Minus all the Bucs’ signed restricted and unrestricted free agents standing on the sidelines with their thumbs in their collective asses until Aug. 4 — dumbest league-union rule in history — the Bucs will practice in pads for the first time on Monday.

Raheem Morris broke the good news during a Sunday news conference. So training camp now will be much more enjoyable for those who head to One Buc Palace for open practices. 

Joe’s so pleased to end the touch-football charade of the first three days of training camp.  Joe’s had enough of fans cheering a “touchdown” caught only because defenders can’t really play the game.

It’s time to hit somebody. That’s football.

Joe’s really interested in seeing the rookies get after it. Just watching the early days of camp, one can almost pick out the rookies. They’re the guys going a little harder than they’re supposed to.

It’s going to be telling when they’re let loose and their counterparts can hit back.

Joe would put some great odds on a healthy fight busting out in the trenches Monday.

Despite the glorfied touch-football, no-pads nature of these early practices, the drill with one defensive lineman lining up against the entire offensive line working in position is fun to watch.

Actually, anything that involves the animated D-line coach Keith Millard, is worth the time.

Some highlights:

1) Alex Magee got an earful from Millard for jumping offsides.
2) Jeff Faine threw Al Woods to the turf — quickly — nearly right off the snap. Like a true captain, Faine was up and coaching Woods on what he did wrong a couple of minutes later.
3) Adrian Clayborn was mad that he couldn’t beat Donald Penn after a coule of shots. Keep trying, kid.
4) Roy Miller drew screams of joy, “Yes! Yes,” from Millard. Not sure why, but Millard’s raspy voice hit a new level.
5) Derek Hardman working at left tackle looked uncomfortable.
6) As usual, after the session, Gerald McCoy waited on his water break to come talk to Millard about technique. McCoy did the same thing after working on the dummies.

Sadly, Brian Price was walking gingerly after an earlier 11-on-11 session and sat out several drills. Joe’s got no clue why.

Again, as Raheem Morris said, these guys are all working in their underwear, so Joe’s not drawing any legitimate conclusions.

Joe’s out here on a wonderfully cool night enjoying Bucs training camp under the clouds, glorious clouds.

Of course, Joe will bring you all kinds of stuff from camp later tonight and tomorrow. But Joe wanted to fire off a quick impression of the running backs, as Joe studied them intentely for a while as they went through drills, etc.

It’s interesting to see big backs like Allen Bradford and LeGarrette Blount have so much balance as compared to manbeast fullback Rendrick Taylor, who’s such a menacing presence but isn’t nearly in the same class. Then you watch a guy like Erik Lorig pile on the effort in everything he does, and it’s easy to see how a guy like that made the team as a rookie playing a brand new position, as he did last year.

Earnest Graham showed his great hands and footwork, and Kregg Lumpkin dropped a few balls.

Admittedly, Joe knows little about former Notre Dame running back Armando Allen, Jr. in camp, but the kid is just lightning quick and confident. Fun to watch, even if it’s just touch football and drills.

Consdering Cadillac Williams, if he was a Buccaneer, would just be standing on the sidelines until Aug. 4 with all the other free agent signees (stupidest league/union rule ever), it’s easy to see why the Bucs might be in no hurry to bring him back.

Plenty of time to negotiate and get a look at Lumpkin and the rest of the unit.

Again, Joe will return later with much more.

The Bucs — specifically Team Glazer — have damned near invested enough cash in the defensive front the past three drafts to buy an NHL team.

Between Roy Miller and Kyle Moore and Brian Price and Gerald McCoy and Da’Quan Bowers and Adrian Clayborn, there’s a lot of capital not to see some form of return on an investment.

Yeah, Moore has been hurt and so too has been Price and McCoy. But when Moore and Price were healthy, it wasn’t like they were overly productive and they certainly weren’t improving much, largely thanks to then-defensive line coach Todd Wash.

The Bucs in the offseason knew they needed defensive ends and quickly came to the conclusion that Wash was not the man to take these players from college stars to productive NFL studs.

So by bringing in Keith Millard as one of two new coaches for the defensive line, it was a blunt signal by Bucs management that improvement had to be made.

Millard came with the seal of approval by none other than Warren Sapp. Millard was once himself a stud tackle and still holds the NFL record for most sacks in a season by a defensive tackle with 18.

Millard graciously took a few brief moments recently with Joe to talk defensive drills.

McCoy and Price “just need proper technique, just need to clean up some techniques. A lot of things they did in college or they got away with in college, at this level, here, they are going up against pro offensive linemen, smart offensive lineman. Your steps, your hands, they all have to be on point if you are going to be a pro offensive lineman.”

