Bucs training camp preview: Ira Kaufman
In sports, if you want to be the best, there are no off days. You have found the No Off Days podcast. Welcome on in. I’m Scott Smith. We got Chris Ko over here. We got BK in the booth kicking off a new fresh new episode, an all-star break edition as we uh we got to enjoy last night as we taped this on a Tuesday. We got to enjoy the home run derby last night. And I feel like we went into it saying this could be a breakout opportunity for one junior Camuro. And boy, he broke out. I believe you said that. I believe it was you that said that. I don’t think I was was the only one there. I mean, if you’ve watched this guy at all throughout the first half of the season, you realize he’s got a pretty sweet swing and the dude knows how to launch. His launch angle is on point, Chris. And that’s what they What do you think that angle was, Scott? I think it was precisely 71.5°. Wow. That’s like a big uppercut. I don’t know. I don’t know what that is. It makes it look so easy though, doesn’t it? He does. And and that’s why when he first started swinging, I mean, I was just like, man, this guy is doing it so effortlessly. And I I knew it was hot there in Atlanta, but he just was like, you know, everything was flying off the bat. I thought it was going to be a great night. And it was I mean, he made it to the final and and he lost to the big dumper. Yeah. Cal Raleigh. You’re going to lose to someone, make sure it’s a guy with a nickname like that. Big dumper. How would you like your nickname to be the big dumper? Well, I I would ask you this. I would, if my nickname were big dumper, I would say on my bobblehead night, I don’t want it to be the head that bobbles on the doll. It needs to be the the dumper. Uh yeah. No, he was um Yeah, and it was kind of cool because he had his dad throwing to him. He had his little brother, 15 years old, behind the plate, who just could not get enough camera time. I mean, little T T Raleigh there. Uh not only was he in every single camera shot, but he was chomping that gum. He I mean, he’s got some nice white teeth. He’s ready to go. And he was doing tomahawk chop. Looks like he’s ready to enroll in Tallahassee already. He’s ready to go. Sign him up. He did a good job back there. Yeah, no doubt. No, that was it was a fun little event. The the All-Star home run derby is always is always a fun kickoff to the week. And uh as as we are taping this, we got the the All-Star game itself. So, we love taping podcasts during major sporting events so that we can’t talk about the outcome. It’s right here on Fox 13. Stay tuned for our Super Bowl episode. I hope you watched it. I hope you’re enjoying it. Um yeah, so but yeah, it was great little break and the Rays will be back at it. You know who was in attendance at the home run derby? Uh let’s see. sitting with Rob Manfred at the home run derby. The future owner of the Rays. The future owner of the Rays, Mr. Patrick Zapolski, soon to be a household name. Yeah. What do you think they were talking about? What do you think that dialogue was like? I have no idea. I just guessed that that’s who it was. That’s who it was. That was who it was. What is their dialogue like? Uh, so Rob, uh, how about putting a bigger tarp on that trop field for at least a couple more years until we can buy it out from under them. I’ll tell you what, if this was just even for the cameras, you know, I think it signifies, hey, the this is these are some serious talks. This thing’s about to go through. You know, you never know wi with Stu Sternberg if it’s actually going to happen. Uh that is one thing that we have learned over the years that we will we will see these things happen and uh bank on them once it actually happens. But yeah, I I think it’s um it’s a it’s a step in that direction for sure. You think those in the the stadium artist rendering business are about to cash another check here? Working hard, I tell you. No one does artist renderings like Tampa Bay. He says it’s going to be uh potentially that their preference is uh in the Tampa side. So, I don’t know. Do are we digging back through the Eore locations? Are we looking at the fairgrounds or, you know, I I don’t know. There’s some options, I think. But uh you I think the big discussion is going to be had when it comes down to money. you know, how much of this is going to be a a public versus private funding venture. Um, you who who knows? I mean, if if they have if they bring a ton of money to the table and they don’t really they’re not asking for as much u taxpayer input, then this might get pushed right on through. I’d kick in a few of my taxpayer dollars to see it come over to the Tampa side. Would you give a penny? Would you give a penny? I give two. Put my two cents in. Two cents. Uh, with that, let’s bring in Brian King. Brian, did you like that sweet swing of Junior Camiero in that home run derby? Effortless, wasn’t it? It was. It was flying off the bat. Somebody said it was the right-handed version of King Griffy Jr. and that was dead on dead podcast. I don’t know. I just think at 22 years of age to be able to kind of bask in that moment. It kind of reminded me and Randy Rosarena was there by the way. He was uh I think he was longingly looking to be competing in it. It kind of reminded me of the year that that Randy did it where he was just like, “Wow, he’s breaking out.” And then the next thing you know, traded to Seattle. So, brace for brace yourselves, race fans. Hopefully that’s not the story here, but um anyway. All right, BK. What do we have on today’s big show? Nice show today. It’s always nice when we get this guy to come by. Look up above you guys. That’s his name up there. Ira Kaufman up in the ring of honor. Oh yeah, there it is. The ring of dignity. Of dignity. The only name on the ring so far. Yeah, I know. It’s big. It’s giant font. It’s a sand sif. Yeah, we got to We’re going to have to bring the kerning down. There’s a spotlight on it right now. It is. The nod pod rod. Look at Look at him in all his glory. Well, it’s going to be fun to catch up with our I haven’t talked to him in a little bit. Yeah. Last time I think we we I tried to get him on. He was uh in New York. He was doing some big things in New York. He’s always traveling. Sometimes on a cruise. Yeah. Was he maybe he’ll be extremely tan like he was last time? He always Yeah, he can he can tan it up. Yeah. So, didn’t he win some contest on that cruise? No, he won the the ship um cornhole tournament. That’s what it was. Oh, that’s what it was. Yeah. Yeah. Comes with an extra buffet pass. I don’t know. Scott. Yeah. God, I nailed him. Yeah. Get your Scott counters out. All right. Yeah, it’ll be good to catch up with Sage Sports. He’s my favorite. Yeah, he’s a good dude. Hey, and at the end of this show, we haven’t done this in a long time, I think. Uh one must go. You know that game where we kind of did one time? Yeah, we did that. I That feels like that was the game that kicked off my now forever