Memorable Day For Rookies
August 15th, 2015
Geeked for his NFL debut.
Yes, today marks the NFL debut of “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston. It is a day he will never forget, no matter the outcome. So too it is a big day for his fellow rookies.
Some, specifically undrafted rookie) may be working baggage claim at an international airport somewhere near you in a few weeks.
But they will never, ever forget the first time they put on an NFL uniform and took the field as a professional.
One guy who, it appears, can’t sleep over this excitement is wide receiver Kenny Bell. He took to Twitter late last night and the words don’t need any explanation.
I get to play in an NFL game in less than 24 hours 😏😏😏
— Kenny Bell (@AFRO_THUNDER80) August 15, 2015
Bell is one of Joe’s favorite players already, and not because he is talented. The guy is high on life. He could just finish a grueling practice under the brutal Florida sun, and the dude has a smile on his face from ear to ear.
Bell not only loves the game, but completely understands how lucky he is to get paid to play at the highest level, and is bound and determined to leave a mark on the game in some way.
Bell makes it impossible not to pull for him. Not to mention that stylish, retro ‘Fro.
August 15th, 2015 at 10:05 am
I can only imagine what the excitement must be like for these guys…..all the way from Pop Warner….through high school & college….the draft (or not) and being called by a team….training camp…and now…a game….you just want all of them to make it somewhere…but dreams will be dashed….
August 15th, 2015 at 10:22 am
I love the Bucs and I love the Lightning. The Lightning have been fun to watch the past two years not simply because they are a very good team, but because the team is full of guys like Joe describes Bell…
The guy is high on life. He could just finish a grueling practice under the brutal Florida sun, and the dude has a smile on his face from ear to ear.
Bell not only loves the game, but completely understands how lucky he is to get paid to play at the highest level, and is bound and determined to leave a mark on the game in some way.
The Lightning had lots of guys with that attitude. It leads to winning. When you multiply it with numerous members of a team it really becomes infectious and it’s fun for the fans as well.
This is another reason I’m pumped about the Bucs this year. Yeah I know let’s wait and see if they win or lose…but these guys are easy to cheer for without holding your nose. Who doesn’t want to see long suffering Gerald McCoy finally get to the playoffs? Ditto LVD!
This team is full of compelling stories like Logan Mankins trying to end his career on an up note instead of last year’s downer…the two rookie OL…Bell and Clay and Alexander. These guys are all easy to cheer for. GO BUCS! 10-6 !
August 15th, 2015 at 10:56 am
Yep, totally understand how excited he is. Reminds me very much of when I graduated from FSU and got my first real job! Dreams really do come true!
August 15th, 2015 at 10:59 am
Its the love of the game that will carry Bell through adversity. Thats what this team, any team, needs. It dosent matter if they’re choir boys or bad boys. Its the love of football that will carry them. Guys like Aquib Talib and Eric Wright disgust me. They dont care about the team. They care about being fampus and recognized. They’re to good to help build a team from scratch. Thats what made Brooks and Sapp so iconic. It wasnt just talent. Lots of players have talent. Its working hard with coaches and players to build a strong team from nothing. It takes something special to not only play great, but to get the entire team to work as one and play at a level they never knew they could. Thats why they’re in Canton and Talib, while talented, is a bust. He didnt respect the red and pewter. He wasnt a team player. He didnt care about keeping up the tradition that Sapp, Brooks, Barber and many others gave thir blood sweat and tears to build. He didnt respect that. His rookie year, he got to play alongside Brooks and Barber and never once did he express gratitude for playing alongside two great players who built the culture of the team that drafted him. And because of his selfishness, that culture died. Now we have to start from scratch. I hold Talib accountable because of his talent and he got to play with the last few players of that era. He didnt care about taking the torch. He was out for himself only. And there were several others with that same selfish midset. Our once proud tradition is gone and here we are. Lovie is doing is best to bring in his guys to build his system. But the players gotta do their part. I love GMC and LVD but they gotta take that next step and not just play great, but help others overachieve. Same with Mike Evans and Jameis, which is really cool because we havent had many chances to really build something special on offense. We had a chance and hoped Freeman and Mike will would build something but in never happened.
August 15th, 2015 at 11:32 am
Geez! I’m like a nervous new poppa!
Hope Jameis looks better than Poor Markus.
Two horrible turnovers, and then hes laughing on sidelines.
I believe Jameis will shine
This is a team of very likeable guys. I really am hoping they all perform well, and keep chasing their dreams!
Fingers crossed for Jameis, Donovan,Ali, Kenny, and all the rest!
Can we hope that A DE will emerge from our rookies/ young guys?
Good Luck Young Men- we will all be rooting for you
August 15th, 2015 at 11:34 am
Well said TBBF.
As a long time fan, I am excited for what this season will bring us. And I am excited for these kids that they reached their dreams. That doesn’t happen for everyone and what an awesome thing it is. Even if their dreams are dashed sometime this season, they made it, and can always look back on this moment!
August 15th, 2015 at 12:32 pm
The longest offseason in History is finally over. Tonight the Buccaneers play a game and get to gauge the progress of the team as a whole and the abilities of the players trying to earn spots on the final roster.
The Jameis Winston era begins as he puts on his official Burger King uniform for the 1st time and plays in a game.
Here’s hoping that no Buccaneers are seriously hurt – that we see good things from all 3 units (O,D & ST) in the 1st Quarter and that the 2nd and 3rd teamers play well also and show us that we finally have some level of depth on this team.
I’m not much of a pre-season NFL fan for a # of reasons – but am excited to get a 1st glimpse at how Winston looks in a real game at this point and what the 1st teamers are able to do against a seemingly decent Vikings team.
Go Bucs!! Let’s get a win out of the gate and start this pre-season off right.
August 15th, 2015 at 12:56 pm
I’m wit you Pick. Pre-season or not let’s get a dub right out the gate man.
August 15th, 2015 at 1:00 pm
All of the above posts said it better than I can, Go Bucs!
August 15th, 2015 at 1:26 pm
Is there OT in preseason games, I predict a tie tonight.
August 15th, 2015 at 1:30 pm
This is the time of year where all Buc fans should feel as good as they can possibly feel….the first game is in front of us….changes in personnel…..new players…..new clean slate.
Every year…..hope is there…..if you’re not feeling it….I feel for you.
August 15th, 2015 at 2:24 pm
The start of something beautiful! We ditch that “loser” label that has plagued us for the last 100 games.
Time to reach for the big trophy. At this stage it is out of reach, but upon each victory we will climb, until the goal is right in front of us.
Remember this day, Bucs fans, as the day we ditched the losing mindset.
August 15th, 2015 at 2:28 pm
I am so ready for Bucs football…
I would love it if Winston’s first pass is a touchdown…though I doubt it will happen. The defense will rush him a lot.
August 15th, 2015 at 2:44 pm
Tampabaybucfan Says:
August 15th, 2015 at 1:30 pm
This is the time of year where all Buc fans should feel as good as they can possibly feel…
It isn’t a clean slate to me at all. Not after the last 2 years. I’ll be happy if they can save me from hating football this year.
August 15th, 2015 at 2:58 pm
Our new bucs motto should be losing is not a option posted above as the run onto the field of battle each game. Good luck tonight and no surrender baby.
August 15th, 2015 at 3:00 pm
So ready for Buccaneer football! It helps to have a giy like Lovie on the side lines. His calm, cool demeanor should rub off on our nervous rookies. Better than some screaming maniac running around the locker room!