Dungy: “It’s Kind Of A Complaining Fan Base”

November 5th, 2016
Father Dungy talks Bucs fans

Father Dungy talks Bucs fans

Father Dungy lives in Tampa and stays connected to all things Bucs.

Heck, he even mingles with fans routinely at a local barber shop, per a recent column in the Tampa Bay Times.

So what does Dungy think of the state of the fan base, one he’s been around for 20 years? Mike Florio hit Dungy with that question late last week on the great PFT Live on NBC Sports Radio.

Dungy said he sees an engaged and committed fan base that won’t abandon the team.

“There’s a lot of grumbling right now, and a lot of complaining, especially being 0-3 at home,” Dungy said before Thursday night’s loss pushed the Bucs to 0-4.

“That’s kind of the buzz. ‘Hey, how come we can’t win a home game. We’ve got talent. What’s going on here?’ So it’s kind of a complaining fan base right now. But they’re not going to abandon them. No doubt.”

Pretty well said there by Father Dungy.

63 Responses to “Dungy: “It’s Kind Of A Complaining Fan Base””

  1. Rrsrq Says:

    Dungy knows like anyone else, winning cures all

  2. EA Says:

    How dare these bucs fans complain, they’re only 3-21 at Home.

  3. LakeLandBuc Says:

    When will this team win? Is the million dollar question.

  4. Not there yet Says:

    Every player in the NFL has talent it’s how you get to the next level. The mental aspect of the game is what sets them apart. We’re talented enough to blowout bad teams but not good enough to beat the good or even the playoff teams. The record says they aren’t talented enough dungy so he must be saying the coaching staff isn’t good enough

  5. d-roca Says:

    Suck it up kids. They won a super bowl. Those of us who went to every game back in the 2-14 days never complained. Its pro football. Of course we all would love to win the super bowl every year. Theres 31 other cities wanting same thing. Go to the games and be the reason the other offense cant hear the snap count. Try n help. You will actually have stories to tell down the road about how many hall of famers you watched play live. Barry sanders running wild, brett favre again n again, n the list goes on. Look at the bright side and keep hope alive. Go bucs

  6. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Gee Wiz

    Don’t we have something to complain about?

  7. P'cola Buc Says:

    No longer live in the Tampa area but came into town to see Thursday’s game. Heard about people in the stands wearing the visiting teams jerseys. To my surprise I saw the vast majority of fans wearing the Bucs jerseys (including myself). With our record they way it is, and the fans being so supportive of the team it is WE THE FANS that deserve the positive “shout out”. Common Buccaneers we DESERVE the team to do better! Let’s go Bucs!

  8. RealityCheck Says:

    Why do people constantly bring up the Super Bowl as if that matters at all anymore? I was around long before that and here I am still around long after that 1 single season’s accomplishment. Personally, I’d prefer a team that is a perennial contender or even the slightest bit competent over a team that won the Super Bowl one time when all the stars aligned in our favor and has been a dumpster fire ever sense.

  9. Tampa Tony Says:

    Rebuilding since 2009 we have every right to complain

  10. Figures Says:

    May not win another game this season. Be lucky to get 5 wins.

  11. JonBuc Says:

    Hall of Famer based on Manning waving the punt team off down by multiple scores…

  12. mike10 Says:

    I always hated that line from his book where he talked about his firing at the old One Buc Place… carrying out his box in the rain. Someone who had done so much for the franchise. Then there was the firing of Lovie, over a phone call w Licht, not the Glaziers, but Licht…

  13. Guzzie Says:

    Wonder why we as fans complain a lot, really no idea, said no one ever

  14. The Buc Realist Says:

    To be fair……there were a lot of so called “fans” that were complaining even when this team was winning!!!!!!

  15. Destinjohnny Says:

    We aren’t that far off
    All we need is
    2- defensive ends
    2-safties
    -1 wideout
    Left tackle
    Corner
    Kicker

  16. North Korea's Quarterback Says:

    Well Tony, we prob wouldn’t complain nearly as much if we just had a somewhat respectable home record. Home field advantage does not exist for this team.

  17. BucinJax Says:

    Mike 10: Get over it! The phone call was to tell Lovie he had an appt with the Glazes the next day. It was Lovie that decided not to go. Quit with the propaganda bull.

  18. BucinJax Says:

    Hey Destin Johnny, you forgot about better backups.

  19. LakeLandBuc Says:

    There will be a lot more complaining.. I don’t see this team winning anything in the next 5 years.

