Bruce Arians Considers Hardy Nickerson An All-Time Great Buccaneer
August 22nd, 2019
“Joel, we don’t have to listen to Coach on this, right?”
Team Glazer has a decision to make, or not to make, when it comes to the 2020 entry into the Buccaneers Ring Of Honor.
Of course, ownership doesn’t have to pick anyone. They do what they want.
Joe’s given up predicting Team Glazer.
Jason Licht got a long contract extension; Michael Bennett was sent packing for no good reason. Jon Gruden was fired after back-to-back 9-7 seasons; Mike Smith was retained after the Bucs had the worst defense in the NFL in 2017. Some teams wouldn’t let TV blackouts happen early this decade; Team Glazer had no problem denying innocent children the chance to watch their beloved Buccaneers. It’s all very confusing.
So it’s very much an unknown who will be called next to the Buccaneers Ring of Honor. The biggest of the big names are in. And the next choice is unlear.
In the latest edition of The Current, the Bucs’ fancy Hard Knocks-style show (video below), Bucco Bruce Arians and the narrator explain that the head coach has placed giant pictures of extraordinary Buccaneers near the entrances to meeting rooms for current players. Arians names Nickerson specifically.
It’s telling for two reasons: modern players don’t know who Nickerson is (unless he coached them), and if Arians was picking by position, he already head Derrick Brooks as a linebacker example. Yet there is Nickerson, and now Arians is celebrating his greatness.
For those unaware, Nickerson made five Pro Bowls as a truly ferocious Buccaneers middle linebacker (1993, 1996-1999). The man was an undeniably hard-hitting tackling machine, and the guy many Bucs legends have called a key mentor who was pivotal in turning around the franchise.
Joe would love to see Team Glazer take a cue from Arians here and put Nickerson in the Ring. It’s very hard to argue against him.
Derrick Brooks Talks Bucs & Browns, Bowles’ “10 Percent,” Adverse Situations In Preseason And More; It’s A New TAMPA TWO!
Presented by Caldeco Air Conditioning & Heating, TAMPA TWO rolls out a new episode on all things Bucs before Friday’s Bucs-Browns game. Another stud production from The Identity TAMPA BAY and JoeBucsFan.com.
August 22nd, 2019 at 6:18 pm
James Wilder !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 22nd, 2019 at 6:31 pm
Hardy turned this franchise around and was easily the most talented and intelligent buccaneer lb of all time…
August 22nd, 2019 at 6:31 pm
If you don’t know who Hardy Nickerson is, or you don’t think he’s an all-time Bucs great, don’t call yourself a Bucs fan.
August 22nd, 2019 at 6:42 pm
BA is spot on. Nickerson was the transformative figure that changed the culture and was the mentor to Sapp, Brooks, Lynch and other Bucs. He should be made a coach on this large staff. Hardy was the opposite of GMC in every way.
August 22nd, 2019 at 6:43 pm
I’m in. Hardy Nickerson was the guy who set the tone for the great Buc defenses.
That guy was tougher than woodpecker lips.
August 22nd, 2019 at 6:44 pm
Hardy and rice deserve the ring of honor.
@ joe
To be fair, the glazers picked up the tab for home games to avoid blackouts a few seasons before they stopped.
August 22nd, 2019 at 6:47 pm
Have to agree with Rod…bringing the hardware man in was one time that we signed a FA and he turned out to be worth every cent we spent on him, and more. He helped bring in a new culture that eventually turned everything around.
August 22nd, 2019 at 7:05 pm
Simeon rice
August 22nd, 2019 at 7:26 pm
Im thinking about what Ira said…… Monte kiffin
August 22nd, 2019 at 7:29 pm
ITS JAMES WILDER’S TURN!!! Then Simeon.
August 22nd, 2019 at 7:31 pm
Then Hardy, but Wilder first he is loooooooong overdue.
August 22nd, 2019 at 7:35 pm
No $hit……could have fooled me…..what a revelation…..
