Bucs Fans Are Speaking

October 26th, 2017

The Bucs haven’t played at home since October 5 and arch enemy Cam Newton and a good Panthers team is coming to the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway.

And there are thousands of unsold tickets.

You can’t blame the weather or bad video boards, or the economy. But you could blame the Buccaneers’ defense and the rash of depression, disbelief and disappointment swirling around town.

Joe hears it all time: “How are these Bucs 2-4? They’re too talented. Same ol’ Bucs.”

Joe really believes the Tampa Bay area is aching to explode with love and support for their Bucs, but this season has been a colossal kick in the groin so far. It’s no surprise Ticketmaster is showing seats available (not resale tickets) in every upper deck section, in addition to others.

Just win these next two games, Bucs, and Joe is sure confidence will be restored in a huge way.

For those wondering, FanRetreat.com has great deals in the lower bowl for Sunday. Use your JoeBucsFan discount code for further savings.

68 Responses to “Bucs Fans Are Speaking”

  1. AlteredEgo Says:

    it seems the team has taken a “knee”….

  2. Tampa Bay Tailgater Says:

    Unrelated to this story but I just want to thank the Joe’s for getting me through each work day. You update us more than anyone else and instead of writing something back negative I just want to say thanks which doesn’t happen enough on here.

    Go Bucs and I’ll be there in section 102 this Sunday and will be fired up!! I still believe we will get the job done somehow, some way.

  3. LakeLand Says:

    Why pay good money to watch crap football? I hate to watch them on TV for free. Unless I’m in the mood for a good laugh or two.

  4. OrlandoBucs Says:

    Lower the price of tickets. You can go to games across the country for $10-20 for the cheap seats.

  5. Tampa Bay Tailgater Says:

    Lakeland….yet you respond within minutes of them posting this but don’t watch them on TV?

    Who do you think you’re fooling buddy? ::rotfl::

  6. StessT Says:

    Yes, woes have always plagued the Bucs. Every few years, the community goes through this “same ol’ Bucs” bit. The difference this year as opposed to years past is that people truly started to believe that the organization had turned a corner, and the Bucs had a legitimate reason to be optimistic. It’s been years since people were more than just cautiously optimistic…really buying into the hype.

    It only took a few games for everyone to see that’s all it is up until this point: hype. A lot of glitz and a shortfall of substance. I love my Buccaneers, but the emotional rollercoaster every Sunday afternoon does nothing for my nerves.

    I teach HS (ironically, at the same one VH3 went to). The Bucs are like that really smart kid you have in class who scoots by, is lazy, and just never performs to his ability. You SEE the greatness and brainstorm a thousand different ways to get it out of him…and it’s exhausting/disappointing/and a wee bit infuriating when you can’t!

  7. Steven007 Says:

    Tampa Bay Tailgaiter, thanks for being a good fan. I’ll be in section 150 this weekend like I have been since 1991 when I was but a wee child (figuratively speaking). The Bucs have some of the best ticket prices in the NFL. Since I’ve been going for a while we get great discounts on our seats. My season ticket price for 10 games (yes, including mind numbingly horrific pre-season games) in the lower bowl is $750. I am an aisle away from the next most expensive seats. If I gave those up tomorrow and someone else bought them they would pay almost double. So I basically pay $2 per day to be a season ticket holder and have great seats. We all decide what we spend our money on. The Dungy/Gruden run was a great ride. We’ll get there again though it’s never as quick as we’d like.

  8. JayBucBoi Says:

    Yep. Two straight wins and we’re likely right where we want to be … Leading our division! Quickest way to the playoffs is to win your division. Season gets back on track come Sunday! I would definitely be there if I could.

    Hit everything moving!! Go Bucs!! #StickCarriers

  9. Tampa Bay Tailgater Says:

    Thanks Steven! You are a GREAT FAN too!! We are begging the players to dig in and find a way, it’s our job as fans to dig deep and figure out a way to keep the faith and hope, just like we want the players too.

    We look forward to this time of year with the weather and football and as far as I’m concerned, the Bucs are no where near out of the race yet. Quit the whining and crying…it sucks but we stay on the ship with the team whether it sinks or continues to float. Be a fan or quit hitting the refresh button on JBF just to bring down everyone else with your own miserable outlook. LETS GO!!!!!!!!!!

