Archive for 2015

“A Big Feel Out”

Saturday, July 18th, 2015

LovieJagsBack when Joe hung out with Herm Edwards at the NFL Owners Meetings in Arizona this year, the excitable former Bucs assistant head coach got all Tony Dungy when talking about Tampa Bay’s 2014 defense. (more…)

Fire In The Belly

Saturday, July 18th, 2015

One reason Bucs fans are all jacked up by what Jacquies Smith accomplished (6 1/2 sacks) in half a season last year is because it had been so long since Tampa Bay had a defensive end who played with relentless fire.

Michael Bennett was that guy in 2012, but the Bucs showed him the door. (more…)

ESPN: Lovie On Hot Seat

Saturday, July 18th, 2015
hot seat

Lovie’s desk chair?

The losing and the losing and the losing around these parts has become so commonplace, Bucs fans are mentally beaten down.

Where once this proud franchise had fans trying to figure out playoff opponents well into the holiday season, in recent years, fans’ focus has turned to the following spring’s draft — before Halloween! (more…)

Heated Fights For Corner Spots

Friday, July 17th, 2015
Where does Leonard Johnson factor in with Bucs corners?

Where does Leonard Johnson factor in with Bucs corners?

A few things are locks — assuming health — when the Bucs put toe to leather (thank you, Gene Deckerhoff) to kick off the season in September.

Among the guarantees are Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson starting at wide receiver, and Alterraun Verner and Johnthan Banks starting at corner. (more…)

The Countdown: Worst 20 Buccaneers Personnel Moves Of The Past 10 Years — No. 11

Friday, July 17th, 2015

ghostIt’s the countdown feature you’ve all been waiting for. Not really, but on the heels of last year’s award-winning “20 Worst Buccaneers Of The Past 10 years” feature, Joe had to deliver.

A list like this is highly subjective and toxic. Fits of rage were common during production meetings at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters. Scared interns soiled their pants. Full beer bottles were smashed, and a treasured Rachel Watson poster was accidently destroyed. But order was restored.

Current and former general managers and head coaches might not like what’s coming, but it had to be done. This is what happens when your team is 30-70 in its last 100 games. (more…)

A Winning Threesome & Jameis Winston

Friday, July 17th, 2015

Jameis WinstonYes, the Buccaneers and Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback, have a steep uphill climb this season.

Despite the enormous potential of Winston, his division counterparts all have winning records against NFC South opponents. Think about that. (more…)

Spirit Brewing On The O-Line

Friday, July 17th, 2015
Logan Mankins and Kevin Pamphile were attached at the hip through many spring practices

Logan Mankins and Kevin Pamphile were attached at the hip through many spring practices

Right now, Kevin Pamphile is your starting Buccaneers left tackle. That’s the way the depth chart rolled though spring practices.

Lovie Smith and Dirk Koetter let the No. 34 overall pick in this year’s draft, left tackle Donovan Smith, deal with second-team reps and hunger for better. (more…)

Mike Glennon: No. 2

Friday, July 17th, 2015
Coveted backup.

Coveted backup

The main summer storyline – and Joe loathes that word in sports and is just warning you – is this trumped up, nonsense of a competition between “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, and the quarterback of the past and quarterback of the future and maybe quarterback of the present, Mike Glennon. (more…)

Caution For Mike Evans?

Friday, July 17th, 2015
Recent Bucs history offers caution.

Recent Bucs history offers caution.

Joe can’t write enough about how impressive Bucs rookie wide receiver Mike Evans was last year. The Texas A&M standout blew up the NFL in only his fourth season of organized football since getting his driver’s license. (more…)

“That’s Really Your Head Coach”

Thursday, July 16th, 2015
A Bucs starter talks about new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter

A Bucs starter talks about new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter

Back at the 2014 Pro Bowl, Joe learned from Matt Forte that Lovie Smith is a very hands off guy when it comes to the offense.

Joe doubts that was the case last year, but Lovie is hands off now, says Evan (Dietrich) Smith. (more…)

The Countdown: Worst 20 Buccaneers Personnel Moves Of The Past 10 Years — No. 12

Thursday, July 16th, 2015

sabbyIt’s the countdown feature you’ve all been waiting for. Not really, but on the heels of last year’s award-winning “20 Worst Buccaneers Of The Past 10 years” feature, Joe had to deliver.

