Archive for 2015

Logan Mankins For M.I.P.

Monday, May 11th, 2015

MankinsOnce upon a time, the last time the Buccaneers were a good football team, two no-name rookies and a dude named James Lee were dominating on the Tampa Bay offensive line.

This should bring a glimmer of hope to the Bucs faithful. (more…)

More Sizzling, Fresh Rookie Camp Video

Monday, May 11th, 2015

joemugshotHere’s the final JoeBucsFan.com video compilation of highlights and atmosphere from Buccaneers rookie minicamp last week.

That means more Jameis Winston on your screen! (more…)

The Lowdown On Donovan Smith

Monday, May 11th, 2015
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Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

If Tampa Bay’s first three draft picks all click in their rookie years, this offense will be significantly better. Then again, we are discussing improving one of the worst eyerakes for an offense Joe can remember.

There was a reason the Bucs won the Chase for Jameis, and drafted a quarterback and two offensive linemen with their first three picks. (more…)

Geeks Puzzled By Ali Marpet

Monday, May 11th, 2015

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One of the great mysteries of the 2015 Buccaneers will be how Division-III offensive lineman Ali Marpet is able to handle the rigors of the NFL.

It’s one helluva jump. (more…)

Doug Williams Key To Bucs Success?

Monday, May 11th, 2015
Former Bucs quarterback and front office man Doug Williams is a trusted member of Jameis Winston's inner circle of advisors.

Former Bucs quarterback and front office man Doug Williams is a trusted member of Jameis Winston’s inner circle of advisors.

Former Bucs quarterback Doug Williams has had a rocky love/hate relationship with the franchise that drafted him. It began with mistreatment from the notorious cad, original owner Hugh Culverhouse.

Locked in a contract dispute with Culverhouse, Williams bolted for the USFL, partially because John McKay panicked and sent a first-round draft pick for backup quarterback, the Throwin’ Samoan, Jack Thompson. (more…)

Jameis Winston’s Speed Impresses

Sunday, May 10th, 2015

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Yes, Mike Glennon runs a faster 40-yard dash than Jameis Winston. When it comes to straight-ahead sprinting, those two are like a couple of retired giraffes.

That was proven at the NFL Scouting Combine. (more…)

Focused On Confidence

Sunday, May 10th, 2015
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Rookie fourth-round linebacker Kwon Alexander has strict orders

One Buccaneers rookie wasn’t allowed to drink an ice cold beer last night after wrapping his first minicamp as a professional.

There are strict rules in place for a very special draft pick. (more…)

Kaelin Clay’s Gig To Lose

Sunday, May 10th, 2015
Bucs WR Kaelin Clay skies Saturday to catch a pass. However, Clay will likely have more of an impact on the return game.

Bucs WR Kaelin Clay skies Saturday to catch a pass. However, Clay will likely have more of an impact on the return game. Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.

When the Bucs drafted wide receiver Kaelin Clay on the third day of the draft, yeah, he was a wide receiver. But the Bucs, desperate to find a quality return man ever since “Run Micheal Run” Spurlock left the club, had something other than receiver in mind when Clay’s name was called. (more…)

Lovie: Jameis Is Locked In

Sunday, May 10th, 2015
Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.

Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.

If there is a football player Joe has seen that can tune out pressure, it is Jameis Winston. Just look at what he had to play through at Florida State.

More than once, Winston, while marching his team through undefeated regular seasons, was staring at the very real possibility of losing, not playing, or worse, incarceration. (more…)

“We’re Going To Have An Effective Run Game”

Sunday, May 10th, 2015

bobby rainey 1102General manager Jason Licht, as Joe’s written previously, really put a hefty pair of footballs on the table drafting Division III guard Ali Marpet in the second round.

Marpet and his fellow second-round pick, left tackle Donovan Smith, are pegged to start. (more…)

Fresh Bucs Rookie Camp Video

Saturday, May 9th, 2015

You want to see more of America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston?

Well, Joe’s got it — video style! (Sorry, NFL Rules say Joe can only post this for 24 hours)

Inside Insight On Winston, Smith

Saturday, May 9th, 2015
CB Stephon Morris, a former member of the Patriots and on a tryout with the Bucs, talked about his former Penn State teammate LT Donovan Smith and what he finds special about QB Jameis Winston.

CB Stephon Morris, a former member of the Patriots on a tryout with the Bucs, talked about his former Penn State teammate LT Donovan Smith and what he finds special about QB Jameis Winston.

Cornerback Stephon Morris of Penn State is one of the players on the proverbial outside-looking-in. He’s trying out for the Bucs this weekend, hoping for an invite to training camp.

Last year, Morris was in the same situation with the Patriots. (more…)

Coaches Seemed More Intense

Saturday, May 9th, 2015
WR Chandler Jones runs a down and out and looks to haul in a pass from Jameis Winston at Bucs rookie minicamp Saturday.

WR Chandler Jones runs a down-and-out and looks to haul in a pass from Jameis Winston at Bucs rookie minicamp Saturday.

Joe remembers the very first rookie minicamp practice former Bucs commander Greg Schiano presided over. Schiano, almost immediately, did not like the pace of practice so he let his players know crystal clear what was on his mind.

You guys are out here dragging your [arse] and you want to make an NFL  team???!!” Schiano bellowed. (more…)

Rookie Minicamp Notes, Day Two

Saturday, May 9th, 2015
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Backup QB Seth Lobato lets loose a pass for WR Adam Humphries in Day Two of Bucs rookie minicamp today.

Observations Joe had at Bucs rookie minicamp practice, Day Two: (more…)

From The Opening Whistle

Saturday, May 9th, 2015
GlazerLicht

Bucs owner Bryan Glazer (left) was a fixture on the field of Day 1 of rookie minicamp yesterday

Joe realizes many Buccaneers fans think Team Glazer hangs out with servants catering to its whims and doesn’t care deeply about Tampa Bay’s on-field activities.

That’s downright silly. (more…)

Ali Marpet Already A Floridian

Saturday, May 9th, 2015
Bucs G Ali Marpet is already somewhat used to the Tampa Bay lifestyle.

Bucs G Ali Marpet is already somewhat used to the Tampa Bay lifestyle.

Yeah, jumping from a Division-III tackle to an NFL guard overnight is going to be a transition for Bucs offensive linemen Ali Marpet. He doesn’t deny it. (more…)

Devoted To The Craft

Saturday, May 9th, 2015

KaelinClayThe Buccaneers drafted Kaelin Clay and his four touchdown returns for the University of Utah last year to be the next Devin Hester, or at least a return man that won’t have Lovie Smith yearning for his Chicago days.

Joe went deep with Clay on the returner craft yesterday. (more…)

Donovan Smith Knows He’s In NFL

Saturday, May 9th, 2015
Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.

Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.

A cool thing each year on the first day of rookie minicamp is to see the smiles. Yeah, the smiles.

The players, whether they are from Florida State or Penn State or Nebraska, or those from West Tumbleweed State who won’t be football players next week, truly are living the dream. (more…)

Kenny Bell Dishes On Jameis

Saturday, May 9th, 2015
Bucs WR Kenny Bell goes for some YAC in Bucs rookie minicamp Friday.

Bucs WR Kenny Bell goes for some YAC in Bucs rookie minicamp Friday. Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.

Except for the select few who tuned out everything Jameis Winston in the months leading to the draft and his selection by the Bucs No. 1 overall, one of Jameis’ greatest traits is his personality and the way he interacts with teammates. (more…)