Leadership Among Greatest Failures
September 8th, 2014
Bucs fans were told Josh McCown is a superior leader of men.
Bucs fans were told Vincent Jackson is a leader and would be asked to make greater strides in that area this season.
Gerald McCoy acknowledges he’s had success but not yet as a leader who makes those around him better.
Yesterday against the Panthers, all three of those Tampa Bay team captains failed in a big way as leaders.
The Bucs came out largely lifeless and lacking in their home opener, and the malaise lasted three full quarters. That’s on the team leadership.
How does that happen after five months of player preparation, in front of a jacked up home crowd? And McCown and Jackson were two of the biggest offenders!
Joe doesn’t think any fan walked away from the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway yesterday raving about how the Bucs looked like a hungry band of savages in the trenches and angry battlers for every blade of grass all over the field. That’s unfortunate. Fans can accept some losing if rabid effort is there.
The trademark of the Raheem Morris regime was astonishingly slow starts, followed by second-half adjustments and late comebacks. But that’s not good enough.
Joe remembers Payton Manning being asked early last year about a fourth quarter comeback. Manning’s response basically was that all a fourth-quarter comeback means is that you played like crap early in the game.
Final score aside, Joe’s very bummed out that the Bucs didn’t come to play. It should never happen like it did yesterday, not with veteran leadership and an experienced head coach.
September 8th, 2014 at 5:16 am
And against Derrick Anderson. So disappointing! That should have been a win.
September 8th, 2014 at 5:24 am
I have to agree Joe, I was there and the crowd was jacked up… For them to lay an egg like that with all the anticipation… failure on all fronts. Unfortunately McCown’s poise looked like that of a freshman in high school and Derrick Anderson deserving of the big FA contract!
September 8th, 2014 at 5:32 am
MG8 will do what? He’s gonna show why he should be the starting QB!!!! Thats WHAT!!!
September 8th, 2014 at 5:37 am
Vjax and his stone hands…..thats the ONLY plays I gave McCown a pass on….and Goldson’s stone hands….come on man, you had that one!!
One word….Frustrating!
September 8th, 2014 at 5:40 am
and dont even get me started on the D…..other than GMC and David, GARBAGE!!! GARBAGE GARBAGE GARBAGE!!!!
September 8th, 2014 at 5:53 am
And to those of you who hates to read the criticism from us BUC FANS, BECAUSE WE ARE BUC FANS AND DONT ACCEPT MEDIOCRE PLAY, GO STICK A FORK IN YOURSELF BECAUSE YOURE DONE!!!! GET OVER IT!
September 8th, 2014 at 5:55 am
You know, I’ve been rooting for these hapless Bucs for a lot of years. I have better things to do with my Sundays than watch this ineptitude play. This was beyond pathetic. There are NO excuses for this anymore. How do you play like this on your opening game? Throwing stupid interceptions; dropping passes; dropping interceptions; no pressure on the QB; it was friggin Derrick Anderson! Our D was so bad Anderson had a QB rating of 108.7! Our defense is suppose to be our strong point???? Yeah, I guess it is when you compare it to our pathetic offense
September 8th, 2014 at 5:58 am
The “hangover” from drinking the Kool Aid is the worst kind of hangover there is.
September 8th, 2014 at 6:00 am
I don’t think giving away two free tickets to long time season ticket holders is going to help fill the stadium if this is the product they put on the field.
September 8th, 2014 at 6:00 am
Lol! You ladies need some Midol? You’ve got to be kidding!!
You act like this is some superstar laden, veteran playoff team!
You must have the memories of goldfish!!
It nauseating to see grown men, devoid of common sense, cry like this
You remember that it’s a new coaching staff, Right? With all new schemes.
You remember that we replaced 28 out of 53 players- right?
You remember this team SUCKED last year, and the year before, and the year before that, and . . Now do you remember?
What did you expect?
It’s gonna take time, but it’s headed in the right direction
Despite rough spots, we almost beat the division champs.
Do grow up, quit sniveling, and act like you have some common sense.
We knew this would take time. These guys have to learn to play together.
September 8th, 2014 at 6:04 am
shut it timmy.
