Your daily home for Tampa Bay sports. Award-winning Tampa Bay Times journalist Rick Stroud teams up with Steve Versnick every weekday to break down the biggest stories across the Bucs, Rays, Lightning, USF, and beyond. From locker room insight to trade rumors, injury updates, and the moves shaping each franchise, Rick and Steve go beyond the headlines with reporting you won't find anywhere else — plus regular mailbag segments answering listener questions. New episodes drop every weekday morning, making it the ultimate insider's guide to sports in the Bay. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Sep 29, 2026 · 41:35
Baker Mayfield's thumb injury turns out to be the good news/bad news scenario Rick Stroud feared: no torn ligaments, no broken bones, but a minimum three-week absence that wipes…
Sep 28, 2026 · 46:42
Rick Stroud doesn't mince words: the Bucs' 0-3 loss to Minnesota is the doomsday scenario come to life. Baker Mayfield left with a bloodied, dislocated thumb on his throwing hand…
Sep 25, 2026 · 32:28
Rick Stroud lays out why Sunday's game against Minnesota is as close to a must-win as it gets for the 0-2 Buccaneers: lose, and they're 0-3 with Green Bay at home and a…
Sep 24, 2026 · 39:05
Rick Stroud borrows his own Tampa Bay Times line to open the show: rookie edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. now has a groin strain to go with his shoulder issue, and after two games he…
Sep 23, 2026 · 30:45
There was no venue Rick Stroud would have rather seen it happen in: the Tampa Bay Rays clinched the AL East at Yankee Stadium, capped by a dominant Drew Rasmussen start — 11…
Sep 22, 2026 · 48:16
Rick Stroud goes deep on just how bad things have gotten for the Bucs, framing the 0-2 start in stark historical terms: this is a team that has now lost 10 of its last 13 games,…
Sep 21, 2026 · 44:27
Rick Stroud doesn't sugarcoat it: losing at home to Deshaun Watson and a Cleveland Browns team most didn't think could compete is a genuine crisis. Rick and Steve break down…
Sep 18, 2026 · 30:16
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick preview Sunday's Bucs home opener against Cleveland, and Rick doesn't hold back: this is a game the Buccaneers should win comfortably against a…
Sep 17, 2026 · 58:31
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick open with the Rays' magic number dropping to seven to clinch the AL East over the Yankees, then dig into Baker Mayfield's much-hyped return to…
Sep 16, 2026 · 34:37
Junior Caminero does it again. Rick and Steve open with last night's walk-off thriller — Caminero's second walk-off homer in four games, this one a 100-mph fastball flicked out…
Sep 15, 2026 · 39:31
The stat that should worry Bucs fans: Baker Mayfield has fumbled the ball 35 times since 2023 — more than any quarterback in football. A day after Tampa Bay's turnover-plagued…
Sep 14, 2026 · 42:41
Four turnovers, three by Baker Mayfield, and the Bucs handed Cincinnati a game they had no business winning. Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick break down a brutal season-opening…
Sep 11, 2026 · 38:33
Rick Stroud breaks down every angle of Sunday's opener in Cincinnati — and whether Tampa Bay's overhauled defense is ready for one of the NFL's most explosive passing attacks.…
Sep 10, 2026 · 34:57
Baker Mayfield's new deal came together in about 48 hours — and he found out while he was at the movies with his kids. Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick go behind the scenes of how…
Sep 9, 2026 · 33:10
Baker Mayfield just got paid — Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick break down every angle of his stunning new deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Five days before kickoff in…
Sep 8, 2026 · 35:41
It's finally NFL Week 1. Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick preview Sunday's Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals showdown, breaking down the injury news on Emeka Egbuka and…
Sep 4, 2026 · 37:44
Baker Mayfield opens up to Rick Stroud about why he shut down contract talks during Training Camp, and more importantly, why he believes this Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster finally…
Sep 3, 2026 · 40:14
Todd Bowles dropped a surprise answer this week when asked what the deepest position on the Buccaneers roster is — and it wasn't the offensive line, the edge rush, or a wide…
Sep 2, 2026 · 35:21
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick recap today’s media avail with Bucs GM Jason Light, who revealed the call to make Jalen Daniels the number two quarterback was essentially made…
Sep 1, 2026 · 49:41
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick break down the newly finalized Buccaneers practice squad, headlined by two familiar-feeling additions. Veteran quarterback Easton Stick — turning…
Aug 31, 2026 · 39:31
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick dig into one of the more improbable quarterback stories in franchise history: undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels beating out Jake Browning and Connor…
Aug 28, 2026 · 41:19
The Rays' new stadium deal cleared its first hurdle as Tampa City Council approved the agreement 4-3, with Bill Carlson's swing vote sealing it after he used his leverage back in…
Aug 27, 2026 · 36:30
Reporting from Jacksonville, Rick Stroud relays the scary moment nobody around the Bucs wanted to see — Rueben Bain Jr. missing practice with a sprained AC joint, though Rick…
Aug 26, 2026 · 38:36
