Bobby Fenton Blisters Bucs Players
December 28th, 2011
Pinch-hitting today on WDAE-AM 620 for the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, “The Big Dog,” Steve Duemig, Bobby Fenton lit into the Bucs during his monologue and skinned Bucs players for their play in recent weeks of what is now a grotesque nine-game losing streak.
The Bucs aren’t just losing during this streak. They are getting pistol-whipped. And last Sunday’s loss to the Stinking Panthers was the last straw for Fenton.
Joe was somewhat taken aback at how unnerved Fenton was with the Bucs’ lack of effort last weekend.
“They extended a giant middle finger to the people and the fans who care about this team,” Fenton said. “For it to happen over and over. They know their coach’s job is on the line and you figured they will play halfway decent, surely these guys won’t allow themselves to be embarrassed yet again. Certainly pride has to kick in with the coach’s job on the line, right?
“They extended a giant middle finger to all of us. I have never felt this way. I was actually rooting late for Carolina to score more, to score on these SOBs. I had that much contempt. It made me want to spit in the faces of half of these guys.
“Maybe this wouldn’t be happening if Earnest Graham was around? I have never taken some sick pleasure in the other team running up touchdowns. I was disgusted.
“We all work hard all week and then put our money down to watch others bust their @ss and they pull that?
“I’m not going to feel sorry for Raheem Morris. He has a $2 million a year contract through next year. It may not be all his fault, but if this is what having the team looks like, my gosh, I’d hate to see what it would be like if he didn’t have the team.
“I wish I had the power to fire two-thirds of this team.”
December 28th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
I watched a fight once in a Bar. One guy was beating another silly. It almost looked like the one guy was not even trying to fight back, but this was not the case. He was up against someone not only stronger and in better shape, but he was also up against an ex boxer.
Our players are trying, for awhile, until the reality sets in that their team is simply outclassed, and out coached. Overall team Talent is the problem, and not just coaching.
The bottom line is we have assembled a poor team, overall.
We have “rebuilt” our team all right, we have rebuilt ourselves into perennial cellar dwellars who are the current laughing stock of the NFC South.
This comedy of errors will soon be ending, Raheem will be let go when the season ends. A new coach is coming, and we will be active in free agency.
It will take years to undo the damage done to us by Mark Dominik’s drafts, but we can’t get any worse.
December 28th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
Amen.
December 28th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I seriously hope that these guys HAVE quit because if this is what all-out-balls-to-the-wall effort looks like, the Bucs and their fans are in BIG, BIG TROUBLE.
December 28th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Let ‘er RIP!!!
The quitting and the middle finger to the fans shelling out the bread to see it?
Right ON!!!!
You speak for a lot of fans today Bobby, trust me on that.
Happy New Year!!!
December 28th, 2011 at 4:56 pm
Bobby these are my feelings exactly. No need to feel sorry for “Rah”. 2 million dollars to do nothing. Who wouldn’t love that. Thats like a dream come true. I just hope the Glazerhouse boys get it right this time. Go Bucs.
December 28th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Apple, I agree with your general assessment of our team situation. I, like pretty much everyone else, believe that Morris will be gone and we will get a new coach. But what have you heard or read, other than using your own common sense, that we will soon be active in free agency? Why would the Glazers and Dominik wait until Morris has failed to see the light? Do they now believe that this team is ready to make a run in the playoffs and will now add the few players needed in free agency to push them over the top? Why wouldn’t they just wait until 2013 when they are compelled by the CBA to spend? I know you see a new coach – Do you also see a new “Plan”? Somehow I missed that newsflash!
December 28th, 2011 at 5:25 pm
Bobby is absolutely right about the damn London “home” games. That has to stop. The TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS have GOT to COME FIRST!!!!
Happy New Year!!!
December 28th, 2011 at 5:27 pm
well, that pretty much sums it up exactly as i would. it’s not just raheem out twisting in the wind anymore, it’s all of us now. i feel like i’m being held hostage by an evil dictator. a train wreck that just will not end.
