Archive for May, 2014

Thin Crop Of Guards?

Tuesday, May 6th, 2014

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…)

Nickerson Humbled By Brooks

Tuesday, May 6th, 2014

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…)

Phil Simms: Mike Glennon Not A Starter

Tuesday, May 6th, 2014

mike glennon 0930

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…)

Ring Honor Coming For Derrick Brooks

Tuesday, May 6th, 2014
derrick brooks 0201

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.

Peter King Says Johnny Is A Buccaneer Man

Tuesday, May 6th, 2014
johnny football 1216

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…)

Measuring Issues For Allen Robinson

Tuesday, May 6th, 2014
Joe would do cartwheels if the Bucs landed high-flying All-American Allen Robinson

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…)

Suspicious Of Carl Nicks Return

Tuesday, May 6th, 2014
Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times isn't exactly buying what the Bucs are selling on G Carl Nicks.

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…)

$7 Million To Improve Food, Beer Service

Tuesday, May 6th, 2014

bucs-cheerleaders2For 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…)

Schiano Invades NFL Network

Tuesday, May 6th, 2014

greg schiano 0910Man, 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…)

Aaron Donald Better Be Smokescreen

Tuesday, May 6th, 2014
booger mcfarland

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…)

11th-Hour Extension Coming For McCoy?

Monday, May 5th, 2014

gerald mccoy0629Draft 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

Monday, May 5th, 2014
Send the mockers to Jack Bauer. He will rid this nation of this mock draft industrial complex.

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…)

Sure Things For The Bucs’ Draft: Nos. 1 & 2

Monday, May 5th, 2014
Bucs OC Jeff Tedford is dealing the cards

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…)

Licht Speaks Of “Swift Decisions”

Monday, May 5th, 2014
Bucs GM Jason Licht learned plenty alongside Bill Belicheat and others

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…)

Who Is Running The Show?

Monday, May 5th, 2014

T

The NFL is a copycat league. Look at a few years ago when the Dolphins broke out a Wildcat offense against the Patriots and embarrassed Bill Belicheat in a Miami win.

Soon after, just about every team toyed with the Wildcat, thinking it was the rage of future, even drafting quarterbacks to run the Wildcat like Pat White (who was a miserable bust). It didn’t take long for the Wildcat fad to fade because defenses figured it out. (more…)

Sure Things For The Bucs’ Draft: No. 3

Monday, May 5th, 2014

History is telling

Joe continues with his educational series.

No. 3 will surprise some fans. (more…)

Sure Things For The Bucs’ Draft: Nos. 4 & 5

Monday, May 5th, 2014

lovie and lichtJoe won’t offer up a full mock draft, but Joe will tell you what to bank on from Tampa Bay when the draft bell finally rings Thursday:

Here are Nos. 4 & 5 on the list. Come back later for the top-3.

(more…)

“In The Third Round… “

Monday, May 5th, 2014

Versatile USC OL Marcus Martin might be a nice pick-up in the third round.

The weakest link on the Bucs is the offensive line. Yeah, really. Joe knows others will argue wide receiver, and that is a fair point. But at least the Bucs have a Pro Bowler at wide receiver. Can’t say that about the O-line.

Shoot, the best player on the offensive line, left tackle Anthony Collins, has never started a half season in any given year. That doesn’t help Joe rest at night. (more…)

Warren Sapp Offers Advice To Jason Licht

Monday, May 5th, 2014

warren sapp 0504

Everybody has an opinion on who the Bucs should select at No. 7 Thursday night. The mayor of Tampa, the local church minister, your favorite Hooters waitress, Little League coaches.

But very few hold the weight of Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp. (more…)