“Winning Is Fun”
November 22nd, 2015
Finally, Logan Mankins is having serious fun.
The Buccaneers scored their final offensive touchdown today and old man guard Logan Mankins, the 33-year-old former Patriots superstar and six-time Pro Bowler, was bouncing up and down along the bench like a 4-year-old who just got a new tricycle for Christmas.
Mankins sat down on the bench and laughed it up with center Joe Hawley, then he got up and talked with other O-linemen like he hadn’t seen them for years.
Then he was moving up and down the bench talking to guys and sharing some longer time with running back Charles Sims. Then it was back to the O-linemen and big smiles for injured rookie guard Ali Marpet. That’s where Joe shot the photo above.
It was out-of-character stuff for Mankins, who is usually quick to sit down and rest his old knees. Sure, he’ll smile, but he’s not an ear-to-ear grin guy like he was today.
Joe asked Mankins about his antics in the happy Bucs locker room, and the back-to-his-mellow-self Mankins acknowledged that he’s happy with his new team, happier than ever since arriving with a beaten look on his face when Bill Belicheat dumped him in Tampa in late August last year.
“Winning is fun,” Mankins said. “If you’re not having fun when you’re winning, something is wrong with you. We had a lot of things go right today. A lot of guys played good football. So, we had control of the game the majority of the day and you can have fun when it’s like that.”
Mankins said the Bucs hitting the elusive win-two-in-a-row plateau is significant, and sets the team up for real football.
“Football season, when it really starts is at Thanksgiving,” Mankins said. “Each game from here on gets bigger and bigger. Because if your still in it there’s more and more at stake every week. We have a long ways to go still, but a lot we can accomplish if we keep playing like this.”
November 22nd, 2015 at 7:46 pm
I guess…..you could say that real football starts at Christmas….or New Years…..if you’re still in it each game simply gets bigger & bigger.
I don’t subscribe to that…..every game counts……how many times has a team been eliminated from the playoffs because of one game they lost earlier…..
November 22nd, 2015 at 7:47 pm
No kidding. I haven’t experienced this much fun – while watching a football game – in years. Where I live and where I work, nobody cares about football. And I’m forced to wear the uniform. Otherwise, I’d proudly don a Bucs jersey and brag about how we destroyed the Eagles.
Keep it up, guys, I want to die of fun by the end of the season, possibly even beyond… p-word and all of that.
November 22nd, 2015 at 7:57 pm
Elle…I can’t remember the last time I ran around the house so much during a Bucs game. This game was electric. The only other time I can think of that I was this excited was during our SB. Lots of running around, high fiving my wife and kids left and right. It was fun. Do this stuff at Ray Jay and that place will be rockin once again.
November 22nd, 2015 at 8:01 pm
That game put a yard wide smile on Bucs fans faces. It’s stuck.
November 22nd, 2015 at 8:09 pm
The tide may be turning for the Bucs ! Sure hope so !!
November 22nd, 2015 at 8:11 pm
1987, I know exactly how you’re feeling. Here’s hoping that we’re going to be so happy again after the next game, and the next again, and game after that, and so on and on. I know it’s only a sport, but when the Bucs win, everything is just… better. I’ve been one of those fans who wanted Lovie Smith fired, but now I can’t really say anything against the man. The team is finally producing and finding consistency, and I couldn’t be happier. I sure hope to get back home and go to RJ as soon as I can.
GO BUCS!
November 22nd, 2015 at 8:19 pm
Sorry Lovie Haters, this begins the Buc Dynasty and Lovie wasn’t kidding when he said this team can go to the Super Bowl. Just wait til next year after Licht gets a first round DE and signs another one in free agency and uses the rest of the draft for our Defense! We couldn’t have picked a better team to rout either after all the years the Eagles have frustrated us in the playoffs. Next up let’s take it to the Colts who embarrassed us on Monday Night Football years ago. We can match the energized Saints touch down for touch down in front of our fans and whip them again since they have a poor defense. Go Buc’s!!!
