Tampa Bay Buccaneers news and notes

Trash talk of the day

First-round pick DT Gerald McCoy was surprised to see a Florida State hat propped up in his locker Tuesday. The former Oklahoma standout laughed, but got serious when it came to predicting Saturday's matchup between his Sooners and FSU, well aware that TV cameras were in his face and LB Geno Hayes (a former Seminole) was within earshot.

"They're going down," he said. "You heard me say it today, Florida State will lose."

Hayes and McCoy bantered about which team's opening win was least impressive. But when Hayes cracked on Oklahoma for barely beating Utah State, T Donald Penn — a former Utah State lineman — objected from across the room.

Quote of the day

"I know we're going to surprise a lot of people, so I think you need to come. It's a new era, a new start. I think the way we're bouncing around, the way we're hitting, the way we're playing is going to be totally different."

T Donald Penn, on what he'd tell fans to encourage them to come to Sunday's game against Cleveland

Surprise of the day

G Davin Joseph and T Jeremy Trueblood surprised two underprivileged families Tuesday afternoon with a shopping spree at a Target in Tampa. It was the first of 16 planned shopping sprees the two will host — one each week during the season — to help families in need.

Familiar face

When S Sean Jones learned he'd be a starter, he was excited enough. Then comes the chance in Week 1 to face Cleveland, the team he played 60 games with in five seasons after being drafted in the second round in 2004.

"When you come from another organization, you were there five years, including a lot of heart, sweat and tears with those guys, you want to go out there and basically say, 'Look what you're missing out on,' " Jones said.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Regular-season schedule

Sunday: Browns, 1, Ch. 10 *

Sept. 19: at Panthers, 1, Ch. 13

Sept. 26: Steelers, 1, Ch. 10 *

Oct. 10: at Bengals, 1, Ch. 13

Oct. 17: Saints, 1, Ch. 13 *

Oct. 24: Rams, 1, Ch. 13 *

Oct. 31: at Cards, 4:15, Ch. 13

Nov. 7: at Falcons, 1, Ch. 13

Nov. 14: Panthers, 1, Ch. 13 *

Nov. 21: at 49ers, 4:05, Ch. 13

Nov. 28: at Ravens, 1, Ch. 13

Dec. 5: Falcons, 1, Ch. 13 *

Dec. 12: at Redskins, 1, Ch. 13

Dec. 19: Lions, 1, Ch. 13 *

Dec. 26: Seahawks, 1, Ch. 13 *

Jan. 2: at Saints, 1, Ch. 13

* Subject to blackout