Attitude Sells Tickets
September 2nd, 2014
The Bucs’ Super Bowl champ weighs in
New Bucs nose tackle Clinton McDonald, the man with the Barry White pipes and a shiny new Super Bowl ring, doesn’t like to compare anything about his time with the champion Seahawks and his new team.
He doesn’t like to go there. But Joe got McDonald to dip his toe into those waters in the happy postgame locker room in Buffalo.
McDonald was pleased with the Bucs’ first team defense and explained that it has an opportunity — and the personnel — to inspire fans to take action.
“Like in Seattle, an entire community can get excited when they see a team that plays with attitude on every play, playing together as one with an identity that is about team but with individuals giving everything all the time,” McDonald said. “That kind of play sells a lot of tickets because that’s what people want to see. And we can do that here with this defense.”
Joe couldn’t agree more. Yes, there are many factors as to why the Bucs don’t sell out games (fyi, cheap seats available for Sunday’s home opener) and don’t have raucous crowds like in Seattle, but an elite throwback defense would do wonders for ticket sales in Tampa.
Derrick Brooks used to talk about how the Father Dungy-Monte Kiffin defenses fought for “every blade of grass.” Bucs fans haven’t seen that in a long, long time, or a collection of talent that could pull it off.
That’s in place now, along with a defensive coaching staff that’s among the best in the NFL.
If the Bucs can bring the attitude McDonald references, and Lovie Smith can translate it into a top-5 defense, then Joe suspects the glory days crowds and energy will return.
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:37 am
5 more days!!!!
I have confidence in them, but I also sincerely hope our offensive line plays well to not only give our offense time to make plays, but also prevent bad plays from happening. This in turn will put our defense in a good position to own Carolina’s offense.
5 more days!
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:42 am
Run the ball, play great defense, Bucs win.
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:42 am
Cant Wait!!
The Bucs gotta kick off to start the game, man up the Carolina WR’s on the outside and bring heat on Cam.
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:42 am
I’ll be there !
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:53 am
Bring the heat on Cam but bring the heat to Ray Jay too. Let’s hope it’s a scorcher on the field.
September 2nd, 2014 at 12:32 pm
THIS STUFF IS GREAT!
September 2nd, 2014 at 12:33 pm
Let’s see 1 negative article about our pass rush and 1 postive about how great our D is going to be. Joe’s got his arse covered so he can take credit no matter what happens.
September 2nd, 2014 at 12:35 pm
I have a really good feeling our defense is gonna tear Fig Newtons head off.tampaaaaaaa
September 2nd, 2014 at 12:39 pm
it’s called hedging your predictions.Mr long name.tampaaaa
September 2nd, 2014 at 12:40 pm
hardest part of the week besides waiting?
planning my Bucs Kickoff Party at my house lol I’m gonna have my place rocking at 430p
wooooo!!
September 2nd, 2014 at 12:50 pm
Against Carolina this sunday, I believe our offense will start kind a slow and sloppy, but they’ll pick it up by the second quarter and from there on will be Bucs all the way, ’cause all the while our defense will have the “glove on their faces” constantly and relentlessly..enough said…(very optimistic like every year at this time)…….oh, hell ..It’s a Buc Life!!
September 2nd, 2014 at 12:52 pm
@Unislookgoodunislookugly
Well our D is good but our DLine is still a question mark for everyone not named GMC so what’s he supposed to say???
September 2nd, 2014 at 12:57 pm
Go Bucs! Great article Joe. We do have the defensive team in place to go after Carolina and Cam. Those ribs should be a target this sunday.
September 2nd, 2014 at 1:13 pm
Some profound commentary from Mr McDonald.
P.S. Malloy hates Scam Newton and his ghey superman schtick,
so God-willing, McCoy and McDonald will hit him in the ribs.
September 2nd, 2014 at 1:31 pm
Fellas, Joe simply wrote earlier about how the Bucs D-linemen not named McCoy have a lot to prove. Joe’s also sharing McDonald’s interesting take.
Would you prefer Joe have some sort of agenda and not share lots of angles on subjects?
September 2nd, 2014 at 1:40 pm
As long as the media doesn’t create some crazy controversy between now and Sunday, I do believe it would be the first time in awhile the Bucs would enter the season with some confidence surrounding them, but then again, 5 days is still a long time when it comes to the media world. Maybe they will keep with recent tradition and have something negative in the works about Bowers, or Glennon, or Foster, or Barron, etc., before Sunday’s deadline. I wouldn’t put it past any of them, including your’s truly.
September 2nd, 2014 at 1:48 pm
You want attitude you like attitude Get Incognito!
Wins will fill the seats. We can have the best defense in the world but if we are not winning and scoring points fans will watch from home at a fraction of the cost.
September 2nd, 2014 at 2:00 pm
I hear scoring points and winning football games sells tickets. Can’t remember where I picked that up from tho!
September 2nd, 2014 at 2:41 pm
I know Cam is the star, the number one pick in the entire draft, but he’s banged up and frequently makes questionable decisions.
Call me stupid but Cam is not who scares me now that Scary Steve Smith is gone. Whether you liked him or hated him you truly had to respect Smith. He was a great receiver who gave everything he had. He’s gone!!! Yeaaa
What scares me is the way the Panthers have so easily run the ball right down our throats with their big backs. I’m so tired of seeing those two gash our defenses for big hunks at a time like they were running against the jayvees.
At least they’re getting older and hopefully more banged up and a big slower. They’ve certainly padded their career stats enough already with many huge games against the Bucs.
September 2nd, 2014 at 3:45 pm
“Bring the heat on Cam but bring the heat to Ray Jay too. Let’s hope it’s a scorcher on the field.”
Sorry, Carolina is hot & humid in the Summer, too, not a big advantage at this time of year, wish it were