Q: You guys are probably tired of hearing about this, but I was wondering what had Ira so confident about Favre the other night? Did the Bucs “tip him off” with some information that was sketchy at best? He’s taking a lot of heat (probably from fans who wanted Favre here) but Ira’s been at this a long time and I’m just wondering what happened? Surely he must have been told something.
- Greg Gilbert, Birmingham, AL

A: I can’t get into specifics, but I can tell you this: the feeling at certain levels of the Bucs organization that night was that Favre was very close to agreeing to come to Tampa Bay. He had talked to Coach Jon Gruden at that point and that had gone very well. There were people inside the organization who felt it was close to happening and that it would not go the other way. That’s what made Ira so confident. And don’t feel bad asking. We have to be accountable to our readers for what we report and print.

Q: Roy, anything new on LT Pettigout? How is he ?
- Joseph C. White, Port Charlotte

A: We’re seeing Luke just about every day at camp, but that’s no different than last year when his back was out. The Bucs plan fis to re-evaluate him next week. He could be back at practice sometime next week, but don’t be surprised if he takes another week or so to get right. That’s a tough knee operation he’s coming off of.

Q: Hey guys. It doesn’t seem like too long ago that the Bucs defense was classified as old.  Now in the blink of an eye, 8 of 11 probable starters next year are 30 years old and under, and this does not include Talib and Piscitelli. After last year’s success, can we expect to watch this young core grow together towards becoming the consistent future NFL force that Buc fans expect from their team’s defense?  Your thoughts?  Thanks!
- Frank Stazzone, Long Island, NY

A: Good observation Frank. Bruce Allen has done a very good job of injecting youth and talent to an aging defense. Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber are still the leaders there, but Barrett Ruud, Gaines Adams and Tanard Jackson are making big impacts. This group should continue to stay strong with all that young backfield talent. The young linebackers are good, too.

Q: Roy, it seems like everything we hear about the OL is positive; they’re the best, maybe, in the history of the team, etc. I know it’s hard to tell too much until the pads and lights come on, but do you think people could be right? Some of them (Sears, Joseph etc.) sure do look impressive at times!
- Dave Sharrer, Manhattan Beach, CA

A: It’s hard to find a negative with the OL. The starters are solid, if not potentially spectacular, especially inside. The depth is a bit of an issue, but Dan Buenning, Anthony Davis and Jeremy Zuttah are very versatile players. All could start somewhere else. The fact that most everyone here is very young is a bit of a concern, because these guys still have a ways to go to be at their best. They’re also not the best pass-protecting group in the league. Most of them are excellent run blockers, however, and if the Bucs lean a little more on the run this year they’ll continue to earn praise.

Q: Do you think that the Bucs will wear throwback uniforms this year?  As crazy as it seems, I do miss the old colors!
- Will Parrott, Mount Pleasant, SC

A: I haven’t heard anything about wearing the throwbacks, but I’m with you. I’d love to see them do it one day. We’ll check into that for you and let you know what we hear.

Q: Regarding the Favre saga, I believe the Bucs are better off. We already have a Pro Bowl QB in Garcia plus adequate backups. I DO feel that now the Bucs should give Garcia a new contract; after all, they did him out of a $1 million bonus last season by holding him out the last two regular season games. What do you think will happen there?
- Jim Wright, Clearwater

A: First off, let me say I agree with you on the Favre issue. It would have been fun and exciting to have him here, but I’m not sure he would have made the team better. As for Jeff Garcia, I do think the Bucs will start to talk to him about some kind of extension but I;m not convinced a new deal is just around the corner. Bruce Allen said yesterday that there’s still plenty of time to do a new deal before Jeff reaches free agency. Earlier in the year he was saying there’s plenty of time before he has to go to camp. It seems as though they keep pushing the deadline. It could be they just wanted Garcia to right the ship and save their jobs and they plan to move on next year (or later this year) with someone else. I’m starting to get that feeling.

Q: Roy, there’s really a lot of back and forth today about what Bruce Allen was saying. You can tell that politics are in his genes! But do you think he actually got it right? Sure the Bucs have to play nice to Garcia (and Simms, Griese etc.) after the fact but I got the sense listening to you that this team is ok as-is and didn’t Favre as much as maybe he needed them? Just curious about your views the “day after”. Thanks!
- Paul Anderson, Atlanta

A:The Bucs always felt that Brett Favre was a luxury, not a necessity. If you’ve seen me do any reports for Channel 8 you’re probably sick of hearing me say that, but it’s the absolute truth. I always felt the same way, so I don’t really think Bruce was trying to fool anybody. He’s always evasive but yesterday was evasive to the extreme. Look at the TBO blog we did with the Q and A with Allen and compare the answers to the questions. That was so Bruce. He’s a master at not answering your question. We really have to formulate them carefully or he’ll find a loophole out that allows him avoid the point. That said, I do believe the Packers had no intention of moving Favre to the NFC. The only way that would have happened is if no other suitor had emerged.

Q: I really like Chad Pennington, although he doesn’t have a big arm. His arm is perfect for our system. I’m not sure he should/could win the starting job, but I think he can be a very good option backing up Garcia. Do you know or have you heard anything about the Bucs interest in Pennington?  What are your thoughts?
- Matthew Charles, Oakland, ME

A: Bruce Allen was asked about him yesterday and was (get this) evasive. I doubt the Bucs are really all that interested. His history of injury problems is something they’re probably trying to avoid.