Just some random thoughts about the team after the conclusion of tonight’s game against the Jaguars:

Josh Johnson’s development continues
The backup QB was 9-14 for 122 yards and a TD. Once again, he looked calm and in total control of the offense. That said, I would like to see more than three first half first downs. I think they got a fourth on a defensive holding call. The attitude and smooth ball delivery (minus the Stevens overthrow) was encouraging. I think the play tonight of both QB’s clearly showed us who the #2 QB is.

Reggie Brown didn’t earn a roster spot tonight
Man that was disappointing. He was targeted at least four times in the game and was unable to snare a single reception. I’ve still got him on the roster because I figure the Bucs would like a non-Clayton veteran presence at the position. He sure didn’t help himself tonight.

Earnest Graham is still a great red zone threat
The move to FB might not keep Graham from being a big offensive factor this season. His second quarter score was a nice reminder of how great of a weapon he can be down in close. Graham was a hard goal line / short yardage runner as a lead back, and I could see that happening again this year with the way the Bucs have been working Adam Hayward and Roy Miller at FB. Imagine a formation with Miller and Hayward both lining up in the backfield as lead blockers for Graham. Fire them cannons!

continue reading "Random Thoughts Post-PG3"

Here is a quick preview video for this week’s game versus the Jaguars. I am amazed at how few carries the Jags have in preseason and at the relative weakness of their defense (420 ypg).

The fine folks at Beef-o-Brady’s in Auburndale have extended an invitation and once again, The Doctor and I have accepted. We will pack up our gear and head down to lovely downtown Auburndale (SHUT UP! If you have not been there, you have no idea). It is ladies night at Beef’s so you girls will be able to have all the beer and wine you can consume (maybe even enough to make us look attractive). I believe the lovely Claudia will be in attendance as well as we tlak about the upcoming Jaguars game, fantasy football, an 18 game schedule and anything else that floats our boat.

I will be heading over to check out the new speaker system that Big Mike installed after our last show. Our hope is that this will allow our loyal listeners that make the trek ‘abreasted’ with the show. For you folks that are not making the trek, we will be live at our normal 7:00 PM time (pending any electronic catastrophes).

As always, get your questions into questions AT whatthebuc.net as well as your predictive offensive and defensive MVP’s.

For those of you unfamiliar with Polk County (or with maps, or the internet), the address is:

102 West Polk Street

Auburndale, FL   33823

Map to the location

Beef’s Facebook Page (Go ahead and become a Fan!)

Did I mention that ladies drink free from 9 – 11 PM?

Here are my thoughts on this team / the roster after the completion of game two. These are in no specific order, and these thoughts aren’t entirely dependent/reflective of the game against the Chiefs.

continue reading "10 Thoughts Post-PG2"

As reported on the broadcast Thursday, we are in preseason tailgate form here at WTB? But, as not to let anyone down, Chef Red has stepped up and will be holding down the fort for our first tailgate of the year. We know many folks have been hit (and hit hard) by the economic downturn. Parking was $15.00 last year and I see no reason that it would be different this year. Red will be setup at around 3:30 PM or 4:00.

We will be (for now) at the same location we were all last season. (Just off Ohio St on the other side of the road from the entrance to Training Camp. Map forthcoming). Our rules are simple:

1. Have FUN!
2. Everyone is welcome (all ages and all teams)
3. Bring something to share
4. Mingle

We are a friendly group, so whether you are a new tailgater or an oldie, get there early, help setup and get your eat on! Adult beverages are almost required but this is still a family friendly event. So, with no further adieu, here is this week’s recipe!

continue reading "Chiefs Tailgate and Chef Red’s Recipe!"

By the graces of spending a crap load on my season tickets, I was able to catch both practices today. Here is a brief summary of the events. Hope you enjoy it.

Here are my thoughts on this team / the roster after the completion of game one. These are in no specific order, and these thoughts aren’t entirely dependent/reflective of the game against the Dolphins.

1) We need to upgrade behind Josh Freeman
I’ve been as big a supporter of Josh Johnson as you’ll find, but it’s clear that we need to have a better backup plan should Freeman have an extended absence. The problem is that the backup QB talent pool is junk, and a pretty decent candidate was dealt to Pittsburgh where he’ll start the season as their QB1. I don’t see a move worth making, but that doesn’t mean our situation is sound. I also don’t see anything in Rudy Carpenter. Freeman looks more confident and prepared from the last time we saw him in action, so that was a nice building block. Consistent decision making and chemistry with the receiving talent are what I’m looking for from Freeman early on.

