Mike Evans: Bucs Not Popular
August 16th, 2018
Make the Bucs popular again.
Mike Evans is on a mission.
The stud receiver, on the cusp of owning the Bucs’ record book for receiving entering his fifth season, has an admission that will just about drive Bucs fans nuts:
The Bucs are not popular.
Bucs fans grumble because national talk shows, especially the arguing shows on BSPN and FS1, rarely talk about the team unless it is about America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston.
Why is that? Because in the post-Chucky era, the Bucs have morphed into Cleveland South. And few if any NFL fans not in Florida want to jump on a losing bandwagon, much less find a losing team compelling outside of its engaging quarterback.
And Evans has a simple theory on how to change that. It’s called winning, so he told Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller, co-hosts of “Movin’ the Chains,” which broadcast live from One Buc Palace last weekend heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“We are not a popular team,” Evans said. “At all. Most people only know Jameis and myself and D-Jax (DeSean Jackson). So we have to win for others to be known.”
Evans said this while giving major props to many of his teammates who Evans believes would be NFL household names if the Bucs won more games and had more exposure. Evans wisely knows winning brings that exposure.
Joe cannot remember the last time one of these arguing shows invoked the names of Gerald McCoy or Lavonte David or four-time Pro Bowler Brent Grimes. And when Grimes is mentioned, it has more to do with his outspoken wife Miko than Grimes’ mad skills on the field.
August 16th, 2018 at 11:02 am
Yawn..everything that is old is new again…
August 16th, 2018 at 11:06 am
I’m shocked that our string of off season championships has not led to a big national following.
August 16th, 2018 at 11:17 am
The lack of popularity goes well beyond the national media. Last I saw when it comes to Twitter and Instagram followers the Bucs ranked among the bottom 1/8th of all NFL teams. That’s what happens when the on-the-field performance inspires little confidence from the majority of its fan base.
August 16th, 2018 at 11:23 am
We don’t even have a fashionable uniform.
August 16th, 2018 at 11:27 am
The foundation is near complete. This team has more young talent than the SB squad. We need patience from ownership in order to build on it. Please stick with Licht, Koetter, and Winston. We compete in the toughest division in the league. Changing the leadership every two or three years handicaps the franchise. The Bucs will win the division soon.
August 16th, 2018 at 11:32 am
I use to get frustrated with the lack of air time on television, but I’m over it. Two examples of how we get treated. #1 the replay of the game against the fins, nfl network chopped almost the entire 4th qtr. Game went to commercial with 13:00 mins left and came back with 4:00 mins left. #2 FS1 aired the season review for nfc south last night. I missed the original airing of the bucs and thought I would be able to catch the re-run. the network replayed every team in the division except for the bucs.
#maketampagreatagain
August 16th, 2018 at 11:32 am
“Gerald McCoy”
Cause like I said in the past …I’m not a hater.
Yet when he retires…ask random NFL fans outside of Florida his name….or if they remember him…..well….what do you think will be the answer?
That’s what I thought.
August 16th, 2018 at 11:37 am
There was a time, back in the Tony Dungy days, when our team was popular – there was a waiting list a mile long for season tickets. I bought season tickets back then and have them now. But, in the interim, the team was allowed to deteriorate and really poor personnel moves were made, time and again.
The players, and their attitude, will make the difference. Other than at QB, we match up player for player with the teams in our division (that is not a knock on Jameis – he just needs another year to mature). However, put them together as a team and they do not play up to their abilities. That’s coaching.
August 16th, 2018 at 11:39 am
winning cures all….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
August 16th, 2018 at 11:41 am
most people only know brooks, lynch, Rice, Sapp, Keyshawn
these clown don’t deserve to be known
August 16th, 2018 at 11:41 am
The most I have heard of Bucs talk on a national level has been “hard knocks” and the JW3 suspension!!!!!!!!! The “real”fans would rather not have the Bucs talk on the national stage!!!!! It is even hard to hear local media with the Bucs at times with the “status woe” and other stories!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!
August 16th, 2018 at 11:46 am
More talent than the Super Bowl Squad?
August 16th, 2018 at 11:54 am
one could argue their on par with that squad.
they lack the maturity, desire and willingness to put team 1st.
to sum it up, all the talent, but a punch of pansies.
