A New Winning Approach: Fun
November 14th, 2016
BY IRA KAUFMAN
If we can tear ourselves away from the silent protest of Mike Evans and the loud observations of Madame Miko, let’s remember that the Bucs salvaged their season Sunday with a resounding victory.
How did they do it?
They had fun.
After two dispiriting setbacks against high-powered attacks, an embattled defense played with joy and abandon.
Jameis Winston turned in one of the plays of the year during one of the drives of the year — and thousands of Chicago fans trudged home with bowed heads and new-found respect for an opponent that just spent 60 minutes declaring: not in my house.
“We had a lot more fun, like we used to when we first started playing the game as kids rather than approaching it like it was a job,” said Clinton McDonald, who triggered Sunday’s sack brigade. “We went back to when we were 13 or 14 years old and having fun.”
The game turned serious when Jay Cutler’s 50-yard Hail Mary fling was tipped into the back of the end zone for a touchdown that made every Buc fan gasp on the final play of the half.
Admit it, you were thinking here we go again. This franchise finds crazy ways to lose.
Not this time.
They were having too much fun.
The “Never-Quit Guy”
“Coach Koetter said don’t let one lucky play spoil the half,” said Demar Dotson, who didn’t exactly put a highlight film on tape while trying to protect Winston. “Our defense had their number all night. They took pride and had a great week of practice. They’re the reason we won this football game.”
The offense did its part as well.
During that decisive drive coming out of halftime, Tampa Bay restored its 14-point lead and Evans made eventful news on the field by leaping for a 39-yard catch over the middle.
Before the throw, Winston befuddled Chicago defenders by scrambling right-left-right-left, retreating 23 yards into his own end zone at one point before emerging to find Evans.
“Jameis is a never-quit guy,” Dotson said, “a fight to the dead-end type of guy. He’s one guy you will go into the alley with … not the biggest guy, probably not the strongest guy, but man, does that guy fight. You can’t teach heart and that guy’s got it.”
Free At Last
You can take only so much abuse in the arena before you change tactics or admit defeat. Defensive coordinator Mike Smith found himself with little choice but to unleash the hounds.
Time and again, he dispatched his linebackers after Cutler, knowing that would put more pressure on Tampa Bay’s secondary. Instead, the pressure was applied on a veteran quarterback who wilted in the heat.
“The first thing Coach Smith said to me this week is we’re going to let you guys have fun,” said Kwon Alexander. “We’re going to turn you guys loose. I could sense it Wednesday in practice, when we put the pads on. It was a different vibe. The energy was there and we brought it to the game.”
The challenge continues Sunday in Kansas City against an opportunistic Chiefs defense that just sparked a stirring comeback win at Carolina.
Koetter finally has that home field monkey off his back and Evans will surely find himself in the pre-game spotlight. Miko will be counting the Buc jerseys scattered in the Arrowhead crowd.
After the National Anthem, it will be time to get down to business for the visitors — up to a point. Don’t forget to have some fun.
“We hadn’t won at home in a long time and it’s a big boost going into K,C.,” McDonald said. “We’re going to keep this thing rolling.”
November 14th, 2016 at 11:14 am
Mike Evans is a petulant loser who spit on the fan base.
Sure, it is his 1st amendment right to free speech but while it is also your 1st amendment right to cuss out your boss you will no doubt be fired, and that is exactly what he did today (cuss out the boss aka the fans).
So he doesn’t like the Donald. So what. Who buys the tickets to NFL games ? Blue collar white men. Who voted for the Donald in overwhelming numbers ? Blue collar white men. Who were the biggest football fans that are now starting to abandon the game due to this ? Blue collar white men.
November 14th, 2016 at 11:22 am
Artemis…I don’t agree with a lot what you said on the other thread or this one as well, but I can tell you my wife no longer wants a Mike Evans jersey. I checked with her last night after I told her what Evans did.
I’m veering away from politics, but it wasn’t only “blue collar white men” that elected Trump. Sure they were a big part of his election, but not the only reason he won. Okay that’s it for me.