long losing streak. Oh, really? I feel like it was because you threw away your What did you throw away? Your pillows. No, you threw away your No, no, I kept the pillow. I threw away the the bed. That’s why you’ve been a loser ever since. You’ve been sleeping on the couch. Yeah. Yeah. No doubt. You can see the bags building out of my eyes as we speak. All right. Very good. Uh BK, don’t go too far because we’re probably going to lean on you here momentarily. Gotcha. If you are listening and you want to watch, go to fox13news.com/nodpod if you’re watching and you want to listen or subscribe. You can take out your phone, zap the QR code on the screen, and head to our show page. Feel free to leave comments on the YouTube channel and a five-star review on iTunes if you so wish. Please subscribe fox13news.com/nodpot. Um, so big news that uh pertains to uh you sir and and BK for that matter. Nick Sabin, is he getting back into college football coaching? His former uh student would that would you say? His quarterback. His quarterback Greg Maroy. Yeah, he’s uh on his podcast said that he has credible in then sources uh that believe uh and pretty adamant about it that Sabin is interested in getting back into college football that he won’t stay retired for too long. So, it’s been 18 months as we sit here. Um, I don’t know what that looks like. If I mean, it’s it’s exciting to think about. I mean, the I’m sure just about any college program outside of a handful would drop their coach in a minute and say, “Yeah, we’ll take him. We don’t care if he’s about to turn 74. He’s still sharp as attack and ready to roll and can build a championship winner. Even if it was on the short term, you get the guy for maybe, you know, even if you got him for three, four years, it’s worth it, right?” So, um, I don’t know. Let’s let’s see if we can lend some credibility to this and as we kind of kick around some of the options um before we get into the actual schools. Do you like this idea? Because it’s probably not back at Alabama. No, it’s probably not back at Alabama. And yes, I like the idea of Nick S. I think Nick Sin needs to be on a sideline because he’s still very sharp. If you watch his analysis last year for ESPN’s College Game Day, I mean, this guy, you can almost tell he’s just dying to get out there and start coaching some defense again. So, this it would not surprise me if he wasn’t done. Um although he’s got it really good. He’s got this beautiful home down here in Florida where he is playing a lot of golf, playing the best golf life according to reports. And I think that, you know, the ultimate person who would make this decision is Miss Terry, right? And that’s what we tape this SEC media days are going on in Atlanta and of course Sabin’s former assistants are getting asked about this. Kirby Smart saying I don’t see it happening. I talked to Nick regularly. Uh of course he would be great for football. Um he’s too qualified to be one of my position coaches. Uh but he said I don’t think Miss Terry’s going to let him off that couch. And then you have Lane Keifin saying I think I think there is some smoke to this fire and I think he is coming back. Yeah, I would I would think that um Kirby probably would be a little bit more in the know if that were going to happen, but yeah, I I don’t see it happening. Um but it’s fun to talk about. So, we’re we’re going to kick around the idea of if he does, what are the best options? What fits Nick Sabin at this stage in life? Uh what kind of program is he looking for? And you know, obviously a place where they can win national championships. I think that’s uh that goes without saying. Um, but some place that may may have uh a coach that they’re not too fond of right now or or willing to get rid of for Nick Sabin. So, uh, CBS Sports kicked around some they they had five. Let’s see. They had five schools and let’s go through these and then if you have some more that you’d like to add, we could do that. So, uh, first on their list was North Carolina. So, not you’re counting down though, five to one, right? Okay. Yeah. So, they went with North Carolina who obviously just hired 78-year-old Bill Bich. So, they’re not scared of a little bit of age. I’m sure Miss Terry’s not going to be running their practices, so they don’t have to worry about that sideline little she might issue. Well, maybe. Yeah. Um, you know, I look, I can’t imagine that they would dump Bill Bichc that quickly. But does he dump them and go back to the NFL after a year? After one year. I I could see that. I could see that. You never know what what jobs are going to open, right? I mean, Kirby could take a job in the NFL and then maybe he takes the the Georgia gig or something like that. But based on what we have right in front of us now, I think Bellich’s in for at least three years there. And uh so I don’t see that happening. I don’t think they would fire him after everything they’ve invested into that program for him. Yeah. Um to then do that. So even though they may be tempted to um uh Texas Tech was number four on this list and that I think is just built around this idea that they got tons of money and love can buy a roster. Yeah. I mean they there’s a lot of a lot of big donor money at Texas Tech. I just can’t even fathom him going to love Texas. I can’t I can’t see it either. The The only way I would give this a little credence is that Joey McIntyre is Texas Tech coach. He’s a good little coach, but he cut his teeth in the high school. Good little good little coach. He’s a good little guy. Sound like sound like Spurer now. But he’s uh he’s I if Texas Tech’s investing and reports are they’ve got a roster building over over $50 million in this year’s roster, you’re going to want some payoff for that investment. and so can McIntyre get it done. So, but I I’m I agree. I don’t believe that Texas Tech is a likely landing spot for I mean, there’s there’s certainly a path in the Big 12. I mean, that that goes without saying, but I I just yeah, I can’t see that destination as is where he would come back to. Uh number three, Florida State. So, you know, you look at the season Norell had last year, and I think up until then that the idea of him leaving under any other terms other than his own would be preposterous. But you turn in a two and 10 season and now people are wondering, hey, what what’s happening? Like this. So, this is a pivotal year for him uh to make sure this team can get this, you know, this team back on the right direction. But I could I could see that. I could I could see that there’s money. Yeah, there’s money at Florida State. I think the ACC is certainly winnable. Um and you don’t have to go headto-head with the the teams that you’ve coached before in the SEC. I mean, I I do think it would be weird to jump back into the SEC and then go against like an Alabama. I think he want if he got back, I think he would want to go into the SEC, but Florida State would be attractive. I’m just not sure how likely Florida State is