Rick Stroud reports live from Jacksonville after a joint practice the Bucs would rather forget — Baker Mayfield admitted afterward that "if this was a full game, I don't think we…
Aug 25, 2026 · 37:49
Reporting live from Jacksonville ahead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ joint practices with the Jaguars, Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick recap the shaky tackle depth behind Baker…
Aug 24, 2026 · 42:44
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick break down the Bucs' 16-15 preseason win over Kansas City, where Baker Mayfield's night was cut short behind a patchwork offensive line missing…
Aug 21, 2026 · 35:31
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick break down Vita Vea's first comments since signing his new two-year, $48 million deal, where he insisted he never wanted to leave Tampa Bay, called…
Aug 20, 2026 · 48:21
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick break down the Vita Vea saga finally reaching a resolution — a reworked deal that tacks on $30 million in new money, bumping this year to $24…
Aug 19, 2026 · 38:51
Rick Stroud shares highlights from his sit-down with Baker Mayfield, where the quarterback opened up about healing — physically, after a brutal string of injuries that battered…
Aug 18, 2026 · 38:12
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick break down a wild 7-6 win over the Orioles that snapped the Rays' three-game skid and avoided a home sweep — a slugfest that saw Coby Mayo crush…
Aug 17, 2026 · 37:27
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick break down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers preseason opener in New York, where Tampa Bay held out its starters and let backup QB Jaylen Daniels take over…
Aug 14, 2026 · 45:34
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick preview the Buccaneers' preseason opener against the Jets at MetLife Stadium, breaking down who's likely to play and who's held out. Expect several…
Aug 13, 2026 · 32:06
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick break down a strong finish for the Buccaneers in their second joint practice against the Jets, highlighted by an efficient Baker Mayfield, a…
Aug 12, 2026 · 49:06
Bucs-Jets Joint Practice Turns Chaotic Rick Stroud recaps a joint practice between the Buccaneers and Jets that devolved into roughly six bench-clearing fights. The flashpoint:…
Aug 11, 2026 · 38:19
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Buccaneers preparing to hold joint practices with the New York Jets today and tomorrow. Vita Vea is with the team, who will play this Friday…
Aug 10, 2026 · 40:32
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Tampa Bay Rays as they've won 6 straight games after beating the Mariners 4-1 on Sunday. They have a 5.5 game lead on Yankees with 45 games…
Aug 7, 2026 · 39:07
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on Tampa Bay Buccaneers GM Jason Licht's comments that he has no plans to trade Vita Vea as he continues to hold-in while asking for a trade as he…
Aug 6, 2026 · 34:50
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick with the latest on Vita Vea's hold-in with the Buccaneers as he wants a new contract. Plus the Rays sweep the Rockies as Junior Caminero goes deep…
Aug 5, 2026 · 36:23
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers night practice that was without Vita Vea. His people say a trade is most likely as negotiations aren't going well. Plus…
Aug 4, 2026 · 31:59
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Rays Trade Deadline moves as they acquire SP Freddy Peralta, C Liam Hicks, RP Tyler Wells and trade Hunter Feduccia. Plus the Bucs move…
Aug 3, 2026 · 39:51
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick with the latest on the Buccaneers Training Camp including ownerships feelings about Baker Mayfield's contract comments last week, Vita Vea's…
Jul 31, 2026 · 50:55
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on Baker Mayfield's comments regarding his lack of contract extension with the Buccaneers. He said he felt 'disrespected' and 'undervalued' while…
Jul 30, 2026 · 35:48
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Buccaneers first day of Training Camp as Tristan Wirfs and Vita Vea didn't participate after 'tweaking' something on Tuesday. How does Vita…
Jul 29, 2026 · 33:26
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield reporting to Training Camp without a new contract. He will play this season under his old deal…
Jul 28, 2026 · 40:07
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on Vita Vea's request that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers trade him as he enters the final year of a 4-year contract that will pay him more than $17…
Jul 27, 2026 · 34:32
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick are back from vacation as the Tampa Bay Rays have won 6-of-7 including 2 straight shutouts of the Guardians. Plus the Buccaneers rookies report…
Jul 24, 2026 · 32:42
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick answer your mailbag questions on how new Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson will use his tight ends this season, Baker Mayfield health…
Jul 23, 2026 · 31:11
Rick Stroud is joined by Tom Jones to reminisce about old Press Box stories of the past. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 22, 2026 · 30:32
