Those listening to the TV broadcast of the Bucs-Giants blowout heard announcers Tony Siragusa and Daryl Johnston talk about spending time with Chris Hovan the other day.

They showed Hovan some on-air love about what an old school guy he is. Siragusa said Hovan thinks too many of his teammates are caught up in playing Madden and other video games instead of being obsessed with real football.

Johnston made similar comments.

Joe is certain Hovan was referring to a charity video game event on Friday night to benefit Will Allen’s foundation in Tampa. A dozen or so Bucs players came out to play video games with fans who paid money to participate. Good clean fun. Why Hovan would seemingly have a problem with this perplexes Joe.

Would he rather they be out drinking beer, entertaining groupies in Ybor City? Or slugging cab drivers?

This is the problem Joe has with Hovan as a team leader. He runs his mouth, talks the talk, but he can’t really back it up on the field. He’s just not a great enough player to inspire.

He’s not Derrick Brooks. And these Bucs are missing that kind of leadership.

A depressed Raheem the Dream spoke on the Bucs radio network and he didn’t seem inclined to replace Byron Leftwich with Josh Johnson.

Although fans will go crazy this week wanting Josh Johnson to play, Raheem the Dream doesn’t seem to agree, but didn’t totally rule it out.

“He came out and executed very well,” Raheem the Dream said of Johnson. “We know J.J. can move around the pocket and move his feet and find a receiver and he was able to capitalize on that. But we weren’t looking for field goals.

“There’s no way [the loss] is on one man [Leftwich]. You can’t blame the quarterback but that is what will happen. We didn’t lose thanks to one man. We might make some changes but I won’t start with that guy.”

As for his team, he all but blasted his players.

“We were outmanned. No excuses,” Raheem the Dream said. “Those guys were a better football team than us across the board. We got absolutely nothing going. They are a better football team. They blocked open holes and got after it. They had a big back carry for extra yards and a smaller back make us miss tackles. They ran it down our throats for 38 minutes.

“We were just outmanned right off the bat. People took their turns losing individual battles. “They tried to make us into a passing football team which we are not. They are a more physical team.”

To be perfectly frank, Joe is loathing using his computer right now. He wants to do anything but be associated with Bucs football for the moment.

After a non-performance like that — a total and complete beating at home — Joe would prefer to have his pubic hair plucked than think about the state of the Bucs. … But Joe presses on.

Joe has to hang a lot of this game on the Bucs coaching staff. The team wasn’t ready to play, and the adjustments were non-existent. It was as if the Giants marched the field for an opening-drive score and the Bucs collective said, “Oh, no. Here we go again.”

What does Jim Bates do at halftime?

Joe’s waiting for Raheem The Dream to start shouldering some of the blame for having what sure looks like the worst team in the league.

His team does nothing well right now. And they’re still not tackling, which in Raheem The Dream’s words is about “want to.”

Coach, right now, you’re team doesn’t want to play for you.

Josh Johnson spoke on the Bucs radio network right after the game to describe his first play in an NFL regular season game at quarterback.

“I played all right. We didn’t score. That was a disappointment. I moved the ball well, but not good enough. It was a long day for us in the huddle.

I just took what they gave us. As we got closer to the red zone they were jumping the routes.”

On the near-touchdown pass to Michael Clayton:

“He was an option but not a primary option. I just tried to give Michael a chance to make a play. It was one of those days for us. We were just not executing. We have to look at all of ourselves in the eye and man up

It’s going to be very hard for Joe to make a good case against Josh Johnson getting a chance to start a game for the Bucs soon.

Maybe it’s next week in Washington? But it’s got to be before Josh Freeman is handed the ball to try and launch a new era from what appears to be rock bottom.

At 0-3, and getting worse every week, the Bucs are as good as done before Week 4. At this point, Byron Leftwich deserves a firm handshake, a well-written Thank You note and fancy seat on the bench. His work is done.

Johnson, finally playing in something outside a preseason game, was competent, dangerous and gave the team a spark in the fourth quarter against a Giants team that was gunning for the shutout. Johnson picked up blitzes, hung in the pocket and moved well.

Poor kid would have had a touchdown if Michael Clayton knew how to catch the ball.

But that drop was no surprise other than to Raheem The Dream and Mark Dominik: perhaps the only two guys on planet earth who believe Clayton deserves elite receiver money in the NFL.

Somewhere Chucky is stroking patting himself on the back for drafting Josh Johnson, who allegedly was blossoming in Chucky’s laboratory.

Giants 24, Bucs 0

Here are some thoughts of the Bucs loss to the Giants. And stay here. Joe’s coming with a flood of copy.