  10. Big Stinky Says:

    Glad I didn’t buy season tickets this year. Somehow I had a feeling we would be losing games we should have won again. It’s hard driving 2 1/2 hours after a game when you are pissed off ALL the time. For some stupid reason, I keep thinking we have a shot EVERY week. I think it’s because I think the team is better than they are, UNTIL I watch the next game. Maybe one of these days but NOT yet. This team needs to act like they want to win MORE than I do. Jameis is the ONLY one who looks like he wants to win, but he ALWAYS waits until the 4th quarter to do something about it. No more excuses! Playoffs or Bust! Go YUCS!

  11. TampaTown Says:

    Tailgater & Steven: It is nice to see alittle positivity here for a change. I’ve been saying for years people here have no idea what a great thing we have going here with our Stadium and parking and tailgating setup. Don’t believe me? Try going to an away game anywhere else in the NFL. If you have the means you owe it to yourselves to go to a Bucs home game though maybe not in September. There’s so much that doesn’t make it to TV and the atmosphere is awesome. We’re all very lucky and we are just waiting to love this team again. Season ticket holder section 114.

  12. Tampa Bay Tailgater Says:

    TampaTown, Steven007, JayBucBoi…..DILLY DILLY!!!

    #StickCarriers

  13. HowToSpellRhonde Says:

    I think it’s because the unpatriotic troop-hating thug sons a benches Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson decided to take a knee during the anthem earlier this season.

  14. Steven007 Says:

    Thanks Tampa Bay Tailgaiter. Not to be elitist at all (because it’s literally accessible for anyone who chooses to spend their money that way) but being a season ticket holder is a different kind of fan experience. It’s more invested in a visceral way. At the Pats game I was surrounded by Pats fans. Since it was a close game both fan factions had plenty of things to applaud and also shake their head at. But at the end of the game there’s more than simply changing the channel or going to another room or outside. You deal with the crowd. You deal with disappointed Bucs fans. It’s in your face. Now during the good times this is great. Back in our Dungy/Gruden heyday we went to the away games in New Orleans and we OWNED the SuperDump (my nickname for SuperDome; that place was/is a dump). Sometimes it seemed there more Bucs fans than N.O. fans. And then came Katrina and everything changed. Ditto Atlanta during the Vick days. So when I see people complain about how expansive a game experience is they usually cite the ticket prices and all the food and drink prices. If you do it that way it IS expensive. But I seldom spend one dime in the stadium. Occasionally I’ll get a water (with your season pass a 1L bottle is a relatively reasonable $5). I can refill it from the water fountains near the restrooms. I never buy food and I seldom buy alcohol. Instead during the tailgate I get my fill of both for my normal grocery and liquor store price. I walk into the game with a pleasant buzz and I’m ready to go. So if you’re smart about it you don’t need to go crazy. And just like live music there’s nothing like experiencing these things in person.

  15. LakeLand Says:

    Tampa Bay Bucs History

    Record (W-L-T): 252-397-1
    Playoff Record: 6-9
    All-time Passing Leader: Vinny Testaverde 1,126/2,160, 14,820 yds, 77 TD
    All-time Rushing Leader: James Wilder 1,575 att, 5,957 yds, 37 TD
    All-time Receiving Leader: Mark Carrier 321 rec, 5,018 yds, 27 TD
    All-time Scoring Leader: Martin Gramatica 592 points
    Seasons: 42 (1976 to 2017)

    This is the Miserable Outlook

    42 years of frustration

  16. DB55 Says:

    By mid season next yr two of the records will be broken.

    Jameis currently have 60 TDs
    Mike Evans will be wr leader too.

