Dominik Says London Helps Team Grow

April 21st, 2011

In one of the more interesting takes from his pre-draft news conference today aired on the Bucs official website, rock star general manager Mark Dominik said he was happy when he first learned the Bucs would play another home game in London this year because it’s a good growth opportunity for his young team.

“It has a playoff atmosphere mentality over there,” Dominik said of playing in London. “And I think it’s good for our young football team anytime you can taste that. It’s important how it helps our team grow.”

Joe imagines the circus-like loud feel at Wembley Stadium is very playoff-like in the hype preceding the game and right after kickoff, but during the game? Joe’s skeptical.

Playing a home game against the Bears with thousands of screaming Bears fans in the house would seem to be the playoff-like atmosphere the Bucs need to get used to. If the Bucs indeed win the NFC South, there’s a strong likelihood they’ll be playing at home in front of a packed house with plenty of visiting team fans.

But the Bucs have a winning record since returning from England in 2009 (13-12), so maybe there is a something uplifting about playing over there.

19 Responses to “Dominik Says London Helps Team Grow”

  1. Chris FWC :) Says:

    I don’t like it one BLOODY minute!

    Wembley Stadium is for the London Silly Nannies!!

  2. Nova Says:

    It would be one thing if the Bucs were great on the home turf, but they’re not there yet. THey need to build that. And for that I want the home game HERE. ..But it’s only a big deal if they lose 😉 Calculated gamble.

  3. Keith C. Says:

    would have though Dom would have brushed that off or given a meaningless answer to a question about it. Still don’t know what I think, other than I’ll be spending my refund at Scores.

  4. OAR Says:

    “It has a playoff atmosphere mentality over there,” Really????????
    Keep telling yourself that Dom, cause if you think football fans over there will “bite your arm off” for a game, then I’d hate to see what you think a REAL FOOTBALL playoff atmoshere would be like?
    American football across the pond? Blimey, if you think that it’s “the dog’s bollocks”, then you must be “barmy”!

  5. Thomas 2.2 Says:

    That could not be more ridiculous. Lets take on a 9th road game in a foreign country that really has lukewarm interest in american football to create a playoff atmosphere. Fyi – playoff atmosphere is created by playing in meaningful games late in the year and only one game per year is at a neutral site.

  6. Matt Says:

    Sucks about Economos 🙁

  7. OAR Says:

    Matt
    Your right, that SUCKS! Achilles’ tears are BAD, possiblly career ending!

  8. Theodore Says:

    Great – Now we need to draft a long-snapper in the first round.

  9. Tuggz Says:

    Dominik is just Yes Man-ing it, plain and simple.

  10. RastaMon Says:

    Grow tired and bored……

  11. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    Dom doesn’t believe a word of this. He’s doing the right thing, because what good is he or the team going to get out of complaining about it? Oh no, did I actually just agree with Thomas???

  12. Sander Says:

    Anyone saying people in the stands at Wembley don’t care about football is full of it and has clearly never actually been there. Everyone in that stadium loves football. They’re there because it’s the only chance they really get to watch the sport live.

    That doesn’t mean it’s a playoff atmosphere, though. In terms of the spectacle surrounding the game, maybe. But during the game? Nope. A lot of people there are football fans in general, or fans of specific teams that just want to see any football game. So while there will be Bucs fans and Bears fans, there will also be a lot of Dolphins fans, Patriots fans, 49ers fans, Giants fans, Colts fans etc that don’t really care about the Bucs or the Bears specifically.

    Interestingly, the second-biggest cheers at the 49ers-Broncos game were for the score at the Cowboys-Jaguars game (the Jags were crushing the Cowboys). The biggest obviously for touchdowns and big plays.

  13. bomb Says:

    Ok let’s take a look at this…. have a home game where the stadium may or may not be half full and a lot of criticism via bspn or whomever for not being able to fill the stadium. The economy in fl still has a long time to go before recovery people, plus everyone I a transplant fan.

    Or

    Play a game in a stadium where it is highly more probable that more peopl will show up, plus have the game on tv, while expanding the fan base and pleasing mr. Goodell all at the same time.

    I would be happy too especially since raheem is going to have to pleasure goodell int not suspending aqib…. that &^%$ head. Go bucs!!!!

  14. Weneeddefense Says:

    It is well documented in the archives that Joe is far more negtive about the Bucs than ESPN. In fact, ESPN has nothing but good things to say about the Bucs. If you dont believe me, look at the dates of last years schedule, and after any of the 6 losses, you will see Joe trashing someone in the organization fo the loss. Joe loves to scapegoat… even players, on a regular basis.

  15. Joe Says:

    Weneeddefense:

    look at the dates of last years schedule, and after any of the 6 losses, you will see Joe trashing someone in the organization fo the loss. Joe loves to scapegoat

    Nothing like celebrating a loss, eh?

    Color Joe strange, but Joe’s not the type of guy to feel all warm and fuzzy and want to uncork champagne bottles after a loss, and makes no apologies for being angry after a loss. The NFL is not tee ball.

    If this place is so awful, how is it you comment here daily? LOL! 🙂

  16. Joe Says:

    Joe isn’t it funny when you call these losers out they put their tail between their legs and run away?

    Weneeddefense… just spit out your garbage and shut up till the next post. nobody really values your opinion anyway. stop throwing stones when you live in the ultimate glass house.

  17. Joe Says:

    Thanks for the kind words Gary.

    Joe’s beginning to understand Weneeddefense. He just wants to stir the pot. 🙂

  18. WeNeedDefense Says:

    “Joe’s beginning to understand Weneeddefense. He just wants to stir the pot.”

    Took you that long to figure that out?

    If it wasn’t for the alternative perspectives, the challenging comments and the ‘keeping everyone honest’ pot stirring then this place would be boring and full of uncontested garbage.

  19. WeNeedDefense Says:

    challenging the position of peoples comments