The Clock Ticks
August 4th, 2020
Now it is official.
Fortunately, no one on the Bucs roster has opted-out for the 2020 season because of the COVID. And yes, Joe thought at least one player was going to bail on the season Joe feared that would include starting left tackle Donovan Smith.
Smith, when it seemed like the NFL was going to force players to practice and play under less than careful protocols to keep the players safe from The Sickness, took to Instagram to offer his now famous words, “I am not a lab rat.”
Joe sympathized. He said he didn’t want to potentially expose his newborn baby daughter to the virus — who could argue with that? Still, Joe was petrified by the idea some backup or even a rookie tasked with keeping park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring Bucs quarterback Tom Brady upright.
It is fairly obvious that no Brady means no playoff run.
Last night uber NFL insider Adam Schefter shared that the NFL finally announced the deadline for players to opt-out.
The date and time is Thursday at 4 p.m.
So let it be written. So let it be done.
Joe guesses the fact no Bucs player has yet taken advantage of this demonstrates a couple of things. The first would be the players feel a real urgency that the team’s influx of excellent veterans means the Bucs have a one-year window to make a championship run.
The other point Joe thinks this shows is that the team has an esprit de corps, a bond, a sense of brotherhood, a sense of purpose and perhaps a sense of history.
Of course, all it takes is a couple of guys to change their minds in the next two days for that bonding to vanish.
August 4th, 2020 at 5:24 am
“DOH!”
August 4th, 2020 at 6:00 am
Good article and I learned a new word today. Let’s hope the whole team keeps it’s espirit de corps up all year. đŸ˜œ
August 4th, 2020 at 6:18 am
Great article, Joe! Good stuff to think about. Now, the first guy to opt out could spur more to do so (who wants to be first for anything that may draw fire?), but I’d still not blame any of them for doing so though I hope they don’t for my own selfish reasons. I have always thought D. Smith would come around (that’s his nature), and so I’m hoping (for two more days anyway) he stays. But again, I’d respect his call. There is a third reason perhaps no Bucs have opted out yet: Confidence in the protection of the grand facility and confidence in the additional, if not extraordinary measures the Bucs and NFL as a whole are taking. Will they be enough? They won’t be foolproof but may be good enough to let football happen. I’m skeptical, but we’ll see. Yeah, a fourth reason no one’s opted out is the money, and that’s okay too.
August 4th, 2020 at 6:25 am
espirit de corps…
The good: The U.S. military uses it quite freqently. It’s fitting for here given the Bucs situation, and also given the self-discipline and taking care of each other that will be needed this year by the players and coaches.
The bad: It’s a French phrase. Other than food, drink, and perfume, is anything good that comes out of France?
August 4th, 2020 at 7:01 am
What happens with the opt out players/salaries if the sickness is still hanging around next season? Does the salary guarantee extend again? The NFL needs to plan farther ahead than just this year because we may be in the same boat this time next year. Hopefully not.
August 4th, 2020 at 7:07 am
Roy T. Buford Says:
August 4th, 2020 at 6:25 am
“anything good that comes out of France?”
Laetitia Casta
August 4th, 2020 at 7:16 am
Okay, Deleusional Intel…You are right. I’ll stick to “anything good that is non-organic out of France?”
August 4th, 2020 at 7:43 am
So Smith still has 2 days to oopt out? Maybe the whole NE team as well.
August 4th, 2020 at 7:51 am
Yes Roy T. : French women, the Statue of Liberty, and French cursing. Cursing in French is fantastic, it’s like wiping your ass with silk.
August 4th, 2020 at 8:10 am
Wonder if the flood gates will open. The next two days might be like the first couple days of free agency
August 4th, 2020 at 8:14 am
Of course, Lady Liberty.
August 4th, 2020 at 11:26 am
Buczilla Says:
“Let’s hope the whole team keeps it’s espirit de corps up all year.”
.
.
Aren’t you supposed to go to the emergency room or something, if it’s up for more than 4 hours?
August 4th, 2020 at 11:35 am
When the hell will we know if there’s is going to be a season? Is there a deadline for that? Hopefully Friday practice before week one won’t be the first time we’re allowed to put on pads.
August 4th, 2020 at 11:37 am
@SOE…like the NBA and MLB, there will be a season. Until there isn’t. Everything I see and hear is it is all on. Unless of course a thousand players opt out Thursday.
August 4th, 2020 at 11:48 am
Every tic of the clock and roll of the eyes I hear softly in my head, “BEER”!
August 4th, 2020 at 12:00 pm
If Smith is worried about his baby then he’s not following the SCIENCE.