“It Ain’t Over”

November 19th, 2014
Is Josh McCown laughing at Dave Wannstedt?

Is Josh McCown laughing at Dave Wannstedt?

The message inside the walls of One Buc Palace sure seems clear: the Bucs are driving now to win the NFC South — even if former Bears head coach and Tampa Bay special teams coach Dave Wannstedt says there’s no way Lovie Smith believes that.

Wannstedt sounded off this week on 670 AM in Chicago.

“Even though Lovie is two games out, they’re not talking about, you know the media may talking about they’re two games out of the lead, but he’s not talking about that. The players aren’t talking about that,” Wannstedt said. “But let me tell you what a win does, and both teams are really in a situation. … They’ve both been under a lot of pressure, staffwise, playerwise. They both won [Sunday]. They’re both having the same emotions.  They’re both feeling fantastic right now. You know, ‘Hey, we got them off our butts for one week. That’s what both [Mark] Trestman’s saying and that’s what Lovie’s saying. ‘We got the media off our backs for one week.’ I’m being serious. And we can breathe for a week.

“So there will be an energy going on in Tampa. And I coached there last year. You know, I mean they made a lot of [personnel changes.] But I know. I know what’s going on down there. So there’s going to be an energy level. Guys are going to be excited about this week’s game. The Bears are going to be the same way. They’re going to be excited. And the Bears are looking at a team matchup wise, the Bears got best team. I mean, let’s face it.”

Wait a minute, Wannstedt. Who the hell do you think you are?

If you “know” so much (and Joe doesn’t doubt that Wannstedt still communicates with former Bucs), then why is Josh McCown passionately talking about still being in the NFC South race?

Just last night, McCown laid it on the table (no crying) during Total Access on WDAE-AM 620. Heck, McCown wasn’t even asked about the Bucs’ standing in the NFC South.

But McCown talked about how he and his teammates must block out the media talk about Lovie Smith returning and focuson a win and rising the standings.

McCown referenced being within striking distance in the NFC South and Sunday’s opponent is irrelevant. He wants a win to “hopefully climb and put ourselves in position” to win the division.

“Until they tell you you’re out of it, it ain’t over,” McCown said. “And our mindset is to keep fighting and that’s what we’re going to do.”

It’s crazy talk, but Joe’s warming up to the fun of thinking of the Bucs making an historic playoff run in what could be the worst division in modern NFL history. The thought of finishing last in that kind of division is too depressing to consider.

40 Responses to ““It Ain’t Over””

  1. Buctebow Says:

    If the other teams self destruct and if the Bucs string together a bunch of wins, they could win the South. And if the college football playoff committee all went insane, USF could be in the playoffs. “Ifs” don’t mean much.

  2. buddhaboy Says:

    ifs and butts. just win and it’ll play out

  3. Robert 9 Says:

    yeah, and Rudy was really going to be a starter for Notre Dame

    ROFLMAO

  4. Robert 9 Says:

    I feel like all the bucs fans are like the I’ve got mail kid from crankyankers over the last couple days.

  5. ruggyup Says:

    McCown even mentioning depressing alternatives is depressing. It also seems nearly every post on the Joe site contains the “if” word. What a waste of effort.

  6. bucrightoff Says:

    It’s pretty disgusting the Bucs are as many games back of winning their division as Seattle is, and are technically closer to winning the division than San Francisco is theirs. This might just be the worst division in the history of sports.

  7. Lunchbag AL Says:

    Rudy was off sides.

  8. BucRock Says:

    We Buc fans are a fickle bunch…last week we are slitting our wrists….this week, after a win over a “turrible” team and all of a sudden we are going to string together a bunchs of wins and win the division. You guys kills me.

  9. WalkdaPlank Says:

    Bucs have Bears, Bengals, Lions and Packers left on the schedule. It two winnable games are against the Saints and Panthers IMO.

  10. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    “Until they tell you you’re out of it, it ain’t over,” McCown said. “And our mindset is to keep fighting and that’s what we’re going to do.”

    Who would you rather have next to you in a foxhole?………a guy who says this….or one who says:

    “We’re surrounded and greatly outnumbered…..we’re dead….say your prayers”

  11. WalkdaPlank Says:

    I could imagine Jameis Winston saying something like:

    “We’re surrounded on all sides, sir”

    Winston: “Good, now we can shoot at them from every direction!!”

    ^^^^

  12. Ray Rice Says:

    It’s free to dream. And I will bag Rachel Watson this weekend at Hooters!!!

  13. HawaiianBuc Says:

    @BucRock,

    I actually think we are excited because that was the first time we saw what we all expected to see on a regular basis. I don’t think anybody really believes we are going to win the division. If they do, good for them, but in all likelihood it’s not going to happen. We may be fortunate to get 4 or 5 wins. That being said, it’s a start. Unfortunately, it’s about the future, and we all hope to see a lot more of what we saw on Sunday in our future. Bad team or not, we went on the road and beat the hell out of a professional football team. It really wasn’t even as close as 27-7.

