Preseason Game One

Bucs at Vikings

Kickoff: 8 p.m. (more…)

The prideful Samoan, Bucs rookie Joey Iosefa, is ready to hit somebody.

It’s Week 1 of the preseason, which means the orgasm of real football is here but quickly fades after 15 minutes or so.

Then the backups start flowing in.

For those fans who stick out the entire game, Joe’s got a handful of names to watch. (more…)

Bucs great Derrick Brooks rattled then-rookie Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington just by standing on the field

Cool story in an NFL Network video buried in a chat about “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston. Joe thought he’d share.

Yes, Joe already wrote about how special this day is for Bucs rookies. It is a day they will never forget. Just ask former NFL linebacker LaVar Arrington. (more…)

Geeked for his NFL debut.

Yes, today marks the NFL debut of “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston. It is a day he will never forget, no matter the outcome. So too it is a big day for his fellow rookies.

Some, specifically undrafted rookie) may be working baggage claim at an international airport somewhere near you in a few weeks. (more…)

Marcus Mariota and the sickly Tennessee Titans, the Bucs’ opening day opponent, kicked off the preseason last night in Atlanta.

First, Joe must say that the Falcons’ aerial assault was razor sharp, absolutely carved up the Titans. Matt Ryan opened up 6-for-6 with a touchdown on the first 91-yard drive and did not return. Sheesh. (more…)

Speaking to college football teams.

Joe understands fully how Bucs fans want to know the current comings and goings of Bucs past, including one of the most popular wide receivers in recent memory, the blocking icon, Michael Clayton. (more…)

Mike Glennon has not had a strong training camp. There, Joe put it on the table.

At no time did Glennon play like a guy who should be competing for a starting job. (more…)

John Clayton dishes on Bucs G Ali Marpet.

Yes, yesterday the human windup doll, “The Professor,” John Clayton of BSPN, was at One Buc Palace, as the blanket of coverage by national networks continues on “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston.

Joe refers to Clayton as a windup doll because Clayton is so knowledgeable when it comes to the NFL. You ask him a question and he talks in rapid-fire succession for minutes on end, barely taking a breath. (more…)

Joe’s got video!

So much has been made of the fast development of Ali Marpet. It was obvious to those watching training camp, and Jason Licht threw a bunch of gas on the simmering — and exciting — Marpet fire.

From Division-III Hobart to sound starting guard in a matter of months? (more…)

Former Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins weighs in

Over and over and over Joe is asked how much Buccaneers starters will play tomorrow night in Minnesota. (more…)

A rookie quarterback in a new offense is a recipe for more mistakes than expected.

But impressive chemistry brewing is still brewing in Tampa. That’s a key component of the training camp experience. (more…)

It’s time to gather and celebrate history!

Get off your couch and have fun with Bucs fans at a top-shelf sports bar and grill. It’s an official JoeBucsFan.com Watch Party.

Smart signings by Bucs GM Jason Licht already paying off.

Joe can understand how many Bucs fans grumbled in March when the Bucs didn’t go out and get any big-name free agents.

Fans like buzz and drama (oh, yes you do.) and the easiest way for that to happen is to bag a bunch of big fish. (more…)

Mark Barron is among three former Bucs labeled the most overrated in the NFL.

Some good news for Bucs fans on this fine Friday morning (is there such a thing as a bad Friday morning?).

In fact, you may want to raise a glass over the following. (more…)

John Clayton, “The Professor,” provides Bucs’ back-room feedback on Jameis.

So roughly two weeks of training camp are in the books. The next item on the calendar is the first Bucs preseason game tomorrow night in Minnesota.

Prime time.

And prime time is the right time for “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, as he makes his Tampa Bay and NFL debut. The eyes of the nation will be on young Jameis via the NFL Network broadcast. (more…)

Bucs rookie left tackle Donovan Smith

Based on the offensive line performance last season, especially the efforts of newcomers Anthony Collins and Evan Dietrich Smith, as well as Browns rejects Oniel Cousins and Garrett Gilkey, many Bucs fans used O-line coach George Warhop as a verbal punching bag. (more…)

Update: 6:08 p.m.: It seems the Bucs are playing April Fools’ Day jokes on Joe. After Joe arrives in St. Pete, the Bucs decide improving weather will keep practice in Tampa.

Afternoon downpours and thunderstorms rolled into One Buc Palace just in time to screw up training camp practice today.

After a brief delay, Tampa Bay got in its stretching and some very light work before the skies opened and the lightning alarm sounded. (more…)

Convincing non-believers.

Joe thinks, at least in training camp practices, that “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, has turned the corner.

Jameis had uneven practices early on. But the last three practices, even with two picks yesterday, have been stellar. That’s what happens with rookies. They learn and grow. (more…)

Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht is a lucky man. That’s why Shaun King believes Licht bedded a 10.

King, the pride of St. Petersburg and one of three quarterbacks to lead the Bucs to an NFC Championship game, used the analogy of hitting the lottery with a hot chick to Licht being able to draft “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston. (more…)

Cue the ACC bashers.

Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback, wasn’t too impressed by college linebackers. (more…)

It’s under-center time for Marcus Mariota

Joe’s already called opening day against the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 13 in Tampa a “must-win.”

It’s not a must-win for the standings. Duh. But it is necessary for the psyche of a fanbase that’s hasn’t seen a home victory since 2013, and compares Jameis Winston to Marcus Mariota. (more…)

Rookie returner Kaelin Clay. Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Once upon a time, legendary Redskins return man Brian Mitchell took the opening kickoff of his rookie career — yes, preseason — and finished the play celebrating a touchdown.

And Mitchell’s impact is still being felt — at Buccaneers training camp. (more…)

“America’s Quarterback” will not see his career implode if he does not have Louis Murphy as a slot man.

It pays to talk to folks and actually watch training camp practices, even though, like players, scribes like Joe are starting to get worn out.

Now through at least the next three weeks, you will see many prognostications about who will be where on depth charts, even though a depth chart before the first preseason game is about as useful as a snowblower in the Florida Keys. (more…)