Former Bucs DT Booger McFarland says Jeremy Trueblood should be smiling despte a seven-figure pay cut

Joe really finds the reported 11th-hour forced pay cut for Jeremy Trueblood very interesting.

Why give Trueblood an ultimatum if you’re willing to let him go? If you’re prepared to cut Trueblood, then what is he doing on the roster?

Per Team Glazer, money will never be an issue when building the Buccaneers. Of course, the reported ultimatum could have been a simple negotiation tactic and rockstar general manager Mark Dominik never planned to cut Trueblood.

As for Trueblood’s seven-figure salary loss, former Bucs defensive tackle Booger McFarland thinks Trueblood got a great deal, so McFarland said on 98.7 FM yesterday.

“He wouldn’t get $4 million+ incentives anywhere else,” McFarland said. “[even if you] go back six months” to free agency.

McFarland said right tackles are devalued in the league with a right handed quarterback and most teams like the Bucs are “right handed” and line up with a tight end on that side.

Joe just hopes Trueblood, in his seventh year, can make the most of a final shot with the Bucs. In 2013, at 30 years old, Joe suspects the league and the Bucs will force his retirement unless he can shine this season.

A lot has been made of the speed of Bucs rookie running back Michael Smith. It’s not crazy to think the Bucs might design a play or two to use that speed.

One such play happened Friday morning at Bucs practice. Smith raced to his left and appeared to get into the open field.

Problem was, Bucs second-year safety Ahmad Black came racing in like a missile, and leveled Smith for just a short gain.

Black said later that physical style is all about him.

“I have to be [physical], especially with my size,” Black said. “I don’t bring a lot of size to the table so I try to be physical.”

It’s a style that never really got on track last year as Black had a high ankle sprain in training camp, a nasty injury to bounce back from, and was hobbled all of last summer before getting cut and landing on the Bucs’ practice squad.

Black admits that injury set him back.

“I was hampered with an injury the beginning of last year,” Black said. “But I feel like I got better. This is my second year so I feel I’ve gotten better. I know what to expect now. I played the last four or five games [in 2011] and it helped me to play this year.”

It shows. Black has been laying the wood to the Bucs’ offensive, and even had an interception in 11-on-11 drills at the night practice last night.

Still, Black admits, he is nowhere near a finished product. “I am still learning, learning to get everything down pat and get ready for the season.”

The weather-delayed, steamy night practice at the New Sombrero drew a solid crowd tonight. Many left early, but Joe estimates there were still at least 10,000 or so in the house when practice resumed following the delay.

Here are some of Joe’s impressions:

*Plenty of 11-on-11 work with contact, in first-team offense versus first team defense, Dallas Clark beat rookie hopeful Leonard Johnson for long gain, and Johnson showed some bad tackling form.

*Keith Tandy and Cody Grimm were the second-team safeties. Tandy and Ahmad Black ran with the first team, as did Larry Asante a bit. Mark Barron and Ronde Barber sat out scrimmaging.

*Doug Martin wowed with a sharp cutback run against the second-team D. He went left, saw no daylight and broke it back right for a big gain. Overall, LeGarrette Blount and Martin appeared to have an even split of first-team work. Mossis Madu got his fair share of time with the first team, as well. Madu looks very comfortable in a third-down back role.

*The second-team offense worked against the first-team defense. Michael Smith was stuffed twice on run plays, and wide receiver Wallace Wright made a stunning catch with Aqib Talib all over him. But a toss soon after to Wright was not handled well and was picked off by Ahmad Black after a deflection.

*When the first teams squared off, Blount broke a tackle in the hole (perhaps the first great helmet crack of the night) and Black appeared lucky the whistle was blown before Blount reached him in the second level.

*Eric Wright was a very vocal presence on defense. Clearly getting guys in position.

*Blount was late releasing for a check down and Freeman threw the ball away at Blount’s feet. Not pretty.

*That drive ended with a Preston Parker drop, but Connor Barth nailed a 53-yard field goal — with plenty of distance to spare — to cap it. Greg Schiano really liked that kick.

