Mea Culpa By Steve Smith (Sort Of)
January 19th, 2021
NFL Network’s Steve Smith.
Look, when a guy is paid a serious chunk of cash to offer up his opinion on a popular national cable network, occasionally he (or she) will say something so absurd it will hang with him/her forever.
And so that brings Joe to former Stinking Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith. Never a wallflower, Smith opines about the NFL for a living on NFL Network. And sometimes he lets his feelings get in the way.
As the regular season wore down, Smith let loose with an anti-Bucs diatribe, holleringthe Bucs will get “ran” and “routed” once they made the playoffs.
Two weeks into the playoffs, the Bucs are not only still alive, they advanced to the NFC Championship game this weekend against the Packers.
So Sunday night Smith was working “Gameday Final” on NFL Network when he had to comment on the Bucs’ upset of the slimy Saints. It’s almost as if Smith wanted to say he was wrong about the Bucs but couldn’t quite go there.
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense, we have known and seen the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense get run through and at times not show up,” Smith said. “However, this Sunday? They showed up big time.
“They were all over the field. Batting down balls, applying pressure, PBUs, INTs, just caused a lot of chaos and headaches for the New Orleans Saints.
“To sweep a team and beat them three times in a row in the same year, [it happens] 64 percent of the time [teams meet for the third time in the playoffs]. You can’t believe numbers because [the Bucs] played an outstanding football game.
“They played lights out, let’s be honest. They played lights out.”
Smith didn’t exactly say he was way wrong in his prediction. But to his credit, he gave the Bucs credit where credit was due.
Steve Smith on NFL Network, following the #Bucs 47-7 win: “When the playoffs comes the Tampa Bay Bucs are gonna get ran. It’s going to be a good old fashion ass-whopping. I don’t believe the Bucs are going to show up.”
Says Cowboys and Lions are on same category, “Not very good” pic.twitter.com/61fmRg7uQQ
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 26, 2020
January 19th, 2021 at 5:24 am
Just another overpaid mouthpiece.
January 19th, 2021 at 5:48 am
@Smith … ““They played lights out, let’s be honest. They played lights out.”
THAT’S what our Bucs are capable of and THAT’S how we’ll have to play to knock out Green Bay and advance to the Super Bowl. Turn up the heat in Green Bay Bucs!
January 19th, 2021 at 6:04 am
Some people will not admit when they were wrong and I can’t quite blame him for how he felt, but are just as loud when they acknowledge they put their foot in their mouth. I still like his take of the win because you can see he was impressed by the defense as much as he was surprised….. as all of us were!
January 19th, 2021 at 6:37 am
Anything from Cam Jordan yet, you could put make a gif of Steve and Cam together for a humble pie contest, lol. Steve already said he put his foot in his mouth lol. It has been 18 years since we have had a week like this as Buc fans. Hopefully the Bucs can feed A Rodgers some of the same pie. GO BUCS!!!!!!
January 19th, 2021 at 6:41 am
BTW yes they are better with the Rhino V Vea, but the great news is they stomped on GB for 3 quarters in Tampa without VV. A Rodgers finished the game on the bench. Do not think it will be the same kind of game, but if they protect Brady, the Bucs have an excellent chance to win. GO BUCS!!!!
January 19th, 2021 at 6:41 am
Joe says “Smith didn’t exactly say he was way wrong in his prediction.”
The truth is, even a great many Bucs fans, with very good justification, predicted a one-and-done scenario if they made the playoffs at all, especially after the third quarter of the season. And they weren’t exactly lights out and consistent in the 4th quarter. Their D sucked big against WAS, which was AFTER the time he made the comments. He was probably more right than wrong, while I disagree they are not Lions or Cowboys. It would have been no surprise to most loyal if they would have had their doors blown off last Sunday. Thankfully, that didn’t happen. Guess what Joe. If they suck in GB (which I hope they don’t; think they can win it), Smith will only be right…foolish for Joe to try to make any point here.
January 19th, 2021 at 6:47 am
^^^Add, in fact, Joe implied yesterday that Smith was no where to be found, when he in fact did give his “mea culpa” the night before as Joe calls it. Just because Joe didn’t see it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Some of us even pointed that out that Smith was indeed on after the game talking about it. So maybe this is Joe’s mea culpa on Smiths mea culpa?
