“Expectations Tend To Be Low Here”
July 17th, 2013
eye-RAH! Kaufman of The Tampa Tribune senses Bucs fans will not be outraged by missing the playoffs this season.
In some NFL cities excellence is not a hope; it’s demanded by the local fanbase.
Though Joe thinks the NFC East is annually the most overrated, overhyped division, Joe has heard the saying that teams in those divisions cannot undergo rebuilding phases because an outraged fanbase would not tolerate such a move. And it was tried, that team’s front office types would not be able to walk the streets without being ringed by armed bodyguards.
The great eye-RAH! Kaufman of The Tampa Tribune seemed to imply that because Bucs fans are more laid back than those in other cities that have had NFL teams for nearly a century, a sense of urgency to win in Tampa is not as heightened, so he said Tuesday while appearing on “The Opening Drive” co-hosted by Bob Papa and Amani Toomer and heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“I think they can win 10 games and not make the playoffs. They play in such a tough division. And you know what? There’s not a Bucs fan in the world that’s going to complain,” Kaufman said. “Expectations tend to be low here. They haven’t won a playoff game since they won the Super Bowl. I mean, that’s a long time. They haven’t been in a playoff game in five years, so, you know, most people would say, ‘Eh, 8-8 is a good season.’
“This is not New York with the Giants or in New England where you go 9-7 and it’s a horrible season. So, you know, Bucs fans are cautiously optimistic.”
Good, bad or indifferent, it does seem as if Bucs fans don’t have that burning anger in them that some fanbases have. In other words, they are more civilized.
Years ago Joe watched a Steelers game at the old Three Rivers Stadium and witnessed two Pittsburgh fans getting into a fistfight over Jerome Bettis (the fracas was partially ignited when Steelers fan-A inadvertently whipped Steelers fan-B in the face with a swinging Terrible Towel).
Can you imagine two Bucs fans getting into a fistfight over Mike Alstott? Of course not.
Does Kaufman have a point that the Bucs may have double-digit wins and not make the playoffs? Joe has written that countless times. Is the Bucs fanbase so passive they don’t pressure the Bucs to change their ways? Joe’s not ready to go there.
Team Glazer fired Chucky after back-to-back winning seasons citing fans not feeling good about the team. And just looking at how Bucs fans wanted Raheem Morris incarcerated showed Joe the impatience Bucs fans have for ineptitude.
July 17th, 2013 at 7:12 am
No other NFL city had to suffer through more than a decade of double digit losses. That may be the reason that the fan base would swoon at a 10 win season. With that being said, the Bucs of the late 90’s and early 2000’s may have fulfilled the fans needs but I do think the Bucs are doing the right thing and hopefully we can can call BS on Water Football’s prediction of a 5 win season and shock the world this season.
July 17th, 2013 at 7:19 am
“There’s not a Bucs fan in the world that’s going to complain”
I think eye-RAH! Kaufman needs to lay off the alcohol before going on the air. I for one will be complaining and I can name five more Bucs fans that will be complaining to right off the top of my head.
July 17th, 2013 at 7:30 am
Also if we lose to the Jets or the Saints in week one and two I’m loading up my truck and headed to One Buc Palace with my torches and pitchforks.
July 17th, 2013 at 7:42 am
This is the problem, these old timers who will tell us that we don’t know what losing is. They bought tickets and watch game after horrible game for season upon season and never had a winning season. They try to wear this like a badge of courage. They say that they are the “real buc fans”. I saw they just sat there and let it all happen. They did nothing but behaved like sheep buying season tickets after season tickets. You know what got rah fired! everyone that was left was canceling season tickets. These old timers are trying to tell us that losing is acceptable. That we should not write, email and show are displeasure for this team. That we should just buy tickets and yell go bucs, even when it is evident that we are headed in the wrong direction.
July 17th, 2013 at 7:51 am
@the_buc_realist
For the first time I’ve seen you make a sensible post. So do you believe the team is headed in the right direction now?