2) Derrick Ward shouldn’t be guaranteed a roster spot
The free agent from New York was one of the many ugly spots on the Bucs last year, and he hasn’t done much to turn it around in 2010. I don’t care if it’s the 2nd unit, the 3rd unit, or the 6th unit, Kareem Huggins looks far more prepared and obviously hungrier for carries than Ward. I think the Bucs save over $3 million if they decide to cut Ward, and at this point, that might be the wise move. I was very supportive in bringing him in last offseason (he was one of my targets), but this (possibly perceived) lackadaisical effort isn’t what I was expecting. I don’t have huge hopes for Cadillac, but he’s still busting his ass, showing a burst, and is clearly the #1 RB. Huggins doesn’t have the sharpened skills or rounded game you want in a lead back at this point, but he’s shown me enough to deserve a handful of carries a game. Bottom line – We’re better off saving $3 million and/or getting a draft pick instead of having an unimpressive Ward sit on the sidelines and/or take carries away from Huggins.

continue reading "10 Thoughts Post-PG1"

While I spend most of my time with WTB? doing video and audio, it seems that there are appropriate times to put virtual pen to paper and drop a few thoughts on the website. As we approach the glorious beginning of a new football season, I thought it would be a good idea to outline what I look for in preseason. This part of the year gets a bad rap. Yea, so you don’t get to see all the starters. Get over it people. A team requires depth. To identify depth you have to see guys in game situations. Now I know that when you have a young team, like we do, the starters need reps too. But fact is the games do not count. These are glorified practice sessions and you have to maximize them for that purpose. Good teams use preseason to establish solid fundamentals and get game film of their guys in live fire. That is what we have to do this week in Miami.

continue reading "Preseason Game 1: Bucs at Dolphins"

As our regulars know, we know how to tailgate. We are fortunate to have our own Chef and you folks are fortunate to have his recipes brought to you every week. So with no further lead-in, here is Chef Red’s first installment. If you make it, make sure you come back and let us know what you thought!

Miami Shrimp Tacos

It has been a long offseason and it is time for some Bucs football, hell yeah! This offseason has been busy for your buddy Chef Red.  I have been perfecting old recipes and finding some great new ones to share with all of you.  Earlier last month I told Oldschool that I would only make recipes for home games this year.  Thinking about it I am a glutton for punishment so, hey you get a recipe once a week again this year.  This glorious first week of the preseason we travel to Miami and I couldn’t be happier to come up with a recipe for this game.  This week we get a little tropical and I give you my Miami Shrimp Tacos.  These combine tropical and Mexican flavors.  So make them and serve them with an ice cold island beer.

continue reading "Chef Red does the Dolphins – First tailgate recipe of 2010"

While we still have our crack squad of lawyers working on the details of what will clearly be a lucrative contract, we are confident in announcing this partnership early. Well, early may be an overstatement as we plan to be live from this new location for Thursday’s show!

Never strangers to good drinks and better atmosphere and in an attempt to connect with our Polk County roots, the WTB? crew will descend on lovely downtown Auburndale (SHUT UP! It is lovely assholes. You should come over and see it. It makes your weak ass Inverness look like, well, INVERNESS!) The Doctor and I are both products of this throwback to a simpler time, where people actually know one another and you can run into your second grade teacher at the Shake Shoppe (yes, it is spelled that way) Anywhoo…

We will be broadcasting from this location Thursday and covering the rules and setup for the WTB? FFL. It will not be free this year folks (and if you already sent mail that you wanted to be in, you better pray we set the price low because that legal team says you guys are already committed!). We will set up some sort of fair and equitable structure geared toward bragging rights over retirement. We will also be tlaking about the notes we have been receiving from the “Real Media” about camp and the depth chart (that you all got a preview of on Monday as we were right on the money with almost every spot (Except Peanut who, rumor has it, is on the trading blocks).

For those of you unfamiliar with Polk County (or with maps, or the internet), the address is:

102 West Polk Street

Auburndale, FL   33823

Map to the location

Beef’s Facebook Page (Go ahead and become a Fan!)

Did I mention that ladies drink free from 9 – 11 PM?