  20. mike10 Says:

    Buc fan in Jax, firstly how does Buc fandom compare to Jax fandom?

    Now idk about this whole propaganda talk, and you’re right, that was the context of the call. But Licht should have never been the messenger. Either the Glaziers should have made that call, and not their secretary, or Licht needed not say what the purpose of the meeting would be.

    Maybe I’m getting lost in the semantics, but to me it’s a microcosm of the problem w this franchise. It always starts at the top. I see a billionaire ownership group who has run both a football team and club into the ground. Maybe we can ask them their opinion when they do a news conference in 10 months before camp.

  21. BucTrooper Says:

    If you win a SB you can’t complain for 5 years. That’s the statute of limitations.

    We are well within our rights to complain. Especially when lesser teams with cràppier histories have turned it around in less time.

  22. Doctor Stroud Says:

    Dungy is correct: many of us will never abandon the Bucs even if we complain a lot. I had hopes at the beginning of the season (like any team’s fans), but it looks like we will probably need to wait at least another two years before the Bucs turn it around. If that is true, will the players play hard for this coaching staff and for each other? And, mike10 makes a good point: Will the Glazers have patience with the current coaching staff/GM?

  23. Defense Rules Says:

    Joe, your title “It’s Kind of a Complaining Fan Base” sounds somewhat like cherry-picking to me in light of what you quoted Tony as saying …

    “There’s a lot of grumbling right now, and a lot of complaining, especially being 0-3 at home,” Dungy said before Thursday night’s loss pushed the Bucs to 0-4. “That’s kind of the buzz. ‘Hey, how come we can’t win a home game. We’ve got talent. What’s going on here?’ So it’s kind of a complaining fan base right now. But they’re not going to abandon them. No doubt.”

    The phrase ‘Complaining Fan Base’ (the title of this article) does have a negative connotation I think to most fans. Personally don’t think that Tony said what he said in a negative way or with a negative connotation. Sounds like he was simply stating his observation that fans are frustrated at this moment in time because Bucs can’t win at home. I thought he finished that statement with a very positive view of Bucs fans: “But they’re not going to abandon them. No doubt.”

  24. BUC IT Says:

    I’m sick of this crap…. Its time to start winning football games!

  25. Eric Says:

    Here might be a reason.

    Home record under 7 years under Gru

    34-22

    Seven years post Gru

    17-39

    Dungy is correct about complaining, but not now, bucs fans complain to high heavens when times were good. Ergo, the ongoing horror show.

    Seven year average of two home wins per year?????????

  26. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    “But they’re not going to abandon them.”

    The only thing he got wrong about Tampa fans.

  27. Rod Munch Says:

    If Dungy read the dopes in this message board he wouldn’t have such a generous view of the fanbase.

  28. Clodhopper Says:

    Why would anyone abandon the team? I mean I can see a 17 year old from Montpelier Vermont just saying fock it. I’m out!! But if you live in the city, and were born and raised there, wouldn’t that be like abandoning your family?

    But complaining about the team? Hell yeah there’s complaints. And there should be!!

    Sounds like hes right on the money to me.

  29. LifeOfABucFan Says:

    I will always love my Bucs..yeah, I get frustrated at times..it’s like a marriage..sometimes it’s all lovey dovey and sometimes you can’t stand each other..but I stick around..

    Love you to any Bucs that read this website..which I know they do..

  30. orlbucfan Says:

    It’s no big state secret, just ancient history now. When Tampa was awarded a franchise back in 1974-75, the fans organized and raised every $$ needed to pay for it. The price was around $40M. The decision was made to rename the team “The Tampa BAY Buccaneers” cos the money came from all over central FL. Tampa Bay is a large body of water that goes from Largo to south past Sarasota. Well, TPTB in the NFL Ownership panicked—-oh my god, socialism (just like the Packers)!!!!!! So, they called up a white collar crook named Culverhouse from So. FL and brought him to Tampa. Cut the franchise price in half and gave him the team. This team is cursed but we still won a SuperBowl. It belongs to its fans…enuff said.

  31. Tbbucs3 Says:

    The frustration is due to being fans of an NFL team who hasn’t figured out how to play defense since Greg Shiano. If Shiano had Jamies we would be a 9-7 team.