November 22nd, 2015 at 8:31 pm
5-5 and i’m like a kid in the candy store!
Ill admit it. Ive been looking at the standings and the upcoming schedule of Atlanta and the Seahawks.
November 22nd, 2015 at 8:37 pm
Yes – winning is fun for players, staff and fans alike.
.500 football never felt so good….
November 22nd, 2015 at 8:41 pm
We finally have a leader and it feels so good! Can’t wait to hear his post game locker room speech 🙂 Go Bucs!
November 22nd, 2015 at 8:43 pm
Where are you Realist?
Yes…winning is very fun.
But some will say….that Philadelphia was looking past us….the played their backup QB….they had some injuries….they wore green…..they are in the weakest NFL division…..it was cold….their fans left early…..the Bucs got lucky.
Oh, how sweet it is!!!
November 22nd, 2015 at 8:45 pm
Final game of the season is against Carolina. No reason why we can’t beat them. WHOOO-HOOOOOO!!! A for-real stud offense in Tampa Bay?????? Somebody wake me up—I gotta be dreaming. Go Mighty Bucs!!
November 22nd, 2015 at 8:48 pm
Who saw GMC pouting in the back during Lovie’s locker room speech? When Lovie brought everyone in for the “three in a row on three” he deliberately walked in the other direction. As long as the Bucs are winning I really don’t care, but something is seriously going on with that dude.
November 22nd, 2015 at 8:56 pm
Such a great game, i wwas there. Beautiful. Except for dotson pouting like a woman.
November 22nd, 2015 at 8:57 pm
TBBF…I was wondering about Realist too. If he’s such a Realist then where is he?
Where’s DallasBuc and Tmax too?
I’m telling ya right now. If Lovie can build an even average defense by next season and the O continues to play the way they did today. I’m going to have to call the ticket office and reserve me seats before the season is over. Because I’m not being shut out of that stadium like the late 90’s.
November 22nd, 2015 at 9:09 pm
Looking for Bucrightoff to make his usual post to “fire Lovie”…..
I really think this game sealed his return….and believe it or not….I think the Washington game was our turnaround game…..Lovie saying that only a good team could get up 24-0…..I believe that instilled some confidence.
I don’t think there is any question that the Offense will be good even without adding players….the main goal should be to re-sign Martin…..even at the WR position…if Murphy can come back and Humphries develops along with kenny Bell.
Even at TE….I think we will probably keep Brate and say so long to Meyers.
We can concentrate on the D.
November 22nd, 2015 at 9:16 pm
I still have a very bad taste in my mouth about that review on the turnover…..I can’t believe it……it was undeniably clear possession with both knees down.
Fortunately it only affected us on their first drive….we have now learned to overcome adversity early in games…..this should really help us moving forward.
November 22nd, 2015 at 9:18 pm
TBBF…I see this team missing only a few positions. I say sign some decent O players, WR’s and such in FA and focus on the draft with defense. DE 1st round, DB in the 2nd, Safety in the 3rd round or go O-line in the 3rd.
That would make me happy anyways.
November 22nd, 2015 at 9:21 pm
I am sitting watching nfl network and espn and nbc and it’s still like we don’t even exist. They spend an hour talking about a cowboys a team we just beat and barely slow down long enough to show our highlights. WTF I am tired of this crap, we freaking have a rookie do something that had only been done twice before in the history of football and is like oh hum the Bucs won a game let’s move on an talk an hour about peyton manning who’s not even playing today!
November 22nd, 2015 at 9:24 pm
@ndog
FOX gave Cam Newton the player of the day….
@87
All the negative posters are watching “The Hunting Ground”…..premier tonight at 8pm on CNN….
I hope they enjoy….
November 22nd, 2015 at 9:30 pm
87
It will be interesting to see if the Bucs employ the strategy of jettisoning their older more expensive players that don’t have guaranteed contracts…..EDS, Mankins, Jackson……of the three, I’d keep Jackson…..maybe even Mankins….don’t mess with the chemistry.
