Anger & Hope; It’s A Bucs Life
July 15th, 2019
BY IRA KAUFMAN
Buc fans have had enough. They’re mad as hell and they’re not going to take it anymore.
What are they mad about? Let us count the ways.
They’re mad about this franchise taking up permanent residence in the NFC South.
They’re mad about national pundits ignoring the Bucs, unless the team is being ridiculed.
They’re mad about too many points being left on the board because of poor red-zone play.
They’re mad because Tampa Bay’s defense welcomes visitors into the red zone with open arms and open coverage.
They’re mad because the Bucs haven’t hired a winner at head coach since telling Jon Gruden to take a hike.
Fans are attacking another season with anger and optimism, says Ira Kaufman.
They’re mad because Ronald Jones, who relies primarily on quickness, just put on extra weight.
They’re mad Jameis Winston has been around since 2015 and nobody is still quite sure whether he’s the guy.
They’re mad this offensive line has opened up 11 good running lanes in the past three seasons.
They’re mad Jason Licht’s record in the draft is only slightly better than his record in free agency.
They’re mad so many Bucs have hit the open market in the past few years and can’t seem to interest any other team.
They’re mad that a league which justifiably prides itself on competitive balance can’t seem to accommodate a turnaround in Tampa.
They’re mad the Bucs are stuck in a division with two quarterbacks who have won league MVP awards and another who is a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
They’re mad Mike Smith wasn’t fired sooner.
They’re mad Buc seasons don’t extend later.
They’re mad that coaches and players come and go, yet nothing really seems to change.
They’re mad a team that can hardly be called money finds itself in a salary-cap crunch.
They’re mad because the Lightning and the Rays have enjoyed winning ways while the Bucs struggle for relevance.
They’re mad that Lavonte David continues to be overlooked in Pro Bowl voting.
They’re mad about all the unrequited love they’ve showered on this organization amid the annual heartbreak.
Yet there’s hope.
Turnaround Targets
Buc fans are hopeful Bruce Arians and this new staff will bring out the best in draft picks who have yet to make their mark as a pro. They’re hopeful Winston will become the first quarterback drafted by the Bucs to sign a long-term second contract with the team.
They’re hopeful Devin White will become the first Buc named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
They’re hopeful the Bucs will come to their senses and realize Mike Evans is a heck of a red-zone weapon.
They’re hopeful Ndamukong Suh still has the fire down below.
They’re hopeful Donovan Smith will live up to his contract.
They’re hopeful Jason Pierre-Paul returns to spark a playoff push.
They’re hopeful Matt Gay puts an end to the kicker follies that have haunted this club for the past decade.
They’re hopeful Peyton Barber will run for 120 yards against Gerald McCoy and the Panthers in prime time.
They’re hopeful Buc tickets will once again be a cherished commodity from Myakka City to Micanopy.
They’re hopeful their faith will be rewarded in the land of hope and dreams.
July 15th, 2019 at 11:21 am
Hopes and Dreams indeed Ira. I’m not mad anymore. I’m numb from all the losing. I’ll keep an eye on the team this year, but if the team does a nose dive early, I’ll be focusing my time, energy, effort, and money elsewhere. I’m not alone.
July 15th, 2019 at 11:34 am
Fans are also mad (though sympathetic) that JPP was injured in accident.
DLine would look much better if hadn’t happened.
Koetter was a BS artist, at least with Arians, fans will get straight scoop
July 15th, 2019 at 12:07 pm
I’m not numb, but I would say I’m EXHAUSTED thinking about another season of hopes and dreams. These last 3 seasons have really drained me because I had hope and I believed the team could win. I’ve been a fan since 1989, when we expected to lose. But when you think you can win, it’s such a gut punch year after year. Like Barbosa, I’ll keep my eye on the team, but I won’t be able to watch this ship sink again. It’s time to get out of Buccaneer Cove for good!
