Forgive Joe for not providing exact quotes here. When Joe recently heard safety Will Allen talk briefly on 1040 AM about the Bucs fighting for a playoff spot this season, Joe nearly flipped his Taurus in traffic.

So Joe’s trusty notebook and recorder couldn’t be put to work to provide precise quotes here.

That said, Will Allen spoke about the Bucs still having a chance to win all their division games, which would leave them primed for a playoff spot. Allen, in essence, said that fact presented an uplifting opportunity and he and the rest of the Bucs need to get that message and bring that understanding and motivation to Sunday’s Carolina game.

Bravo, Mr. Allen. Bravo!

It’s about time someone on the Bucs — players and coaches — started talking publicly and seriously about winning. Not just eventually winning a game. But winning on Sunday and getting on a roll.

Joe’s played on a lot of teams. And one thing is constant. Whether it’s high school, college, or the elbow-throwing 40-and-under basketball leagues around the Bay area,  if team members are staring at their schedules and not thinking about how they can run the table with their remaining games, then there is a serious problem on the squad.

Joe expects every Bucs player to be consumed with getting a win against Carolina and clawing their way to play a meaningful game in December.

That’s just how Michael Clayton players with the right attitude behave.