Those listening carefully on TV yesterday heard the announcers shared perspective given to them by failed Bucs playcaller Byron Leftwich. [read more]

Russell Gage

The Bucs were looking for momentum and to “fix some things” before entering the playoffs.

Joe’s not sure those marks were achieved, but it still feels great to be three games from another Super Bowl. [read more]

Flash poll posted at 10:49 a.m. Poll closed at 11:50 a.m.

A quick peek at the Buccaneers’ official ticket partner, TicketMaster.com, reveals thousands of Tampa Bay fans have lined up to sell their playoff tickets to the highest bidder. [read more]

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Playoffs! They’re here and Ira and Joe are diving in to talk about the regular season that was and what lies ahead. Enjoy The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports.

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Always a chance with “12.”

When you look at how the Bucs have played most of the season, well, you wonder how in the world this team made it to the playoffs. [read more]

Yeah, yesterday was a drag. The Bucs are now responsible for Tom Brady’s first losing season. But you know what, Joe doesn’t have time for that nonsense. It’s the NFL Playoffs! Time to prep for the dreaded Cowboys as the Bucs open at home on “Monday Night Football!” [read more]

Outstanding season.

If the Bucs needed to win yesterday’s hard practice, Joe is very confident Chris Godwin would be holding a Bucs franchise record this morning. [read more]

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy.

Joe could argue the Bucs are playing better than the Cowboys. [read more]

Troy Aikman and Joe Buck will call the Cowboys-Bucs wild card round game.

So it is all set. The Bucs will host the Cowboys in primetime. Monday Night Football, bay-bee! The nation’s eyes will be on thee. [read more]

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BY IRA KAUFMAN

Let the real season begin. The warmup season was a stinker.

A week after clinching a third consecutive playoff berth, the Bucs forgot to show up in the second half Sunday during a 30-17 setback at Atlanta. Tom Brady looked sharp in a tuneup stint and the best news is he’s healthy going into next week’s postseason opener against Dallas.

There wasn’t much else to celebrate as Brady closed out the first losing season of his incomparable career. He hit on 13-of-17 throws, highlighted by a TD pass to a ghost named Kyle Rudolph.

Buc Nation can’t wait to close the book on these 17 games. Not only did the Bucs stumble to an 8-9 finish, but Tampa Bay’s scoring differential (minus-45) is the worst in the league’s worst division.

Gulp. [read more]

GM Jason Licht

Even with the playoffs here, some Bucs fans can’t shake their obsession with the NFL Draft.

For them, Joe has soothing words. Since Jacksonville finished 9-8 yesterday and the Bucs concluded their season with a 8-9 record today, the Bucs would score the No. 19 overall pick in the draft if they were to lose their opening playoff game next weekend against Dallas.

Now go beat the Cowboys, Bucs, and shut down the draft chatter!

If the Bucs win next weekend, then their first-round pick would be later than all teams eliminated in the wild card round.

Bring on the Cowboys, a team that just got blown out in a nearly “must-win” contest against the Washington Commandos! [read more]

Luke Goedeke goes back to his roots.

Joe has to sit back for a moment and applaud Tom Brady for his approach to today’s game. [read more]

Bucs struggle without him.

People have different definitions of an MVP. Some consider it to be a team’s best player. Others consider it to be a team’s most important player. Yes, there’s a difference. [read more]

Improving in January.

Joe wonders if the proverbial light finally has turned on for Joe Tryon-Shoyinka or if someone with the Bucs finally got to him? [read more]

Bucs coach Todd Bowles.

At one point in the first half, largely playing with a JV offensive line due to injuries, the Bucs led the lowly Dixie Chicks 17-10 in the first quarter. [read more]