The Bucs Call Out A “Cheap Shot”
July 14th, 2013
Installment 2 of the Buccaneers official “Read and React” column doesn’t come with the same fireworks as the first one, when Tampa Bay Times beat writer Stephen Holder was fingered for targeting Greg Schiano. This time, the Bucs gently wagged a finger at Joe Fortenbaugh, of NationalFootballPost.com.
Fortenbaugh claims rockstar general manager Mark Dominik’s front office is among those under intense pressure this offseason. It seems Fortenbaugh believes the Bucs’ secondary made the team a laughing stock in 2012.
Given what unfolded last year with the Buccaneers, when a promising 5-2 start slid into a 7-9 finish and the pass defense emerged as the team’s main weakness, these seem like two very reasonable targets for Fortenbaugh to supply. Fortenbaugh’s last line in his paragraph of analysis seems like a bit of a cheap shot – “It’s time for the opposition to worry about a matchup with the Bucs, not laugh” – but his premise is sound. The Bucs have not been shy about adding big contracts through free agency and the trade market over the last two offseasons, and that has brought more attention on the team. If added attention equals added pressure, than the Bucs definitely belong on this list.
Joe loves this new feature on the Bucs, where the team puts a spotlight on the media in various ways. (You can click through above to read the whole thing.)
As for the pressure on Dominik and the front office, Joe’s not seeing a load of heat under Dominik. Surely Greg Schiano has a bigger weight on his shoulders.
When you’re stocked with eight Pro Bowlers in their prime and emerging stars like Lavonte David and Mike Williams, you absolutely have to produce.
July 14th, 2013 at 10:25 am
Reasonable people can disagree with the moves made by the Bucs with their acquisitions in FA and the Draft along with decisions to let players walk or cut them loose. But…I think their can be no disagreement with the direction the Owners, GM & Coaches are going…..UP!!!
Now lets fine tune the roster and get the job done. I expect the Bucs to play at a high level and that includes Josh Freeman.
I think our Special Teams will greatly improve and that is a subject that hasn’t gotten much attention yet.
July 14th, 2013 at 10:49 am
When you stunk the joint up like the Pop-star has, There is no where to go but up. And as for all the stock roster of pro-bowers, half of them got those honors on other teams. Team that up with all the drafts that the Pop-star has had ( which his average draft spot is #9) drafting in front of most other GM’s. That is why there is so much pressure for the boy-genius GM.
July 14th, 2013 at 10:53 am
I wasn’t aware the Bucs started the year 5-2 last year. I remember something along the lines of a 1-3 start
July 14th, 2013 at 11:02 am
It’s called piling on. It seems the media is good for that. They often play judge and jury and if you are not considered one of their darlings they will pile on so heavy and portray you in a bad light in the court of public opinion. How else do you explain their constant barrage of slights after these great off-season acquisitions?
It’s pretty damn easy to see that this team has fixed the secondary compared to last years weak secondary, but for some reason the media continues to wear blinders or they just refuse to admit the Bucs have improved personnel wise, and it’s not out of the realm of possibilities that this team could reach the play-offs.
But they’d rather be proved wrong than to admit the Bucs have gotten better. (at least on paper) I shouldn’t be shocked because this is nothing new. Like always, to be anything Buccaneer, we all have to have thick skin.
July 14th, 2013 at 11:09 am
@the_buc_realist…I’m not asking this question to pick a fight so don’t take it that way please. Is there anything that you like about the Bucs?
July 14th, 2013 at 11:23 am
@buc1987
I like the whole team, except the GM, D-line, QB, Tightends, wide-receivers 3-7, Eric wright, Carl nick’s big toe, blackouts, strong side linebacker, right tackle, Front office and coaches learning on the job, coaches that are hired and cannot even last 1 year, and long lines at the beer concession.
I think that covers the majority of dislikes.
July 14th, 2013 at 11:31 am
@the Buc realist….
When you’ve followed the Bucs like I have from 1976….you tend to hope for a good future and cut them a bt of slack….
