“Hump Game” Double Talk
October 3rd, 2015
Joe’s unsure what tomorrow’s game means for the underdog Bucs against the Panthers, winners of seven consecutive regular season games, plus a playoff game in between their 2014 finish and their undefeated 2015 start.
For Lovie Smith, a victory, or at least a strong showing, might mean a chance to stop contradicting himself and speaking in clichés.
During his pregame conversation with Buccaneers.com, Lovie says his Bucs have been battling like true competitors each week, but then adds the team didn’t show up last time in Tampa.
“I feel like we’ve, you know, we’ve competed hard every game,” Lovie said. “Now’s about time for us to get over the hump. So this is one of those hump games, We feel like we’re ready to get over the hump.”
Lovie went on to say his team, not just the Bucs organization, should honor Alstott by playing physical football Sunday.
“I’m talking about Mike Alstott-type, smashmouth football. That’s what we need to do. We didn’t show up the last time, the last home game. We get another opportunity to perform in front of the front crowd, and we’re going to show up this week.”
Joe doesn’t view Sunday as a “hump” game. Joe sees next Sunday at home against Jacksonville as that “hump” game. The Bucs under Lovie have to prove they can stand up at home and beat a second-rate opponent. There’s no excuse not to. Carolina is a different story.
October 3rd, 2015 at 8:46 am
I don’t expect a win this week, but I would welcome it with open arms.
October 3rd, 2015 at 8:57 am
Lovie … “We didn’t show up the last time, the last home game.”
Seriously? Didn’t show up? I showed up for the last home game, so did a packed house of Bucs fans expecting to see a hard-fought game. Instead, the Bucs “didn’t show up”?
I’m really pulling for Lovie to get this show moving, because changing coaching staffs every 2 years doesn’t hack it. But dang it, I don’t want to hear our HC telling the world that HIS TEAM didn’t show up.
If players making the kind of money these guys are making can’t ‘show up’ then I’ve got a solution: Get some players who will.
October 3rd, 2015 at 9:11 am
I thought the “Hump” game was the home opener…..a sort of “must win” according to Joe & many.
I think we should at least be very competitive in this game and win against the Jags….I will be very disappointed if we don’t achieve both.
October 3rd, 2015 at 9:15 am
The goal was to win this division, or at least compete in it. If we don’t beat Carolina, that’s out the window. Tomorrow is the game that matters.
October 3rd, 2015 at 9:16 am
That first game debacle killed all momentum for fans for the season!!! I think we will see a lack luster crowd that will be checking their phones thru the first half, stand and cheer at half time, and will be leaving RJS in the 3rd!!!!
No one wants to watch Lovie’s (prevent lite) defense!!!
That first game debacle will have lasting ramifications!!!
October 3rd, 2015 at 9:19 am
Lovie just admit you had no idea how to plan for Mariota. Im often outspoken on defending Lovie to an extent and holding players accpuntable but week one, thats gotta fall on Lovie. You dont get routed week one against a rookie without the coach missing a step.
October 3rd, 2015 at 9:24 am
Lovie is going to run out of new words to describe what exactly is going on with this team. It’s not like he can come out and say, hey we suck, the whole damn lot of us. That would be new. For now the hope is Lovie saying “we’re going to show up this week”. That would be a good idea.
October 3rd, 2015 at 9:48 am
“I’m talking about Mike Alstott-type, smashmouth football.”
To do this our team our team will need to up their D play on 3rd down, way up…
I would love to see Alstott smash and dash, stumble and rumble on the field again. Thanks for the memories Mike!
Go Bucs!
October 3rd, 2015 at 9:48 am
Can anyone name 3 players on this team capable of playing smashmouth football? Heck, how about one? I can’t.
October 3rd, 2015 at 10:02 am
I don’t think it is double talk at all. The implication is they didn’t show the first game and they have since then.
Coaches and players, and celebrities and politicians for that matter, have a mic in their face all the time. Every word is scrutinized, over read, dissected and hashed out.
If any of us had a mic in our face every day we would be contradicting and making mistakes too.
Stop over analyzing
October 3rd, 2015 at 10:11 am
Hey Lovie. It would be nice if your team played smash mouth football every week. I for one would love to see SOMEONE, does not matter who. Destroy Cam after he does his bullsh*t showboating after a big play or a touch down. This is our house. I’m sick of it. Defend it damnit. Take a late hit, personal foul and punch him in the mouth. Enough is enough.
October 3rd, 2015 at 11:11 am
Hump game…when you feel like you just got humped after it is over.
October 3rd, 2015 at 11:16 am
With a great Rookie QB- every game is a possible win, If he is on his game. Heck, he won last week, just to let our kicker lose it for him.
If Jameis is on- he can beat the Carolina defense. Our Defense has to help him out.
Rookie QBs are alway like a rollercoaster ride. Hopefully he is feeling it , and we get everyones attention by beating the Carolina Kitties.
We actually have good talent now
October 3rd, 2015 at 12:18 pm
briandorry55 Says:
October 3rd, 2015 at 9:15 am
The goal was to win this division, or at least compete in it. Tomorrow is the game that matters.
The division should be our goal for sure,, rather win both games before the bye but we need to beat the panthers more than jags.. CMON Bucs GET A WIN THIS WEEK…Bring this buc family back to life…
October 3rd, 2015 at 2:37 pm
@rhenry Says – “Can anyone name 3 players on this team capable of playing smashmouth football? Heck, how about one?”
Yea, I can name some. How about that hit DJ Swearinger put on that Texan when he wrapped is arms around his waist then lifted him all the way up and then plummeted the guy to the turf? Or how bout Winston, when he tried to muscle the ball from LB Cushing, then was ready to throw down with S Demps? I saw Hawley and Mankins come in afterward ready to back up their QB. How about the Texan LB who was fined for the low hit on Winston? After the play Mankins went right after him. Watch Clinton McDonald during a game. He ain’t helpen the other player up and usually talkin to the opponent. Chris Conte plays “smash mouth” football every down. That’s six!
October 3rd, 2015 at 7:51 pm
Our Bucs have to prove they can at home…period. Losers of 10 straight homes games in arrow? Come on man. We are all tired of the..Not the game we wanted press conf from Lovie. They are all, Hump games as far as we Buc fans are concerned. I really do not like C. Newton. His little, Hot Shot dance after TD’s is a bit much. Just win Bucs. I don’t care how you do it. Cheat, crawl, claw, magic…anything. Nothing less than victory is acceptable. Give us some Fire. Play like you want to win.
October 4th, 2015 at 8:26 am
These calls for “patience” and so-called need “to get over the hump” are at their core calls for fans to ignore what they have seen for 19 games with their own eyes.
Every week it’s some new excuse and at at the heart a call for fans to continue to pay for and support a substandard product.