July 15th, 2019 at 12:14 pm
The “real” fans are mad, because the Glazers float around with philosophy that seems to change by fan outcry!!!!!! Also that there was not the recognition of this being a full rebuild, instead of another patch job!!!!!!!!! That short term coaches were brought here to fix too many mistakes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The “real” fans “hope” is that the excuses that are about to come in bunches are ignored and the “real’ problems start being addressed!!!!!!!! The Glazers should be lining up a short list of New GM’s now!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully, ole coach stale biscuit will be man enough to hand in his resignation after this year’s upcoming disaster!!!!!!! licht weight will have to be removed with security!!!!!!!!!! Its a shame that another year must be wasted to fix this poorly constructed team!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2019 will reveal answers to the sheep, that the “real” fans already know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 15th, 2019 at 12:18 pm
In terms of talent….we are much more optimistic than we should on the last years….We can complain about coaches we can complain about players, but the biggest failure on this franchise has been management, by far……Just take a look at Dominic and JL……I dont think there is much more to say………Just take a look at Free agency and take a look at las 10/12 drafts…….Just check our Cap sitation…….I mean, is there any moe to say?
July 15th, 2019 at 12:20 pm
Correction: the Bucs did hire a winning coach: Bucco Bruce Arians!
July 15th, 2019 at 12:25 pm
One more thing to add…. Bucs fans are mad because the Bucs uniforms are horrid!
July 15th, 2019 at 12:25 pm
“They’re hopeful Peyton Barber will run for 120 yards against Gerald McCoy and the Panthers in prime time.”
I’m actually hoping for more like 179 yards and 3 rushing TDs TWICE!!! ALL through GMC’s gap. I wouldn’t have said that had he kept his mouth shut after he left.
July 15th, 2019 at 12:27 pm
We are mad that we force draft picks onto the field: like Benenoch starting at guard.
We are mad that we had 3 2nd round picks in 2018, and we used them on MJ Stewart, who runs a 4.56 over LSU DB Donte Jackson, who ran a 4.3. And a RB that is scared and soft.
We are mad that Licht signed two Redskin divas that Washington didnt even try to re-sign!
We are mad that we have only drafted 1 defensive lineman and zero offensive lineman in the 1st round in 5 or 6 years.
We are mad that the coaches and GM dont respect our opinions,
1. We have all been calling for a guard for years.
2. We have all been calling for the end of the 10 yard cushion that our DBs have been giving WR’s for the past 5 years. Lovie and Mike Smith both.
3. We have all been calling for a RB, but Licht drafted one that cant catch, cant block, and cant break tackles. Instead if Guice the Beast.
4. And we have all been calling for DE’s for years!!
We are mad because our lockerroom led by GMC, just wanted “to have fun.” Instead of actually winning.
We are mad because we arent listened to!
Licht is the GM of SPITE. He drafts players that none of us want, just to spite us and because he wants to look smarter than us.
Like drafting another kicker this year and by not drafting Henderson the RB or a guard in the 2nd round.
We are mad because our defense has been the softest in the NFL since Schiano was fired.
July 15th, 2019 at 12:28 pm
Where else can we take up permanent residence Ira?
July 15th, 2019 at 12:37 pm
Hope in one hand and crap in the other, see which one fills up first.
July 15th, 2019 at 12:38 pm
Ira…love to hear your perspectives…and enjoy Joe’s greatly. If only we could stream the big dog right about now and hear his perspective, I’d feel we’d have almost the full perspective of this story. I’m sure he is missed greatly… as he is even among we, the “casual listener”.
July 15th, 2019 at 12:55 pm
What’s the point of this article? I don’t get it.
July 15th, 2019 at 12:57 pm
Like the dude up above said.
I’m just numb from it all.
When they start winning….. is when they start winning.
Until then… just numb.
Go Bucs btw!
July 15th, 2019 at 1:11 pm
Snook….Admittedly no mind reader… Bu think it is to express the sad but hopeful condition of much of the Buc fan base…that none of us is alone in our mixed feelings of disgust and hopefulness. Frankly, I’m now the most hopeful that I’ve been since Gruden came on board. Ariens knows his business…has a plan…has a staff that can well evaluate and develop players. It may take a year or two…but I expect great things in the future. I never had that feeling after Gruden left, until the present.
July 15th, 2019 at 1:25 pm
Me – born & raised in Atlanta suburbs-saw the Falcons birth in ’65, Braves moved from Milwaulkee in ’66-left to serve Uncle Sam in ’69- arrived in Maine in ’72- became a Red Sox/Celtics/Pats/Bruins fan because they were my home team-still followed Braves& Falcons with no conflict because they were NL & NFC.