because Norll’s buyout is 63 million and they’ve just spent a lot of money on stadium renovations, facilities. I don’t know that they have the money that Texas A&M had to pay Jimbo Fischer. I don’t know if they have that to buy Norbell out. That’s possible. I don’t know who would come to the table though potentially if you know if they turn in a a below 500 record this year. I mean that seat gets hot real quick. So you never know. Um all right number two Michigan. Yeah Michigan. I I don’t think Shro is the long-term answer there uh in Ann Arbor and you know he did spend five seasons at Michigan State earlier in his career. Might he return to the state with the other program? You know they’re a team that’s obviously better positioned. The Big 10 has plenty of money. Michigan as a as a university has plenty of dough. I could see that. That that makes some sense to me, too. Um, you know, that seems almost like Yeah, it’s a turnkey program. I don’t I don’t think you need a failing next season for Moore to make that move. Yeah, I think that they’d be willing to jump with that right now. You got that big five-star stud freshman quarterback. Uh, Sabin would love to coach him. Now, I see I would put Michigan as probably my num number one, but their number one is LSU and which is interesting to me because I mean I don’t know, have you heard anything about them souring on Brian Kelly? Last last season there was a little chatter about that, but but this season there’s been a lot of positivity surrounding recruiting. They had the top transfer portal class and they should be really good. So, I don’t know why that’s number one. Now, if he maybe that’s it. If you have this roster, this much money invested, and you turn in another another subpar season, and Savin’s out there lurking, maybe I could see it then. But yeah, he’s got a big buyout, too. 70 million. Yeah, I think the tie in from having won a national championship is kind of the obvious thing, but I I don’t I don’t know if I see that. A couple other schools that I’ll throw out there that I I think could be in the mix. I mean, not likely, but how about a West Virginia? His dad played for for West Virginia. He he grew up there. Um, I don’t know, maybe for some sentimental value. Yeah, they’ve got Rich Rod now, though. They do. They do have Rich Rod. I think I think they happily part with Rich Rod, even though that is a nostalgic rehire. Uh, Penn State, you know, they’ve they’ve been trying to climb over that threshold for so long that that maybe they say, “Hey, like if there’s ever a guy to to swap to send James Franklin packing, I don’t I mean, they make the playoffs last year. I don’t know. They should be really good this year. But they’re that close. But Sabin is an upgrade. I would agree. Certainly. Uh I could see if you know I don’t think they would dump Dan Lanning, but I think Oregon would make a play if Lanning decided to go. I mean, they’ve his name’s been circulated the last couple of years. If he makes a jump for the NFL or, you know, takes some other program that opens up that’s bigger than Oregon. I could see that potentially happening. I What about Florida? I mean, Napier Napier has started to turn the tide in the second half of last season, but you know, obviously we remember the reports last year where he was kind of on the hot seat. This is another big season for him and now that he’s got another year under DJ Lagway at quarterback, like there’s the expectations are a lot higher. A brutal schedule, too. So, I could see that. But that’s slipping back into the SEC. And then I also I don’t know. What about Auburn? What about this is that this is the scenario we discussed. We discussed about a month ago. Yeah. No, there’s no way. I mean, now Well, if Hugh Freeze wants to drop that seven handicap down to five, then maybe this is the opportunity to do that. Oh, there’s just no way. Hugh Freeze is on the hot seat. No doubt. Uh especially with all the scuttle around his his golf adventures while he should be recruiting and all that, but I just don’t see that one happening. I like all those on your list. The only others I would I think it’s got to be probably a brand name, lots of money, and a coach who someone like you mentioned Dan Lanning going to the NFL. Oh, what if Lincoln Riley? He’s been People have talked about Lincoln Riley making the leap to the NFL. Is USC a landing spot? Yeah, I I definitely think that would sounds good, too. Yeah. Um, with that, let’s bring Brian back in because we’re going to kick off our open draft. But, uh, Brian, any comments on the the thoughts we have for Sabin there? I just don’t see this happening. I mean, it’s not none of it. I mean, would Greg Mroy mislead Brian? No, but you know what it sounds like and KO, I don’t know what his contract is still with Bama, but it sounds like what a coach does when he wants to renegotiate his contract. And it sounds like Jimmy Sexton written all over it. And so he’s, you know, would a credible person Jimmy Saxon would be a credible person. He would be a credible person. Yeah. To go to I don’t I just don’t see. So So is ESPN not paying Nick enough money? I guess not. I don’t know what the what the situation is or what the motivation. How could the guy need any more money? Oh, I don’t know. I don’t and why would he all of a sudden now want to you know I enjoy that NIL game and having to negotiate with high school kids agents now you got now you got a general manager really to handle you don’t though at some of these but maybe he just loves he loves it that much you know like sometime you can complain about the grind but then you feel lost when you’re not in it open draft guys we’re going to have to fly through this because uh we’re running tight on time so we got five rounds same structure as we did in our last golf tournament and that is uh we snake draft five rounds. Your top three golfers in terms of score, uh, they will be the ones that count. Okay, so it’s going to be an aggregate score of your top three. Okay, are we ready? We We don’t have a official draft order. All right, Rochelle, pick a number between 1 and 20. One and 20. Don’t tell us. Brian 16. Brian says 16. Six. Chris says six. I’m going to say eight. What do you got? Yes. 12. Am I picking last again? So yeah. So 128. You’re four-way. Brian’s four-way. I’m the furthest away. That over this is fortune rules. Okay. All right. Okay. So Scott BK then me. God. I’m always third in these stinking major drafts. Second is the worst. No. Third’s the worst. No. No. Third. You at least double back. Second. It’s all right. Okay. I’m happy with him. Let’s go. Okay. Well, I’m going to switch things up this year. He’s going Scotty. No. All right. with the number one overall pick in the open draft from Royal Port Rush. Uh, I’m going to take Rory Maroy. Rory. Okay, it’ be a fan favorite there, wouldn’t it? All right, BK, you’re up. I will take Scotty Sheffler. Yeah, Scott left it for you. I’m going John Rom. And then I circle back to me. Let