Last Call
August 6th, 2020
The deadline for NFL players to opt-out of the 2020 season is today at 4 p.m.
Only one Buccaneer publicly has stated very strong concerns about playing football during a pandemic: Donovan Smith.
The Bucs’ left tackle reported to training camp, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a thing. Smith has yet to declare word on his active social media accounts that he will play this season.
This will be a long day for Joe.
No Bucs fan should want any part of a 2020 season without Smith.
As for any other Buccaneer opting out of the season, nothing would shock Joe, though across the league less than 3 percent of players have bailed on the season. So there’s no reason to think the Bucs will have any kind of parade out the door.
August 6th, 2020 at 7:20 am
He ain’t gonna do it
He ain’t giving up 14 million dollars to be a homebody
August 6th, 2020 at 7:43 am
The NFL, just like the White House, had months of notice to prepare for this pandemic. With all of the time and money the NFL had/has, it should have available to the players, state of the art respirators that would allow these guys to breathe virtually unobstructed.
I heard an NFL spokesperson yesterday on NPR speak about a mask that would be hi-tech enough to do just that & keep these guys healthy. I hope so but I doubt it. He didn’t sound very reassuring; spoke vaguely and without noticeable confidence. Shame on the NFL when these guys start dropping like flies and they did little to prevent it while, still collecting their TV revenue to the tune of billions. Masks can and should be worn. Like the NHL and NBA, all NFL teams should have gone to a “bubble city“.
August 6th, 2020 at 7:46 am
“No Bucs fan should want any part of a 2020 season without Smith.”
Ludicrous statement, Joe!
I hope he doesn’t opt out because he’s important to the O line, and I don’t think will…but with or without Smith, I think I’m well past ready for football. Clearly more complicated for keeping Brady upright, though.
I maintain as I have, that he likely will NOT opt out, though I’d support his decisoin if he did.
August 6th, 2020 at 7:51 am
Oh yes, I remember now. The NFL spokesperson’s timid suggestion was that the players would wear what is essentially an extension of the eye and face shield down over the mouth. What in the Sam hell will that do to stop exhalation droplets at the high rate of breathing these guys will be doing and in such close proximity to one another?
August 6th, 2020 at 8:29 am
It really isn’t the responsibility of the NFL to provide medical treatment, outside of normal football-related stuff and having EMTs on standby, just like every Sunday.
What they are responsible for is providing as much prevention as needed to minimize risk to the players and loss of product, while still maintaining the ability to provide said product.
August 6th, 2020 at 8:45 am
He already showed up to camp ⛺️ He has been exposed to the outside world and hopefully realized that he has more chance of getting Covid from going to Publix’s than the Bucs facility
August 6th, 2020 at 8:59 am
Do the Bucs & fans a favor lazy ass & opt out. Not needed.
August 6th, 2020 at 9:26 am
Could this be a negotiating tool for increased salary?
August 6th, 2020 at 9:28 am
Pryda- good point. He posted literally a day a pic of him in uniform, in camp, doing conditioning drills. Even captioned by saying “year 6.” Pretty easy to take that as: “let’s do this.” I don’t think he needs to make a formals announcement that he’s playing this yr frankly – it is implied by him continuing to show up for camp. Let’s just keep it moving
August 6th, 2020 at 9:50 am
If he chooses to not bail on Brady and company I will have newfound respect for him, but as it is now I haven’t really been impressed with his inconsistent play. The dude has a lazy bone streak in him and takes plays off. When he was wavering on his availability, all my perceived evaluation of him I felt was validated. Donovan, stand up and be counted on. This team needs you to give them 110 percent if they are to have a decent chance to make post season or at least a double digit winning season. Change our perception of you.
signed, BucFan
August 6th, 2020 at 10:38 am
I think it was great of Smith to speak out. He spoke up but others were thinking about it. No doubt his actions caused the organization to address the issue in a way the players felt safe.
We probably have everyone at camp because he wrote that letter.
August 6th, 2020 at 11:07 am
In fairness to Donovan I believe he said he didn’t wish to be a “lab rat”.
Other players voiced concerns about “safety procedures” as well. It seems as if the NFL did their part and stepped up to the plate with some pretty tight rules, and lots of testing and semi-quarantine(very few pre tested media) seems as safe as you can be without total shelter in place.
Money and POWER are in plentiful supply for the NFL…they can have the latest greatest testing…and lots of it. IF a player gets it now with all the point of contact testing with immediate results he’ll get culled from the herd immediately.
Ironically in a nation that had DECREASED TESTING this past week the NFL will be able to increase testing to such a degree that a player getting Covid will probably not get it on the field or locker room but rather in outside society.
Obviously bars and clubs should be verboten until the season is over. I wouldn’t be doing anything indoors with crowds or strangers.
August 6th, 2020 at 11:12 am
Pryda…I would say a better chance playing the year, with all the physical contact and such. But you do have a point. One should act like there is a chance to get it anywhere…because unless you are totally isolated, there is a chance anywhere.
August 6th, 2020 at 11:16 am
St. Pete…we decreased testing, and have skewed reporting, because some think no news is better than bad news. I guess it depends on your objective.
But all that kid contact from the earliest grades through the secondary…the only thing varying being the kind of contact, there will be no hiding what is really happening. And what do you do when you go back to work, and a couple weeks later, your kid is quarantined at home alone for 10 days? And the only ones to watch them are grandma or grandpa? Or take two weeks off work….
August 6th, 2020 at 11:48 am
Daddy says no. Mama says yes. End of conversation.
August 6th, 2020 at 11:49 am
BringBucsBack
It’s cus like the white house, these creeps will keep anything and everything open, including an epicenter state of Florida, to get a blood nickel. Quite psychotic.
August 6th, 2020 at 12:02 pm
How can they put this opt out deadline today if we don’t even know if there will be a full season and non of this protocal for games has been made public. He might have a different thought if NFL and Glazers are going to pack Ray Jay with the so many idiots I see not taking precautions every day.
August 6th, 2020 at 1:08 pm
Joe as I recall Smith’s original comment about this I recall seeing that money was part of the issue. I dont know how big of a factor the money really is for him but I do know it could be very enticing if he opts out and gets to hit his contract year……but I think I heard if players opt out their current contract gets pushed back…..in other words he would still be under contract for the Bucs next year for the one year he is due in 2020…..it would get pushed back till 2021 if he opts out.
So my question is this. If Donovan opts out this year is he under contract for 2021 or is he a free agent?
Maybe you dont know. NFL contract jargon is complicated. But I think it’s an important factor. If he can opt out and get to a big money contract year it gives him a huge incentive to skip 2020.
August 6th, 2020 at 3:33 pm
Down to 27 mins to opt out…