*In more first-team on first-team work, Myron Lewis really held his own against Vincent Jackson and nicely batted down a pass over the middle. With the Bucs’ depth depleted, Lewis got plenty of first-team reps.

*Lavonte David does a lot of blitzing. The dude is extraordinarily quick.

*Undrafted rookie cornerback Marquese Wheaton had lots of trouble with Tiquan Underwood, who ran with the second team.

*Anthony Gaitor, with the second-team defense, had a bad pass interference penalty covering Sammie Stroughter.

*In full line pass rush drills, Gerald McCoy seemed to be the only guy getting through. Not much off the edge from first-team defense.

*Michael Bennett was still on the sidelines, and Donald Penn was seen riding a stationary bike through a good portion of practice.

*Aqib Talib did more work than usual on a variety of special teams units.

*Luke Stocker’s route running really left Joe shaking his head. Didn’t look good. Not crisp. Stocker’s either slow, or was not working at full speed tonight.

*During a 7-on-7 drill while working with the offense, Greg Schiano called timeout right before a snap. Details!

*Also in 7-on-7, Dallas Clark dropped a TD pass in the back of the end zone. Eric Wright blanketed Vincent Jackson on a fade route but the Josh Freeman throw was too low regardless. Sammie Strougther easily broke free from rookie CB Keith Tandy for a TD.

Many Bucs fans were giddy when the Bucs became the lone team in the NFL to agree to accept new blackout rules that permit local broadcasts of home games if 85 percent of the non-premium seats are sold 72 hours prior to kickoff.

As Joe wrote at the time, that did not automatically mean Bucs games would be televised locally again. It seems Joe’s first inclination was accurate.

Speaking before a gaggle of reports at tonight’s night practice at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, Bucs co-chairman Bryan Glazer noted ticket sales are good; just not good enough to prevent blackouts (yet), so reports Stephen Holder of the Tampa Bay Times.

Speaking with reporters at a well-attended open practice Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium, Glazer said sales are brisker but televised games “not a slam dunk.”

“We want to give our fans every opportunity to win as many games as they can this year,” he said. “But I cannot stand here today and predict how many there will be. But we’re hopeful there will be more games on television than last year.”

Glazer went on to add he is not disappointed in ticket sales because he understands how the downturn in the economy — which shows no immediate signs of rebounding — has ravaged the Tampa Bay area, thus meaning people have far less expendable income.

Add to that Joe’s long contention that technology has made the in-game experience secondary in a large, growing number of NFL fans’ eyes. Joe wouldn’t be shocked if many home games are still blacked out.

People just don’t have the cash they once did.

It is Hall of Fame weekend in Canton and already in the Tampa Bay area there is buzz building for this winter when eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune will have to convince a number of his fellow Pro Football Hall of Fame electors that former Bucs great Warren Sapp should be elected in his first year of eligibility.

In fact, Joe personally witnessed SI.com scribe and long-time Hall of Fame voter Peter King giving Kaufman some pointers in building a winning case for Sapp.

It seems indirectly, Kaufman got a boost from arguably the greatest defensive tackle to play the game, Mean Joe Greene.

Speaking to NFL.com, Greene hinted that Sapp may have been better than he was.

“(Sapp) did some of the same things we were trying to do in Pittsburgh,” Greene said. “In fact, I think some of the defenses they used were brought to Tampa by their coach (Tony Dungy). I think they just took what we did and took it to the next level, and Warren, as a defensive tackle, took what I tried to do — and wanted to do — to the next level.”

There are eerie similarities between Greene and Sapp. Both were lynchpins in two of the most dominant defenses in NFL history. Defenses were built around both.

Kaufman recently said this week on WHFS-FM 98.7 with co-hosts Todd Wright and Booger McFarland, that while Sapp may not have been the best player on the Bucs (that player would be Derrick Brooks), Sapp was rather the most important player.

LeGarrette Blount might not like to talk about his weight, but he’s happy to talk about his hands.

Blount’s had enough with the Blount-can’t-catch commentary. Bucs reporter Tom Krasniqi, of WDAE-AM 620, asked Blount about the knock on his receiving skills yesterday.

