Musings From Super Bowl Opening Night
January 30th, 2018
Eagles defensive end Chris Long is cornered up against a wall by a mod of reporters Monday at Super Bowl Opening Night.
Joe must have walked five miles last night at the Super Bowl Opening Night, which consisted of two media sessions with the Super Bowl participants. Joe hounded players, coaches and respected media types from around the country to gain knowledge on your beloved Bucs, baby.
First, sort of a news nugget. Joe spoke with Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. As many of you know, two years ago when the Bucs hired Dirk Koetter as head coach, Joe banged the drum big time for the Bucs to hire Schwartz, who was caught in the wash when Doug Marrone — you remember him, right? — suddenly decided to resign from the Buffalo Bills. Then, the Bills brought in Rex Ryan, and the Capt. Lou Albano of the NFL unloaded the defensive staff of the Bills, including Schwartz.
The Bucs instead hired Mike Smith as defensive coordinator. After two years in a pass/fail league, Joe finds it beyond a stretch to give Smith a passing grade.
Schwartz, not to Joe’s surprise, has built a nasty defense in Philadelphia. The Eagles are in the Super Bowl and the Bucs, just like every year since 2007, are watching the playoffs on TV.
So Joe asked Schwartz if he had any contact with the Bucs about coming on board when he was a free agent coach. Schwartz politely punted on the question saying he preferred to just discuss the Eagles or the Super Bowl.
That’s fair.
That’s also not a denial. Nor a confirmation.
So infer what you wish with Schwartz’s response.
* Yes, two former Bucs still playing at a high level, Pro Bowlers Michael Bennett and Aqib Talib, are being pined for publicly by Gerald McCoy. He wants Bucs management to reacquire them. Bennett believes he will be a salary cap casualty; Talib is reportedly on the trading block.
So Joe spoke with a trusted national reporter based out of Seattle, a guy with his fingers closely on the pulse of the Seahawks. Joe asked him if he thought Bennett would be on the chopping block to save cash. This reporter looked straight in Joe’s eyes, pursed his lips and quickly nodded his head up and down.
* Man, Joe has attended Super Bowl weeks for 10 seasons now. Joe has never seen a host city with such a lack of buzz. Joe isn’t sure why that is. Is it because Minneapolis is in a deep freeze (it was six degrees last night when Joe returned to his hotel)? Is it because the locals are bummed about the Vikings? Is it because of Patriots fatigue? Is it because of the lack of media coverage?
Yes, you read that right. This is easily the lowest number of folks covering the Super Bowl Joe has seen. It’s surprising for if no other reason than two big Northeast media markets have teams in the Super Bowl. Frankly, if you want to work on a road trip, why of all places would you choose Minneapolis in late-January? There is also the possibility that all the media budget cuts, layoffs and shuttered newspapers are starting to show at the Super Bowl.
Joe went to a high-end German eatery in downtown Minneapolis Sunday and shortly after Joe arrived, the manager was sending workers home it was so dead. There were a grand total of eight customers in the place, outnumbered by restaurant staffers.
In downtown Minneapolis there is an area for the NFL Fan Experience, which is sort of like an NFL-themed street party. In Indianapolis, also a cold-weather site for a Super Bowl a few years ago, it seemed as if half of the state of Indiana came out to take part in the festivities. In Minneapolis? Nah, more like curious onlookers than NFL fans, even though the crowds looked pretty big last night on TV.
(Joe heard from a loyal reader who works at The Mirage in Las Vegas that the book there is having a very low number of bets placed on the game, worst they’ve seen in years.)
So Joe isn’t sure what the reasons are, but there is not much buzz about the game — at least in the host city where the locals brag it’s the “Bold North.”
* Joe spoke with a respected NFL national writer who had very, very interesting if not intelligent insight into America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. It’s actually positive. The insight was something Joe never thought of and, frankly, never heard before. Joe will deliver that next week.
* Super Bowl Media Day — which is now Super Bowl Opening Night — used to be half freak show, half legitimate media. You know, the Entertainment Tonight crowd and TV Azteca and European types, etc., where the hot Latinas bare their wares and dudes do really silly stuff. That’s been toned down big time. Yes, the beautiful Inés Sainz of TV Azteca did show up, but unlike in previous years, she was very modestly dressed and almost looked, well, professional.
