Witnessing Culture Change
November 21st, 2016
Center Joe Hawley talks to Joe in the happy Kansas City locker room
Before yesterday, when was the last time starting center Joe Hawley didn’t go down in a game screaming in agony with a knee injury?
Thankfully, Hawley came out of this one healthy and smiling — and talking to Joe.
Hawley played years under Dirk Koetter in Atlanta on good Falcons teams. Hawley knew all about Koetter’s mindset when the head coach spoke early this season about ridding the losing cutlure infecting the Tampa Bay locker room.
Joe asked Hawley yesterday if that culture change Koetter said was needed so desperately has been found.
Hawley said it has, but cautioned that the Bucs are only a couple of giant steps there on the journey.
“It’s something you got to build. It’s a process. And I think that process has started and it starts with belief,” Hawley said. “We got to believe we can do it and believe we can come with big wins like this. When it comes down to the end [of a game] like that, you got to believe you can do it. And that’s what happened today.”
Hawley agreed that the Bucs got too high on their press clippings after their Week 1 win in Atlanta and needed a wake-up call to get them where they are today at 5-5.
“I think we came back that second week, we kind of came in like we owned the league and it was just Week 1,” Hawley said. “I think this team has refocused itself. We came in [Sunday]; this is a tough place to win. I’m really proud of the way the team won, and I think we’re learning that if we play together, no matter what happens in a game, because bad things are going to happen, if we take care of each other and make plays for each other, anything can happen.”
As for how a winning culture manifested itself yesterday in Kansas City, Hawley said in addition to standing firm and making plays in crunch time, it was about consistent success on third down to help make the crowd a non-factor throughout the game.
November 21st, 2016 at 3:15 pm
I love this guy.
Anther win would go a long way for fans, media and players. Especially if the Falcons loose another.
We’re now in that part of the season where it is make or break. A loss won’t be season ending, but 4 in a row would be.
Beating the Saints twice would be a huge plus, if we can pull it off. Beating the chargers would be really huge. The last game is against the Panthers, and if things go according to plan, it will be a game where they might be trying to be spoilers to our wildcard chances.
November 21st, 2016 at 3:24 pm
They got too high off of their big win in week 1 and came out flat and awful the next week against a sub par cardinals team. This time the test will be even bigger. Can’t wait to see if this talk of changing the culture is for real. If Jameis comes out guns blazing and the defense keeps up their momentum, this could really be a turning point after the past 8 years of suck. Forget just staying competitive, winning this game on Sunday will be a huge step towards erasing the lethargy that has infected this fan base since gruden’s departure. And let’s get it started by bringing the war chant to Ray Jay!
November 21st, 2016 at 3:32 pm
The easiest path to the playoffs is to go 5-1 over the next six games. Tough but not impossible especially if we could get off with a win over Seattle. That would be huge and a big confidence booster as well.
If we get ten wins we’ll make it at least as a wild card.
November 21st, 2016 at 3:50 pm
This guy was a solid pick up. You got to love his toughness and diversity he adds to our OL.
off subject: Did anyone think that Mike Evans catch that got knocked out in the endzone deserved a closer look? You Jordy N. had the same thing happen and it was called a TD.
November 21st, 2016 at 3:50 pm
If were gonna beat the saints twice, we need to really good pass defense. The saints are hard to stop. Our defense so far, has really struggled aginast quality QBs this year. Our remaining schedule includes,
Russel Wilson
Drew Brees
Dak Prescott
Philip Rivers
Cam Newton
This is where we’ll where the defense truly is.
November 21st, 2016 at 4:07 pm
StanG-Man:
That’s a good point…although Evans went to the ground whereas Nelson was upright ( for some reason that matters ). The non-challenge of the potential fumble as KC was driving for what would be their final score is the play that still makes me twitch :).
November 21st, 2016 at 4:15 pm
Love this guys tenacity.
November 21st, 2016 at 5:17 pm
This team isn’t ready for the playoffs. Not yet. More than likely, we’ll see no more than two more wins.
Anything more than that will be pure luck.
Now, as to why I don’t think they are ready for the playoffs?
One and done does nothing but cost a team its draft position. We already saw that Tampa fans won’t even attend games with special meaning (the John Lynch game). At most, it would be experience…but that is a marginal benefit this year.
No…if its one and done, I would rather NOT make the playoffs. If they can win the wildcard game? That’s a different story. That might actually bring more fans to games next year.
