The Bucs have no established NFL kick returner or punt returner on the roster, which is a bit odd considering how much rockstar general manager Mark Dominik and Greg Schiano talk about craving fourth down success.

Last year’s returner collection — LeQuan Lewis, Preston Parker, Arrelious Benn, Michael Smith, Roscoe Parrish, Jordan Shipley and Sammie Stroughter — didn’t pan out, but the Bucs passed on adding a proven return specialist this offseason.

Joe’s often lobbied for the return of one of the great figures in Bucs lore, Micheal “Run Micheal Run” Spurlock, who was a hard worker and a successful returner in 2010 for the Bucs, a solid wide receiver for a guy at the bottom of the flanker depth chart, and a legitimate third quarterback (his position in college.) And yes, Spurlock delivered one of the great moments in Bucs history, (seen here with Gene Deckerhoff’s famous call coming at :34 of the video.)

With the Jaguars and Chargers last season, Spurlock returned a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown.

Today, Spurlock signed with the Lions.

If Spurlock is returning kicks and punts for Detroit when the Bucs head north in November, Joe will be holding his breath and crossing all fingers and toes. Will the Bucs have anyone that will make Lions fans do the same?

Kellen Winslow wouldn’t block, couldn’t block, or had no interest in blocking. Dallas Clark probably just couldn’t.

And it seems the Bucs have had enough of one-dimensional TEs, so claims Luke Stocker, who is vying for a starting gig in Mike Sullivan’s tight-end unfriendly passing attack.

“My goal this offseason is to build the confidence in the coaches and myself, and use these past two years behind Kellen Winslow, Jr., Dallas Clark, guys that are really established pass catchers, all the small things I’ve learned from them, try to put that in my own game and be the all-around tight end this organization is looking for.” Stocker told Buccaneers.com.

Joe’s always interested to hear from a player about what the organization wants. But can Stocker meet the Bucs needs in his third season?

Perhaps. Rockstar general manager Mark Dominik said Stocker has rocked up to 270 pounds from 250 pounds, and Joe’s always considered a Stocker a solid pass catcher, though he’s not quick, or a big threat up the gut of a defense, by any stretch.

Joe must give Bucs rookie quarterback Mike Glennon credit. If he’s going to fail, he wants to go down guns blazing, almost like a gunslinger’s mentality.

In a recent NFL.com video, Glennon was interviewed by (unemployed) safety Jordan Babineaux, who asked him if he had the courage to go after star cornerback Darrelle Revis in training camp.

In so many words, Glennon said, “Let’s go after Revis.”

Jordan Babineaux: Let’s talk about [Darrelle] Revis for a minute. Here it is your first day of training camp, or whenever he decides to get back on the field, when he is healthy. Do you go at him?

Mike Glennon: (Laughs) I like to test my limits and going against the best. As a rookie, you don’t really know how good you are until you go against the best. I think it would be good to test my limits and see if maybe I can fit a ball in against him and see what I am capable of doing.

Joe likes that attitude. Test yourself against the best. Know if you can hang with the best and if you can’t, learn how to grow. There will be no better measuring stick for Glennon than trying to squeeze a throw past Revis.

Between that and Josh Freeman helping Glennon adjust to life in the NFL (as both Freeman and Glennon have gone on the record saying), it should help make for a fun training camp, which will get going in late July.

And, yes, Joe will be out at One Buc Palace today for OTAs and, naturally, you can expect all sorts of stuff posted throughout the day

Donald Penn may not be as large as some have claimed, but he does talk real big.

When Joe talked to Penn last week, Penn said emphatically of his beloved Bucs, “We’re about to shock a lot of people [this season].” He went on to say media and fans need to be focusing on the greatness of the team and how offseason moves have “put us above the level.”

The use of the word “shock” stood out to Joe, especially considering most observers (outside of Las Vegas) already believe the Bucs have a playoff-caliber roster.

In Penn’s world, does “shock” mean winning the NFC South, winning a playoff game, rolling out a top-5 offense behind a bruising offensive line?

Joe’s not sure what would constitute a “shock” to most Bucs fans. But Joe knows a revived pass rush, a top-10 defense and a division title sure would take Joe by surprise.

Joe snagged the photo above from new Bucs linebacker Jonathan Casillas’ Twitter feed. Casillas (left) was a guest waiter recently with Dashon Goldson (center) and Darrelle Revis (right) at an event supporting Shelton Quarles’ charitable foundation.

Yes, Revis can walk and not have to worry about tripping over banquet chairs. Joe even saw Revis at practice last week walking around without a knee brace or a noticeable limp.

This is hardly fascinating stuff, but it’s noteworthy because the Bucs’ hopes for the playoffs very much ride on Revis.

The Bucs are paying Revis crazy cash not only for his talent, but to improve the entire defense, much like what the mere on-field presence and professionalism of Vincent Jackson did for the Bucs’ offense.