December 28th, 2011 at 5:35 pm
Everyone that is loafing are the ones that any new HC will fire immediately. Hayes, Black, Jones, Miller, Trueblood, Winslow, just to scratch the surface. Two new LB’s and two new DB’s along with a healthy D-line of Clayborne, Bowers, McCoy and Price and the D will be just fine with the right coach. Draft Trent Richardson and get T.Y. Hilton somewhere in the draft to stretch the field vertically and definitely get a new OC and you’ll see us starting to look completely different on offense. That’s a total of 6 new players that we need as starters and new coaching and I guarantee you won’t recognize that it’s the same team next year. We need depth along the D-line too. Those of you saying we have no talent from the rebuild are wrong. We have plenty of it but we lack talent at key positions that have been killing us all year….LB and DB. I want to get back to the days where Sapp would tell the offense…”Give me 17 points and I’ll give you a W.”
December 28th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
HELLOOOOOO…..the players don’t CARE….
blister…shimister…..
the players don’t CARE….
December 28th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
APPLE:
Sorry, completely disagree. Talent level in the NFL is not that far off between all teams. This team has won 10 games before. THey have beaten NO and ATL. THey have played tight games against very good teams and barely won against bad teams.
The issue is discipline:
penalties, execution, gap control, turnovers, route running…
All that is discipline and that goes back to coaching.
I was on board for Raheem until about 3 weeks ago, but now, there is no doubt that he has to go. He was too young and was not ready.
They need a coach who has “been there, done that” and won’t take sh&T!
They also have some holes in the talent level (DB & LB and RB mainly) but it is not nearly as much as the coaching issue.
December 28th, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Get the right coaching and I still think the D-Line, O-Line and Freeman can make this team a SB contender within 2-3 years.
Yes they need more parts, but a lot of the core is there.
December 28th, 2011 at 5:59 pm
AMEN, AMEN, AMEN.
I could not have summed it up any better.
Raheem and Dominik are terrible. Raheem was a defensive backs coach who had never coordinated anything in his life – and he was inexplicably hired to not only coordinate the defense but be the head coach….and all he does is throw out a bunch of BS rah rah speak and throw some chest bumps. Dominik couldnt carry Rich McKay’s jock…. and his drafts are proving to be utter failures.
Get BOTH of these morons out of Tampa.
December 28th, 2011 at 6:17 pm
Dave, you are right on the mark. No Disicipline, No Pride and No Heart that is what we have. I have never left games early or changed the channel like I have these past few weeks. I have been a season ticket holder since 1980 and I am not buying seats this coming season until I see changes. Dominick spoke at my son’s school and told us all that the Bucs would be spending money on FA and a groan came from the group of fathers listening. We are tired of the song and dance! Show me something if you want to keep me as a customer.
December 28th, 2011 at 6:30 pm
@Macabee, this is what I posted, in case you missed it. I can’t say what Tampa Sports Person told me this because I need to protect my customers privacy. But this is what I was told. If someone in the Press Box or any other Sports Bar told me this, I would not be posting it. But if I was at liberty to tell you WHO told me this, I think you would take it seriously too.
This part is speculation on my part, but I believe the Glazers know the plan has failed, and the new head coach is not about to come to a team devoid of talent/depth.
I think he insisted on free agents, to fill the huge overall talent voids and lack of depth left by Mark Dominiks draft failures.
Can you blame him ?
I clean roofs for some professional athletes, and people on the inside of some well known Tampa Sports Organizations. I will share something I was recently told. A new coach has been decided on, is coming to Tampa, and Raheem will not be let go until the end of the season. This new coach that is coming is studying game film, and will be closely watching our remaining games to see what players stay, and what players go. I was also told the Glazers DO care about being competitive, and will go after free agents to make us so, next year.
This new coach will also have final say on our draft picks, and will be free to improve our scouting department.
I was not told the name of this new coach.
If what this person told me is true, it means the Glazers are aware they have a problem, and are working behind the scenes to fix it.
December 28th, 2011 at 6:45 pm
How does a team “devoid of talent and depth” win 10 games?
December 28th, 2011 at 6:56 pm
@Apple….I don’t think Dominick would avoid FA this year. He is smart enough to know there are too many voids to fill through the draft alone. I do question your source. I have a real hard time believing that someone is gonna spill the beans to the guy who cleans his roof but nothing has leaked to the press because he’s so tight lipped outside of telling you. I’m not calling you a liar, I’m just saying that your source is probably full of crap. I can absolutely guarantee that unless his last name is Glazer he doesn’t know a thing about what’s going on behind the scene and if he did he wouldn’t risk telling his roof cleaner.
