Joe had a simple question for Mike Evans yesterday, one he easily could have blown off or answered with vague nothingness. (more…)

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Listen to what the man said.

Todd Monken calls plays and calls it like it is with equal distinction. Tampa Bay’s refreshingly candid offensive coordinator recently acknowledged what Buc fans have suspected all along — this team was mentally weak in 2017. (more…)

It’s the weekly, 24-hour Dirk Koetter Confidence Poll, posted at 5:48 p.m. It pops every Wednesday through the season. … Find last week’s results here.

It’s that time of year — and the good folks at One Buc Palace might want to cover their eyes. (more…)

24-hour poll posted at 5:01 a.m. (Next Jason Licht poll will follow the Week 4 game at Chicago).

BY IRA KAUFMAN

The Bucs came within 30 seconds of their first 3-0 preseason start since 1999, when they advanced to the NFC championship game.

Let’s not get carried away, I don’t see the second coming of Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks or Ronde Barber out there, but I don’t see a 5-11 club, either.

Tampa Bay’s 20-6 halftime advantage was well deserved because the Bucs outplayed the Lions in all three phases. The start of the game was delayed an hour by dodgy weather, but the real storm front was an offensive line that manhandled Detroit on the opening drive.

If you didn’t see the game, shame on you. Here’s what you missed: (more…)

Mike Evans needs to “take the hits.”

The stat pattern says Mike Evans is poised for a monster season in 2018.

But if Evans does get back to his 2014 or 2016 form, it will be because he’s just following his simple formula. (more…)

DeSean Jackson has returned a grand total of three punts in the past four seasons for a grand total of -5 yards.

But that’s a tiny sample size for a guy who once was one of the great returners in the game. (more…)

Teammate breaks him down

“I mean, if Vernon was your starting nickel and you had another guy you liked at the other corner opposite [Brent] Grimes, there isn’t another team in the league that wouldn’t like to have Vernon Hargreaves as their nickel. You usually don’t pick a guy in the first round to be your nickel. Stuff works out how it works out. Vernon is going to be a big part of what we do. I know he’s anxious to get started. He wants to be an every down player. But at the very least, Vernon’s going to be our starting nickel.” Dirk Koetter, March 2018 (more…)

Unique take.

Sometimes his off-field stunts make one wonder. But America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, is a very bright guy. (more…)

What an inspiration Jason Pierre-Paul is.

Man, after watching this, Joe almost believes that one man can transform this Buccaneers defense.

Don’t skip this one. JPP was on Good Morning Football today on NFL Network. There’s a reason Joe’s not writing about this; you must watch.

For his Wednesday column, the Sage of Tampa Bay sports sits down with the Bucs’ villainized safety

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Through seven NFL seasons, they’ve been coming at Chris Conte in waves. (more…)

The weekly Dirk Koetter Confidence Poll, a 24-hour flash poll, is back and will run Wednesdays through the season. Poll posted at 12:01 a.m.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

His right knee may not be 100 percent, but Demar Dotson’s truth-meter is working overtime.

The longest-tenured player on the Bucs stayed after practice at the indoor facility the other day, patiently signing autographs for more than 50 fans. He smiled for pictures and shook hands before reinforcing his reputation as Tampa Bay’s most candid player. (more…)

Geeked.

Joe always hears how all the new defensive linemen of the Bucs will set linebackers free to roam. But what about the secondary? (more…)

Raves about America.

Well, on Thursday after America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, stood before the Tampa Bay pen and mic club and took his medicine for getting a three-game sentence from NFL strongman Roger Goodell to start the season, most everybody had their takes. (more…)

Team Glazer speaks softly and carries a big stick

They say actions speak louder than words, and Team Glazer just sent quite a message to Buccaneers fans, sponsors and Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback.

They gave him the Doug Martin treatment. (more…)