me go back to my big board. Um, uh, this will be fun. We all like to watch a good Tyrell Hatton meltdown, right? When he’s throwing his club and tossing his hat in. Uh he’s done well at this course though. I’m going uh Tyrell Hatton with my second pick. Okay, Brian, you’re back on the clock. I’m going to follow the uh Scott path here and I’m taking Xander Schoffley, last year’s winners. He’s falling apart lately. Yeah, but he’s made what some ungodly amount of cuts there at the open. So straight. Yeah. So he’s an active leader of cuts made, which is the key in this little thing we Okay. Um, let me go let me go with a uh the last guy to have won there. I don’t know if he’s going to do it again, but I think he’s going to shoot a low score. And that would be Shane Lowry. That’s right. It’d be another local favorite there. Uh, I’m back on the clock. And uh, for that, oh man, I’m already running out of options here. Um, you know what? I I kind of like uh I’m going to wait. Okay, I’m going to see if he floats. Okay, I’m going to go Bryson. Give me Bryson. Okay. Uh, my turn, right? Yeah. Dang it. When do I get to pick again? Okay. Uh, give me Victor. Victor Havlin. That’s a good one. He was on my board. All right. I’m going um I think I need a Irish guy on my team here. You guys both got an Irishman. Uh, let’s go. Robert McIntyre runner up at the US Open last month. Um, and hey, rain in the forecast at Royal Port Rush. Okay. Yeah. I’m just saying McIntyre plays well in the rain. He does. He’s a mutter. All right. All right. So, yeah. So, circles back around to me again. Um, since as your guy is still out there. Yeah. He’s not I’m not taking set this time. Oh, Sam. He burned. He’s burned me and BK now. Um, I’m going since as BK pointed out, this is about let’s just get our guys to make the cut. This guy has never missed a cut at this major. Jordan Spief. Nice. Very nice. Did my did my homework. Okay. Uh, give me Shoot. Shoot. Shoot. Colin Morocawa. You always go with C. All right. Oh, no. All right. I’m going to go my double pick here. Uh why don’t we go uh Oberg and then the guy that I actually wanted and that would be um uh Matt Fitzpatrick. Oh, Matt Fitzpatrick. Okay. Okay, I am done. Brian, you’re back on the clock for your final pick. Sentimental favorite. Wait, hang on. What What did you get in your last one, Brian? Uh Moracawa. Oh, okay. Why did I not get that? Okay, he’s going to win his first, not only, you know, major, his first ever golf tournament this weekend, guys. Tommy Fleetwood. Oh, yeah. Tommy Fleetwood, that would be huge. That’s a run right there. You got Fleetwood. Fleet. No, you don’t have McIntyre. Oh, nice. We could combine our Bride and I tie again. We could have that. All right, my last one, right? And this will finish us off. Um, again going with a guy that hasn’t missed a cut at this event, uh, and has nine top 10 finishes here. Jason Day. Jason Day. All right. Lovely. All right. There it is. And the winner in this will get What did we decide? Is it Was it Irish? Is it the shepherd’s pie? Maybe we want to go Shephardd’s pie. Sure. Or should we drink something out of a clar jug? I say uh maybe both. You do you still have your uh I think he returned it. You won. Scott won this last year. We had a I gave you the KO family heirloom claret jog. It was my grandpa’s spatoon. I thought it was your grandma’s spatoon. It was grandma’s urinal latrine. No bedpan. Yeah. And I don’t think you returned it. No, I think I’ve got it. I’ll clean it out for you if you win. Very good. Something out of the clar jug and little shepherd’s pie. I love it. All right. Coming up on the other side, we’re going to catch up with our old friend, the nod pod rod in the ring of distinction. And that would be when Ira Kaufman, the sage of Tampa Sports, joins us next. [Music] Chris, you know, this year is the 50th anniversary year of your Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That’s right. So, a lot of big things are being celebrated this uh this season, and they’re going to have some throwbacks. They announced the all whites that are going to be worn on week three. So cool things. How about we chat with a guy on the verge of training camp that has covered most of those seasons for your Tampa Bay Buccaneers? What do you think? Who would that be? Scott, that would be none other than the Sage, the Rod, Ira Kaufman. How’s the How’s the summer going in the Coffman household? I know that you went up to New York recently. Are we doing any cruises? Big cruising guy. Uh, no. You know, my wife’s had some health issues, Scott. So, we we don’t want to be in a place with like, you know, 200 people. Two, not not let alone, you know, 2500 people. Now, we did an 11-day cruise last November. We did um New York, we hit three shows and a jazz club in 4 days. We don’t fool around when we go to the Big Apple. Um and uh so it was a good trip. And uh you know, the big news for me, Scott, um I got an electric guitar. I got a less Paul and uh I brought it home and I got the amp and I’ve got the case and um I’ll tell you what uh once I I start getting these chords down uh I’m going I’m going on Fox 13 and going to play you a couple of tunes. Please do. We need to we need to jazz up our intro music on the podcast. Maybe we can assign that to you. Are you working on your chord progressions? I am. And I even got that hat, you know, that little uh, you know, the Cockney hat and a Dwayne Alman shirt. I’m set. I’m all set. But you got to stick with it. You got to stick with it. It doesn’t come overnight. It just doesn’t. No, it does. And it’s harder the older you get the dexterity with the hand and you got to get used to pressing on the obviously on the strings and stuff. So that’s good. I’m proud of you, man. I’m gonna have to hear you. Oh, I got to get Scott. I I got to get a Carissan bottle for a slide, you know, for trying to trying to play slide guitar. It’s uh one step at a time, baby. Let’s just let’s work on our G chord and then move move on. I love it. I know I know you are a big music buff. So, here’s here’s a question for you. Dead or alive, one musician you would love to sit down for a drink or a meal with. McCartney. McCartney. And I got the I got the opening question, Scott. There’s only one question. How the hell did you come up with all those melodies? How did you do it? How do you do it? Uh he’s written all the great melodies. There’s no melodies anymore, Scott. There’s nothing left. Um and you know, he gives them he gives away to other people, you know. Um there was a group Peter and Gordon and they, you know, hey, take my songs. It doesn’t fit the Beatles. Um the guy’s a genius. Even Bob Dylan said, um he he’s in awe of of Paul McCartney. So, uh, I I’ll I’ll go with him. Uh, or Chuck Barry, um, who, uh, I think is the father of rock and roll in my opinion. Would I would have taken you for a Sinatra guy. I would think Old Blue Eyes and Ira sitting down. He’s in the top five. He’s in the top five. No, because he’s going