Keep The Cameras Rolling On 2024
December 20th, 2024
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
Next year marks the 50th season in Buccaneer annals. To celebrate the occasion, the Glazers have commissioned a first-class documentary crew to honor the franchise’s history.
The film makers have crisscrossed the country to interview players, coaches, executives and even a few journalists in an effort to flesh out critical moments since the inaugural 1976 season.
It began inauspiciously with an 0-26 start that was chronicled by NFL Films, focusing on the team’s weekly gaffes on the field and John McKay’s sarcastic barbs on the sidelines.
Through the decades, there have been many highs and lows. There have been Super Bowl parades that united a community, along with extended playoff droughts that tested the patience of loyal fans.
Buccaneers co-owner Joel Glazer.
After the 2010 season, when a second-year quarterback by the name of Josh Freeman led Tampa Bay to an improbable 10-6 finish, Joel Glazer termed it one of the most rewarding years for ownership since the franchise changed hands in 1995.
This season is starting to have the same feel.
In danger of falling into the NFL abyss at 4-6, the 2024 Bucs are now a hot topic of conversation in league circles. Analysts want to talk about ’em, fans can’t wait for the next game and opposing NFC teams don’t want to see these guys come January.
“I really like their roster all the way through,” says Dallas coach Mike McCarthy, who will try to end Tampa Bay’s 4-game winning streak Sunday night.
Yes, another prime-time game for one of the league’s hottest clubs.
Special roster, says the Dallas head coach.
Don’t look now, but there’s a very good chance the Bucs will end the regular season with a 7-game winning streak. That would set a franchise record and give a young team considerable momentum to knock off a wild-card opponent at home in the opening playoff round.
And the best part of all … this team isn’t going away.
You would think Chris Godwin’s dislocated ankle will lower the cost of bringing him back in 2025. The oldest starter on a very sturdy offensive line is 26 and Baker Mayfield is in his prime.
“They’ve got excellent balance,” McCarthy says. “Baker Mayfield is playing some of the best football of his career. This is a huge challenge for our defense, absolutely.”
On defense, you don’t have to tell general manager Jason Licht twice that adding a dynamic edge rusher is Job 1. A unit shredded twice by Kirk Cousins has suddenly found its rhythm behind Todd Bowles, the master of disguise.
“I like the way Todd’s teams play and I like the way he coaches,” McCarthy says. “I have a lot of respect for him.”
Lavonte David
McCarthy says Lavonte David, who turns 35 next month, looks like he hasn’t aged a day, adding, “He’s just a hell of a football player.”
There’s no reason to think these Bucs are facing a short window to compete with the big boys. Another successful draft and a few key free-agent signings would make the Bucs a strong favorite to win the NFC South.
There’s work to be done in the next three weeks but this team controls its own destiny.
Unlike the Falcons, Tampa Bay doesn’t need help to make the postseason.
Do you think the Lions, now decimated by a flurry of injuries on defense, want to see the Bucs in January? No way. Detroit was pretty much at full strength when the Bucs won at Ford Field in Week 2.
Hopefully, the documentary crew will save plenty of film to discuss the 49th season of Buccaneer football.
Next year promises to be historic. This year may not be far behind.
Ira Kaufman Talks Tampa Bay’s Next Move With Liam Coen, Cowboys-Bucs Predictions, Locker Room Chatter From Los Angeles, A Todd Bowles Shift & Much More
December 20th, 2024 at 4:34 pm
Ira, Lavonte David is a Hall Of Famer. Check his stats my man. Dive deep. Enough about the “awards” we’ve heard it so many times and its very old.
December 20th, 2024 at 4:44 pm
Just beat the JerryCows. Let’s keep the anointing oil on the shelf.
December 20th, 2024 at 5:01 pm
Well at least we do not have to pay for the Redskins new stadium.
December 20th, 2024 at 5:18 pm
I remember when the Bucs got started and drafted LeRoy Selmon. And they lost so many games. I wasn’t a big Bucs fan after that. He was a great enough player you figure he was worth a few wins a year those first few years. Since I’ve started following the Bucs I’m slowly learning their history and I can’t wait to see the documentary.
December 20th, 2024 at 5:25 pm
The Glazers always do everything concerning the Bucs with class.
But I would stop making ticket purchase for the playoffs for a while.
Dallas is an improved team and it’s offense is designed to shred our defense. Our two southern division opponents would like to do nothing more than to knock us out of the playoffs. I doubt if either team is ready to roll over a pay dead for us.
December 20th, 2024 at 5:31 pm
We beat the Lions this year because Dan Campbell effed up.
And what’s our record in prime time?
I love my Bucs since 1976 and am suggesting tapping the brakes and hoping for solid, focused play these next 3 weeks.
December 20th, 2024 at 6:00 pm
I completely agree with you Doosh. Pump the brakes. Dallas is not going to be an easy win. They are playing better and their dink and dunk will eat up Bowles soft zone defense. They love the middle of the field. Our weakness although that has improved since the KJ injury. Shocker. And no chance Carolina or Saints are going to lie down. They would love to play spoiler. Hope they really aren’t reading or watching the press hype them and focused in what’s ahead. One game at a time!!!
December 20th, 2024 at 6:15 pm
And what’s our record in prime time?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Does it matter? Prior to last week we couldn’t win on the West coast.
December 20th, 2024 at 6:30 pm
One game at a time.
December 20th, 2024 at 6:52 pm
Anyhony Says:
December 20th, 2024 at 6:15 pm
And what’s our record in prime time?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Does it matter? Prior to last week we couldn’t win on the West coast.
___________
Where did we win our 1st Superbowl?
