UPDATED: Manbeast Bucs defensive tackle Vita Vea is attending the team’s manadatory minicamp this morning — there were no reports of him attending prior spring practices — but he’s in shorts and a baseball hat and it seems he won’t participate in on-field work.

Vea looks leaner and like he’s been busy in the weight room with Ndamukong Suh. Bucs fans can assess below.

Todd Bowles said after practice that Vea is healthy but the Bucs don’t need to see him in a no-pads practice.

Excited by possibilities.

Running backs like to tote the rock. And last week, speaking with the local pen and mic club, Kenneth Gainwell made it clear he’s not just a perimeter running back. [read more]

Bucs coach Todd Bowles.

Joe already typed about how in a head coach draft hatched by The Ringer, KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles was selected No. 27. Then, host Sheil Kapadia of The Ringer and Patrick Daugherty of NBC Sports tried to make cases why Bowles is a better coach than that. [read more]

Bucs coach Todd Bowles.

When Bucs fans recognize a name of a free agent and ask Joe if the Bucs might want the guy’s services, Joe often has the same reaction: [read more]

Welcome to your Morning Cup of Joe, an eye-opener to help Joe’s readers ease into their busy workday with a few football links, wacky news and a pleasant distraction. [read more]

The Bucs have been Kings of the Anthill for most of Todd Bowles’ tenure as head coach. Once they played someone outside the division in the postseason, they often got a rude awakening. [read more]

The summer ritual of real 2026 Buccaneers football practices now has times and dates. [read more]

Rueben Bain

A former Bucs quarterback who breaks down film for the slimy Saints seems to have a crush on Rueben Bain. [read more]

A July 2025 photo of Vita Vea.

Scheduled to participate in his first spring practice tomorrow is Buccaneers manbeast veteran defensive tackle Vita Vea. [read more]

Intensity ruled.

The glory years of the Buccaneers offense, 2020 and 2021, were marked by true football brilliance, explained one key team member last week. [read more]

Ready for a new payday.

So the game of chicken has begun. Who wins? Does Baker Mayfield cave or does Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht capitulate? [read more]

Numbers.

The question on many Bucs fans’ minds before mandatory minicamp starts tomorrow is. when will Baker Mayfield will re-up with the Bucs? [read more]

Analyst believes Bucs could win a Super Bowl with Todd Bowles.

Among the many critiques by haters of KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles is they are convinced the Bucs will never win a Super Bowl with him as head coach. [read more]

New college recruiter?

Now this is weird. [read more]

“It’s my city, Kyle.”

Are Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay area really a perfect fit?

Joe hears that a lot, and another big-name local ex-Buccaneer not named Rondé Barber or Ian Beckles has made that claim. [read more]

Ex-Buc weighs in.

A guy who spent early morning after early morning picking Todd Bowles’ brain a few years ago has firm thoughts on the 2026 Buccaneers.

And they are in line with most Tampa Bay fans. [read more]

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Suggesting a lot of jobs are on the line for the 2026 Buccaneers is akin to saying the New York Knicks were overdue for an NBA championship.

Understatements to be sure. [read more]

Convinced Bucs, Baker Mayfield will come to terms.

Former All-Pro punter and current sports talk megastar Pat McAfee seems to be chuckling to himself about all the chatter about the Baker Mayfield contract extension talks. [read more]

Joe waited a day on this to see if Bucs officials would demand a correction or a re-phrasing. [read more]