Bright sunshine and a heat index of 95 degrees today at Jacksonville Jaguars minicamp. Not exactly the place for a hatless 76-year-old man facing two hours of work on the practice field.

The often hunched over and limping old guy was Buccaneers icon Monte Kiffin, the greatest defensive coordinator in Tampa Bay history. He spent a lot of time mingling between coaches and swarms of players on both sides of the ball, taking different angles on the action and serving up his share of advice.

Kiffin also was continuously working the sweat off his brow, bending over and spitting, seemingly overwhelmed by the heat. But he kept rising time after time.

(Can someone please get Kiffin a hat and an ice cold towel?)

“The fire he brings out here every day. It’s exciting to be around,” Jags defensive tackle Roy Miller said of Kiffin after practice. Yes, Kiffin still brings the juice, even if he needs a little recovery time. After flopping as Cowboys defensive coordinator, Kiffin isn’t interested in putting his feet up along with his worn down legs. “Invaluable,” said Miller, the Bucs’ third-round pick in 2009. “Damn, encouragement, knowledge. He comes up and says, ‘Hey, why don’t you do this?’ One move he’ll show you. One little thing. ‘Why don’t you get off the ball like this?’ So much knowledge of the game. He’s a legend, just to be able to pick his brain and understand pieces what he knows. It’s important for all of us.”

Watching Kiffin, Joe could see he’s been cleared to consult freely under Jags head coach Gus Bradley, who jumped at the chance to hire Kiffin this offseason to spread wisdom among players and staff.

One Jags player told Joe that Kiffin’s watchful eye is intimidating and inspiring, given his pipeline to the head coach and the wealth of knowledge he will share.

Joe talked briefly to Kiffin after practice off the record, and yes, Kiffin appeared in no hurry to leave the steamy field.