Click through to shop now at BillCurrieFord.com. Family-owned Bill Currie Ford has been a Tampa treasure for generations, one mile north of Raymond James Stadium. Hustle up on those October specials!

Back in 1979, a young reporter from Brooklyn became a New York Giants beat writer. The NFL hasn’t been the same since — and neither has the Tampa area. The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports arrived in 1985 to cover the Buccaneers, and Ira has since earned Ph.D. status in mauling buffets, schmoozing front office types, never revealing sources, and podcasting. 

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Through seven weeks, it’s all going according to schedule for a franchise that often didn’t seem to have a plan.

The 5-2 Bucs are rising up the power rankings and some prominent league pundits are starting to praise Tampa Bay as the most complete team in the NFC. That’s quite a leap of faith after a bitter Week 5 loss at Soldier Field, where Tom Brady lost track of downs and a prideful defense forgot to make key stops. (more…)

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Presented by the iconic Tampa Ford dealership, Bill Currie Ford,  it’s the podcast you’ve been waiting for. The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports shares all kinds of Bucs wisdom and more with Joe.

Bill Currie Ford general manager Sean Sullivan is Ira’s good friend and is always ready to assist you personally and give you a JoeBucsFan discount! E-mail, call or visit him at their showroom one mile north of Raymond James Stadium. And remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new and used vehicles at Bill Currie Ford!

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast and their Clearwater location is where Ira watches ALL Bucs road games with you. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy! Click play above or listen Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too.

Click through to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford for nearly 60 years. BillCurrieFord.com. Tremendous October savings. Reach out to Ira’s friend and general manager Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount.

Click through to shop now at BillCurrieFord.com. Family-owned Bill Currie Ford has been a Tampa treasure for generations, one mile north of Raymond James Stadium. Hustle up on those October specials!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

By one key metric, you could make a credible argument that the Bucs have been the most dominant team in the NFL this season.

No, they’re not unbeaten, but the Bucs have outscored opponents 222-142 in fashioning a 5-2 record. That plus-80 mark in point differential is tops in the league.

Quite a rebound from that bitter setback at Soldier Field two weeks ago. Tampa Bay followed up a majestic final three quarters against Green Bay with a very solid win on the road against a Raiders team coming off a bye week and a confidence-boosting victory at Kansas City.

Jon Gruden wanted this win in the worst way and the Raiders hung in until a turnover and the relentless pressure exerted by Tom Brady proved decisive.

Since that shaky opening quarter vs. Green Bay, the Bucs own an 83-20 scoring advantage. The Packers are very good, the Raiders aren’t bad and the Bucs just might be outstanding.

It’s all coming together for this woebegone franchise. Antonio Brown is on his way, but at this point, the Bucs don’t need much outside help in ending that 12-year playoff drought. They’ve been the talk of the league since Brady arrived and they still generate more than their share of national attention.

Here’s how an all-in franchise cashed out in Las Vegas: (more…)

Click through to shop now at BillCurrieFord.com. Family-owned Bill Currie Ford has been a Tampa treasure for generations, one mile north of Raymond James Stadium. Hustle up on those October specials!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

The Saints may have won the first skirmish, but they’re destined to lose this war. (more…)

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It’s the podcast that stirs the drink — and the pot — featuring The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports. All kinds of Bucs subjects on today’s steaming buffet with Joe. It’s the twice-weekly Ira Kaufman Podcast presented by Bill Currie Ford.

Bill Currie Ford general manager Sean Sullivan is Ira’s good friend and is always ready to assist you personally and give you a JoeBucsFan discount! E-mail, call or visit him at their showroom one mile north of Raymond James Stadium. And remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new and used vehicles at Bill Currie Ford!

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast and their Clearwater location is where Ira watches ALL Bucs road games with you. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy! Click play above or listen Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too.

Click through to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford for nearly 60 years. BillCurrieFord.com. Tremendous October savings. Reach out to Ira’s friend and general manager Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount.

Shop now at BillCurrieFord.com. Bill Currie Ford quality and service is second to no other dealership. Family owned for the past 60 years, a mile north of Raymond James Stadium.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Jon Gruden won’t be the only participant in this Bucs-Raiders matchup with some extra motivation.

Devin White also can’t wait for Sunday night’s game at Allegiant Stadium. Gruden is out for revenge because he was fired. White wants payback because he wasn’t hired.

Make sense? (more…)

Joe is writing the following because the Super Bowl is scheduled to be played at the Den of Depression in February. And, because the Bucs are gunning to be the first team to play in and host a Super Bowl. (more…)

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Ecstasy and excitement is pulsating through Bucs fandom and The Sage of Tampa Bay sports is all over it with Joe in the twice-weekly Ira Kaufman Podcast presented by Bill Currie Ford.

Bill Currie Ford general manager Sean Sullivan is Ira’s good friend and is always ready to assist you personally and give you a JoeBucsFan discount! E-mail, call or visit him at their showroom one mile north of Raymond James Stadium. And remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new and used vehicles at Bill Currie Ford!

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast and their Clearwater location is where Ira watches ALL Bucs road games with you. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy! Click play above or listen Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too.

Click through to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford for nearly 60 years. BillCurrieFord.com. Tremendous October savings, and reach out to Ira’s friend and general manager Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount.

Shop now at BillCurrieFord.com. Bill Currie Ford quality and service is second to no other dealership. Family owned for the past 60 yards, a mile north of Raymond James Stadium.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

If Todd Bowles interviews for an NFL head coaching job in a few months, he might consider bringing Jamel Dean along for the ride. (more…)

Shop now at BillCurrieFord.com. Bill Currie Ford quality and service is second to no other dealership. Family owned for the past 60 yards, a mile north of Raymond James Stadium.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

For nine days, the Bucs heard all the chatter. The naysayers were out in force, pointing out the relatively easy early schedule and Tampa Bay’s self-destructive tendencies.