Perhaps if you a young, you may want to find another team to root for. Someone who always wins and always make the right moves. Good luck with that!!!
July 14th, 2013 at 11:40 am
@tampabaybucfan
What a great attitude! after watching the Bucs go 4th, 3rd, 4th and 4th in the division. With a great battle for 3rd place in the division this year again, Maybe we should get them a trophy if they finish 3rd in the division. You sound old tampabaybucfan, so you should have lots of time to whittle a trophy from a piece of wood to hand them at the end of the year.
July 14th, 2013 at 11:42 am
the_buc_realist has a point. A team should make the play-offs in the fifth year of a regime–minimally.
July 14th, 2013 at 11:43 am
My comment is ”awaiting moderation’?
July 14th, 2013 at 11:57 am
You can take this to the bank, I bet when we start winning and we still have blackouts. The media will be calling us the worst fans in football and will be screaming that the Bucs should move. When it was just yesterday, they were calling the Bucs a laughing stock, embarrassing fans for being Buc fans. The media is the culprit for turning fans off.
Winning helps, but I have remained a steady fan through thick and thin. Even now as we continue to be slighted. Guaranteed if the media would back off their barrage of hit and runs and spoke of us with more zeal and excitement. The Buccaneers would gain more fans. Maybe even sell-out the first game. But like always they make it an uphill battle to endear more fans only to scold us later for not having enough.
Remember last years 4 week whipping by the media for Schiano’s kneel down play. Schiano was tried as a tyrant in the court of public opinion. Even after he was exonerated by the league. If you had asked anyone who watched BSPN and others last year of what they thought of Schiano during that time the majority would have agreed with the media. They shape public opinion.
July 14th, 2013 at 11:59 am
Well you pretty much named the whole team and the org. so you contradict yourself then. You don’t like the whole team at all. Which coach was hired and only lasted 1 year? I can only think of Richard Williamson, but of course if you remember him that makes you an old guy too. I’m not saying you don’t have the right to dislike 80% of the team which is pretty much the whole team. But they must have done something else to piss you off. I am glad you cleared that up for me though, just so all your comments will make a lil more sense now. Are you a closet Raheem fan? Hell I wanted Martyball over any other coach. I just don’t look for every tiny flaw that I can I guess to criticize each and every position. It’s not a perfect world. Do you mind giving us your prediction for this obviously in your opinion sh*tty team? What will be the final record?
July 14th, 2013 at 12:43 pm
The Bucs are getting low rankings because yes, the defensive secondary was horribly bad, especially down the stretch. But so was Josh Freeman. Freeman lovers did not want to admit he was also the problem along with the secondary at the end of the season. (final 6 games)
Now the secondary was improved. But Bucs fans have failed to see this: Analysts have all but agreed Freeman is nothing but an enigma who if he finds consistency. That is why the Bucs will not find respect in the media outlets because no one can predict the QBs play. It’s either very good or Sanchez esque.
Freeman needs to find that confidence and Swagger back from 2010 where he seemed fearless and ready to take on the league. He finds that, the Bucs can win the South.
July 14th, 2013 at 12:58 pm
When you are constantly finishing last in your division, you are a laughing stock. We are not the only team thats a “laughing stock”. We are continual losers until we prove we can win.
And its more than just the secondary, it took a whole team to become a laughing stock.
Hopefully we can put that all behind us this year.
July 14th, 2013 at 1:03 pm
Nobody was laughing at Doug Martin,Vincent Jackson and GMC. Last I checked they are part of the team. Just sayin’.
July 14th, 2013 at 1:07 pm
@Buc1987
They are good players that are on a bad team……….. just saying
July 14th, 2013 at 1:13 pm
Team difinately has a lot of talent, especially on the defensive side.
Clayborn Bowers heading into year 3, big year for dlineman. Young talent behind them in depth in Teo Neishem, Spence, Gholston, Means.