January 19th, 2021 at 6:49 am
Maybe he’s still recovering from a powerful hit in 2012 by former buc safety Mark Barron that sent him crashing on the sidelines after he realized Barron “showed up n he couldn’t run through him”. He didn’t know what hit him just like he didn’t know what hit Brees n the Saints.
January 19th, 2021 at 6:52 am
If Vita Vea is truly ready for the game in Green Bay he could make an impact on the run game. This would free us up to find a couple more ways to attack Rodgers.
While we are much improved from where we were at midseason, so are the Packers improved since we played them. That’s why we are both here for this NFC Championship match. (Just restating the obvious. 🙄)
Go Bucs! Victory is within your grasp!
January 19th, 2021 at 6:56 am
I don’t know about you guys, but I get all my beauty tips from S. Smith.
January 19th, 2021 at 6:58 am
Hey Joe speaking of TV Football commentators, how about The “Ax” as in Pete Axthelm. I am sure Chris Berman is going to bring it up this week, and refer to Ax calling this game “the Bay of Pigs” The Bucs have come a long way from the Bay of Pigs in the 80’s. Just a fun fact lol. I am sure there are plenty of old Buc fans that remember “the Bay of Pigs” reference from Ax back in the day.
RIP Pete Axthelm. GO BUCS!!!!!
January 19th, 2021 at 7:05 am
Who cares about Smith, Bucs have bigger fish to fry. All I know if Bucs are underdogs again going into this weekend and we all know how Brady feels about being the underdog. Keep rolling another tough challenge.
January 19th, 2021 at 7:16 am
When Steve Smith is on NFL channel I change the channel. Nothing that guy says is of interest to me. Jackass as a player and has a commentator.
January 19th, 2021 at 7:22 am
Of course, on a day I wake up early, Joe has one story up. And it is about a clown.
January 19th, 2021 at 7:34 am
Still think we should have sent 209 lbs of ice to the NFLN lobby….
Ice up son!
January 19th, 2021 at 7:38 am
Steve Smith is still a Richard, with ears.
January 19th, 2021 at 7:44 am
just another moron. BUT he knows Americans love contravercy. Just the fact we are talking about him, helps him
January 19th, 2021 at 7:46 am
Joe, you were wildly opposed to the Devin White pick… did I miss your mea culpa?
Joe has written and talked about this. Never ever said White would be a bad player, was confident he would be good, just preferred the edge rusher. Obviously, glad the Bucs made the right move to get to this point.–Joe
January 19th, 2021 at 7:55 am
Football would not be the same without some good ole smack talk and rivalries. The win vs the Saints was 100% times better because of the rivalry and Saints players talking all that smack to our boys. Don’t know what your experience has been, but Packers fans have always been really cool to talk football with. They love their team but rarely cross the line with their tongue. They might jab and poke a little fun, but they are not vile like Eagles and Saints fans.
January 19th, 2021 at 7:59 am
A person…..in particular a person in the media….loses credibility when they don’t admit mistakes…….
I don’t know why it’ so difficult to admit you were wrong….
I would do it if I were ever wrong.
January 19th, 2021 at 8:13 am
Clown couldn’t admit he was wrong. But I guess this is the best we will get from this fool. Paging Dr. Loudmouth!
January 19th, 2021 at 8:37 am
I agree Steve Smith is a clown, not as much as Ian Beckles, but again, his prediction was reasonable. Has anyone actually challenged him directly? “But Steve you said xyz. Are you willing to admit you were wrong?” How stupid would that be to ask…but go ahead–Joe shoud ask it. Does every guy on here come back and do a mea culpa for something they were wrong about when not asked directly to clarify? Of course not. Who cares? It’s not like Steve Smith is the shameless guessing Dr. Fauci! He’s an overpaid alleged entertainer to comment on a kid’s game.
January 19th, 2021 at 8:41 am
@Buc4ever – well said. Good for you, I agree and do the same thing. I can’t even look at that Steve Smith clown and if I ever see him I’m always reminded of his arse sitting on the Carolina bench with a towel over his head staring at the ground after another BUCS victory. He’s worthless as a commentator much like Steven A Smith and always wrong
January 19th, 2021 at 8:43 am
Ok Joe I’ve been holding back…but it’s time to serve up a little crow for breakfast.
How about your mea culpa for pimping SOOO hard for Josh Allen over D White in the draft.