  17. LakeLand Says:

    Seattle Seahawks History

    Seasons: 42 (1976 to 2017)
    Record (W-L-T): 329-320-1
    Playoff Record: 16-15
    All-time Passing Leader: Matt Hasselbeck 2,559/4,250, 29,434 yds, 174 TD
    All-time Rushing Leader: Shaun Alexander 2,176 att, 9,429 yds, 100 TD
    All-time Receiving Leader: Steve Largent 819 rec, 13,089 yds, 100 TD
    All-time Scoring Leader: Norm Johnson 810 points

    These two teams came into the NFL together
    They are as different as night and day

  18. Keir Says:

    Dont make it to many games live anymore, so comfy to sit on the couch at home. I too wish to thank the Joe’s for the site and the podcasts, i listen to all off them and love the Buc news. I am not a band-wagoner, but the older I get I do tend to get more upset than I used to. Probably because we are so close. This seems to be the best offensive team we have ever fielded ( outside of Running back ) and to see such a hapless defensive effort ( Outside of McCoy and the LB’s and Grimes ) it just lingers for a few days after the loss.

    I would trade with the Glazers in a heart beat…Sad and mad, but making millions a week win or lose. I have had this idea that every NFL team should give away $1 million per week at home games They can certainly afford it and it would get the stadiums packed for game day. You say you love the fans…prove it by giving back ( not just taking, which you are very good at )

  19. darin Says:

    Always been a bandwagon city. The bandwagoners are the ones who drove up the ticket prices back in the day, and now they dont show up. Cant blame em right now tho. This “defense” is indefensible. No idea why smith wont dial up more blitzes. Afraid of the “explosives” i guess. Hey smitty if youre hearing this we dont care if they score on 1 play or 3. We want a chance to get the qb off his spot. Another hall of fame game by another average qb and I might join the bandwagoners, wherever they go on sundays. Go Bucs

  20. Broy34 Says:

    FINALLY some positivity from this site. It’s amazing what happens when lamarcus db55 had tmax or I call them “the three sulkaTEARS” aren’t here. Usually you’d have tmax “the leader of the losing culture ” blah blah blah and lamarcus whining about whatever the f. This team is so improved from 2-3 years ago it’s incredible. Yes we’ve missed some picks. I dare a hater to look up one team in football and fight a 75 percent hit rate on a gm for four years. Seriously go ahead and try. The big mistake was bringing in Baker. He’s an absolute cancer and I cannot see him in the locker room during a jameis family speech and not laugh. He takes nothing seriously. Ward would buy in desean would buy in Baker would just start laughing or crack a joke. The last thing aguayo needed was being made fun of by his own teammates and it sickens me to see our coaching staff 100 percent allow it. Once Stevie t is healthy take his ass and kick him to the curb because this team needs to believe in eachother and rally around themselves. I believe the lack of the will to win and chemistry is the big problem. They one 9 games with less talent last year but had so much more chemistry it’s insane. The ship will be righted as long as they don’t continue to give up 500 yards a game. This team had a chip on their shoulder last year during the streak. Time to find it again

  21. Tampa Bay Tailgater Says:

    You could be the Bills dude…0-4 in Superbowls with the longest playoff drought of any team at 17 YEARS. Did you see that Bills Stadium last week? Impressive!

    Or you could be the other 12 teams to have never won a SUPERBOWL. Why didn’t you include that? You say 42 years of frustration which includes the year they won the Superbowl. I think that says all we need to know about your outlook on this team. Who cares about team stats.

    Anything can be grim if you look hard enough or are just flat out depressing all the time.

  22. GhostofSchiano Says:

    StessT Says: The difference this year as opposed to years past is that people truly started to believe that the organization had turned a corner, and the Bucs had a legitimate reason to be optimistic

    —————————————————————————————–

    Count me as a believer, then again when comes to the Bucs I am quite Naïve and my hopes are easily raised.

    Also agree with many here that Dirk Koetter has the new title of “Formerly winning coach”. Lay most of the blame at the feet of Licht.

  23. Broy34 Says:

    Tailgater – please comment more. let’s take this comment section back from the loser lovers. We need bonzai Hawaiian and realist. Let’s take it back

  24. GhostofSchiano Says:

    Dirk Koetter has the new title of “Formerly winning Head coach”

  25. TampaTown Says:

    @Steven007: Spoken like a professional tailgater! That’s exactly how we do it. Drink and eat before the games, play tons of Cornhole, and take it easy in the stadium because of the prices. Always start with a water to rehydrate. Also agree with you about NOLA. That stadium and their tailgating situation $ucks.

  26. Tampa Bay Tailgater Says:

    Broy34….I think you’re right. It takes all of us to pull them out of the hole of depression. Take a friggin walk outside today and refrain from posting the typical BS.