Blount had just 15 receptions last season and 20 career catches.  When I asked him about that, Blount scoffed at that notion that he’s not a good pass catcher out of the backfield.  “I can catch the ball, that’s point blank.  There’s no question there”, Blount said emphatically. 

Tampa Tribune Bucs beat writer eye-RAH! Kaufman also Twittered that Blount defended his hands. “”I’ve had one or two drops since I’ve been here. I can catch,” Blount said.

Joe expects Mike Sullivan is well aware that Blount can catch, and break tackles like few in the business. The big question is whether Blount is more dangerous in the passing game than Doug Martin.

Would a seemingly run-obsessed Bucs team keep six receivers on the roster?

That’s an awfully important question to Arrelious Benn, who was injured yet again (MCL) when training camp opened and essentially will miss all of camp and at least two preseason games.

Barring injuries, Mike Williams, Vincent Jackson and Preston Parker are locks for the roster. But Tiquan Underwood has been a legitimate standout so far, clearly has breakaway speed, and is a hand-picked Greg Schiano guy. And Sammie Stroughter has had a solid camp and appears to consistently line up as the No. 1 return man.

More important, all those guys are healthy.

In Joe’s eyes, Benn is sitting sixth on the depth chart now and Schiano has no personal ties with Benn. Per BSPN.com, Benn was paid a $2.1 million signing bonus and is earning about $450,000 per season in salary. So the Bucs have little, if anything, committed to Benn financially.

On the surface it might seem inconceivable that Benn, after being taken 39th overall in 2010, in what was widely considered the deepest draft in history, could be on the market or on the couch in a matter of weeks. But Joe has to think that seriously could be the case.

Trying to think like the leader of the New Schiano Order, Joe’s not finding a reason why Schiano would be committed to Benn if Benn’s not out there to impress him.

Bucs offensive tackle Jeremy Trueblood was forced to take a seven-figure pay cut or lose his job.

Yes, Joe likes Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik. This is no secret to Joe’s readers.

That, however, doesn’t make Dominik a deity. And Joe will also point out Dominik’s flubs. Don’t believe Joe? Who exactly was the first media outlet in the Tampa Bay area to raise a red flag on the signing of The Great Lumpkin, which meant Cadillac Williams would (and did) walk away?

That would be Joe. So for those who call Joe a Dominik apologist, you may want to walk away from your cocktail of choice.

The signing of The Great Lumpkin wasn’t the only head-scratcher signing last year. When offensive tackle Jeremy Trueblood, coming off a less than stellar season, was signed to a nice chunk of cash, Joe thought that was odd, too.

But it was widely believed and reported that Davin Joseph, a close friend of Trueblood’s, was willing to sign with another team if the Bucs parted ways with Trueblood. Well, Joe thought that keeping Trueblood was a whole lot better option than losing Joseph.

It seems the Bucs have since had second thoughts on Trueblood. Per Scott Reynolds of the Pewter Report, Trueblood was given an ultimatum by Bucs management just before training camp opened:

Take a $1 million dollar pay cut or hit the road.

Trueblood, writes Reynolds, took the slash in pay.

On the eve of training camp, starting right tackle Jeremy Trueblood got a call from the Buccaneers requesting that he take a $1 million pay cut or that he would be released. Trueblood is in the final year of a two-year deal that he signed last August that was worth $10 million, including a $5 million base salary in 2012.

The Bucs’ second-round pick in 2006 was actually slated to make $6 million this year because he earned an extra $1 million due to a contract escalator that kicked in due to his 2011 performance. But general manager Mark Dominik went to Trueblood and essentially forced him to take a pay cut to a $4 million base salary – but still retain the $1 million escalator – or that he would part ways with the veteran right tackle.

“It is what it is,” Trueblood said, acknowledging the pay cut. “It’s football – just part of the business of things. I’ve seen worse when you get a call the day before camp.”

In short, Trueblood is now playing for his job. Benched in 2010, Trueblood seemed to rebound last year, but let’s be honest, pass blocking is not Trueblood’s strength.