to pick up the check, Scott. That That’s a big factor. Well, they all better. They be better be fighting for it. You know, when I went to breakfast with um I went to breakfast with Warren Sap to do a feature on him after he was going to go into the Hall of Fame and uh I drove all the way to CMI or some place Orlando to meet him and then um he left before the check came. He he walked out before the check came. I mean that that’s one of my sap stories. That’s one of my favorites. All right. So, this is the 50th season of Buccaneer football. How many of these have you been a part of? Well, next year is going to be my 50th year in the business. In the business, my friend. And something tells me you’re not going to make 50. You You’re going to make about 42. I I think. Um All right. So, I came here in 85. So, I come in 85 from New York. Scott, I’m working for United Press. By the way, every place I work for, they go out of business. UPI’s out of business. The Tribune’s out of business. You better hope I don’t join Fox 13 in in the next year or two. Uh but uh so I get here in 85. Scott uh Leroy Selman just retired. John uh John McCay just retired. So what do I get? I step into Lehman Bennett 2 and 14. I figure, oh, it’s got to get better. 1986 2 and 14. So I start off 4 and 32 covering your Tampa Bay Bucks. And the next year, Ray Perkins shows up, who I covered in New York in 1979. He walks in the press room. Ira, what are you doing here? I said, Ray, I was just going to ask you the same question. Uh, I was one of the few guys that Perkins liked. Scott, I take it as a badge of honor, you know, with those beady eyes. Scott, he he was a tough dude. He was a tough dude. So part part of their roll out this year is uh you know they’ve got this big uh uniform on uh what do you I know the all whites are you know it’s like the next thing but what is your best color combo um over the years of you’ve seen all the iterations of it. What was what was the best if you had to pick one? I’m I’m a pewtor man. Scott now Scott uh full disclosure um I’m colorb blind. I I don’t know what the hell’s going on. Um, you should have my wife uh my my mother put my socks on till I was 15 years old. Um, because she didn’t want me going to school with one uh one brown and and and one red. I I I can’t tell a red brown from uh that is a beautiful blue shirt you’re wearing. It’s fantastic. Um and and you tell people you’re color blind, they they they freak out. They can’t understand it. But it’s uh it’s no bargain because it uh it screws up your whole fashion sense. So now you’re asking me about Buck uniforms and and I want to talk about Tristan Warfs and you and you want to talk about uh Peter and and Orange and White on your wall, but I’ll let I’ll let it slide for now. Uh yeah. No, let’s go there. Let’s go there because training camp of course is upon us. And uh the big news of Tristan Worfs missing the first couple of games, maybe three games, arthoroscopic knee surgery. You know, it’s never a good time to miss an allp pro, right? But it seems like this offense and this team is built in such a way that they can deal with his absence. How do you take it? Well, I’d like to know a little bit more about um when the injury happened and why didn’t he have this procedure before uh you know, we saw him uh with a knee brace, Scott, during, you know, uh mandatory mini camp. Uh we didn’t think that much of it. Um now comes the news that he might miss three or four games. You’re right. Um, I hate the fact that Atlanta’s, you know, the first game and I I think you got to step on their neck. They beat you twice last year. It was disgusting. Uh, BS still has nightmares about those two Atlanta games. Kurt Cousins threw eight touchdown passes in those two games against the Bulls defense. Um, I’m with you. Uh, you know, now look, you know, going to Houston week two, not easy. Um, and then week four is the Eagles. So, it’s not an easy stretch, but I’m with you. You know, I think they can go two and two without worse. I guess they’ll use Andy Hec. He’s a big guy. Um, but uh nothing’s going to slow down this offense in my mind, Scott. They they got a lot of weapons. Yeah. I mean, for for a time to lose your allpro anchor, I think, you know, it’s it coincides with them having probably their best line offensive line ever. So, I I think the the collective will be able to carry it. That would be my guess. You know, we’re just getting warmed up with Ira. I mean, he’s we have not even scratched the surface. He’s got many more Scots to drop during your conversation and he’s going to drop some knowledge that is coming up as we discuss Bucks and training camp next with our Coffman. [Music] Welcome back to the No Off Days podcast. Our guest this week is none other than Ira Kaufman from Joe Bucks fan. Uh he is the Hall of Fame voter here in Tampa Bay and uh he is affectionately referred to as the sage of Tampa sports because he has covered this beat for so long. Uh he has seen every coach that’s come through the doors over at One Bug Place and uh everybody loves him and we of course love him on the show. So we are going to jump back into our conversation with the Sage right now. Is there a player or a position group on the roster that when when you’re checking out these these training camp practices you’re going to be most intrigued by? I’m I’m looking at Assan Reic. Uh Scott, um I think he’s a key figure. Um even though Scott, even though the sack total with BS, it’s it’s always going to be about 45. Somehow someway by the end of the year, they got 45 sacks, you know, in their top 10. But that’s not the whole story in my opinion. you watch the Bucks like I do. I’d rather have consistent pressure. You know, the 45 sacks don’t tell the whole story. So, pass defense was a huge issue last year. They went out and signed Reic for a reason. They needed an edge rusher opposite Diab. Diyabi slipped last year in terms of a sack total. Reic’s got to be really motivated, Scott. He’s got to be. I mean, it’s a contract year and he’s got to uh, you know, restore his reputation as one of the premier pass rushers. Last year was a nightmare. So, I like the fact that he plays off the left edge. You don’t have to move the obi. He can stay on the right side. And I think Scott, if BS is got more confidence in the pass rush, he won’t play as soft a defense as he did, cuz that drove people crazy last year playing 10 yards off the line of scrimmage with the quarterbacks. Um, I think Jamal Dean, you know, I’ I’ve been talking about it a lot, Scott, on my podcast. My guys don’t always agree with me on Joe Bucks fan. I I think he’s really on the bubble. I mean, I’m not a Jamal Dean guy. He, first of all, he can’t stay healthy, Scott. And they drafted Benjamin Morrison for a reason. And if that guy is healthy, he he could take Dean’s job. He’s making a lot of money, Dean. For what you get out of him, I think he’s making too much money. So, we shall see. But, I’m looking at Reic. Yeah, but they’re really