* Pretty good catch by Moss. Interestingly, the play came right after Dave Moore said on the Bucs radio network that the Giants wouldn’t throw any more unless they had to. Guess they had to?

* Should have been a defensive interference on Leftwich’s throw to Winslow that was incomplete.

* Dave Moore said this isn’t all Leftwich’s fault. He said receivers just aren’t open. Oh, and they also are are dropping balls. Pathetic.

* Hey, first attempt, first reception for Josh Johnson.

* First time the Bucs are in Giants territory. Thanks to a penalty of course.

* Antonio Bryant drops a pass. Figures.

* Johnson doing a nice job of dodging the Giants blitzes.

* First down. Joe smells a quarterback controversy.

* At least Johnson added some life into the Bucs. This team was dead. Comatose.

*”The Big Dog,” Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620 should enjoy this week. Counless people will be screaming for Johnson to start at Washington. Quarterback controversies make for busy call radio.

* With less than five minutes in the game, Joe finally heard Chris Hovan’s name called. Next time this guy wants to call out his teammates for horrid play (which wasn’t inaccurate and probably needed) he might want to show up for the game himself.

* Play was there to connect with Michael Clayton but threw way behind him. Joe can’t pin that on Clayton. That was on Leftwich. He had plenty of time to throw.

* Still no first down.

* Even Deckerhoff is getting frustrated. Coming back from a commercial, he says, “Bucs go three-and-out. What’s new?” Joe feels your pain Gene.

* Gaines Adams with a tackle for a two-yard. Yes, Gaines Adams! Of course, that was the same kind of a move that he got burned on last week for a big play at Buffalo.

* Manning didn’t have enough time to throw for that first down, did he? And damn the receiver was wide open.

* Well, at least early in the third quarter, the Bucs defensive line appears to be stopping the run a little better.

* Joe thinks the Giants have a tougher time gaining yards against their scout team in practices.

* Can’t fault the Bucs on the Boss catch. That was just a great catch. Sometimes, you have to tip your cap to the opponent.

* Deckerhoff slipped up and referred to the Giants as “we.”

* Bucs FINALLY get a stop. Though this time the Giants got a field goal out of it. Finally!

* Hurry up offense?

*OMG! A first down!!! Joe can’t believe it. A Bronx cheer in Tampa by the fans.

* Well, maybe if the Bucs got seven points for a first down, it might be a game?

* Joe still hasn’t heard Chris Hovan’s name called yet.

* You know things are bad when Eli Manning runs for a first down.

* Barrett Ruud is one of the few Bucs defenders earning his cash today.

* Gaines Adams absolutely was blown off the line on Jacobs ‘ first down run late in the quarter. I mean tossed off the line like he was a high school kid.

Raheem the Dream needs to calm down. As he exited the field just after the half when the Giants missed a pooch kick of a field goal, Raheem the Dream tells the Bucs radio network that, “We played great defense at the end.”

Huh??? Great defense? The freaking Giants marched down the field on your defense, thanks in large part to your defense being unable to tackle. If Manning doesn’t throw behind a receiver, or the kicker doesn’t yack, you’d be down by three scores.

Coming back down to earth, Raheem the Dream confessed it was the worst offensive of football for the Bucs all year. Not sure how it could get worse. No first downs. That says it all.

* How about that Bucs offensive line blasting holes in the line? Maybe this zone blocking scheme is like fitting a square peg in a round hole? The Bucs offensive line didn’t need much tinkering. You know, the proverbial don’t fix something that’s not broken?

* Let’s see, in the first 18 minutes of the game the Bucs have had seven plays from offense. Wow.

* OMG! A three-and-out by the Bucs defense. Joe might have to crack open a(nother) Caybrew.

* Cadillac behind Trueblood and Joseph. Joe likes that.

* Why didn’t Leftwich just throw the ball at Askew’s feet. It wouldn’t have been a loss.

* Nice tackle by Bruce Johnson to deny Cadillac Williams a first down. OK, Joe will ask: Will/can the Bucs get a first down this half?

* Can someone besides Ruud and Barber and Talib make a play on the Bucs defense?

* Ha! joe was just typing Talib’s name and he makes a nice play.

* Manning overthrows an open man for a first down. Gene Deckerhoff on the Bucs radio network wonders aloud if the wet ball from the downpour helped the Bucs.

* Mahan whiffs on a tackle and Ward pays.

* Byron Leftwich channels his inner Roger Staubach for a four-yard run.

* Once again, three-and-out. Joe’s phone is going crazy from all the texts from THE PESSIMIST, whos is seething over this putrid offense.

