Hurricane Excuse Emerges

October 4th, 2022

The Bucs faced adversity last week, relocating on short notice with a modern day Noah’s Ark of players, pets, family members and luggage to Miami so they could practice and evacuate Tampa simultaneously.

Todd Bowles noted tonight on the Buccaneers Radio Network that he’s never seen so many dogs than he did at the team hotel in Miami. And Joe noted how Cameron Brate and Tristan Wirfs separately mentioned screaming kids at the hotel in a not-so-flattering light.

Bowles also said (admitted?) that game prep was an issue last week, and he wants to see top-flight readiness on the field Sunday against the Falcons.

“Preparation, you know, the biggest thing is preparation and practice,” Bowles began. “You’ll play how you practice. With all the movement last week I don’t think we prepped as well as we should have or as well as some people could have. But preparation will be the key this week.”

So there you have it, the head coach thinks the team collectively wasn’t as ready as it could have been on Sunday Night Football.

Is that a good excuse for losing to the Chiefs? It doesn’t really matter. Tom Brady says it’s not. Jamel Dean doesn’t think so either, though he thinks it was a factor in the Bucs not being “locked in.”

77 Responses to “Hurricane Excuse Emerges”

  1. K2 Says:

    Distractions are real, but the team should not except that as an excuse. I know personally that my week wasn’t smooth or up to par. So, I can understand players lacking the focus and prep they would normally do.

  2. Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    I just do not buy that it was lack of preparation last week, we plain got our butts kicked by a better team.

  3. Jmarkbuc Says:

    The head coach is supposed to get them ready, right?

  4. IrishTony Says:

    I’m not sure the Chiefs are a better team but for whatever reason they played better on Sunday. The Chiefs lost the lowly Dolts the week before.

  5. Pewter941 Says:

    I evacuated from Sarasota to Winterhaven with my family and dog, that alone was so exhausting.

  6. Kentucky Buc Says:

    I would have been really worried about my dogs . The wife too as long as she wore waders so she could carry the dogs and keep them dry.

  7. August 1976 Buc Says:

    Now if Tom Brady could Block and Tackle they would have been ok.

    A hurricane did hit Tampa, but it was Sun Night in the form of the KC Chiefs and like the effects of Ian, it was not pretty.

    The bottom line is they played a bad game, and again on a prime time national stage from Tampa.

    On to Atl

    GO BUCS!!!!

  8. D-Rok Says:

    On GMFB, they did a Bucs segment where they highlighted all that the Bucs TEAM had to go through last week. One thing that caught my eye (ear?) was there was construction in the team-hotel (I think the Joe’s reported this one), and a 45-minute drive turned into 6-8 hours for lots of Bucs staffers, with some of them even running out of gas on the freeway due to the congestion. The painted picture was one of mayhem, uncertainty, and TONS of interruptions to the week of prep.

    I’ll give the Bucs team a pass this one and only week due to what they faced all week long.

    Think about it – we KNOW the Bucs are a much better team than the product they showed us against the Chiefs – is it possible there were extenuating circumstances? It’s certainly possible in the mind of this fan.

    GO BUCS – smash them Falcons and reclaim your swagger!!

  9. Rayjay1122 Says:

    Yeah, Hurricane Kelsi hit Tampa Sunday night.

  10. Buddha Says:

    Buccaneers still rank ahead of the Chiefs in DVOA and Sagarin ratings. Sunday was an odd game. Buccaneers averaged more than six yards a play. Could not get the Chiefs off the field on third down. We were 3 for 3 in the Red Zone.

  11. Mike Johnson Says:

    Lets keep it real here. Out Bucs simply got outplayed, outhustled, manhandled,
    and took an A.. Whippin from a better team. Thats all it was. The Chiefs O and D lines were superior to ours. Face the music fellow Buc fans. The game was not even close. Now, on to the Falcons. let’s be ready.

  12. Bucs since 76 Says:

    The only prep they mess up on was letting a rookie RB run the ball out of the end zone on the opening kickoff. Trying to run first the last two years we used the pass to set up the run. The defensive LB seemed to always be out of position. Finally Bowles lacks passion on the sidelines and it seemed to transfer to the team on the field.

  13. Faspro Says:

    The Chiefs were the better team, bottom line.

  14. HC Grover Says:

    Bowles is pathetic.

  15. Rod Munch Says:

    Why does everything have to be an “excuse”? It’s literally disruptive to be told to evacuate because everything you own is about to be destroyed and everyone you care about is in danger.

    How many people saying this isn’t an excuse also took time from their normal schedule to do stuff differently last week.

  16. Kentucky Buc Says:

    Brady and Evans must’ve flown in Brady’s jet . The move Didn’t seem to affect them.

  17. Bucanero Says:

    Say what you will but if I had one of the biggest challenges in the year on the same week that a hurricane is knocking at my door I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be in my A game. I know these guys are well paid professionals but they are not robots. Whatever but the Chiefs has a competitive advantage and they sure made the most out of it. Kudos to them. Bucs will be back on track. I saw plenty of good things in the game.

  18. Craig Says:

    I would have thought that every player was looking to emulate how much Brees and the Saints raised the morale of New Orleans, after Katrina.

    Something else was wrong with the Bucs Sunday, almost as bad as the old Not Ready For Prime Time Bucs.

    Maybe it was just that the coaching was so abysmal.