Moved to Florida in ’95 and became a Bucs-Bolts-Magic fan as they are my HOME teams- left the Pats- Bruins-Sox-Celtics and dirty birds behind-remained a Braves fan. Saw the birth of the Devil Rays in ’97/’98- immediate fan-still a Braves fan-no conflict as Rays are AL. Problem with TB sports is carpetbaggers here won’t give up allegiance to old teams. I’m tired of attending events sitting next to LOCALS rooting for the opposing team. If they can’t root for their new HOME team then GO HOME. Thank goodness for the Bolt’s loyal fan base. Maybe Bucs and Rays should soul search. Even the winning Rays can’t build a fan base. If Bucs don’t start winning could they face the same fate as the Rays?
July 15th, 2019 at 1:33 pm
We are mad because the Bucs selected Bo Jackson #1 overall…..
Yes….some of us older fans have long memories.
July 15th, 2019 at 1:40 pm
Oh and I have no idea what Realist is talking about…do you?
July 15th, 2019 at 1:54 pm
Faith is for children, Bible Thumpers and people who are dying
The Bucs have drained any good will or optimism from educated fans who know the game
Show me
No BA BS just show me on the field
Until then GO BUCS!!!
July 15th, 2019 at 2:23 pm
Buc1987-
“Oh and I have no idea what Realist is talking about…do you?”
Does anyone, EVER?! I just know he has a thing for farm animals!
July 15th, 2019 at 2:36 pm
Agreed Snook. I don’t get it at all why media listens to threw extreme fans who are over the top. If you’re still mad about the last decade prior to a brew season something is wrong with you. Not sure why I should be mad at thew Bucs for what I knew koetter wouldn’t do and what lovie, raheem and schiano couldn’t do. I would be mad if koetter didn’t get fired because I would know for sure we’d be losers but not sure why im supposed to be mad now with a proven winner running the show and he hasn’t had one single game top price his worth yet. That’s just ignorant honestly. I’m excited for this season and not gonna let someone tell me they have a crystal ball and have predicted or season.
Go Bucs the rest can go follow Geraldine.
July 15th, 2019 at 3:27 pm
@Realist
Oddly enough if this year is the total disaster you are predicting, it’s a good year to do it based on the 2020 draft and available QBs.
It’d have been a worse decision to rebuild starting in 2019 in a weak QB draft class while still not being able to purge the roster regardless due to cap situations / guaranteed $$ / etc. Unless you love Daniel Jones or something.
So even if you’re right, your take on this is still bad IMO.
GO BUCS
July 15th, 2019 at 3:34 pm
Mad that incompetence starts at the top. Ever since Papa Glazer got sick and turned over the Franchise to the children, it all went to hell. Actually, anger turned into apathy. Season is usually over in October. At least change those awful uniforms.
July 15th, 2019 at 3:44 pm
realist
BA and his staff can win 5 games with there eyes closed….lol….and thats including beating dirk and his predictable offense!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
July 15th, 2019 at 3:51 pm
@lord of corn
That is because your idea of a rebuild is too narrow minded!!!!! Now pay attention because I am about to tell you what time it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is the only way to rebuild is to draft a qb with a very high draft pick?????? No wonder you have been jumping up and down like a cheerleader for this team!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How about they trade off the older players and stock pile draft picks for the next two years!!!!!!!!! How about gathering talent in bunches for a couple of drafts, trades and being shrewd on the wavier wire!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Draft a Qb when the opportunity arises, and when it does not, your work on the high priority positions!!!!!!! Don’t think like talk show dominik or incompetent lovie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this will need to be a multi-year rebuild, and not some draft QB and duct-tape the rest together!!!!!!!!!!!
2019 will reveal answers to the sheep, that the “real” fans already know!!!!!!!!!!!
July 15th, 2019 at 4:20 pm
How about they trade off the older players
———-
We tried trading our “best” player (cough cough) and couldn’t get a bologna sandwich for him.