August 16th, 2018 at 11:55 am
Not Popular? How is that possible?….We have “America’s Quarterback” at the helm……
August 16th, 2018 at 11:57 am
I love the fact that the bucs not picked to do anything. Stay under the radar.
August 16th, 2018 at 11:57 am
Eric
Agreed. Sparky hitting the ganja this morning.
Those teams (Defense anyway) had second stringers that could’ve started for most teams..Those were the days.
August 16th, 2018 at 12:02 pm
You lose, you don’t get on TV. Pretty simple.
August 16th, 2018 at 12:14 pm
On a side note, I just read a story involving Aguayo and Sturgis in a kicking battle for the Chargers.
Apparently their kicking game has sucked for awhile too.
That made me smile.
August 16th, 2018 at 12:15 pm
“We are not a popular team,” Evans said.
Not even with their own fans.
August 16th, 2018 at 12:21 pm
It’s the ugly uniforms…
Restore our pride, don’t make us wear Burger King Uniforms……
Just think, it’s been long enough now that the Bucs can make some more money on returning to our awesome Uniforms..Everyone will have to buy a new OJ Howard, etc…etc…
August 16th, 2018 at 12:24 pm
There are many teams in the NFL not located in the northeast that do not get notice by national media. Dallas and the Raiders are the only exception. The only reason Atlanta, Saints and Panthers get any talk at all is because they win.
August 16th, 2018 at 12:24 pm
No shock here. When you don’t win games, people don’t talk about you.
Here’s to hoping it changes THIS year!!! Go Bucs!
August 16th, 2018 at 12:53 pm
I’m thinking the super bowl team would destroy these guys. Rice would get a bunch of sacks.
A-train would make GMC quit after the first series…….
Kordell Stewart like crying would ensue.
August 16th, 2018 at 1:01 pm
Look at the positive: we have a shot at getting back on Hard Kocks next year if Cleveland ends up with a better record. HBO loved crazy, short bus riding, America’s Groper JW
August 16th, 2018 at 1:18 pm
Seminole Bill said: Other than at QB, we match up player for player with the teams in our division
#JOE – this would make an excellent article. . . js
August 16th, 2018 at 1:33 pm
Well, how about they show the national media what’s up no Monday Night football? I’m tired of us taking no advantage of home field and just laying down to the competition.
I see it every time I’ve been to Ray Jay over the last nine seasons. Every time I’ve been dejected coming out of the stadium. It’s getting to the point where it’s not even fun anymore.
August 16th, 2018 at 1:43 pm
Eric:
Super Bowl team would manhandle the 2017 Bucs.
August 16th, 2018 at 1:48 pm
With only 10 post season appearances in the franchises 42 year history, it is not surprising the national media could care less about the Bucs. Going to take a lot of winning seasons to erase that perception. BTW…the national media, especially BSPN, are blatantly biased and not even worth watching or listening to.
August 16th, 2018 at 1:50 pm
Why these marketing clowns ever switched from the winning Super Bowl uniforms is beyond me. Brown, red, and a sprinkle of Florida orange. Really? If I’m not mistaken this will be the 5th year of these crappy uni’s. Hopefully the last too. Go back to Pewter and Red! Winning and cool uni’s = fans everywhere.
#Get After It!
August 16th, 2018 at 2:10 pm
agreed
these uniforms are horrible and the numders are as well
horrible. I truly don’t understand what they were thinking
August 16th, 2018 at 2:29 pm
We deserve to wear cheesy unimfors designed by a woman. I say if this losing continues they should throw a little pink in there. This current team does not deserve to wear red and pewter.
August 16th, 2018 at 2:34 pm
hate the uniforms. just hate them.
August 16th, 2018 at 2:36 pm
When is a crotch-grabbing, accused-of-raping, crab-stealing, coach-fighting, helmet-thumping-while-in-street-clothes, uniform-wearing-when-suspended, FHITP-shouting, “face of the franchise” popular? Not often.
August 16th, 2018 at 2:37 pm
“… when Grimes is mentioned, it has more to do with his outspoken wife Miko than Grimes’ mad skills on the field.”
To be fair, she is the better looking of the two.
