Jimmie Giles Supports Bucco Bruce
January 11th, 2019
Sticks up for Arians and Jameis.
When Joe attended the introductory press conference for new Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians yesterday, the words that most resonated for Joe came not from Arians but from a Bucs legend.
It’s become common when introducing a new head coach for ex-Bucs players to show up at One Buc Palace to show support for the new coach. They often line up in the back of the auditorium as one. When the answering of questions is complete, they then walk up to the stage to shake hands and offer encouraging words, maybe pose for a photo.
That changed yesterday.
During the press conference, Bucs staffers made sure Joe and reporters had a microphone so their questions could be heard by all. When the press conference was complete, former Bucs great and member of the Bucs’ Ring of Honor, tight end Jimmie Giles, not a member of the Fourth Estate, grabbed a microphone from his front seat and had something to say to the new Bucs coach.
Giles didn’t exactly hold the microphone properly and the audio was sketchy not to mention Giles caught everyone by surprise, so Joe was unable to record his words. Giles told Arians he has the full support of Bucs alumni. Giles also thanked Arians for being behind America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, and that the Bucs alumni were pleased with his stance.
Additionally, Giles added that if Arians needed any help whatsoever, not to hesitate to reach out to Bucs alumni for anything including tips about the town he is moving to. Arians seemed greatly moved by Giles’ gesture and replied to the Bucs’ legend, “My door is always open.”
As the Custodian of Canton, internationally popular JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman, said in his emergency podcast, Giles’ act was “unprecedented” for a Bucs coach’s introduction.
So Joe chatted with Giles a few minutes later.
Giles said he spoke for many Bucs alumni and added he speaks with Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber, Warren Sapp and many other former players often. Joe got the sense from Giles that the former Bucs players were collectively frustrated with coaches in the recent past who either did not seek their input, ignored their input, or didn’t support their own players.
(Joe knows for a fact Warren Sapp was beyond frustrated with former Bucs commander Greg Schiano who, while he always gave Sapp the time to listen, did not heed any of his words to help improve the play of defensive linemen.)
Giles said Arians doesn’t seem to be that kind of a coach.
“Because I care about this team,” Giles told Joe of why he spoke out when he spoke out and how he spoke out. “This is my city. I am a fan now. And I know how people feel on the outside. I know how I felt when I was on the inside. And I just cannot applaud [Bucs co-chairmen] Bryan and Joel [Glazer] enough and [Bucs GM] Jason [Licht] for making this pick.
“I think [Arians] will be a tremendous asset to our football team. And we look forward to doing whatever we can to help him because this is [an] exciting time to have him with his resume.”
Part of the reason Giles said he decided to speak up was that he sees a lot of parallels between Jameis and Giles’ old quarterback, Doug Williams. Giles believes Williams was not supported enough and we all know how the Bucs nosedived into a lost generation when Hugh Culverhouse refused to re-sign Williams.
Giles doesn’t want to see history repeated.
“Well, we are,” Giles told Joe when asked if the Bucs alumni are behind Jameis. “There are a lot of similarities to me when we played with Doug Williams and [the Bucs now with] Jameis Winston. The guy has tremendous talent. And most people don’t understand when he makes mistakes out there on the football field, it is not because of his ineptness, it’s because he’s trying to make plays to win in the football game.
“With Coach Arians, he’s going to show him when he needs to do that. He’s going to put that in his head. He’s going to drill it in. I am telling you man, this guy, [Arians] has ability – and by the way, he wrote the book. “Quarterback Whisperer.” He has a good resume behind him and I think he will make all the difference in the world.”
While some may have viewed the manner in which Giles spoke up to be bad protocol, Joe was impressed.
For a former Bucs player, a guy who has his named etched into the stadium, to do what he did when he demonstrates to Joe how much former Bucs care about the team, and also how frustrated they were with the direction of the team and how they perceived its marquee player had been handled.
January 11th, 2019 at 11:08 am
Can we lose the bucco Bruce it’s a bit much already
January 11th, 2019 at 11:10 am
Man I am all in on the hype this season!!!!!
January 11th, 2019 at 11:12 am
Might want to buckle up cowboy. Gonna be a long ride
January 11th, 2019 at 11:16 am
Bucfan
Unlike you I do not mind the BuccoBruce. I was not around back then but I remember from afar that the joke about the Bucs unis was actually intended as homophobic slur because the Pirate looked so effeminate.
Long time fans am I wrong? Won’t be the first time.
Regardless of answer I suspect I’m too lazy to spell all of that out anyway. He’ll probably be BA in my posts for no other reason than it’s a lot easier to type. LOL
January 11th, 2019 at 11:16 am
I know we are used to be excited this time of the year because we are never in the playoffs and the draft and or new coaches get us pumped. But this year does feel completely different. I hope they get rid of the excess garbage with the loser mentality that Jameis called out after his first season or two. Bruce does seem like the perfect fit for us and I am beyond excited to see what he does in the offseason building up to this year! GO BUCS!