December 28th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
At the same time maybe he would tell his roof cleaner because ke knows nobody would believe the roof cleaner.
December 28th, 2011 at 7:18 pm
What “fan” would almost hope the other team score? Sounds too much like a Fantasy Football manager than anything. Just sayin’….
December 28th, 2011 at 7:30 pm
The Glazers need to think about the way Vinik turned around the Lightning and the fan/league perception of the franchise. Yzerman, Liewicke, Boucher – not a bad example to consider rather than the Rays way of trying to squeeze a 2% advantage out of low budget players/coaches.
December 28th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
keep your ear to the roof apple…can’t wait for the next insider update!
December 28th, 2011 at 7:49 pm
Apple, I won’t question your veracity, you’ve read my posts, thats not my MO. But even you must understand that because of the almost “James Bond” appearance of your revelation, why many would have reservations about it. It goes further than Morris’ fate and has serious implications for Mark Dominik. In the absence of more conventional information, if you dont mind, I’ll just wait another week or two to hear directly from the Glazers!
December 28th, 2011 at 8:57 pm
Want a stat showing how bad the Bucs have been this year (if it wasn’t obvious enough:
During Gruden’s reign from 2002-08 (six seasons and 96 games) he suffered three 27 plus point defeats (during that rough stretch after Simms was injured for the year and we were left with Bruce Gradkowski) effectively the 3rd stringer.
Rah has lost 4 games out of the last ten by 27 plus. That is astonishing – Rah also lost at least 2 blowouts of at least 27 in 09 – that is 6+ of his 47 games that have been 4 score blowouts.
Horrible
December 28th, 2011 at 8:58 pm
2 of 3 were during Gradkowski period
December 28th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
The fans would be better served by blowing up this team and starting the new plan from scratch. I’m convinced something must have happened after the Bears game in the locker room because they’ve been a train wreck since. Nevertheless, this group of so called professional football players have shown us how they react to adversity,by quitting and it shows character is missing from most of the players. When you have a team full of Talib, Tenard, K2, Haynesworth,Jones, and Blount, you don’t exactly have a fan friendly, competitive team. Fenton is dead on, the fans have been given the middle finger for a while now and yet all we ask for is a competitive team that plays with passion.Shame on the entire Succaneer organization!
December 28th, 2011 at 10:08 pm
I was lucky enough to be on vacation and miss last week’s game (debacle) against the Panthers. I can honeslty say that I am glad I missed that game and have no intention on watching the finale.
Thanks Bucs. Thanks for ruining the excitement I used to get for watching and cheering you on.
I hope you (we?) get smoked so the 5th or 6th overally pick can be the first step to build a respectible team. (we deserve a better pick having to endure this bullsh*t all season).
“Rockstar” – it’s up to you now. If I hear this “building through the draft only” garbage again this offseason – I think I may actually fall out of love with this team.
December 28th, 2011 at 10:43 pm
Bobby, I HAD a big long post all typed out, and the blog ate it, for some reason.
December 28th, 2011 at 10:58 pm
Is there any position on this team that’s NOT a question mark??
WR- no production this year
DT- McCoy and Price haven’t done crap for us except land on IR or be inactive. Do you really feel confident about this position going forward?
CB- horrible
Safeties- horrible. Grimm is ok, but he’s injury prone.
DE- This is probably the most promising unit on the team. Clayborn has done great this year and Bowers will be even better once we get a new coaching staff.
RB- Blount, that’s it. We need another back.
QB- Freeman sucked this year.
TE- Winslow has done ok, but it seems like everyone wants him out of town
Linebackers-horrible
This team SUCKS and is in big trouble. There’s little to almost no areas on the roster that I truly feel good about.
It’s time for a GOOD CHANGE this offseason, not JUST a change.
December 28th, 2011 at 11:34 pm
I’m not sure what is more pathetic….. The effort this team has displayed lately or the over emotional crack pots that are some of the Buc’s “fan” base.
