It’s An M&Mer, Bay-Bee
November 10th, 2021
Serious mismatch.
When Sarasota resident Dick Vitale first began to broadcast college basketball games for the four-letter, he turned the broadcast world upside down.
In many circles, Vitale was reviled. He was too loud, his many critics yelped. Too much of a cheerleader. Spoke in tongues. Rarely gave his play-by-play man a chance to speak two sentences. Slurped coaches.
One of Vitale’s signature sayings in those early days was what he referred to as an All-American going up against a tomato can of a player. Vitale called that “an M&Mer, bay-bee!”
That meant it was a mismatch.
And as Joe read through team stats between the Bucs and the WTF last night, Joe could hear Vitale hollering, “It’s an M&Mer, bay-bee!”
Joe may never have seen such a lopsided set of numbers between the Bucs’ offense and an opponent’s defense. In favor of the Bucs.
Here are the numbers:.
Bucs offense
Category (rank)
Total offense (third).
Rush offense (25th)
Pass offense (first)
Points scored (first)
Washington defense
Category (rank)
Total defense (29th)
Rush defense (11th)
Pass defense (32nd)
Points allowed (29th)
These numbers are just ridiculous. A key point here is that two critical members of the Bucs’ passing game, foot-rubbing, car-littering film guru Rob Gronkowski and furniture-tossing, bicycle-throwing Antonio Brown may not play Sunday as they are nursing injuries.
Still, the statistical advantage is incredible.
And here’s wishing Dickie V good luck. He started a six-month chemo treatment procedure this week as he battles lymphoma. Vitale, 82, might be the best ambassador the Tampa Bay area has ever had. His V Foundation has raised nearly $300 million for juvenile cancer research over the past three decades.
And there is no bigger pied piper for the Bucs, Lightning and the Rays than Vitale.
Hang in there, Dickie V. Joe needs to hear that ever-enthusiastic voice calling college basketball games again this winter to get Joe get through those long, dark winter nights in the weeks after the Super Bowl when football is gone for the offseason.
November 10th, 2021 at 12:06 am
Vitale is a beast and I hope at 82 he has the deep energy to withstand the chemo and gain some quality time from it. Sucks.
November 10th, 2021 at 2:21 am
“Dippsy Do Dunkeroo Baby!!!!”
Get Well bro. Tampa Bay area loves you.
November 10th, 2021 at 2:30 am
Shake and bake baby!!!
November 10th, 2021 at 2:48 am
We won’t need AB or Gronk these next 2 weeks.
Giants up next.
I think it’s dixie chick’s after that.
They can be dangerous.
November 10th, 2021 at 6:19 am
Joes
Im dying. Washington football team (WFT) as the WTF. No doubt about that…
😂
November 10th, 2021 at 6:46 am
So, unless the Bucs pull their head out of their A$$, they will most likely play down to the Deadskins. That and the Deadskins will want revenge for getting beat on their home turf in the playoffs last year. See Jags and Bills game last weekend.
November 10th, 2021 at 7:26 am
Such a great guy!
WTF still has talent. The Bucs need to take care of business, take care of the ball and not play down to the opponent’s level. Play defense, run the ball… what does DR say??? COMPLEMENTARY FOOTABLL!
November 10th, 2021 at 8:07 am
Great guy, for a tv personality he is just a regular sports junkie, Dickie V. All that being said, Bills v. Jags, any given Sunday
November 10th, 2021 at 8:40 am
Get well Dickie V. Man, you are the greatest ambassador for Tampa Bay sports and even a bigger ambassador for kids with cancer! Great write up by the Joes. Classy article about a really, really classy gentleman!
November 10th, 2021 at 9:19 am
LOL LOL play down to the WFT, lol lol
Sorry, not going to happen.
Bucs will win
GO BUCS!!!!!
November 10th, 2021 at 9:28 am
get well Dickie V, we love you. Nothing better than listening to Dickie V calling a college B-ball game
November 10th, 2021 at 1:36 pm
I am Mr. cautious. The games you think will always be easy?..are not. Washington is coming off a bye just like us. They will be rested and ready. Bucs gotta play extra hard. Remember guys..On any given Sunday, you slight a team in this NFL and you become…Lunch.