FAB 5. SR’s BUC SHOTS
• Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans is looking forward to the return of veteran pass catcher Louis Murphy, who brings a blend of size, speed and experience that Tampa Bay’s receiving corps will be missing without Vincent Jackson for the rest of the 2016 season.

“It would be great to have him back,” Evans said. “He looks great, so whenever they decide to bring him back I think it will be great for us. He’s such a fiery competitor. Just like he came back in my rookie year in 2014 and led us to victory against Pittsburgh. He was balling that game. That was my first win and it was great.”

Murphy practiced with the team for the first time this week and could be activated to the 53-man roster for this week’s game at San Francisco or next week’s game at home against Oakland.

Bucs FB Alan Cross – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

• One of the unsung heroes from Tampa Bay’s 17-14 win at Carolina on Monday Night Football was undrafted free agent Alan Cross. The reserve fullback stepped up big and took out the legs of blitzing safety Kurt Coleman and allowed Jameis Winston time to hit Mike Evans for a game-tying touchdown.

“It’s funny, we saw that play when (Carolina) played Atlanta and they had the same blitz,” veteran tight end Brandon Myers said. “The guy from Atlanta blocked him, but kind of disrupted the quarterback. We put that in on Wednesday and they showed it and we said, ‘If we get this blocked, It’s going to be a huge play’ and it was.

“The thing is, that’s not Alan’s primary guy, but he stepped up and made a play and that was good to see. With a guy like him, everything was stacked against him coming in, so it was good to see him make a great play.”

• When the Bucs waived wide receiver Donteea Dye injured in August after a hamstring injury at the start of the preseason game against the Browns, the team gave Dye an injury settlement that essentially paid him through the first six weeks of the NFL season. Because of the amount of money in the injury settlement, Tampa Bay couldn’t re-sign him until after the sixth week of the season.

With Vincent Jackson out for the season after Monday’s MRI revealed a torn ACL, Dye’s return to Tampa Bay came at the right time.

“It’s all a blessing,” Dye said. “You never know what is going to happen around here. It kind of happened to me last year. It’s kind of the same situation as last year. I’m just blessed to be back and to be a part of the game. It’s sad to see VJax go down like that. He’s such a big role in our offense. I’m just ready to accept the role I have right now and go get some wins.”

Dye was hopeful that he would return to the Bucs when he was eligible to be re-signed, but had a workout with New England but never heard from Tampa Bay.

“Honestly, I had no clue,” Dye said. “I had no clue during the time that I was hurt and the time I was rehabbing. I had no communication with Tampa at all. I didn’t hear anything from them until last week when my agent hit me up and told me something about it. I had no clue I would be back in this situation, but I always hoped for it. They gave me my first chance and it’s my home. I’m happy to be back here.”

• Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans is an imposing blocker at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, evidenced by his decleating block on Cincinnati cornerback Terence Newman. That clip went viral during his rookie season in 2014, but Evans said he needs to get back to those days on the perimeter.

“I’m a big guy and I like to block and help my teammates,” Evans said. “But I’m not blocking well this year – not like I did my last two years. It’s been a lot of unlucky things like not knowing where the ballcarrier is. I just haven’t been as physical as I was, but that’s going to change. Trust me.”

• PewterReport.com is holding another Pewter Watch Party for Tampa Bay’s road game at San Francisco at Hard Rock Cafe at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The party begins at 3:00 p.m. in advance of the 4:05 p.m. kickoff, and the Pewter Report  staff will be on hand to answer your football questions.

“PewterReport.com is excited to continue our partnership with Hard Rock Cafe Tampa and Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino,” said PewterReport.com publisher Scott Reynolds. “We had a blast hosting Pewter Watch Parties at Hard Rock Cafe last year where Tampa Bay fans could watch their favorite team on a multitude of TVs, including a huge, 18-foot projection screen that brings you close to all the football action. The turnout was great last year and we’re looking forward to doing it again this season.”

