Florio Thinks Bucs May Be On “Hard Knocks”
April 3rd, 2017
Talks Bucs and “Hard Knocks.”
Though there has been no announcement (yet) on what team will be featured on “Hard Knocks” this summer, NFL insiders speculate the Bucs are the leading candidate.
One of those insiders is none other than the creator, curator and overall guru of “Pro Football Talk,” the great Mike Florio.
In a broadcast Friday on his smart weekday morning football show, “PFT Live,” seen on NBC Sports Network (it is so far superior to that pap shoveled out by Dull Patrick), Florio discussed “Hard Knocks” and the Bucs.
In a bumper returning from a commercial break, Florio ran a video clip of winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter discussing “Hard Knocks,” and Koetter noted it would not derail the coaching staff from its mission of winning football games.
This set up Florio, who is bored with “Hard Knocks,” and believes its like a series of cheap romance novels. The only thing that changes are the dates, places and names. The plot is the same.
“Boy, Dirk Koetter sounds like a guy who is processing the very strong possibility that his team is going to be the subject of ‘Hard Knocks,'” Florio said. “Most coaches don’t want this. This is something that owners want because they are under the mistaken belief that being the team that is on ‘Hard Knocks’ at some point helps create a national presence.
“There is only one way to create a national presence: winning football games on a consistent basis and playing in January over a course of multiple years. That’s how the Seahawks have established a national following. That’s how the Cardinals are in the process of doing it. That’s how the Steelers did it back in the 70s. That’s how the Cowboys did it. That’s how the Raiders did it. That’s how the Patriots have done it.
“That’s how you become a national brand. Being on ‘Hard Knocks’ does not do it. It didn’t work for the Dolphins. It didn’t work for the Bengals. It hasn’t worked for the Texans. It hasn’t worked for any other of teams that have done it. The only thing that makes you a national team is winning and winning and winning and winning, especially in the month of January. I don’t know why someone wants to do it?
“I have a feeling this year it will be the Buccaneers.”
Well, as Moe Howard famously said, we shall see.
Joe is getting this question a lot, so the answer bears repeating: Joe has no idea when HBO will announce what team will be featured in the NFL Films-produced reality series. On March 23 last year, HBO announced the Rams would be featured. Today is April 3. Expect an announcement soon, but that is strictly a guess.
Meanwhile, please remind yourself “Hard Knocks” is no more a distraction than Peter King eating Team Glazer’s oatmeal.
April 3rd, 2017 at 7:08 am
They are due to be featured on hard knocks, let’s just get it out of the way. Yeah I agree Dan Patrick is boring.
April 3rd, 2017 at 7:15 am
If they don’t get picked this season than I suspect they will be safe for years to come because they will be in the playoffs on a regular basis.
April 3rd, 2017 at 7:30 am
If I’m not mistaken weren’t Mike Smith and Dirk Koetter both in ATL when they were selected a few years back??? Prolly not a big deal to this staff considering some of them have already experienced Hard Knocks. Jay Hayes with the Bengals included.
April 3rd, 2017 at 7:33 am
I personally wouldn’t mad at all. Feel we could use the exposure, all Fameis would do change some of the public opinion about him outside Tampa and I honestly would be glued to every episode. Rookie season I was like please no, but going into year three h3ll lets do this.
April 3rd, 2017 at 7:59 am
Florio is completely missing the point here. The NFL is only a product because of its fans. Hard Knocks gives inside access to an NFL team each year and personally, I look forward to it every year as I am sure most fans of the NFL do as well. It always gets me pumped for the upcoming NFL season! The NFL is taking the right direction on this matter by forcing teams to comply because most coaches don’t want the so called “distractions.” Well the coaches and media personalities need to get the F over themselves and let the fans enjoy the product.
April 3rd, 2017 at 8:15 am
I agree, Jameis will certainly change perceptions of him, outside of Tampa.
April 3rd, 2017 at 8:39 am
Develop a fan base by winning?
Thank you captain obvious.
People actually get paid for this kind of drivel?
April 3rd, 2017 at 8:59 am
Cardinals on Thor way to building a national following? GTFOH!!! 3 winning seasons in 5 years doesn’t do that. Winning year in and year out and in the playoffs does that.
Florio is the most self righteous pricks in the media
April 3rd, 2017 at 10:35 am
Bring on Hard Knocks. I want it SO BAD…
I just really want to see our guys’ FIRE AND PASSION for the game on full display for the World to see.
I think teams will be shaking in their boots after seeing what we’re really bringing to the table!!!
And Hard Knocks will get us used to being in the national spotlight which we will be in at the end of the season.
April 3rd, 2017 at 11:09 am
I agree with Nole.
April 3rd, 2017 at 11:42 am
Florio is right. The end.
April 3rd, 2017 at 1:39 pm
I’m against the added BS, BUT if our BUCS WERE selected… Of course I’m watching every episode, TWICE!!!!! Maybe 3 times.
April 3rd, 2017 at 1:49 pm
Personally…I’d love to see the Bucs on there…it’s compelling TV if you like the inner workings of an NFL franchise. Licht enjoys talking football…Koetter has already proven he enjoys this kind of show…and has a great personality for it…I can already see the top storylines:
1) Jameis and his polarizing rise to prominence
2) Addition of DeSean Jackson and whoever they draft
3) To the Joes’ point…the pressure filled kicking battle
April 3rd, 2017 at 4:59 pm
I dont think its help or hurts its what you make of it. I would prefer go without it I guess but winning games is what matters.
April 3rd, 2017 at 5:18 pm
Could care less about some Hard Knocks. Our Bucs need to get out there and hard knock some teams down. Winning is all that matters. Do that, and you automatically attract fans. To hell with HBO!