August 16th, 2018 at 2:41 pm
In other news, water is wet.
August 16th, 2018 at 2:51 pm
“… don’t make us wear Burger King Uniforms……”
I believe that I read about an NFL rule that new uniform designs must be worn for at least 4 seasons. Not sure why. Maybe to teach people a lesson when they make ugly ones. Or maybe something about continuity.
Anyway, if I’m right, we should be able to don new threads next year I think. The only thing I would keep from these gaudy duds is the chrome grills.
August 16th, 2018 at 3:02 pm
Easily the least talked about team in football and it isn’t close. Longest playoff drought and Cleveland at least is talked about. Jaguars changed things around. Have to make the playoffs to garner a tiny amount of respect
August 16th, 2018 at 3:03 pm
I think we should go with the Uber black and white colors for the uniforms. Change the name to the Gropers.
August 16th, 2018 at 3:15 pm
Broy
Amazing what hiring Coughlin did for that franchise.
Tony Dungy Pres. of Football Operations. Has a nice ring to it.
Although I don’t think Lauren would let that happen even if he wanted to.
August 16th, 2018 at 3:25 pm
No argument on this one. None at all. Nobody luvs or supports a loser. I live way out West. When I tell people I’m a diehard Bucs fan..they are so shocked, they cannot laugh. I see maybe 2 or 3 Buc tee shirts a week out here. As opposed to a plethera of Saints and ATL hats and shirts. Hell, I even see more wearin more Jaguars stuff than ours. Winning changes everything. Moreover..Winning consistently. Our Bucs have been in existence since the 70’s. We won less than half of the total seasons we have played. Thats past Pityful Buc fans. It outright smells..to holy hell! Gotta start winning if you want some of that..Aretha Franklin (RIP)…. Respect.
August 16th, 2018 at 4:11 pm
The final answer is……JUST WIN BABY, and they will come!! LETS GOOOOOOO!
August 16th, 2018 at 4:40 pm
If we would start winning maybe the most unpopular so called fans walter ziegheil godeep66 and BrianBucs would go root for the tedn Titans.
The Browns have sucked longer and worse than the Bucs but get a story on nfl.com daily.
August 16th, 2018 at 4:42 pm
Part of that is “Hard Knocks” and part of that is Baker Mayfield.
August 16th, 2018 at 6:43 pm
All true comments that are depressing to say the least.
August 16th, 2018 at 7:26 pm
@Rashad… FS1 is replaying it, but I hope you speak Spanish because it’s only on the Spanish version. Viva la Tampa lol
August 16th, 2018 at 11:00 pm
If the Browns suck again this year will it be because they actually suck or because of the supposed Hard Knock’s curse?
August 16th, 2018 at 11:43 pm
David…what I find funny is this godeep69 fool thinks we all think he/she is a Bucs fan. Been exposed numerous times….by his/her self during their comments about our history and a few other things. Fraud…but sticks around..I guess. for now. Ho hum.
Then there’s this “short bus” thingy. Have you seen his/her posts? I think the short bus joke was invented for this clown….way back when.
Either that or they’re like a keyboard fluent 6 year old child that’s been abused….one way or the other.
August 16th, 2018 at 11:45 pm
Cheers to Tequila and JBF!
Takes a late night bow…..YW!
August 17th, 2018 at 10:38 am
87 yeah shims ( that’s what I call he shes) crash helmet got a Titan emblem on it! I’m surprised from all the rocking back and forth can type on a computer
August 17th, 2018 at 10:40 am
87 yeah his/her crash helmet got a Titan emblem on it! I’m surprised from all the rocking back and forth can type on a computer
August 17th, 2018 at 10:41 am
Wow censorship at its finest! Joe got some real sensitive stuff up here!
August 17th, 2018 at 10:42 am
87 yeah his/her crash helmet got a Titan emblem on it! I’m surprised from all the roking back and forth can type on a computer
August 17th, 2018 at 10:43 am
So reality what is your opinion of John McCay or Sam Wyche? How about Gruden who wouldn’t have won without the defense Dungy helped build. You’re real vicious towards Dungy so what about them? You finally proved to me what everybody has been saying for a minute now……… you are tmaxcon under another name and IP. Word for word style.