Joe expects Trueblood to have a decent year. The Bucs are expected to be a run-oriented offense, which is right up Trueblood’s alley.

If he should slip like he did in 2010, it’s a good bet 2012 will be Trueblood’s last in a Bucs uniform.

The new labor agreement and its softer practice demands seem to be working against Cody Grimm

During the very brief stretches of time over the past few years when the Bucs’ run defense played respectably, safety Cody Grimm was patrolling the box and putting his face on people forcefully.

Grimm always landed on the injured list, but his game is hitting and the new labor agreement makes it hard now for guys like him to shine in practice. Grimm feels great, so he told JoeBucsFan.com in an exclusive interview last week, but he’s running a lot with the third team.

Today, the leader of the New Schiano Ordersaid he needs to see Grimm play when he can let loose.

“I think Cody’s strength is when you get into game situations and you can go live because he’ll put his face; you know he’ll go get you,” Schiano said. “And I think he’s an intelligent football player. I’m anxious just to see him play in games, special teams and defense.”

Joe’s got a lot of confidence in Grimm’s ability, though not his ability to stay out of the training room. If he stays healthy, one has to believe Grimm is a Schiano kind of guy. And Joe also suspects the regime wouldn’t mind having a roster heavy on defensive backs given the injuries and suspect 2013 future of Ronde Barber.

Yes, of course, Joe was at Bucs training camp this morning. Here are some of Joe’s thoughts and observations.

* “It is 2:36, second down, ball on the 34,” Schiano barks into a bullhorn during situation drills. No one had a problem hearing Schiano, trust Joe.

* Ahmad Black had a strong day when the rest of the defensive backs seemed to struggle. Black came firing in on a safety blitz, rushing Freeman but did not prevent a Freeman completion.

* GMC gets pressure on Freeman and his raised paw forces errant throw. Joe has noticed a lot of passes disrupted by hands in the air.

* Larry Asante got huge props from coaches in a punt blocking/recovering drill.

* Bucs practicing recovering blocked punts. Assistants literally kicking footballs into the shins of charging defenders.

* Practice does not seem crisp whatsoever. Appears very sluggish. Again, Joe’s observation.

* Either Bucs receivers have made significant progress or Bucs defensive backs need some work. Granted, Ronde Barber and Mark Barron are limited and Eric Wright is on the sidelines, but at times it seems Josh Freeman is completing passes at will unless he has a hand in his face.

* Mike Williams catches a pass in traffic from Freeman.

* Preston Parker with a sweet move spinning around in end zone along the right sideline to catch an underthrown Dan Orlovsky pass.

* A flag was dropped on a play and Schiano calls the entire team in for consultation. Joe’s guessing Schiano had a few choice words.

* Josh Freeman threads the needle hitting Preston Parker along the right sideline.

* Though he did not get to Freeman, Mason Foster’s pressure collapsed the left side of offensive line.

* Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik was working the crowd as he is wont to do. It’s not uncommon for him to climb into the bleachers to chat with fans.

* Michael Smith is clocked by Ahmad Black trying to run left.

* Muscle Hamster breaks through off right tackle for a nice gain.

Despite the fact he has been shelved part-time in practices, Bucs first round draft pick, safety Mark Barron, was all smiles when he met the Tampa Bay pen and mic club after this morning’s practice at One Buc Palace.

“I’m just doing what I can,” Barron said of practicing with his bum toe. The injury is “a minor toe issue. It is getting better every day. I just have to be careful with it. It’s more of a precautionary thing.”

Barron knows that being a high defensive draft pick on a team whose defense smelled worse than a Missouri barnyard in July comes with high expectations. In so many words, Barron said, bring it on.

“It is pressure but I like that pressure and I want that pressure put on me,” Barron said. “I am still learning, but at the same time I know that there is a lot of pressure being put on me and I am comfortable with that.”

It seems Barron has developed something of a rapport with graybeard Bucs defensive back Ronde Barber.

“The guy has been in the league for 16 years, he has been through everything an NFL player can go through,” Barron said. “I feel like if there is anything that i need to ask him, I can.”