high on on Parish as well. I think he sounds like a guy could step in there and start. I’m not sure if he’s going to line up at Warner or SL. He could be at Nickel. He could be at Nickel. Scott could be You and Hassan Reic have have some in common. You know, you thumb your nose at New York and now you live out your best years in Tampa. That could be the story. That’s not bad, Scott. That’s not bad. Who benefits the most from Reic’s presence on that defense? Is there a Is there a player or, you know, is it your interior guys? Is it Dy on the opposite side? Is it is it your second layer of, you know, linebackers able to kind of get through? Who who do you think benefits the most from that? I think it’s the back unit. I think it’s the secondary. Um Winfield, uh let’s hope he stays healthy. We know what he’s capable of. Scott, I’m not going to hold Winfield to 2023 standards. I I think that’s a little bit uh naive because he looked like Ronda Barber two years ago. He He really did. Um, but you know, his play fell off even when, you know, I know he was hurt, but if you get a better pass rush with Reic, um, you can take more chances. The quarterback’s in trouble. U, you can read his eyes a little better. I I think the whole secondary will benefit from Hassan Reic having a big year. Let’s flip to the other side of the ball where you have Baker Mayfield going into his third year here in Tampa. Guy’s 30 years old. I mean, he’s got at least five good years in front of him, you know. Is this a situation where you think he runs it out here? I mean, based on what we’ve seen, if that holds, right? I mean, this guy retires a Buccaneer. Is it too early to talk about that? Why would he want to go anywhere else, Scott? And why would the Bucks want anybody else? He He’s won over his teammates. He’s one over the town. He’s one over the media, Scott. You know, uh we we’re falling head over heels with this guy. and he’s very involved with the community, you know, and that’s serious stuff. Um, he’s done all the right things and as you said, he’s right in his prime. He’s right in his prime. Uh, now I think Bucky Irving is the guy that stirs everything up on that side of the ball. Uh, we saw how bad the running game was two years in a row. Here comes Irving. And to be fair, Rashad White ran it better last year also. Credit to the offensive line, bigger holes. Um, Graham Barton was an upgrade. Scott, he was an upgrade as as the anchor. Um and and uh Bredesen, you know, did enough the fact that they wanted him back. They could have let him go to free agency. So, you know, between Irving um and uh you know, Mike Evans, he’ll get that thousand. I hope it doesn’t go down to the last play. Scott, let’s not let’s not extend the drama. By the way, that that was one of the most emotional moments uh for you and I uh wa watching Buck football. I mean, that was a great moment. There’s no question about it. Turn up. I saw you tearing up. Yeah. Some people some people think the Saints gave him that gave him that catch. I I didn’t think so. I don’t think so. Well, but it was a little bit it felt a little a little high leverage at the at the point, but uh yeah, that’s that’s definitely one of the one of the moments that you’ll remember. Um what about Chris Godwin? What’s your what’s your read on on his rehab and how much this team is banking on him to produce this year? I mean, obviously he signed a contract, but he he’s got to, you know, he’s we’ve got to see him at 100%. And I I think this the jury is still out on that, right? I I’m I’m with you. Um there are concerns, Scott. There are concerns. Now, you were there when Jason Light, you know, after the first night of draft, uh well, drafting this kid, uh you know, had nothing it had nothing to do with Godwin’s, uh recovery. Zero. Um now, Light’s a great guy and he’s drafted very well the last five years, Scott. There’s no question about it. Um, but you know, he he he’s a fiber at times, Scott, he’s a fiber. U you know, he always says after they take the guy in the first round, well, we had him 10 spots higher. You know, we got a steal. We don’t get a look at the board. So, to think that it had nothing to do when they had all these defensive needs and you’re taking a wide receiver and I think the kid’s going to be good. I think Ed Booker is going to be good. Um, but from what I can hear, he’s a a Godwin clone. He’s got the same skills as Godwin. Um, and works out of the slot mostly. So, I’m with you. I I I’m not sure Godwin’s going to be ready week one, but um I don’t think that’s going to [ __ ] this offense. The way McMillan came on last year, Scott, that gives me that that gives me a lot of confidence about this offense. Yeah. I mean, if we go if we flash back though to last season, if there was a point in the season where there was the greatest need at a certain position group, it was the wide receiver position when uh when Godwin and Evans went down and you know, you’re like, “Oh boy, the bench is a little bit lean right now.” So, it makes sense to me develop the next generation of guys, but when you look at the rookie class in general, you know, they they get another guy in Tess Johnson seventh round. Uh they address the the quarterback position. they get a, you know, a little speed demon off the edge, uh, that out of out of central Arkansas that produced, you know, ridiculous numbers. But, but seems like the the rookie that everybody’s talking most about is the guy they picked up in free agency in Shadur Sanders or not Shadur, Shiloh. Yeah, he’s going to get that a lot. Shiloh. Do you think that he has a legit shot of of making this team and carving out a little NFL career? Scott, my uh my advice to you is enjoy him while you can. Enjoy him while you can. Hit him hard in training camp. Uh he’s a long shot. He’s a long shot. Uh Scott, it wouldn’t be impossible. Um but it’d be difficult. Um uh I wonder if Dion will pop in one day. You never know. Um Scott, you think Gruden could Could John Gruden be around during training camp? Could he? You know, he’s he’s he’s mended fences with the Glazers. Why not? He’s opening up Buccaneer boxes. I mean, my goodness, there’s no greater form of being welcomed back into the family than that, right? Name back. Everything, Scott. Everything was uh I called it club um you know, camp tranquility. Nobody’s holding out. You don’t read about these distractions with the Bucks. And then all of a sudden, Scott, today, you know, two weeks before camp starts, you got this little jolt about Tristan Worfs. Scott, I think you’re with me. You can make a strong argument. Tristan Worf’s the best player on this football team. I mean, it’s you can make a compelling case. You know, there’s some other guys there, but Evans’s past his prime and Wors isn’t. Um, so he’s that good, Scott. Who else can make a seamless transition from the right side to the left side? They’re going to miss this guy. Uh especially in pass protection when he gives up a sack, Scott. Uh I I almost uh I