  32. Pelbuc Says:

    Just play rookies like Ryan Smith, Barber, Benecoch and bring in some practice squad players to see if they can play for depth purposes. We already know Conte, Mcdougall and Verner will probably be gone. Also, Koetter needs to be more aggressive in his coaching. If defense doesn’t improve, let Mike Smith walk and put Licht on notice that he’s on thin ice. This team needs another disciplinarian.

  33. unbelievable Says:

    @defense rules,

    We call that click bait my friend.

  34. Brent bull/buc Says:

    I would have said hysterical, pu&&y, irrational, fan base. Yeah it might be a 5-11 team. But there are positives: talented young qb, young gm who is showing drafting skills, young top 10 receiver. This overly negative fan attitude can hurt team eventually. Good players aren’t gonna play or stay in a negative environment.

  35. SteveK Says:

    The fans should be outraged at this team. We’ve sucked at home since Gruden. Joe, ask the Glazers if they regret firing Gruden and having such an awful team.

    It’s time to commit to football excellence. Being a sorry ass time with a pu$$y for a leader at DT Just isn’t doing it for the fans anymore.

    Where are the implant plays in crunch time? Mike Evans can only do so much.

  36. SteveK Says:

    It’s not the being a nice guy part of it, it’s the lack of focus/drive and the overall acceptance of losing that is sickening.

    Failure is not an option.

  37. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Speaking for Pablo

    “Pablo has many things to complain about: STDs, Bad Tacos, Bad Tippers (Realist), Presidential Candidates, Stanky Women…..but Pablo never complains about Pablo’s Bucs…..Pablo loves his Bucs and all Pablo’s JBF amigos…..Pablo is a very nice man”

  38. SteveK Says:

    Please start winning games at home. It’s pitifully embarrassing to even tune into a game on tv.

    Improve the product on the field. Chang the culture. Invest heavily on free agents again.

    If we don’t improve the WR depth this offseason by draft AND FA, then Licht needs be be called the eff out.

  39. Buc1987 Says:

    This is JBF.

    The land of complaining Buc fans.

  40. Buccfan37 Says:

    Dungy was he of the lousy offense, complaints all around. Nobody loves you when your down and out. Dungy would have made a good Smeagle in lord of the rings.

  41. Chris Says:

    Off topic, all I know is that I want the next greatvreceiver from Alabama. Man, Amari Cooper and Julio Jones, I want one of those from Alabama

  42. SteveK Says:

    Woo hoo!

    Let’s go Bucs!

    Play like it means something to you, ala Mike Evans and Jameis Winston.

  43. SB with Jameis Says:

    Maybe I need to be asking Nos Bos what Jersey he wants after Nov 26th

  44. Trubucfan22 Says:

    Dungy must read the comments on Jbfdotcom

  45. JM Says:

    Winston started to slump his shoulders a bit during the game

  46. Ndog Says:

    We need so much on this team. 2 de, 2 safties, 2 corners, 2 wrs, a te, a LT (smith was horrible thur), a rt (Dotson has been average all year), a center (Hawley is always hurt and Smith stinks), a running back (Martin is not reliable ) another linebacker, another DT (either McDonald, McCoy or Spence is always hurt) and lastay a punt and kick returner. THAT is 14 starters we need and cannot be done in one off season even if you nail every draft pick.

  47. Rolph Says:

    Dungy dosent sound like a Bucs fan if he says that crap.. Oh yeah… he’s not pissed bceause he maked money and he supports the nfl……just like some of the non competitive players we have. He says that but i know he hasnt been a fan like most of us over the last 15 years having to support this garbage! This organization needs to grow some balls!

  48. Dave1979 Says:

    How in the hell is a fan base not supposed to complain
    When you let 3rd string Quarterbacks look like Dan Marino
    You can’t even be competitive at home! I’ve had season
    Tickets since 1979 when I was 8 with my Dad! I was in the Navy when the Bucs won the Super Bowl ! All I want for Christmas is a Football Team That can at least act like it can play defense! If this team had a sub par defense, given

  49. Tbbucs3 Says:

    @JM, How dare he

  50. jj Says:

    I love Dungy, but he still sounds bitter, he was fired and Gruden wins Super Bowl. So what! He would have never won it with that conservative offense. He is right, we are complaining fans but for good reason. This team is much better than we are playing. We went from a terrible defense to a defense that is so bad I cannot speak our coordinators name. This guy came to us with all the promise in the world and has just broken our hearts. When Lovie played our DBs 10 yards back and it was pitch and catch we all just wanted to cry. Now this jackass is doing the same thing and we all want to just punch him!! enough is enough, watch just a little game film, please coordinator from hell. 5 slants in a row to Julio, I seriously almost threw my remote through the TV.

