If rumors the Bucs are trying to move up to No. 2 are true, then could that be a play for South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney?

OK, this is the season of smoke. There’s no telling what to believe and what not to believe. Joe does believe what Jay Glazer Twittered last night, that the Browns have no interest in Johnny Football at No. 4, but maybe they’re interested later in the draft.

And if the Rams are so hot for Johnny Football, as rumor has it, then why would they trade out of the No. 2 pick? (more…)

Yes, this is a Bucs blog. But Joe brings the following because it involves one of the greatest Bucs of all time, Mr. Derrick Brooks, and a guy more than a few Bucs fans drool over as a future quarterback, Florida State quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston.

Joe cannot remember a quarterback in recent memory (sans Andrew Luck) who was this good, this accurate. Surely not a freshman. Joe remembers getting hell from Shaun King, one of three Bucs quarterbacks to lead the Bucs to an NFC championship game, when Joe Twittered last September that Winston was the best quarterback in the state of Florida wearing No. 5. (more…)

Johnny! Johnny! Johnny!

This evening, well connected Mike Florio, of ProFootballTalk.com and NBC Sports, is sharing word he’s hearing around the league that the Bucs are looking to trade up to snatch the Rams’ No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft. (more…)

Derrick Brooks discussed a difference, albeit slight, between Father Dungy and Lovie Smith.

Joe knows a lot of people point to Father Dungy as the North Star of Lovie Smith. In some ways, Lovie is the ultimate disciple of Father Dungy.

In fact, it was Father Dungy who brought Lovie from the college ranks to be an NFL assistant and  Derrick Brooks’ and Hardy Nickerson’s position coach. (more…)

An NFL Network reporter weighs in

Joe learned anything truly is possible on the NFL trade front the day Lovie Smith and his Chicago friends handed over a second-round draft pick for disappointing Bucs defensive end Gaines Adams.

That’s still a mind-blower. (more…)

“Hey Brooks, you’re not the only guy on this practice field that knows a thing or two about football! I’m one of People Magazine’s most beautiful people, you know?”

In his speech after being told his No. 55 will never be worn by a Bucs player again, Mr. Derrick Brooks, of course, thanked many people for his career and success today.

When talking about how he was influenced by different coaches, Brooks made a particular reference to Chucky, the only coach in Bucs history to win a Super Bowl. Brooks lauded Chucky for driving him to play at a level higher than even Brooks thought he could reach. This came about even though Chucky was the de facto offensive coordinator. (more…)

Pat Kirwan details. Will Lovie Smith fight off his D-line fixation?

Joe’s written 1,456 times about the alleged incredible depth at wide receiver in the 2014 NFL Draft.

But where else is it deep, and in what rounds? (more…)

Former Bucs LB Hardy Nickerson remembers Derrick Brooks’ first days with the Bucs.

Today, when it was announced Mr. Derrick Brooks would be the latest inductee into the Buccaners Ring of Honor, and that his No. 55 will never be worn in a game again, Brooks, of course, took the podium for a few words.

Brooks used the opportunity to brush up on his Pro Football Hall of Fame speech later this summer. He thanked several people for his career, including former linebacker teammate Hardy Nickerson. (more…)

Super Bowl-winning quarterback Phil Simms knows a thing or two about quarterbacks. He guided the New York Giants to their first Super Bowl title against the Broncos, having as close to a perfect game as any Super Bowl quarterback has had.

Simms, a regular contributor to SiriusXM NFL Radio and CBS Sports Network discussing quarterbacks, is great in his detail. Joe’s favorite Simms’ story was when he saw Packers QB Aaron Rodgers as a rookie in camp. Simms thought he was horrible and declared he would be a massive bust. (more…)

What feels like the worst kept secret in town officially will be out in the open this afternoon, when Bucs icon Derrick Brooks will be named the next entrant into the hallowed Buccaneers Ring of Honor.

Induction game is Sept. 14 against the Rams

Warren Sapp got in last season, his Hall of Fame induction year. And it’s only fitting Brooks would get the same timely love, as he heads to Canton in August.

Joe could write endlessly about Brooks’ accomplishments and his place in team history, but any credible Bucs fans should be up to speed already.

Congrats, Double Nickel!

Joe will bring more details from this historic day later this afternoon.

What an appropriate color top

The national media honcho with arguably the best NFL sources, the most street cred — and the guy who has inhaled the most pre-draft smoke — believes Johnny Football will be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer in a matter of hours. (more…)

Joe would do cartwheels if the Bucs landed high-flying All-American Allen Robinson

Weird stuff is going on with Penn State wide receiver Allen Robinson. Does he have a twin or a body double helping him get through the pre-draft process?

Before Joe explains, Joe wants to remind readers he’s been on board the Robinson bandwagon for many months. Joe watches plenty of Big Ten football, and Robinson is a true standout wideout who surely would be first-round material if not for the incredible receiver depth of this year’s draft. (more…)

Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times isn’t exactly buying what the Bucs are selling on G Carl Nicks.

There are all sorts of ways for the Bucs to go with their No. 7 pick, or for that matter, their first two picks in the draft. Many Bucs fans, who love shiny objects, are stomping their feet for a wide receiver, even if it is a Vincent Jackson clone (Texas A&M WR Mike Evans).

Joe is of the belief if the Bucs don’t draft Johnny Football at No. 7, while it may not be sexy, drafting a tackle would sure be a smart move. (more…)

For those who can’t stand gameday lines in the sweltering heat and having their most tantalizing food option being a giant turkey leg, great news has arrived. (more…)

Man, Joe wonders whether Greg Schiano took a bunch of locker room grief from Warren Sapp in the NFL Network makeup room last night.

“Hey, Schiano, did you apply for a job with Dancing With The Stars? You’re good at that.”

“You here to diagram the victory formation for our viewers?” (more…)

Former Bucs DT Booger McFarland said the Bucs better not draft Pitt DT Aaron Donald.

Lots of Bucs fans, maybe in a borderline panic mode because they think the Bucs may draft Johnny Football, are reaching into the wayback machine. They look to the early 2000s and see Warren Sapp and Booger McFarland manning the starting tackle spots on one of the game’s greatest defenses.

They see that Team Glazer reached into the wayback machine as well to hire Lovie Smith to build a defense that will have fans wrapping themselves in their favorite blanky at night with feel good memories. (more…)

Draft week is an ideal time for a contract squeeze play, explains former Jets personnel executive Pat Kirwan.

And the Bucs have a critical cog in his contract year. (more…)

Send the mockers to Jack Bauer. He will rid this nation of this mock draft industrial complex.

Joe has interesting news to share. Joe just knows Bucs fans are weary of the delayed draft this year. Way too much time for mindless mock drafts, smokescreens and unfounded rumors.

Joe understands why the NFL pushed the draft back to May. Big bucks are to be hand with television programming during a sweeps month (and yes, the NFL draft in primetime is major ratings). It is a smart, yet tedious move.

Well, Joe learned something tonight that could end the drought between the combine and the draft. (more…)

Bucs OC Jeff Tedford has dealt the cards

The drama of Joe’s countdown has been intense. And now the end has come.

Here are the top two things you can take to the bank regarding the Bucs’ 2014 draft: (more…)

Bucs GM Jason Licht learned plenty alongside Bill Belicheat and others

Raise your hand if you think the Bucs are going to play some patsy game of wait-and-see with the most important position the roster.

That’s right. Put your hand in the air if you believe 2014 is the year the Bucs experiment to see whether 35-year-old Josh McCown plays his first good full season or whether Mike Glennon can pull an offense out of the NFL cellar — without another viable option on the roster. (more…)