Nicknames Have Vanished

August 20th, 2010

"Oh, Joe. You're always willing to try new things."

Rather than answer e-mail after e-mail and comment after comment on this issue, Joe’s going to just explain this up front.

Joe decided today to try a slightly different approach and keep nicknames of players and media and others from all new posts on these here pages.

Joe’s going to try it out and see what happens.

Joe was thinking that when he talks football with colleagues and friends, he doesn’t reference common farm animals or one’s Twittering habits, or one’s propensity to swing helmets. So Joe thought that maybe he wouldn’t do that here and see how that feels — to not write like Jim Rome talks.

Feedback is always welcome.

39 Responses to “Nicknames Have Vanished”

  1. Kirk Says:

    Awww man…I love to hear about sabby the goat. That is the best nickname yet. Joe, your site is so good, don’t let those lame politically correct cry babies stop your wonderful style of journalism. Call it as you see it.

    Gittin’ close to Caybrew time. He he

  2. pete Says:

    Good. The Sabby the Goat and Freeman Bust in Waiting and other such things were getting or had gotten overplayed.

  3. Mauha Deeb Says:

    I always thought it was something cool and different; everyone had their own nicknames and all. It keeps things refreshing even if you write it every time because no one else does that.
    I hope this isn’t a move to a more “mainstream” format. I like that the site feels sort of casual. I am also guessing that is why so many people this year have flocked to it.

    IF IT AIN’T BROKE DON’T FIX IT!!!!

  4. Joe Says:

    Gittin’ close to Caybrew time.

    Indeed!

  5. d-money Says:

    I like it Joe. Leave the nicknames for Chris Berman and Rome.

    Although I have to admit I laugh everytime I see that Sabby the Goat picture.

  6. eric Says:

    I love the nicknames!

    The “blocking Icon” and “Sabby the Goat” are cornerstones of Joebucsfan.com!

  7. Joe Says:

    Mauha Deeb:

    Your thoughts are duly noted.

    Look, Joe’s still going bring photos of the babes and Joe’s not going to hold back if he sees a wrong. As always, Joe will strive to be entertaining.

    Obviously, Joe’s traffic and ad sales help Joe chart his course.

  8. Clay Says:

    I would have to say I really liked the nicknames. Sabby the goat was great, as well as Raheem the Dream. I’ve actually used Raheem the Dream in conversation with friends.
    Like Mauha said, it did make a casual sort of place. It makes it feel like a couple of fans talking about football, there are always nicknames used in those.
    Plus if you stop call Sabby “the goat” he may think he made you a believer in his skill set Joe! Lol

  9. frank Says:

    I’ll second the laughter comment The nicknames are too much fun. The goat gets me every time. My wife even calls him The Dream.

  10. Chad Says:

    Don’t cave to the PC police. Bastards are everywhere. I’d buy a Raheem The Dream t-shirt if you had one. …Found you off RI. Is MFIKY still in play lol

  11. Joe Says:

    Chad:

    MFIKY is way cool. 🙂

  12. BamBamBuc Says:

    Don’t really care that the nicknames are gone. Honestly, it could only be good for you, Joe. If Freeman turns out to not be a “Bust in Waiting” or Sabby is not “the Goat” this year, it does mean that people won’t be able to negatively attack you personally, which is not good for your site. I’m sure you’ll still see the nicknames pop up in the comments, so it’s not like they’ll be gone for good.

  13. d-money Says:

    I think MFIKY is acceptable since

    A) its the best nickname ever and…

    2) He had it before he got to Tampa.

  14. d-money Says:

    Dangit I mean…. before he got to St. Petersburg.

  15. admin Says:

    Joe here,

    BamBamBuc – Joe dropped “bust in waiting” before training camp last year. ..As far as the personal attacks, Joe welcomes them and they’re not bad for the site. Heck, Joe even welcomes them and publishes them hatemail@joebucsfan.com ..Thanks for caring, though.

  16. lightningbuc Says:

    Keep the nicknames both here and at joeraysfan. The goat, bossman, vacation man, dirtbag, etc – they’re awesome. Don’t forget, this is sports you’re reporting on – not medical science or national security, or anything like that. Have some fun.

  17. D-Rome Says:

    Leave the nicknames. I don’t know them all so when I read a nickname like “Vacation Man” it prompts me to do a little searching on the net to see what that’s all about. It’s kinda fun.

  18. sensiblefan Says:

    Keep the nicknames Joe! When you put “Mr. Morris” in one of the other posts it was jarring to my sensitive sensibilities. I was thinking, “Geez, Joe must be in a foul mood today.”

  19. King Says:

    I really liked the nick names. It adds some comeic relief to some rather tragic seasons we have been having. It is one of the things that makes this site unique. I hope you change your mind.

  20. Pete Dutcher Says:

    I thought the nicknames were cool for the most part, although the “Bust” one wasn’t so much so.

    It might be less confusing to new readers keeping it with regualr names though…and I suspect since the official boards went down, your hits have sky-rocketed.

  21. the_buc_realist Says:

    Joe,
    You have to keep the nicknames. Growing up with my brother and close friends, We had nicknames for everyone. Its like being in a club and having a secret code. That is what is special about this site. Coming here feels like you are entering a club house, Do we all agree, no. Do we all like each other, no. but we all are in this Club called JoeBucsFan….

