“The Players Were All Wrapped Up In Towels”
September 28th, 2016
So what was going on inside the Tampa Bay locker room during the hour-plus lightning delay Sunday against the Rams?
Dirk Koetter painted a picture on the Buccaneers Radio Network this week.
It seems there was some uncertainty on how to stay game-ready.
“I think the hardest part in that situation is it was such a hot, humid day, and then when you go back into the locker room and the locker room is air conditioned,” Koetter said. “The players’ core temparature, their body temparature, the players were all wrapped up in towels trying to stay warm. They don’t know when they’re going to go back out.”
Obviously, the Bucs came out very ready to play after the delay. The defense held strong to force a punt, and the Bucs moved the ball on their final drive.
Regardless, it’s kind of odd to think of players wrapped in towels. Couldn’t they just turn off the A/C in the locker room?
September 28th, 2016 at 9:47 am
We shall overcome this loss.
September 28th, 2016 at 11:06 am
I think Schiano had the thermostats permanently set. Nothing you can do about it now…
September 28th, 2016 at 11:41 am
Schiano would have just forfeited because they didn’t practice for it.
September 28th, 2016 at 11:48 am
Joe I’m surprised you haven’t questioned whether the delay affected the outcome. It’s all water under the bridge now but Winston seems to always start slow and get into a rhythm as the game goes on. I pretty much knew once they delayed the game and stopped the momentum it would more than likely end in a loss.
September 28th, 2016 at 2:10 pm
Any thoughts on whether a cold arm and long layoff after 40+ passes might have played a role in Jameis’ accuracy after the break? You never see pitchers return to the mound after a rain delay – team always goes to the relief pitcher. Not saying the Bucs should have gone with MG8 after the break – this ain’t baseball and JW3 is the franchise – but it is a big ask to have a cold and tired QB come out of the locker room slinging the rock in a 2 minute offense.
Not excusing the misfires, but I can’t help but think we might have seen a different result without the rain delay with a tired defense and a loose QB on the field.