Yes, the Eagles cheerleaders made an appearance and yes that was a distraction. In a very good way.
* Tomorrow, Joe will have his chat with former Bucs receiver and kickoff return man Bernard Reedy. who is from St. Petersburg. Man, what a wild ride for him this year. Thrown to the curb by the Bucs in midseason, Reedy was unemployed and signed to the Belicheats’ practice squad, returned four punts on their active roster and was cut twice. Reedy was rewarded for his hard work by being re-signed to the Pats’ 53-man roster on Jan. 17. Now he’s one win from having the ultimate bling.
January 30th, 2018 at 2:32 pm
Patriots love signing ex-Buccaneers.
January 30th, 2018 at 2:41 pm
not sure if Bennett will hit the market….doesn’t cliff avril have a nasty neck injury….wouldn’t that work in bennetts favor to at least renegotiate a contract….idk….maybe maybe not….GO BUCS!!!!
January 30th, 2018 at 2:44 pm
No buzz in Minnesota
1. its freezing
2. its freezing
3. your team was close and then they were not, probably a lot easier to enjoy the moment if your team wasn’t so close, then they weren’t
4. who the blank really want to go to Minnesota in Jan/Feb except the teams in the SB
5. Prince is not going to be there
January 30th, 2018 at 2:46 pm
Viva Inez!
…Patriot fatigue and everyone hates the Eagles and their fans. Oh yeah, it’s freezing there.
January 30th, 2018 at 3:10 pm
I have little to no interest in this Super Bowl whatsoever…….even if it were a close game, Brady drives his team with three minutes to play and New England wins……seen that movie before….
PLUS, can anyone actually believe that JOE PAID TO GO TO FREAKING MINNESOTA IN JANUARY??? Who cares what the rest of the league thinks about the Bucs, we know about the Bucs…..they are in trouble and need an influx of talent, no need to freeze your ass off to relay that to the minions.
January 30th, 2018 at 3:51 pm
Spoken like a true newspaper man — myopic all the way to the bitter end.
How many of your fellow ink-stained, holier than thou scribes got Ronald Darby to talk about the Jameis Uber issue, a significant factor that may determine the 2018 season and possibly careers? The answer would be none.
Judging by Joe’s traffic, quite a few people care about what NFL honchos think of the Bucs, thank you.
Unlike newspapers, Joe tries to deliver content that readers actually want and care for.
January 30th, 2018 at 3:55 pm
Everybody knows why there is no buzz. Everybody. Some just don’t want to admit it.
January 30th, 2018 at 3:56 pm
Lol. Too many bad words in that post, I guess.
January 30th, 2018 at 4:58 pm
Didn’t know that about Reedy that’s awesome. I love these kinds of takes Joe please keep them coming.
January 30th, 2018 at 5:11 pm
People has lost interest in the NFL. Just look at the attendance and ratings. This maybe one of the lowest rating in Super Bowl history.
C’mon, ratings across the country were down about 10 percent this season. Sunday’s Pro Bowl ratings were up about 25%, and the ratings for the Combine and NFL-related events continue to rise. Attendance is not much of an issue. Joe highly doubts Super Bowl ratings will be down anything significant this year. –Joe
January 30th, 2018 at 5:20 pm
JOE Says: How many of your fellow ink-stained, holier than thou scribes got Ronald Darby to talk about the Jameis Uber issue, a significant factor that may determine the 2018 season and possibly careers? The answer would be none.
That is my biggest concern going forward. WE could have a great draft, great FA signings (for once, not counting Rice) and right before game one our QB is suspended (ala Ezekial Elliot) and we have an unproven, untested player at the most important position on the field. It is truly a Bucs life.
January 30th, 2018 at 5:29 pm
NOTE to Joe.
Deleting post is why I love your site. You never let me down. Hope for your continued success in driving this market into the grown.
Maybe this team will do better when they relocate to your home town
January 30th, 2018 at 6:24 pm
Nice. Joe just gave Tom quite the backhand. Bring your puppies out, and Joe will go Lennie Small on them.