    You know what’s funny? The usual suspects of depression on here are the ones that do nothing about it (go to the games)!! Just mope, whine, cry on here for the rest of us fans to have to scroll past. I’m a winner in life and I demand my team to be winners and will do everything I can to help them.

    We’ll refer to them as the “Usual Suspects”. Those usual suspects would vote yes for a mascot change to Eeyore…then you will see them at games begging for a selfie with him.

  27. Hodad Says:

    Joe, the fans don’t want to see losing head coach Koetter lose again. I give the Bucs a slight chance against Carolina, but if you think they can win next week against Drew Brees in that dome, you must believe Koetter is a winning coach. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

  28. blind melon Says:

    Still the best good money spent on my favorite team and it’s related activities. Only a small window to see them play in any given year. I can only fish and golf so much. 🙂

  29. TouchDownTampaBay Says:

    I have been a Bucs fan since the very beginning when I was just a wide eyed little kid watching my heroes Williams, Bell, Giles and the others. That hooked me and they have been my team ever since. It was gut wrenching suffering through the 80s and 90s until the glory years of Dungy and Gruden. However, after suffering through another decade of losing I had finally got to a point of believing they had turned the corner. I will not pony up several hundred dollars only to be infuriated and stressed out watching this team under perform. They will not be getting anymore of money until they start playing well and winning. Until then it is just TV for me. I will still be pissed off, but at least I won’t be out of a good amount of cash.

  30. Phil Says:

    Did they sign Simeon yet?

  31. Steven007 Says:

    I began this post and then got distracted with actual work. Now I see more have chimed in with some of what I was going to say. So I apologize for any redundancy. I was going to respond to LakeLand with – at least we’ve won a SB. As I’m hoping you know there are still quite a few teams that have not.. 12 teams in fact as Tampa Bay Tailgaiter has helpfully pointed out. When talking about stuff like this I like to use the Pats as an example. They were a moribund franchise for years. Then came Kraft and Belichick and Brady. That said, after Belichick and Brady leave what kind of teams do you think the Pats will field? They are the only remaining franchise that even resembles a dynasty, and it comes down to those two guys. One and possibly both will be within the next 3-5 years. Then the Pats reign will end, likely for a very long time.

    TampaTown, thanks. That’s how we’ve done it from the start. I am always in disbelief when I see people eating actual meals in the stadium! Not to mention the overpriced beers. Also as long time season pass members we get periodic invitation only ship parties before games where the team provides free food and drink (including alcohol). We’ve had the Glazer family down there mingling with us and they are very gracious and generous with their time. Look around the NFL at some of the other ownership situations. We have it pretty good here regardless of what some think.

  32. Mike Johnson Says:

    Why pay big money to come out to Ray Jay and get pissed off. Hell, I can sit at home in the comfort of my main cave, 65 inch TV, An..overflow of libations and wings..and get pissed off!

  33. Steven007 Says:

    *will be gone between the next three to five years

  34. Steven007 Says:

    Mike, no one is begrudging you that experience. Many share that sentiment. But like I said earlier, for me it’s like going to a concert. Sure you can watch a concert on TV. But it’s nothing like seeing in person. Game experience is the same, for me at least. But it’s not for everyone and I understand that.

  35. PRBucFan Says:

    Yea cause the other offense has been so dependable before quarter 4 every game…

  36. NFLNut Says:

    Lakeland … how many SB rings do the Seahawks have?

  37. LakeLand Says:

    NFLNut. I hope you’re not bragging about a ONE YEAR WONDER. The 2002 Bucs

  38. LakeLand Says:

    How many playoff games have they won since 2002?

  39. NFLNut Says:

    ******************************

    If Jameis listens to his agent, he’ll probably refuse to sign an extension and make the team franchise him in his 6th year (2020) so that he can sign a new, long-term contract under the NFL’s next Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) as the current and out-dated one expires after the 2020 season.

    Not only will Jameis undoubtedly receive the longest and most lucrative (both in terms of a signing bonus and average annual salary) contract in NFL history if he wants it, he may spurn the Bucs and sign such a contract with another team … I could see it be another NFC South team like the Saints (as Brees will probably retire after the 2020 season).

