Winning The Offseason
June 26th, 2020
“Tom, you always win!”
Joe has never seen, and likely will never see again, hype like there has been for the Bucs this offseason.
A confluence of fully unpredictable world and national events have led the Bucs to not just winning the offseason, but fully owning the sports world.
Since signing park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring quarterback Tom Brady in March, it seems every day the Bucs have been discussed, featured or dissected on one of the four sports TV networks (NFL Network, BSPN, NBC Sports or CBS Sports) or on one of many national sports radio outfits.
Look, when the BBC runs a story about Brady working out at a high school, which it did this spring, you know your team is on another level of coverage with a true international sports celebrity (Brady).
(For those unaware, the BBC is the British Broadcasting Company.)
Team Glazer, an ownership group that loves splash, could not have imagined in its wildest dreams how the Bucs have dominated sports coverage. It’s been so over the top that Josh Edwards of CBS Sports believes the Bucs are the hands-down winners of the 2020 offseason, and not just because of the buzz Brady brought to the west coast of the east coast.
The Buccaneers brought back defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and outside linebacker Shaq Barrett. Those three played an integral role in a defense that exceeded expectations in 2019. Tampa Bay then added a few characters that had built their reputations elsewhere: quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski.
The assembly of the roster continued through the draft. Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs fell to them in the teens. Running backs Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Raymond Calais will bring a new look to the offense. Wide receiver Tyler Johnson was a consistent producer for the Gophers. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. plays a similar style to his father, who played 14 seasons with the Bills and Vikings. Tampa Bay has not won their division since 2007 but they should challenge New Orleans this year.
Yes, the Bucs won the offseason. Sadly, Bucs fans are too aware of how winning the offseason often meant losing the regular season in the past decade. Badly, in some cases.
On paper, the Bucs are a better team and look like a playoff team. Fans are beyond hungry for meaningful games in January, which hasn’t happened around these parts since January 2008.
Will Brady’s vast experience guide the Bucs through the thick hype and sky-high expectations after such an eventful offseason? Joe hopes so.
June 26th, 2020 at 4:34 am
There’s been something else going on that probably has something to do with the way sports reporting has been the past couple of months
June 26th, 2020 at 6:15 am
This is a much different offseason for the Bucs. That’s not even counting that months-long thing that was supposed to be gone by Easter!
More so than ever, I am optimistic about this team’s chances to battle deep into the playoffs. In a Cinderella-like story, we could play the SB at home. Imagine that!
June 26th, 2020 at 8:36 am
When/If the season gets cancelled, the sheep can talk about all those “great” practices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No playoffs for the bucs whether the season completed or does not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Word on the street is that ole stale biscuit will try to hang banners for NFC off-season Champions!!!!!!!!! And Tampabaybucfan will be making t-shirts!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 26th, 2020 at 8:45 am
The Bucs should prepare to be treated as front runners and favorites. Week one will be amazing fun! Brady vs Brees, this will be epic!
In BA I Trust!
June 26th, 2020 at 9:16 am
Hopefully we won’t be this year’s Cleveland Browns
June 26th, 2020 at 9:19 am
All joes hope so.
June 26th, 2020 at 11:18 am
The Bucs gained greatly in regard to leadership and experience with the signing of Brady and Gronk and that will pay huge dividends in terms of wins and losses, not to mention bringing in a couple of young talented players in the draft which will help solidify our talent base.
June 26th, 2020 at 11:57 am
“Blah, blah, blah…stale biscuit…blah..blah…blah…sheep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By the way, did anyone see my sheep date? She said she was going the bathroom and never came back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”, said El Dicko Realisto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 26th, 2020 at 2:49 pm
Realist your posts age about as well as milk left in the hot sun.
June 26th, 2020 at 4:44 pm
The Florida legislature can declare them super bowl champs like FSU
Basketball and we can have banners like UCF football
We should hang all of our offseason titles in the Men’s restrooms at RAy Jay
June 27th, 2020 at 1:45 am
Realist try saying something new bro, while I find your posts rather funny because if you really hate the Bucs that bad then more power to you. At least mix your rants up a bit unless you yourself becomes an old stale biscuit.
June 27th, 2020 at 1:47 am
Oh and take the “go bucs” off your closing tag, you’re obviously not a fan.