Jenna Laine
Covers the Bucs, NFL for ESPN | IG, Threads - JennaLaineESPN, X - JennaLaineESPN, FB: TampaBayBuccaneersESPN | Gus Bradley once asked me my 40 time 🦋
- In honor of the Grammys, here’s Michael Jackson’s 1988 performance of “The Way You Make Me Feel” and “Man In The Mirror.” Incredible ending youtu.be/m_7ql1tf-eA?...
- Those close to Mike Evans whom I have spoken with today say he hasn’t talked about his future. He hasn’t talked to the team about it either. None of those convos have happened. I talked to him right after the season and he said he’d start thinking about things after the Super Bowl.
- Kevin Stefanski was asked about Baker Mayfield’s post about not giving him a phone call after he was traded by Cleveland. He did not want to get into detail but said, "Baker's somebody that I have a ton of respect for as a player and a person.” www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...
- It’s Bucs new OC Zac Robinson’s son Cooper’s birthday today and he’s got a Mike Evans jersey on. I asked if he’s using that to leverage an Evans return. “I’ve got a ton of respect for Mike and his game…Gotta work through a lot of things but would obviously love an opportunity to work with Mike.”
- Interrupting conference championship and Super Bowl matchup discussion to bring you… Chris and Mariah Godwin baby content. Ace doing a very good job making his mommy and daddy laugh. He just celebrated his first birthday on Jan. 2. IG: _mrstwelve
- Tom Brady the analyst calling Rams-Seahawks NFC Championship: “Unless there’s blood, don’t call it.” Tom Brady the player, flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after a no-call in what resulted in a bloody lip vs the Rams. He is consistent.
- Praying for peace in Minnesota and elsewhere, and that we not only see our shared humanity, but act in accordance with that recognition. May we love one another and not harm one another.
- Very cool to see BlueSky promoting NFL reporters and their coverage. Excellent follows on this list too, might I add.
- We have an incredible community of sports writers who have helped Bluesky become a meaningful place for discussing live events and news. Ahead of today's playoffs, we're sharing the below starter pack as just a sampling of names that have brought us expert coverage throughout the year.at://did:plc:z72i7hdynmk6r22z27h6tvur/app.bsky.graph.starterpack/3lnl47wkftd2d
- Reposted by Jenna LaineWe have an incredible community of sports writers who have helped Bluesky become a meaningful place for discussing live events and news. Ahead of today's playoffs, we're sharing the below starter pack as just a sampling of names that have brought us expert coverage throughout the year.at://did:plc:z72i7hdynmk6r22z27h6tvur/app.bsky.graph.starterpack/3lnl47wkftd2d
- The Bucs are making former Falcons offense coordinator Zac Robinson their new OC www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...
- Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield said he was “shipped off like a piece of garbage” from Cleveland and never got a call from coach Kevin Stefanski when it all went down.
- The Bucs are hiring longtime Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith, per source. Smith is 72 and had been with Pittsburgh since 2013.
- I need BlueSky to let me be long-winded. These character limits are not OK. I HAVE A LOT TO SAY.
- Today the Bucs interviewed Anthony Levine Sr., the Ravens' assistant special teams coach for their STs opening. He was also with the Titans from 2023-2024. From 2013 to 2021, he played in 150 career games with just five total starts. That’s how he became the Ravens’ all-time tackler on special teams
- The Bucs have interviewed Eagles special teams coordinator Michael Clay for the same role in Tampa. He’s been with the Eagles in this capacity for the last five seasons. As a player, Clay was a linebacker with the Dolphins with George Edwards as his position coach in 2013.
- Former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel will interview with the Bucs Friday for their offensive coordinator position, and he is interviewing in person, per source.
- The Bucs have completed a virtual interview with Craig Aukerman, the Dolphins’ special teams coordinator in 2025, for the Bucs’ special teams coordinator position. Prior to that, he was with the Titans from 2017-2023 on Mike Vrabel’s staff. Also was with the Chargers in 2016.
- The Bucs had a virtual interview today with former Titans head coach Brian Callahan for their offensive coordinator position.
- No decision on what the immediate future holds yet for Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans. I caught him very briefly on his way out and he told me, “Maybe a month or two.” That’s consistent with his previous timelines.
- Entering Week 18, Cade Otton had 52 receptions and 0 receiving touchdowns -- the most receptions of any player without a receiving TD in the league. Also, that TD to Otton was Baker Mayfield's first TD pass on a ball thrown 15+ yards downfield since Week 6 against the 49ers.
- Bucs wide receiver Chris Godwin has been added to the injury report with an illness but he is expected to play.
- One of the most heartbreaking yet somehow beautiful images of the Bucs’ 2025 season: Lavonte David helping “his brother” Mike Evans off the field the night his 11-year, 1,000-yard streak ended. Evans said, “He’s the best leader I’ve ever been around.” www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...