Post draft you still struggled to get past not taking a “premiere edge rusher”.
I remember posters besides me, D.R. and TBBF come to mind but there are others so my own mea culpa if I haven’t included you, who debated the choice and stuck by Licht’s move.
And so how did all of that work out? First Josh Allen was hampered this season by injuries. D. White was hampered by an injury to start his rookie year and this season the Covid took him out for a couple of weeks, so a two year comparison is probably fare.
J. Allen’s sacks 13 D. White’s sacks 11.5
Solo tackles 38 D. White’s freaking 155 more than FOUR X Allen’s
Big plays…D White off the charts…Allen plays for a sorry team so perhaps an unfair comparison.
So Joe either mea culpa with some eggs and crow for breakfast…or sell us on the idea that Allen would have more trade value than D White and is considered by NFL execs the better player. This take ranks right there with your pimping of who was that guy? Uh I think they used to call him Johnny Football?
OK so I’m going “What About Mary” on you….just fing with ya. LOL
Here is a statement you made that covers you and me and all the posters here.
Think of the poster formally known as NDOG.
“occasionally he (or she) will say something so absurd it will hang with him/her forever.”
I think we’ve all been there and done that!
January 19th, 2021 at 8:44 am
“fare”? LMAO See what happens to you mind as you age guys. I was once the class champ at spelling and I can still find the errors but homonyms drive me crazy. Obviously fair!
January 19th, 2021 at 8:48 am
He also said this when asked about the NFC Championship. “Since I put my foot in my mouth, let me take my foot out of my mouth and say ‘I’m going with the Bucs.”
January 19th, 2021 at 8:54 am
crow eater!!!!!!!…lol…
GO BUCS!!!!!
January 19th, 2021 at 8:59 am
That would be Crows feet lol
January 19th, 2021 at 9:17 am
dude needs to learn how to where a ball cap. He think he’s Ice Cube or Jesse James?
January 19th, 2021 at 9:24 am
Well said richardtyson and SPBF.
Also worth asking then, if Steve Smith is now picking (predicting) the Bucs to win the NFC Championship game, and they lose, is Joe going to bad mouth him for that too? Maybe he’ll say he’s wishy washy? If they lose and look terrible in doing so…playing out all the things we KNOW about our Bucs that Smith knows too, is Joe willing to publicly admit he was wrong for calling out Smith the first time? I guess all those who picked the Bucs to demolish WAS are idiots in a lopsided game, since that wasn’t the case. But alas, in today’s world people are crucified for offering up opinions, even if there is some merit to them.
January 19th, 2021 at 9:46 am
Roy… he said we would get our doors blown off in the playoffs (meaning the first game) Steve Smith will not be “correct ” even if we get blown out by the pack. He thought we would get ran in the first round. He was wrong, Joe is fine, and you should chill out.
January 19th, 2021 at 9:53 am
Mike, playoffs are playoffs….first game or last game. Did he say ran in the first round? No. Get real. Did he already comment on Sunday even though Joe accused him being silent. Yes. Being a fan and being subjective is fine. But when calling someone out, best to stick to facts and be objective, and not be flat out pendantic when being wrong. I don’t kneed to do anything.
January 19th, 2021 at 9:54 am
Steve Smith was spewing out negative stuff against the Bucs as he has for many years. Nothing new, so it was good to hear Steve say that he stuck his foot in his mouth. GO BUCS!!!!
January 19th, 2021 at 10:18 am
Boring. Joe why do you write articles about this a-hole jib-jabbering all the time?
January 19th, 2021 at 10:21 am
Just a butthurt ex-panthers player who brings zero insight or original thought.
I respect him as a player, even though I obviously hated him as our enemy. But as an analyst he is just garbage.
January 19th, 2021 at 10:28 am
The dude played for Carolina +10 years. Hating TB is ingrained in his DNA.
I’m cool with it.
January 19th, 2021 at 10:29 am
Did he say “They will win two games, then get ran”?!?! You are way off base bro, CHILL OUT!
January 19th, 2021 at 10:29 am
Steve Smith needs to get over his Kitty Kat days. So, he badmouthed the Bucs. Hey, he pulled a few tricks playing against them, too. Look at the Panthers now Har-har. Joes, there are quite a few of us old Buc diehard fans on here. I recall the “Bay of Pigs” insults all too well. The team deserved it cos they were THAT bad! Truth. The nicest slur was “Clown Princes of the NFL.”