November 14th, 2016 at 11:28 am
So as the post isn’t completely hijacked:
The team looked and felt different. Players were flying around looking for someone to hit on defense and the offense did its job. KC will be tough at Arrowhead so hopefully we’ve got some of that juice left next Sunday.
November 14th, 2016 at 11:44 am
Make America Brate again.
November 14th, 2016 at 11:47 am
I hope they trade him away and bring other WRs. We need some decent logical ppl around here. These type of morons they all follow the same path the one that Mike Williams followed
November 14th, 2016 at 11:51 am
@artemis…..white blue collar men aren’t the only ones attending games….some blue collar black guys are too…..your way of thinking is whats wrong with this country….”you” think you run the world and everyone in it…..
@87….sorry to hear that but its the complete opposite in my household and in my entire family…..we all have Winston, kap and evans jerseys…..I want an eric reid jersey for x-mas…my uncles, dad, brother and 4 cousins were all in either the army or navy and have no problem with players sitting or kneeling…..GO BUCS!!!!
November 14th, 2016 at 12:18 pm
The only people that should be voicing their opinion about evens kneeling are people who have actually been in the millatary! It’s funny too because people in the millatary past and present agree with Evans that he should be exercising his rights-that’s what they caught for.
If all of the racist old white men and women can’t stand seeing a black man exercising his right that his country faught for, well I hope if anything bad ever happens to this country, I truly hope it happens to you people first. You ignorant racist are the ones that give us other whites a bad rap. I would rather fight and die for my black/Mexican/Muslim/asain/indian neighbors then I would Ignorant racist white people. You people suck
November 14th, 2016 at 12:23 pm
Happy the Bucs finally got a home win in convincing fashion and any time Mike Evans exposes blue collar bigots for exactly what they are, it’s a good day for me.
November 14th, 2016 at 12:34 pm
not the biggest guy, probably not the strongest guy, but man, does that guy fight. You can’t teach heart and that guy’s got it
November 14th, 2016 at 12:43 pm
813bucboi…you don’t need to be sorry. I know who you are.
I wear my FSU Winston jersey more than I do the Bucs one anyways.
I get a lot of sneers that way and I like it.
Some guy upon seeing my Winston jersey at Wal-Mart told his grandson under his breath, but loud enough for me to hear it upon seeing my jersey : “must be a real prick to be wearing THAT jersey.” It’s the stuff I live for. I don’t quite think the hideous Buc jersey does Jameis Winston justice imo. Maybe that’s just me, cause I get stopped a lot by peeps telling me they love the jersey. It’s give or take. But I do love the dirty looks. I stay true though always have my Buc hat on, all curled under redneck style cause hey it’s Pasco county.
November 14th, 2016 at 12:47 pm
Oh and as far as the win. Good win against a bad team.
That’s what average teams do. Currently our team is average.
A should have been 8-8 (oh the damn Rams game etc)Bucs team.
Keep Dirk. He’s working with very little and making it work.
November 14th, 2016 at 1:06 pm
Went to the game yesterday. Bought $75.00 tickets for $ 40.00 from a scalper outside the stadium. I was wearing my BUC gear on the Chicago side of the stands. Watching them stop cheering and start grumbling put me in a good mood. Watching the Bucs win 36-10 put me in a good mood as I walked back to my car. Got my 10,000 steps in. Waited for the traffic to clear, but I didn’t mind, I was in a good mood. Then I turned on WFLA with Tom Krasnicky…After he stated that “tone deaf” Mike Evans decided to lay a big hairy turd on the Glazer’s salute to our veterans, my mood turned dark. Only thinking about himself. He embarressed his employer and upset much of the fan base. In case you haven’t noticed Mike, there were a lot of empty seats there on Sunday. And what about his teammates when they get questioned week after week about your selfish attitude. Great for team unity when unity is what this team needs. How’s the head coach going to balance this in the locker room ? The only good thing that came out of this is Mike will be poison for any endorsements offers.
