BY IRA KAUFMAN

Ah, the heavenly sounds of silence.

Could the offseason have passed more quietly for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? The only noise was DeSean Jackson signing on the dotted line, O.J. Howard falling into their laps and the Super Bowl once again coming to town.

No mess, no stress.

While other clubs are dealing with injuries, front-office strife, suspensions and contract issues, it’s been smooth sailing for that pirate ship at Raymond James Stadium.

With training camp only three weeks away, Hard Knocks will have to be creative to stir up controversy at One Buc Place. A kicking battle between Nick Folk and Roberto Aguayo isn’t exactly riveting theater. Ali Marpet’s transition from guard to center hardly qualifies as must-see TV.

Have you seen some of the distractions and adversity going on in this league?

Chaos Common

The Chiefs, who entered the playoffs as the AFC’s No. 2 seed last year, just fired GM John Dorsey. KC still hasn’t named a replacement to oversee a franchise trying to return to the Super Bowl for the first time in almost a half-century.

Carolina’s concerns at linebacker aren’t limited to troubled Luke Kuechly, who has suffered a series of concussions. Kuechly’s brilliant career could be in jeopardy and now Thomas Davis is moaning about a new contract. Add in questions about Cam Newton’s throwing shoulder and you have the makings of chaos in Charlotte this fall.

The Cowboys suffered a blow when defensive end David Irving was suspended for the first four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. Buc fans remember Irving as the terror off the left edge during crunch time of the late-season loss at Dallas. Irving embarrassed backup right tackle Gosder Cherilus, posting two sacks and five quarterback hits in the fourth quarter alone.

Just when the Saints figured they were making strides on defense, Nick Fairley was declared out for the season due to a heart issue. New Orleans is in no position to take hits on that side of the ball. When Drew Brees heard the news, he almost spit up his jambalaya.

The Falcons keep saying they will take care of stud running back Devonta Freeman with a long-term deal, but it’s not done until it’s done. In the meantime, Freeman has the potential to be an unhappy camper for the defending NFC champs.

And just imagine what it’s like being a Jets fan right now. Taking a page from the 76ers ugly playbook, the Jets appear to be tanking even before the season begins, hoping to land a franchise quarterback with the first pick in the 2018 draft.

Dullsville Off Dale Mabry

Amid all that NFL turmoil, the Bucs look like they’re aboard the Good Ship Lollipop.

There are no rumors about training camp holdouts and the only significant injury concern is the state of J,R. Sweezy’s back.

It’s so dull around here that Jameis Winston made a little news by saying he wants to be considered the best quarterback in league history before he walks away from the game he loves.

That’s not news — that should have been the goal for every Buc passer from Doug Williams to Chris Simms.

Yes, it’s awfully quiet around these parts, and that’s just the way Dirk Koetter and Jason Licht like it on the brink of camp. Buc supporters will bring the noise and the funk, especially on Aug. 5, and there will surely be some setbacks once the pads go on.

For now, Licht and Koetter couldn’t have scripted a more encouraging offseason primer for a rejuvenated fan base to savor.

Ever since that season-ending win against Carolina, the Bucs have talked softly.

Now, it’s time to take out those sticks.

Ira Kaufman, the most beloved and esteemed Buccaneers columnist in town, has hung his hat at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters full-time for 12 months. Tampa Bay’s only Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, Ira busts out his columns here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and his award winning podcasts fire Tuesdays and Thursdays.