July 15th, 2019 at 4:29 pm
Honestly… who was gullible enough to believe that an inexperienced position coach, a guy from a second tier college program, a guy that couldn’t get hired off the couch, and a guy that was rated one of the worst OC’s in the league when he was at Jacksonville were going to be the answer? Sure…the Glazers were goofy in those hires But why did so many fans expect any one of them could lead us to the promised land? Sounds like there was plenty of foolishness and wishful thinking to go around…so much, in fact, that some can’t even today recognize a proven quality HC hiring when they see one. Very sad…
July 15th, 2019 at 4:36 pm
@Realist
I know rebuilds don’t happen in one year but you also don’t rebuild without having a QB to do it around. In the NFL if you are shrewd you can rebuild in 2 years of good maneuvers for the most part.
The rebuild you are describing is something you should have called for after the 2017 season. Cut the incompetent coaching staff and incompetent GM and suspended QB. Dump what you can for draft picks. Play the compensatory game correctly.
BUt you weren’t calling for any of that. They literally even drafted the guy you wanted in Vita Vea. Then Mike Smith put out the worst defense of all time.
You’re a year behind on this take.
July 15th, 2019 at 4:39 pm
TEACHERMAN—AMEN ,AMEN,S AMEN—IT’S LIKE YOU JUST ARRIVED FROM HEAVEN!!!!YOU SPEAK THE TRUTH MY FRIEND.THANKS FOR YOUR GREAT THOUGHTS!!!!
July 15th, 2019 at 4:56 pm
In the immortal words of Stan Lee, “Nuff Said”.
July 15th, 2019 at 4:59 pm
@lard of corn
You mean like this????????? I will accept your silence as an apology!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And now that they overpaid for the O-line and QB this past offseason, it is time to start over there as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Buc Realist Says:
February 20th, 2018 at 10:55 am
Trade GMC for picks!!!! Don’t need the phony captain crying about playing out of position in a 3-4 holding the whole defense back!!!!!!!!!
Draft
1st Mount Vea
2nd Harold Landry
If the Bucs commit fully to switching to a 3-4 front defense, then the “real” fans will give this regime 2 years to get the roster and scheme installed!!!!!! 2 year extension to all coaches!!!!!!
Make the best choice and switch to the 3-4!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!
July 15th, 2019 at 5:02 pm
Deja vu. You could run this same article every offseason and still get it right. Now it’s only customary for the Glazers to raise ticket prices while hopes are high, only to be crushed later by the 5th game of the season. Groundhog Day
July 15th, 2019 at 5:31 pm
to sum up Ira’s expose here..Buc fans simply want the team to start winning.
Even when you live at home in the cellar, Mom & Dad occasionally throws you a bone. I am one of the ones who has become..Comfortably Numb with my Bucs. I even play the old Pink Floyd songs after our losses. The greatest thing for me watching my Bucs on Sunday has always been The..massive/excessive shots of adult beverages I consume to further..Numb my pain in Defeat.
July 15th, 2019 at 6:38 pm
Snook … I agree with you; “What’s the point of this article?” Bucs fans are MAD? Really? I thought the word itself meant ‘very angry’ or ‘deranged’. Bucs fans are neither. Oh a few may come across as being ‘very angry’ but most serious Bucs fans probably tend to dismiss them rather quickly. And I’m really hoping that there’s no such thing as a ‘deranged’ Bucs fan (scary thought). Football is a game, not life-or-death.
Joe might live in YesterdayVille at times, but that’s his job. Until this season starts, yesterday’s ‘hassles’ and tomorrow’s HOPE is all that exists. And Joe will write about BOTH because that’s his job. Serious Bucs fans … those who’ve followed the Bucs for a long time especially … will always hold out HOPE for tomorrow. If you don’t, what’s the point of being a FAN?
July 15th, 2019 at 8:25 pm
@mike There is no pain you are receiving, a distant smoke stack on the horizon!
July 15th, 2019 at 11:02 pm
@aircrew:
The Big Dog would be proud of your post. No one cares where you’re from, if you could make a living you’d still be there, not here. I’ve been a Bucs fan my whole life and this is literally the first off season I’ve had no interest in. I’ve invested blood, sweat, tears, time, and a whole lot of money in this team and I can’t take anymore losing. If this season is over by Halloween, it will be my last season. I give up.
