Archive for 2015

Joe Talks Martin Contract, Lovie’s Heavy Hands, Jameis Fear (?), McCown Con Job, Loaf Jennings, Rookie Of The Year Ali Marpet, & More

Wednesday, October 14th, 2015
Duemig2

Steve Duemig

Joe jumped into the steel cage with the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620.

The weekly JoeBucsFan Hour was the usual wild affair. (more…)

Evan Smith Still A Starter

Wednesday, October 14th, 2015
Former Pro Bowl center Shaun O'Hara shined a spotlight on Evan Smith versus Dick LeBeau.

Bucs OC Dirk Koetter stated injured center Evan Smith is still considered a starter.

For the past three games, certainly beginning in Houston, the Bucs’ offensive line has been the shining light of the team.

It is almost a shock how far that line has come along since preseason began. (more…)

“That’s His Vision For How We Should Play”

Wednesday, October 14th, 2015
Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter

Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter talks about Lovie Smith’s offensive impact

Whose offense is this?

Is it Dirk Koetter’s? Or is Lovie Smith calling the shots? (more…)

Forget Verner At Corner?

Wednesday, October 14th, 2015
alterraun verner 1001

Practice news emerges

The way Loaf Jennings and Lovie Smith’s mancrush Mike Jenkins are (not) covering opposing wide receivers, it is enough to make family pets bury their heads under a blanket. (more…)

Bobby Rainey Takes Home League Honor

Wednesday, October 14th, 2015

The new Bucs bellcow?

Joe hates being such a negative Nancy. What could possibly make Joe bang his head against a wall after Bobby Rainey was named NFC Special teams player of the week this morning? (more…)

“A Couple Of Times He Was Literally Shying Away From Contact”

Wednesday, October 14th, 2015
"Pussyfootin'"

“Pussyfootin'”

Is handpicked starting cornerback Tim Jennings playing super soft?

(more…)

No Bye Yet

Wednesday, October 14th, 2015

joe_mug_shotQuick programming note here.

Buccaneers players don’t get time off until Friday, the first of four consecutive days off.

So today is a practice day at One Buc Palace, followed by coaches and players chatting it up with media.

Stick with Joe all day and week long for all kind of stuff from your Buccaneers. Also, Joe is live with the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve Duemig, this evening at 5 p.m. on WDAE-AM 620. The JoeBucsFan Hour will be rolling.

Lavonte David Says He Wants To Blitz A Lot

Wednesday, October 14th, 2015
Lavonte David speaks

Lavonte David speaks

Perhaps every linebacker wants to blitz on every play, but it’s noteworthy when Lavonte David says he does.

Why? Because David had more success in a defense that let him blitz repeatedly. (more…)

Team Glazer Not In Firing “Mindset”

Wednesday, October 14th, 2015
Lovie Smith's scalp was saved by the Bucs beating the Jags.

Lovie Smith’s scalp was saved by the Bucs beating the Jags.

Joe has written previously that Sunday’s win over the jughead Jags likely saved Lovie Smith’s job with the Bucs.

For if Lovie had pushed his home losing streak to 11 games by falling to the dregs of the NFL, combined with overall futility and grotesque swings and misses in free agency, he would have been hard-pressed to climb out of that hole. (more…)

“Alarming” Secondary

Wednesday, October 14th, 2015
Former Bucs QB Shaun King dishes on the Bucs secondary.

Former Bucs QB Shaun King dishes on the Bucs secondary.

A guy walking around with a white cane can see the Bucs have issues at cornerback, especially after Johnthan Banks went down with a knee injury. (more…)

“It’s Just Me Settling Down”

Tuesday, October 13th, 2015
Lavonte David talks to Joe

Lavonte David talks to Joe

Sunday against the rancid Jacksonville Jaguars felt like another day at the office for Lavonte David — if this was 2012, 2013 or 2014.

But it’s 2015, and David’s standout play was the exception compared the rest of his season. (more…)

Barth Is “Exciting” To Lovie

Tuesday, October 13th, 2015
New bromance brewing?

New bromance brewing?

Yes, one could argue the Bucs could be 3-2 entering the bye week if they had a competent kicker.

Terminated kicker Kyle Brindza missed more often than a sloppy drunk at the bar with terrible one-liners trying to lasso loose women. (more…)

Greatness Seen In Ali Marpet

Tuesday, October 13th, 2015
Ali Marpet has an ex-Buccaneer fan with a big microphone

Ali Marpet has an ex-Buccaneer fan with a big microphone

Former Bucs guard Ian Beckles is no fan of Gerald McCoy. And he believes Joe Hawley and Evan Smith are backup quality centers, as Beckles said today.

But damn, Beckles loves him some Ali Marpet, the standout rookie right guard and the pride of Division-III Hobart College. (more…)

Efficient Jameis

Tuesday, October 13th, 2015
Bucs WR Vincent Jackson and America's Quarterback share a moment basking in victory Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)

Vincent Jackson and America’s Quarterback share a moment basking in victory Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)

Lost in Bucs fans wallowing in a home victory for a change — Joe is convinced many didn’t know how to act because such an event was so long in coming — is something the blowhard haters had to choke down with their warm Bud Lights on Sunday evening. (more…)

Lovie Calls Out “Batman And Robin”

Tuesday, October 13th, 2015

Lovie talks caped crusaders

During happier Bucs times, Tampa Bay was coming off a 7-9 season and had recently thieved a Hall of Famer in his prime, Darrelle Revis, from the Jets for first- and third-round draft picks.

Revis declared himself “Robin” to “Batman” safety Dashon Goldson, and Bucs fans were fantasizing. (more…)

5 Reasons Martin Contract Talks Make No Sense

Tuesday, October 13th, 2015

LichtYes, hard-running Doug Martin, tied for second in the NFL in rushing yards through five weeks, will become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Joe smells Bucs fans needlessly panicking. (more…)

Lovie Talks About The Screen-Pass Bucs

Tuesday, October 13th, 2015
Lovie

Impressive end zone image

Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter has found a tonic for his offense, an old school play that the Bucs have made look easy. (more…)

The Play That (May Have) Saved Lovie

Tuesday, October 13th, 2015
The play that may have saved Lovie Smith's future with the Bucs: DE George Johnson's forced fumble that led to a defensive score. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)

The play that may have saved Lovie Smith’s future in Tampa: George Johnson’s forced fumble that led to a defensive score. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)

It is easy to see all the good things that happened for the Bucs.

It’s also easy to overlook just how close the Bucs came to gagging away Sunday’s win over the Jags. (more…)

A Word About Mike Evans’ Hamstring

Tuesday, October 13th, 2015

In the hours prior to Sunday’s forgettable Mike Evans performance against the Jaguars, the Bucs’ second-year wide receiver said he heard those questioning his game and stating it was in decline since November 2014. (more…)

Sacks = Wins

Tuesday, October 13th, 2015
Bucs DE Howard Jones takes down Jags QB Blake Bortles for one of the Bucs six sacks Sunday.

Bucs DE Howard Jones takes down Jags QB Blake Bortles for one of the Bucs six sacks Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)

Bucs coach Lovie Smith always preaches sacks and how quarterback pressure is essential for his defense to work.

He may have a point, but it is also a bit misleading. (more…)