July 17th, 2013 at 7:54 am
I’d love to say Ira is wrong. But the passion is not there from the fan base. In the late 90’s it was at a fever pitch. The up and down Gruden years hurt the fan passion. So does the legacy of losing with Culverhouse, it’s hard to have a crazy passionate fan base when your history is mostly losing. Imagine if the Steelers, or Cowboys had decades of losing? They wouldn’t have national followings. Heck I never saw a Pats jersey on any transplanted Bostonian until after 2001.
Really hoping the 2013 Bucs give us a great season. Their are too few passionate die hard fans in our area.
July 17th, 2013 at 7:54 am
eye-RAH! is a damn fool.
July 17th, 2013 at 8:10 am
speak for yourselves…I’ll be pissed if we don’t make the playoffs
July 17th, 2013 at 8:11 am
@pewter power
yes we are headed in the right direction, except for a GM, Qb, D-line, Right tackle, Tightend, strong side linebacker, and overall depth
July 17th, 2013 at 8:13 am
For one thing what does Kaufman expect us to act like? Like the guys fighting over a towel. We all know and we’ve all said that the fan mentality in some of those cities borders on homicidal craziness. Nobody here likes the Eagle fans, why? Nobody likes the NYs, why? Because if you go to their stadium wearing different team colors, you will be harassed, and possibly beaten up. Seriously, is that what Kaufman envisions the Buc fans to behave like.
And on another note, if those northern teams really listened to their fans, they wouldn’t to this day have Eli Manning, or Joe Flacco, or Mark Sanchez, etc…
Hell, if they always listened to the fans they would always be in a state of flux. No consistency, because a certain segment of uncivilized fans would never be happy, regardless.
July 17th, 2013 at 8:20 am
This season is a failure if we don’t make the playoffs with all this star power on the roster. I don’t care how tough the division is or how tough the conference is. You pay all these guys the big bucks to be better than the Falcons/Saints/Panthers…so not doing it is inexcusable.
As far as fan reaction, our soft fan base tends to let their wallets do the talking.
July 17th, 2013 at 8:20 am
Preach it Chris
July 17th, 2013 at 8:50 am
@ joe
Not sure that you aren’t putting some of the patrons here under your own bus by siding carte blanche with Ira.
Just because we don’t flip cars over and set them on fire doesn’t mean we are satisfied with losing. Most of us were smart enough to move from those aforementioned places for a reason.
Ira should share some of his massive Twinkie stash with you as a small gesture of gratitude.
I kid, I sort of kid.
July 17th, 2013 at 8:56 am
Well, we’ll begin to find out if we’re any good today, as our rookies report to camp this morning….AFT. (about f’king time)
July 17th, 2013 at 8:59 am
I’m here this morning in defense of old-timers. I’m been following the Bucs from the first day they borne the Creamsicles. I have no less desire to win than I ever did and I am no less supportive of my Bucs today than I ever was.
No, unlike Philly, we’ve never booed Santa Claus or unlike San Fran or Oakland, we’ve never killed anybody in the parking lot. We just show up for our team, win or lose, and have the high expectation every year that we’re going to win! That’s not blind ambition or spineless acceptance of mediocrity. It’s called being a diehard fan regardless of the weather.
Having been a winner, we recognize how hard it is to win in the NFL and that Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning have no more Super bowl wins than Brad Johnson or Trent Dilfer. Just ask all the teams that have never been there and the ones who have and have never won.
In defense of old-timers, I’m not as good as I ONCE was, but I’m a good ONCE as I ever was! LOL!
July 17th, 2013 at 9:06 am
If the Glazers handnt gutted the team post Gruden and ushered in the Raheem era of complete incompetence and total lack of discipline and leadership the Bucs fans would have higer expectations. Unfortunately we are not made up like the Steelers, Pats etc at least not in the front office. Rebuilding is not a word spoken by Steelers fans or Patriots fans or Cowboy fans even. Bucs fans have had to deal with it so many times it makes us want to throw up.