A list like this is highly subjective and toxic. Fits of rage were common during production meetings at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters. Scared interns soiled their pants. Full beer bottles were smashed, and a treasured Rachel Watson poster was accidently destroyed. But order was restored.

Current and former general managers and head coaches might not like what’s coming, but it had to be done. This is what happens when your team is 30-70 in its last 100 games. (more…)

The Stat Fans Hate

Thursday, July 16th, 2015
Disruptions may not be so disruptive.

Disruptions may not be so disruptive.

No, Joe is not a statgeek. Joe watches games. When it comes to comes to baseball, Joe is convinced many numberscrunchers don’t even watch, they just load their Excel spreadsheets. (more…)

How Much Is Lavonte David Worth Now?

Thursday, July 16th, 2015

LavonteDavidNervous Bucs fans sit around chugging vodka and wondering if Tampa Bay will lock up superstar linebacker Lavonte David so he doesn’t become an unrestricted free agent in March.

Yesterday’s six-year, $101 million contract signed by Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston, with $52.5 million guaranteed, didn’t help their nerves. (more…)

The Winding Path Of Danny Lansanah

Thursday, July 16th, 2015
Bucs LB Danny Lansanah's path to starting in the NFL is compelling.

Bucs LB Danny Lansanah’s path to starting in the NFL is compelling.

Joe’s readers should take a few moments today to read a very cool long-form piece on Bucs starting linebacker Danny Lansanah. You’ll learn to appreciate him more.

Yes, Lansanah is a former UFL player. But Lansanah’s is a bit more of a curvy road. (more…)

Official Bucs Website Celebrates Warren Sapp

Thursday, July 16th, 2015

warren sapp tmzIn February, NFL Network fired Warren Sapp after Arizona cops busted him for an assault charge related to a $600 threesome with hookers.

This summer, Sapp got pinched on ugly-sounding domestic violence charges. (more…)

Jameis Winston Joins Bill Currie Ford

Wednesday, July 15th, 2015

Jameis rookieAmerica’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, has a new business partnership.

The new face of the franchise, a face some hateful Bucs fans still look at in horror, was embraced by a local car dealership soon after joining the Buccaneers. (more…)

The Countdown: 20 Worst Personnel Moves Of The Past 10 Years — No. 13

Wednesday, July 15th, 2015

TCDominik11It’s the countdown feature you’ve all been waiting for. Not really, but on the heels of last year’s award-winning “20 Worst Buccaneers Of The Past 10 years” feature, Joe had to deliver.

A list like this is highly subjective and toxic. Fits of rage were common during production meetings at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters. Scared interns soiled their pants. Full beer bottles were smashed, and a treasured Rachel Watson poster was accidently destroyed. But order was restored.

Current and former general managers and head coaches might not like what’s coming, but it had to be done. This is what happens when your team is 30-70 in its last 100 games. (more…)

Evans Soon To Blow Up

Wednesday, July 15th, 2015
Getting loads of hype.

Getting loads of hype.

Yes, Joe thought Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans was special the moment Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht dubbed with him the “Godzilla” tag.

And he proved to be just that. (more…)

Hawk Chirps About Being A Defensive Misfit

Wednesday, July 15th, 2015

hawkThe last two sets of Bucs coaches loved Dashon “Hawk” Goldson and his football intelligence and professionalism.

Hawk, however, is happy to be gone from Lovie Smith’s defense. (more…)

Lack Of Depth At WR

Wednesday, July 15th, 2015
Bucs rookie WR Kenny Bell will determine just how deep the Bucs' receiving corps will be.

Bucs rookie WR Kenny Bell will determine the depth of the Bucs’ receiving corps.

Yes, the beginning of Bucs training camp is near, just a tad over two weeks. It’s coming, folks.

In his countdown of four training camp predictions, Buccaneers.com multimedia maven Scott Smith seems to think there will be too much kvetching about the lack of depth at wide receiver. (more…)

More Pro-Bobby Rainey Info

Wednesday, July 15th, 2015
Bobby Rainey got a lot of yards before contact.

Bobby Rainey got a lot of yards before contact.

Last week, Joe looked at the good and the bad from Bobby Rainey.

Now for some more good.

If Rainey can find holes, it seems the guy is one of the best in the league. (more…)