September 8th, 2014 at 6:08 am
First game, New offense , new defense, new coaching staff, front office, weak i-line, 24 new players, the bucs were without their offensive co-ordinator, and pitted against last years #2 rank D. Additionally Anderson isn’t the greatest QB but hes not a complete bum. the guy had a pro- bowl season a couple years ago. It’s not hard to see why they struggled yesterday. It’s just going to take some time for the bucs to gel and play as a team.
September 8th, 2014 at 6:10 am
Football is over for me this season….Buccaneers suck and the Gamecocks suck…Im done and will wait for the draft…..I know what I saw….they are who they are….is what it is 🙁
September 8th, 2014 at 6:19 am
@Capt.Tim,Back from Davie Jones’s locker Says:
“You remember that we replaced 28 out of 53 players- right?
You remember this team SUCKED last year, and the year before, and the year before that, and . .
So why did we bother to replace 28 out of 53? The team that sucked last year, as you correctly pointed out, would have done no worse than this sorry bunch. Why pay Michael Johnson all those Benjamins if he plays like Bowers? Why pay McCown double what Derrick Anderson gets, when our D enables Anderson to rate a 108.7?
Tell me Timmy, what part of “its headed in the right direction” did we miss? The unimpressive run game? The non-pressure of our Dline? The turnover margin that favored the Panthers? These were the things we were told we should be “headed in the right direction” on. Where were they?
Now, with all due respect Timmy, you grow up. Quit acting like a sheep.
September 8th, 2014 at 6:30 am
I’m not one of the lunatics above, but this was hard to stomach.
My foursome at the game, all of us were stunned how lame the energy and effort was, and of course the results seen on the field.
That was not anywhere close to good football or great effort.
September 8th, 2014 at 6:31 am
I have a different take on the game…..once again, we lost in the trenches…..notice we couldn’t run…..McCown had pressure…..they ran on us somewhat and we couldn’t put pressure on their QB…
Lost the game on the Oline & Dline…
One positive note……very few penalties…
Give us some time…we’ve got the players….
September 8th, 2014 at 6:31 am
Starting to believe Malcom Glazer’s influence is sorely missed for the last bunch of years. Really loved that pregame tribute.
September 8th, 2014 at 6:32 am
I don’t see anything headed in the right direction. It looked exactly the same as last years bunch of crap. We are worse than Jacksonville. Even the browns looked better. We are the worst in the league and I’m embarrassed as a bucs fan. Utterly disgraceful.
September 8th, 2014 at 6:33 am
Harry,
I told you you were the lucky one on that flight, instead of my dumb ass sitting in the heat watching that display of “football”.
September 8th, 2014 at 6:33 am
Please…no more quarterbacks named Josh!
This franchise was set back a dozen years when they hired RAH and the Rock Star..then followed by Shiano…it is going to take a few years to dig out of that mess…It starts at the top with the Glazer Boys when they took over for their Dad…they were/ are inept at building an organization without their Dad.
They came up with the clown outfits ( uniforms) to try to generate more revenue instead of building a solid organization that can field a solid team…Those uni’s suck. Maybe in time the L&L team will be able to build something.
September 8th, 2014 at 6:34 am
How any of you can walk away with some “positives” is beyond me. There was absolutely nothing positive in that smoking heap of garbage out there.
September 8th, 2014 at 6:37 am
Yesterday’s display of hot garbage, is absolutely no better of a product on the field than what we all had to watch last year. It looked as if the same shitty coaching staff was coaching your ” revamped buccaneers. ” Last year it always seemed they were playing from behind and it was the same Scenario yesterday. Lovie, is too damn conservative that was my fear when he was hired and definitely appears to be the case. Mcclown, is a carrier back up QB who had a few good games last year in a particular offense that worked for him and gets Catapulted into a starting job for the Bucs??? Not a fan at all he looked like scared rookie QB out there making rash decisions. Wish they would have drafted a QB. I like the defense but that was a poor display yesterday! Ey got served by a backup shitty QB. Imagine if a healthy Cam was on the field what would the score have been then? They need to clean this crap up or it we are in for a long disappointing season. Gmc is extremely overrated!! Not even in the same league as Sapp! I wish people would stop jockeying this guy. Sapp made shit happen if he was doubled or triple teamed he was a dominant force. Gmc is not. He has flashes but not even close to sapp people. I seen sapp take out Steve young and Jerry rice in the same game. He was a brutal Dominant force. I am done weeping Joe, they need to get this shit figured out and quick! I love LVD!!!
