No Hoping
November 29th, 2016
No more hoping.
Interesting words from America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston.
Joe is on record for sweating out the second half of Sunday’s win over Seattle, convinced somehow, some way, the Bucs would find a way to lose. Yeah, sure, call Joe a Debbie Downer, but what exactly has this franchise done since Chucky was fired that would give Joe optimism the Bucs could smother Seattle like they did Sunday night?
Not a damn thing, other than a fluke season under Raheem Morris.
So pardon Joe for being conditioned to the home losing ways of the Bucs. From reading social media and this here website, Joe is not alone.
It seems the culture has changed at One Buc Palace, and in a seemingly innocent comment from Jameis to airline-napping, steerage-flying, Yogi Berra-worshiping, urinal picture-taking, video game-playing, Taylor Swift-listening, pickpocket-thwarting, Bucs-uniform-frowning, Allie-LaForce-smitten, Big-Ten-Network-hating, pedestrian-bumping, olive oil-lapping, popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, fried-chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, circle-jerking, beer-chugging, cricket-watching, scone-loathing, college football-naïve, baseball-box-score-reading, NPR-honk, filthy-hotel-staying, fight-instigating, barista-training Peter King, of Sports Illustrated and NBC Sports fame Sunday evening, Jameis noted the Bucs are no longer hoping but expecting.
“We were just talking about this game in the shower,” Jameis said. “We wish we could play it again right now. Just run it back, play it again. We played very tough. What I like about our team is we attack people. We respect Seattle a lot, but all week we were going to attack them. We came in expecting to make plays, not hoping to make plays.’’
To Joe, the last sentence is key.
The Bucs used to hope to make a play, not expect to make a play. That’s a huge difference. Remember when the Bucs, Jameis and GMC included, gathered in a prayer circle hoping Roberto Aguayo would kick a game-winning field goal at Carolina on Monday Night Football?
It seems prayer circles are no longer needed. The Bucs believe they no longer need guidance from a higher authority or divine intervention.
November 29th, 2016 at 8:06 am
Everytime Roberto Aguayo goes to kick……………I say a prayer
……….we still need them prayers because of Roberto Aguayo
November 29th, 2016 at 8:15 am
Yea. I’m not as down on him as others but Roberto still requires hope.
November 29th, 2016 at 8:26 am
Just dominant like the the Seahawks game and keep it out of Aquayo’s hands….I really hope that we don’t have to rely on Aquayo for a game winning high pressure kick this year, because if he misses that will screw this kid up going forward and if we are stuck with him, he needs all the confidence he can get.
GO BUCS!!!!
November 29th, 2016 at 8:34 am
The engine is humming and ready! Let’s Go!
November 29th, 2016 at 8:36 am
Did you guys see the saints game was flexed to 4:15
November 29th, 2016 at 8:42 am
Amen!
November 29th, 2016 at 8:47 am
When you talk about Jameis, I found this article interesting about who is the best young QB in the league. It makes you appreciate what he has done so far even more:
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/11/jameis-winston-marcus-mariota-best-young-quarterback-nfl-buccaneers-titans
November 29th, 2016 at 8:54 am
Joes: O/T: am having tech troubles running site. It’s happening on both Firefox and Chrome. Please advise! Thanks!! 🙂
November 29th, 2016 at 8:59 am
It was 48 yds give the man a break it wasn’t inside the 40
November 29th, 2016 at 9:04 am
We used to hope the other team would make a penalty so we could get a first down…
November 29th, 2016 at 9:17 am
Great article D-Mac. To be honest, I see Winston as a vet who smiles and goofs like a young player. I’m sure I would have been happy with Mariota but I’m extremely happy to have Winston as our QB.
November 29th, 2016 at 9:21 am
Saints @ Bucs flexed to 4:25 National Game… good reporting Joe(s)
November 29th, 2016 at 9:31 am
sunday was a great win….players showed a lot of mental toughest….play calling was great….I haven’t seen/heard rayjay that packed and loud since gruden was there….the energy was electric….
no doubt the chargres will be a tough game, but I like our chances…rivers loves to take chances that prove to be costly….
yesterday, skip bayless said he’s been keeping an eye on the bucs every since the Oakland game….he said we look like a playoff team but we have to take it one game at a time….Shannon sharpe agreed but said he wants to see us go on a run like the lions or dolphins before he’s fully convinced….
we just need to keep our head down and keep digging….we win these next 2 games and dallas may get flexed to primetime…..after watching them on thxgiving, I think we match up pretty well….GO BUCS!!!!
