“It’s Scary, Man”
December 1st, 2016
Family talk not schtick.
There has been a lot of talk floating out of One Buc Palace about “family” and how the team has come together as brothers, which has ignited a thrilling three-game winning streak with dramatic statement victories over seemingly playoff-bound Kansas City and Seattle.
Joe has already written how he is a bit skeptical of all this family talk. It is nice and warm and fuzzy when the team is winning, but at the end of the day, football is about blocking and tackling and not hugging one another in the locker room and going to the local Pottery Barn together after practice.
To hear stud defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, this family theme is not schtick.
It’s real.
Recently speaking with former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik and Bruce Murray, co-hosting “The Blitz” heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio, GMC explained how bonding is providing results on the field. And look no further than America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, and receiver Mike Evans as evidence, GMC says.
“One thing that has made a huge stride for Jameis is his connection with Mike Evans,” GMC said. “Those guys, they have grown closer off the field and on the field. And it is showing. Look at the season Mike is having. And Jameis is doing nothing but getting better. It’s scary, man.”
What would be even scarier is if Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager, pool-jumping Jason Licht would go out and grab a top-shelf free agent wide receiver, or use a high pick on a receiver in the draft this offseason. But that’s a subject for another day.
While Joe remains skeptical of this “Brady Bunch” front the team is pushing, there is no denying the chemistry between Jameis and Evans is significantly better this season. If it takes those two playing video games at night with each other in-between Evans changing the diapers of his newborn baby girl, so be it.
December 1st, 2016 at 11:16 am
Nfl don’t think Jameis Winston and Mike Evans is one of the top three Elite quarterback receiver combos this year yeah it’s scary just imagine him with one more wide receiver
December 1st, 2016 at 11:24 am
I would love walker and cook from FSU. Can you imagine our pass rush him and Noah spence and then cook taking it home every snap
December 1st, 2016 at 11:30 am
Just got an email that Noah Spence was named NFC Defensive Player of the month!!!! GO SPAWN!! WE ARE FAMILY!!! GO BUCS!!
December 1st, 2016 at 11:31 am
Pit that would be a dream. And grab Kermit in 4th to retirn all our kicks.
December 1st, 2016 at 11:32 am
Get’em SPAWN..
December 1st, 2016 at 11:34 am
D-line pressure / defense in general >>>>>> #2 WR when it comes to winning football games.
I’ve noticed that most the best NFL teams draft defensive players round 1 way more than offense; and when they draft offense it’s typically the O-line.
When’s the last time New England, Seattle, Denver, or Greenbay took some flashy offensive weapon round 1? Denver took a QB last year but before that every Elway round 1 pick was defense. Carolina has taken Kelvin Benjamin but other than that they basically go D-line all the time and look how good their D has been for the most part the last couple years. They were in the SB.
If the right value is there and it makes sense then do it tho- as I always am fine with BPA if it isn’t a QB- Dallas got Zeke Elliot & Oakland got Amari Cooper but those were consensus top 10 picks.
Defense still wins championships. We’re on a 3-0 run because we’ve held teams to 10 points on average.
December 1st, 2016 at 11:34 am
I you want to be skeptical about them using the word “family” thats fine, but it sure as hell looks like they are “gelling” very well. A not so skeptical word that I think pretty much means the same as “family.”
December 1st, 2016 at 11:37 am
I concur Lord.
December 1st, 2016 at 11:38 am
I know it is early but this team is a perennial Super Bowl contender with just a couple moves this coming off-season-
-Draft a speed demon WR.
-Draft or sign another pass rusher- DT or DE
-Draft a top notch safety or another CB. In today’s NFL you need a lot of DBs that Cover and tackle, as long as the speed is good, I don’t care which position they came from.
-Always draft and sign more OLine.
I like humphries and shepherd but they need a speed demon blowing the top off opposite ME and signing another vet would be good too., unless shorts gets better and better
December 1st, 2016 at 11:49 am
Noah didn’t just get the award. He took that junk. My man is ballin.
December 1st, 2016 at 11:51 am
I think DT is more important than DE… depending on how this Ryan Russel guy finishes. Guy played a ton of snaps against Seattle
DE – Gholston / Spence / Ayers / Jack Smith / Ryan Russel
That’s not a bad group at all assuming we keep Smith around. God if only that dude could stay healthy. We’d have a sick rotation.
December 1st, 2016 at 11:53 am
Based upon where I think we will pick I really hope we draft wr John Ross out of Washington
December 1st, 2016 at 11:54 am
Joe, I vehemently disagree with this. I’ve been a part of football teams that were chock full of talent and hated each other that under achieved. I’ve been a part of teams with average talent that loved each other that grossly over achieved. Playing for your teammates can make a good team great. There’s no doubt in my mind about that.