* Ward damned near got loose for a long touchdown.

* Miserable, miserable, miserable tackling on Bradshaw’s runs.

* Hedgecock (“Hee, hee. Hee, hee. He said ‘cock.'”) dropping passes will likely be the only way for the Bucs to stop the Giants.

* Elbert Mack didn’t give Manningham enough room on Manningham’s first down.

* Pretty nice play by Sabby Piscitelli to break up a touchdown, though it was thrown behind.

* “Boys (Bucs defense), meet the Men (Giants running backs).”

* Great play by Sabby Piscitelli to stop Jacobs in the backfield. Is that the first negative yardage play by the Bucs?

* First break: Giants hooked the field goal.

* Joe’s just wondering: Chris Hovan shot off his mouth (rightly so) about guys needing to make plays. Has his name been called yet today? Is his uniform even dirty?

* If Brandon Jacobs can break off five yards a carry like he did the first attempt, it will be a long day.

* Doesn’t seem like the Giants will use Jacobs much today do you?

* Good coverage by Aqib Talib on the long catch by Steve Smith. Perfect pass by Eli Manning.

* Stylez White had a shot at getting Jacobs in the backfield on a stunt but totally whiffed on him.

* So far, both completions by Manning there was good coverage by the defensive backs.

* Jacobs seems like he’s back to the old Brandon Jacobs.

* Gene Deckerhoff sounded like the announcer Artie Lange spoke about in his video Joe posted earlier today. “It’s an interception. No, it’s caught! Now there’s a fumble.” Joe could just picture scores of gamblers freaking out. Joe did and he doesn’t have a dime on the game.

* Bucs defense is just getting carved up.

* Did anyone lay a hand on Jacobs on his touchdown? That’s pathetic. Joe just saw the replay. One hand was layed on Jacobs — one!

* Dave Moore of the Bucs radio network noted how Byron Leftwich has trouble with soft, short throws. Maybe that’s why Kellen Winslow, Jr. struggled to catch a seemingly innocent pass.

* Now if Derrick Ward can keep running like this it would sure help.

* What was Davin Joseph trying to do on Ward’s first run, running backwards in front of Ward?

* Oh, boy. Three-and-out thanks to a penalty. Game could be over on the Giants second possession. Joe can’t see the Bucs coming back from two touchdowns down the way the Giants are moving the ball.

* Gee, Barrett Ruud (Barrett Ruud!) makes a nice solo tackle and Jacobs still gets a four-yard game.

* Nice play by Talib to break up a pass to Manningham! Ge is playing solid football.

* The Giants are now on their third possession and the Bucs have run a total of four offensive plays. Terrible.

* Of course, first play afterwards, first down Giants.

* This Jacobs is just a sledgehammer… and a Saluki.

* Bradshaw’s run was simply outright rotten defense.

* Dave Moore of the Bucs radio network is talking about how worn out the Bucs defense is already. Hell, they’ve been on the field for almost the entire first quarter and its a blast furnace out there. What do you expect when you have just four plays from offense?

It was just announced on the Bucs radio network that wide receiver Antonio Bryant is indeed active today despite battling with a knee injury all year.

The same cannot be said about Earnest Graham who will not suit up today. Reasons unknown.

Week 3
Giants at Bucs
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
TV:WTVT Ch. 13, DirecTV 712
Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network (in Tampa WFUS-FM, 103.5 and WDAE-AM, 620); Sirius Channel 158.
Weather: Per AccuWeather.com, perfect Raheem the Dream weather: Temperature at kickoff is expected to be 90 degrees under partly sunny skies dipping only slightly into the 80s in the second half before ending under thunderstorms.
Odds: Per Bodog.com, New York -7.
Outlook: If the Bucs are ever going to beat the Giants, this is the week. The Giants have nasty injuries to key players on its otherwise rugged defense, highlighted by defensive tackle Justin Tuck and safety Kenny Phillips. This will affect the Giants rotation and possibly allow the Bucs to double-team stud defensive end Osi Umenyiora. But if the Bucs can’t get any better blocking from what previously was thought to be their strength, it won’t matter and the Giants will likely crush the Bucs. For the Bucs to have a prayer of winning the offensive line must be able to block, thus enabling the Bucs to flaunt the Giants injuries. … Ball control will be critical. The Bucs defense, specifically its secondary, has been roasted more than a bratwurst at a tailgate party. If the Bucs control the ball with their running game (aided by blocking), it will keep the ball out of the hands of Eli Manning. Giants receivers Steve Smith and Mario Manningham are the top two receives for receiving yards in the NFC.
Fun facts: The Bucs have won 18 of their last 20 games if they do not commit a turnover. … When Cadillac Williams carries the ball at least 22 times, the Bucs are undefeated. … Artie Lange has lost a lot of money betting on the Giants to cover.
WARNING: The following video contains adult content, adult language, explicit sexual innuendo and free spirited talk of wagering. Viewer discretion is advised.