August 22nd, 2019 at 7:45 pm
Hardy, Monte Kiffin, Wilder….. one other guy who played on THE worst bucs teams was Broderick Thomas, loved watching him play
August 22nd, 2019 at 7:50 pm
Leroy Selmon was the GOAT
August 22nd, 2019 at 7:52 pm
You mean Broderick “the wrong” Thomas. As in should have been Derrick Thomas
August 22nd, 2019 at 7:54 pm
HARDY NICKERSON! The Dungy prodigy from Pittsburgh that played as hard as Brooks but seldom gets his fame. Hardy for the Ring!
August 22nd, 2019 at 8:19 pm
My favorite game as a kid was “Hardy Nickerson Linebacker Hits” – line up your little brother in front of a bed, put a football in his hands, and tackle him! He went on to play big time D1, so guess it helped!
August 22nd, 2019 at 8:26 pm
HARDY was the heart and soul of this franchise throughout the 90s.
This is the guy who taught young HOF Bucs like 55, 99, and 47 what it means to be a pro.
He’s a Buccaneer ICON in every sense of the word. The argument cant be made based on production and leadership that he was every bit as important to this franchise in the 90’s as Gruber.
August 22nd, 2019 at 8:32 pm
Nothing but respect for Hardy. Hope our young linebackers watch his tape!
August 22nd, 2019 at 8:32 pm
When we got Hardy I knew we were going to win. It was absolutely a huge win when we signed him. All of our future probowlers attributed Hardy for being a mentor on and off the field. He is still the only player that I felt made our team legitimate upon signing. Put him in the ring!
August 22nd, 2019 at 8:35 pm
Bucfan3
Stop trying to rewrite history pal nickerson was a star way before dungy the clown wasted his talent in Tampa.. whyche built dungys defense and dungy wasted it. dungy the clown and nickerson were in Pittsburgh together for 1 year dungy wasted players talents not developed them.
August 22nd, 2019 at 8:42 pm
This will be Wilder’s last year as the all time leader in receptions. And he is a running back, lol Only team in the NFL with that stat.
August 22nd, 2019 at 8:57 pm
Speaking of greats I’m not the one to look back on drafts and say we could have drafted this guy. But Allen is unblockable tonight against Miami. Looks like an all pro. And we passed on him for a mlb who hasn’t made one play yet. Man to have a stud defensive end on a cheap rookie contract for 5 years would be nice. Let’s hope it pans out for us it’s way to early to pass judgement. Just making an observation of what passes the eye ball test.
August 22nd, 2019 at 8:58 pm
Off topic.
Watching the Jags-Dolphins on CH 13
Holy Sh!t!!
Joe was right! Josh Allen is a freaking STUD!!!
How many more years is the Gumpster Fire signed on for?
August 22nd, 2019 at 9:03 pm
And watching panthers highlites. McCoy got stood up at the line every play they showed. And for the patriots touchdown they ran it right at McCoy for a touchdown. He never got a total of 1 foot of push from the 6-7 Plays they showed. One of the greatest coaches ever in preseason even knows to run it at McCoy on goal line.
August 22nd, 2019 at 9:05 pm
Yeah ghost see my post right above yours
August 22nd, 2019 at 9:06 pm
“Kobe wanted Josh Allen who will be Mack 2.0
Cam is done
His whole game is to use brute physical strength
Body breaking down like melting ice cream”
Kobe Faker
August 22nd, 2019 at 9:12 pm
Fitzpatrick running for his life. Josh Allen is in the backfield on every passing play.
JA might get 20 sacks this season.
Buck said, “This game belongs to JA. He is unstoppable!”
August 22nd, 2019 at 9:26 pm
Hardy Nickerson is the reason a 13 year old boy in Indianapolis became a Bucs fan. In fact, I have his jersey from that 1993 season that I decided the Buccaneers are my ride or die team. I will be in that jersey opening day.
August 22nd, 2019 at 9:28 pm
Cobra boy Hahahahahaha woodpecker lips!
Yes! Tough!