Based on dates Joe’s seen for other NFL teams, the start of Bucs training camp could be a mere 52 days away. Hopefully, Revis will be doing more in August than working on his own with trainers and carrying dessert trays.

Yeah, the Bucs want him ready for opening day, but it’s unrealistic he’ll be ready after a year off and no physical practice time.

Yes, you can do something fun tonight!

Head over to Derby Lane in St. Pete for live greyhound racing. It’s always a fun night. And you can watch and wager on races around the country and enjoy Derby Lane’s various dining and bar areas, as well as Tampa Bay’s finest card room.

Much has been made of the faux quarterback controversy between Josh Freeman and rookie third-round pick Mike Glennon in recent weeks. As Joe has stated before, there is no controversy. If Freeman, in the last year of his contract, stinks up the joint, he’s gone. No controversy.

Well, Woody Cummings of The Tampa Tribune appeared on Sunday Sports Extra with WFLA-TV raconteur Dan Lucas last night to talk Bucs, and Cummings said he believes Freeman is still learning offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan’s system.

“This is the first time – it really started last year – that Josh Freeman has not been in a West Coast system,” Cummings explained. “That’s a big difference for a guy who went through college playing basically a West Coast scheme. Obviously had had a West Coast scheme here at first. Now with Mike Sullivan, it’s a completely different approach. Josh Freeman, I think, even said it that he is making that adjustment and I think that’s where people forget he’s still a young kid, not just learning the league but under a completely new system, something completely different than he has already played before. I think it suits his skill set a little better because it is a downfield passing game and it really takes advantage of his strong arm.

“It’s a different dynamic and even he admits he still needs time to learn that scheme and that’s why theses OTAs and minicamp are so important for him.

“The Bucs have told him to just go out there and relax and play the game, don’t think that you have to go out there and save us. He’s the key guy, obviously, but if you are down by 10 points, it’s not all on him, just get the ball in people’s hands, move the ball and manage the offense and make the plays you can make, don’t try to make the plays you can’t. That’s what he’s been guilty of. When he has struggled in the past, that’s what he is guilty of, trying to do too much. That’s what they are trying for him to do.”

Well, don’t look now, but that learning curve for Freeman is rapidly approaching a brick wall. He has maybe less than six months to get his offense in gear or to manage it enough to get to meaningful January games.

Joe also is on record not demanding rolling out the guillotine at One Buc Palace if the Bucs don’t make the playoffs (so long as it’s not another losing record). The NFC is as tough as Joe has seen in since Bill Walsh, Joe Gibbs, Bill Parcells and Mike Ditka roamed the sidelines. There are going to be good teams watching the playoffs on TV, and the Bucs’ schedule is not a cakewalk.

If Freeman doesn’t master Sullivan’s offense by the time, say, Halloween comes around, his next residence may have a different zip code.

Tim Ryan of SiriusXM NFL Radio, a former Bears defensive tackle, believes the Bucs could move Adrian Clayborn inside on passing downs if they signed a certain free agent defensive end.

Last week a former Bucs season ticket holder called into “Movin’ the Chains,” heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio, (as many NFL fans are wont to do as they count down June days with training camp now just seven weeks away), and asked co-hosts Pat Kirwan and Tim Ryan to break down the Bucs.

The duo claimed that if rockstar general manager Mark Dominik would shell out the cash for aging free agent defensive end John Abraham, who is still looking for work, then it would be a win-win for the Bucs.

Since Dominik took over as general manager, the Bucs have been trying to beef up their pass rush. Sadly, injuries have stunted the development of four — maybe five — defensive linemen, though one, Gerald McCoy, is on the cusp of greatness if he can stay healthy.

If the Bucs did get Abraham, Ryan, a former defensive tackle for the Bears, explained what his front four would look like on passing downs.

Pat Kirwan: I would love to see this team get John Abraham.

Tim Ryan: I’m with you.

Kirwan: Just put Abraham on this roster. Let’s go get it and now figure the inside for me Tim. How would you line it up if you had John Abraham? What would the front four look like on a passing down.

Ryan: If I wanted to get my best four our there, with John Abraham? I’d have Da’Quan Bowers as my left end, I’d have Abraham at right end, I’d have Gerald McCoy chewing on two guys inside and at times get him an outside shade on a guard and I’d have Adrian Clayborn right in there.

Kirwan: I agree with you. I think that’s the way to go. And it would be a nice move.

Now this is very interesting to Joe. When is the last time Clayborn played inside? At times the Bucs ran stunts where Clayborn did spin inside, with limited results (and GMC lobbied hard for defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan to knock off the games and let the rushers rush, which seemed to help a great deal).If you are just talking pass rushers only, well, Joe can somewhat see that, but Joe is doubtful this happens.