September 8th, 2014 at 6:40 am
Fail
September 8th, 2014 at 6:46 am
@ Tim
2 interceptions that were thrown like a desperate rookie quarterback. A missed interception at the most critical time by our millionaire safety due to lack of concentration. This has nothing to do with “gelling”. They need to both watch that film and learn from it! Best to play the 4 full quarters not just half of 1. Let’s learn from this and move on
September 8th, 2014 at 6:52 am
Buncha crybabies-
Oh, and menstralMax- good riddance, you’ve never contributed anything here anyway, except endless sniveling!
September 8th, 2014 at 6:54 am
Yup
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUylZ08N_Q4
September 8th, 2014 at 6:59 am
haha menstralMe….now be the lacky you are and go find my dose of midol…hurry up, and make sure it has PASS RUSH and a QB attached to it….
September 8th, 2014 at 7:08 am
I guess that A+ offseason has netted an 0-1 season start.
This is why the NFL is so awesome. You can’t talk your way into success… you have to prove it.
The Bucs so far have not improved from last season, not much at all.
That vaunted Lovie Smith defense was surrendering first downs and chunks of yards against a backup QB. Wait until we see Matt Ryan and Drew Brees.
Good luck in your first season Lovie Smith. Tampa has gotten the internet since the last time you have coached here… you don’t know the lay of this land now… but soon you will. The fanbase is restless.
September 8th, 2014 at 7:08 am
God forbid Captain Tim support the team.
Yesterday was tough to stomach but I hope none of you show up to the next game. More so I hope you keep away when we’re winning. I hate losing elbow room to fake fans.
September 8th, 2014 at 7:14 am
@lightningbuc Says:
“…I told you you were the lucky one on that flight, instead of my dumb ass sitting in the heat watching that display of “football”.”
I was originally jealous you were going to be at the game, lightning. Now, I feel sorry for anyone who was in attendance and spent hard earned money to have the joy and excitement for the first game of the season ripped out of their hearts.
September 8th, 2014 at 7:15 am
another “fake fan” comment because of criticism….lol….some of you will never learn….whatever
September 8th, 2014 at 7:15 am
I give GMC a pass. That dude gives 100% all game long. He can’t make a turn into a Cadillac. Johnson was a desperate move , Cincy let him walk for a reason, and Clayborn just is not that good. Now McCown GOOD LORD WTF< all we heard was he is a vet that does not make mistakes, and Joe is right, he looked like he NEVER played the game before.
September 8th, 2014 at 7:17 am
Yesterday was hard to watch because the Bucs looked flat. Hardly anyone made plays. at least Schiano had the team playing hard and tough. Lovie maybe be more relaxed and treating these “grown men” (early twenty somethings with fat bank accounts) like grown men but I don’t think they deserve it. They need their butt’s chewed out. They need to be made to run sprints until they puke. The Bucs organization is a joke because it’s club med for losers.
September 8th, 2014 at 7:18 am
I told you guys we’d lose…..Max I stole your name, get used to it. I’m pissed today.
September 8th, 2014 at 7:18 am
Well what I take away from yesterday’s loss is this one positive:
I’m positive I got screwed in my fantasy football league drafting Doug Martin, Vincent Jackson and the Bucs Defense!
This is the 6th straight year where the Bucs looked like crap in the preseason and they came out and looked the same in the regular season opener. This looked no different than another preseason game for the Bucs.
I have to admit being highly disappointed in McCown and his poor choices. The defense looked like a screen door on a submarine and frankly I think Doug Martin is done in this league – Rainey looked hungry and fresh.
I thought the Bucs would go 8-8 this year, now I’m thinking that prediction was too optimistic.
September 8th, 2014 at 7:20 am
Yeah you guys…real fans accept any old BS on the field…quit complaining about how lethargic the effort was…it was probably because you bums didn’t cheer loud enough or buy enough hotdogs at the concession stands forchrissakes
September 8th, 2014 at 7:21 am
Let me add this – Had Golsten gotten the INT and had the Bucs won I STILL would be disappointed, not as much as watching them lose. The first half of play looked uninspired and dead.