    Enjoy Jameis while you have him Bucs fans … he’s the greatest QB you’ve ever had (Warren Sapp made that clear!) and treat him good or you could be watching him win rings in another uniform soon …

    ********************************

  40. westernbuc Says:

    I’m guessing the rush to positivity on this comment section of an article about an empty stadium is the Bucs PR staff doing everything it can to fill seats.

    Here’s a better method: win games

  41. NFLNut Says:

    Lakeland,

    HOW MANY SB RINGS HAS THE SEAHAWKS ORGANIZATION WON?

    ANSWER THE QUESTION.

  42. LakeLand Says:

    Seattle have won one Super Bowl. How many playoff games has the Bucs won since 2002? That 15 years.

  43. LakeLand Says:

    westernbuc…I agree 100%

  44. GhostofSchiano Says:

    NFLNut Says:

    October 26th, 2017 at 4:27 pm

    Lakeland … how many SB rings do the Seahawks have?
    —————————————————————————————–

    I have to admit that of the many games I have been to at Raymond James last years game with the Seahawks exposed me to the most annoying obnoxious fans of an opposing team I have ever encountered. The title belonged to a Saints fan previously but the drunk Seahawk fan was over the top.

    On the flip side the most cordial opposing team fans were the Titans and Cardinals.

    Hope Mike Smith gets his unit turned around, be nice to go on a winning streak right now.

  45. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    I was skeptical that the Stick Carrier movement would last. A group like that needs to really get behind the team and make their presence felt.

    Tampa fans just do not have the stamina for that.

  46. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    AlteredEgo Says
    “it seems the team has taken a “knee”…”

    No…the fans have. The team is still in there fighting.

  47. GhostofSchiano Says:

    Just read the other post that Grimes will be out for the Panthers game, Mcclain in concussion protocol. Leaving Hargraves and Conte….God have mercy on the Bucs this Sunday…..please.

  48. ClodHopper Says:

    Ugh. I hate the Stinking Panthers games. It’s so torturous watching Cam play. Just can’t stand him. He’s the kind of guy that can walk into a room, say nothing, and I’ll still find a reason to get pissed at him.

  49. BUC MAN Says:

    DO YOU REALLY THINK THE BUC’S ARE GOIN TO WIN THE NEXT TO GAMES , COME ON , GET REAL THEIR LUCKY IF THEY WILL WIN TO MORE GAMES THE HOLE SEASON….. WHAT A JOKE , ANY BETS……….

  50. Richbucsfan Says:

    The taking a knee disrespect believe it or not has turned off tens of thousands of fans who are more loyal to their country more so than to a crap team who doesn’t know its mission is to play football not shove politics down the throats of its fans. Think this is bad? Wait til next year. In fact, just wait til Veterans Day weekend. Misguided and misinformed players

  51. BucTrooper Says:

    I gotta agree w/ the majority of commenters: no one wants to waste a Sunday watching the Bucs half-a$$ it up and down the field.

    My doctor told me on Monday that he stopped watching football and his landscaping has never been better.

  52. NFLNut Says:

    **********************

    Lakeland,

    I don’t care how or even know how many playoff games the Bucs have won … I am NOT a Bucs fan and have never been a Bucs fan. I am a fan of players not teams and as Jameis is my current favorite player, the Bucs happen to be my current favorite team.

    I was raised a Lions fan … the team has been around since the beginning and has NEVER won a playoff game … they squandered the career of the greatest pure runner the game has ever seen … Barry Sanders won ONE playoff game in his career … one.

    ********************

  53. NFLNut Says:

    *****************

    Lakeland,

    My point was that the Seahawks has no reason to feel any better than the Bucs as they have won the same amount of rings as the Bucs since their inception. Both franchises can talk smack to the Lions, Browns, Falcons, Jaguars and other franchises that have NEVER won a Super Bowl but it’s silly to hold up Seattle as some bastion of perfection when they have won the same amount of rings as Tampa has.

    Each team had a devastating defense carry a mundane offense led by a game-manager QB to a title …

    Now, I’m not sure how many HOF’ers each team has … I know Selmon, Sapp and Brooks are in the HOF for Tampa and that Largent and Walter Jones are in for Seattle … is that all Seattle has in the HOF?

