The Tampa dining (and wining?) segment of the Dan Connolly free agency tour went down last night.

Today, it will continue with the more meat and potatoes stuff at One Buc Palace.

Joe got the word directly from Connolly. He had dinner with position coaches and will mingle with the big guns today.

This is a very interesting situation. The Bucs have showered all kinds of praise on their left guard, barbecue-yearning Logan Mankins, who played six years on the Patriots’ line with Connolly. Obviously, Mankins has recommended his close friend, who took over spatula duties in New England last season. (Yes, Joe talked to Connolly at Super Bowl Media Day, where Joe snapped the photo above)

But interest in Connolly in Tampa runs deeper.

First, he’s versatile, having started last season in New England at center, and then moving to left guard. In 2012 and 2013, Connolly started 30 games at right guard. After the Buccaneers’ backup center debacle last year, a guy like Jeremy Zuttah Connolly would represent wonderful insurance.

The Boston Globe recently said Connolly arguably was the Patriots’ best offensive lineman last season. And Joe can confirm Connolly is seeking a starting gig.

So who would you rather have starting at right guard? A versatile guy with a shiny new Super Bowl ring, or Patrick Omameh, who started 16 games for the Bucs last season?

It’s a nice thought that the Bucs can find O-line help in the draft, but that’s no given. And that’s a scary thing to rely upon with a 21-year-old quarterback.