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BY IRA KAUFMAN

Simeon Rice’s Hall of Fame case remains on slow boil.

Since sacks became an official statistic in 1982, only 20 players have deposited quarterbacks on their rumps more often than No. 97, a terror off the right edge in Tampa Bay for six seasons.

Yet Rice’s name doesn’t trigger much enthusiasm among the 49 selectors who decide who will be fitted for gold jackets in Canton. It’s an enduring mystery because Rice has been eligible for induction since 2013. [read more]

Activated.

Bucs fans can breathe a sigh of major relief. The season, it appears, will not be dependent on the play of backup corners Josh Hayes or this Tyrek Funderburk. [read more]

Status for Sunday changed.

Despite Bucs coach Todd Bowles saying defensive back Tykee Smith is out for tomorrow’s contest with the Giants, Smith was officially listed as “doubtful.”

No longer.

The Bucs updated the injury report this afternoon to correctly reflect Smith’s status. He will not play.

Smith may have “reaggravated” his knee injury, Bowles said yesterday without elaborating.

Also, left tackle Tristan Wirfs’ status was downgraded to “doubtful” from “questionable.” Bowles has cautiously said more than once Wirfs would be a gametime decision.

Downgrading Wirfs seems to lessen the chances he will go tomorrow in the New Jersey Swamplands.

One strong free agent pickup by the Bucs this year has been receiver Sterling Shepard.

He’s got the third-most catches among Bucs wide receivers and he’s rushed 7 times for 55 yards. [read more]

His time to shine.

Two years ago in Todd Bowles’ first season as Bucs head coach, Tampa Bay finished the regular season 3-4 in its final seven games. [read more]

Stunning Bucs success.

So the Bucs were a subject on Coach. No, not the hit 1990s comedy, “Coach” is Bill Belicheat’s Xs-and-Os heavy YouTube show. [read more]

Bring canned foods to help local food banks and/or a toy for a local child.

Bill Currie Ford, a mile north of the stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, is the place to watch the Bucs on Sunday.  The watch party runs from noon through the end of the game. Come anytime!!

Martin Gramatica will be there all day and Bill Currie Ford will feed you! Raffles and more.

Todd Bowles

So the 4-6 Bucs sure have painted themselves into a corner by losing their last four games. [read more]

Every Bucs game from here on out, barring two losses, is of vital importance. But the CBS network suits don’t see it that way.

[read more]

Disgusting defensive stat.

Joe sure hopes the folks at One Buc Palace who snicker and scoff at the need for a productive edge rusher are happy about this. [read more]

“Bake, you know what scoring first means.”

This was just sad two weeks ago. [read more]

A man who bleeds New York Giants blue and works for the team can’t convince himself that the Giants can and will beat the Bucs on Sunday. [read more]

Giants star WR Malik Nabers didn’t practice on Friday.

There really is only one Giants offensive player the Bucs need to be worried about. And that is Malik Nabers. [read more]

Mike Evans speaks.

Mike Evans is a confident guy after training hard the past two weeks, so he said after practice today at One Buc Palace. [read more]

Gametime decision.

Though he didn’t rule Tristan Wirfs playing Sunday in the New Jersey Swamplands, Bucs coach Todd Bowles didn’t seem overly excited to get him back on the field that soon. [read more]

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Bobby Fenton is ready for the Bucs’ stretch run that starts Sunday in New Jersey. Rays stadium chatter, too. Follow Bobby on X, @bobbygameday. Bobby’s podcast is an extension of his national and local radio shows. It’s been here at JoeBucsFan.com for eight-plus years. Always a quality listen from a true Tampa native.

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[read more]

Update.

It seems the Bucs could have almost all of the band back when they face the Giants on Sunday in the New Jersey Swamplands. [read more]

Flash poll posted at 10:53 a.m. Poll closed at 2:12 p.m. Last week’s results linked here.

So which Bucs wide receiver will expose the routinely shaky Giants secondary on Sunday?

Well, perhaps none will have to. [read more]

Getting open is critical.

Joe thought the loss to the 49ers was the first time since Mike Evans and Chris Godwin got hurt that the offense really missed them. [read more]

Tony Dungy is looking, just like many of his fellow Tampa residents are. [read more]