Quit Whining About “Hard Knocks”
May 14th, 2017
No need to be paranoid.
No matter how many times Joe types reality, no matter how many times Bucs types say it, there is this weirdo mindset out there that “Hard Knocks” will doom the Bucs season.
Just utter nonsense.
From the psychotic black helicopter crowd who scream “distractions” to those who think Bill Belicheat will somehow infiltrate the Bucs locker room like some covert KGB agent, it’s unreal how some folks think “Hard Knocks” has already killed the 2017 campaign for the Bucs.
Joe hopes defensive coordinator Mike Smith put this rubbish to bed last week (he likely hasn’t) when he spoke on this subject.
“No,” Smith said when asked if being on “Hard Knocks” is a competitive disadvantage.
Remember, Smith’s Dixie Chicks were once featured on the NFL Films-produced show.
“They do a very good job of making sure that there’s not [any secrets revealed,] especially when they’re doing things at the line of scrimmage. I never really felt that. But, we always wanted to check and that was the thing that really I had to check, or someone from our coaching staff had to check.
“The other part of it, you let your guys in the video department or in the PR department, let them listen. They’re going to put on it what they want, and it’s going to be – they’ve got their ideas before they get into the show on who they’re going to be focusing on. Again, they’re not focusing on our whole football team. They’re focusing on a handful of players.”
There’s no need to kvetch about “Hard Knocks.” It’s happening. No amount of crying in a bar rag will make it go away.
Might as well do like the rest of us: Sit back and enjoy it.
May 14th, 2017 at 10:06 am
Can’t wait Joe…
Thanks for bringing us starved fans the GREATEST SPORT blog!!!
May 14th, 2017 at 10:18 am
Again I see far more upside than downside.
Remember how players have described playing on Monday or Sunday night knowing the rest of the league is watching.
The Bucs will certainly be aware that every one of their peers will be watching the show and so I think guys will give every practice their best effort because of the peer pressure.
May 14th, 2017 at 10:24 am
Can’t believe I used to be one of maybe ten people to post something at JBF. This site is great now!!! Great job stickcarriers!!!! Wish I could have come over from Dubai… Hopefully next year.
Who cares about Hard Knocks, lets be the first team to represent and win the SB! We now have depth and talent all over the field, thanks Glazers, Licth, DIRK and Mike!! Love the direction we are headed. More Speed, Weapons for WINston and a bad ass defense will win 10+ games for us whether featured on Hard knocks or NOT. Who really cares about practice and preseason? It is not insight but entertainment. Come on guys….. stay healthy and bring us No. 2!!!! Go Bucs…
May 14th, 2017 at 10:30 am
Guess I will have to sign up for HBO.
May 14th, 2017 at 10:40 am
I’ll not give HBO or any of those blood sucking cable companies one dime of my money. I did..back in the day. Instead I will watch the Bucs HBO segments via..other means. You computer geeks know the deal.
May 14th, 2017 at 10:50 am
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo is hoping that the National TV audience will get a glimpse of Pablo…..if they follow the Bucs after hours where many come to watch Pablo table dance (swinging his elongated arc)……a real treat for fans. Pablo & Miko should be featured….there is now doubt in Pablo’s self-centered mind”
May 14th, 2017 at 10:51 am
Can someone fill me in? 5 episodes beginning around the first preseason game? Happy Mothers Days you bunch of mothers!
May 14th, 2017 at 10:54 am
I actually think the timing couldn’t be better……the Bucs have a new personality as a team…..great young players like Jameis & Kwon……Evans & Brate……charismatic coaches & GM…..I think the Bucs will pick up some greatly deserved publicity….and…..there is no such thing as bad publicity…..they say!!!
May 14th, 2017 at 10:54 am
I suspect there is far less whining than we are led to believe.
May 14th, 2017 at 11:06 am
Any athlete that can compete successfully in front of 70,000 in a stadium and millions on TV will have no problem competing on Hard Knocks.
Fact is they know their every move on the practice field is filmed and those moves analysed by coaches thoroughly. They HAVE to perform. A couple of additional cameras won’t change squat.