As one can imagine, the NFL Network has an ample supply of video previewing the Giants-Bucs game Sunday.

As one can imagine, Joe brings it to his readers.

First up is NFL Films’ preview package of the game.

Next is the NFL Network’s break down of the game with knothead Brian Baldinger, Sterling Sharpe and Joe Theismann.

Also is a video preview of AccuWeather’s forecast for the game.

Additionally, Scott Smith of Buccaneers Insider has a preview of the game, and a feature on wide receiver Sammie Stroughter.

A former Eagles second-round pick in 2005, LB Matt McCoy was cut by the Bucs today for the second time in two years.

It doesn’t say much for the Bucs defense when one of your opening day starters at linebacker, Matt McCoy, is cut before Game 3 in favor of a practice squad wide receiver, Mario Urrutia.

That’s what went down today, as the Bucs prepare to be without Maurice Stovall and/or Antonio Bryant for Sunday’s game against the Giants.

Mike Florio, creator, curator and overall guru of ProFootballTalk.com, has a conspiracy theory about the McCoy move your can read all about here.

Joe is concerned about Bryant. Allegedly, the injury is just bone bruise pain, but that’s typically pain that can be played through, especially after one of those magic shots or funky little pills.

Bryant is in a contract year and can barely handle the financial demands on him with his $10 million contract in 2009, so he claimed months ago.

Joe assumes Bryant knows he needs a big season. Joe is concerned there’s more to this injury. The Bucs need him on the field.

For those of you into pain, here’s a video segment from ProFootballtalk.com on the worst teams in the league.

Of course, Mike Florio, creator, curator and overall guru of ProFootballtalk.com, includes the Bucs among these bottom-feeders.

Derrick Ward's a Buccaneer now. And Bucs defensive coordinator Jim Bates is acting like Ward has unlocked the secrets of the Giants' universe.

If you head over to Buccaneers.com and watch Jim Bates’ Wednesday news conference, the old guy in charge of the defensive mess finally cracks a big old grin when asked about how much running back Derrick Ward is helping him prepare to play the Giants on Sunday.

He acknowledges Ward’s intelligence and can’t stop smiling. The smiles stood out for Joe because Bates has so little to be happy about.

If a player can really significantly help coaches prepare against a former team — in this case Ward was a Giant for years — then it seems Ward is the ideal guy to get the job done for the Bucs in a big way. He’s consistently lauded for being a smart, detail-oriented dude.

The New York Post and members of the Giants think Ward’s knowledge will be a factor, as well.

“An outstanding student of the game,” was the way Tom Coughlin described the former Giants running back.

“I plead the fifth, that’s all I can tell you about that,” Ward said yesterday, chuckling, about how much his presence can help the Bucs. “It’s only obvious, I played there for five years against that defense every day in practice.”

This is not akin to the Redskins picking up former Giants practice squad quarterback Andre Woodson the week before the season opener. Ward was a popular and integral member of the Giants, and there is no detail he won’t be able to impart to his new team.

Joe was pleased to hear Raheem The Dream say Ward will get the start on Sunday, if for no other reason than he’s the healthiest of the running backs. Cadillac Williams [knee soreness not related to his major surgeries] and Earnest Graham [hamstring] have made the injury report.

The Tampa Bay Lightning will take a hatchet to their roster today in preparation for opening day next week.

Amanda Harris of JoeBoltsFan.com breaks down all the options. Click on Joe below for great Lightning coverage every day.

There are injury reports, and then there’s how a player really feels.

There’s usually a world of difference.

In the case of center Jeff Faine, don’t expect him back in the Bucs’ lineup any time soon.

Speaking on 1010 AM on Friday, Faine said his shredded tricep muscle is improving and he feels at “50 percent.” But Faine said he is in no rush to play until he’s healed and ready to perform at his peak through the remainder of the sason.

To illustrate how far he is from being game-ready, Faine said, “I almost fell on my face” attempting a push up earlier this week.

Also, Joe was intrigued by Faine referencing the “tough business” side of the NFL that saw the Bucs cut Sean Mahan only to rush him in as a savior at center a couple of weeks later.

And Faine also went out of his way to call quarterback Josh Johnson “a starter” in the NFL.  

Joe listens to lots of player interviews. Why do none of these guys ever speak glowingly about Josh Freeman?