January 30th, 2018 at 6:28 pm
@ Clod
Ratings are down because of snowflakes? I’m guessing that’s your angle.
January 30th, 2018 at 6:45 pm
Well apparently ProFootballTalk likes Joe’s reports enough to publish a story based off of his interview of Ronald Darby. They continue to fish JoeBucsFan for Bucs news quite frequently. Must be doing something right Joe.
January 30th, 2018 at 6:46 pm
You don’t have to be so salty Joe. Most of us understand that it is the offseason and you have to continue writing about Something.
January 30th, 2018 at 7:30 pm
JWilson1016 :
Thank you.
January 30th, 2018 at 8:44 pm
I would love for Speedy to get a championship for the work he does as a van driver. One of the networks should of done a story, he might not be active Sunday, but he still gets a ring. Good things happen to good people.
January 30th, 2018 at 9:17 pm
Dewey Selmon, I agree. Rooting for Speedy! Was really excited when he made the team here, thought he made a few nice returns and came up clutch when we needed him to. Wish him well. That being said, really looking forward to what Bobo can bring to the table based off of what i have read from coaches statements and we got a little glimpse of it at the end of the season.
January 30th, 2018 at 9:19 pm
Joe:
No problem sir, I call it as I see it. Still my #1 source for all Bucs related news here. Off season insight and tidbits keep me going.
January 30th, 2018 at 9:40 pm
Way to go, Joe!
Keep it coming. Your site is superior to anything else Bucs related.
Can you do a piece on Scott Reynolds of PR, specifically about his arrogance/butthurtedness anoht last year’s HOF results?
Imo, that site is a bunch of yuppies. They owe Ira an apology.
January 30th, 2018 at 9:55 pm
BOOM!!!!!
Alex smith traded to Washington
January 30th, 2018 at 10:07 pm
Horse teeth john elway happy as hell…kirk cousins will be a bronco
What will Elway do at 5? Denver with cousins, barkley at rb with that defense might win 3 suberbowls in a row
Kandy Faker
January 30th, 2018 at 10:15 pm
Yep saw that news and at first I was worried that would be one less qb off the board but then again the positive side is me someone would give us a Kings ransom to trade up with us to get their qb. Hope Kirk goes to the afc
January 30th, 2018 at 10:18 pm
Think about this, Browns awesome O-line with Kirk Cousins at QB and Saquon Barkley at rb. Bout to be NASTY
January 30th, 2018 at 10:46 pm
Note to Joe:
What’s a newspaper? What’s a newspaper man? In case you haven’t noticed, most are long gone fellas.
January 31st, 2018 at 1:19 am
I like these reports from the host city, very interesting reading – keep them coming Joe.
January 31st, 2018 at 1:20 am
What is good German food? They got what, hamburgers?
Oh right, no they don’t, that’s American.
They got nothing, just some bad versions of hot dogs – but I guess if you’re as drunk as the Germans normally are on that awful tasting dark beer you don’t really notice how bad your food tastes.
January 31st, 2018 at 6:29 am
Rod
You aint never had schnitzels? Weiner, Rhine or Jager? With a side of buttery spaetzle noodles. Yum!!
Sauerbraten is about the grossest thing you could eat though
January 31st, 2018 at 7:48 am
Rhonda
Yeah. A lot of people disapprove of shting on the flag, military, and country. I get that’s your cup of tea but it’s not for everyone. Luckily for you, many many people died for your right to hate them and the country they died for.
January 31st, 2018 at 8:50 am
@ Clod
You are as fake as they come. A fraud not for persuasion, but of pure ignorance. Real Americans have forgiven you.
January 31st, 2018 at 9:06 am
Blah blah blah
Go to bed. It’s past your bedtime, Boris.
January 31st, 2018 at 10:47 am
I feel like joe should be GM. He’s almost prophet-like. I don’t think he’s ever been wrong come to think of it
January 31st, 2018 at 2:55 pm
Clodhopper – schnitzels? That’s just like a chicken sandwich, except not with chicken and without bread. No thanks, I’ll stick to Chic-fil-a.