November 21st, 2016 at 5:18 pm
5-5 means the playoffs are still in play
I’ve been saying it since the offseason and throughout the disappointing start. My expectations for this team is to make the playoffs. It’s going to be tough but it’s not impossible. Ironically, our easiest path may be to win the NFCS rather than getting in through the Wild Card
5-1 the rest of the way should get us in. That being said, this week against Seattle is going to be very difficult. And this team being able to rattle off 5 wins in a row after Seattle would be a tough road. I’m excited by the direction of this team regardless of how this season ends
November 21st, 2016 at 5:20 pm
Personally, I believe the newer uniforms have cursed us 😉
November 21st, 2016 at 5:23 pm
Here’s something cool:
Robert Aguayo was 4-of-8 on field goals and 8-of-9 on extra points through the first five games of the year.
After the bye, Aguayo has made 9-of-10 field goals and 12-of-13 extra points while the Bucs have gone from 2-3 to 5-5.
I think our kicker is working through his issues just fine…in your face naysayers!
November 21st, 2016 at 5:41 pm
Can’t sand the new uniforms either! Stupid alarm clock numbers!
November 21st, 2016 at 5:42 pm
I’m kind of numb to the new uni’s. Don’t like em. Just numb.
November 21st, 2016 at 6:03 pm
I like the new unis I just hate it when they wear all white. Would love to see some of the dark grayish black jerseys. Those would look nasty!
November 21st, 2016 at 6:59 pm
Do i think the bucs can win the rest of there games …NO! Only because its a hard task for any team to do . However I do believe they can beat every team on the rest of the schedule . I Dont think you guys are really paying attention to this team . They are not scared to go on the road and play any team . Falcons 49ers Panthers Chiefs . That’s harder than winning at home . just put your seatbelts on and enjoy the ride we will be on for the next few years (10)
November 21st, 2016 at 7:25 pm
Just to see the BUCS play a good game.. Staying in a game and make plays would be great.
Bucs are not ready for the playoffs they need another receiver and some toughness in the locker room for the defense.
November 21st, 2016 at 7:58 pm
Well said 1nebuc
November 21st, 2016 at 8:34 pm
I think there was a 4 year deal for the uni’s. Hopefully there will be some changes.
November 21st, 2016 at 9:04 pm
When Conte had that interception in the end zone, I wonder if Andy Reid was having flashbacks to Ronde Barber’s interception of Donovan McNabb all those years ago.
November 21st, 2016 at 9:10 pm
I can answer that Stroud.
No.
That game had entirely so much more meaning for both teams.
Plus all the others…Conte’s white and it wasn’t for a TD. The crappy new uniforms etc..
November 21st, 2016 at 10:44 pm
Culture change may be starting but we are only 1 game removed from Dotson trying to single handedly wipe out any good offensive play with mutiple penalties. I rewatched the Bears game and in one offensive drive Dotson cost two first downs and at least 50 yards of gain called back from his holding penalties. Then throw in another 10 yards for Stocker at a critical time that cost another 1st down. All of this in one possession. Fortunately the bears suck and it didn’t matter. Hopefully we’ll see more of the Dotson who played this week in KC. Point is we are still capable of some bad football.
November 21st, 2016 at 11:11 pm
Guys…..we are very few plays away from being 7 and 3, instead of 5 and 5!
Let that sink in for a minute with a new HC and DC!
Does the fanbase of a perpetually losing team Really have more to ask for vs the last two years????
November 21st, 2016 at 11:17 pm
WOW…………Janikowski has NEVER missed a kick on MNF! Amazing stat.
This is what Aguayo is up against in comparisons? Good Luck bud
November 21st, 2016 at 11:31 pm
Watching the game now, I’m so impressed. Doug Martin runs the ball so well. He had an 8 yard run where he had to side step then hurdle, wow.
November 21st, 2016 at 11:36 pm
Did you guys see Kwon pop Alex Smith on the Int by conte? Hard to see from the TV angle but def worth a look. Remember when he hit josh mc…..oops forgot “he who shall not be named”?
November 21st, 2016 at 11:38 pm
Ive never seen LVD get run over but he got trucked by Spencer Ware. #disgusting
November 21st, 2016 at 11:57 pm
I saw that DB. I , unfortunately had to start Spencer Ware cause Melvin Gordon was on a bye. All is good though cause David Johnson got me 33 pts. What a Beast of a RB
November 22nd, 2016 at 12:16 am
He got a sweet potato pancake at goody goody the other day
November 22nd, 2016 at 12:40 am
David Johnson is a throwback to real RBs. Dude does it all. Lucky you.
November 22nd, 2016 at 1:58 am
Lord knows we wouldn’t want to get into the playoffs. That would be terrible.
We might lose!
SMH