Locker room chatter and more from the Sage of Tampa Bay sports

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Hey, it’s a start.

The long, depressing losing streak is over for a Buc team that displayed more energy Sunday. Tampa Bay remains in the NFC South basement and as Luke Stocker noted after the game, “we’ve got a long way to go to get out of this deep hole,” but long journeys often begin with small steps.

The 15-10 triumph was no modern art masterpiece, but for Buc fans, it was a thing of beauty. The Jets had an opportunity to reach 5-5 before their bye week, but they were outplayed on both sides of the ball.

Here’s how it happened: (more…)

New chatter from Chucky

It seems Chucky has no interest in killing any rumors that he’ll return to coach in the NFL. (more…)

Iconic No. 55 speaks

Finally, iconic Derrick Brooks came out of wherever he’s been hiding and treated Buccaneers to fans to deep insightful breakdown of their beloved team. (more…)

Roster architect

General manager Jason Licht has spoken often about winning in the NFL Draft. Licht likes to say winning in the draft is 90 percent about evaluating players from the neck up, aka picking guys with the right mentality because raw talent is everywhere.

(more…)

Mike Smith was pointing at his players today, while also pointing at himself. (more…)

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Todd’s observations off a Week Eight Sunday include rumored sightings of missing fantasy performers named Crowder and Crowell, how even a Falcons victory doesn’t give you enough from Ryan, Freeman or Jones and wondering out loud why some of you continue to overthink starting Will Fuller on a weekly basis.

While Martavis Bryant remains the “Asshole of the Month” for October, and I’m sure enjoyed a front row seat to the performance of Juju Smith-Schuster last night, Todd takes time to reconfirm what he’s been saying for years about Keenan Allen. The color red and Allen simply do not go together, but it looks good on Melvin Gordon despite seemingly having more injuries than Kenny from South Park. Remember, you can email ANY of your personal season-long league and DFS questions to Todd at toddwrightfantasyfootball@gmail.com.

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AND PRESENTED BY

“These stadium fans keep stirring up all kinds of mother*@$#’n crap — and I love it!

Those who listened to this morning’s Bucs Uncensored podcast on JoeBucsFan.com, hosted by former Buccaneers Radio Network voice Justin Pawlowski, already know this. (more…)

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. You can also see Ira every football Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on FOX-13, Scott Smith’s Tailgate Sunday.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

The unthinkable is sinking in, dark and scary.

By next weekend, the Bucs could be four games out of first place in the NFC South, hopelessly out of playoff consideration midway through the season.

You can only imagine the disappointment of the Glazers Sunday as they departed their suite for the elevator down to the carport at Raymond James Stadium. They began the year thinking they owned a franchise on the rise behind a franchise quarterback.

On a blustery day in Tampa, those beliefs are now in question. Here’s 10 reasons why: (more…)

Postgame Jameis

There’s plenty of blame to go around for the Buccaneers’ loss to the Panthers today. But there also was a big apology.

It came from America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston. (more…)

Kwon speaks

Most Bucs fans are searching for the nearest toilet to put their head in this evening.

Aside from the Bucs being 2-5 in the NFC South cellar, nothing about this team makes a lot of sense. (more…)

Dirk Koetter speaks

All offseason, on the heels of a 9-7 season, Dirk Koetter stressed that the Bucs had more talent on the roster than he’s ever experienced.

Joe hasn’t yet asked Koetter for a reassessment, but the head coach gave one on Friday. (more…)

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Midway point of the season and Todd has advice for you in many areas. Especially if you are sitting there staring at your record and your roster and convincing yourself that you need to make a trade. No, Todd tells you why in this podcast.

Also, many of you this week are falling into the trap of getting too cute or creative with your lineup. Don’t do that either. Todd also reviews the preseason draft boards and goes player by player to see what actually happened through these first seven weeks. Honestly, it is pretty ugly as most of those Top 60 were simply not worth where you drafted them. So if you feel unlucky this year, join the club. You have more company than you think. However, you are more likely to make the playoffs than you think.

Also, Todd has this week’s Ezekiel Elliott update and speaks openly to you owners who are worried Elliott’s suspension starts next week. Todd owns Elliott, got him at a bargain draft position, and tells you why you should not complain if that happens. The timing isn’t bad for fantasy owners. Again, Todd answers all of your fantasy questions personally at toddwrightfantasyfootball@gmail.com. And if you are a member of a private golf club, Todd makes a nice choice for your next member-guest event and will NEVER be accused of slow play.

Click above to listen or download, or at iTunes or Google Play.

What would a Wednesday be without Rock Riley (@RealRockRiley) patrolling One Buc Palace for the latest inside and outside the locker room? Thankfully, we don’t have to find out.

Enjoy the video!

Ward apologizes, Ayers says gotta play better from Rock Riley on Vimeo.

24-four flash poll posted at 6:58 a.m. (Results of last week’s Dirk Koetter Confidence Poll are linked here.)

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In today’s episode, host Justin Pawlowski attempts to answer the question burning everyone’s mind, ‘What the hell is going on with the defense?‘

A former voice on the Buccaneers Radio Network, an ex-college football player and a lifelong Bucs fan, Pawlowski has plenty of fan takes, too.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, Bucs Uncensored unifies Tampa Bay fans (Stick Carriers!) in every corner of the universe. You can be a part of the show. Just email a 90-second-or-less audio blast to BucsUncensored@gmail.com. Listen above or subscribe on iTunes right here, or at Podbean.com. Justin’s work is not influenced by JoeBucsFan.com. Joe just thinks it’s very, very, very special. **CAUTION: some R-RATED language!* 

PRESENTED BY

Quick fix on the Bucs’ plate

UPDATED 2:02 a.m. Monday: While it may seem the football gods have been cruel to our Buccaneers, in fact, they’ve given them a great and timely gift.

Now sitting at 2-4 in the NFC South basement, the Bucs have been granted a very quick and easy fix to their predicament. (more…)

Salt in the wound.

This will make you want to wing your coffee across the office. (more…)

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Pure passion and plenty of analysis from The Sage in this edition of the Ira Kaufman Podcast, where eye-RAH! dissects all things Bucs with Joe. Tune in right here, or at iTunes, Google Play or Podbean.com. The Ira Kaufman Podcast keeps you informed and entertained every Tuesday & Thursday — and there is no offseason. Click or download above. It’s free and easy. Enjoy!

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. You can also see Ira every football Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on FOX-13, Scott Smith’s Tailgate Sunday.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Flat, flat, flat. Simple as that.

If only the 2017 Bucs could be summed up in a nursery rhyme. Let’s try another:

If you’re flat and you know it, miss a tackle

If you’re flat and you know it, miss a tackle

If you’re flat and you know it and you really want to show it

If you’re flat and you know it, blow a coverage. (more…)