    I figure Ronde and Lynch and Rice will all get in one day and I also figure Shaun Alexander will get in one day as well … would that mean there will be 6 Bucs and only 3 Seahawks in the HOF other than players on their current rosters?

    I never followed either team and could care the less about the Seahawks … they are boring to watch and choked away a SB when Russell Wilson made one of the worst mistakes I’ve ever seen … I don’t care about them.

    *****************

    ***********

  54. Tampa Bay Tailgater Says:

    The sudden rush of positivity is the majority of readers seeing the select few being downers on every post. The Usual Suspects know who they are.

    Stay positive people.

  55. Richbucsfan Says:

    The NFL is suffering major attendance issues. The new generation of social activists/football players are killing the sport. There are and will be serious financial issues hitting the NFL like a tidal wave in the next few years that will impact this “socially active” bunch

  56. uckinator Says:

    If you don’t think taking a knee didn’t hurt attendance, you are kidding yourself.

  57. Richbucsfan Says:

    Correct, uck. It has nothing to do with staying positive. It’s no longer the game. It’s the thugs who have taken over the game. Patriots are speaking LOUDLY.

  58. LakeLand Says:

    The Yucs has always had attendance problems. Remember all of the BLACKOUTS, this was way before the Knee thing.

  59. Joeypoppems Says:

    Yea this has nothing to do with players taking a knee. Its just nobody wants to watch a bad team and the Bucs are currently (still) a bad team.

  60. Rayjay1122 Says:

    Yes our Bucs have a history of letting us down. Not going to keep them from being my favorite team however the pathetic Football that I have witnessed year in and year out is tiresome. Also the entire NFL is not as entertaining as the past due to the CBA and concussion protocol. Hard hitting, good tackling defense is is hard to find now.

  61. Tampa Bay Tailgater Says:

    If it bothers you so much why are you here and why do you watch the games? You’re looking for validation from a small group of ppl?

    I don’t get you people that are so upset yet continue to post, try and push your stance (no pun) on others hoping to win over us?

    I’m just here for football dude and maybe if you had that attitude, stop caring so much when deep down you likely don’t, because you’re still on here posting, life would be a lot less stressful for you at the same time much simpler.

  62. BucEmUp Says:

    Mike Smiths press conferences make me sick. All excuses and saying we have to play better. Its the same crap as Lovie Im almost done watching there better be a good product on the field or a new d coordinator by Monday morning or im gonna start finding better things to do with my Sundays

  63. HowToSpellRhonde Says:

    RichBucsFan refers to kneelers as “thugs”.

    I got a parking ticket today, guess I’m scum of the earth in his eyes.

  64. LakeLand Says:

    You have all kind of people in America. You have a Sexual Predator in the WH. People know about Dennis Haysbert and his sins. He’s a former Speaker of House. You have bad people in ALL walks of life.

  65. Mort Says:

    Big surprise… Tampa fans are fair weather as it gets. Not a new problem.

  66. passthebuc Says:

    FYI
    the lightning was sold out.

  67. LongSeason Says:

    Offense starts out slow. Defense thinks they ar in perpetual pre-game worm ups We get behind 20-0. Offense comes alive and we nearly pull off the come back win again before the defense allow a kick to the fan base collective nut sack by allowing two 4th qtr touchdowns. Bucs Lose! Bucs Lose!

  68. richbucsfan Says:

    To any and all who care to know the truth, I urge you to read this article found in the USA Today (not exactly your conservative newspaper)…https://www.usatoday.com/sports/nfl/arrests/2015/all/all/

    Further, you might want to peruse https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-releases-2016-preliminary-statistics-for-law-enforcement-officers-killed-in-the-line-of-duty

    Yes, there are thugs in the NFL. Thugs have no respect for authority and kneeling at the playing of the National Anthem comes second nature to them. This is not the NFL I grew up with as a youngster from Pittsburgh. Today’s athlete is an entitled self-centered and selfish individual. Now, they want to be social activists. DeMaurice is one of those I hope you’re aware. You also knew I’m sure that ESPN is going through a new round of layoffs because people are rejecting their penchant for politics. The NFL is “Not For Long” if it doesn’t return to football only. When #3 and #11 knelt, that was my final day watching. I do hope you will take the time to inform yourself and not just go along with a very uninformed opinion.