September 8th, 2014 at 7:24 am
@Warren,
Watching the game it was evident that the Bucs fans were LOUD in the 4th quarter on that second TD drive.
In the first half there wasn’t much to get excited about for Bucs fans – end of discussion.
September 8th, 2014 at 7:24 am
Hey Warren, I live in DC. Redskins fans spend a lot of money supporting their team and look what it gets them.
And I’m afraid that the Bucs are the new skins. We are on track to win the offseason every year and finish sub .500. Look for new head coaches, big name (about to retire) free agents and desperate trades into the first round to build offseason excitement. That’s the Dan Snyder way and it’s looking like the Buc’s way.
September 8th, 2014 at 7:27 am
Fear not Buccaneer faithful…..the team couldn’t overcome a backup quarterback but next week they’ll go against a THIRD-STRINGER when the Lambs come to town…….do or die time, isn’t it?
September 8th, 2014 at 7:27 am
@CAPT. TIM,
I agree 100%. Although I thought it was very frustrating to watch things start to roll for 3 straight quarters, they finally got it going in the 4th.
Most of the other teams are established, however no excuses. These guys are pros. I expect a better effort (and outcome) vs the Rams next week especially at home. We NEED a win in game 2. Just to propel us into the 3 road games.
September 8th, 2014 at 7:33 am
I don’t understand why you keep calling out Vincent Jackson as if he never dropped balls before. Stop with the leadership thing, two of those three were captains last year and we won 4 games. Just because mccown was coined a leader doesn’t mean he is a starting caliber quarterback. It was McCoy who opened his big mouth talking about being on triple teams as if he’s the most unstoppable force in the game. Bottom line is the quarterback played like garbage, o line didn’t open holes, defense couldn’t stop run or pass. That usually gets you a L. DEREK ANDERSON!!! REALLY just imagine drew brees or matt Ryan. No pass rush…. Remind me of last year
September 8th, 2014 at 7:34 am
It’s all about effort and leadership and there was none.
Effort doesn’t drop the game winning INT
Effort is not fumbling the ball and turning it over
Effort is someone on the sideline demands excellence and get in the team face
Effort is not fumbling with the game on the line
Effort is tackling
Effort is not allowing a career backup beat you at home
September 8th, 2014 at 7:36 am
they were zooming in on mcCown after every play on offense and he just looked flat out scared. Last year when he went in as the starter for the bears their was zero pressure on him everone thought the season was already lost and he just had to go play now this year he has all these expectations and preesure on him he just can’t handle it he looked like he was about to cry half way through the second qaurter i’m sorry but i just dont think this guy has it to be a starting qb and well he is 35 and been a backup for 12 years so clearly a lot of others who are actually in the NFL think so to.
September 8th, 2014 at 7:40 am
Im pissed too….but you can use your own name
September 8th, 2014 at 7:44 am
A few nice players don’t make for a competent team. Especially disappointing is that most of the highest paid players didn’t show up.
Lovie was the most disappointing though. His team wasn’t ready for an opponent he had months to prepare for.
September 8th, 2014 at 7:48 am
haha stealing my name when you can use your own, lol
September 8th, 2014 at 7:55 am
Joe Montana
would have had a bad day behind the offense line yesterday.
Lovie and Licht simply messed up putting the line together and totally blew the timing of having a line ready to play.
Add injuries during the game and it became the total chaos that happened.
2nd ranked defense in the league for your first game means the line should have been ready long ago, not be jackin around with it the last week before you play.
Poor coaching and management
September 8th, 2014 at 8:04 am
The nfl is QB driven and we don’t have one. Until we do it’s more of this crap. Our quarterbacks are a Joke couldn’t even play in the cfl
September 8th, 2014 at 8:23 am
A 5-11 (or worse) season after the insane roster turnover would be pretty much a disaster. And after yesterday there’s not a lot of hope it’ll be much better than 5-11. Lovie turned the roster over and put his guys in there. Didn’t look all that impressive yesterday.