David is entering year 2 whos going to be a stud. Foster really progressed in year 2. Year 3 should be the telling factor. Barron at safety in year 2, love his skill set and star power potential. He had his rookie wall for 6-7 game stretch. Normal, but he flashed what he can do.
Mix that young talent in with McCoy, Revis, Gholdson, the leaders of the pack and pro bowlers and 2 of them all pros.
Bowers and Clayborn have the potential to be a dominate DE book end duo for years to come.
July 14th, 2013 at 1:39 pm
“It’s time for the opposition to worry about a matchup with the Bucs, not laugh”
———————————————
Worry about a matchup with the BUCS not the BUCS secondary. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a laughing stock, not just there secondary. Despite great stats, the offense was a problem regardless of what you want to think Buc1987…. just sayin 🙂
July 14th, 2013 at 1:51 pm
@the buc realist
I am older but still young enough to be an avid fan. I am not satisfied with the staus quo but amidst all of the negativity is some hope that our day is coming again.
After all….we were the laughing stock of the NFL in 1976 (season ticket holder) and then went to the NFC Championship in 1979 (was there)…..so things can change quickly.
Offer some constructive criticism on what you would do differently rather than just bash everyone involved.
When we win….will you give them credit.
I only get to see one game a year since I have moved & I am 14-2….lost to Steelers a few years back & last year to Skins.
Coming to the Bills game this year….so place your bets!!!
July 14th, 2013 at 2:01 pm
2011 was a laughing stock. In 2012 however the Bucs were ranked 10th in passing offense and that’s in the entire NFL. They also ranked 15th in rushing. I’m not much of stats guy, but I hardly call that a laughing stock. Apparently you negatives were watching a different team then I was last year. Well on the other hand they were ranked last in pass defense. So you tell me? Stats don’t lie. Why so mad bros? Maybe if they have a good season and they are ranked 5th in passing, you’ll still say they are a laughing stock. I can see you have an opinion and not a point with no facts to back it up. I’d rather have homerism than have loserism. Which is the category I put a few of you in.
July 14th, 2013 at 2:02 pm
the_buc_realist Says:
“When you stunk the joint up like the Pop-star has…”
I disagree with that.
July 14th, 2013 at 2:08 pm
Predictions anyone : I say 11-5 and an NFC South crown.
Put up or shut up, let’s drop some predictions.
July 14th, 2013 at 2:12 pm
@BUC1987
10-6….but no playoffs….much improved for 2014 where we “could go all the way”…..
July 14th, 2013 at 2:16 pm
We WILL make the playoffs this year whether Freeman steps up or not then the media can rewrite their opinions.
July 14th, 2013 at 2:17 pm
If I had to base my allegiance solely on Buc realist’s opinions, I wouldn’t want to be a Bucs fan for sure. I mean let’s face it, every time you were pumped and wanted to write something nice about the Bucs, you got this guy calling you a homer. I will bet that keeps some excited fans from participating from commenting, because God forbid you show a little enthusiasm, you get a pessimistic comment from some a-hole.
July 14th, 2013 at 2:22 pm
@Buc n Junkie
Yea…..the “Realist” may be one of those that hides behind his anomymity…perhaps he is a Panther fan just messing with us.
I mean…come on! Nobody likes to lose and everyone wants more from their team…but there has to be something positive to keep you going as a fan.
True fans take the bad with the good and press on!!!
July 14th, 2013 at 2:30 pm
At no point was this team 5-2, they were 1-3 after the first four games. It amazes me that these “professionals” consistently get things wrong that only takes a little research or memory prowess to know. Give me a job writing about the Bucs, I could surely do better.
July 14th, 2013 at 2:32 pm
@Buc1987
I say 12-4 and #2 seed in the NFC playoffs. NFC South Champs of course.
July 14th, 2013 at 2:51 pm
It pretty much qualifies you as a moron to say this is a bad team right now. They haven’t taken the field yet or played a single snap. No one knows how the season will play out, no one.