December 20th, 2024 at 6:57 pm
@Drneastup -Your take does not align with the major football analysts and local sports radio hosts in Dallas who said that the Cowboys offense doesn’t match up well with the Bucs defense. They pretty much believe that Tampa is going to put up 40 or more and hold the Boy’s to under 20.
December 20th, 2024 at 7:37 pm
LVD, ME13, CG14 and Will G. are my fave Bucs in this era. Wow, I was thinking about the fact that the Bucs cross the half century mark next year. Dallas’ problem is Jerry Jones. Another rich ahole who thinks he’s the Einstein of American football. Culverhouse was just a cheap SOB. Glazer Boyz have more class in their big toe than those two yahoos. I’ve written several times that it’s long overdue for the Bucs offense to help out a weakened defense. Welp, looks like Coen, Baker, the OLine and the rest are doing just that. And what’s wrong with winning 7 in a row? Mebbe it’ll shut up all the hype about Kansas City for a few nanoseconds anyway. Go Tampa Bay Bucs!!!
December 20th, 2024 at 8:02 pm
The Cowboys thrive on turnovers.
Last week, Carolina’s promising opening drive ended on a Bryce Young fumble.
Cowboys took the lead from there and capitalized on other Panther turnovers.
Please give us Good Baker again this week.
December 20th, 2024 at 8:19 pm
Go Tampa! Go Bucs! Whup them Cowboys!
December 20th, 2024 at 8:21 pm
Good one, Ira. I remember that first season with no wins, how they almost did it again in ’77, but then destroyed the Saints on the road for their first win– and followed it up at home the next week, beating the Cardinals 17-7. It was so great– and why I suppose to this day that I’ll never take winning for granted with this franchise.
Glad to see that the Glazers are having a top quality documentary made. I hope that when 2027 rolls around that they bring in those who were on the team for that first win and do something special to honor them for the 50th anniversary. So hard to believe that they are in their 70s now.
December 20th, 2024 at 9:28 pm
Next year is 50th hey? Sounds like a great time to come see my first game in Tampa Bay. Gonna need to start asking you guys how a person should play the weekend…
Best hotel to stay?
Best restaurants?
Seats?
Etc etc.
Would be great to meet some of you tailgating or whatever and chop it up about our Bucs!
December 20th, 2024 at 11:03 pm
This is why they call him Sage!
Good stuff Ira! Everyone else is talking Baker and Evans, and you bring on the 50th. Kudos sir! Well played.
Go Bucs!
December 20th, 2024 at 11:10 pm
Saskbucs….
As a 7th gen Tampa Bay resident, you’d get 10 different answers to those questions from 10 different people… and they might all give you a great visit. Lots to do here. Would need to know the real you to know your personal preferences and which way you should go when here.
If you park in someone’s yard in one of the neighborhoods east/southeast of RayJay, just start walking west/northwest towards the stadium and you’ll pass a bunch of tailgating. Most would welcome you for sure.
December 20th, 2024 at 11:10 pm
Dangerous spot for Buccaneers. Too much media hype. Dallas is playing well. Last time this happened Buccaneers were 2-0 and Denver was 0-2. You know how that turned out.
December 21st, 2024 at 3:41 am
Everyone wanted Todd gone just weeks ago. SMH. Todd Bowles, let’s go!!!
December 21st, 2024 at 5:17 am
Excellent read, Ira! Well done.
I always liked Josh Freeman. Lavonte, Mike, and Chris are ageless and the Glazers are great owners to have. Can’t wait to see the documentary.
December 21st, 2024 at 7:47 am
TBBF was there…..1976 at the beginning…..season ticket holder….yes…TBBF is old and has seen it all with his Bucs. Looking forward to much more!!!
December 21st, 2024 at 8:56 am
Great article Ira, the ones criticizing you need to go away.
December 21st, 2024 at 9:06 am
Ira is the best modern day closer in HOF induction history. This plucky silver fox knows how to work the room and make a compelling case.
Having said that…all of this talk about running the table and getting the 3 seed makes me more nervous than The Joes eating at Sweet Tomato’s for a week straight.
Starting Penix now may jump start the Falcones…especially with The Giants & Panthers on the docket ( in fairness Tampa got a crack at both as well ). Dallas is dangerous…especially at home in primetime. I’ve seen too many bed shattings in the nearly 50 years to have even a hint of hubris.
December 21st, 2024 at 10:25 am
Way to go, Ira. What a way to jinx this team. First you bring up the Raheem Morris led “youngry “ Bucs that exceeded expectations. Have you forgotten the historical collapse of the following 2011 season? In case you have forgotten, they ended that season with a 10 game losing streak by an average margin of 17 points.
Then you follow that by forecasting victories in the next three games when their next opponent easily being the most dangerous of the three.
You (and the Joes) should be writing about how they should not be reading their press clippings and how they need to bring their A game to this opponent that has played well of late. You should be researching the Bucs franchise record against a team that truly has their number highlighted by blowouts and Cowboy victories even when the Bucs were favored.
The Bucs better have laser focus for this game and should NOT be giving any thought to the playoffs. And their weaker opponents that remain? Well the panthers nearly(should have) won the previous game. And the Saints will be playing a revenge game. You think that don’t have footage of Mayfield’s post game “dropped 50 on them” celebration?
Yes I understand it is Todd Bowels job to understand all this and keep the players focused. But is this really a head coach that’s good at doing that? I have yet to hear of any member of the press asking Bowles “how are keeping the team from letting down?” I’ll bet the answer (if any) would make you cringe.
This game is far too important to let down. Remember, if the Bucs lose and the falcons beat the 2 win Giants, the Bucs no longer lead the division.