I mean, I’m sure most of us have been in jobs that we hate with people that we hate. You dread going to work every day and your quality of work suffers. Why wouldn’t it be the same thing with an NFL team?
This is all because of Jameis as well. He fostered this type of atmosphere at FSU and now he’s doing it in Tampa.
December 1st, 2016 at 11:58 am
Don’t worry, Joe, I fixed it for you…
December 1st, 2016 at 12:07 pm
@Lord C … “We’re on a 3-0 run because we’ve held teams to 10 points on average.” You nailed it Lord C. The only way we can beat teams with solid offenses like San Diego, New Orleans and Dallas is if our defense really shows up like they have in the past 3 games. Those offenses are significantly more productive than the Bears, Chiefs & Seahawks since all 3 of those were pretty badly beaten up when we played them. Fortunately for us, we’re relatively healthy right now too. I’m convinced that we can beat the Chargers, although I expect a high scoring game.
December 1st, 2016 at 12:09 pm
I agree Creamsickle. Also, if you remember at the beginning of the year during our losing streak, the team kept talking about how they need to unite and become a family. Now, on their winning streak it has become clear that they are a family and the bond is there. This can only result in good things. I am definitely concerned over going to the West Coast to play a better than their record indicates Chargers team but I still like our chances.
December 1st, 2016 at 12:33 pm
@ Defense Rules – agree for the most part. I may be wrong but I’m pretty sure the Hawks were only missing 1 o-lineman from what they’d been starting the prior weeks – when they put up 31, 31, & 24 points against the Bills, Pats, & Eagles – all wins.
I just don’t want to downplay how insane that victory & defensive domination was because one center was out. Seattle has had o-line problems for years but still put up points. Kobe Faker wrote an entire post about Russel Wilson’s hand size & how amazing he is lol. They had all their starting WRs and Jimmy Graham healthy. Holding them to 3 points was probably the best defensive performance by this team since the glory days
Chargers are actually beat up more than any of the prior teams we played. They have like 19 guys on IR but are a deep team apparently
December 1st, 2016 at 12:35 pm
Lord C- completely spot on my friend.
Between FA and rounds 2 – 4 of the draft, we can snag a speedy #2 WR. I think DL and OL are the biggest priorities and needs. The good teams are always adding more guys to battle in the trenches. Just look at how critical our depth was this year on the o-line (where we had it) and d-line (where we did not).
Also need a safety.
December 1st, 2016 at 1:31 pm
Two things playoff teams have in common:
1. They win games on the road.
2. They play for the guy next to them.
We’re doing good just keep focused and win baby win.
December 1st, 2016 at 1:32 pm
Lord C
True story, look at Dallas oline. I think they’re all first round picks. It all starts upfront.
December 1st, 2016 at 1:43 pm
CreamsickleBananaHammock
I totally agree…I keep saying talent is good, but the family culture along with a strong dose of WANT TO for my brother, fans, coach, QB, and self, is better than just having raw talent!
Trust me WE have a gifted young QB who knows how to tap into and create the atmosphere for success by believing you as a team is ‘ one heart beat’…
December 1st, 2016 at 2:44 pm
I don’t buy into the “family” and “culture” talk. It is just like what corporations have been trying to instill since the 80s with the uprising of Silicon Valley. Let’s see where all of this “family” talk goes when people are getting cut due to contracts.
I’m sure there are guys there that are just showing up, doing their best, getting paid, and going home to be with their Real Family. You can still be a winner without buying into this garbage.
December 1st, 2016 at 4:14 pm
Lord Cornelius..Your thinking is…spot on my brother,
December 1st, 2016 at 9:18 pm
“What would be even scarier is if Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager, pool-jumping Jason Licht would go out and grab a top-shelf free agent wide receiver, or use a high pick on a receiver in the draft this offseason. But that’s a subject for another day.”
………………….
Don’t look now Joe but it would seem that if the Defense performs the way it has we don’t really need one. Great QBs make average guys Household names. I live in Montana and people are talking about Humphries and Brate!…Geographical notoriety compaison.
December 1st, 2016 at 9:27 pm
ThunderSack …7 hrs later. YOU don’t have to buy into it.
Once players move on, they are no longer part of “the family”. The are relatives, but not part of the immediate family.
BELIEVE IN JAMEIS WINSTON and STOP doubting, that means every fan including the Joe’s.
Believe in “The Family.” It’s JW’s creation Joe’s.
Damn it……. I get it. How come some of you jerkies don’t? Well if you’ve played the game I might get why you don’t, if you explained why. BUT you don’t get it. That includes the writer of this JBF article not getting “family”.
Family is a tactic Joe and most of us get it including the players. Whatever works. Be one. Be a family. Next year’s mantra might be different, but it will be about being one.
Jameis WON’T stop until he raises that Lombardi trophy.