Bucrealist should be changed to Buc-hating-moron, without a lick of credibility. It kills me that so called fans can so viciously attack a team that hasn’t played yet. Maybe the head is buried so far up the A$$ it can only see in reverse. The future says at this rate you wonder into the street in the path of an oncoming truck.
July 14th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
I can see criticizing the Bucs’ performance last year. But when is enough enough? Do you ever let it go and move on to a positive outlook. Glass half full, half empty, hole in it, or shattered. The Bucs no doubt made moves in an attempt to get better. That is a positive thing and as a fan of the team, I don’t understand all the hate. At some point you just become a whiny baby in need search of his pacifier. It is no wonder the stadium can’t sell out. We have a lot of negative (so called) fans that not only want failure, but predict and promote it to garner attention.
Please grab a towel and get out of your pity pool. Have a cocktail, meet a woman and pay her if you have to, because you are one sad piece of work.
July 14th, 2013 at 3:06 pm
@bigmacattack
I do think the team is improved from last year. In fact, I think potentially they could actually finish 3rd in the division. Some thing might have to fall there way, and Freeagents and rookies will need to gel. But anything is possible in the NFL. I can tell you this though. After week 5, I won’t be disappointed like the sheep are year after year.
July 14th, 2013 at 3:18 pm
@the_buc_realist
Why don’t you go cheer for the Jaguars? I hear they need fans and at least that way your predictions of doom and failure will always be right. We don’t need or want you here.
July 14th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
The Bucs have built a strong team around Freeman. If he can become 2010 Josh and play with more confidence, then the Bucs can win 12 games and overtake the division.
If you look at the teams built around the QBs, I’d rank:
1a: Atlanta
1b: Tampa
Carolina and New Orleans are kind of even.
New Orleans does not have a strong team defensively. They have Drew Brees that keeps them alive every week. Carolina is getting their, but their offense around Cam Newton isn’t very strong. Still have a weak secondary.
Bucs and Falcons have the strongest teams around their QB. Matt Ryan has 2 top end weapons on the outside at WR, a good running game, and decent oline. HOF TE and solid defense that has solidified the secondary.
Bucs could make a case with a stronger and deeper defense with a good offense themselves with a better oline.
Unit ranks in NFC South:
Offense:
QB:
1. Saints
2. Falcons
3. Bucs
4. Panthers
Not a fan of Cam newton. Hasn’t beatin Freeman straight up in terms of passing.
RB:
1. Tampa (Doug Martin is the best)
2. Falcons
3. Saints
4. Panthers
WR:
1. Falcons
2a. Bucs
2b. Saints
4. Panthers
Saints 1 and 2 arent as good as Jackson and Mike Williams, however they’re deep and have an elite TE.
OL:
1. Tampa
2. Carolina
2b: Falcons
4. Saints
Saints can’t seem to retain a lot of guys due to large contracts by certain palyers
Defense:
DLine:
1. Falcons
2a. Panthers
2b: Bucs
4. Saints
LB:
1. Carolina
2. Tampa
3. Atlanta
4. New Orleans
CB/S:
1. Tampa
2. Atlanta
3. New Orleans
4. Carolina
Coaching:
1. New Orleans
2. Atlanta
3. Tampa
4. Carolina
To me , Bucs are right in the mix. Freeman needs to step up.
July 14th, 2013 at 5:33 pm
I say we stop all the chatter and bring it to the turf! I trust the Head Coach and Dominick… Freeman will have his best year in 2013 of his young pro career and Tampa bay fans will be made proud.
July 14th, 2013 at 7:01 pm
I say we do no worse than 8-8 and IF Freeman performs to his ability we can win the division and go deep in the playoffs.
July 14th, 2013 at 7:05 pm
you know Ive been thinking and there is one thing that could really help us win more football games. that one thing is winning the field position battle. the old bucs were known for three things: playing good defense, running the ball, and winning the field position battle. to often last year were on the wrong side of those field position battles, mainly because of poor special teams play(expect for our punt blocking of course) and bad defense. hopefully with a vastly improved defense as well as better special teams play we can get back to winning the field position battle so that we can score some more points, while at the same time preventing the other teams from scoring.
