Bucs WR Robert Herron surveys the field during rookie minicamp this weekend.

The first day of the Bucs’ rookie minicamp was highlighted by the crazy catch wide receiver Mike Evans that evoked memories of Jason Licht and “The Dunkaneers” label he issued during the NFL Draft. It was very, very impressive.

The next day was highlighted by — guess who? — Evans again when a cornerback made a beautiful interception defending Evans only to see him tear the ball away and regain possession. Impressive. (more…)

A former Buccaneer weighs in on rookie Charles Sims

So what do defensive coordinators facing the Bucs do when Jeff Tedford lines up two big, pass-catching tight ends, two dynamic gargantuan receivers, and Doug Martin and rookie Charles Sims in the backfield?

Now close your eyes and think about smooth-hands Sims breaking off in motion and lining up in the slot. (more…)

Though it would be nice to be 22 years old entering his third NFL season, Joe would not want to be Bucs return man Eric Page this morning. (more…)

Bucs coach Lovie Smith explained the long odds most  rookie camp participants have of making a final 53-man roster.

The vast majority of players competing in the Bucs’ rookie minicamp this weekend (no media availability today, folks) will never see the final 53-man roster this fall. At best, there may be three or four who become Buccaneers — guys who weren’t draft picks. The odds and sheer numbers are against them.

So there was a reason why Bucs coach Lovie Smith wasn’t getting too worked up over what he saw in minicamp Saturday. (more…)

Tampa Tribune beat writer Roy Cummings isn’t sold that the radical overhaul by the Lovie Smith regime represents a talent upgrade from 2013.

It’s a somewhat scary concept, depending on how you evaluated the talent level last season. (more…)

Joe was going to include this in his practice roundup but decided since it was the play of the day, again from first round pick wide receiver Mike Evans, Joe felt it best to devote a full post.

We all have heard by now of the Grant Hill-like tomahawk dunk catch Evans made yesterday. That move displayed his sick athletic skill set. Today, he displayed his brute strength. (more…)

It’s Joe’s always popular practice notes and observations, this time from Day 2 of Bucs rookie minicamp/tryout camp at One Buc Palace.

Fifty young hopefuls, from stud draft picks to second-year players like former Florida State defensive tackle Everett Dawkins, a seventh-round pick of the Cowboys last year, took to the sunny, breezy fields. (more…)

As of this morning, former Bucs TE Tom Crabtree.

Yes, the Bucs have a crowded house at tight end. So much so that they waved goodbye to heavily tattooed tight end Tom Crabtree this morning.

In short, Crabtree wasn’t going to cut it for the new era Bucs, said Bucs coach Lovie Smith after practice today. (more…)

Gerald McCoy already has his hooks into his likely future backup

Shortly before defensive tackle Euclid Cummings was set to perform at the Georgia Tech pro day, a man shook his hand, introduced himself, and said he’d be calling the shots during his drills.

That man was Bucs defensive line coach Joe Cullen. And now Cummings is a Buccaneer, with any signs pointing to Cummings being groomed as Gerald McCoy’s backup. (more…)

Mike Evans turned heads, wowed watchers and dropped jaws yesterday, the first time non-Bucs employees were allowed to watch Evans on a Bucs practice field.

He certainly got Joe’s attention.

And the No. 7 pick of the draft didn’t disappoint. It only took him 101 minutes into the 120-minute practice to leave a lasting impression. (more…)

The drafting of running back Charles Sims out of West Virginia sure opened up a lot of people’s eyes. Bucs fans started to worry about the job status of fan favorite Doug Martin.

Lovie had told Joe at the NFL Scouting Combine that Doug Martin would be his bellcow and he lauded the Bucs’ stable of running backs. (more…)

The Bucs today released heavily tattooed tight end Tom Crabtree. This came from the acerbic Twitter feed of Crabtree himself. (more…)

Yes, Bucs fans are still buzzing over the catch by Mike Evans yesterday. It was an impressive move by the No. 7 draft pick from Texas A&M.

Bucs coach Lovie Smith was impressed as well, but more so with other things Evans is doing. (more…)

Lovie Smith talked about expectations for a No. 7 overall pick

When you’re drafted No. 7 overall, you better be a great player doing spectacular things.

Joe’s not talking about rookie Mike Evans this morning. Joe’s waiting on safety Mark Barron, the 2012 No. 7 overall pick, to prove he’s part of the Bucs’ long term future. (more…)

Bucs rookie LB Nate Askew caught Bucs coach Lovie Smith’s eye as a first-year linebacker at Texas A&M.

If there is an early interesting angle to follow in Bucs rookie minicamp, and likely into the early weeks of training camp and the preseason, it will be how linebacker Nate Askew progresses.

It seems there is something about the man that Bucs coach Lovie Smith likes. (more…)

Bucs rookie RB Charles Sims

Joe wrote earlier this week about how the Bucs’ special teams have more question marks than The Riddler’s house.

So what about the Bucs’ new rookies? Do they have special teams experience? (more…)

Bucs WR Mike Evans talks about his first few days in the NFL.

When we were all little, we looked up to at least one NFL player and wanted to be him in some way, shape or form. For some odd reason, Joe idolized Conrad Dobler.

Mike Evans is no different. The basketball-turned-football star and now freshly drafted Bucs wide receiver had football heroes, too. And strangely, one is his teammate now. (more…)