Fenton spoke as if he was personally assaulted. How anyone can be so hysterical about a business in which they hold no stock is mind boggling.
December 28th, 2011 at 11:36 pm
@Patrick Don’t forget about the probable candidate for worst RT in the league.
December 28th, 2011 at 11:45 pm
To add to the “blistering”, albeit in a more logically based manner, here is a nice read: http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/12/28/pro-bowl-the-undeserving/
Oh, and Michael Bennett is a top ten DE. Please give him his due. He is far more valuable than Bowers as of now. Not a knock on Bowers, just a praise of Bennett.
December 29th, 2011 at 12:08 am
What is “pathetic” is somebody lecturing a Buccaneer fan for being emotionally invested in their team on a message aboard ABOUT the team. Of COURSE we care and take it too personally at times. That’s what FANS do, not money changers.
It is really hard to believe that needs to be pointed out but apparently to some superior types who look down on anything not involving accounting and spread sheets it DOES!!!!
Happy New Year!!!
December 29th, 2011 at 12:23 am
Trent Richardson…..
December 29th, 2011 at 12:48 am
@Garv Never did I lecture in this post.
Again with the emotional lash. I’m sure there is someone close to you having dire problems of far exceeding importance than the state of this football team. Save emotions for your family, loved ones and neighbors. It is benign in debate.
The Buccaneers are a business. You wouldn’t come unglued if the local Publix hired an unfit manager(even though they or some other grocery chain reaps far more of your money annually) so why bemoan indecorously over this business when the goal for both is equivalent?
Your jejune fancy for this team needs no acknowledgement. That much is clear. At least it is clear way up here on the pedestal you’ve spuriously sat me atop.
Happy New Year!!!
December 29th, 2011 at 1:03 am
back up a minute…errr…few years and $15,000,000 coaches ago…
1st…you don’t like a coach that the Players don’t like
fire…
then you hire a coach the players all like…..
I am confused….
December 29th, 2011 at 1:10 am
Imagine if there was no losing
It’s easy if you try
December 29th, 2011 at 1:36 am
Jimmy Lake for HC? But “Meh” said every single coach on the team should be fired…..
December 29th, 2011 at 1:39 am
Keith Millard is the only coach that should stay. Fire the rest.
December 29th, 2011 at 1:58 am
ProUse:
Don’t be silly. How many people devote hundreds of hours a year and thousands of dollars annually to watch guys at Publix stock shelves? That’s an insane argument.
Yes, the Bucs are a business, a business of sport.
December 29th, 2011 at 1:59 am
@Patrick Why keep Millard but fire Grady Stretz?
December 29th, 2011 at 2:01 am
ProUse:
The NFL is not a business like a watchmaker. Without fans like Bobby Fenton, the NFL is nothing more than the National Lacrosse League… maybe.
So are you suggesting when a team stinks instead of being outraged, fans should hand players bags of food? Come on now.
December 29th, 2011 at 2:11 am
@Joe Really? Pointing out two businesses having the end goal of profit is “insane”? Come on. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers provide a product. Publix provides products. JoeBucsFan provides a product. All three are businesses with the end goal of making a profit. Even yourself has written that this blog would not exist without profit.
Don’t make me out to be the crazy guy for recognizing similarities. What is the difference between the three? All three businesses have competition and businesses exist solely to make money. Just because they have a different business model doesn’t one or the other is not a business.
December 29th, 2011 at 2:15 am
ProUse:
If you can’t figure out the difference between why people have a passion for an NFL team and not a grocery store, you need to go to bed.
December 29th, 2011 at 2:22 am
@Joe Without a need for watches a watchmaker has no customers. But time must be kept just as people need a sport to enjoy. My quarry has never been with the legitimacy of sports themselves, just the few fans(and they are few in comparison to the whole) that create an alternate reality in which the sports team is somehow owes them something.
I, as well as yourself/yourselves am able to distinguish between reality and sports fandom. Some of you readers are not.
Why does there need to be this outrageous finite train of thought in which either one is a raging lunatic of a fan or “fans should hand players bags of food”. It is impossible to argue with such absurd reasoning.
December 29th, 2011 at 2:47 am
ProUse, you should quit while you’re behind. Look up the word Fanatic.