And as Robert Ayers so succinctly stated: “Weed out the weaklings.”
The good news is millions will get a glimpse of the REAL TB Buccaneers. For years they have arrogantly been looking down their collective noses at the Bucs, even during the SB run. The exposure will do the team well…
May 14th, 2017 at 11:14 am
Atlanta Falcons (2014) – 6-10
May 14th, 2017 at 11:37 am
……And perhaps the best thing about the Bucs being on hard knocks is….they will be exempt from being on it again for 10 years (as per hard knocks guidelines).
May 14th, 2017 at 11:38 am
We need to bring Simeon Rice back for this. If they talk to McCoy much the audience is going to fall asleep.
May 14th, 2017 at 12:12 pm
I think our secondary and O-Line will doom us before Hard Knocks.
May 14th, 2017 at 12:17 pm
The Joe’s must be split on this topic too. I recall many articles from this site complaining about how distracting it will be and how koetter doesnt have 10 hours in 5 weeks to waste his time reviewing the show. Etc. Don’t look at the fans so much as the internet blogs and sites that are trying to sell that notion.
May 14th, 2017 at 12:24 pm
Really looking forward to getting that inside look at this year’s Bucs team. It is perfect timing. Will help spread appreciation for this team and it’s talent and personalities. Jameis Winston’s nationwide image will be changed for the better once everyone who doesn’t follow the Bucs gets to see Jameis being himself – a fun loving, intense competitor and leader who has the skillset to become one of the league’s outstanding QBs.
May 14th, 2017 at 12:26 pm
@ Pickgrin: great point!
Much of the NFL fanbase still think of Winston as a rapist thug. HK is a perfect venue for image truthiness…
May 14th, 2017 at 12:46 pm
Mike Johnson Says:
May 14th, 2017 at 10:40 am
I’ll not give HBO or any of those blood sucking cable companies one dime of my money. I did..back in the day. Instead I will watch the Bucs HBO segments via..other means. You computer geeks know the deal.
^I understand cord cutting but I hate thieves. And you computer geeks know what you’re doing.
May 14th, 2017 at 12:49 pm
Don’t like cable?
IPTV.
May 14th, 2017 at 12:57 pm
I look forward to Hard Knocks, have HBO and happen to really enjoy their programming. As for the distraction? Well, those #stickcarrier s who heard the Commish interviewing Miko Grimes heard how laughable THAT is. DISTRACTION? These are grown men playing in the NFL who support families. They are professionals.
Anyway, keep up the good work Joe, Ira and Justin. Appreciate it very much.
May 14th, 2017 at 1:02 pm
The people who are complaining are the same people who don’t have even a simplistic grasp of how this works or how a tv production works. I’ve worked in the film and TV industry for over 15 years and spent several of those working in productions for NFL films.
Without getting into all the semantics, I’ll just say that the people doing these productions are highly skilled at blending into the backgrounds and NOT being a distraction because that’s how they get the players and coaches to feel comfortable, let their guards down a bit, and reveal those moments that make hard knocks so captivating.
Not to mention.,, the players are already surrounded by cameras and credentialed media in every facet of practice and prep. Teams have dozens of cameras out on the practice field getting tape on players and the NFL films guys already know how to seamlessly blend in with those.
As for the behind the scenes stuff: very few players will be affected. The producers will choose storylines and players and schedule times to shoot that do not interfere with everything else the players do. This isn’t TMZ chasing after players trying to sneak up on them. It’s completely the opposite.
Lastly… in the bigger picture, the Bucs are a relatively small market team that only has about 1/4 of the cameras and reporters following them around like the Cowboys, patriots, Giants, etc. do. Even with all the NFL Films crew added to those already covering the books – the Bucs will still have far less reporters and cameras following them around than the more popular and bigger market teams.
