Archive for 2015

“Nobody’s Job Is Secure Or Safe”

Thursday, May 28th, 2015
mike jenkins 0910

Cornerback Mike Jenkins

Today at Bucs practice, Joe watched nickel cornerbacks Isaiah Frye and Leonard Johnson work intently with their nickel position coach.

Sterling Moore, the likely No. 1 nickel, was busy with other cornerbacks. (more…)

Proving “He’s Not A No. 1 Draft Pick Bust”

Thursday, May 28th, 2015
Jameis Winston's teammates are talking. (Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Jameis Winston’s teammates are talking. (Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Hey, George Johnson, you played with Matthew Stafford last season, a real franchise quarterback.

So what’s the QB vibe from Jameis Winston, and how is it affecting the Buccaneers? (more…)

“Marked Improvement” For Jameis

Thursday, May 28th, 2015
Jameisrookie2

Glowing words from Lovie.

No, Bucs fans, there was no sighting of “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston at OTAs today. That was because Jameis is attending a mandatory function for top NFL draft picks. (more…)

Pamphile And Edwards Take Center Stage

Thursday, May 28th, 2015
Logan Mankins and Kevin Pamphile were attached at the hip today

Logan Mankins and Kevin Pamphile were attached at the hip today

Yes, your Buccaneers’ first team left tackle right now in spring practice is second-year man Kevin Pamphile. The right guard with the first unit is fellow 2014 fifth-round pick Kadeem Edwards.

Joe dubbed these two “milk cartons” last season. (more…)

Practice Notes & Observations – Day 3 OTAs

Thursday, May 28th, 2015

KoetterOTA

Underwear football is back, and Joe was able to take in a couple hours of practice on the sweltering fields of One Buc Palace today. In sort of an ode to Raheem Morris, 1980s rock music filled the air throughout practice. No rap, so apologies to Raheem.

Here’s what Joe found worth sharing: (more…)

Mike Evans “Tweaked” Right Leg

Thursday, May 28th, 2015

mike evans 1113

Today was eerily similar to last year, in that 2014 first round pick Mike Evans pulled a hamstring very early in OTAs and was limited until training camp. (more…)

The Dirk Koetter Difference

Thursday, May 28th, 2015
Bucs OC Dirk Koetter talks schemes and blocking.

Bucs OC Dirk Koetter will smooth over the rough edges

In case no one noticed, the offense was a hot mess last year, from a sieve of an offensive line to inconsistent (at best) running backs — not one ran for 500 yards, not one! — and turnover-prone Josh McCown too often played like a scared Labrador puppy.

It wasn’t all the players’ fault (a lot was, though). Joe remembers interviewing former NFL quarterback and FOX game analyst Brady Quinn, who all but said the Bucs offense was as disorganized as a firehouse run by The Three Stooges. (more…)

Cornerbacks Unit Wowing In OTAs

Thursday, May 28th, 2015
New Bucs cornerback Sterling Moore

New Bucs cornerback Sterling Moore

Via covert drones and ground operatives, Joe brought word yesterday that former Pro Bowl cornerbacks Alterraun Verner and Mike Jenkins were early standouts through the first two days of Buccaneers OTA practices.

But another guy is wowing even more. (more…)

The Turnstile That Was Anthony Collins

Thursday, May 28th, 2015

Bucs QBs were terrorized last season — no thanks to the ole’ blocking of left tackle Anthony Collins.

Yes, Joe has concerns about the offensive line and had concerns about it last season.

But never did Joe’s wildest dreams foresee the complete and total jailbreak it morphed into. It really was something to behold, and not in a good way. (more…)

Mentoring

Thursday, May 28th, 2015

teacher

Joe isn’t sure where this concept of “mentoring” started, that rookie quarterbacks have to be so babied they need a teammate that is more wet nurse than backup quarterback. (more…)

Former Stars Shine At Day 2 Of Bucs’ OTAs

Wednesday, May 27th, 2015

VernerThe Cowboys are using drones to film their OTA practices, and Joe is using similar tactics to gain intelligence from the Buccaneers’ sessions, which were closed to media yesterday and today. (more…)

Vegas Days Are Over At Defensive End

Wednesday, May 27th, 2015

Jacquies smith 1119Joe’s perspective regularly differs from his Bucs media peers.

Sometimes, the contrast is so drastic that it drives Joe to repeatedly bang his head against a wall. (more…)

“Keep Their Mouths Shut”

Wednesday, May 27th, 2015

lovie smith 0729There’s rabid panic, nausea and teeth-grinding at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters when the topic turns to warm beer the Buccaneers’ offensive line.

But it’s all sunshine and daisies inside the posh media confines of One Buc Palace. (more…)

Rocked Up And Ready

Wednesday, May 27th, 2015
DougMartin

Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Joe caught up with Doug Martin a few weeks ago when he was volunteering with the Buccaneers at a community youth event in Clearwater. It was then that Martin shared some info on his changed body. (more…)

Mike Glennon Day Is Thursday

Wednesday, May 27th, 2015

Glennonwide

Nothing gets the Mike Glennon Mob more excited than knowing their guy is the Buccaneers’ No. 1 quarterback.

Well, they also get all hot in the pants for the new “29-and-15” bumper stickers, representing Glennon’s touchdown-to-interception ratio. (more…)

Jameis With The Highlight

Wednesday, May 27th, 2015
Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaners

Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.

Yes, the Bucs began flag football OTAs yesterday with the full complement of all 90 on the roster.

No, no one outside of a Bucs employee saw this as the practice was closed. (more…)

“You Can’t Really Run That”

Wednesday, May 27th, 2015
Ross Tucker of NBC Sports Network isn't a believer in the Tampa-2.

Ross Tucker of NBC Sports Network isn’t a believer in the Tampa-2.

Last year, the echoes from none other than former Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Chucky bounced off the walls of NFL offices when he repeatedly stated on Monday Night Football that the Tampa-2 is near death in the pass-happy NFL. (more…)

Mark Dominik’s Mea Culpa

Wednesday, May 27th, 2015
Former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik explains some of the mistakes he made during his administration.

Former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik explains some mistakes he made during his administration.

But for one year, the records are terrible. And as former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik said Tuesday, it’s on his resumé.

In what Joe believes is the most telling Dominik has been publicly about his Bucs tenure, Dominik shed light on his former administration, confessed mistakes, and sort of explained why some moves later backfired. (more…)

Magic Didn’t Rub Off

Wednesday, May 27th, 2015
The magic of "America's Quarterback" didn't rub off last night.

The magic of “America’s Quarterback” didn’t rub off last night.

All good things must come to an end. And so it was last night when the Tampa Bay Lightning lost at home to force a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference finals of the Stanley Cup playoffs. (more…)