Does anybody have a link to the Fenton show today?
Apple, retype your long comment and post it, please.
December 29th, 2011 at 3:21 am
@bucswin What makes me “behind”?
December 29th, 2011 at 4:13 am
ProsUse are you kidding me Publix??? Wow love the store shop there all the time but I could personally care less wherther Publix lives or dies although i would not wish that on them. When they perform badly at Publix on a Sunday yes I really don’t care unless I am in the 10 items or less lane and they have put some brain dead person behind the register. Then I might care. The Bucs on the other hand are my TEAM I root for them. Yes it sounds stupid but when they do well I feel proud and when the put on the field what they have lately I am embarrassed. To equate the two is absurd. If your going to talk business model don;t even bother. Since when did Publix get millions of tax payer dollars to fund their locations and then have millions more pour in tv revenue if their customers never stepped foot inside their doors because they could just stay at home and have the same product??? Are you kidding me you compare these two and dare say they have a similar business model? No I don’t think so you might want to go back to business school on that one.
December 29th, 2011 at 4:32 am
Apple, would not surprise me a bit. The way they worked behind Tony Dungees back if they would do that to him the Glazers would certainly do that to Raheem and I do not blame them. If the time is now to talk to a potential candidate and already have cut a deal so be it. Like it has been said Raheem is getting 2 million dollars next year either way and I think at this point its money well spent to keep him as far away from this team as possible. Not sure Raheem finds even a DB coaches job in the NFL next year but who knows maybe with all of his Raheemisms he can jump right over to BSPN.
December 29th, 2011 at 4:48 am
i like listening to bobby fenton talk bucs ball…..he’s pretty good.
as for rah….just something all us bucs fans think about….i have come up with another conclusion as i waiver like most sensible fans about the rah outcome….
THIS IS NOT RAH’S FAULT…..IT IS A LACK OF TALENT AS WELL AS DEPTH WITH INCONSISTANCY TO BOOT FROM PLAYERS THEY EXPECT STEADIER PERFORMANCES FROM (winslow, williams, penn, bigger, all LBs, and so on)….THE PROBLEM IS IT HAS REALLY SNOWBALLED INTO A FREEFALL AND RAH IS NOT A GOOD ENOUGH COACH TO RESCUE THE SINKING SHIP….YES RAH IS A DECENT COACH, YET QUITE INEXPERIENCED….AND HE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO KNOWLEDGE OR KNOW HOW TO PULL HIM AND HIS CREW OUT OF THIS…..THIS NEEDED TO BE SALVAGED AFTER 4 – 5 LOSSES….ANY GOOD COACH WHO HITS A BIG SPEED BUMP NEEDS TO PULL ALL PUNCHS AT THAT POINT TO RIGHT THE SHIP…..RAH DIDN’T AND COULDN’T…..AND AT THIS POINT, THE MAN IS LOST IN THE TYPHOON…..POOR RAH – I FEEL BAD FOR HIM….IT’S A FREAKIN’ TYPHONE AND EVERY BUCCANEER NEEDS TO GET OUT OF THE WAY, INCLUDING RAH.
adam from ny
December 29th, 2011 at 4:56 am
it’s to the point where they basically can keep about 15 guys off their said 53 man roster and most knowledgable bucs fans would probably be ok with that…..ok maybe keep 20 guys….so basically 33 guys could get cut and most fans wouldn’t have a problem with it….
joe – you shoud do a thread about who should be on the roster in the future from the current roster….it could make for at least an interesting debate because at least half the guys or more could be cut without batting an eye….what if a new coach came in and basically cleaned house….kept like 20 or so guys and got all new personel…imagine that…just sayin’.
adam from ny
December 29th, 2011 at 5:19 am
aw joe – put my post up that went to your “needs to be looked over section”…..i think it’s ok….i has a lot to say about ownership….i might have gone a lil heavy on glazer number three, but i think he can handle it and take it like a man…
please put it up joe-ster……adam from ny
December 29th, 2011 at 7:54 am
Somebody said players were “loafing”…..and mentioned Roy Miller?….
You haven’t been watching the same games I have- he’s the ONLY DT that has been giving max effort on EVERY play for the WHOLE GAME.