And then, on a muggy October Sunday, the Bucs buried their skeptics in the soft turf of Raymond James Stadium. For an added bonus, they pushed the smarmy face of Aaron Rodgers into the sod for good measure.

Jamel Dean lit the match and every Buccaneer danced on the flames during a nasty beatdown of the previously unbeaten Packers. The final three quarters ushered in a dominant performance by the home team in front of an adoring crowd.

Any early enthusiasm by Cheeseheads in attendance melted once Rodgers suffered his first interception of the season. The Packers led 10-0 at the time and even though they didn’t know it, they would offer only token resistance the rest of the way.

This was the team Buc Nation envisioned once Tom Brady arrived — focused, physical and brimming with talent. The Packers flew home to Wisconsin Sunday evening, probably wondering how Tampa Bay managed to lose two of its first five games.

If this was a crossroads moment for this franchise, the Bucs chose the right path, the one that leads to postseason play. Here’s how they ransacked Mr. Rodgers’ neighborhood: (more…)

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It’s a powerful and thought-provoking edition of the Ira Kaufman Podcast, one Joe suspects will leave Bucs fans barking at their podcast playing devices. Plenty of fun, too, as The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports talks all things Bucs with Joe presented by Bill Currie Ford.

Bill Currie Ford general manager Sean Sullivan is Ira’s good friend and is always ready to assist you personally and give you a JoeBucsFan discount! E-mail, call or visit him at their showroom one mile north of Raymond James Stadium. And remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new and used vehicles at Bill Currie Ford!

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast and their Clearwater location is where Ira watches ALL Bucs road games with you. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy! Click play above or listen Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too.

Click through to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford for nearly 60 years. BillCurrieFord.com. Tremendous October savings, and reach out to Ira’s friend and general manager Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount.

Shop now at BillCurrieFord.com. Bill Currie Ford quality and service is second to no other dealership. Family owned for the past 60 yards, a mile north of Raymond James Stadium.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

The hot dogs, the beers and the enthusiasm will all be flowing Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. It would be nice if the Buc offense follows suit. (more…)

Shop now at BillCurrieFord.com. Bill Currie Ford quality and service is second to no other dealership. Family owned for the past 60 yards, a mile north of Raymond James Stadium.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Crunch time often comes early in the National Football League.

The Bucs have seven games remaining before their bye week, seven weeks to prove to their fans, and perhaps even themselves, that they are a legitimate threat to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy. (more…)

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What a big week in the world of Bucs football, and The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports is all over it, presented by Bill Currie Ford. Ira Kaufman has plenty to say on all things Bucs and more with Joe on Episode 1 of this week’s Ira Kaufman Podcast.

Bill Currie Ford general manager Sean Sullivan is Ira’s good friend and is always ready to assist you personally and give you a JoeBucsFan discount! E-mail, call or visit him at their showroom one mile north of Raymond James Stadium. And remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new and used vehicles at Bill Currie Ford!

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast and their Clearwater location is where Ira watches ALL Bucs road games with you. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy! Click play above or listen Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too.

Click through to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford for nearly 60 years. BillCurrieFord.com. Tremendous October savings, and reach out to Ira’s friend and general manager Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount.

Shop now at BillCurrieFord.com. Bill Currie Ford quality and service is second to no other dealership. Family owned for the past 60 yards, a mile north of Raymond James Stadium.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Good for Rah. (more…)

Shop now at BillCurrieFord.com. Bill Currie Ford quality and service is second to no other dealership. Family owned for the past 60 yards, a mile north of Raymond James Stadium.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Buc fans woke up Friday morning on what would have been John Lennon’s 80th birthday, lamenting a hard day’s night.

Bucs beating Bucs.

Again.

CBS analyst Scott Pioli called out Tampa Bay as a dumb football team after the sloppy setback in Chicago — and he has a point. If you viewed the mug on Bruce Arians following the 20-19 loss, you saw a face of disgust.

He surely wasn’t happy with the officials, but most of all, Arians is frustrated with yet another defeat sowed by mistakes and penalties. Officials marked off 11 flags thrown at Tampa Bay, and there were others that weren’t accepted.

At least Arians didn’t make excuses at the end of a 3-game winning streak. He didn’t want to hear about the absence of Chris Godwin or O.J. Howard. That’s because he knew the Bucs were still the better team — a better team that deserved to lose. (more…)

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It’s always extra fun when there’s a game-day Ira Kaufman Podcast presented by Bill Currie Ford. The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports is all fired up for tonight’s Thursday Night Football affair and tackles various Bucs subjects with Joe.

Bill Currie Ford general manager Sean Sullivan is Ira’s good friend and is always ready to assist you personally and give you a JoeBucsFan discount! E-mail, call or visit him at their showroom one mile north of Raymond James Stadium. And remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new and used vehicles at Bill Currie Ford!

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast and their Clearwater location is where Ira watches ALL Bucs road games with you. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy! Click play above or listen Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too.

Click through to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford for nearly 60 years. BillCurrieFord.com. Tremendous October savings, and reach out to Ira’s friend and general manager Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount.

Shop now at BillCurrieFord.com. Bill Currie Ford quality and service is second to no other dealership. Family owned for the past 60 yards, a mile north of Raymond James Stadium.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Buc fans may have to change their sleep habits for a while. (more…)