Millard is impressed with both McCoy and Price. He sees big things from them; believes they have the tools and physical talents to be big-time NFL players. They just need polishing, he believes.

“It’s just little things, like the steps,” Millard said. “Little things, just little things. That’s all.”

Watching Millard work with the tackles is invigorating. He’s intense, always barking, always encouraging, and seems to have the hyper demeanor of Monte Kiffin.

If Millard can do half the magic Monte Kiffin worked with the Bucs, he will be a fine hire indeed.

Oh that Raheem Morris, he’s at it again!

Never boring, always entertaining, Morris is now making a bid as the Bucs official linguist in addition to his coaching duties.

Morris was discussing in his post-practice press conference the loss of his “close friend,” middle linebacker Barrett Ruud who signed with the Titans last night. Morris then turned to the subject of his young linebackers who are hungry to make their mark on the NFL and Morris used the term “youngry,” as documented by Rick Brown of the Lakeland Ledger on Twitter.

@LedgeronBucs Morris: made up a new word. Yungry (young, hungry). Copyright time.

Indeed! Copyright time! This is the word of the season thus far for the Bucs in Joe’s eyes.

Last year Morris coined the phrase “Race to 10.” This year, it’s “yungry” Bucs. The team is loaded with young talent and hungry.

Yungry. Get used to it.

Joe offers a quick reflection of Saturday’s practices from Derek “Old School” Fournier of WhatTheBuc.net and his usual thoughtful, detailed analysis.

Damn, Joe thought “Old School” was a tech guy. He really needs to upgrade his webcam. Com’on Derek, Joe knows you have better gear. Your fans deserve better.

There’s more evidence today that just about everyone on the Bucs valued new Titans linebacker Barrett Ruud, except the guy calling the shots in the front office.

Raheem Morris held out hope for Ruud’s return late Friday, and yesterday linebackers coach Joe Baker opened up to Tom Balog, of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, to toss a pile of superlatives on Ruud.

At Buccaneers training camp earlier on Saturday, Baker had expressed hope that Ruud, a six-year veteran who was a second-round draft pick by Tampa Bay in 2005, would somehow return to the Buccaneers, despite general manager Mark Dominik already having slammed the door on that idea four days ago.

 ”He’s a football genius,” Baker said, referring to Ruud’s ability to make pre-snap reads and call defensive alignments accordingly, to make sure everybody around him was lined up properly before every snap.

  ”Because Barrett’s a helluva player, in a lot of ways an underappreciated player,” Baker said. “He was unquestionably the leader of our defense. He makes a lot of plays because of his intelligence. There are some things maybe some linebackers do better,but there’s a lot of things that Barrett is the best in the league at.

 ”Like knowing what’s coming on offense, being the first guy to know what the play is and being in the right spot _ and that’s something that’s very difficult to coach.”

Joe suggests you clink the link above and read the whole piece. Baker has a lot more to say and seems to claim the new middle linebacker for the Bucs will make all the defensive reads and calls, not a player at another position.

Joe expects all thoughts of Ruud will blow over by the end of the week until at least the first major screwup in the middle.

It’s just damn interesting that the men coaching and playing with Ruud think he brings a lot to the table yet the guy couldn’t score more than a one-year contract.

November 27. Mark it down.

That’s when the Bucs head up to Tennessee to take on the Titans and their new middle linebacker, Barrett Ruud.

Joe’d be lying if he said he doesn’t want to see LeGarrette Blount run one up the gut and meet Ruud in a hole. Joe suspects that would go the Bucs’ way.  

Pretty amazing that Ruud only got a one-year deal. All the NFL talking heads praising Ruud all through the offseason surely weren’t seeing the same things as general managers around the league.

Joe wishes Ruud well … except right after Thanksgiving.

Barrett Ruud, a middle linebacker who led the Bucs in tackles the past four seasons, is gone.

Jim Wyatt, a Tennessee Titans beat reporter for The Tennessean, Twittered earlier that Ruud signed a one-year deal with Tennessee today.

Just talked to LB Barrett Ruud. He said he has agreed to a 1-year deal with the Titans … Ruud has the reputation for being a very smart, and instinctive player. He’s regarded as a very good tackler.

As Wyatt later stated, this means Titans middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch isn’t just a free agent himself, but won’t return to the Titans.

Ruud, who was treated by too many — some with loud voices — in the area as if he had scurvy, will be one helluva hole to fill for Raheem Morris.

