No Baker. No Grimes. No Problem.
May 23rd, 2017
New Bucs defensive tackle Chris Baker
Practice at One Buc Palace today, the first spring “OTA,” is voluntary according to the NFL labor agreement, and the Buccaneers had their share of absences.
Dirk Koetter shrugged it off at his post-practice media session, where he explained several guys had all kinds of things going on that pulled them away, from an anniversary to a new baby coming soon, to travel issues and more.
Ok. Life happens. And some players just prefer a day off than work. No harm for a veteran in May.
Joe doesn’t have a list of absent Bucs, but Chris Baker and Brent Grimes were notable players missing from the field.
The Baker absence made Joe laugh. As Tampa Bay’s only Hall of Fame voter, JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman, learned at the NFL Owners Meetings in Phoenix, Baker is no fan of practicing.
Joe’s not worried about Baker, but it’s an interesting coincidence.
May 23rd, 2017 at 1:05 pm
Never like hearing that a guy doesn’t like to practice. Especially when coming to a new team with a new scheme.
Was D-Jax there?
May 23rd, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Never get a 2nd chance to make a first impression
May 23rd, 2017 at 1:31 pm
It’s voluntary and as long as they show at camp and are healthy, I have no issue with 5+ year veterans not taking part.
May 23rd, 2017 at 1:34 pm
I read that Justin Evans was a no-show.
May 23rd, 2017 at 2:28 pm
Pretty sure It’s a wedding anniversary for grimes
May 23rd, 2017 at 2:41 pm
Bet that will be some Anniversary cake…
May 23rd, 2017 at 2:58 pm
What do you get for a woman who hates everything?
May 23rd, 2017 at 3:01 pm
No Disrespect to your article Joe.
But we’ve lost another Grid Iron Legend today.
(DT) Cortez Kennedy passed away today – at the young age of 48
For 10yrs he was one of the most premier defensive tackles – in the league.
Condolences to his family, and LUV ones.
May 23rd, 2017 at 3:07 pm
1996 Seattle Defensive Line
• LDE Michael Sinclair* (28) – 13.0 sacks
• LDT Sam Adams (23) – 5.5 sacks
• RDT Cortez Kennedy* (28) – 8.0 sacks
• RDE Michael McCrary (26) – 13.5 sacks
May 23rd, 2017 at 3:33 pm
Good call LUV. RIP Cortez!
48!!! Man, I’m a year younger. That’s waaaaaaaaaay too young!
May 23rd, 2017 at 5:18 pm
Did you all see the NFL Network Americas Game show on the 2002 Bucs, it’s excellent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92ZWnr9Orc0
This story reminded me of that because Sapp talks about his issues with Keyshawn basically being that the team, everyone, was in OTA’s and after Sapp lobbied to get Keyshawn there, Keyshawn skipped the “voluntary” offseason stuff, he was never really part of the team and he was never forgiven for that.
Anywho this is a seriously great show I can’t recommend enough – I have no idea how people can watch Sapp in this and not like the guy and not love the swagger this team had. I really wonder if you had someone like Jameis come in on that 2002 Bucs team how things would gone – I’m guessing we’d be talking about a Patriots like string of championships considering how inept the offense was for that entire Bucs defensive run.
May 23rd, 2017 at 8:23 pm
ODB is a no show at the Giants OTA’s as well.
The union screwed up when they negotiated this. If they can’t work “this hard” then they should have negotiated the OTA’s out of the CBA. Calling them “voluntary” is a joke. Well yeah as long as you are a star and everything is going well.