Hurricane Irma And The Bucs
September 6th, 2017
Monday option explained
So as we sit here in the early morning hours of Wednesday, no one knows when or where the Bucs-Dolphins season opener will be played.
We know it won’t be in Miami… until perhaps Monday night.
Yes, Monday night.
Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald noted there seems to be only two viable options. One is to postpone the game until Nov. 19, which would eliminate the bye week for both teams.
The other option becomes viable if somehow the monster Category-5 storm, which is some 200 miles-wide ad one of the strongest ever recorded, only grazes South Florida. That could allow the game to be played on Monday night.
That’s why the NFL on Tuesday didn’t immediately announce rescheduling the game that was supposed to be played on Sunday at 1 p.m. and probably will not be doing so before Wednesday or Thursday at the earliest.
All the NFL did was announce the Sunday game won’t be played Sunday. And that makes absolute perfect sense. That is absolutely the right call.
Now Jeremy Fowler of BSPN reported Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are two cities the NFL is considering hosting the Bucs-Dolphins game. The problem is, per various sources, the NFL doesn’t want to separate teams and their employees from their families during what could turn out to be a calamity, if Hurricane Irma hit the Sunshine State with its full fury.
The way Joe sees it, this looks more and more like the game will be played Nov. 19.
And Joe must apologize. When whole communities could very well be blown off the map by a Category-5 storm that could render hundreds of thousands homeless, Joe has little empathy for roughly 100 players being inconvenienced with losing a weekend off in November.
Yeah, this situation sucks. What sucks more is seeing what a monster storm would do to untold perhaps millions.
Jeff Darlington of ESPN has a full breakdown of this issue in the video below.
September 6th, 2017 at 3:23 am
If they play in Pennsylvania they need to make sure it’s in Philly since the Bucs have owned that place since Jan 2003.
September 6th, 2017 at 3:38 am
There’s no question that Irma will affect Florida, particularly Miami, waiting to play it Monday is a waste of precious time. The best solution at this time is too relocate the game and not eliminate the bye week, getting rid of the bye week is just ridiculous. I’m not sure why eliminating the bye week is even an option for a league that puts player safety first.
September 6th, 2017 at 3:40 am
“Fly Eagles Fly
On the road to victory
Fly Eagles Fly
Score a touchdown
1, 2, 3
Hit’em low
Hit’em high
And watch our eagles fly
Fly Eagles Fly
On the road to victory
E-A-G-L-E-S eagles!!!!!!!!”
Jameis Winston
September 6th, 2017 at 4:07 am
I for one feel like human life is more important than a football game. Yes it sucks. Yes we have waited so long for real football again but the personnel for both teams should not have to leave their wives and children when the strongest Atlantic Hurricane slams into Florida.
I realize that there are numerous fans who post comments here that are living or working outside of the state of Florida. But for all of us who could be potentially facing major issues due to Irma deserve to be able to enjoy the game. Both find and Bucs
September 6th, 2017 at 4:10 am
Fins and Bucs fans. ^^^^^^. I know I would be unhappy if I was without power and could not see the game if they play elsewhere on Sunday.
September 6th, 2017 at 4:57 am
The models are looking better for Florida in general. Especially the west coast. But Miami is still very much in play. Joe, you hit the nail on the head. This isn’t just a hurricane. It is an all out monster cat 5 storm that is the size of Texas. Nothing to mess with for sure. The reason why you prepare is so you don’t panic.
September 6th, 2017 at 5:09 am
Good one Rod! Shut down the vet baby! Yeah if theyre gona play in Philly go ahead n take ronde with ya n tell jurevicious to meet em there. Go Bucs
September 6th, 2017 at 5:30 am
Monday is by far the best option. hope it works out
September 6th, 2017 at 5:39 am
Move it to the bye week. Joe is right on lack of empathy for the bye week and players resting up compared to potential loss of whole communities. Here’s something novel: I’d bet most of the players and others in each of the clubs, if you asked them, would rather be home family this weekend to prep and respond as need be (and play the bye week), even if the storm is not as bad for Florida. For those who insist in trying to save the bye week, or play the game this week, doing so WILL also affect Bucs-Bears NEXT WEEK. First, if’s it’s played Monday night, that’s a full day less to prep. Second, even if the storm tracks up the East Coast, the winds will likely not allow air traffic back into Tampa International and other local airports in Central Florida until early Tuesday.