May 14th, 2017 at 1:39 pm
My personal like over Hard Knocks is I spend a lot of time at One Buc place, and have always felt if it gets the national eye, there will be a lot of fans from out of town to jump on board. I have been to games in several places, but was absolutely shocked to see so many fans in San Diego, Chicago, Washington, Atlanta, and Phoenix. I hate it when an out-of-town team comes into Tampa, and when they announce them, sometimes the cheers outdo the boos. So it was nice, particulary, in Phoenix last year,.as I was down on field strolling around….looked up to see quite a few clusters of Bucs fans…and just pumping a fist and pointing up in victory got them excited in someone else’s house. So this hard knocks is going to add to it. We won’t have the Packer fan base…not yet…but keep it coming!
May 14th, 2017 at 1:41 pm
Tony…good comments…I agree. The only negative from hard knocks will be if the GM, coaches, and players make decisions differently than the would otherwise have. And I doubt it.
May 14th, 2017 at 1:47 pm
Has anyone ever said, “We would have won that game if it were not for Hard Knocks”?
May 14th, 2017 at 2:23 pm
@LakeLandBuc … “I think our secondary and O-Line will doom us before Hard Knocks.” I (somewhat) share your concern for both units Lakeland, but … there are mitigating considerations I think. First off (unlike Kobe) I have tremendous faith in our present coaching staff. I’m convinced that they can come up with schemes which will allow us as a team to lessen some of our weaknesses, whatever those might be at the time. Secondly, we’ve got a LOT of talent in both of those units, and obviously on the TEAM. It might take time I think for those units (and the TEAM) to gel however (that old ‘chemistry thingie’?). And thirdly, we should be a higher scoring team this year than in years past (emphasis on the word ‘should’). Should provide more leeway, more flexibility … whatever. All-in-all, Bucs should be quite competitive this year, even moreso than they were last year. Whether or not that translates to playoffs is anyone’s guess at this point.
May 14th, 2017 at 2:27 pm
Defense Rules…..I’m going to play the wait and see game on this one.
May 14th, 2017 at 2:44 pm
A neighbor of mine is an exec with the Bucs with a lot of intimate knowledge of all things Bucs. He doesn’t share really anything with me but he did tell me that the J Evans pick was his favorite of the draft. I think the kid may be a huge help in the secondary this year.
May 14th, 2017 at 3:02 pm
The only good that comes from Hard Knocks is Buc fans get to learn a lot about their team.
May 14th, 2017 at 3:11 pm
Anyone who still thinks Hard Knocks will be a “distraction” needs to go listen to Bucs Uncensored w/ Miko.. These are grown men who have a job to do, a few tv cameras isn’t going to affect that. This isn’t the NBA, these guys have to earn their contract even after its signed. Go Bucs!
May 14th, 2017 at 3:13 pm
this team is going to come Outta nowhere this year. Were not going to lose a game. We’re going to be the best team to ever grace the football field
May 14th, 2017 at 3:13 pm
TDTampaBay
I think you might be right about Evans. In fact this entire draft may turn out to be exceptional even though there is only one “splash” player.
Considering how TE’s…especially the Stinkin Panther’s Olson seem to run free in our secondary….given Evans coverage skills hopefully those days are over….that would be HUGE…if we could finally stop getting gashed by the TE.
Then there is the run…a hard hitting safety may not be able to de-cleat WR’s or players in the open field…but he is allowed to plug holes in the line with “authority”. Evans may also help our run D. We can hope. I like the two new widebodies we added to our DL this offseason as well….man if this team comes together….wooooeeey.
May 14th, 2017 at 3:51 pm
Why would it be a distraction? If I was a player on hard knocks I would be giving it my all. The last thing I would want is to be labeled as a loaf in practice for the world to see.
May 14th, 2017 at 3:55 pm
Message to Hard Knocks and HBO:
We the fans will have you on a very short leash so be advised.
Stay out of way. Stay OUT of the way. Don’t compromise anything
that’s proprietary. Be glad you get to work with Americas QB
Pro Bowler Jameis Winston.