July 17th, 2013 at 9:06 am
@ buc Realist
You don’t know what you’re talking about “season after season”…..sure the Bucs in their inagural season in 1976 were miserable and a laughing stock….but it only took 3 years for that team to go to the NFC Championship…So. we were 10 points away from the Superbowl.
Noone likes to lose especially us older guys who don’t have as much time left. I’d like another Superbowl in my lifetime.
The Bucs are doing almost everything they can to get there now. I can’t say that for a few years ago when no money was spent.
I actually think that the Tampa media is more tolerant of losing than Media in other markets and that has an influence on the fanbase.
July 17th, 2013 at 9:10 am
The fans are not acceptive of not making the playoffs as most will think. You saw what happened when Joe posted that 5-11 season that Walter posted. Fans were outraged. The thing about Tampa is the fact that we don’t yell, and get all irate like some other teams we just stop going. We do not invest money into below average product and that’s how you get noticed. We have blackouts here for a reason.
The reason Bucs fans do not complain as much is due to the fact that we see progress and we expect playoffs, we want a super bowl. We know that this is a new head coach and creating a miracle after taking over a 4-12 team wasn’t going to be drastic change.
The 49rs made that turn around because the had a talented team, but bad coaching. The Bucs had bad coaching and no talent, and now we have the talent and the coaching so we are expecting playoffs. We will be excited if we make the playoffs, but if we a competitive team in every contest and finish 10-6 and not get in then maybe I will not as upset.
Ira make assumptions because that’s what he thinks. If he was to take a poll and ask the fans what they think it would be a totally different than what he thinks.
July 17th, 2013 at 9:12 am
Is it just me, or is anyone else strikingly surprised to see Ira Kaufman is a jugalo?
July 17th, 2013 at 9:13 am
It’s hard for Buc fans to be passionate with the losing legacy they have been saddled with. This current team still has a lot of questions that need to be answered. Starting with Freeman.
July 17th, 2013 at 9:42 am
We have a Super Bowl caliber team built around the qb. If we fail it only means we do not have a qb that can take us to the next level.
July 17th, 2013 at 9:46 am
After reading the posts on here this off season, I thought losing was acceptable as long as our QB threw for 4,000 yards.
July 17th, 2013 at 9:48 am
Oh please. Comparing fanbases’ expectations is so dumb its not even funny. Fans’ expectations are 50/50 between the perception of the current product and the history of that team. The NFC East have all had long proud histories (Eagles is debatable) and as a result their comparably larger fan base will always point back to the “good ole days”. Look how much we do it with the product the Bucs put out 10 years ago.
Sorry, but the Bucs have historically put a horrendous product on the field. Because of this, one of the reasons I love the Bucs is that we are and probably always will be an underdog. But that doesnt mean I dont think we can compete in he NFL and make the playoffs. The team we have now is something this franchise has never seen. If they can play up to half the talent that is on this roster we should be consistently be making the playoffs he next 5 years or so. This article should light a fire under each fans’ ass this season. We are gonna see some great football this year and I for one am expecting nothing but champiionships and trophies here on out.
July 17th, 2013 at 10:12 am
I’m here this morning in defense of old-timers. I’m been following the Bucs from the first day they borne the Creamsicles. I have no less desire to win than I ever did and I am no less supportive of my Bucs today than I ever was.
No, unlike Philly, we’ve never booed Santa Claus or unlike San Fran or Oakland, we’ve don’t start fights in the parking lot. We just show up for our team, win or lose, and have the high expectation every year that we’re going to win! That’s not blind ambition or spineless acceptance of mediocrity. It’s called being a diehard fan regardless of the weather.
