got my feet wet. It was good. It was pretty much my first year. It didn’t end that well but I felt like I was progressing gradually. As long as I can contribute.

Joe likes Piscatelli and knows he has the physical tools to be a stud. Joe also knows Piscatelli is exactly the type of young player Raheem The Dream has in mind when he talks about competition at positions. 

Piscatelli’s never been a regular and often looked like an overmatched rookie when filling in for Phillips last year. Yet Piscatelli seems to be of the mind that he’s the starter-in-waiting.

What about Will Allen or others? What about Phillips returning to the secondary if he’s beat out at linebacker or a bust at the position?

Piscatelli talks like he’s the opening day starter no matter what. Joe’s fine with that but sincerely hopes Sabby is up for the task.

Sunday night on Sunday Sports Extra with good guy Dan Lucas on WFLA-TV, (Channel 8 locally), Lucas sat down for a chat with Sgt. Winslow. Of course Joe watched and took notes. You would expect otherwise?

Dan Lucas: What are your impressions of your new team and coach?

Sgt. Winslow: I love my teammates and I am having fun here. It’s good to be here. I just love coach Morris. I fell in love with him the first time I talked to him. I am just having a lot of fun,

DL: How about coach Jagodzinski?

Sgt. Winslow: He’s laid back and he tells you what you have to do and it’s your job to be a professional and do it. I take it to heart. If that’s what it takes to help the team that’s what I will do.

DL: What have you seen from your teammates? Is everyone in the same boat?

Sgt. Winslow: I’d say so. I’m a little behind because I wasn’t here. We have a new defensive coach with coach Bates and we have a new offensive coach with coach Jagodzinski. So it’s all a fresh start. It’s real exciting. I don’t think it’s that complicated of a system. But we will do things well.

DL: You said you like to take reps with “The Guy.” Unfortunately, we don’t know who is “The Guy.” How are you getting comfortable working with more than one guy?

Sgt. Winslow: I think what I said was, I was asked about who would I rather have, Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn and I said I would like to take reps with whoever is going to be in there. And whoever our quarterback is, he’s our guy.

DL: I know you were looking for a new scene. Some guys have resurrected their careers here. Is this what you thought it would be?

Sgt. Winslow: Man, it’s much more. Just the warm weather and the new atmosphere and the coaches. It’s awesome.

DL: Do you feel comfortable that you are set (financially) for probably life and do you have more pressure on you now?

Sgt. Winslow: I don’t feel the pressure because I put enough pressure on myself. So I don’t take in all the outside pressure. I want to be the best professionally I can. I’m pretty comfortable with my situation.

Earnest Graham gets his just props for all to see every day

The final honorees whose printed likenesses will grace the C.I.T.S. has been reported by Woody Cummings, of The Tampa Tribune.

Earnest Graham and Sgt. Winslow have joined Barrett Ruud, Ronde Barber, Aqib Talib, Barrett Ruud, Antonio Bryant and Davin Joseph.

Joe is most surprised by the Winslow choice. He’s yet to take a snap in pewter and red. But then again, Mark Dominik made him the world’s highest paid tight end a year too early, so maybe Joe shouldn’t be surprised.

Otherwise, Joe likes the selections. If the Bucs had a sense of humor, they would have done a montage banner with Byron Leftwich, Luke McCown and Josh Freeman. 

Perhaps it’s a good sign that one banner wasn’t dedicated to ticket sales.