  51. SteveK Says:

    We’ve finished last place in the division 5 years in a row, it’s been 10 years since a Buccaneer put up 10 sacks.

    Not good enough at home, overpriced NFL tickets and the team is record setting bad. There is no excuse for being this bad, and the fans that are disgruntled with the current state of the Buccaneers are wise.

  52. BucFan20 Says:

    I just went to my first bolts game. And it it was a hell of a lot more exciting than watching this pitiful excuse for a sports team. After 40 years , See ya Sucs!!

  53. Getaclue Says:

    Hard to believe we went from leading the nfl in sacks in the preseason to no push rush whatsoever . I think Ayres is still hurt trying to play through it

  54. Big Marlon B Says:

    this team has given plenty of reasons to complain over the last 12 years. but just in case there are any people still sour over cutting Seferian-Jenkins, i have a funny/sad story.

    i work at the Barclays Center in NY. saw ASJ at the Nets game last night, in a VIP area. i introduced myself, wished him luck, and told him i’m a Bucs fan. drink in hand, swaying while he walked, he replied by yelling “F*CK THE BUCS!” real nice guy, right? so you get popped for a DUI a few hours before practice, and they’re the ones who are wrong….interesting take. sad to say, he seems to have a really bad problem and his decision making is still pretty horrendous.

    i wasn’t terribly upset when they cut him. sucks it didn’t work out, because it’s a major waste of talent. but you can’t have guys with his attitude in the locker room. and man, my personal interaction with him reinforced that a million times over.

    it won’t be long be long before he’s out of the league.

  55. LargoBuc Says:

    This team gives us plenty to complain about. There is no positive way to spin the game on Thursday, it was an all around embarassment! We let the Falcons come into our house and out muscle us. They beat the f#ck out of us! This is not a talented team, this is not a tough team, this is not a smart team, this is not a well coached team. This is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they suck and that’s just the way the league likes it!

  56. Tbbucs3 Says:

    @Big Marlon B

    Interesting stuff, all that potential and he won’t do anything with it cause he’s too immature. New York isn’t the right place for him.

  57. Blackmagic00 Says:

    Joe you may not get this message, but I think it’s time for some kind of Glazer pole. I think I can remember you running one in the past, though it might have been a dream. Anyway, I was in the shower thinking about the past, present and future of this team and something struck me. Malcolm took this franchise from the depths of hell, changed it and made it worthy of something much more than a punching bag. His sons on the other hand obviously can’t find his diary and continue what he was trying to accomplish.

    SO, I’m asking for you to do the same confidence poll for the Glazer boys that you do for the head coaches. And while we’re on that, what about some kind of black board for what fans don’t like and a white board for what we do like?

    THIS franchise is a mess and it seems no person in the world can figure it out, not even ownership.

    I’M so greatful for your site Joe, no other team in the NFL has a Joe, thank you!

    And I do wish Eddie B would’ve bought this franchise. Maybe the boys figure it out? Or, just maybe, someone with the FIRE buys it again? Something needs to happen or its going to be the same sick cycle carouse year in and year out.

    Love ya Joebucsfan!

  58. Blackmagic00 Says:

    Sorry, autotype. Meat same sick cycle carousel.

  59. Blackmagic00 Says:

    And for some reason I just scrolled up and saw a post by big Marlon. AGAIN, something struck me. Was malcolm in the locker room more than his sons are? Could this be a key to wtf is wring with this team for so many years? I don’t know, I’m only a fan. What do you think Joe?

  60. Jersey Buc Says:

    We should be thankful, as a fan base, the we get to witness a history making defense week in week out. Thanks Coach, for putting us in our place. And for those of us who believe they played defense when Schiano was here, is what you’re smoking legal? They couldn’t stop the pass if they had 20 guys on the field, during Schiano’s reign. It almost sounds like Dungy is saying, be thankful you even have a team. I think he should give reasons why we shouldn’t complain about the putrid state of this team. Don’t label we who sit this garbage on a weekly basis, and then throw in “but they are faithful” comment. Doesn’t work that way, Coach. That’s politicians “speak”.

  61. Bird Says:

    Hell yah we are

  62. Bird Says:

    THE part that was cut out of the interview is DB55 and 1987 are Buc fan clueless

  63. Que589 Says:

    Dungy should be hired as Team President, and allowed to hire the GM of his choice