Barron also believes the Bucs defense has the talent to make a statement this season.

“I feel like we have a very talented group,” Barron said, “We just have to put it together. I think it is crazy, a very talented group.”

Saturday, the Bucs will hold a scrimmage at the stadium on Dale Mabry Highway. Not only will thousands of Bucs fans get their first look at Barron, it will be Barron’s first chance to walk on ground hallowed by safety John Lynch.

“I am actually excited,” Barron said. “I haven’t been on the field yet in the stadium. I’m excited to get on the field.”

Bill Belicheat and Greg Schiano are on different pages when it comes to training camp fights.

Bill Belicheat might be Greg Schiano’s mentor, but they have different opinions when it comes to fighting.

Yesterday, Belicheat was upbeat about training camp fights, per ProFootballTalk.com.

But after today’s training camp collision involving Myron Lewis and a camp body on offense, Schiano took to the WDAE-AM 620 airwaves and had an intolerant tone about potential fighting and guys potentially getting injured.

“Fighting’s a waste of time,” Schiano said. “We don’t need to fight. No. 1, you can get hurt. No. 2, when you’re fighting, you’re not practicing.”

Co-host Ian Beckles, a former Bucs guard, reminded listeners that fighting was not permitted under Tony Dungy, who, per Beckles, would stop practice if a fight occurred.

Joe will have more later from Day 7 of training camp.

Former Bucs tight end and current radio network analyst Dave Moore revealed that the Bucs’ defensive staff thinks the cupboard is stocked pretty well when it comes to talent, in this Friday morning interview on WDAE-AM 620 available below. Last year’s failures were “more about guys out of position,” Moore said.

Moore spent time with defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan yesterday, and Moore says that after watching film as a new staff this winter, Sheridan and others were struck by so many guys out of position and believed then that the defense will be “OK” if they can teach guys to be where they’re supposed to be all the time. And that was before more bodies like Eric Wright, Amobi Okoye and Gary Gibson were added in free agency.

Give a listen. Joe liked when Moore gave the analogy that Vincent Jackson consistently looks like the varsity kid playing against the JV.

Joe’s proud to introduce Tilted Kilt to JoeBucsFan.com readers. Their great location at Drew Street and U.S. 19 in Clearwater is an awesome place to watch games and enjoy the scenery — indoors and outside. It’s definitely a favorite of Joe’s and open late. Click below to learn more.

Since Myron Lewis was drafted in 2010, he’s been pretty much a mystery because people have heard of him but few have seen him. That’s mainly because Lewis has been plagued by injuries, including troublesome hamstring problems.

As a result, it could be argued that Lewis has been behind the 8-ball. It’s hard for a player to develop in the NFL if he can’t get on the practice field much less struggle to get on the field during games.

But this season the tide may be turning for Lewis, a former Vanderbilt University standout. With injuries to E.J. Biggers and new free agent pick up Eric Wright having troubles with minor injuries himself, Lewis suddenly finds himself healthy when the team is experiencing depth issues.

“Opportunities are opening up for me and I am just trying to play hard, play fast and play physical,” Lewis said. “I’m trying to stay healthy. I’m buying in. I try to play my technique right and do the best that I can.”

No one was more frustrated with his injuries than Lewis himself. Because of his bum hamstring, Lewis is certain he has been unable to develop into a quality NFL corner.

“Injuries are frustrating, especially playing at cornerback,” Lewis said. “With a nagging hamstring injury, it is hard to go out there and cover the receivers. You saw Derelle Revis. He had a hamstring injury and it was hard for him.

“Hamstrings will set you back because you cannot play to your full potential and you cannot play at full speed. You will not be able cover receivers because they will be at top speed and maybe you are at 65-70 percent. You are not going to be able to do that.”

While Lewis admits he has been able to attend meetings in the past and stand on the sidelines at both practices and games, he says it doesn’t compare to actually being on the field.

“Lack of reps definitely will hurt,” Lewis said. “A lot of people will say the mental reps are good but you need the physical reps. Get on the field and go through the plays.”

After two years of mostly bad luck, Lewis can feel the tide turning.