August 22nd, 2019 at 9:34 pm
Man this is getting sickening. Allen is single handling wrecking the dolphins. He is rushing the passer dropping in coverage. Killing runningbacks on screens. I don’t even know if white played against the dolphins last week. I know it’s only preseason but players show up no matter what. talent stands out. And Allen is the most impressive player of any no matter there age I have seen in a preseason game this year. White i hope you are ray Lewis 2.0 or we will regret this years draft like the last ten. It’s a bucs life siege the day.
August 22nd, 2019 at 9:38 pm
ditto on josh allen tonite he is unstoppable & will get tons of one on ones due to that jags front 7 being all world
August 22nd, 2019 at 9:47 pm
You actually watching the incredible lack of blocking from the Dolphins? Those Allen plays are pretty much him running to the ball with Dolphins blockers clearing the path for him. I don’t know if Allen will be any good or not, but they’re talking him up on the broadcast because there’s nothing else to talk about – but the actual highlights are him not having to do anything to get to the ball.
Also this is the worst year of preseason football I’ve ever seen, ever. No one is playing their starters for long, even in game they’re getting pulled after one or two series. Tom Brady is in there playing, but Eli is getting yanked after one drive and the Eagles won’t even play Weinz. What a worthless year to get Game Pass.
The Raiders / Packers game should make for some fun highlights on Hard Knocks if they want to feature it. I mean playing on an 80-yard field because of an endzone malfunction and no kickoffs and the Packers basically sitting anyone that might have a chance to start. From what I heard leading into the game the Packers and Raiders were planning on playing their starters, and instead we get another quarter of Mike Glennon as a starter. Thanks Canada.
August 22nd, 2019 at 9:51 pm
when this years first round pick white is loading ups trucks in 2 years maybe josh allen can hire him to be his chauffeur after he gets the big payday
August 22nd, 2019 at 9:54 pm
DB55 Says:
August 21st, 2019 at 9:33 am
You know who has more tackles than Devin White? Josh Allen and Devin Bush.
If we use Whites avg he’d need 2 games to catch up to Allen and 20 games to catch up to Bush.
Licht, take a bow, you did it again!
—————
Now say it with me fellers…..BUT WTFDIK?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
August 22nd, 2019 at 9:58 pm
Love the Wilder fans! Absolutely! Jamal Anderson may have broken Wilder’s record of 407 carries but NOBODY will ever break his record of combined touches that season when he also tacked on 85 catches to total 492! An ungodly, crazy amount. Toughest man to ever suit up for the Bucs.
August 22nd, 2019 at 10:06 pm
Off topic
August 22nd, 2019 at 10:10 pm
All of a sudden, with Allen on the bench, Fitz can finally move the ball.
I think Allen would have had two sacks if his hand wasn’t in a hard cast.
Not only did Gump pass on the next Lawrence Taylor or Ray Lewis, he picked the wrong Devin.
August 22nd, 2019 at 10:14 pm
I wish I could be in some of these podcast conversation Joes! I got a few off topics if you guys don’t mind. I stay away from the site because of the immaturity. Hear me out before ya start with name calling.
I here just to start a conversation. The last time we had a running game is when Dirk told Russel and Hump to block from the Wr position. They did a hell of a job too. Doug and Sims set Buc records that year but answer this? Why didn’t we utilize Barber then we had him on the roster now he the starting back. Untalented talent evaluators!
August 22nd, 2019 at 10:20 pm
I just seen Russel Shepherd pancake a Safety playing on the Giants. He was a awesome special teams player and we didn’t wanna pay him. We let players like Mo Stovall sit on the roster for years and do nothing. Lol
Question I just re watch the playoff run to the super bowl and AL Singleton was one of the unsung hero I’m a focus on today. He made plays in them games but y’all die hard fans never seem to mention him.
August 22nd, 2019 at 10:26 pm
Dwight Smith is the versatile player Monte needed for his system. He played corner and safety. When the barber went in the nickel to cut people down D. Smith was the player that held his corner down until he got back. He even played safety the year after the super bowl when we lost dexter to FA. Dexter went to the Bengals and come back home after a while. Y’all never talk about how pivotal DWIGHT SMITH was to our success. Untalented talent evaluators.