July 15th, 2019 at 11:57 pm
5-11
July 16th, 2019 at 12:24 am
teacherman777
+1
July 16th, 2019 at 8:56 am
PelBuc is so correct: this franchise went down the drain when Malcolm had the stroke and the lads took over and you can even say that the demise actually started when the Glazers allowed Chuckie to run off McKay (to the ATL midseason) and the anointed his own lapdog a a mouthpiece GM….
Aircrew: yeah, good post on the transplant fans, many will simply stick with their home town team….. As for the Bucs, I doubt if they will get relocated like what Stu Sternberg is planning for the Rays in 2027 by basically telling the world baseball is dead in Pinellas and that Hillsborough dropped the ball when they had their window to plan a stadium in Ybor. A publically funded stadium for MLB is a dead idea since the Glazers burned Hillsborough voters 23 years ago. Malcolm G would have moved the team if the CIT failed back then and the Bucs would likely be in Baltimore but it passed and the freebies that the Glazers have gotten in this sweet ripoff of the Hillsborough tax payer insures that the Bay area will never vote to fund another stadium ala Raymond James but on the other hand its very unlikely the Bucs would move anywhere airman. Jacksonville is a much more likely candidate for that (perhaps Khan goes for a split home season with 4 games in London?) and although the Bills seem safe in Buffalo, it seems like Toronto could push for some games ala the way Green Bay played in Milwaukee back in the Creamsicle Buc days….. JMO but comparing the Bucs to the Rays is like comparing apples and oranges; and anyhow, the Rays actually know how to win, something the Bucs have accomplished two times since Chuckie went sayanara…..
July 16th, 2019 at 10:31 am
To TampaTown and FortMyersDave, thanks for acknowledging my post.That was my first post on any forum. I contend that the same afflictions our society is experiencing are driving the business of sports team ownership. I don’t think the Bucs will move. As FMD says, their sweetheart deal makes a move unnecessary. All the Glazer family has to do is hold their asset. It’s TV & NFL money that is important to them not ticket revenue. The team value has increased tremendously and will likely continue to do so. I’m sure they would like to have a winning team, but I don’t think they care one way or another. As major league sports begin to face the same problems as NASCAR, at some point the Glazers may decide to liquidate their asset.
July 16th, 2019 at 11:43 am
@Realist
Not sure why you think that bump is a big deal.
We all wanted to trade McCoy for picks. Nothing unique there. I wanted the move to a 3-4 too.
Bottom line is the coaches sucked regardless of your reasoning. I find it hysterical that you think Mike Smith basically fielded the worst defense in NFL history because Gerald McCoy wouldn’t let him go to a 3-4.
You wanted to give a failed coaching staff 2 MORE years is all this is showing me. This would have set the team back even more than if this 2018 fails.
You are all over the place and not consistent at all in any sort of vision for the team the last few years. It’s because you were all in on Mike Smith. You wanted him over Swartz and stuck to your guns despite everyone realizing Mike Smith was failing as a coordinator for 2 straight years.
You didn’t call for a rebuild in that offseason. You called for more status quo with the same staff and even asked for a 2 year grace period. My god dude.
July 16th, 2019 at 1:56 pm
Since the beginning of organized pro sports teams, I’m sure the owners wanted to make a buck, that’s capitalism and capitalism is good. BUT, I think those early owners played for more than money. I think they played for pride. They played for the pride of their fans and the enjoyment of kicking the butts of the other teams. They wanted to WIN because winning made them feel good about themselves and their community. When the community felt good about themselves, the community was better off in many ways. If you lived in the community, you were a fan of the team and you loved your fellow fans whether your team won or lost. I don’t mean to insinuate anything, but until our teams and owners can find a way to tie pride in community to pride in teams we will continue as we are. Just sayin’: Vinyk moved to Tampa, invested lots of money locally and built a fan base proud of Tampa and the Bolts. The Bolts are winners. Sternberg built a winner with the Rays but he lives in NY and I think I recall that he said he was a Mets fan as a kid. The Glazer’s own the Manchester United. That AIN”T our community. I wonder how Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft feel about their communities ?
July 16th, 2019 at 3:44 pm
Picture these two scenarios:
1. Sit down for dinner with Jerry Jones and start badmouthing Dallas and the Cowboys.
2. Sit down for dinner with Glazers and Sternberg and start badmouthing Bucs and Rays.
Just sayin’