Benched Josh Freeman and banned 'creamsickle' uniform both featured on Buccaneers tickets

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-3) are headed into this week's game against the Cardinals in the awkward position of featuring quarterback Josh Freeman and the team's throwback creamsickle-colored uniforms on their paper tickets — both of whom fans won't be seeing on the field.

That sure is Freeman — now the backup quarterback — and those are the throwback "Bucco Bruce" helmets and creamsickle uniforms that the team was supposed to wear for this game —but cannot because of safety concerns — featured front and center on the now outdated tix.

Does this make the Bucs Oh-for-five going into Week 4?

@CardsMarkD @AZCardinals @Cardschatter @kentsomers Ironic that my #az@tb game tickets have Josh Freeman pictured pic.twitter.com/TRC0ag9KaA
— Jake King (@AZJake) September 26, 2013

Buccaneers scrap creamsicle-colored uniforms for safety reasons

The No Fun League has sidelined Bucco Bruce after banning the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from wearing its fabulous creamsicle-colored throwback uniforms with the iconic logo in a game Sept. 29 against the Arizona Cardinals.

A new rule instituted by the National Football League this year urges players to wear the same helmet throughout the season. During the offseason, the league approved a recommendation by the NFL's Head, Neck and Spine Committee to forbid teams from switching helmets during the season.

The committee wanted to prevent players from wearing multiple helmets during the season for safety reasons. Some teams easily can change helmet designs by swapping out decals. The Buffalo Bills, for instance, were able to wear throwback helmets last Sunday because their base helmet is white, the same color as their throwback helmet. They just had to change helmet decals.

Because the throwback jersey and the team's current color scheme (pewter and white helmets) are so unalike, the Buccaneers organization said it had no choice but to scrap the idea.

"While we regret that  our players will not be able to don the "Bucco Bruce" helmet and traditional orange, red and white uniforms, there simply was no acceptable way to meet the requirements of the new policy while staying true to the spirit of our throwback theme," Buccaneers Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford said in a team-issued press release.

The Bucs would've had to switch to a second set of helmets to wear the throwbacks.

Well it is in the name of safety.

Bucs' Lavonte David fined $7,800 for late hit on Geno Smith

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David left Sunday's game at MetLife Stadium with a heavy heart, but now he's a little lighter in his wallet.

The up-and-coming player — who seems primed for a breakout season — not only suffered through the emotional aftermath of his late-hit on Jets QB Geno Smith, but also got fined for the controversial play, according to an NFL league source.

Adding insult to injury, the NFL office fined David $7,875 for the bone-headed transgression. David reportedly plans to appeal the fine.

David's unnecessary roughness penalty set up the Jets comeback win, giving them a field goal chance with seven seconds left to beat the Bucs, 18-17. The linebacker took the loss hard, accepting blame for his mistake but saying he thought the quarterback was going to stay in bounds.

With the Bucs starting the season 0-1 and facing a revamped Saints team this week. Bucs head coach Greg Schiano is already under fire in the locker room, and Tampa's season could be reaching a crossroads much sooner than most would expect.

Florida city to be renamed 'Revis Island' for one day

Who hasn't wanted to own their own private island  — or at least have one named after themselves? Darrelle Revis has made "Revis Island" his boastful nickname during his NFL playing career but now the cornerback will have one that actually exists.

The mayor of Treasure Island, Fla., Bob Minning, has issued a special proclamation that will rename his city Revis Island for one day to honor the Tampa Bay defensive stud.

Here are the details from the Buccaneers official website:

According to the mayoral proclamation, on Thursday, September 12, Treasure Island, Florida will hereby become "Revis Island, Florida" for one day — and Revis Island is described in the proclamation as "an island filled with interceptions, touchdown returns and batted passes."

"I'm honored and humbled to receive this special honor from the City of Treasure Island," said Revis. "Ever since I became a Buccaneer, the support I've received from the Tampa Bay community has been tremendous. I'll do my best to live up to this honor on Sunday afternoon in our home opener against the New Orleans Saints."

When asked to describe the differences between Treasure Island and Revis Island, Mayor Minning paused briefly before replying: "In Treasure Island, we have the most beautiful beaches in all of Tampa Bay, and we always remind beachgoers to wear the appropriate sun screen. But I guess at Revis Island, you don't need any sun screen -- because at Revis Island, you're ALWAYS covered!"

Ha! Good one.

If you're thinking about visiting Revis Island that particular day, you should know the 5.3 sun-drenched city is west of of Tampa on the Gulf. The sea turtle "lights out" ban is still in effect but you might get a glimpse of the egg-laying reptiles on their nightly trek.

Shorts and flip-flops a must. Helmets optional.

Tom Brady leaves practice after apparent knee injury

That collective sigh you heard from Maine to Connecticut was hopefully just a exhale of relief after the worst news — outside of the Red Sox trading for A-Rod — travelled throughout New England Wednesday afternoon.

According to multiple reports, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady just felt something in his left knee in practice, and then left the field after consulting with coach Bill Belichick.

An amateur videographer caught the moment Brady (in red Shirt) went down during a scrimmage on the clip below.

During their joint practice with the Buccaneers, Brady grabbed his left knee, limped off, but then rejoined practice a play later. But that didn’t last long, and he ended up heading out again with a trainer.

The left is the same knee as the torn ACL that ended his 2008 season.

Not to worry, there's always Tim Tebow at backup.

Ex-NFLer Luke Petitgout turns self in after allegedly beating his wife with pocketbook

Former New York Giants lineman Luke Petitgout allegedly beat his wife with her own pocketbook and shoved her out of their car during a one-sided, wedding anniversary-night brawl last week, law enforcement sources said today.

Petitgout last played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2007 and was listed then at 6-foot-6, 308 pounds.

The 37-year-old Petitgout and wife Jennifer Petitgout, 36, were out celebrating in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan when she accused him of cheating — touching off the alleged assault, according to The New York Post.

The retired offensive tackle smacked his wife with her pocketbook and then tossed her out of their car on Little West 12th Street at around 5:30 a.m. on Friday, sources added.

She went to the 1st Precinct station house in the West Village to report the incident, before being taken to New York Downtown Hospital for minor injuries, sources said.

The former Giants lineman, accompanied by his lawyer, turned himself in to police Tuesday morning and placed under a “limited’’ order of protection — meaning he could return home to his wife but isn’t allowed to harass her.

Reached by phone yesterday, Jennifer denied that Luke had roughed her up. “It’s all false. It’s laughable,” she said.

But a family member told The Post that Luke has hurt Jennifer several times in recent years, causing bruises and black eyes. The relative said Jennifer makes excuses to explain away her injuries.

She once claimed she got a black eye when her baby daughter hit her with an elbow — though no one believed her, the relative said.

“We think he’s on steroids and he has gone cuckoo,” said the relative, who was afraid to be identified.

Petitgout said nothing at his arraignment, but his lawyer, Dennis Ring, insisted, “Mr. Petitgout has never hurt a soul in his life off the football field. His wife is fine.’’

Petitgout was picked by the Giants out of Notre Dame in the 1999 draft and last played for Big Blue in 2006.