Hard Rock Cafe general manager Lanse Bishop is looking forward to welcoming the return of the Tampa Bay fans who came to the Pewter Watch Parties last year.

“We are thrilled to host another exciting year of PewterReport.com’s Pewter Watch Parties at the Hard Rock Cafe in Tampa’s Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino,” Bishop said. “Come join us and watch Tampa Bay win on the road on our giant 18-foot TV screen and enjoy Rockin’ Game Day Specials that only the Hard Rock can deliver.

“Scott and the crew at PewterReport.com have been such great partners, and our Hard Rock guests and Tampa Bay fans truly enjoy interacting with the PewterReport.com team, as well as having ice-cold beers and the best burgers in town while they watch their favorite team.”

Hard Rock Cafe, which is located at 5223 Orient Road in Tampa, will have food and drink specials and you can watch the Tampa Bay vs. Carolina game on their giant 18-foot TV screen. Two Henrys Gilded Age Lager and Two Henrys Belleview Biltmore Vanilla Blueberry Wheat beer will be on sale for $4, along with Bud, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Goose Island IPA, Blue Moon and Yuengling. (RSVP NOW!)

Hard Rock Cafe is featuring the Pewter Report Special, which is its famous, original Ol’ Bay Burger and fries, and a pair of Two Henrys pints for just $20.

The signature Ol’ Bay Burger is a house-made 8 oz. burger seasoned with Old Bay seasoning, a crab cake made with jumbo lump crab meat, jack cheese, freshly sliced tomatoes, shredded lettuce and a house made “Davy Jones” sauce served on a fresh bun.

Hard Rock Cafe’s signature Ol’ Bay Burger

Hard Rock Cafe will also have $5 chilled shots of Jagermiester, Fireball, Tito’s Vodka and Cuervo Gold, in addition to $6 Rocketizers, including Popcorn Chicken Bites, Bang-A-Gong Shrimp, Loaded Fries and $1 Wings ($1 per wing). Or you can get Hard Rock Cafe’s PewterReport.com Special, which is a special Ol’ Bay Burger made with crab meat and hamburger and two Two Henrys beers for only $20.

The Rockin’ Game Day Specials will be specially priced from noon until the conclusion of each Tampa Bay game for afternoon kickoffs, and from 5:00 p.m. until the conclusion of each night game.

PewterReport.com will be raffling off some Bucs’ prizes at halftime and Hard Rock Cafe will be handing out FREE swag bags, which include the latest Hard Rock Girls calendar, a Hard Rock Cafe t-shirt and more great Hard Rock merchandise.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is now charging $10 to park, but Pewter Watch Party attendees will be given a parking voucher, so parking is FREE.

(RSVP HERE NOW!)

Here is the schedule for PewterReport.com’s Pewter Watch Parties this year:

Sunday, Oct. 23 – Tampa Bay at San Francisco – 3:00 pm – Hard Rock Cafe in Tampa

Sunday, Nov. 20 – Tampa Bay at Kansas City – 12:00 pm – Hard Rock Cafe in Tampa

Sunday, Dec. 4 – Tampa Bay at San Diego – 3:00 pm – Hard Rock Cafe in Tampa

Sunday, Dec. 18 – Tampa Bay at Dallas – 12:00 pm – Hard Rock Cafe in Tampa

“Siege The Rock!” Bishop said. “We are hosting six Pewter Watch Parties at Hard Rock Cafe for some of Tampa Bay’s biggest road games of the year. Enjoy Rockin’ Game Day Specials on food and drink specials, beautiful Hard Rock Girls, classic rock-n-roll memorabilia from the world’s largest music memorabilia collection, as well as a chance to win Tampa Bay memorabilia and a chance to meet some legendary Tampa Bay greats. You can’t do this anywhere else. This is Hard Rock and this is the place to be!”

(RSVP HERE NOW!) Or add your RSVP to the comment section below!