Former Bucs G Ian Beckles was rated as one of the franchise’s best value picks.

When Bucs general manager Jason Licht was hired, he talked a great deal about value during his introductory news conference. When asked about free agents, he said he wasn’t opposed to shopping for unwanted players (remember the old saying, if a team wants you, they will find a way to keep you) so long as they merit “value.”

In other words, Licht wasn’t going to break the bank.

Licht spoke of value so much, Joe has a hunch this plays into how he will draft. This is why Joe is so convinced the Bucs won’t pick a receiver at No. 7. (more…)

Recently, former Bucs wide receiver and a key member of the Bucs Super Bowl winning team, Keyshawn Johnson, was pinched for allegedly committing domestic violence. Well, it turns out Keyshawn won’t be charged.

That’s the info. coming out of BSPN. (more…)

One player who fascinates Joe in this NFL Draft is Jackson Jeffcoat. College football’s 2013 sacks leader out of the University of Texas has the pedigree and production but not the love from scouts.

The Big XII defensive player of the year and Ted Hendricks Award winner (best DE in the nation) is widely projected as a third- or fourth-round draft pick. And that’s where he appears as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer in the latest mock draft from NFL Network draft guru and former NFL player Bucky Brooks. (more…)

Joe disagrees with this Bucs draft take by former Tampa Bay beat writer turned Sports Illustrated national scribe Don Banks.

Should the Bucs really invest in a wide receiver not named “Watkins” at No. 7 overall? In the deepest draft for wide receivers in ages? Enjoy the video.

Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Even the crustiest Bucs fan would be warmed by the sight of a young girl exclaiming, “Wow!” after putting on her first-ever pair of glasses before hundreds of her classmates waving Bucs flags and cheering.

Clear vision is a gift Gerald McCoy and the Glazer Family Foundation bestowed on 29 kids yesterday in Oldsmar.

Joe watched as McCoy ran through the Forest Lakes Elementary School cafeteria high-fiving students at an assembly honoring the 5,000th pair of prescription glasses donated by the foundation locally. (more…)

Odell Beckham and a package of picks?

NFL Network full-time draft guru Daniel Jeremiah, a former scout, outlined “sensible” draft-day trades to look for next week.

Yes, the Bucs were among the premier sellers. (more…)

If the Bucs trade back in the first round, would that set the table for Jason Licht to pick UCLA G Xavier Su’a-Filo?

Whenever a new coach and a new general manager comes in, what they think of players isn’t a secret very long. Players the new leadership isn’t fond of are nearly always traded, cut or benched.

So let there be no doubt how Bucs coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht felt about the offensive line. Only one full-time starter* from last year returns, right tackle Demar Dotson. (more…)

OK, it’s Friday and it’s time to knock off this nonsense. Joe can’t take it any longer and he sure as hell is not going to carry this rage over into the weekend. Enough is enough.

To win a Super Bowl in the NFL, more than once every 40 years, you need a quarterback. No less than an average quarterback. At some point, your team needs to score, unless you bank on six pick-sixes a game. Wanna lay money that happens? (more…)

As Bucs fans join Joe in counting down the six days until the 2014 NFL Draft, Joe wants to share some good stuff from former Browns and Rams scout Russ Lande.

Lande has been a longtime draft analyst for various outlets and now works as a personnel executive in the CFL. (more…)

NFL.com writer Michael Silver got exclusive time with Jason Licht and Lovie Smith for a new feature on the Bucs’ head coach.

Silver was all pitchforks for Greg Schiano shortly after he was hired, but Silver is all-in with Lovie. He paints a picture of nirvana in the bowels of One Buc Palace. (more…)

There’s a decent chance the Bucs could draft an offensive tackle like Jake Matthews with the seventh overall draft pick next week.

But then what? Would Matthews, new left tackle Anthony Collins or Demar Dotson move inside to fill one of the Bucs’ apparent holes at guard? (more…)

Bucs QB Josh McCown’s contract is only guaranteed for 2014.

When Joe looks at the Bucs’ roster, sure he sees holes, but Joe believes new Bucs coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht have done a fine job upgrading.

The defense, in Joe’s eyes, is set. On offense, Joe is worried as hell about the thin offensive line. A wide receiver or two will sure help in this deep receiver draft. Then there’s quarterback. (more…)

Former Bucs QB Jeff Carlson weighs in

Joe wants to crush a beer can whenever he hears someone compare Johnny Football to Tim Tebow. That’s like comparing Rachel Watson to Rosie O’Donnell.

Tebow flat out couldn’t throw the ball. He was a glorified wishbone quarterback. Johnny Football has better wheels than Tebow, and a much, much, much better arm. (more…)

Draft guru Mike Mayock believes it’s not outrageous to think Clemson WR Sammy Watkins will fall to the Bucs.

Joe knows the following will force those afflicted with the Sammy Watkins Fetish to stand at attention and walk quickly to the nearest bathroom at work for a private moment.

Mike Mayock thinks the Bucs have a prayer of landing Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins. Yes, you read that correctly. (more…)

Mike Evans or Sammy Watkins? Depends what flavor you like, says NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock.

Joe listened to the two-hour Mike Mayock teleconference this afternoon and it was some kind of awesome to get prepped for the draft. Remember how Joe has been pimping Penn State wide receiver Allen Robinson in the third round? Mayock said that is where Robinson will get drafted.

Yes, Joe actually does research and puts thought into things. (more…)

More evidence Greg Schiano was being tuned out by his players

An order Commander Greg Schiano would often scream was “Do your job!”

The premise was simple: just do what the New Schiano Order asks you to do on any given play. Don’t be a hero. Don’t even think about making a play. (more…)

Murray potentially is a great Tampa Bay fit for multiple reasons

Chucky’s second favorite QB in the NFL Draft, Aaron Murray, is steadily moving up team draft boards and NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock said this afternoon he expects Murray to be a third-round pick next week.

Speaking on his annual pre-draft conference call, Mayock made the claim along with all kinds of heavy praise for Murray’s intelligence, experience, readiness and ability. (more…)

Joe would not be shocked at all if OL Jake Matthews is selected by the Bucs next week.

There is no doubt the Bucs need a wide receiver (perhaps two) in next week’s draft. Good timing, as the draft is lousy with wide receivers.

Now we all know Joe has an infatuation with everything Johnny Football, from his hyper Labrador-puppy-like running to his pocket accuracy, to his rabbit-out-of-the-hat playmaking ability and his harem of hot women. (more…)

Informative video here by talented Amanda Borges of SportsTalkFlorida.com. It’ll give you a great summary feel for Jason Licht and Lovie Smith blowing smokescreens addressing the media on all things NFL Draft this week.

Lovie was so dialed in to the nickel back position in Chicago, he coached the position himself in 2008.

Joe has put in way too much research into the eight-year Lovie Smith regime in Chicago.

As a Bucs fan, Joe can say a lot of Lovie’s time in Chicago is incredibly encouraging, some is downright frightening, and the rest offers great insight into Lovie. (more…)

When Jason Licht was hired as Bucs general manager, he said he would pound on Lovie Smith’s office door over and over and over again, if necessary, in an effort to sell Lovie on a player.

There would be no 11th-hour, draft-day hollering and angry chest bumping to make a decision, Licht said. (more…)