Managing The Trauma
January 24th, 2022
Joe worries about Bucs fans today after experiencing the ecstasy of the most stunning comeback in team history, followed seconds later by simultaneous and inhumane kicks to the groin by the Rams and Todd Bowles.
It still hurts and it will hurt for a long time.
Joe realizes lots of love and gratitude should be hurled at Jamel Dean, Antoine Winfield, Jr., and Ndamukong Suh for impressive forced fumbles that led to turnovers and gave the Bucs a prayer of victory.
Tom Brady, of course, put on quite a show in the second half when the Bucs scored 24 points to complete their comeback after trailing 27-3. Two of the biggest plays of the heroic effort even went to Scotty Miller, including a 4th-and-9 throw, so it’s not like Brady was only leaning on his big guns.
There is at least a shred of good to focus on, but Joe cannot shake the horrible memories of terrible tackling, Ryan Succop’s missed second-quarter field goal, and an uncovered Cooper Kupp running wild through the Bucs defense. Those images are stuck in Joe’s brain, torturing visions that might send Joe to seek mental health care later today.
If Tom Brady retires, Joe sure hopes the announcement comes in at least a few weeks. Joe and legions of Bucs fans need time to heal before another trauma rains down on our heads.
Joe hopes you have a friend, perhaps a Bills fan, with which to commiserate today, or a warm partner to give you a hug.
If not, Joe will monitor the comments on this post and try to chime in with an encouraging word and a virtual hug.
We will get through this.
For those who didn’t change teams, quit football or pass away during The Lost Decade, remember that we survived TV blackouts, the 2011 meltdown, the Greg Schiano regime, the Capitol Collapse, the inept coaching of the Dirk Koetter years, Jameis Winston’s humiliations and the 2016 NFL Draft — and we landed atop the NFL mountain just 11 months ago.
It’s going to be ok.
January 24th, 2022 at 6:07 am
yes joe i have trauma 🙁
January 24th, 2022 at 6:13 am
If Brady retires I’d rather we find out now so we can move on from BA and get a new coach before the good ones are hired up.
He’s not retiring though
January 24th, 2022 at 6:15 am
Yes, as Bob Marley sang in “Three Little Birds”, don’t worry about a thing, ’cause every little thing gonna be alright.
January 24th, 2022 at 6:21 am
I’m very emotional today. This hurts man. This hurts. So many questions
Go Bucs
January 24th, 2022 at 6:25 am
Don’t forget Lovie in that list. My god, he’s the headliner
January 24th, 2022 at 6:27 am
Proud of the way this team fought, you can’t win them all, no shame for this beat up team. Thanks for a great year Bucs, compared to the lost decade this was a great ride.
January 24th, 2022 at 6:29 am
It definitely hurts.
January 24th, 2022 at 6:30 am
On the bright side, at least we aren’t the Bills. 13 seconds and you let them go 40 yards???
January 24th, 2022 at 6:39 am
How I deal, The next two weeks, I binge some tv shows no sport
Shows, now it is time too turn to golf season. I usually start
Playing golf in the off season so that I don’t go crazy with all the rumors in the off season. It was fun and interesting year. You guys take care.see u August 👊🏾👊🏾🏈
January 24th, 2022 at 6:45 am
I have a Green Bay fan and a Bills fan to commiserate with thankfully. Both of whom met similar demises in the waning moments of games through gaffes.
As a long-time DIE HARD Buc fan, I remember the leaner years and appreciate what we have seen these last few years.
Go Bucs!
January 24th, 2022 at 6:50 am
Imagine if Brady had pulled off that comeback and then the NFL MVP award went to AR. That would have been hilarious!
Props to our guys for almost doing it. 40 seconds of stellar D and the luck of a coin toss and we might have had it!!!
Truly remarkable near-accomplishment when we literally didn’t have half of our big time guys. If we had had Wirfs, Grayson, Perriman, Rojo, GODWIN, AB… we would trampled the Rams! So sucky we didn’t have all our guys.
But I love the Bucs and am so proud of them. Go Bucs (in 2022)!
January 24th, 2022 at 6:55 am
Spicoli –
Yeah, crazy toss up which loss was more traumatic/shocking. The Bills, by all rights, should have had that game locked up! I hate KC and am so bummed they pulled off that insane comeback. Be a real bummer to see KC win the Owl if they do. Just can’t stand them.
January 24th, 2022 at 7:00 am
hard as hell today because top to bottom they’re still the best on paper…they underachieved. Leftwich can find a new home. the run game abandonment, weekly, was frustrating. Top Oline and they’re in empty sets on short yardage. Lenny rumbled for 10 yards a pop to start the game and that was it basically for the run calls.