January 11th, 2019 at 11:17 am
i think everyone is just happy @realist is helping dirk pack his U-HAUL!!!!!!!
#GO BUCS!!!!
January 11th, 2019 at 11:18 am
giles is a badA$$ simple as that… Love it! Koetter took on the personalities of the owners and defensive leaders SPINELESS…
January 11th, 2019 at 11:18 am
Agree
Bucco Bruce Arians T-shirt’s being made as we speak.
Bruce almighty buc shirts as well
January 11th, 2019 at 11:19 am
It’s so obvious that Kotter didn’t really like Jameis. As a player or person imo. Not once did Dirk ever say the Bucs were Jameis’ team or that he completely supported him. Welcome BA! I’m looking forward to some good football being played in all 3 phases.
January 11th, 2019 at 11:21 am
Man, I’m as stoked as anybody about BA and the new staff. I think this was 100% the right hire. I just hope we turn our annual championship of the off-season to some regular season and POST season wins.
January 11th, 2019 at 11:23 am
There’s the 813 we know and love (?)! Welcome back!
I think when it’s all said and done, we will recognize Bruce as a good hire.
January 11th, 2019 at 11:23 am
Joe cannot go there. Koetter often defended Jameis and when a local columnist did a hit piece on Jameis over his grade school speech, Koetter was furious. Now towards the end it sure smelled like Koetter gave up on Jameis because Koetter panicked trying to save his own hide. There is too much evidence of Koetter defending Jameis to say he had no use for him.
Was Koetter frustrated with Jameis at times? Absolutely. Was he peeved at the hassle that got him suspended? Joe’s pretty sure, yes. One could argue that paved the way for Koetter to get fired.
January 11th, 2019 at 11:23 am
Traditionally this time of year is a time of plenty for Bucs fans.
January 11th, 2019 at 11:30 am
As someone who used to love watching Giles play, I loved those comments by him. For him to say he’s a fan now and that he knows how people feel on the outside shows how much he cares and that he knows what the rest of us go through in supporting this team.
January 11th, 2019 at 11:33 am
I thought that was awesome, the Bucs website had stopped the presser but when Giles grabbed the mic, they went back to it and I thought that was awesome for JG to speak up and BA to respond sayin basically c’mon, we would love to have the ex-Bucs over on the second practice field
January 11th, 2019 at 11:38 am
Bucfan
Change ur name or grow a pair. Bucco Bruce is old already? Yeah Buc-kle up is right. Great nickname that Bruce invited on himself. Plus it brings us back to the good ole days. Some of us were fans through every season, losing streaks and all. Go Bucco Bruce. Exciting times is right.
Love Jimmie Giles too. Way to speak up JG.
January 11th, 2019 at 11:44 am
Bravo Jimmy. For those too young to remember, Giles was a beastly TE and in many ways one of those guys who bridges the gap between the old way the position was played and the way it’s played today. On the larger point of Bucs alumni, the organization needs to continue to embrace our past players (beyond the Ring of Honor) and make them mainstays at events and game days. From everything out there on Coach Arians, I suspect he’ll work hard to do exactly that…and the team will be better for it!
Now let’s go ‘win the bitch!’
January 11th, 2019 at 11:58 am
bucsfanman
lol….
I agree…
#GO BUCS!!!!
January 11th, 2019 at 12:04 pm
The name BUCO BRUCE is here to stay–get over it- delicate ones.Coach Ariens reminds me of our great generals during world war 2.He will fearlessly lead us through adversities to victory.Koeter could not lead a group of girl scouts during the annual cookie sale.
January 11th, 2019 at 12:11 pm
@JOE
What I really want to know is…why was Ira wearing an Ed Morse Cadillac polo? Come On Man!!!! No JOEBUCS gear? Gota change that boss. You too Joe. No gear at all? Need to represent.
January 11th, 2019 at 12:12 pm
Excited!
Go Bucs!!
January 11th, 2019 at 12:17 pm
Stpetefan, I think I will follow your lead. I will use BA because I like shortcuts when I attempt to type.
Also, I caught myself typing “Bruce Allen” for a post earlier today. I caught myself before I posted though. 😀
_______________
Go Bucs!!!!!!
January 11th, 2019 at 12:32 pm
BA Buc.
January 11th, 2019 at 12:36 pm
There isn’t any connection between Williams and Jameis at the same point in their careers. Williams deserved the money he was asking for. Jameis has yet to prove he deserves a big contract.
I’d take Williams then over Jameis now. Easy choice.