January 19th, 2021 at 10:30 am
And you really Kneed to
January 19th, 2021 at 10:37 am
I mean if you say I think so and so will get blown out in the playoffs do you have them in the championship game???? I mean dude i can’t even see ANY of your point on this. You are just flat out wrong about this.
January 19th, 2021 at 10:52 am
Steve Smith has hated the Bucs ever since Will Allen knocked the snot bubbles out of him.
January 19th, 2021 at 10:54 am
Ndog is still busy checking yo sheets.
January 19th, 2021 at 11:00 am
stpetebucsfan,
I’m gonna take Joe’s side on this argument. I liked White as a player coming out but the track record for taking elite off the ball LBs in the top 5 in the draft is extremely poor, especially when compared to taking an elite pass rushing prospect. We can compare numbers all day but truthfully, 5 or 6 of White’s sacks didn’t even come when rushing the passer but when the QB ran towards the LOS and White broke off coverage and beat him to the LOS. He is still not a great pass rusher as an ILB, he’s good…
Just as I am steadfast against drafting guards and running backs in the top 20, I am also against drafting off the ball LBs, safeties, and any OLine other than LT in the top 5. It is against conventional draft wisdom. For every Quinton Nelson out there, you have a Jonathon Cooper and Chance Warmack that don’t have a starting job in the league two years after they’re drafted.
Does that mean Joe or I was wrong? Not necessarily. the odds are highly in the favor of a pass rusher being a more impactful (and expensive free agent) than an off the ball LB. To say that White was a slam dunk over Allen is still very premature. Am I happy we drafted W
January 19th, 2021 at 11:03 am
White over Allen? Right now, yes. And after he showed for pretty much the first time ever that he can actually play in space and cover down field, he might be finally earning his draft status. Run stuffing LBs aren’t worth top 5 picks. Generational Mikes like Urlacher, Patrick WIllis, Keuchly, Ray Lewis are… but there are few and far between. Does White have that ability? Absolutely, that was never a question… but the odds were high that he would be an Aaron Curry/Rolando McClain-type player and not elite. If the White that played in New Orleans is the real guy, then he is elite and worth the very rare pick.
January 19th, 2021 at 11:17 am
Mike C., learn to face reality. Eat some crow with Joe, “bro”. I know the truth is not always pleasant.
January 19th, 2021 at 11:35 am
No one came out and admitted they were wrong no one not Shannon who said Brady would throw 6 picks, not Smith not max, not that a hi idiot on speak for yourself no one. The ignorance to say Brees just played bad as if it had nothing to do with the defense is just another reason I want the Bucs to win the super bowl and say f**k all y’all you know nothing about football
January 19th, 2021 at 11:54 am
Roy T. Buford, what’s with the hard on for Joe? If the takes suck so much, why read them?
January 19th, 2021 at 12:04 pm
Ok Roy, you are right, Smith said ” I think the Bucs will win 2 playoff games and THEN get blown out in the NFC championship game” Exactly how I remember him saying it…. SMH at least I know to skip your comments from now on.
January 19th, 2021 at 12:12 pm
if we put steve in a cage with vita vea, he is just a snack 🙂
January 19th, 2021 at 2:12 pm
Mike C, talk all the crap you want, but you don’t get to append what others say and pretend it was said. And you do realize, that the Bucs are very lucky they played WAS and not pretty much any other playoff team than WAS right. Like it or not, they DID get their doors blown off and Brady eeked out a close win against a very bad football team. You are blind as Stevie Wonder.
January 20th, 2021 at 1:45 am
This is the most fun time to be a Bucs fan in 18 years since they stomped on the 49ers in the Division round on the way to winning the Super Bowl. So Bucs fans, let’s enjoy this time. GO BUCS!!!!
January 20th, 2021 at 8:47 am
You are a troll and I hope you die
January 20th, 2021 at 8:50 am
And WHEN DID THEY GET THE DOORS BLOWN OFF?!?!
January 20th, 2021 at 9:31 am
We ran the ball 33 times but I was told by most of yall that the running game didn’t mean nothing and that’s just a excuse for Jamies. We have ran the ball good this year and that’s how you win regardless who the quarterback is .