January 24th, 2022 at 7:07 am
Not gonna lie. Feel pretty lousy this morning. Just hope brady comes back for a third year. Maybe we should let him pick his coordinator 😂
Im sure Bills fans feeling the same way.
The crowd was amazing last night. Real fans. Probably 97% buc fans. Not losers like oralbfan and fake arse bucs anthem
January 24th, 2022 at 7:11 am
Good Lord, people. Trauma? Trauma? Forty-five plus years this team has existed. How many ended in the playoffs? How many ended with a SB win? This isn’t the day after a 2-14 finish and everyone thinks the number one pick is going to make them instant playoffs next year, knowing it won’t.
Whatever Brady decides, this team is solid top to bottom with clear holes that can be filled with some free agents. It is a place players who play want to play.
Be happy with what they did, and go mow the lawn or paint a kitchen cabinet. But let it go. Thirty one fan bases will be in the same boat.
But cut Darden. He runs scared.
January 24th, 2022 at 7:17 am
Too many injuries to compete with a stacked team like the Rams. Wells played a gutsy game, but he was obviously hurting (and overmatched to start with). Jensen looked like he was hurting too.
Lenny played a helluva game, especially considering that he was on IR just a couple days ago (13 rushes for 51 yds & 2 TDs plus 9-for-9 receiving for 56 yds). He was a beast & I really hope we re-sign him.
The rest of Tommy’s weapons had meh games. Evans was 8-for-16, but he did have 119 yds. Gronk was 4-for-11, but he did have 85 yds. The rest (Miller, Johnson, OJ, Brate, Gio) were pretty much non-factors (9-for-17, for 69 yds).
January 24th, 2022 at 7:19 am
Go golfing or horseback riding or fishing or biking or rowing or hiking or just take a walk with someone you love . Bucs will be back and so will Brady.
January 24th, 2022 at 7:20 am
We definitely are hurting today..I would of felt a hell of a lot better if we would of lost in overtime..Todd Bowles you blew a head coaching job!
January 24th, 2022 at 7:20 am
What I fear is that this will bring out the Buc-hating trolls….spewing negativity on every post…..helping to ruin your site, Joe.
Please help us with that.
As far as the loss…it hurts…..but any loss hurts…..I am grateful for the past two years……6 playoff games & a SB win………congrats Bucs!!!
January 24th, 2022 at 7:27 am
It’s just ashame this team seems to wait till the 4th quarter to wake the F up. Next year both units need to come out with more urgency.
January 24th, 2022 at 7:29 am
Not a pleasant ending at all, but c’mon:
A little over two years ago, if Bucs fans were told, “Okay, you’re going to get Tom Freaking Brady for two years, win a Super Bowl, and make it to the second round another year. What a monumental (understatement) turn of fortune.
I suppose the only thing better than winning it last year would have been losing in the playoffs last year and winning it all this year.
We’re forever linked to the greatest player of all time, and his time may not be over yet.
January 24th, 2022 at 7:35 am
Bowles needs to go!
January 24th, 2022 at 7:35 am
Fans were loud and proud yesterday, keep your head up Tampa.
January 24th, 2022 at 7:39 am
Perspective is hard to feel on mornings like this. Hard to see it now, but three years ago, we would have killed to of ended the season by getting to the divisional round. As sad as this is, yes we will be okay.
My fellow posters are right: mow the lawn, upgrade the house, go fishing, remember the other loves in life… The war was fought valiantly. Time to go home now.
January 24th, 2022 at 7:58 am
That last play call got me pissed how why?
January 24th, 2022 at 7:58 am
I know it took a toll on my beer/tequila stock n we all can play armchair coach this morning but it happened in all four games this weekend but we the Bucs really had our butts handed to us for three plus quarters. We can really feel Buffaloes pain.
January 24th, 2022 at 8:03 am
Tom needs to recruit a WR3–Sammy Watkins? Will Fuller?
January 24th, 2022 at 8:05 am
Hurting fan in the U.K here. The Brady era was always going to be fleeting, but it feels too soon to be over. A lot of other guys will be waiting on TB to make his decision before they decide what they want to do as well.
January 24th, 2022 at 8:07 am
Joe – thanks for this post. Shell shocked is what I am. It’s hard being a fan outside of the city and state for that matter for cheering and especially losing. At least you guys have each other in mourning. I’m trying to put it all into perspective and either way we got one super bowl with Brady and it’s all worth it but this will be hard to swallow and seeing this team change over the next 3 months. I loved this team and my favourite buc players last two years sans brown. It’s sad for sure.