September 6th, 2017 at 5:40 am
Friday night in Miami
September 6th, 2017 at 5:53 am
It’s just a football GAME!!!!!!! Real life comes first people !!!!! I am praying for that thing to turn fast and for the island people already getting hit
September 6th, 2017 at 6:30 am
I have tickets to the game and was very much anticipating this showdown in Miami to celebrate my Birthday on 9/11. However this storm now takes top priority. I have a home in West Palm Beach, so praying the storm shifts more and more East of us. I also work for the power industry so I might be working in the middle of this storm in our command center to help keep the power on. On top of that my wife and I just found out we were having a baby girl! Their safety becomes what’s most important to me at this point. So while I juggle everything that is coming my way I am taking one day at a time and just praying for the best. Thanks Joe for looking out! Go Bucs and God Bless all!
September 6th, 2017 at 6:47 am
I just moved from Tampa in Feb. after 23 years residence. The heat was just too much after my current health condition. So now I’m in Colorado. My first vacation in 22 years was going to be for this game against Miami. Everything was paid for. Am quite depressed about what’s happening now, but it has to take a back seat to what may happen there. STAY SAFE ALL!!
September 6th, 2017 at 7:04 am
Taking the bye week is wholly unfair. The glazers should just say in no uncertain terms. “That plan is idiotic. And more importantly, will not happen. Good day.”
September 6th, 2017 at 7:06 am
I am very curious what the attendance would be for a neutral site game in Pennsylvania.
September 6th, 2017 at 7:13 am
Does anyone have any idea what happens to the tickets sold in Miami? I have tickets I paid a lot of money for and SOMEONE has to issue a refund if the game is moved out of state.
September 6th, 2017 at 7:24 am
@Believer, in my case they are saying if postponed no refund can only use them for whenever the makeup date is. Canceling of the game and moved elsewhere- full refund. Good luck
September 6th, 2017 at 7:25 am
9-7 =(
September 6th, 2017 at 7:29 am
Believer…per Rick’s answer, that is what I understand. Dates and time are always subject to change but then the venue moves that’s outside of your control. That’s ticketmaster/Dolphins. If you bought them on the re-sell market like StubHub, consult that policy.
September 6th, 2017 at 7:39 am
Why can’t the league just let the teams ask the players what they want to do? If they want to stay and take care of their families, when wait until the bye week to play. If not, go play the game in Pa.
September 6th, 2017 at 7:50 am
Most of the latest models have the eye of storm missing Florida and aimed at Carolinas instead. Maybe the NFL should keep the Panthers from playing this weekend.
September 6th, 2017 at 7:56 am
Family first. I got to experience three of them in 2004. I don’t care when or where the game is played. Family first.
September 6th, 2017 at 8:17 am
I hate this. I really think if they play it in November, we will look back and say that losing the Bye cost us.
September 6th, 2017 at 8:18 am
Our team is too weak minded for this.
Take the bye and regroup.
Of course if the storm interferes with a practice or two we will probably fold like a cheap suit the following week.
Then cry like school children because no bye week.
September 6th, 2017 at 8:21 am
Thanks for the info, fortunately I bought them thru Ticketmaster.
September 6th, 2017 at 8:54 am
Of course!!! We finally get a team that is a widely respected contender, and a hurricane comes through to potential ruin our season. With 6 of our last 9 games being divisonal, I think the bye week is make or break.
September 6th, 2017 at 9:15 am
If I were the owner, I would put the entire team on a plane and park them in Denver for safe keeping
September 6th, 2017 at 9:16 am
This is completely selfish and an unfortunate situation with the dang hurricanes. but I reallly hopes its Philly. I’ll be there representing us all in the North.
September 6th, 2017 at 10:17 am
@Joe
Doubt you pay that much attention to my comments but it’s clear when conversations turn political we’re probably on opposite sides of the spectrum.
In this case I’m proud of you for doing and posting the right thing!!!
As for the crybabies trying to say a bye is going to ruin an entire season…that’s just a load of hooey! Yes it’s undeniable that statistically teams coming off the bye have a great record and that would have given us a chance to upset the Dixie Chicks in Atlanta. ONE GAME!!! What is the record of teams after their byes for the rest of the season. Is it dramatically different than their records before the bye. I honestly do not know. Again I get that FIRST game after a bye IS impacted…but after that. OK so we’re not going to be 13-3 and might even have to settle for 11-5.
September 6th, 2017 at 12:16 pm
Yes it’s undeniable that statistically teams coming off the bye have a great record
OK time for me to correct the record and admit my mistake…or at minimum hyperbole.
Teams coming off the bye week do NOT have great records….statistically they win about 53% of their games…3% is not that great…I’ve posted the research with links on IRA’s thread.
September 6th, 2017 at 2:42 pm
If the Bucs game was going to played anytime this week, the announcement would have been made on Monday. The commish knew all along he was cancelling our Bye week. There will be no Bye week Bucs. Get her done!!!