Rick Stroud is joined by Tom Jones to tell some old stories and discuss the news that Jon Gruden is going to be the play-by-play announcer for a Bucs game this preseason. Hosted…
Jul 21, 2026 · 32:47
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick preview the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive players that need to break out this season for the Bucs to regain their crown as the NFC South…
Jul 20, 2026 · 30:01
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick preview the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive players that need to break out this season for the Bucs to regain their crown as the NFC South…
Jul 17, 2026 · 33:46
Rick Stroud is joined once again by Matt Baker from The Athletic to discuss this season of College Football. Who will be good, how will first year coaches at USF and Florida do,…
Jul 16, 2026 · 35:29
Rick Stroud is joined by Matt Baker from The Athletic to discuss everything College Football including NIL, realignment, a possible salary cap, Brendan Sorsby and more. Plus…
Jul 15, 2026 · 33:31
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on Junior Caminero being the first Tampa Bay Ray to start multiple All-Star Games and should Baker Mayfield have played every game last season…
Jul 14, 2026 · 37:00
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on Junior Caminero's loss in the Home Run Derby in the 2nd round, 5 Tampa Bays set to play in tonight's All-Star Game and a preview of Baker…
Jul 13, 2026 · 38:46
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Tampa Bay Rays honoring Evan Longoria over the weekend as it brought out 10-years of memories. Plus Junior Caminero in the Home Run Derby…
Jul 10, 2026 · 30:15
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Tampa Bay Rays honoring Evan Longoria this weekend as his number is retired and he enters the Rays Hall of Fame. Plus the Rays lose 12-4 to…
Jul 9, 2026 · 41:20
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Rays 3-0 win over the Yankees as Tampa Bay is now 5 games ahead and will be in first place at next week's All-Star break. The Rays are now…
Jul 8, 2026 · 36:27
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Rays 6-4 win over the Yankees as New York strikes out 17 times for the 2nd straight night. Ian Seymour pitched well except for 1 pitch and…
Jul 7, 2026 · 25:38
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the USA's 4-1 loss to Belgium to end their World Cup run in the Round of 16. Plus the Rays lose to the Yankees 5-1 as Jose Caballero hits 2 home…
Jul 6, 2026 · 38:01
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Rays 9-game win streak coming to an end in Houston as Junior Caminero hit 11 home runs in 11 games through Saturday. Caminero, Yandy Diaz,…
Jul 3, 2026 · 37:32
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Tampa Bay Rays 8-game win streak that has their lead up to 4 games over the Yankees. Junior Caminero's home run streak ends at 6 games but…
Jul 2, 2026 · 39:48
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the USA's 2-nothing win over Bosnia in the World Cup despite Folarin Balogun getting a red card which makes him ineligible for the next game on…
Jul 1, 2026 · 38:56
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on Junior Caminero's 5th straight game with a home run and his 8th in 7 games. The Rays win their 6th straight game and are now 2.5 games ahead of…
Jun 30, 2026 · 39:14
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Rays' Junior Caminero being named the AL Player of the Week after he hit 7 home runs in 6 games and the Rays now lead the AL East by 1.5…
Jun 29, 2026 · 42:38
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on Junior Caminero's host streak that has moved the Rays back into first place in the AL East as the Yankees were swept by the Red Sox. Plus Baker…
Jun 26, 2026 · 37:31
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Rays 13-2 win over the Royals that saw them carry a no-hitter into the 9th inning and Junior Caminero hit 3 home runs. Plus we answer your…
Jun 25, 2026 · 35:51
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Rays 5-3 win over the Royals that saw Griffin Jax pitch well again, Taylor Walls and Chandler Simpson make back-to-back errors and Yandy…
Jun 24, 2026 · 38:00
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announcement that Tony Castricone will be their new radio play-by-play announcer, replacing Gene Deckerhoff who retired…
Jun 23, 2026 · 47:58
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 loss to the Royals to start their 4-game series as the bats are cold once again. Plus your mailbag questions on Bucs'…
Jun 22, 2026 · 47:16
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wrapping up minicamp last week, plus thoughts on Rick's interviews with GM Jason Licht and Head Coach Todd Bowles. Also…
Jun 19, 2026 · 26:29
Rick Stroud is joined by Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jason Licht to discuss the upcoming season, thoughts on last year, drafting Reuben Bain Jr., losing Mike Evans and Lavonte David and…
Jun 18, 2026 · 25:35
Rick Stroud is joined by Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles to discuss the team this season, the new players, new coaches and new attitude. Plus how they can replace…
Jun 17, 2026 · 35:16
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers first day of minicamp as Vita Vea is attending but not partipating, Baker Mayfield discussed last season and his…
Jun 16, 2026 · 31:38