January 24th, 2022 at 8:09 am
Unfamiliar territory for Brady, when he and the team would stage a comeback of that magnitude the coaching staff wouldn’t blow it. Not sure how Pinon is off the hook, he set them up twice in his own house. I would say poor Winfield Jr. but the secondary including him were getting burnt all game. Those calling for SMB to sit was just. No reason for Davis to take his helmet off yesterday and show us his stupid arse gold teeth. I agree Licht needs to get rid of this coaching staff now if Bucs have any chance of Brady’s return. Everyone assumes the turmoil was caused by AB, did anyone take into consideration it could have been BA???
January 24th, 2022 at 8:14 am
This team didn’t come together this year, it came apart thanks to injuries and AB.
January 24th, 2022 at 8:16 am
Absolutely hate Rodgers as a person. He’s a douc*e!
But dam if Brady does hang it up (I don’t think he will) if am Jason I am doing whatever I can to get rodgers
January 24th, 2022 at 8:23 am
Truly a fan aren’t you Joe’s? Thank you. This one hurts like hell
January 24th, 2022 at 8:25 am
I’d rather have Jimmy G than Rodgers if Brady leaves…..
January 24th, 2022 at 8:41 am
That play will be burned into our brains as vividly as Ronde’s pick 6 in 2002.
January 24th, 2022 at 8:41 am
Is it? Is it going to be okay?
Our pass rush got humiliated. Our offensive line got humiliated. We have two useless tight ends, three/four useless wide receivers (Evans, Godwin and Miller are the good ones), Leftwich is never disciplined enough to commit to the run and always has Brady throw 55 times in those situations, Murphy-Bunting can’t tackle, this is like the fourth time this season that Leftwich’s game plan got swallowed up by the opposing defensive coordinator, not to mention Bowles blitzing and not putting Dean on Kupp with Winfield help all game. It’s pure vanity and hubris not to adjust to contain the enemy’s weapons and force them to beat you with other players.
Oh, and Donovan Smith is regressing to his former self also.
We have huge holes to fill in every sector. We need at least a good reserve Offensive Tackle, we need another LB to help David, we need a CB to replace Davis and another for depth, we need new pass rushers that can actually make an impact against good offensive lines, we need to bring Godwin back and sweeten the pot with at least another good WR for Brady, let alone this moronic TE corps, we need an explosive RB that is actually capable of explosive plays (the draft will be teeming with them in late rounds), we need Arians to actually discipline this team and GET FREAKING INVOLVED in the game planning to provent Bowles and Leftwich to screw up so much.
We’re toast, Joe. Licht needs to act fast and nail the draft. Or else…
January 24th, 2022 at 8:46 am
It’s funny — there’s a part of me that feels like we finally have the shared agony of a heartbreaking loss in what would actually be considered a great game. Yeah, 9-0 in the 1979 NFC Championship and Burt Emmanuel in 1999 sucked, but nobody would call either of those great games. This one? People will look back on it when talking about classic playoff games. And we’ll constantly be reminded how we were on the wrong end of it. And that feels like something a “mature” sports franchise should have — that bonding moment of genuine heartbreak.
Or maybe I’m just trying to justify things in my head….
January 24th, 2022 at 8:47 am
I agree with Mike, the fans were great yesterday. You guys really brought it in the fourth quarter. I proud of how loud yall were.
January 24th, 2022 at 8:52 am
My nephew was there and he said the fans was insane.
January 24th, 2022 at 8:56 am
The Bills were stupid to kick the ball into the end zone! With 13 seconds left, they should have pooched the kick, making the Chiefs run it back, wasting time.
A serious coaching mistake cost them a trip to the Super Bowl.
And Todd Bowles coaching mistake yesterday cost us the game.
January 24th, 2022 at 8:56 am
Bucs need to find a punt/kick returner who understands it’s not illegal to return the ball past the 25 yard line. Gronk I’m afraid is too slow. Resign Godwin and Lenny and shore up the O line and Brady will be back for one more year.
January 24th, 2022 at 8:57 am
LoL. I’m originally from upstate New York and a lot of my friends are Bill‘s fans and I’ve always kind of liked them too. I sure hope the NFL changes their overtime rules, it’s not very hard to kick off to the other team for one last opportunity.
