The Ivy-Leaguer in the Bucs’ secondary with an economics degree from Columbia University has a growing fan base.

Some jumped on the Steve Cargile bandwagon after he turned in some good hits and tackles in the Bucs’ last two preseason games. Others, like Bucs icon John Lynch, have been fans for a while.

Lynch told the WFLA-TV audience how much he respected Cargile, who backed him up on the Denver Broncos.

Some Waffle House lovers are probably pulling for Cargile, too.

Joe dug up a story on Cargile from the defunct Rocky Mountain News.

He had a chance to transfer to Ohio State after his freshman season, but Columbia and New York had opened his eyes to a world beyond Ohio, and he was hooked. When he switched from wide receiver to safety his senior year, the NFL took notice.

Dallas signed him as a free agent out of school in 2004 and he spent most of that season on the Cowboys practice squad before being cut in the spring of ’05.

Joe has liked what he’s seen from Cargile. Although, he’s surely a long shot to make the team.

Mostly, Joe would like to be a fly on the wall when Cargile chats with Aqib Talib. Joe suspects they don’t have much in common.