dropped my pretzel in the press box. My pretzel falls right from my mouth on onto the table, you know, and you’ve seen it. You You’ve been a witness. You can rip that thing out of your hand. Yeah. Um Yeah. No, I think that people are there’s, you know, those that remember the the Ryan Jensen saga in day one of training camp almost feel like, well, look, we’ve seen some some strange turnabouts here as training camp rolls around. So, when your best player is rehabbing through that portion of the season and he’s going to jump right in hopefully, you know, second month of the season and, you know, in the grand scheme of things, maybe it’s not that big of a hit. I I I do agree though that there’s, you know, those early games, especially against Atlanta, uh, that’s going to be big. You want to get out of the gate strong in the division, uh, especially against a team that swept you last year. So, in training camp, am I going to see, are you going to be rocking your new lid, your guitar hat? I I I might bring out my Les Paul one day. I I might bring it out, play a little Credence for you, a little Credence. Um, maybe even Led Zeppelin, you know, I I I need to uh I need to shock you a little bit and um with my dexterity. Um, and I sing too, Scott, with this voice. Can you imagine me singing? Oh my god. I can. It’s I bet it’s a glorious thing. I’m gonna get you an autotuner. We’ll get you all the accutramont for your budding music career. I want a marshal stack like Cream used to use, you know, 20 feet high. I I I I I want to reach the people in in the cheap seats. That’s what I want to do. I love it. You’re going to be playing the national anthem one of these days at Raymond James Stadium on your guitar. Very good. He is the sage of Tampa Sports. Ira Kaufman, looking forward to seeing you back at One Buck this season and uh plenty of Bucks games this year, too. Good to see you. My pleasure, Scott. Enjoyed it. Always a fun chat. I love catching up with Ira. And we will we’ll see plenty more of him. You know, I’m not done with him. It’s football season just kicking off. He’s not done with us. And as as the member, the only member of our Nod Pod Rod, Ring of Dignity or Distinction. Yeah, one of those. Okay. Uh he’s welcome to come back anytime. Anytime. It’s an open door policy. Look out behind you. Uh, actually coming up next, we’re gonna have our fun block. BK joins us with what is it? It’s a one must go. One must go. Next. Hope it’s not me. [Music] Welcome back to the No Off Days podcast. Time for our fun block. And with that, let’s bring Mr. Fun in Brian King. All right, Brian. Uh, last time you brought out this game, one must go, uh, it was it was a it was a trial run and um, it was a lot of fun, but I I didn’t do very well in it. So, I’m going to try my second hand at it here and hopefully we can get back in the win. Well, this is something you can’t lose, right? It’s just a difference of opinion. Yeah. Yeah. It’s right up your alley. He voted BK voted himself off this show last time. I feel so defeated in life right now that uh, maybe I’m already just Yeah. before the game even starts. All right, let’s do this. Simply, I’m going to put four things up on screen. And you got to pick one of them that just disappears forever. We never see it again. We probably never saw it in the past either. Single ply toilet paper. There you go. Okay. So, you know, since the Bucks are doing the throwbacks this year, 50th anniversary, I thought, let’s do a little bit of NFL kind of throwback things. Which of these helmets must go? Patriot Pat, the New England old helmet, the Seattle Seahawks old helmet, the old Denver Broncos helmet, or the Miami Dolphins old helmet? One of those has to go. Which one would it be? Okay. Um, well, the Miami Dolphins helmet is their current helmet, is it not? No. That’s the one they should have right here. Exactly. That’s the one I always remember. Uh, I when I see that D, I think John Elway. I love it. It’s classic. I want the orange unis, too. Super tacky. Uh, the Seattle Seahawks. Uh, you know, that was before the insertion of, uh, when they tried to force feed us neon green with everything. And so, I kind of like that. I’m thinking Steve Larent. I’m going to go Patriot Pat out the doubt. Sorry. Yeah. Uh BK, this is great. I love all of these. Definitely nostalgic for me. Uh I love the the Shawn Alexander era Seahawks. I love Dan Marino was one of my favorite quarterbacks and John Elway. And because of that, but I do like Patriot Pat, but I’m going to agree with Scott and say that he needs to hike himself through his own legs and get on out of here. Just not a lot of wins in that helmet. That’s what I’m saying. Not a lot of wins. So, we’re all in unison there. That’s one I would have picked, too. It’s the fact that a Patriots snapping a ball. Who I mean, yeah, I mean, he could have been catching a pass or even punting, shooting an opponent with a musket. The most important part of a football team is the offensive line, right? So, I think it’s actually, you know, from a foundational standpoint, you want your O line to be the the main. Yeah. But the way the Patriots played back then, that was the only member of their line. Yeah. There’s no quarterback behind them. Interesting. Wow. Yeah, we all agree on that one. Okay, how about this one? Major this week with uh cleric jug up on the line. Which of these major trophies? You got to take one out. One’s got to go. The masters trophy, which has no nickname. The PGA trophy, which is the water maker. US Open trophy has no nickname. And then the open trophy, clar jug. One of those has to go. Okay. Is that the jug bottom left? Yeah, clar jug is bottom right. Oh, okay. It doesn’t look like a jump. Uh, US Open is bottom left and water maker’s top right and the Masters is top left. So, the Masters trophy is really not the thing. It’s the green jacket, you know. Um, but still, anything that’s coming from the Masters to me is uh it’s preeminent. That’s the best. So, I love the Clar Jug, too. Um, I just love the little curved kind of spout. Uh, and I like the Waker Trophy because that was one of the f it just a sentimental part. That was one of the first majors that I ever got to cover in person was the PJ Championship at Southern Hills in Tulsa back in the day. Uh so I’m going to let the US Open go even though I’m as patriotic as it gets, but um no, I’m sorry. Well, I I will say I want to keep US Open because that was the first and only major I’ve ever covered when it was played at uh Lower Marian in Pennsylvania. Okay. Uh so I’m keeping that one. And yeah, I agree. Anything Masters, even though of all these four trophies, that’s probably the lamest, but it’s Masters. I guess I’ll go. We’re in such a divisive world where we think, oh, you know, we need to be um just keep our self to our own country here. But that’s the attitude I’m going to take here. Let’s eliminate the one that’s from a tournament that’s played overseas. Clarit jug. The oldest clarret jug. You’re