November 22nd, 2015 at 9:38 pm
A first violation of the PED policy will result in a suspension without pay for up to six games depending on violation:
” Positive tests for diuretics or masking agents will result in a two-game ban;
” Positive tests for a steroid, stimulant or HGH will result in a four-game ban;
” Evidence that an attempt was made to manipulate a test result will result in a six-game suspension.
November 22nd, 2015 at 9:49 pm
I’m sorry to abuse the comments section like this. Please, JOEs, forgive me, but it’s a matter of personal honor.
@Stanglassman,
If you read this, I’ve noticed your copy/paste job only a few minutes ago. I’m not sure what you were trying to accomplish there, since I was among the people you quoted. You should have gone further back. You would have found comments from me like this one:
Elle Says:
March 31st, 2015 at 8:14 pm
Personally, I’m totally sold on Winston. He has work to do, but you can’t teach or train charisma. The guy simply oozes leadership and it’s exactly what the Bucs need. We need a vocal leader, a QB that players on offense will gladly follow into battle. A lead by example, quite guy won’t cut it in my opinion, that’s why I have reservations on Mariota.
Which is exactly what I posted in the other news. As for Lovie Smith, I never even attempted to hide that I was hating the guy. Now the team is doing MUCH better and my criticism towards the coach will cease immediately. So, again, I don’t know what was your point there. If you were trying to embarrass me or something, know that it hasn’t worked.
November 22nd, 2015 at 9:50 pm
Yeah, the media Cowboy love fest is nauseating.
November 22nd, 2015 at 9:56 pm
LOL TBBF…the Hunting Ground. I commented on a DVD site the other day about that documentary I typed Jameis Winston’s as innocent as the Pope in that sexual assault farce that took place at FSU.
TBBF..don’t worry about this kid during the offseason either, he won’t do something completely stupid. Hopefully get married and settle down in Tampa for awhile. That’s it I’m going to go to Jameis’ twitter account and suggest he get married to that chick he’s always posting pics of.
This kid has not even reached his ceiling yet. You’d need helium to get as far up as I’m thinking.
November 22nd, 2015 at 10:01 pm
Oh no Miss Elle no need to apologize. Joe loves this kind of crap. This is what some of us do for entertainment. Some of us like to call eachother out on certain players. Some of us like me that have their whole head wired to the Bucs 365 days a year, never forget who said what and when on this site.
So welcome aboard the JBFSO. The JoeBucsFan SoapOpera. 🙂
November 22nd, 2015 at 10:04 pm
The NFL can change the teams in the Sunday night game if a better matchup is wanted. Like the Arizona-Cincinnati game on now was originally scheduled to be the San Diego-Kansas City game. Maybe the Bucs can get a Sunday night game.
November 22nd, 2015 at 10:11 pm
1987, I get it, fear not 🙂 I don’t comment here often, but I generally know how it works. I just had to point out the fact that I’ve always been on the Winston’s bandwagon, so to speak. Those comments from me that were quoted actually attempted to defend Winston against those trolls who were screaming “BUST! SHOULD HAVE DRAFTED MARIOTA” after the very first game. I was furious that day, and Lovie Smith was the person I blamed. In hindsight, maybe I should have been calmer. But then again, I’m a fan, and fans often go off on rants and such.
November 22nd, 2015 at 10:17 pm
Best part of todays win in regards to reading the post on the open thread is i only saw 1 post all day from “THE KEVIN”
November 22nd, 2015 at 10:18 pm
Elle and since were going way back. Let’s go waaay back. I was telling everyone on here during Joe’s love affair with Johnny Rotten Crotch Watch, that the Bucs just need to pass on Johnny and wit for Winston to come out next year. Move up to grab him at whatever cost. Then we have the #1 pick and to me JW is like a dream come true. I used to joke with fans next to me in 2013 at games to imagineJameis in that huddle out there right now. The dude was a Noles fan like me though, but that’s about all you could say for him to get off his smart phone. I said it to him many times during 2013 as I had season tickets.