January 11th, 2019 at 12:45 pm
How about Bucco Bruce Almighty?
January 11th, 2019 at 12:57 pm
I just watched the condensed last three Cardinal games of 2018. I hope our new OC is better than what was here before him. It sure looked like a similar play calls. 1-10 up the middle for 2 or 3 yard, 2-7 incomplete pass, 3-7 incomplete pass. 4-7 punt.The Cards D did not always show up like ours either. I know that I watched way, way to many 3-7 or 8 with no first downs. If this is what we are to use as a base for “No risk it, no biscuit ” offense we might all be surprised at how similar it looks to a “bad scheme” we previously had here. I only watched the last three games of their season because I wanted to see how well OC Leftwich had done his last three games. IMHO it was not impressive at all. I hope one of my favorite players 88 Jimmy Gilles and his Buccaneers alumni brothers watch those last three games, and offer us Bucs fans up a pro’s view on how well that playcalling will improve here in Tampa. I am excited about our new coach and believe he can bring his wealth of knowledge to Tampa Bay. Just not (yet) convinced The choice for OC is going to bear edible fruit. I hope I am wrong, time will tell.
GO! BUCS!!!
January 11th, 2019 at 1:00 pm
Who thought what Giles did was bad protocol? Because they are an idiot. In my mind Giles and other former players who are willing to give their time and energy to this team solely out of love for the city and organization have more of a right than “ANY” media person. Prove me wrong!
January 11th, 2019 at 1:20 pm
Bucco Bruce was destiny right.
Joe it would be really cool if you or another reporter can dig the guy who created the nickname Bucco Bruce. I would love to hear the story behind that.
January 11th, 2019 at 1:29 pm
Bruce made mention of the reception that the Glazers gave him during the recruitment.
It sounded like the G boys did a great job of wooing BA & it sounded like it played a huge role in bring in ng him here.
Gotta give the G boys credit for doing all they could to get Bruce to Head Our team. They saw what the needed and took it for us. Win-Lose-Draw I really appreciate the effort. Thanks dudes.
January 11th, 2019 at 1:51 pm
Bravo to Jimmy and the other Bucs who just to see the team win and help in whatever manner they can
January 11th, 2019 at 2:26 pm
BUCCO BRUCE!!!!
January 11th, 2019 at 3:07 pm
Man,,,, seeing Jimmie Giles in that glorious orange makes my heart sing.
There is definitely a part of me that would love to see a return to the original uniforms.
January 11th, 2019 at 3:10 pm
After reading the full post, JOE…
Damnnnnn!!!!!!
That is cool as HELL. What Jimmie said to Coach Arians. Definitely hoping that BuccoBruce takes him up on it. That Bucs Alumni is awfully important to ALL of us and something tells me Arians would be onboard.
January 11th, 2019 at 3:16 pm
tmax says
“giles is a bada$$ simple as that”
————-
That post, tmax, fires me the F up!
I now know that your Bucs love runs deeper and longer than alot of people might think.
Starting to learn you man… i know you dont want to ruin the mystique.
January 11th, 2019 at 3:17 pm
In fairness the Bucs replaced Doug Williams and Rickey Bell with Steve Young and Bo Jackson…. I mean, damn, I like Williams but I’m making that trade in talent 10 out of 10 times.
January 11th, 2019 at 4:46 pm
The burning question is, was Gerald McCoy at the event?
Love Jimmie Giles
January 11th, 2019 at 4:57 pm
He was in the building working out and met with Arians before his press conference.
January 11th, 2019 at 5:01 pm
Not directly.
The Bucs traded a first round pick to Cincinnati for Jack Thompson to replace Doug Williams. Three years later, they acquired Steve Young from the ashes of the USFL. At the time, only Bill Walsh thought much of Young as Young was a runner first and in those days, if you weren’t a dropback quarterback, they tried to turn you into a receiver or a running back. So it was hardly like, “Let Williams go because we’ve got a Hall of Fame quarterback on the shelf ready to go.”
Bo Jackson was drafted in 1985, another three-year gap from Ricky Bell. We all know how that turned out.
January 11th, 2019 at 5:03 pm
Damn! Jimmie Giles!! He was great one. Glad to see him welcome Bucco Bruce. Give him our Best (by “our” I mean the day one long time suffering Buc fans)
January 11th, 2019 at 7:06 pm
Thank You Team Glazer
January 11th, 2019 at 7:45 pm
I’m not a negative fan ever it just reminds me of a very poor losing period i do not want that stink to be all over Arians. I like Bruce Almighty!
January 11th, 2019 at 10:07 pm
It sounds like the former players are as pissed at all of the ineptitude as the rest of us!
By the way, did Bruce give a shout out to “Mark” Alstott?