July 9th, 2014 
Matt Loede 
Posted in Buccaneers Dashon Goldson joins Jim Rome to discuss if he expects to ready for training camp soon after surgery on his foot, why he’s been fined for nearly half a million dollars, and much more.
Buccaneers Go WR with 7th Pick – Take Texas A&M’s Mike Evans
The Bucs got a playmaker with their 7th pick in the NFL Draft – snagging WR Mike Evans from Texas A&M.
Grab the NEW Tampa Bay Buccaneers New Era “2014 NFL Draft 59FIFTY Cap”
Just in time for Draft Day 2014, New Era is out with their NEW 2014 NFL Draft 59FIFTY Cap – the official cap of the 2014 NFL Draft and the one that will be worn by the league’s newest stars when their names are called.
This 59FIFTY fitted cap features a unique visor design with gray, screen-printed team logos and word marks on a highly reflective surface that produces a special visual effect when photographed with a camera phone. Also included on the cap is an embroidered (raised) Bucs primary team logo on the front, stitched New Era® flag at wearer’s left side and a reflective NFL shield logo on the rear. Interior includes branded taping, a monotone NFL® shield pattern and a moisture-absorbing sweatband.
Click HERE for a look at the hat and more from New Era!
Johnny Manziel To The Buccaneers In Round One?
The Bucs will give heavy consideration to selecting Johnny Manziel in next week’s draft, unless of course he is picked before them, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Manziel impressed team officials during his visit to One Buc Place this month, coach Lovie Smith has raved about the workout he attended at Texas A&M and the off-field behavior of the enigmatic quarterback apparently is not a concern.
“He had a very impressive interview,” general manager Jason Licht said of Manziel on Tuesday. “We had a great day with him. Lovie and him have Texas roots. We enjoyed every minute that he was here. Sharp guy.”
Licht said he is confident Smith and his staff could handle whatever challenges come along with Manziel, who has had to answer questions about his thirst for celebrity and the nightlife after winning the Heisman Trophy as a freshman.
“He’s the Heisman Trophy winner,” Licht said. “A lot of the situations he’s been in you can’t blame him for. If I were young and had a Heisman Trophy on my mantel, I’d probably be in a lot more trouble than the next guy. So I think we’re just going to make the best football decision, what’s best for our football team and I think Lovie and his staff can handle the rest of it.”
Previewing the 2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Schedule Release
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers struggled out of the gates in 2013, and while they rebounded late to be competitive, a poor season still led to the firing of head coach Greg Schiano. Insert former Bears head coach Lovie Smith, and suddenly there is a ton of optimism in Tampa Bay.
For that optimism to continue, however, the Bucs will have to find a way to get their talent to translate into wins. To do that, they’ll need to turn into a better road team. With a pitiful 1-7 showing on the road in 2013, the Bucs will aim for marked improvement with games against the Bears, Lions, Redskins, Browns and Steelers.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers schedule at home should prove to be a little easier, especially since that’s where they found most of their success a year ago. They’ll face Green Bay, Minnesota, St. Louis, Baltimore and Cincinnati as they look to improve in 2014.
For a look at all team’s 2014 match-ups, click here.
Bucs Come To Terms On A Deal For S Major Wright
Bears safety Major Wright is returning to the state where he played his college ball, agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with the Bucs, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The former Florida Gators star had 100 tackles, two forced fumbles and two interceptions in 15 games with the Bears last season. He will provide depth for the Bucs behind safeties Mark Barron and Dashon Goldson.
Wright will be reunited with coach Lovie Smith, whom he played under in Chicago from 2010-12. Wright was a third round pick by the Bears out of Florida in 2010.
Wright also will rejoin Smith’s his son Mikal, Tampa Bay’s safeties coach, and cornerbacks coach Gill Byrd, who had the same position in Chicago. Wright has nine interceptions in the last three seasons, with 42 starts in that span as well. He was born in Fort Lauderdale and was part of Florida’s national championship squad in 2008.
Buccaneers Defense Gets Mini-Overhaul
Written By: Florida Bengal
One of the biggest moves of the free agency period came before the free agency window officially opened.
Hours before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET start of the 2014 league year, it was leaked that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and free agent defensive end Michael Johnson had agreed to a five-year, $43.75 million contract.
In five years with the Bengals, Johnson racked up 26.5 sacks, defended 25 passes and had three interceptions. Johnson’s sack total dropped from 11.5 to 3.5 last season but he hit career highs in tackles (56), passes defended (9) and fumbles forced (2).
The team also added defensive tackle Clinton McDonald in the afternoon before making its second big splash of the day Tuesday evening with the addition of Pro Bowl cornerback Altteraun Verner on a four-year, $26.5-million deal. The 5-foot-10 corner defended 22 passes and had five interceptions a season ago. He’ll take over as Tampa Bay’s No. 1 corner with the release of Darrelle Revis on Wednesday afternoon.
The Tampa Bay Times reports that Verner and Johnson will combine to make $15.373-million in 2014, which is less than the $16-million Revis would have made this year.
On offense, the team signed former Giants tight end Brandon Myers on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they added former Bears quarterback Josh McCown.
The team is far from done. The team website confirms that cornerback Charles Tillman (who has a connection to head coach Lovie Smith from his days in Chicago), tackle Anthony Collins, receiver Ted Ginn, center Evan Dietrich-Smith and linebacker Dane Fletcher are all visiting the team.
Buccaneers Unveil New Helmet Logo
The Buccaneers unveiled a new helmet logo Thursday night, Ira Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune reports.
The new design, featuring a chrome facemask and an enhanced Bucs flag along the side, was introduced by Hall of Fame defensive tackle Warren Sapp and current Tampa Bay Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy during a live NFL Network broadcast.
“This is very unique to the Bucs,” said McCoy. “Nobody else will have this chrome grill. We want everybody to know the Bucs are coming. Look how big this flag is.”
Thursday’s changes are a prelude to a full uniform re-design that will be unveiled at a March 5 news conference at team headquarters.
Sapp and McCoy expressed their delight about a new helmet design that features a more vivid red flag and a pewter shade that appears more distinctive.
“This skull right here, it means business,” Sapp said. “I love this helmet … love it.”
New merchandise will be available to the general public in the coming weeks, following an exclusive pre-order window for Buccaneers season pass members. Additional details regarding merchandise availability will be provided during the March 5 announcement.
“This is an exciting day for the entire Buccaneers organization as we begin the process of introducing our new look by revealing an enhanced logo and new helmet design,” Buccaneers co-chairman Edward Glazer said in a statement. “The logo is much larger and portrays a more intimidating presence, while the chrome facemask is the first used by an NFL team. This is the first alteration to our logo and helmet since the previous re-design 17 years ago and we believe it sets the stage for our transition into this new, exciting era of Buccaneers football.”
