Raheem Likes Possible “Home Base” In London
October 18th, 2011
While Raheem Morris might simply have been trying to cozy up to the English media and hype the NFL in London today, he did publicly embrace the concept of the Buccaneers playing more games over there.
C’mon, coach. There’s no place like home. Right?
Here’s a snippet of what Raheem told Sky Sports.
“For me it’s just exciting to think about it if you bring a team over that way it’s not much further than going on a west coast trip.
“A lot of people like to make it miserable; we choose to enjoy it, we choose to embrace it. I enjoy the whole idea of possibly having a home base in London and being able to go there – or coach there whatever the case may be – and have that be our team.
“I remember the Super Bowl-like environment on Game Day was the biggest part for me. The only other time I’ve seen a stadium that excited, in that mood, with that much pre-game hype was the Super Bowl that we played in 2002 in San Diego.”
If you click through and read the whole story, rockstar general manager Mark Dominik comments and makes the point that he views the London excursion as great preparation for a Super Bowl week. It’s an excellent point Joe hadn’t considered.
But considering the young Bucs plan to stay cohesive and largely avoid free agency, Joe thinks/hopes Tampa Bay won’t need anymore Super Bowl prep in London next season.
October 18th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
The Tampa Bay/ London Bucs. Hmmm, not really loving it.
The only way it works for me, is like this year. We have a bye week after the trip.
Are any of you guys making the trip to merry ‘ole England?? I may get the chance, but Looks like I may be making a quick trip to a far less trourist friendly locale 🙁 But I might get lucky!
October 18th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Home base better stay in fking TAMPA, RAH-HEEM!!!
October 18th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
If I had a 2yr contract, a tough remaining schedule, and a young football team, I would say anything to make my owners happy whether I believed it or not!!
October 18th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Maybe we can ship him there and leave the team here. The brits talk too fast also maybe they can understand him.
October 18th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
No Thomas, no.
October 18th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Btw – is there a bigger dunderhead in the league than this guy? Why does he repeatedly say things like this? Or on the radio say that he was speaking to players during lockout? Etc
October 18th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
Guess it’s time to occupy One Buc Place!
October 18th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
Rays leave =no stadium. Bucs leave for Limey land. Good Luck and see ya and oh by the way dont let the door hit u in the ass
October 18th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Bears will obviously have more fans in London than Bucs. Who cares about Bucs anyway? Yeah, they are a young team now, but they still pretty much play Gruden brand of offense and so-so defense instead of the solid one we had with Monte. Unless we have some kind of attachment to the team from past like I do or with the Tampa Bay area like many here do, Bucs are a boring team to watch and will not draw bandwagoners in places like London.
The same could be said about Bears right now, but their long history and Devin Hester might draw neutral British fans on their side.
October 18th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
Rah…
SHUT. THE. F*CK. UP!
October 18th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
It’s not a vacation it’s a business trip. Learn the difference coach.
October 18th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
Jonny- Bucs are in first place in NFC south. Bears are in 3rd place in NFC North. Although the Bucs have been a little off, they are a very exciting Offense. The Bears? Lol. Never managed a good offense..
And the Bucs have a good following in Lonion. A few Londoners post here at JoeBuc
October 18th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
@everyone, Morris is toting the NFL Party line no the Bucs party line. The NFL desperately wants in on the Euro market god knows why, their economy is worse than ours, but Warden Goodell wants in, I can guarantee you, Lovie says basically the same thing when he gets interviewed later in the week.
October 18th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
4-2 1st in NFC South. Enough said
October 18th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
Disagree flmike. Rah said nothing about the NFL in Europe, he said have a “home base” there, meaning the Bucs. Strange comment and a bit moronic as well.
October 18th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
What is he supposed to say? That he hates it and doesn’t want to go. He is representing the NFL, he has to be positive about it. He already gets enough criticism as it is, just imagine if he doesn’t embrace this London game. Plus as a coach or a Player, I would imagine it would be a wonderful experience to be able to get paid to travel to another country to play football. It’s not Raheem’s fault the team is going over there, and I refuse to criticize him for enjoying it.
@Thomas
If we could ship anybody, you would be the first to go.
October 18th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
C’mon guys, cut Morris some slack. It’s obvious he’s singing in the Glazer’s choir. His owners have business interest over there and the NFL is trying to make an international statement. I would be singing at the top of my voice especially if they have agreed to pay that $250,000 fine for me. I would have agreed to rename the team the Manchester Wankers. (Our london posters are familiar with the term) lol.
October 18th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
Poor Thomas. Such a sad life.
October 18th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
I like Raheem, I really do. He’s doing a great job with this team, a perfect HC for the youngest team in the NFL………and he’s WINNING!
But……..these London “home” game comments are STUPID! What kind of JACKWAGON tells season ticket holders something like this after YEARS of loyal support and thousands upon thousands of DOLLARS?
Shut UP!
Joe, if you can, if there’s ANY way to do it………pass this to One Buc for me, will ya?
October 18th, 2011 at 6:06 pm
PFT, reporting A.Samuel and Hillis are available I wouldn’t sell the farm but one of the W would be nice(preferrably Samuel)
October 18th, 2011 at 6:16 pm
Buc-the-world:
There are an ocean of options between: “i hate it and we want a home base there and make that our team.”
How about: we enjoy visiting London and appreciate the NFL and buc fans over there? Nobody would have a problem with that.
The flaw is: Rah doesnt know how to say what he means. His interviews are totally cliches, if he has to deviate from the cliche he either makes no sense or says something he doesnt mean. It is sad really.
October 18th, 2011 at 8:15 pm
@Thomas,
I’ll tell you what is sad: someone who goes out of his way to criticize a man he doesn’t know, and could never do his job. You know nothing about football and nothing about how to run a team. You are wrong about everything, yet you still choose to make a fool out of yourself. You should go out sometimes, maybe meet some people and make some friends. Just a thought.
October 18th, 2011 at 10:42 pm
I hope we do have annual games there. It would be easier to sell out the remaining 7 games.
October 19th, 2011 at 6:34 am
If the Bucs become The NFL’s designated ” European Franchise”, you can expect massive perks for the team. Much more national( thus , international) TV exposure, more Bucs living in the Limelight.
And The NFL isn’t gonna want their European Representative to suck, either.
Poor Thomas. He just found out that his hero, Chucky, signed a five year extension to his broadcast contract. No more Coaching for Chucky.
Personally, I think he’s a better announcer than he was a Coach. But for Thomas, this has to be a crushing blow, as he still hoped Grudennwould return here, on a white horse. TO finish destroying the team, I guess. . .