May 14th, 2017 at 3:57 pm
Dang, Rob. I hope you’re right, and have stated my prediction of 16-0. Realistic? Not really. But not giving in to losing any single game. I would rather say “we gotta get better” than say “Wow, we won that one. Cool!” Guys that say “Oh, Brady will come in and kick our azz” don’t now that he will even play, that his WRs will play, or that the Bucs will not have amazing chemistry that night. Never go in predicting a loss. NEVER! I flew 23 combat missions…no idiot ever goes in saying “Yeah, I lose today. Today, I get shot down. Today, I love my crew.” BS! The NFL is the same way. You NEVER go in with a losing attitude. And dare I say, this is the mentality this team has to get over. I don’t want to hear Lovie talk about the future. I don’t want to hear Schiano say “We’ll win plenty of games.” NO LOSING MENTALITY EVER.
May 14th, 2017 at 3:58 pm
lose my crew
May 14th, 2017 at 4:08 pm
That’s kind of like saying, “don’t kvetch about Michael Bennet being let go, it’s a done deal”…
But I understand. It’s do as I say, not as I do.
May 14th, 2017 at 4:16 pm
I will be watching.
But you know Billicheat and Mr. deflated will be paying big money to HBO employees for the complete set of videos when we play them in the Super Bowl.
Go Bucs!!!
May 14th, 2017 at 4:58 pm
Cobraboy Says
“Any athlete that can compete successfully in front of 70,000 in a stadium and millions on TV will have no problem competing on Hard Knocks.”
I wish we could like comments here, because that one nailed it.
May 14th, 2017 at 5:34 pm
I loves myself some computer geeks. I have a special one in my family. Computer Geeks..Stand up and Hollar!!!!
May 14th, 2017 at 6:27 pm
For those of you still pondering….Joe already solved the dilemma for you on Hard knocks. You don’t have the sign up for a long expensive deal….
You can get HBO online streaming….free for one month, then pay $14.99. A decent option! Watch on phone/computer.
https://order.hbonow.com/?camp=order-redirect
This is from his article a few days ago, or so.
May 14th, 2017 at 11:40 pm
Pretty sure this article just answered your question from a few days ago about Dirk and his time, and how much time was needed to review Hard kNOCKS stuff.
May 15th, 2017 at 12:14 am
I’m a whiner.
I hate it. Our team is fixin’ to make a run.
The skeptics want first things first. Let’s just make it to the playoffs. Blah.
They’d be content with that and a little summer Hard Knocks Bucs style.
NOT me. NOT Realist and I. We want the whole damn thing. Cause that’s what it’s all about. Though I’m sure most everyone would love the stepping stone of just making the playoffs.
I know they haven’t been there in a long long while. Let’s REALLY make some noise and land in Minny. Oh well we’re locked in anywhow. We got Hard Sucks now no matter what.
Okay now I’ll scroll up and read the rest of the comments. Possibly part of the article too. lol Go Bucs!
May 15th, 2017 at 12:31 am
Eric Says:
“We need to bring Simeon Rice back for this. If they talk to McCoy much the audience is going to fall asleep.”
lmao Eric.
@Fred…lot’s of very good posts. Not only does the cheering for the other team outnumber the boos. When our QB’s have been on the field Glennon, McCown, what have you. The stadium gets louder for them than opposing QB’s.
Everyone THINK about what I just effin said. I mean this. I brought out an ef bomb. THAT shyte has to STOP and in a hurry. Oh and get of your damn phones and be loud for the other team’s QB from the get go. Damn it!!!!
If you’re loud at a Bucs game. Then encourage those around you to follow suit. It’s very discouraging, but please try. I do as much as I can and one time had to leave my seats cause my entire section in the end zone was mum’s the word in a close game coming down to the wire in the 4th. THOSE fans should just go home. They’re like statues the entire game. Jags fans are louder in our stadium for their team. So please. It would mean soooo much to me. BE LOUD!
May 15th, 2017 at 12:33 am
That means you too Dave Pear.
May 15th, 2017 at 5:23 am
@kingbuc17
I am near Dubai.
Any bars to watch the NFL in Dubai?