- Bucs 14-year veteran Lavonte David gave a passionate speech to teammates, telling them he waited nine years to play meaningful December football. “I just wanted guys to know this doesn’t happen often – to still have a chance – and just to seize this opportunity when it comes.”
- From Sports Center this morning…the Bucs’ situation has gone from “It doesn’t have to be pretty, let’s just get to the dance” to “Let’s just win A game.” But they’re still in this thing
- A closer look at the Bucs’ injury situation for Saturday’s ‘must win’ vs the Panthers www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...
- So remember those hilarious Christmas photos Devin Culp and Payne Durham? Devin told me those were NOT AI and were shot at JCPenney. But something went awry www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...
- Gene Deckerhoff, the iconic radio voice of the Buccaneers for 37 years, will retire at the end of this season, the team announced. Truly one of the best to ever do it.
- Mike Evans said that his broken collarbone injury was a “kind of a blessing in disguise” saying, “I missed the game more than I thought I would.” (Also, when you start signing one-year deals, you start getting the same questions 😆)
- Unsure of what’s next after this season, Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans says he’s only focused on Saturday. “I'll focus on that when the time is right. Right now, we have to win. And I'm always giving my all and I'm always gonna go out swinging." www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...
- I asked Todd Bowles how they keep things from splintering from within after dropping seven of the last eight games. “Things are not splintering from within. When you lose, players get frustrated but they still work together and are very close.”
- I asked Todd Bowles what happened with Tykee Smith on the first TD. “We busted,” he said. Smith was also part of the second touchdown surrendered to Greg Dulcich. Christian Izien stepped in for the second half. He said Smith is a “little banged up” but will still be the starter going forward.
- Dr. Shanda Roberts, Bucs rookie defensive lineman Elijah Roberts’ mother, will sing the national anthem before this Saturday’s “Inspire Change” game. They will highlight her foundation Pain 2 Purpose, which aims to put an end to domestic violence. www.pain2purpose76.org
- For the Bucs’ regular season finale on Jan. 3, 13,000 Mike Evans bobbleheads featuring the team’s 50th anniversary logo and his signature salute will be distributed to fans. The team calls it “a tribute to his legendary career and commitment to Tampa Bay.”
- The Bucs could actually be the first team since the 1970 merger to win their division multiple times despite finishing that season under .500, per ESPN Research. Only four teams have finished a season under .500 and won their division (2010 Seahawks, 2014 Panthers, 2020 Washington, 2022 Bucs).
- The Bucs will host the Panthers on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Bucs can clinch a playoff spot if they beat the Panthers and Atlanta loses one of their remaining two games.
- The hope was that as soon as Bucky Irving got healthy and Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan returned, the Bucs would start to look like the Bucs again. But that hasn’t happened and time is running out www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...
- Todd Bowles on still having a chance at the postseason: “I think we’ve gotta erase that from our heads because we have to get ourselves together before we worry about anybody else — Carolina or anybody else. Just shooting ourselves in the foot at every chance. And it starts with me…”
- Baker Mayfield: “Listen, to have a chance at home to get into playoffs and win the division, wouldn't have it any other way. Obviously the things leading up to it — yeah, we’d love to change them, but still have a chance…playing for the division at home, and I’ll get this group ready.”
- Meant to post earlier, but here's a look at what's gone wrong for the Bucs and how they're approaching the next two weeks as they fight to keep their playoff hopes alive www.espn.co.uk/nfl/story/_/...
- The Bucs have elevated outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul from the practice squad for the second straight week. Run game coordinator/OLB coach Larry Foote said he expects an increased workload from the 12 snaps he had last week and here’s what coach Todd Bowles had to say.
- Bucs All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs is out of Sunday’s game at the Dolphins due to a toe injury www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...
- Today’s Bucs-Dolphins injury report…the teams did not practice so today’s statuses are estimations provided by the teams.
- Bucs tight ends Devin Culp and Payne Durham are doing their part to keep things festive this holiday season. Devin captioned this IG post with, “Happy holidays from me and mines to you and yours ❤️🎄🎅🏻🎅🏾”
- Bucs defensive tackle Calijah Kancey is beginning his 21-day practice window starting today. He suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 2.
- Happy to be doing a little more each time I’m in the building. 45 minutes of standing in open locker room gives me a good challenge. Hoping to get cleared for physical therapy this week. 🤞🩻
- In three weeks, the Bucs have lost to the Saints, Falcons and Panthers. In the Super Bowl era, just two of 29 teams have lost three straight games against division opponents and still won the division (1999 Seahawks, 1993 Lions) per ESPN Research.
- Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield speaking about Mike Evans on that interception: “I’m never gonna question his instincts. That’s the thing. You can look and say, ‘Shoulda done this. Shoulda done that.’ But it’s just the timing of the play and it happens in a millisecond.”