It’s going to be an interesting off-season but I am confident Brady will return for one more. I see them drafting, in no particular order, D line, O line, DB, WR Maybe tight end if they think they can find something there
January 24th, 2022 at 8:58 am
AGAIN! AS I HAVE MENTIONED MANY TIMES IN THE PAST. . WHY IS THE DB COACHES NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND WHY ARE THEY STILL COACHING. The backfield has been garbage ALL year
January 24th, 2022 at 9:06 am
It was those 2 shot plays with the blown coverages that ultimately did us in.
January 24th, 2022 at 9:08 am
Blame refs, not really, but they damn sure didn’t help.
January 24th, 2022 at 9:09 am
Brady deserved better from Todd’s Bowel. At least a chance to win the coin flip in overtime.
Is there anyone who doesn’t believe that if the Bucs won the toss, Brady is leading them to a touchdown?
Bowels cost us the game.
January 24th, 2022 at 9:14 am
How many times does Kupp have to kick our ass before we figure out how to play him?
Bucs fan since 76′ and still a Bucs fan.
January 24th, 2022 at 9:30 am
Toilet Bowels cost us that game!
Tony Dungy said it best “”I didn’t understand that last defensive call by the Bucs. All out blitz??? Why not just sit back let them complete a 15 yd pass in bounds and the game would go to overtime. I don’t understand???!””
January 24th, 2022 at 9:35 am
I didn’t sleep well. Kept waking up thinking it was just a dream. Was thinking of different scenarios on the last drive. This will hurt for a while…at least until the Ninets beat the Rans next Sunday.
January 24th, 2022 at 9:49 am
Todd Bowles definitely a Head Coach material… Bears/Jaguars or whoever needs a HC please take him. We can throw in Leftwich and the Special Teams coach Armstrong as an added bonus. Buy 1 get 2 free. They are all great at what they do.
January 24th, 2022 at 9:49 am
No trauma from me. I seen worse from this team. IDC if we had Brady…it’s hard to believe this is team was as good as advertised when you have slow safeties and corners that can’t man cover outside of Davis…Davis is undisciplined. We have the slowest safeties in the world and can’t keep up with Kupp is an huge problem
January 24th, 2022 at 10:03 am
Well said Joe and by the way, if Todd Bowles gets hired elsewhere, I will be okay with it.
We deserved to lose yesterday but that last drive defense was pathetic.
Go Bucs!
January 24th, 2022 at 10:13 am
Blaming Bowles for the loss is like blaming a kicker for a miss on the final drive. Did it help us win? No. But what about every other drive in the game where a tackle was missed, an assignment was blown, a route was run wrong?
Players and coaches make mistakes throughout every game, but most mistakes are covered up or forgotten about because the players and coaches help get each other out of jams. The decision making and execution in the final 4 minutes of games are just the ones that we remember.
Panther fans TO THIS DAY blame John Kasay (kicker) for losing Super Bowl 38. His kickoff went out of bounds and the Pats received great field position to setup the game winning field goal.
Whether it is the ’21 Bucs or the ’03 Panthers, one person’s mistake is not what caused the outcome of a 60 minute game executed by 103 players, 6 coordinators, and 2 head coaches.
January 24th, 2022 at 10:27 am
Bucs fans will see real trauma if Brady leaves this year. Most teams already have their future QB. We do not. We will experience many losses with Gabbert or Trask under center. Believe that.
January 24th, 2022 at 11:41 am
Wow I have to say Brady has had a real impact on this franchise. Losing in the playoffs after a 13-win season causes trauma?
A generation of Bucs fans is just happy to make the playoffs.
January 24th, 2022 at 12:20 pm
I agree with TBBF. CONGRATULATIONS BUC’S !!!!! The last 2 seasons have been loaded with enough good football, Wins, and thrills to compensate for the agony of the past 10 years. Granted that is an individual judgment on my part and I empathize with those that dread what the future may hold for the franchise. Who would have thought an elite coaching staff, a Hall of Fame QB, and the influence of his presence would magically culminate on Martin Luther King Blvd at a time when Tampa needed it the most (Covid.) I can only hope that the Management can learn from this experience and not let the Buc’s of the future slide into total disarray so prevalent in the past.
January 24th, 2022 at 12:32 pm
Jesus Christ you act like you were playing the game!! … Listen if any of you are in a depression or need a “virtual hug” because a bunch of millionaires lost a game and now they get to go on vacation for months to exotic places and more women than can be handled by their security guards…. Then please, seek professional help!! Like seriously go see a therapist!! … IT’S JUST A GAME that none of us get paid for or affects your every day life in any way whatsoever!! You need a woman or kids or a better job or something if football (or any professional sport) is your life and not winning a super bowl where all those players get EXTRA rich makes you actually depressed!! … Yeah it sucks I was rooting for the bucs as hard as anyone here I’ve been watching them since I was 5 going to the old stadium, playing in high school and college hoping to be a buc one day … But my life went in a different, and really much better, direction! … If football means this much to you then you need help and meaning in your life!! Seriously!!… I’m not trying to be a jerk or bad talk anyone I mean you seriously need help finding purpose and meaning in your life!!