As Out House Network’s Drew Fellios Twittered tonight, “You are not the Bucs leading tackler for 4 years and University of Nebraska’s all-time leading tackler if you can’t play football.”

Good guy running back Kareem Huggins, once “the driving force of our football team,” per Raheem Morris, is looking for work.

Huggins was at the player-only minicamp in Bradenton last month, but he’s not a Buccaneer, so said Raheem Morris today.

“He’s not on our football team right now,” Raheem said.

Joe suspects he’ll keep battling back to get another shot. Undrafted and out of football in 2008, Huggins was a practice squad legend in 2009, and then ripped up his knee against New Orleans last October.

Joe wishes Huggins well.

Joe has fond memories as a kid playing an aggressive brand of touch football on the streets.

Lesson learned early — don’t run a route that leaves you near a fire hydrant or a late-70’s Grand Prix with one of those massive chrome bumpers.

For those that haven’t been out to Bucs training camp, the Bucs are playing touch football. Nothing more. No pads until sometime next week. So Joe’s not about to sit here and talk about who looks good and who doesn’t.

Outside of grading spirals and receivers proving they have hands, there’s nothing overly telling happening out there.

Raheem Morris is of the same mind. Twice during his news conference today, Raheem referenced that he needs to see his players in pads.

First, it was when he was asked a question about the “battle” between Tyrone McKenzie and Mason Foster at middle linebacker. Then it was after a beat writer asked about Da’Quan Bowers’ play.

“I don’t like to talk about them in their underwear,” Raheem said. 

Raheem also quipped that his offensive linemen are eager to get in pads, so they can counter the young, hungry guys on the other side of the ball, who are learning a more aggressive style.

“I’ve got Da’Quan Bowers, you know, with this log on his shoulder that you guys keep telling me about. And I got Adrian Clayborn on the other side, and he’s just angry for no reason at all,” said Raheem, who also mentioned the aggression and determination of Brian Price, Gerald McCoy and Kyle Moore.

Joe can’t wait for the big boy pads.

Raheem Morris continues to hope to retain key veterans. Yesterday, the head coach pined for Barrett Ruud. Today it was Cadillac Williams.

Asked whether Cadillac was still on the team’s radar, Raheem said the following at his news conference:

“There’s guys still alive. We’re talking about Cadillac, one of our leaders, a guy that brought a lot to us last year,” Raheem said. ” I know his quarterback really likes him. I know we like him in our building. He gave us a bunch of great years of service and hopefully we can get some more out of him.”

Also asked about LeGarrette Blount evolving into an every-down back, Raheem seemed disinterested but explained Blount knows the playbook and the protections right now.

“I don’t know if I’m looking for an every down back. I kinda like what we do. We kinda spread the ball around. We do different things with diferent people. We play to their strenghts. I think that’s the strength of our coaching staff,” Raheem said.

It sure seems like there’s little interest in Cadillac in free agency. Heck, on NFL Network, in Jason LaCanfora’s “Free Agent War Room,” the position board over LaCanfora’s shoulder in most reports doesn’t even have Cadillac listed under running backs.  

Joe would be surprised if Cadillac doesn’t return to the Bucs. But Joe would hope the Bucs nail him down before teams start practicing in pads next week. An injury somewhere could quickly bump up demand for Caddy.

Yesterday the Bucs — and Bucs fans — had a scare when wide receiver Mike Williams was carted off the practice field in agony. A collective sigh could be heard throughout the Tampa Bay region when it was learned he had only a painful cramp.

Today, the news may not be as pleasant.

Rookie tight end Luke Stocker is injured and could not practice today as he watched his fellow offensive lineman run through drills while leaning on crutches, so local sports anchor J.B. Long Twittered.

Bucs rookie TE Luke Stocker just hobbled out to practice on crutches. Not an encouraging sign for #Bucs fans. Will have more on TE Stocker’s condition after practice.

Hopefully, this is little more than a mildly sprained ankle. Joe was at practice yesterday and noticed no injury to Stocker. In fact, Stocker was making some nice catches running various routes, seemingly unhindered.

Update: Stocker is now classified as week-to-week with a hip injury.

Some Bucs fans want Mark Dominik to step up take a step and sign free agent linebacker Channing Crowder.

Like it or not, with the expected departure of Barrett Ruud from the Bucs roster, it leaves a hole in the middle if not the roster.

Say what you want about Joe, but having a rookie playing out of position calling plays when he’s had a grand total of five weeks to learn an NFL defense and offense leaves Joe nervous.