“I have the opportunity out there to play fast and balls to the wall, just trying to stay healthy. I’m kind of blessed with the opportunity.”

The leader of the New Schiano Order says Blount is “hustling his tail off”

LeGarrette Blount has lost weight. Stand next to him and he looks significantly leaner, smaller. The guns don’t look as menacing.

But don’t ask Blount how much he weighs. On Sunday, Joe asked Blount — twice — and Blount wouldn’t give a number.

JoeBucsFan.com: How much do you weigh? And is your current weight good or bad, and how do you feel it’s affecting you?

LeGarrette Blount: It’s good that I’ve lost weight. So I’m going to continue to, you know, stay in the shape that I’m in.

Joe: How much do you weigh?

Blount (smiling): We don’t know.

Today, Greg Schiano was asked about Blount’s weight and transformed body, and Schiano said Blount probably weighed more than the 247 pounds he was listed at last season, but Schiano didn’t offer a new number.

“I think he’s a better player at the condition that he’s in right now,” Schiano said. “I think he’s doing well. I thought today he made some nice runs, as well. He’s hustling his tail off. The turnover the other day, he’s the one who chased the guy down and had a strip opportunity. Those are good things.”

Now there’s some more fuel for the popular Blount-Doug Martin debate.

Hopefully, Blount hasn’t lost any strength. And perhaps he can even hurdle an extra inch higher.

Joe doesn’t get why Booger McFarland thinks Roy Miller should be handed a starting job

The Bucs’ run defense has been historically dreadful since the December collapse of 2008. Guys like Maurice Morris, Ryan Torain and others have gutted and gashed the Bucs like Hall of Fame backs. 

(It reminds Joe how the Rays routinely make other teams’ second-rate starting pitchers look unhittable.)

The Bucs’ pass rush hasn’t scared anyone either during that time. And at the center of the Bucs’ mess for many of those games was Roy Miller at nosetackle. Spin it however you want, Miller has largely been ineffective during his three seasons. That’s almost too kind.

So it stunned Joe a bit this afternoon to hear former Bucs defensive tackle Booger McFarland take to the new sports radio airwaves on 98.7 FM and say the Bucs should give the nosetackle job to Miller because he’s put in his time.

Perhaps Booger is unaware the Bucs have Amobi Okoye and Gary Gibson on the roster. Joe’s not quite sure. But Miller is in no position to be gifted anything.

Today, per the Tampa Bay Times, Greg Schiano said those three (no mention of Frank Okam) will slug it out to win a job and playing time.

“I think Gerald, as I’ve said before, he’s got the ability to be an elite guy with get off and the motor he plays with,” coach Greg Schiano said. “Then we have to figure out how we’re going to deal with the other position and how we’re going to create depth at the three technique. As we work through it, Gary, Roy, Amobi and then whoever else we throw into that mix, it’s just going to be competition. Whoever performs the best will get the bigger chunk. Then next best will get a little bit smaller chunk and we’ll just roll it through.”

While Miller is healthy and doing some good things in practice, Joe still thinks he’s got a load to prove.

Yesterday, new Bucs left guard Carl Nicks said he wants to maul opposing defensive lineman. Joe caught up with fellow Bucs guard Davin Joseph today. He too echoed Nicks’ feelings for guys lining up across the line of scrimmage from him.

JoeBucsFan: Carl Nicks said he wants to maul people to establish a running game. Is that sort of the mentality of the offensive line this season?

Davin Joseph: Definitely. We are out here working hard to finish guys in the run game, working hard to finish guys in the passing game, working hard to be the most physical line we can be. Yeah, all of that applies.

Joe: Tell me how that physical play in the run game applies to blocking on pass plays.

Joseph: When you are able to be physical in the run game, it opens up your entire offense, really. It allows you to be so much more versatile once you get the run game going, especially when you have guys like LeGarrette who are home run hitters. You can do just about anything you want to.

Joe: So you agree with Carl Nicks that seeing a guy on his back motivates the entire line?

Joseph: Of course. Any time you can flat-back a guy it gets the juices going even more.