September 8th, 2014 at 8:39 am
The offensive line was just that OFFENSIVE. That being said though no QB should EVER throw lame duck passes like that. If you fumble and hen have no time to find someone et the ball and make it up on the next play. We gave them this game. NO excuses for those plays, none. I though Kafka was out there.
The defense was not much better BUT if we make one play we win that game. At least they were still on the field trying.
The difference from a loss and a win is usually about 3-4 plays, if you make them you win if not you loose. If McClown doesn’t throw two stupid deer in the head lights throws…..if Goldston make the pick at the end of the game we would have pulled one out of the fire and maybe, just maybe have been able to get some momentum going into the next few games.
As it is though something has to happen to get this team fired up (well maybe firing some would help too) and turn this Titanic around.
First game jitters????? Not buying that one……
GMC was being triple and doubled all day yet no one was able to get pressure….not a good sign.
McClown never let the ball go deep to utilize the GIANTS we are supposed to have as receivers.
Just exactly what is this mystery offense we have heard so much about that has been held under a blanket to be rolled out to amaze the opponents?? All I saw was more of the last 3 years worth of dull play.
Okay, water under the damn…..we have the Rams coming in…..if we can’t be competitive against them I am worried.
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We need someone to step up and lead this team somewhere other than the storm shelter. It didn’t even rain yesterday.
September 8th, 2014 at 8:48 am
McCown constantly trying to step up into a pocket that wasn’t there is what I saw all day, then trying to make a play after putting his head down, throwing the ball to the last player he saw before he put his head down.
The TD to Owusso was when he finally stepped to his left a little bit, and found Owusso in the endzone, thankfully nobody touched Owusso or he would have dropped it, or been swatted out of bounds.
The Oline is still a problem, and they are going to have to roll out more, move the pocket, or get some cognizance on the oline, with In-cognizance.
They looked like dog doo, and not just the new Uni’s. They look like players wearing a box of an assortment of melted crayons, with someone throwing a bucket of white paint on them to make a number.
On to next week now.
September 8th, 2014 at 8:50 am
Hey Eric and Mr Lucky…my comment was marinated, and dripping in sarcasm. Just a reaction to all the rubes telling everyone to quit bellyaching. It’s our goddamned right to demand better as fans
September 8th, 2014 at 8:50 am
Explains it perfectly joe
September 8th, 2014 at 8:51 am
MARIOTA!!!!!!!!
September 8th, 2014 at 8:56 am
I guess we will give it two more games. I understand all the new staff, however preseason week 3 was what I thought we would see Sunday.
September 8th, 2014 at 9:06 am
McCown looked ****ing hideous.
It harkens back to the glory days
of creamsickle suckage…………yakkity-sax music and all
September 8th, 2014 at 9:14 am
Time heals all wounds. The panther beatdown of the Bucs was worse than the final score indicated. Without Cam the Bucs were swatted aside like the non contenders they are. It will be difficult to wipe that memory away. Winning some games will help.
September 8th, 2014 at 9:15 am
I actually turned down a free ticket to the game because I thought this would be an ugly display of offense (boy did they not disappoint) and couldn’t take it after watching Michigan put up an f’n doughnut against ND the night before…
So glad I didn’t waste my time in the drive and spending money on their beer..
It is absolutely pathetic that I saw a veteran QB pull them stunts.. I don’t think JF5 even tried some of that non-sense while he was here… I saw other backups play efficient (Hill, Davis, Anderson, Fitzpatrick, Hoyer, Henne, Cassell ya I’m counting them as backups as we all know the rookies will eventually play over them)… I know it’s one game and everyone has a bad game but damnit I’m tired of MEDIOCRE QB play that we have had since Brad F’n Johnson lined up under center minus one season from JF5 (sorry no Jeff Garcia fan)… This is exactly why I wanted an OFFENSIVE HC with a proven track record (why hello Ken Whisenhunt), sorry Lovie but you failed yesterday, miserably… No I’m not calling for Lovie to be fired like some morons on here after one game but I was calling for an Offensive HC since we almost hired Chip… This is why… The NFL is a Passing league I don’t care that the Seahawks won the SB with their D, they got there because of that D and Russel Wilson playing extremely good as well.
