Archive for 2015

Titans Watch: 24 More Days

Thursday, August 20th, 2015

Ken Whisenhunt, Marcus MariotaJoe’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 hasn’t seen a home victory since 2013, and compares Jameis Winston to Marcus Mariota. (more…)

Dominik Ices Bucs From Top-53 List

Thursday, August 20th, 2015

LavonteDavidSo former Bucs rockstar general manager Mark Dominik was granted a $142.3 million salary cap from ESPN.com and was tasked to build and detail the best NFL roster money could buy.

No Buccaneers made the team. (more…)

“I Got It From Jameis”

Thursday, August 20th, 2015

JameisBucs rookie receiver Kenny Bell had a nice career at Nebraska, spent five years at the school and walked out with a college degree and academic awards.

His dad played four seasons for the Denver Broncos, so this rookie knew how to work, right? (more…)

Expectations Raised After Carolina Loss?

Wednesday, August 19th, 2015

BenjaminSad news hit the NFL family today when it was learned Carolina Panthers’ No. 1 receiver Kelvin Benjamin was lost for the season with an ACL tear.

No, Joe’s not cheering because the NFC South champs were dealt a crushing blow like this. Well … (more…)

McDonald Backs Up Lovie

Wednesday, August 19th, 2015
Bucs DT Clinton McDonald said the chaos created by the rain can be a good thing.

DT Clinton McDonald said the chaos created by the rain is a good thing.

Yes, there were several Bucs fans annoyed because practices got moved, delayed and shortened due to the rain that has pelted the region like a seemingly nonstop thunderstorm the past few weeks. (more…)

“He Cracked The Code”

Wednesday, August 19th, 2015

Jameis Bajakian

There’s been much written about the football genius and overall genius of Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback.

Now there’s even more insight — at least new to Joe — about how Winston was breaking down the game during his kindergarten years. (more…)

“I Think The Guys Believe It Around Here”

Wednesday, August 19th, 2015

Lovie SmithLovie Smith says he has a “history” and a reputation, and Bucs players are seeing it and he thinks they believe in it. (more…)

Alone In Study

Wednesday, August 19th, 2015

Evans2

A stroll inside the walls of One Buc Palace showed Gerald McCoy just about all he needed to see from one of his newer teammates. (more…)

“Strong At The Point Of Attack”

Wednesday, August 19th, 2015
A former Buccaneer is impressed

Former Bucs were impressed after one game.

Coming out of his first preseason game, the pride of Divison-III Hobart College, Ali Marpet, found some love from Buccaneers past. (more…)

“Coach Shouldn’t Have To Tell You To Take The Ball Away”

Wednesday, August 19th, 2015
Bucs S D.J. Swearinger's mentality fits perfectly with Lovie Smith's defensive philosophy.

Safety D.J. Swearinger’s mentality fits perfectly with Lovie Smith’s defensive philosophy. Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.

Yes, Bucs coach Lovie Smith loves turnovers. Joe means he is obsessed with turnovers.

If you ever have the chance to chat with Lovie in public and start talking about turnovers, he suddenly gets animated — yes, animated! — and prattles on about turnovers. (more…)

Day 13 — Training Camp Notes & Observations

Wednesday, August 19th, 2015
Shotgun snaps continue to haunt Bucs G/C Garrett Gilkey in practice today.

Shotgun snaps continued to haunt Bucs G/C Garrett Gilkey in practice today.

Yes, Joe was at practice this morning. It was rather toasty, too. Few fans showed up. Maybe it was the short-notice time change? Maybe it is because school is in session? Maybe it is because folks can’t skip work in the mornings?

There were maybe 400 fans. If that. Likely closer to 300. Far short of the 3,500 that packed the place for the first training camp practice. Crowd was so sparse, it was like a high school volleyball match. When the Bucs switched sides of the field to work on, people just got up and moved with them, and had ample elbow room if not room on the bleachers to stretch out and take a nap. (more…)

Lovie Enjoys Adversity

Wednesday, August 19th, 2015
Lovie loves adversity.

Lovie loves adversity.

Fans have gone bonkers (until the preseason farting by the Bucs in Minnesota) about rain (what, are the players made of sugar and will melt?).

Even yesterday, Joe got Twitters from angry fans about the rain-shortened practice. (more…)

Credit Kwon Alexander

Wednesday, August 19th, 2015
Your new Bucs starting MLB.

Your new Bucs starting MLB.

In what Joe finds to be a shocking move, Bucs coach Lovie Smith elevated rookie Kwon Alexander to the top of the depth chart at middle linebacker, despite the Bucs going out and signing free agent Bruce Carter to handle those duties. (more…)

Jameis Was A Draw For Cherilus

Wednesday, August 19th, 2015
jameis 0819

Recruiting magnet.

New Bucs right tackle Gosder Cherilus could have gone to a variety of teams. It isn’t just the Bucs that need help on the offensive line. And truth be told, perhaps the Bucs overpaid for his services.

After all, there’s a reason the eight-year veteran was unemployed in August and not signed by Capt. Lou Albano in Buffalo after a tryout last month. (more…)

Cherilus Not Gifted Starting Gig

Wednesday, August 19th, 2015
Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht monitors offensive line workouts Tuesday. Photo courtesy Chris Fischer/WTSP-TV.

Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht monitors offensive line drills Tuesday. Photo courtesy Chris Fischer/WTSP-TV.

Scrambling for help at right tackle with Demar Dotson out several weeks (funny, Lovie has different information on Dotson than a burger joint waitress), the Bucs appeared to fill the hole signing former first-round pick and free agent right tackle Gosder Cherilus.

He would just slide into Dotson’s spot and all would be well until Dotson recovers, if he recovers. Right? (more…)

Jameis Winston Says, “Fans, Please Don’t Panic About One Half Of Football.”

Tuesday, August 18th, 2015

for "America's Quarterback."

Don’t bring your negativity to Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback.

Oh, no. Jameis is ordering you to kill it right now. (more…)

Day 12 – Training Camp Notes & Observations

Tuesday, August 18th, 2015

McCoy

It’s Joe’s world famous comprehensive practice notes from today’s rain-shortened slugfest at One Buc Palace.

Yes, the Bucs were in pads and hammering each other after some extended specials teams work where there is no hitting. (more…)

Joe Talks Kwon Rise, Gilkey Woes, Minnesota Locker Room, America’s Quarterback & More

Tuesday, August 18th, 2015
Steve Duemig

Steve Duemig

It was that time again. Joe was in the steel cage with the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620.

Today, Joe was broadcasting live on the training camp sidelines for the popular JoeBucsFan Hour. (more…)

Jameis Enjoyed Getting Sacked, Downplayed Speed

Tuesday, August 18th, 2015

jameis 0818The analysts said Jameis Winston came out of college extraordinarily NFL-ready. And the way Jameis talked to Joe and other media this evening, that was never in doubt during his first preseason game. (more…)

Video: Jameis Wants To Practice, But Bucs Cancel

Tuesday, August 18th, 2015
Jameismug

Joe’s got exclusive video

The Bucs got in half a training camp practice at One Buc Palace, but a steady downpour delayed the action and then cancelled it.

At one point the team returned to the field to resume action, but Bucs officials changed their minds. Jameis Winston seemed very disappointed. (more…)

Blame The Offensive Line

Tuesday, August 18th, 2015
Look no further.

Look no further.

For enraged Bucs fans who threw their remotes at their TVs Saturday night — a desperate ploy to convince their significant others to upgrade to a 70-inch HDTV? — over the porous Bucs offensive line, below is more ammunition for your next shrink visit. (more…)