August 22nd, 2019 at 10:31 pm
Duthsty …. Sandman?
August 22nd, 2019 at 10:33 pm
Rod…watching the game right now. All starters are sitting all game.. weak game.
August 22nd, 2019 at 10:42 pm
Greg Spires came from a losing Detroit Lions team came to the Bucs and created immediate pressure. White an the dude that had the LE spot was getting ran on constantly. In the super bowl Spires was the one getting to the QB. In the eagles game Warren got poked in the eye he was handicapped. The rest of the line held shhh down. Y’all never talk about him Joes.
Kristy and McDaniel was a great pick up by Gru because Cosey and Walker were trash. Trent got injuries now because of them two scrubs.
Last but not least Sheldon Quarles is my favorite because he never left us. Was thrusting into the mike backer position when he was the outside guy. Smarts and being in the right spot made him exile. When football was ground and pound he held the middle down at 220. Facing backs like Barry Bettis and Ahmad Green. That’s loyalty. Stop me when I’m lying.
August 22nd, 2019 at 10:45 pm
I didn’t even get to the good part before you moderated me. Lol
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:00 pm
He was a beast back in the day but he wasn’t a true Buc he was tainted by Steeler nation
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:00 pm
When we shut down the Vet!!!! I remember saying at the beginning of that game. If Alstott blocked like he ran the ball we could beat them. Go look at them holes the A train opening up for the Pitbull. Dawkins was almost non existent in that game. Big Mike was pancaking cutting you or standing you up. Go back and watch it die hard Buc fans. Stop me when I’m lying!
The year when alstott and Dunn did good running the ball we had Lorenzo Neal blocking for both of them. Who later block for LaDamian and everyone else in the dam league. He produced 1000 yard rusher by himself. Yea and the Bumbling Fumbling BUCS let him walk too. So we don’t need a running game EVER!
August 22nd, 2019 at 11:05 pm
hELL yES! Hardy was the start to turn it all around! I vote for #56! He was an all time great Buc
August 23rd, 2019 at 12:24 am
Thank you, Hardy Nickerson. You helped turn the Bucs from a laughingstock to a feared opponent. Now we have the young version of Hardy Nickerson in Devin White.
August 23rd, 2019 at 7:04 am
If he stayed he’d already be up there….somethings money can’t buy….let him wait…James Wilder !
August 23rd, 2019 at 7:35 am
late to the Hardy Nickerson party but have to comment on my favorite Buccaneer of all time. This was by far the most important free agent signing in the history of our franchise. This team had gone probably 15 years of not just bad years but embarrassing years of 2-14. To keep this short I’ll say I’ve never seen a defense like that 1999 team who dominated games from start to finish. To lose that Rams playoff game because of piss poor offensive play calling was a disgusting display of coaching.
August 23rd, 2019 at 9:30 am
Both Hardy and Dunn would have had a ring and be in the ROH but they left town butt hurt chasing money… James Wilder !
August 23rd, 2019 at 10:03 am
Hardy Nickerson made five pro bowls and four all pros and Buc fan is like, “Put him in the Ring of Honor! His accomplishments speak for themselves.”
Gerald McCoy makes six pro bowls, 4 all pros (3 first team), and Buc fan is like, “Pro bowls and all pro teams are meaningless achievements voted on by people that know nothing of the game.”
It should be no wonder why I call the haters, “mouth-breathers.”
August 23rd, 2019 at 10:04 am
I have advocated for Hardy Nickerson in the Ring for the longest.
I never liked the way that coach Kiffin left the team in mid-stroke, but I wouldn’t object to his induction.
If any more non-player members are inducted, I would vote for Gene Deckerhoff. So many television blackouts for so many years, and Gene’s voice now sounds like a part of my family.
I also would like to see inductions slow down. Keep membership exclusive and special.
August 23rd, 2019 at 3:59 pm
This Commercial says it all. What other Buccaneer has a commercial like this? Ring him in
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvQ3TDwM-z4