Archive for 2015

It Will Be “America’s Quarterback”

Friday, June 12th, 2015
Your leader.

“America’s Quarterback” is your Bucs starting quarterback.

Joe had this discussion with another member of the Tampa Bay pen and mic club yesterday while watching the final Bucs OTA practice: If you draft a quarterback No. 1 overall and last year’s backup starts Week One, and everyone is healthy, then something is wrong. (more…)

“The Kid’s Got A Motor”

Thursday, June 11th, 2015

alexander2Chatting with starting Tampa Bay middle linebacker Bruce Carter today, Joe asked the four-year veteran what he thought of one of his teammates. (more…)

“Fun” And “Flying” Versus “Learning”

Thursday, June 11th, 2015

johnthan banks 1103Yes, the Buccaneers defense was sad last year. Sorry. Joe can’t sugarcoat.

So it’s great to hear — and see — that the defense feels different now versus this time in 2014. (more…)

Lovie Irked By Turnovers

Thursday, June 11th, 2015
Lovie

Lovie Smith was none too pleased with half-arsed ball security by his team’s offense today.

Simply put, the offense today — yes, in underwear football — looked sloppy. Interceptions, dropped passes, passes way off the mark. It was not pretty.

And, no, Josh McCown was nowhere to be found. (more…)

Notes & Observations OTA Practice — Day 10

Thursday, June 11th, 2015
"Dude, I found this mom and pop meat shop in south Tampa that has a beautiful New York strip. Now where can we find a grill?"

“Dude, I found this mom and pop meat shop in south Tampa that has a beautiful New York strip. Now where can we find a grill?”

The Buccaneers grinded out anther underwear football practice today under broiling conditions at One Buc Palace.

The two-hour session was open for Joe and various sweaty media types. Your need-to-know is below. (more…)

Demar Dotson A No-Show

Thursday, June 11th, 2015
demar dotson 1216

Wants a new pact.

Bucs right tackle and all around good guy Demar Dotson apparently is irked about his contract with the Bucs enough that he boycotted the final day of OTA practice, which was open to the Tampa Bay pen and mic club this afternoon.

(more…)

“Interception Master” Emerges

Thursday, June 11th, 2015

danny lansanah 1203Joe will deliver more details later, but today was a big day for the Bucs defense during the underwear football session at broiling One Buc Palace. (more…)

Tim Wright Is Available

Thursday, June 11th, 2015
Former Bucs TE Tim Wright is unemployed after earning a Super Bowl ring.

Former Bucs TE Tim Wright is unemployed after earning a Super Bowl ring.

The hardest of the hardcore Bucs fans know Tampa Bay, by virtue of winning the Chase for Jameis, has first dibs on the waiver wire, where released players can be had before they hit the open market. (more…)

Clearing Jameis Winston’s Plate?

Thursday, June 11th, 2015
The Bucs' opening-day opponent is having his schedule adjusted

The Bucs’ opening-day opponent is having his schedule adjusted

The guy who hopes to rain on the Buccaneers’ season in 94 days is about to have his schedule adjusted. (more…)

Bullish On ASJ

Thursday, June 11th, 2015
A former NFL scout expects big plays from the Bucs tight end this fall.

A former NFL scout expects big plays from the Bucs tight end this fall.

Yes, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has taken risks in his 16 months or so on the job. Of course, hoping a pair of second round rookies, one a Division-III product, can keep the uniform clean of “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, is a gamble by any measure.

As Joe has stated, early in his tenure, Licht will be defined by his second round picks. (more…)

Melton Motivated By GMC

Thursday, June 11th, 2015
New Bucs DT learning from GMC.

New Bucs DT learning from GMC.

One of the forgotten free agent signees is defensive tackle Henry Melton.

Now two years removed from knee surgery and a veteran of Lovie Smith’s defense in Chicago, Melton is expected to be a plug-and-play kind of tackle. (more…)

“Smiling, Laughing & Giggling”

Wednesday, June 10th, 2015
Rich Gannon explains

Rich Gannon explains

So what the hell went wrong with Robert Griffin, III? Where did things turn sour for Colin Kaepernick last year?

And what could this have to do with America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston? (more…)

The Weak Roster

Wednesday, June 10th, 2015
Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.

Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.

Joe has stated many times that when a team finishes 2-14, there are more holes to fill than on a freaking screen door. On top of that, the Bucs jettisoned five starters, which one could argue were holes to begin with. (more…)

In 66 Days …

Wednesday, June 10th, 2015

Josh McCown 0809Yes, it’s June and some don’t feel any urgency for football season because they think it’s so far away.

Joe’s here to remind you that things get very dangerous in just 66 days. (more…)

Jameis Gets New Mate; Koenen Gets Fire

Wednesday, June 10th, 2015

Jameis WinstonJoe can’t decide what’s more interesting: Jameis Winston getting a new locker room neighbor or punter Michael Koenen having a fire lit under his ass. (more…)

Returning To Sullivan Success

Wednesday, June 10th, 2015
vincent jackson 1017

Change isn’t really change

Once upon a time, the Buccaneers had the NFL’s ninth-ranked offense under first-year (and first-time) offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan. (more…)

Projection: Solid Year For Jameis

Wednesday, June 10th, 2015

Save for the Andrew Lucks of the world, rookie quarterbacks struggle far more often than not. That’s why Joe thinks if the Bucs can get six wins this year, that would be a nice season, tripling their wins from the previous puke-filled season. (more…)

Alshon Vs. “Godzilla”

Wednesday, June 10th, 2015

mike evans 1229

Joe will never forget when Mike Evans, in his first rookie minicamp practice, made one of the silliest catches Joe has ever seen.

You could almost hear all the audible “Ohs” from witnesses all the way to Jesuit High School. (more…)

Bucs Carrying Jameis?

Wednesday, June 10th, 2015

jameis 0508

Look, it is June. Joe’s concentration this time of the year is tilted toward gawking at lovely lasses in tanned legs while nursing cold beer on a hot afternoon more than who the starting long snapper will be. Sorry. (more…)

No-Neutering Policy

Tuesday, June 9th, 2015

Jameis WinstonGreg Schiano wanted his quarterbacks terrified of making a mistake.

Lovie Smith? He nailed his audition for Fear Factor in Game 2 last season. (more…)

Bucs WRs No. 16

Tuesday, June 9th, 2015
Bucs rookie WR Kenny Bell doesn't have a high bar to clear in order to secure a roster spot.

Bucs rookie WR Kenny Bell doesn’t have a high bar to clear for a roster spot.

Readers who come to Joe on this here corner of the Interwebs know Joe loves the one-two punch of Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans. They may not be the best receivers duo in the NFL, but the list ahead of them is awfully damn short. (more…)