Joe’s written countless times how Bucs’ big money left tackle Anthony Collins has never started half a season.

Yes, he had successful seasons Cincinnati, but they were as a fill-in starter. But Collins still commanded serious offseason cash from the Bucs.

Today, Joe took the opportunity to ask Collins the magic question, “What do you see to media and fans who wonder whether you can play a full season and be a top left tackle?”

“Get your popcorn. Time to show the game,” Collins said.

Ok, Anthony, Joe’s going to fire up some popcorn, and not the crappy microwave kind. Joe can’t wait to watch “the game.”

Collins, 28, is a huge key to the Bucs’ season, and he’s had a good training camp, squaring off with Michael Johnson and others at right defensive end. He’s also been one darn fired up member of the O-line, and he talked Joe about how competitive this training camp is. It was Collins, after dominant blocking on a Doug Martin run earlier this week, who slapped defensive line coach Joe Cullen on the ass so hard he dropped his pencil and looked stunned.

“Coaches told us from Day 1 to go 100 percent every play [against Michael Johnson] like you’ve done for six years, so that’s what it’s been,” Collins said. “There’s no 90 percent. He’s getting better. I’m getting better. We’ve seen a little more of each other than in past camps.”

Collins also said the Tampa swelter brings a different edge to August football.

“It’s competitive out here. It’s like every training camp [I’ve experienced], but I think the heat and the humidity adds to it a little bit,” he said.

Joe likes Collins, but he’s got a lot to prove, like nearly every member of the Bucs’ offensive line.