Ray Rice you’re a disgusting human being (just saw the new TMZ video)
September 8th, 2014 at 9:22 am
Did anyone watch the pregame buccaneers.com interview with Lovie Smith? He was proudly talking about how the first game of the year is so big that the players don’t need any special motivation or rah rah speeches to get amped up for the game. I was worried when I heard that. Lovie shows such little emotion and I really saw that same personality in the team for three quarters. It makes me vividly remember how I was ready for dungy to be gone after we all realized he was never getting this team over the hump. I miss Grudens fiery leadership. I know his time was up too, but laid back Lovie needs to light a fire under this team.
September 8th, 2014 at 9:30 am
I won’t buy another ticket if they got McCown listed as starter.
September 8th, 2014 at 9:35 am
Well Shaun Hill started strong 5-5.. lol I forgot how bad he ended up
September 8th, 2014 at 10:18 am
“At least I clubbed the stinking Panthers with Cam Newton in my Bucs coaching debut!”
#BringBackSchiano
🙂
September 8th, 2014 at 10:35 am
aaaaaaarhhh-shiver me timbers, man the life boats, the mighty ship she’s a listing starboard side and taking on water!!!!! well you get what you pay for, or do you? this organization took a page out of micheal j fox’s playbook and went all in with back to the future, with the hiring of stone face lovie smith the understudy clone (clown) of t.dungy and here we will have the same bravo sierra as we had then! it will take another 3-4 years to build a really good defense after McCoy leaves for a winning team and they get rid of you doesn’t have to call me Johnson micheal and the rest of these bums oh hell probally 5-6 years oh well get ready for another suck year. on the bright side maybe we get first pick I hear they got some really good punters in next years draft ha ha ha ha ha this team sickens me
September 8th, 2014 at 11:01 am
Looks like Lovie came to Florida to retire.No fire in his gut or the teams gut.I will give them one more week and if I don’t see the fire I will walk the plank.A fan since 1977 when I lived in Auburndale.
September 8th, 2014 at 11:46 am
Joe is right about the lack of leadership for the Bucs. That just makes me believe all the more, “there was a reason Lovie was fired in Chicago”! If Jason Light and Lovie Smith think that us Bucs fans are being brutal on this Bucs team its because we’ve seen and heard all the poor playing and excuses before and it’s not being digested as well anymore.
September 8th, 2014 at 12:01 pm
Heard a caller on Fan Interference that I thought captured my feelings on the team. We’ve been through way too many years of people coming to the podiums and accepting responsibility and making promises about turnarounds and I think we’re all just tired of it.
I’d be happy to see no more interviews done until they get it fixed. I don’t want to hear any more excuses. No more directing media and fans which way accountability and blame for the losses needs to be sent. Just fix it. This is ridiculous.
It’s been far too long and I can absolutely see why there are attendance problems there. How can you ask people to pay to come see you play when the team comes out that flat to start the year off?
They talked about earning the fans’ support again to get them out to the games. Again, more talk. I’ve heard enough. It’s time to stop talking and start producing.
September 8th, 2014 at 12:04 pm
We will forever me under prepared and out played. This f’ing management just doesn’t understand it takes an great QB to win in this league. Nothing more, nothing less. If we didn’t have dumbs McCown making Romo like plays yesterday we might have had a shot. Wish we would just go big on QB one year and not go for the f’ing backup QB who had a few good games last year in Chicago. This dude played in the CFL. THE CFL! Why is a former CFL QB playing starting QB in the NFL? That makes no sense to me at all I don’t care how good he looked last year. Get a real QB who has proved himself in the NFL or get the f out. Glazers only care about Man U and I don’t blame them, at least they compete every year.
Tired of the same lackluster play year in and year out, but I have learned to accept it. I just watch every Sunday and yell at my TV. It sucks but hey, it’s not like I’m going to jump ship.
Oh yeah, and for anyone that thinks we might turn this sh*t around. Quit dreaming. We are a 4-12 team this year, maybe even worse. We are going to get beat by the Browns because even they looked way better than us yesterday.
September 8th, 2014 at 12:05 pm
And will someone tell me why he hire a coach that got fired from another team? He clearly go fired for a reason. Makes no sense. Let’s try hiring a coach away from another team, not hiring one who was fired for sucking at his job.