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting their mandatory minicamp today before the team departs later in the week until Training Camp. Plus the Rays'…
Jun 15, 2026 · 39:25
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on what to expect with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baker Mayfield with his contract negotiations after Rick talked with GM Jason Licht and Head…
Jun 12, 2026 · 33:14
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Bucs losing a day of OTAs due to having too many guys on the ground during workouts, a badge of honor for the team. Plus Nikita Kucherov…
Jun 11, 2026 · 40:08
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Rays 7-5 win over the Red Sox that saw Drew Rasmussen throw 7 shutout innings with a career-high 13 strikeouts. The bullpen duo of Cole…
Jun 10, 2026 · 40:18
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Rays 4-3 win over the Red Sox as they improve to 11-0 vs. the AL East at Tropicana Field. 3 Rays pitchers combined to only throw 92 pitches…
Jun 9, 2026 · 35:07
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Rays 3-1 win over the Red Sox as Yandy Diaz hits another leadoff home run and Jonathan Aranda gets an RBI single as the game-winning run.…
Jun 8, 2026 · 50:37
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on Baker Mayfield's comments that he and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren't close on a new contract. Rick has learned that the Bucs first offer was so…
Jun 5, 2026 · 35:47
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick answer your mailbag questions 100% correct, or your money back. We discuss the Rays recent slump, Chandler Simpson, Cedric Mullins, why did the…
Jun 4, 2026 · 36:48
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper winning his first Jack Adams Trophy for Coach of the Year. Plus the Rays are swept by the last-place…
Jun 3, 2026 · 42:26
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense's impressive performance against the offense at OTAs on Tuesday. Todd Bowles' unit has swagger this year with…
Jun 2, 2026 · 36:30
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Tampa Bay Rays losing 10-9 to Detroit as Griffin Jax gives up 3 straight home runs as they've lost 6 of their last 8 games. Plus the Rams…
Jun 1, 2026 · 39:01
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Tampa Bay Rays series win over the Angels despite giving up 14 runs on Saturday. Drew Rasmussen struggled but Shane McClanahan was great on…
May 29, 2026 · 51:40
Rick Stroud and Tom Jones from the Poynter Institute discuss the Tampa Bay Rays recent 4-game slide and what it means for the season moving forward, will the Bucs stadium plans…
May 28, 2026 · 49:35
Rick Stroud and Tom Jones from the Poynter Institute reminisce on old sportswriting stories and their co-workers, John Tortorella has the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup…
May 27, 2026 · 47:39
RIck Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Rays 3rd straight loss as the defense commits 3 more errors and the bats are silent again. The Rays did add 9-time All-Star Craig Kimbrel…
May 26, 2026 · 46:31
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Rays losing back-to-back games by walkoff home runs as the offense is struggling early in games and the defensive and baserunning gaffes…
May 22, 2026 · 41:06
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Rays MOU being approved by the Tampa City Council by a close 4-3 vote. There is still work to be done before a final deal can be reached.…
May 21, 2026 · 38:15
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Rays 3-game sweep of the Orioles as they come from 2 runs down in the 8th inning to win by 2. Also good news for Yandy Diaz as x-rays were…
May 20, 2026 · 56:04
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Rays winning ways as they've taken the first 2 games from the Orioles but there is injury concerns with Yandy Diaz who was hit in both hands…
May 19, 2026 · 40:40
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick answer your Tampa Bay Buccaneers mailbag questions 100% correct or your money back. They discuss if new Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson could be…
May 18, 2026 · 32:56
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Tampa Bay Rays taking 2-of-3 from the Marlins over the weekend. They saw their 11-game home win streak snapped but they are the first…
May 15, 2026 · 47:12
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Buccaneers schedule which couldn't be more favorable for them in terms of road trips, cold weather games and having a bye in week 10. Plus…
May 14, 2026 · 33:05
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Rays extra inning loss to the Blue Jays after walking 10 batters and giving up a walk-off grand slam. Plus the NFL schedule comes out…
May 13, 2026 · 42:23
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Rays 7-6 extra inning win in Toronto that saw Shane McClanahan throw 5 shutout innings, the Rays blow a 5-run lead but find a way to win.…
May 12, 2026 · 42:59
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Rays 8-5 win over the Blue Jays as they move 2 games ahead of the Yankees at the quarter-pole of the season. Chandler Simpson continues to…
May 11, 2026 · 39:29
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on the Rays taking 2-of-3 from the Red Sox and they now have the best record in the American League, and 2nd best in baseball. Can the Rays sustain…
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