Spurns Bucs

Classic behind-the-scenes intelligence delivered on Hard Knocks tonight. (more…)

Once upon a time, Jacquizz Rodgers was a rookie running back relied upon heavily by playcaller Dirk Koetter in Atlanta — for a pass-first offense that marched to the doorstep of the Super Bowl. (more…)

Once upon a time this summer, winning head coach Dirk Koetter said on the Ira Kaufman Podcast that a key to this season would be how free agent signings DeSean Jackson, Chris Baker and J.J. Wilcox would mesh in the locker room. (more…)

Gumby

Yes, defensive coordinator Mike Smith calls Noah Spence “Gumby.”

And when he first did, of course, Spence had no idea what he was talking about.

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Relentless again today. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com)

Joe’s not sure whether it’s time to wrap Brent Grimes in bubble wrap for the rest of the month, or offer him a new contract so he doesn’t hit free agency in March.

Or both! (more…)

After practice, Dirk Koetter met with the raucous Stick Carrier fans who sparked an overflow training camp crowd today. Koetter led them in cheer and enjoyed the oil paining presented to him.

Following his post-practice news conference today, Dirk Koetter asked, “Where’s Justin Pawlowski?” Pawlowski is the leader of the Stick Carrier movement — and the host of the Bucs Uncensored podcast on JoeBucsFan.com. They met amidst the overflow, Stick Carrier-fueled crowd at camp.

Joe will have more on this historic day later, including video of Koetter leading the group in cheer and player reaction.

Ira Kaufman is the most beloved, revered and esteemed Buccaneers columnist in town. He has hung his hat at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters since July 2016. Tampa Bay’s only Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, Ira busts out columns here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and his award winning podcasts fire Tuesdays and Thursdays.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

The facts are in and the conclusion is uncommonly clear.

Malcolm Glazer was a badass.

Don’t be fooled by the red beard, the specs and a belt buckle worn unusually high. The late owner of the Buccaneers would have been very proud of this confident football team and Dirk Koetter’s aggressive approach. (more…)

Getting the job done.

Defense has been the topic of training camp. (more…)

Driven

Can Mike Evans’ body hold up through January? (more…)

The rain was no match for O.J. Howard

Joe was on the grounding and hunting hard for every juicy nugget happening at training camp today, from the camp meat to the big names. It’s Joe’s comprehensive practice notes. Enjoy!  (more…)

How long?

Mike Evans was surprised yesterday and it wasn’t a pleasant surprise. (more…)

Slingin’ it?

Last year, only one NFL team threw for more than 5,000 yards.

In 2015, there were none. (more…)

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Dirk Koetter has had more than a month to devise a speech welcoming the 2017 Bucs to training camp.

It ought to be a doozy.

All it took was one season as an NFL head coach for Koetter to earn a reputation as a master of mind manipulation. It’s a little tougher when you’ve got 90 minds to meld, but it’s critical that Koetter sets the right tone this week while those Hard Knocks cameras are whirring away. (more…)

What is the holdup?

Since the end of last season, Joe has been waiting for a press release to be e-mailed from the Bucs announcing Team Glazer and Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht have agreed on a contract extension. (more…)

Bucs and the win total.

Earlier this month when Joe was in Las Vegas staying at the posh Aria Resort, Joe checked the win-total lines on various NFL and college teams at MGM Resorts properties. Hey, you know, when in Vegas…

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Dirk Koetter explains

You blew it if you haven’t yet listened to this morning’s Ira Kaufman Podcast with special guest winning head Dirk Koetter (Part 5 with the man in charge).

Today’s topic was mind games. (more…)

Jameis was talking big tonight.

Before he became a Buccaneer, Joe pegged America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, as a Muhammad Ali clone when it came to his spirit, magnetism, bravado, loquaciousness and drive. (more…)