  22. feel Says:

    I dont mind the nicknames, but how about dropping the lame 3rd person gimmick?

  23. eric Says:

    Pretty sad day in Joebucsfanland if you ask me.

    The goat didn’t even get a going away party!

  24. Dave Says:

    Dunderhead” fan myself. Read joebucfan every day after we close up shop. I’d really miss all that fun joe

  25. Vince Says:

    “Dunderhead”, “Sabby the goat”, “Blocking Icon”, “Helmet Wielding” or even the classic “Horny Ben Roethlisberger”. Come on Joe, don’t fail me now!!

  26. Vince Says:

    By the way, whomever that cheerleader is in the pic….Bath her and bring her to me!!

  27. Chargedcbh Says:

    THANK YOU!

  28. CreamsiclePasties Says:

    Couple of things…..

    “Joe’s traffic and ad sales help Joe chart his course.”

    I’d say just do your thing……once you start doing stuff strictly to create traffic you’re just whoring yourself out (no offense intended)….my point is, you’re obviously a buc fan…so make it a site that you’d want to read and the traffic will come.

    That being said, I’m not a huge fan of the nicknames, mainly for this reason…..if you’re new to the site you’re not going to have any idea who “vacation man” or “the mad twitterer” are. Sabby the Goat & Skillet Hands (or whatever Clayton’s nickname is) are a little more obvious … Just my opinion, but I’m not a big fan of the nicknames altogether, but it doesn’t really hinder my enjoyment of the site.

    One last piece of advice … I’d recommend leaving politics completely off the site. I’m not saying this because I lean to any particular side (I’ve said the same to the left leaning Florio on his site) … It’s just that politics are such a charged subject and you automatically alienate roughly 50% of your audience. Not saying that you’re wearing your politics on your sleeve in every post (the mentions of Luntz & O’Reilly are pretty subtle), but I would just say be mindful that we’re all Bucs fans, but we all won’t be in agreement on politics. Other than suggesting your readers head to the booth (Primaries on Tuesday …. make your voice heard!) I would suggest not opening that Pandora’s box.

    Anyways — Love the site, Joe and all of the above are just meant as friendly suggestions from someone whose spent time in marketing……

  29. Kyle Says:

    Joe, I go back to the “Son of Bob” days when when there were no comments and maybe just a little after games. From Day 1 you’ve been keeping the site fun and on the cuttting edge. Whatever your thinking, I can just tell you that old “It ain’t broke …” won’t steer you wrong.
    Hope this all isn’t part of a bigger change. Nothing better than the way you keep the Glazers accountable and don’t give Dominik a passs

  30. Colby Says:

    Joe, the difference between this site and others, like Pewter Report, is that you give us it how you see it. It isn’t always optimistic, and it isn’t always negative either. It’s just a great style, and it has certainly kept me here.

    It really does give the feel of sitting back and talking Buc football with some cabrew in your hand. I look forward to the nicknames. It might be sad, but a lot of the nicknames make me chuckle throughout the day more than I do anywhere else.

    Sabby the Goat, Dunderhead, Raheem the Dream. All great, and all need to stay here.

    I come here to get an interesting view on all things Buccaneers, but also to be thoroughly entertained. Don’t fail me now Joe, BRING BACK THE NICKNAMES!

    Also, in defense of the nicknames, the fans who are new here can easily figure out who is who. Often times you put pictures and links with the nicknames and any honest buccaneer fan with a brain can easily figure it out. Don’t sacrifice style for readability!

  31. Crease22 Says:

    What he said.

    Seriously this is a great site. I think the nicknames make it more readable. Luv that goat

  32. Teddy Says:

    Please, please keep the nicknames. It’s fresh…

  33. Louie the HATER! Says:

    Just another thing to make the NFL the No Fun League. Geez, what bunch of BS. I’m outta here.

  34. mpmalloy Says:

    Joe,
    Louie is right…ironically…
    ..because you’re letting uninspired haterz
    dictate your nickname policy.
    Your nicknames were art.

    This is sad, sad day.
    t

  35. Jimmy Hats Says:

    Leave the nick names!!

  36. bucnoleguy22 Says:

    gotta agree joe, sounds like ur caving for a reason..blowin up the way u r guess u have to pay a price somewhere..i always enjoyed it very much and think it adds something diff to the site..just think, if u didnt have nicknames u and mr winslow wouldnt be nearly as good as friends…is a bit of a sad day at joeuc lets hope it doesn’t continue for the worse or soon it’ll be like profootball talk around here, ya know w out all the buccaneer football talk and stuff..

  37. D-Rome Says:

    Joe, I would like to add again that you should leave the nicknames but perhaps have a JoeBucsFan.com glossary that explains some of the things you say and the nicknames you use.

  38. Ozzie the Sports JUnkie Says:

    WHO GOT TO YOU JOE??? U get roughed up in the parking lot?? Dont go soft man…Keep the GOAT-Blockin Icon-Coach Radio….all the gems…..

  39. Brocktacular Says:

    Yeah..A nickname directory sounds like a hell of an idea,cause for the life of me i cant figure out who MFIKY is…. Sorry.