Well it seems like Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik just might be on the prowl for a veteran middle linebacker. That’s the word from Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, who plays a tribute to Peter King’s “Ten Things I Think” this morning on Twitter.

I really do believe the Bucs need an experienced MLB to tutor the kids. I think they think that too.

Now who that veteran linebacker that will be, who knows? Of course, some Gators fans have begun beating the drum for Channing Crowder, though the most popular choice from Bucs fans on Twitter seems to be Nick Barnett.

So what’s it like to beat the Saints on the road to finish 10-6 yet miss the playoffs?

Per Raheem Morris, it’s brought team leaders back in 2011 more focused.

The head coach explained yesterday during an interview with the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve Duemig, on WDAE-AM 620. Duemig asked Rahee whether it’s easier to motivate off a losing season or a winning season.

Raheem Morris: You always hate to say coming off a non-playoff season is a positive, but you can see a little more hunger, a little more drive. You know, and the drive comes from the right people. No. 5, he’s one of the main catalysts — what he wants to do and how great he wants to be, and how much work he can put into it, and how much better we can be as a team and as a unit.

All those guys are eager to go out there and get it done. Then you have some of the additions come in and they see that hunger and that drive from him as a young player, and they want to jump right on board and they want to fall into place and help us win. It helps us a bit, but at the same time I don’t want it to hinder us. I want it to make us hungrier than we even would be if we made the playoffs.

So the Bucs are hungrier with emerging stars and a major X-factor in Da’Quan Bowers — and every team in their division has added serious firepower.

Is there any doubt the NFC South will be nastiest division in football?

Shop online right now at Ed Morse Cadillac Tampa. Or head over there today for a test drive. Joe can attest to their superior selection, prices and service.

This FOX-13 video below is somewhat interesting since it offers a good look at the training camp set-up and on-field highlights. But the theme of the segment is blackouts and their dreaded return.

C’mon, fellas. Single game tickets haven’t even gone on sale yet.

Joe’s sort of over the blackout thing. Unless Joe’s way off, blackouts are a given early in the season except for Monday Night Football on Oct. 3, and hopefully ancient history while the Bucs own first place come November.

Bucs defensive tackles coach Keith Millard, right, is reunited with former pupil Bucs second-year defensive tackle Brian Price, center.

Earlier this month, Brian Price looked anything but an NFL player ready to rock and roll once the asinine lockout ended. Last season as a rookie, Price pulled a leg muscle so severely it was torn from his pelvis.

Later, after additional tests, Price was found to have a cracked pelvis that required two surgeries and four screws to repair the damage, not exactly the healing process an NFL player wants.

So earlier this month at Josh Freeman’s mini-camp at IMG in Bradenton, Price couldn’t participate because he was not yet healed. He sounded depressed if not frustrated.

But the joke was on Bucs fans.

“That was all smoke and mirrors,” Price said Friday after the evening practice of Day 1 of Bucs training camp. “The way people were dogging me on the Internet, there was no way I couldn’t come [to training camp]. There was no doubt I would come out here. I had to prove people wrong.”

First step so far has been a success for Price, but now there’s a second step. He has a green light to practice but he has to play within limits. Trainers and doctors have told him if he feels any sort of pain, to pull back, which is nearly blasphemy to a football player.

“If I don’t feel comfortable, I am told to back out,” Price said. “That’s hard to do as a football player because you seem weak. But that’s the smart thing to do because I want to play 10-20 years. I want to play when my grandkids are born.”

Once Price is healthy, what may have him turn the corner from prospect to feared could be new Bucs defensive line coach Keith Millard. In fact, it’s a reunion for both men. Coming out of UCLA, Price hired Millard as a tutor for six weeks of training. The two already have a bond that could nurture.

“He is explosive, very quick,” Millard said of Price. “He has all the things I saw in him coming out of college. I know him pretty well. He’s quick and explosive and he just needs to clean up the little things, clean up his technique, the little things to clean up here and there. Little things.”

Price is very happy to be reunited with Millard.

“I worked with him before the combine [last year] and he’s a good guy,” Price said of Millard. “I like how he teaches and the tools he teaches players to have. Hey, he had 18 sacks in a season, a record for a defensive tackle and he has coached the best like Warren Sapp.”

Price hopes to be able to put his favorite move learned from Millard, the “Jab-O’ Leg,” to frequent use.

But don’t expect Price to tell a stranger the details of this classified move.

“I can’t tell you what it is, the Jab-O’ Leg, I can’t tell you a secret,” Price said. “A magician isn’t going to tell you how he does his magic. I just know how to do it.”