out of here. Okay. Oh, that’s the coolest one because the winner gets doesn’t even look like a jug. Yeah, but the the winner gets it for the whole year. Then he has to bring it back. That’s what makes it I think that’s so cool. Do that with the Stanley. Honestly, I think no one realizes that you get a a trophy for the Masters. I I very I can’t remember any pictures of Tiger holding up the Masters trophy. So, for me, that one’s one’s got to go. Yeah, I’m with you. I could go there. Okay, we’re going to change the uh subject here. Got four Pearl Jam albums. Oh, yeah. One of these has to go. 10 versus Vlogy Yield. Okay. So, I mean, obviously 10’s not going anywhere. That’s the best album of all time. Um, I’m going to say I Versus is probably number two. I mean, I almost kind of want to go in order. Uh, although Yield I think beats Vitalology, even though Vitalology, first of all, it was probably the coolest. It was the first like CD you got that was like made out of paper and it was like it had every song lyric in it and it was all this vintage. there was stuff stuffed in it, you know, like it was a little folder. So that that was cool. Um and but the but my favorite songs on there are probably like Nothing Man and Better Man. Um all the man songs. All the man songs. Uh but I’m going to go I think Yield is a better top to bottom album. So I’m going to get rid of it. Yeah, that this is tougher for me than the NFL helmets you had up there. These are all beautiful children that I go to when I’m lonely or sad or happy or anything or celebrating a child’s birth. Um yep. Can’t be 10. Uh, I love Yield. Yield is my actually probably my sneaky favorite Pearl Jam album, but I have to say 10 is because it’s 10. Love Yield. Um, so many bangers on there. Listen to No Way. That’s fun. Um, Given to Fly, Do the Evolution. I’m going to go I agree with I hate to agree with Scott too many times, but I think it would be um No, I’m keeping Vitality. I’m really Yeah, you’re getting rid of verses. I’m going to get rid of verses. I mean, I just because again of Vitaly’s um just the nostalgia that it brings me with that cover and the I seem to recognize you’re the elderly lady now. I got it. Well, well, see that that’s why this is so great. There is no loser because whatever album you get rid of, the other three sound just like the one you just got rid of. Brian from the top is what Chris Griffin just told me. And so, uh, so yeah, I tell him to pipe Chris Griffin. I bet he’s like a panter guy or anthrax or somebody like that. Anthrax. Is that a band? Yeah, man. Or just a mustard gas. No. Have you ever watched Mustard Gas before concert? So good. Yeah. Don’t get too close to them. Listen from afar. Oh, man. They rock. All right. You want another one? Yeah. How about game shows? Oh, one of these has to go. Price is Right. Family Feud, Will of Fortune, or Jeopardy. You got to take one of those off. Yeah. Um, this is not that hard for me actually. I mean, I do love watching Wheel of Fortune bloopers, but uh the game itself is is not that fun for me. Uh, Jeopardy’s an old man’s game, and so as I get old, I enjoy that more, even though I’m not very good at it. Price is Right grew me up. I mean, I I watch Price, the Price is Right, like all summer long, you know. Scott Smith, come on down. You’re the next contestant on the Price. Did you ever try out? Did you ever audition? No, I did have I did. I I would love to. And I think at certain it’s when I was about uh 12 years old, I think I would have killed on that show. I knew that I the price of every Suzie Haker, every can of beans. I mean, my prices are off a little bit these days. Inflation, I blame you. Um Family Feud is funny. You know, it’s a good that’s a good show. That can’t go anywhere. So, yeah, I’m getting rid of uh even though much love for Pat Sjack and Vanna White. Vanna White, my first crush, by the way. I’m going to get rid of Wheel of Fortune. Yeah, man. BK, you’ve done a great job of making all these tough. Oh, I think out of these four, Jeopardy is my favorite. Again, Scott said it. Good old man show. And I always loved watching Will of Fortune Jeopardy back to back because in one show, you’re brilliant. You’re one of the smartest guys in the world. 30 minutes later, you are a dirt cloud. Like, what are you doing? How do you nod pod? Yeah. Um, so out of those, you know what? I’d say family feud. A little too little too saucy for me. A little too much double on Tandra. There is a lot of that. Too much too much sexy talk. So, who’s the best uh the best host on Family Feud? And the best bloopers though, I think their bloopers are insanely funny. But who do you think My question is, who do you think was the best host for Family Feud or Steve Harvey? By far, I think. So, I don’t know if it’s by far. He’s But he’s very good. Richardson. Richard Dawson was kind of the goat. Um I liked uh was it Ray Combmes? I liked Ray Combmes. RIP. Uh yeah, no doubt. Louis Anderson very forgetful. Oh yeah. During his time there don’t remember Richard K or John Hurley. What was your favorite? Is that John O’Hurly from Seinfeld? Hosted for five years from I don’t know. Oh that’s right. Yeah. Is that is John Our um is that Jay Peterman? Yeah. Okay. Oh, I do remember him hosting. Yeah, that’s him. Oh, that’s weird. Huh. What was your favorite Price is the Right game? Oh, your favorite game that you always Plinko is is good. I always wanted to spin that giant wheel showdown. That was I wanted to do that. The internal calculator going. Get get a 1993 uh Corv was that cliffhanger that had the little I love the mountain climber doodling his way to the top. Yeah, that was my that and the putting game. Yeah, it was a good one. Yeah. Very good. All right, that was fun. Good job, guys. I think I still lost. Everybody won. Yeah, very good. We’re all winners. It was fun. All right. Thanks, BK. Uh, much thanks to our guest, the Sage, the Rod, Ira Coffman as our guest this week as we get ready for training camp. Uh, much thanks to our studio crew. We got Rochelle working the jib. We got Chris on the ones and twos. Again, his AI chatbot brother James working the audio board today for BK and Chris. I’m Scott. Until next time, we’re on. There are no off days. [Music]
With training camp just days away, the NODPOD welcomes back the sage of Tampa sports, Ira Kaufman, to preview the Buccaneers. Plus, could Nick Saban actually be returning to coach college football? Check out this week’s NODPOD.
Welcome to the full video episodes of the “No Off Days with Scott Smith” podcast! FOX 13 News Tampa Bay’s Sports Director Scott Smith is joined by news anchor and part time funny man Chris Cato, plus producer Brian King, to talk about the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Rays, and Tampa Bay Rowdies. The guys interview sports legends and major players from FOX Sports, plus discuss the state of play in everything from golf to goalies. #nodpod #nooffdays #sports
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