First, Dominik doesn’t like to sign aging free agents (read, Abraham). Yeah, sure, Dominik signed Dallas Clark last year but notice he didn’t bring him back this year?

There is a reason Abraham is still looking for work in June. Either he’s asking way too much cash or teams believe he’s on the downside of his career (or both).

As far as the pass rush goes, Joe does know that if he makes the team, William Gholston, a rookie defensive end, is being strongly looked at to pass rush inside. Being 6-7, just his wingspan alone on the inside should give opposing quarterbacks fits.

So Kirwan and Ryan may be onto something, as it appears Greg Schiano may just use three defensive ends/pass rush specialists on passing downs (Steven Means perhaps, maybe Dekoda Watson?) with just one tackle, that being GMC.

Joe’s a been a bit harsh with the Bucs regime for not re-signing Roy Miller. Why? Miller came cheap, and the Bucs raved about him and called him “custom-built” for the nose tackle position.

So it seemed like a no-brainer to Joe to keep Miller and not mess with the No. 1 ranked run defense. (Miller came off the field on most passing downs.) But it new light has been shed on the situation.

Miller is hurt. He missed the Jaguars’ first five OTA practices with tendinitis in his knee. And it wasn’t a new injury, Miller told Jacksonville.com recently.

“We’ve been slowly bumping up everything, from conditioning to lifting weights. I’m feeling a lot better than I played [in Tampa Bay] with it last season,” Miller said. “I really believe in the training staff here and they’ve got a great plan for me.”

Joe already knew Miller played through back problems, weight problems, and a torn MCL during his time with the Bucs, and now knee tendinitis can be added to his Tampa Bay woes through four seasons.

Much like Michael Bennett, who was revealed to have a major shoulder injury after he signed in Seattle, Miller is damaged goods.

This doesn’t mean Miller — or Bennett — won’t be very effective football players  in 2013 (just like the Bucs expect injured Darrelle Revis to return to $16-million-a-year form). But it does give Joe some fresh perspective on the decision to wave goodbye to Miller.

Bucs linebacker Adam Hayward knows how to keep a guy in line — player or coach.

It’s one reason he was named special teams captain under the New Schiano Order last season, and Hayward takes his leadership role seriously, so he explained to the Buccaneers team video crew recently.

“When somebody needs that kick in the butt, a few of us will do it,” Hayward said.

In that quote, Hayward was referring to delivering discipline when he sees players taking a routine approach during OTA practices. He doesn’t like that mindset, which can happen, Hayward says, when players are familiar with a coaching staff.

Interestingly, the video shows Hayward appearing genuinely excited about the aggressive approach of Dave Wannstedt on special teams.

Joe wonders how strong — and valuable — Hayward’s leadership voice is and whether it will lose some of its punch if he’s not starting at outside linebacker.

The No Excuses Tour heads to Tropicana Field from Tampa Lee Roy Selmon’s locations. Click here for the schedule.

Catch the famous No Excuses Tour bus departing Lee Roy Selmon’s locations in Tampa for weekend Rays games all summer long.

Your Paradise Worldwide Transportation chauffeur is waiting — and it’s only $9.95 roundtrip!

More than 1,000 fans have enjoyed this amazing service.

There are all sorts of horror stories out there about former NFL players, who shortly after their careers are over are scraping the bottom of the career barrel, having trouble making the transition from football to civilian life when the fat checks of the NFL quit rolling in.

That happened with former Bucs defensive end Stylez White. Just three years ago, White was the Bucs starting right defensive end. His contract was not renewed by the Bucs, and White went from living the high life to working for $9 an hour, writes Joe’s good friend Rock Riley of Bright House Sports Network.

“I was doing it all in a hotel in Ohio,” said White. “Front desk, banquet setup, everything and I realized it wasn’t for me.”

White was trying to figure out what to do with his life after he was let go by the Buccaneers following the 2010 season.

“I was the rap video,” said White, who loves to have a good time but can’t blow money the way he used to. “I was a bottle service guy. It gets old and expensive. There’s no way to teach you to curb your spending since the paychecks aren’t coming in anymore. You gotta learn. I did.”

Per Riley, White is trying to become a personal trainer and hopes to open a gym in St. Petersburg soon.

What’s sad about this is this happened to a smart guy. White, if you have ever met him, is not dumb. Sadly, White’s story is too common, despite many, many programs the NFL hosts for players from the moment they get into the league to tutor them in how to not get caught in this ugly trap.

It’s a good thing that White has learned to adjust to civilian life. A lot of guys don’t and their stories have a much sadder ending.

Buccaneer Man Eric Wright thinks his greatness is like a spring tulip ready to bloom.

That’s the gist of what he told the Custodian of Canton, Tampa Tribune NFL writer eye-RAH! Kaufman, at Bucs practice Wednesday.