November 29th, 2016 at 9:33 am
I’ve been a season ticket holder for a few years now, and I attend every game. One key difference that I noticed at Sunday’s game happened during one of the TV timeouts in the first half. They were playing some music, and showing the fans jamming to it, and when I looked at the team, I saw Hargreaves dancing to the music. When I realized that the defense was that loose and was having fun out there, I gained a lot more confidence in our chances of winning. I really think that we are seeing the start of something very special here in Tampa.
November 29th, 2016 at 9:38 am
@DMac, I saw that article yesterday on twitter. It’s about time someone wrote that article. The stuff Dirk is asking Jameis to do, is light years ahead of any other 1st, 2nd & some 3rd year QB’s. Mariota wouldn’t succeed in this offense. I’m convinced of it. He’s balling in the system he’s in though. These next 5 games are all winnable. Not probable, but we can beat almost anybody. I see 3-2, with a small shot at 4-1.
November 29th, 2016 at 9:40 am
Bryan
Hes a professional kicker. Gota make those kicks. 43 is his longest of the year and hes 31st in the league in fg percentage. Hes running out of breaks. We all hope he fixes it but it better happen soon. No patience in this here nfl
November 29th, 2016 at 9:50 am
@Sam – for the first time in a long time i noticed the guys on defense and the kickoff teams dancing to the music during breaks and looking loose and like they were enjoying themselves. i’d have to think back to sometime before Greg Schiano showed up to recall a team that was able to be that lose while playing well, and i’d have to think back to sometime before Simeon Rice left the team to recall a defensive unit that could back up that type of swagger.
November 29th, 2016 at 11:07 am
That quote gladdens my heart. If they approach each and every game that way, the Bucs will become big time contenders.
As to Roberto Aguayo, he actually isn’t doing that bad sine the bye week. All kickers miss sometimes. I admit, each time he’s called upon, its a nail-biter moment, but that’s because of what came before the bye week.
I made up my mind to give him the full year to improve, and he seems to be doing so. If it does indeed take him this season to become great, then seeing steady improvement is expected, and we have.
Instead of whining like a child about the pick, I choose to believe in the player, no matter where he was taken. Just as with every other pick, I hope he becomes very good. I won’t root against him like certain trolls.
November 29th, 2016 at 11:16 am
I of course believe in…
Jamies.
November 29th, 2016 at 11:18 am
Typo on purpose…
Remembering those days again.
This team has turned.
#Family
November 29th, 2016 at 11:39 am
I like what Gerald McCoy told Deion Sanders when he asked the question who woulda believe the Bucs would beat the Seahawks, GMC emphatically stated we believe in us. Keep believing because many believe it’s a fluke still. Go Bucs
November 29th, 2016 at 12:00 pm
I agree but he wasn’t that great beyond 40 in college…..he needs to make the one’s he supposed to.
November 29th, 2016 at 12:15 pm
That post game locker room dance by Winston was just too funny. Go Bucs!
November 29th, 2016 at 1:07 pm
Bryan – he had the best field goal % of all time in the NCAA, so can you back up your statement that “he wasn’t that great beyond 40 in college” please?
November 29th, 2016 at 1:48 pm
Roberta didn’t make one 48 yd field goal! You people harp on any slight mishap and perceive it as being the norm. Just like we tried to tell you about Jaboo, Aguayo is going to turn it up! How soon you foget it was Aguayo who played lights out against the Chiefs when other kickers
were flickering out.
Remember there is more that determines a successful kick than hitting the ball. I believe Koetter mentioned the wind.
He also made the two extra points…duuuhhh😦
November 29th, 2016 at 1:57 pm
Correction…Roberto…
These young bucs are going to grow up…together…so back off and give them room. Aguayo is where he needs to be!!!
November 30th, 2016 at 12:03 am
Aguayo does need to be able to hit the longer ball. Best inside the 40 in college dont mean jack if you can’t connect between 45-60 in this league.