January 24th, 2022 at 12:38 pm
The loss sucks, but my biggest concern relates to Brady’s status. If he leaves this team then goes through a rebuilding process. We don’t have a strong history of proving we can do that as an organization. I want to continue to be relevant. I do not want to return to being cellar dwellers.
January 24th, 2022 at 12:47 pm
Ha!! I really hope y’all didn’t erase my comment … That would just prove what I said! … I know it has a lot more affect on y’all’s lives cuz you get paid to write articles about said millionaires, who 65% of wouldn’t spit on you if you were on fire and are truly awful bad people!! Murder (that Patriot TE I forget his name) oj Simpson (we all know he did it) Antonio Brown, Winston accused over and over and I mean I could go on and on and on about what these guys get away with … So again, in case they erased my other comment and it doesn’t come back then listen … FOOTBALL ISN’T EVERYTHING… It’s a game played mainly by jerks who spiritually and mentally don’t deserve the money they get or the way they’re held up as heros or role models!! … You and I would be in jail just for the stuff Antonio Brown has done and wouldn’t have the money to bail out even!! … It’s a game fellas, if you need a “virtual hug” over a game then this country has lost all hope!!… I was rooting just as hard as anyone else here but in the end it’s just a game!! Don’t get depressed that’s girly sh*t, man up!! … I have all the respect in the world for Tom Brady!! Unless he’s got me fooled he’s a great father, husband, friend and a genuine person! … He’s one that (although I think the nfl generates FAR too much money instead of going to learning how to fly in space, build a better car and things of that nature that affect our every day lives) deserves the accolades that he gets!! He’s a class act and if it weren’t for him I would have stopped watching football when they started kneeling and getting political! Sports is supposed to be a break from that!! Him coming to the bucs forced me back in it!! …. Remember, it’s just a game
January 24th, 2022 at 12:59 pm
The throws to Miller set up the one on one Evans vs Ramsey td pass.
January 24th, 2022 at 4:13 pm
Bowles runs a risky defense. It didn’t pay off this time, sometimes it does. Maybe time lost interviewing hurt some. Either way he needed a healthy jpp or a better jts.
The rams beat us twice, that’s the real question. Not just blitzing, they won physically imo.
Special teams had to be hurt by the push to resign starters.
Wins, draft pick success , injuries, championships are all are matters of probability once you build a strong enough platform.
Gotta get tougher if we want another one, Brady or not
January 24th, 2022 at 8:10 pm
This was supposed to be our Bert Emanuel revenge game on the Rams and got another kick in the groin. Was at the game and still think that 4th down call when Mike Evans got lit up after missing the catch was BS. How can the penalty not be assessed on that play for a first down? Lots of questionable calls, but injuries to our o-line and wr’s really caught up to us.
Just feel sick today about the results as really felt good about our team’s ability to win close games against great teams.
January 24th, 2022 at 9:57 pm
It still hurts a little and I’m a bit pi$$ed, but at least we have a good team and have been competitive for two straight years. When is the last time that happened? I’m grateful that our coaches and gm know what the hell they are doing (most of the time) and I’m thrilled about our future regardless of whether Brady stays or not.
January 25th, 2022 at 11:21 am
Live by the blitz, die by the blitz. If it wasn’t for our defense, we wouldn’t have had a chance for them to blow it. If White and David blitz like they’re supposed to, we are likely talking about Bowles as a genius because even without those 2 blitzing like they were supposed to, Suh beat his man. It hurts, but with everything we dealt with this year, I’m proud of our team. The Rams aren’t a good team, they just have talent. If they were, they would have squashed us with all the injuries we had. They won because of our play not their’s.
January 25th, 2022 at 12:52 pm
I think the worst part is that Raheem Morris might get a ring out of it.
January 25th, 2022 at 5:29 pm
I think every Bucs fan is thinking about what the Bucs look like if Brady retires, praying he stays for one more year. If he retires the fear is we go back to being a team that struggles to get to .500 every year. That is the real trauma we as Bucs fans fear.
January 25th, 2022 at 8:03 pm
If the Bucs keep Chris Godwin , Brady will come back. Might have to keep GRONK too . But I think they should at least tell B.L. that he will be the head coach when Bruce is done after next year. And make Todd Bowles the assistant Head coach