Having been a winner, we recognize how hard it is to win in the NFL and that Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning have no more Super bowl wins than Brad Johnson or Trent Dilfer. Just ask all the teams that have never been there and the ones who have and have never won. It’s not that we accept losing, we’ve just seen enough to know that patience is virtue and loyalty is admirable!
July 17th, 2013 at 10:19 am
I don’t know what bucs fans they are talking about but all the ones I talk to have expectations higher than giraffe’s butts.
July 17th, 2013 at 10:26 am
I expect atleast a playoff berth this season. If not, I won’t re-new my season tickets. Not even if they somehow pull off a trade and get some “elite” QB. 10 wins might keep me content, but not enough to take out my wallet. I’ll just go back to going to 2-3 games a season.
July 17th, 2013 at 10:59 am
Darn, if it weren’t for that salary cap, we could buy all the best players. Now that “EVERY” team has to spend essentially the same amount of money every year, you may see more parity going forward and less team dynasties. Teams that suck this year could ultimately be first next year after a good strong draft, because it’s going to come down to who can accumulate the most talent quickly and keep inside the numbers. The draft order will become even more important with the new CBA rookie pay scale.
Teams who are higher in the draft order should start to have the advantage going forward. Teams like The Browns, Jaguars, etc. who are notorious for being cheap, and usually finish last will actually become stronger and the teams who have always enjoyed success will have to be more inventive. Regardless of everything I just said, the teams with elite QB play will always compete even when they have 1/5 the payroll tied up in their QB.
July 17th, 2013 at 11:10 am
“Noone likes to lose especially us older guys who don’t have as much time left. I’d like another Superbowl in my lifetime”
&
“Also if we lose to the Jets or the Saints in week one and two I’m loading up my truck and headed to One Buc Palace with my torches and pitchforks.”
For one thing, I feel you’re confusing Fan outcry with the media. One thing you have to realize is that up until the Dungy era, there realty wasn’t any option for fans, ‘en mass’ to express their displeasure with the team. At best you could slip the occasional letter to the editor in. Secondly, until Culverhouse (may he rot in hell) didn’t give a tinker’s damn what the fans thought, it was all bottom line for him.
Torches & pitchforks…yeah right, my guess is you’ll do what you’re doing now, venting on message forums, talk radio, and whatever else you can come up with, an continue (or start ) refusing to buy tickets.
In conclusion, I give a shit what you whippersnappers think of me supporting the team though the hard times. I enjoyed the game experience then, & still do now. Only bump in the road was during the middle Dungy years when I started to turn into a Philly fan ( in temperament only, I hate the iggles
July 17th, 2013 at 11:18 am
Playoffs or bust. No excuses for the Bucs.
July 17th, 2013 at 11:25 am
@Realist
Your post makes perfect sense except just 1 thing…. I realize that you dont like the 4th, 3rd, 4th and 4th place tie that we’ve had under Dom’s watch…. but can you explain just why you think were “clearly headed in the wrong direction”?
I mean, what more can Dom have done to put us in a position to make the playoffs and go deep? He’s drafted as well as anyone, He has signed top available free agents. He has fixed weaknesses on the team… What about this is heading in the wrong direction?
July 17th, 2013 at 11:28 am
“Kaufman of The Tampa Tribune senses Bucs fans will not be outraged by missing the playoffs this season.”
yes we will!!! if not outraged than SEVERELY disappointed. all the black outs should give you a hint that fans do not accept losing around here.
July 17th, 2013 at 11:30 am
Er, the NFL East is over-rated?? Bad news, as they were 4-0 vs. Los Bucos in 2012.
July 17th, 2013 at 11:33 am
The NFC east teams seem to always beat up on the Bucs. All 4 of them.
July 17th, 2013 at 11:43 am
“I thought losing was acceptable as long as our QB threw for 4,000 yards”
Bingo! Freeman is a losing quarterback. Numbers don’t lie. But it’s OK. The fantasy geeks are happy because he throws for 4,000 yards.
Josh Freeman = Jeff George.