November 14th, 2016 at 1:55 pm
Blue collar white men in Florida, aka casually racist people. We all know the type.
November 14th, 2016 at 2:48 pm
Hopefully we will have a more attacking game plan from here on out for our defense. They really seemed invigorated by the different plan.
The question is will that work against the better teams in the league?
November 14th, 2016 at 4:57 pm
I did not know racism still existed. Some people would like to trade Mike Evans for something that is not related to his performance on the field and for something that does not have him posing for a mug shot.
November 14th, 2016 at 5:28 pm
I am willing to bet my life’s worth that none of you ‘blue collar’ working white men been have the balls to say what you say about ‘black’ America to their face! I understand you secretly fear us because we hold the seeds to your demise! SMMFH!!!!!!
November 14th, 2016 at 6:38 pm
That sentiment, KY, is the problem with America.
The views and opinions of any player (or person, for that matter) is respected by me. It is when the vehicle that is used, tramples on the foundation of freedom and causes further division and distractions (to the team); then it becomes an issue. The dude didn’t even vote!
November 14th, 2016 at 6:47 pm
You want to know what’s wrong wih this country? We care about what someone else is innocently doing. You people act like taking a knee during the national anthem is pissing on the graves of your grandparents. Get over it already. Stop caring so much about what other people are doing or saying and worry about making your family better. You can not control anyone else, so just quit getting all hot and bothered because he said this or she said that. It has no effect on you what so ever. So why get mad about it? Just go about your day and ignore what other people are doing when it has effect on you. You just might realize that your life will be happier and a lot less stressful when you just let people be themselves and stop criticizing them.
November 14th, 2016 at 6:48 pm
“Blue Collar White Men” aka Trailer Trash, go take a bath and shave, leave the politics to people who understands politics.
November 14th, 2016 at 6:53 pm
Just read what uckinator said. He was a fantastic day until he heard mike evans sat during the anthem. Then he truned into all doom and gloom, and over what? It should really have no effect on your life what he does before the games. Sure you can lose some respect for the player that you think did something disrespectful. But to get mad and pouty over it is ridiculous. If you really think about it, it is not a big deal. You’re life should not be impacted by what someone on TV did.
November 14th, 2016 at 7:39 pm
All this talk about race… isn’t Mike Evans’ mom white? Why does this have to be about race? Race has nothing to do about what Evans did. He made some headlines for the wrong reasons – yes, but he’s what, 23 or 24 years old? The young man is finding his way through life people. I 100% disagree with him, but I also 100% don’t hate him either. Why boo a kid?
Look, my dad gave his life for this country 18 years ago in the Army on a bride in Tunisia. It more than disturbs me when fans – and there are a bunch of you out there – talk to their buddies and spill beer all over yourselves THROUGH the national anthem. What does the Bible say, “Those with no sin, cast the first stone?” There’s a bunch of stones thrown at this kid. I’m with Trubucfan22 in saying, “So what?” He’s a kid. His actions, off the field, have no bearing on my emotions outside of me being disappointed in his decision to sit.
November 14th, 2016 at 7:41 pm
Bridge not bride…
November 14th, 2016 at 8:13 pm
Listening to the posts that followed mine, I guess I’m in the minority. I won’t be going back to see the Bucs. I know you don’t care, but who’s going to sit the seats ? Yes, Mike Evans, who didn’t vote, excercised his 1st amendment rights, but he sure hurt his employer. Does this make any sense to any of you. You think the stands are going to be filled with just angry lib. bomb throwers ? The NFL and the owners continue to whistle beside the graveyard, but eventually like the mostly liberal newpapers, will see revenues go down. What’s your economic plan for that ? What’s your answer to that. Personally, I don’t care anymore.
November 14th, 2016 at 8:15 pm
I guess economics is not a liberal strong point.
November 15th, 2016 at 11:27 am
the only place i hear about the “loud protests” of Miko is here on JBF. Not many other outlets are giving a platform to a person whose total qualifications to be a “public figure” are “married someone who’s good at something”