A New Training Camp Tradition May Be Born
August 14th, 2012
This morning was the Bucs last open practice to fans for this summer’s training camp, which concludes after tomorrow’s practice.
Despite this, the fans — a fair amount — that attended on this roasting morning may have started a training camp tradition of sorts, an act Joe has never noticed before.
Almost all camp, Bucs honcho Greg Schiano has employed piped-in noise when running two-minute drills late in practice. A giant speaker is placed on a golf cart and the golf cart is always parked at the line of scrimmage.
The noise is so loud, it sounds like a jet about to race down a runway.
Today, Bucs fans joined in the noise. When Schiano first barked the situation and had an assistant flip on the volume, most of the fans in the bleachers at practice raised to their feet as one, screaming, hollering, whistling, trying to add to the noise pollution.
In fact, in subsequent plays, fans were chanting “Defense… defense… defense… ” even with the Bucs first team offense on the field.
Joe has never seen a training camp crowd react like that. It was as if the Dixie Chicks had the ball at the Bucs-20 with seconds left in a five-point Bucs lead.
Joe thought that was pretty cool and hopes it evolves into a training camp tradition. Somewhere, Joe is sure, Schiano was smiling at the audience participation.
August 14th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
Thats awesome to see the Bucs fans getting back into the team…
August 14th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
It is a ‘New Day Rising’ for Tampa football. People are excited again. I’ve been watching all the games and I would have to say that very few teams have looked as prepared as we were. Certainly Dallas wasn’t. The Panthers weren’t. Yes, it’s only game one of the preseason but I was very encouraged by the quick start and effort on both sides of the ball. I’m sure most Bucs fans are really looking forward to when this team gets into mid season form.
August 14th, 2012 at 12:58 pm
Wish I was there… sounds like a beautiful thing.
August 14th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
Good to hear, the local fans must be liking what they see and buying into the New Order!
August 14th, 2012 at 2:22 pm
dAMN WISH i WAS THERE FOR THAT i TOAR MY ACL AND BEEN OUT OF A JOB,THIS IS ONLY MY SECOND YEAR I DIDENT MAKE IT TO ATLEAST ONE DAY AT CAMP AND OUT OF ALL OF THEM THIS ONE SOUNDS BETTER THAN SOME OF THE ONES I WENT TO IN 2002 GRUDENS FIRST YEAR.
August 14th, 2012 at 7:00 pm
Ha… I hope these fans are smart enough to know that during a home game we don’t want to have the fans yelling and screaming when we’re on offense…. Do they have a “fan coach” over there letting the fans know they should only do this during games when the OTHER team has the ball?? Too many times I’ve seen the Wave or other crowd noise disrupt our own team at home games.
August 14th, 2012 at 7:00 pm
That’s awesome! Pissed I missed it. I blame my boss.
August 15th, 2012 at 5:55 am
It was a pretty impressive showing, especially in that sweltering heat.
Those flags didn’t budge all day. It was definitely the most miserable day at camp, in terms of weather.