Jameis Winston is going to take this team to 2 SB’s within the next 7-8 years.
November 22nd, 2015 at 10:25 pm
I’m still standing by my statement that I made during the Mariota vs Jameis debates last spring. “Jameis Winston will win a SB within 3 years of entering the NFL.”
Right now Jameis thinks he’s going this year….so stay tuned!
November 22nd, 2015 at 10:31 pm
FAN is part of the word FANATIC you wouldn’t be one uf you weren’t. I heard Al Michaels say that Carolina is going 16-0. I hope Carolina looks past us playing all their starters like everyone else. This isn’t the same Bucs team that beat itself as much as Carolina did. Defense is getting better as well as the offense. If ASJ is back soon our offense is going to be clicking like me joints in the morning!
November 22nd, 2015 at 10:34 pm
1987, I remember that, believe it or not. I’ve been a lurker on JBF for a long time, from way back when the JOEs used to make fun and openly criticize the staff of another site about all things Bucs – which I won’t name -, and I recall Joe’s fixation for Johnny “College” Football. What to say, you were spot on. That would have set us back for years, I believe. Talk about dodging a bullet. In the end, we got the man you wanted even back then, and I think every fan now can look at the future and smile.
November 22nd, 2015 at 10:36 pm
Sorry ndog. Its about Philly losing not Tampa winning. Even when we were good, it didnt matter because its Tampa. Sux but thats how it is and until we as fans step up it will not change. How can we step up? Im not sure. I know letting opposing fans feel “cozy” in rayjay is like a slap in the face. Im not advocating violence but honestley, thats how it is.
Anyway, IDK when I became pro jameis but I do remember becoming anti Mariota. He just looked so fragile, leaving the game after a “soft” hit with the title on the line. Plus, Mariota is talented vut when faced with advrrsity, he crumble. He dosent step up and look defeat in the eyes and spit in its face. Not to mention the whole “soft spoken” thing. So needless to say, I bece pro Winston very early on and am 100% thrilled thus far.
November 22nd, 2015 at 10:39 pm
This was a record breaking game for the Bucs! Martin’s 84 yard run is the longest in franchise history. 45 points scored is the most in a game since the 2001 season. Franchise record 283 yards rushing and 521 total yards 2nd most in franchise history. Martin, the third player to twice rush for at least 235 yards in a game since the AFL-NFL merger, joining Corey Dillon and O.J. Simpson. I got these off BSPN recap. I hope they are legit.
November 22nd, 2015 at 10:46 pm
Hilarious comment of the day award goes to :
Walter Says:
November 22nd, 2015 at 4:21 pm
“You already know OneLove is getting ready to talk about Lovie’s wang lo”l
November 22nd, 2015 at 11:10 pm
Yesss winning is so fun. Looking forward to next Sunday.
November 22nd, 2015 at 11:23 pm
So I watch NBC at half time and the 6 top games they talk about includes the Raiders at Lions and no mention of our game. Unreal!
November 22nd, 2015 at 11:45 pm
Jameis was supposed to be a bust, ndog. And Tampa has no fans. Gotta fit the narrative. Sadly, fans across the country beleive this garbage.
November 22nd, 2015 at 11:58 pm
I wonder if Dilfer was ok with his throwing motion today.
After all I can recall Dilfer throwing for five touchdowns in a game as a matter of routine…….
I can remember it like yesterday……Dilfer gunslinging it to five different receivers for scores……..
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:34 am
Today was a good day.
November 23rd, 2015 at 3:41 am
“I am sitting watching nfl network and espn and nbc and it’s still like we don’t even exist.”
don’t tell the kids or dick…they say the bucs are relevant again. not yet.
November 23rd, 2015 at 3:45 am
me thinks jameis christ has a new hunting ground…the link.
5 td passes to 5 different receivers.
November 23rd, 2015 at 7:34 am
Yeah Lurker you don’t do that without seeing the pkaying field much better. 5 diffrent receivers! Amazing!