July 17th, 2013 at 11:52 am
Buc1987 Says:
July 17th, 2013 at 10:26 am
I expect atleast a playoff berth this season. If not, I won’t re-new my season tickets. Not even if they somehow pull off a trade and get some “elite” QB. 10 wins might keep me content, but not enough to take out my wallet. I’ll just go back to going to 2-3 games a season.
—————————————————————-
Ok now I just have to say this. I am not one to ever question someones fandom but seriously? Your threatening NOT to buy tickets if they dont make the playoffs?
There is nothing wrong about questioning your teams motives, players… but threatening to not buy tickets unless they meet your expectations is a good reason to question your fandom… i mean thats ridiculous Buc1987, c’mon Man!
July 17th, 2013 at 1:30 pm
The pop-star has not drafted as well as anyone. Dispite having an average draft position of #9 pick in the last 4 years of drafting ( which means he is drafting in front of all the other GM’s). what has he pulled out. A D-tackle and a solid #2 wr, a RB ( which he took begrudgingly because he does not value Rb on first and second days of the draft.) and a Linebacker.
So the plan started out as drafting and having a long lasting contending team. Now that we have lots of expensive free agents, some are turning 31 before the end of the season. The window for playoff is very tight, They need to make the playoffs this year or next. and this is what we suffered for 4 years for????
July 17th, 2013 at 2:01 pm
joe posted an article awhile ago comparing dom’s drafts to other in our own division and across the NFL. Dom’s drafts have actually been better than most. Maybe not the absolutel best but to suggest he has been subpar in NFL standards is asinine.. almost as asinine as your ridiculous attempts to bash him in every single post….
I dont have to prove my point because Joe has already done that for us… but since you are so entrenched in this belief, show us proof, or where you have read or anything that isnt strictly opinionated that’ll show how awful Dom is compared to anyone and every other GM. Go head, I’ll wait.
I’m pretty positive though I’ll be waiting a long time because we both know you have no proof or anything other than your bias opinion. I’m sure you’ll come up with some excuse or ignore my comment all together.
July 17th, 2013 at 3:39 pm
Unless injuries play a major role, 8-8 is NOT good enough for me. The way this team is built it must at least be a winning season.
July 17th, 2013 at 10:37 pm
Yes Couch Fan I may be a little late to see your post and question to me. Yes the ONLY reason why I bought my 1st season tickets ever IS because I have high expectations. I will still go to games. I just won’t shell out another $1,300 for nothing. AND holy crap I’m the last person on here that you should question fandom. When Gruden raised the trophy I cried like a little girl. That’s how much this team means to me. My money on the other hand is a different story. I do consider myself an old-timer Bucs fan. I have suffered through the sh*t yrs. I imagine there is prolly only about 5,000 or so of us left out there that remained fans back then. I endured punishments from my peers and family members for being a Buc fan. So I won’t stand for anyone questioning my fandom. Your barking up the wrong tree. I have entire man-cave devoted to the Bucs. My expectations ARE high this year. Do I think they will be met? Of course I do. Come to opening day Saints game. I’ll be out on MLK waving a 3 X 5 Bucs flag 2 hrs before kickoff welcoming fans into the parking lots. Then question my fandom again.
July 18th, 2013 at 6:39 am
Realist: You shouldn’t talk about what you know nothing about. Your perception that we original fans did nothing but fall in line like “sheep” is far from the truth. Our loyalty just didn’t go up and down on a weekly basis. It’s easy to stand up and cheer for the Super Bowl champion; but only one group of fans gets to do that each season. The teams that are on top don’t remain there indefinitely. My hometown Steelers were horrendous when I was growing up there. Those black and gold “sheep” remained loyal, making the rise to the top so much sweeter. Same for us here in 1979 and 1981; then again in 1997 through 2002 and beyond. I suspect you have been disappointed to great depths by our favorite team so to shield yourself from mental collapse you lash out to distance and isolate yourself from “the herd.”