    I think the Chicago game is one of the most important games for this franchise in a really long time. While that is a ridiculous statement upon first glance, it’s really true. What we have lacked over the last 6 years has been consistency. We’ve shown flashes like Sunday before, but we typically have followed it up with garbage the following week. Hell, most of us expect it. This is a new regime with a bunch of players (and fans) that are accustomed to losing. Sunday is a golden opportunity to make some believers out of a lot of people. It doesn’t mean a win will make us into a good team, but it could potentially change the mind set. Putting together back to back complete games would give us a lot of hope, which is a necessity in order to change this culture of losing that we have. Can you honestly tell me you wouldn’t be encouraged if we go out and repeat a game like Sunday with a drubbing of Chicago on the road?

  14. Eric Says:

    Was it over when the Germans invaded Pearl Harbor?

    Nothing is over until we say it is!!!!!!

  15. pick6 Says:

    joe, i agree that this division is up there with the 2010 (?) NFC West in terms of worst division at least of this millenium. although tanking has some advantages in the annual crapshoot, i also agree that the idea of being the worst team in said division is just too depressing to think about. I don’t think this team has much of a shot at winning half (or more) of their remaining games, i’d really rather see us making a run for the top of the (pathetic) division standings than the top of the mock draft boards

  16. Skyline Crew for Mariota or Winston Says:

    If Tebow could throw a pass he might still be in the NFL, but that ain’t happening.

  17. bucrightoff Says:

    This division is worse because it (allegedly) has 3 franchise QBs, and certainly one elite QB. Remember Seattle had Clipboard Jesus starting the win and in playoff game against the Rams.

  18. Dan Says:

    eric. please tell me that was sarcasm… please. oh my. the things you see on the internet

  19. Celly Says:


    pick6 Says:
    November 19th, 2014 at 4:26 pm

    joe, i agree that this division is up there with the 2010 (?) NFC West in terms of worst division at least of this millenium. although tanking has some advantages

    That’s where i stopped reading.

    It what world does tanking have advantages? So tired of what Madden has done to the “average” fan.

  20. Socalbucsfan Says:

    Haha classic quote, Eric!

  21. bucrightoff Says:

    Tanking does have its advantages. Ask the Indianapolis Colts, about to get 30 years of franchise QBs from 2 years of horrible play. Thing is, you gotta plan the tank right. No one in this draft is worth tanking for at all. Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning? Worth tanking for.

  22. Dustin Says:

    Atl next 3 game Cleveland, Ariz, and GB 0-3
    NO next 3 games Bal, Pit, and Car 1-2
    Car next 3 bye, Minn, and NO 1-1

    So your saying theirs a chance

  23. 87ForJameisOrMariota Says:

    Celly says :”It what world does tanking have advantages?”

    Celly in today’s world.

    Picking high in EVERY single round has plenty of advantages.

  24. 87ForJameisOrMariota Says:

    HawaiianBuc…if the Bucs beat Chicago @ Chicago. I’ll be bouncing around my house like a superball.

  25. biff barker Says:

    It’s a massive reach but having something to play for beats quitting any day.

    Besides, finishing out strong sets up next year.

  26. Connor Says:

    That 2010 NFC West division is why the Bucs weren’t in the postseason in 2010. The Seahawks went to the playoff instead…….god that was $&$&*n awful.

  27. Connor Says:

    Eric, I hope you meant to say Japanese, not German

  28. buccanAy Says:

    I don’t think the “Pearl Harbor” quote would even qualify as ‘sarcasm’…not sure what to make of it….except…it is Florida.

  29. biff barker Says:

    Chicago weather forecast for Sunday 47 degrees, 90% chance of rain.

    Glad there’s not 3 ft of snow coming.

  30. DB55 Says:

    Germany pearl Barbour is a quote from animal house or some movie like that. It’s a joke.

  31. Eric Says:

    “Bluto” said that line in Animal House. Played by the late John Belushi.

    I must be dating myself, everybody I know is familiar with it. Most are Floridians.

  32. HawaiianBuc Says:

    It’s more funny to watch people freak out over Eric’s comment.

  33. HawaiianBuc Says:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8lT1o0sDwI

  34. Eric Says:

    “Fat drunk and stupid is no way to go through life son”.

  35. HawaiianBuc Says:

    I’m pretty much going to watch Animal House tonight. thanks Eric.

  36. ddneast Says:

    Wanstandt used to be a player and has no doubt suffering from post concussion syndrome.
    I don’t know what makes him feel the Bears are so much better than the Bucs. He’ll if you INT Cutler a couple of times in the first bald odds are he will go to the sideline and pout.

  37. Dave Pear Says:

    Mr. Blutarsky…Zero point Zero.

  38. Dave Pear Says:

    Classic movie. Still makes me laugh.

  39. buc4lyfe Says:

    If this pipe dream gets them to play competitive on Sundays then I’m all for it no matter how dumb it sounds

  40. Phillip Says:

    Don’t worry guys we can win this sorry a$$ division this year only to be bounced from the playoffs in the first round and we can pick 20th roughly… We miss out on the premier QB’s (most likely) who could you know continue on long after McCown hangs up his HoF cleats.. Or hell we can do what most keyboard GM loves to do that is so easy and trade up in the draft or the following year or the year after that…

    But don’t worry guys we got Glennon who can “get us by” till you know we stumble across a Tom Brady in the late rounds..

    Ya real fans don’t want their team to lose or “tank” FOR ONE SEASON so we can get a potentially great QB to lead us many years to come instead of playing QB roulette for the past 100 years..

    Ya damn us “fake” fans…