“I feel like I’m a pretty exceptional player,” said Wright, a second-round pick by the Browns in 2007. “The world has yet to see that in its entirety. I need to do everything I can to make this team win.”

Joe’s rooting for the letdown cornerback. Make no mistake about that. But Joe remains perplexed that the New Schiano Order gave Wright another chance after he was fingered by the NFL as a substance abuser, Twittered about spa days while the Bucs were preparing for a road game in New Orleans, and had trouble staying healthy with a bum Achilles and other ailments.

One can only assume Greg Schiano and rockstar general manager Mark Dominik believed Wright was better than the free agent cornerbacks on the market in March.

Wright very well may be better, but, to use Wright’s words, “The world has yet to see that in its entirety.”

Hopefully, Darrelle Revis will be back healthy for Week 1 and rookie Johnthan Banks is a mature SEC product (he turns 24 in October) out of the gate. If those guys are playing good ball, the Bucs won’t be forced hang too much of their hopes and dreams on Wright.

Stud Lavonte David, who calls the Bucs’ defensive signals, says he’s working to figure out all the moving parts on D.

It saddens Joe how overlooked Lavonte David is by many Bucs fans.

Joe’s labeled players “manbeasts” at various times, but David truly performed like a manbeast in his rookie season in 2012. David was second in the NFL in solo tackles — second — plus he made the Bucs’ defensive calls out of the gate. Amazing!

Even Bucs icon Derrick Brooks said David is a better player now than Brooks was after his first season.

Interestingly, David, the signal caller, says he’s still learning the New Schiano Order defense. In this team video, David explains, “I’m gettin’ there,” when asked about understanding the ins and out of the defense.

“I’m being more vocal and I’m trying to learn more about each guy at their own position to make myself better,” David said.

David is scary good, and wherever he’s trying to be “gettin’,” it’s going to be something damn special if he can reach that goal.

Though it’s terribly early, it sure seems as though Tiquan Underwood is getting some serious push from Kevin Ogletree for the No. 3 wide receiver position.

It seems in Mike Sullivan’s offense, sort of a hybrid of the Giants’ offense, the No. 3 receiver is more of a weapon than the tight end.

Now one can debate the merits of that, but it’s pretty obvious by now, by actions and words, that tight end is not a top priority for Sullivan.

Who the No. 3 wide receiver may be for the Bucs, that’s a different kettle of fish. The subject came up in an NFC South chat hosted by the four-letter.

Dr. Tym, J.D. (Denver, CO.)

PY!!! Who do you have your money on in the Underwood/Ogletree battle royale for slot receiver?

Pat Yasinskas

Thought Underwood looked good in practice Wednesday. But I think that will be one of their most competitive camp battles.

Granted, it is early. It is way, way, way early. It’s the first day of June. The Bucs have only had two sessions of OTAs. They have yet to put on pads. Training camp is seven weeks away (we’re slowly getting there, folks). But in the practices Joe has seen, Kevin Olgetree and Tiquan Underwood really are putting on a show and, obviously, one should be the proverbial No. 3 wide receiver.

Maybe. What Joe means by that is, the two receivers are going at it so well, there may be specific packages to use both Ogletree and Underwood as a No 3 receiver on certain plays.

Bucs coach Greg Schiano preaches competition. At least when it comes to the No. 3 receiver slot, that competition is really bringing out the best in both Ogletree and Underwood.

It appears Ronde Barber may replace John Lynch as TV color analyst for Bucs preseason broadcasts this summer, likely to be televised on WFLA-TV Channel 8.

Joe did some digging last night and, while chasing one story, stumbled upon another.

It all started when Woody Cummings of The Tampa Tribune Twittered that the Bucs are in negotiations with Ronde Barber to be the color analyst of Bucs preseason TV broadcasts.

@RCummingsTBO: Nothing official yet but there’s a good chance Ronde Barber will be the color analyst on Bucs preseason broadcasts this year

That started Joe working the phones, and as a result, Joe learned through three independent sources, two in the local television industry, that the Bucs’ preseason games are expected to be broadcast by WFLA-TV Channel 8, moving from WTSP-TV Channel 10, which had the local preseason rights the past two seasons.

Bucs safety John Lynch, per Joe’s sources, will not return as the Bucs color analyst for preseason TV games and will be succeeded by Barber. Lynch, who resides in Denver, grew weary of traveling four consecutive weeks 3/4 across the country each August . Now a regular-season game analyst for FOX, Lynch didn’t need the practice and certainly didn’t need the extra income, Joe was told.

Joe also learned the Bucs and WFLA have signed a TV contract but a third party — presumable the NFL? — has to rubber stamp the contract.

What is unknown is how many times games will be televised and how blackouts will be handled. Ch. 10 had broadcast some games multiple times on tape-delay when home games were not allowed to be broadcast live by NFL blackout rules.