He’s been chasing running backs down from behind sometimes 10+ yards down field because our linebackers are either out of position or completely blocked out of the play. Just look at the players getting up from the pile…#90 has been there a lot….more so than any other DT we have.
Miller might be a little short on “talent” compared to a guy like Price or McCoy…..3rd round talent vs. 1st round talent- but he won’t be outworked on the field.
Dude does not “loaf”…………..of course, we can’t say that about everyone.
December 29th, 2011 at 8:54 am
I still say every single coach should be fired. Jimmy Lake for HC? Have you seen the defensive backs this year?
And for someone who doesn’t like emotional posts you sure make a lot of them Advo.
December 29th, 2011 at 9:15 am
@Prouse
I see where you are attempting to direct your argument but the reality is the NFL is like no other business in our society. I say this because its essentially a Gladiator event that people pay thousands of their disposable income for. You’re correct that the Bucs seek a profit like many businesses but the foundation of this business is physical competition. People become emotional when they exhaust their resources, including time & emotions, into anything because we are emotional beings. Even withdrawing is a form of emotion. I’m not going to attack you for your opinion but I’m just saying right now your posts are emotional also from a different approach. You are on this site right?
The Bucs are who they are and they deserve everything that is coming from the ownership to the players. Their plan failed and now we will see how they adjust. The only things that truly sucks is the waste premium picks on McCoy and some others who aren’t adding anything special to warrant their salaries. There are other rookies in the league now that are making pro bowls and dominating early and we do not have those type of players on our roster to make their plan successful. We will see but I’m not holding my breath.
December 29th, 2011 at 9:39 am
I cannot understand why someone would come on to a Buccaneer message board and question why the team’s fans here care so much about a football team when there are so many other problems in the world. REALLY?
Of COURSE we give a damn or we would not be here in the first place. But those who think there are more serious things to type about or that the NFL is merely a business, everything about money only? Why are you here?
Happy New Year!!!
December 29th, 2011 at 9:40 am
I like Millard too, he needs to stay. Every other coach should go.
Miller, like many other Bucs can play well occasionally, but when he’s bad, he is really bad. Inconsistency is the Mantra for this team. You never know who will play well when, who will suck, and it is forever changing.
December 29th, 2011 at 9:40 am
@Architek…McCoy may be one of the few indispensable players on this team as evidenced by the steep decline in play after his injury. McCoy will be fine. He tore both of his biceps and they almost never tear again since the surgical repair actually makes them stronger than they were before the injury. We do have rookies that are making an immediate impact. Clayborne is making an immediate impact. Mike Williams made an immediate impact last year. Most rookies don’t do so well their second year after there is tape to study. Look at Suh as an example. He was a non factor when he played us this year and he’s been good but not ‘dominant’ this year. Bowers looks even more impressive tna Clayborne in my opinion. Next year when the D-line is healthy they should be fierce. This plan hasn’t failed. It’s very, very, ignorant to react like that and truly is knee-jerk. We went 10-6 last year and started out 4-2 this year while beating Atlanta and New Orleans. Only two other teams beat New Orleans this year and Atlanta has been pretty darn good too so I know we have the talent to compete. So what happened?? Hey, if I knew that I could solve world hunger. Injuries are part of it, coaching is part of it, youth is a part of it, and just not playing as a team is a huge part of it. Give me Trent Richardson as an every down back so they don’t know we’re passing when Lumpkin comes in…give me a good MLB and move Foster to OLB and get another OLB or try Watson on the other side and give me two new DB’s and I’ll show you the playoffs NEXT YEAR. I’d like to see a speedy WR but I think Trent Richardson would help our running game so much that our receivers would immediately feel less pressure in coverage.
December 29th, 2011 at 10:46 am
Trent is a beast. Beast mode.
December 29th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
@Nick Actually. I said the end goal was the same i.e. profit. Comprehension is an important part of reading.
@Architek You failed to point out anything I said that was emotional. Anyhow, I had been talking about the over emotional “crack pots” that comment on here frequently. Their attachment to the team obscures reality. Being happy your guys won is fine but talking crazy and acting as if this is somehow “my team” is ludicrous.
December 29th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
@Garv To talk reasonably and logically about football. Not that hard to understand.