July 14th, 2013 at 7:20 pm
we need to get an attitude that starting from the 20 is not going to be acceptable anymore.
July 14th, 2013 at 8:29 pm
Andrew 1…and another thing that would help. If the DAMN fans that actually went to the game stood up and got loud once and while the D was on the field. For you people that actually go to the games. If your sitting by me and I see you sitting there with your hands in your lap while our D is on the field, your gonna hear it. I’m calling fans out this season. Might get punched in the mouth for it, but I’m doing it. No more BS from those people. I’m not going to curse or anything, and at first I’ll be polite. If they don’t comply, I still won’t curse but I’m going to let them know in certain terms what a shi**y fan they are. If I have to beg them I will. BE LOUD!!!!!
I’m in the endzones baby. It’s party central time. It’s not whether or not I can handle the excitment of the seats. It’s can the fans handle having me around them. Because I’m bringing it and everyone near my section is going to know about it. I urge the rest of you to do the same.
July 14th, 2013 at 8:31 pm
Oh and look for me on opening day. I’ll be the guy standing on MLK waving a HUGE Buc flag for hours as people file into the parking lots. No more effing around man. No more.
July 14th, 2013 at 8:44 pm
@ Buc1987
lol that didnt even cross my mind but you know what… your absolutely 100% right. our fans have a tendency to screw this part up. as fans if our voices are not sore by the end of the game then we did NOT do our part. I applaud you for giving it your all during gameday and Ill keep any eye out for the huge bucs flag on MLK the next time I go to a bucs game. I would be more than happy to share my beer with a bucs fan like you.
July 14th, 2013 at 8:47 pm
Mike J…this will be the 2nd yr of the Schiano regime. So your saying he has atleast 3 more years to get the Bucs into the playoffs? Since your agreeing with Buc_Realist you must think Schiano has been around for about 5 years now right? Where do you people come from? Are you a 1st year fan? I’m trying to remain calm, I do have an ulcer. Where do these fans come from? Can someone tell me how they are so brilliant and full of knowledge? <~~~trying to be nice.
July 14th, 2013 at 8:49 pm
I LIKE WHAT DOMINIK HAS DONE, BUT IF WE FLOP THIS SEASON….HIM AND FREEMAN WILL BE GONE. SCHIANO WILL STAY.
July 14th, 2013 at 8:54 pm
Your prolly right Kevin.
July 14th, 2013 at 9:51 pm
I was watching ESPN the other day, or BSPN if your Joe, and Ron Jaworski aka jaws said that during our 6 game stretch run Freeman was, and I quote, ” THE BEST QB IN THE NFL.” now while I wont go so far as to say that(I would definitely put him in the top 3 at that time) I will say that that is something to be proud of. if Freeman can play like that for most of the season, like I believe he will, we will be a damn good football team. so for all you Freeman haters who have nothing but negative comments about Freeman try listening to someone who has actually played this game and who just so happens to know alot about the QB position. I know i definitely give him more credence than anything you have to say.
July 14th, 2013 at 10:26 pm
@Andrew 1
It’s in one ear and out the other with these haters. They’d rather Freeman fail and the team lose than admit he is our best chance to win. They’d rather bellyache and whine than man up and accept the fact he is going to be our starting QB. Instead of rallying and getting behind him with all their support they rather chastise him with such viciousness and vile. They literally tear him down publicly and then have the audacity to expect him to perform flawlessly.
July 14th, 2013 at 10:50 pm
@ Buc’n Junkie
your right and its sad really. I think the reason why they predict failure is becasue they are to afraid of getting there hopes up only to be disappointed. to me that makes them cowards. they are essential bracing for the fall so that it doesnt hurt as much.
July 14th, 2013 at 11:11 pm
its either that or “misery needs company.”
July 14th, 2013 at 11:14 pm
@Buc1987
I get what you’re saying. There are a lot of fans who aren’t as rah rah as you and I. It doesn’t mean they are less than a fan. Anyone who has paid to attend the game are good fans in my book, so try not to get to angry with them. At least they are trying to do their part to allow the rest of the lazy neanderthals to sit at home and watch on their high definition TVs.
You want to call people out, call out the crappy fans who could go but always have excuses not to go. They are convenient fairweather fans, meaning it has to be at their convenience. Which I bet includes all the negative so-called fans that comment everyday. I bet they never go to the games.
One thing is for sure, if they sat in my section, and talked negative like they do here, they’d probably get their butt’s kicked. Or maybe, they are the one who won’t cheer. I take it back, …call them out!
July 15th, 2013 at 2:42 am
No Buc’n Junkie i could care less about the ones that don’t go to the games. I’m talkin about the ones that are at the games themselves. Going to the games and sitting their doing nothing when the D is on the field. You won’t see that in Philly or N.Y. or most NFL stadiums. Just Raymond James. I’ve seen golf tourneys that draw more noise than our fans produce. I only called out Mike J because he SOMEHOW thinks that this is Schiano’s 5th year as the coach. Seriously I can’t make fans go to the games. But I do have every reason to bitch about the ones that do, and sit there with their hands in their lap. Which to say is around 40% of them. They are the same ones that screw up the freakin wave too. I mean go to the game and look around at how many people are just sitting there making no noise at all. Like entire rows of people just sitting there doing nothing. Like ho hum another Sunday at the beach. What do THEY come to the games for to get a tan?
Mike J says: the_buc_realist has a point. A team should make the play-offs in the fifth year of a regime–minimally.
Is he talking about Dom’s regime or Schiano’s? Or was he just being sarcastic, or is he just clueless?
July 15th, 2013 at 2:51 am
Sorry I forgot to read your last paragraph. All I’m saying is if there was’nt soooo many of them. I would not feel the need to call them out. Or feel the need to bring a 1000 Be Loud cards into my parking lot on game day. Come hell or high water, I’m going to make these fans that come to the games LOUD again. I’m taking on this mission. Enough is enough. There are ways of doing it in nice manner. They are after all Buc fans. I’ve already starting printing up the cards. It’s not cheap either, but that’s how adamant I am about this. I’m going to bed now YAWN. Fell asleep in the recliner and just woke up to read this at 2:30 am. As the screen was still on.
July 15th, 2013 at 6:14 am
1987: Do ever sleep?
July 15th, 2013 at 7:47 am
The article claims we started out 5-2….but we did not. We started out 2-4. That is enough for me to throw out the entire article as nonsense.
July 15th, 2013 at 9:30 am
[…] The Bucs are still pointing their fingers as specific media members for columns they have written. [JoeBucsFan] […]
July 15th, 2013 at 1:17 pm
The Bucs were far from a laughing stock last year. Our run defense was beastly and we were very physical. Teams that played the Bucs knew they’d been in a football game. Like I’ve said a million times….give us those 4 games that we lost in the final minutes due to poor pass defense and we are 11-5 and in the playoffs. Top 10 offense. #1 run defense. Not exactly ‘laughing stock’ material. Now…our pass defense WAS a laughing stock but that is only a portion of the team as a whole. I’ll say it again, if Freeman only plays as good as he played last year we will be in the playoffs and win our division.
July 15th, 2013 at 2:04 pm
Don’t know if anybody else pointed this out… but obviously this “writer” did his homework… The Bucs had a 5-2 start? Wow, the last time I remember the Bucs sitting at 5-2 was 2002. Weren’t the Bucs 6-4 after 10 games? 1-3 after 4? You can’t take any of these so-called writers seriously when they haven’t shown the inclination to do the least amount of homework necessary to write a decent article.
July 15th, 2013 at 2:39 pm
These writers and sportscasters know nothing. I was listening to ESPN sports on the radio yesterday and both of them were discussing the Bucs drafting the QB from Tennessee in the 4th round. They know nothing about the Bucs but they feel compelled to comment on the team like experts. Not all, but most are clueless.