  19. Oxycondoms Says:

    Whats the excuse when the bucs play the rams?

  20. LakelandSteve Says:

    So now every time we lose, Bowles is going to have an excuse. There are all kinds of factors that go into winning and losing. You never accept losing and giving excuses is accepting losing.

  21. Jerry R Jones Says:

    How could it not have been an influence? I don’t care if Brady or Dean said it didn’t matter…it did. Thats player speak. It definitely mattered.

  22. Jerry R Jones Says:

    Bowles doesn’t make excuses when he loses, losers make excuses for coaches stating facts.

  23. steele Says:

    Hurricanes are not just distractions, but real problems. We said for days that the hurricane itself would be an instant disadvantage for the home team and everyone connected to it.

    So some of the bad play can be legit excused. But not most of it. These are professionals who should have been able to focus collectively come game time.

  24. Redeemer Says:

    Boo freakety hoo. While regular folks were and are truly suffering, this takes the cake. A bunch of millionaires complaining about being inconvenienced. 101 people died in Florida. Not a buc, or a family member among them. Makes me sick. They got pounded by the better team, plain and simple.

  25. Ash Says:

    Some people are ridiculous just because someone is well off does not mean they are less human or that they don’t suffer all suffering is bad no matter who it is do better.

  26. Deeez NATZ Says:

    Toilet Todd Bowles…I tried to give the man the benefit of the doubt but he let’s Suh walk for a washed up slow broken hick who said in his first game as a buc he was from the university of VA gina…I could go on for hours but I’m not going to waste my time…Bring Bruce back before the season is over..Toilet bowl is living in the 80’s and that doesn’t cut it…We will all be dead and starving in a year anyways what dies it matter…boron boron boron….

  27. BucTooth Says:

    Watching coach toilet Bowles on the side line wearing a head set and never talking to anyone with it but that stupid smiling look stare on the field reminds me of that knuckle headed so called Lovie Smith we had staring at the jumbo tron while the game was going on they could be siamese twins come on man.

  28. Bojim Says:

    I think it’s a good excuse.

  29. PewterStiffArm Says:

    Like I said earlier, just burn the tape and move on.

  30. stpetebucfan Says:

    I’m just not comprehending. BOTH teams are very good. One team committed to totally untimely turnovers. DUH Subtract that 14 points and the game is 31-27 Bucs win.

    I realize that’s not how it works..but…this is what works if your a good team. Simply start with a turnover on the opening kickoff while the defense is sitting on the bench waiting their turn…oops…no wait get your arses out there and play defense.

    Ask yourself this. If KC fumbled the opening kickoff and Mahomes fumbled at his own twenty would you have liked the Buc’s chances.

    If anybody here believes this team is good enough to fumble twice at their own 20 and still beat other SB teams I want some of that herb you’re smoking.

    The Chiefs were ready…the Bucs not..two turnovers makes it a moot point..especially two turnovers on your own twenty at horrible times in the game!!!

  31. David Says:

    Some of the players alluded to driving to Miami, bringing family coming back etc. as being a distraction and not being able to do the normal practices in the normal recovery etc. I do not take that as an excuse at all, it’s just stating reality. Shiiiitte happens.

    I think the offense and defense will come out of this better. My major concern at the moment is Brady getting divorced. That is the absolute ultimate distraction. It simply cannot be a good thing

  32. Smashsquatch Says:

    It was an obvious factor. Turn the page, lock in on the Falcons, and put together the first complete game this week.

  33. ClwJB Says:

    It’s a game, but it involves real lives, families, kids, wives, pets and the dad is the man responsible for the well being of his household

    That level of distraction can’t be measured

    We hung 31 on them with all this going on, they better hope and pray we don’t see them again

  34. steele Says:

    StPeteBusfan, right now at just week 4, the Chiefs are simply a far better team than the Bucs, playing better, and healthier. If Bucs had gotten a few early turnovers, so what. KC offense had the blueprint on how to kill this defense. GB had it,too.

  35. Defense Rules Says:

    Joe … ‘Is that a good excuse for losing to the Chiefs?’

    Sometimes you’re like the junkyard dog Joe who refuses to let go of the bone. There are differences between reasons & excuses. Every week only has 168 hours, and Hurricane Ian’s impact consumed a bunch of those last week, costing the Bucs valuable preparation time. That’s not an excuse, that’s a reality.

    But another reality is that the Chiefs are an excellent team, and are considered to be a bonafide contender for this year’s Super Bowl. Yet another reality is that the Bucs came out flat on offense AND defense AND not-so-special teams, and they paid a high price for that at the beginning of the game. Excellent teams make you pay for stuff like that, and the Chiefs did. Kudos to them. Now can we please move on. The last game isn’t nearly as important as the next one.

    We’ve got SIX games until our BYE: Falcons, Steelers, Panthers, Ravens, Rams, Seahawks. Four of those teams currently have 2-2 records just like we do, and two have 1-3 records. All of those games are winnable IF we get our act together. I’d gladly take 8-and-2 at the BYE with 7 games to go, but we need to do it one game at a time. Falcons are gonna be the first of those 6 to fall.

  36. Pryda...Sec147 Says:

    Offense put up 31 points defense sucked ass excuses accepted get it right this week Todd we need a complete domination game 30+ points hold ATL under 10

  37. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    It’s a reason for losing…..not an excuse…

    The main reason is that we got outscored.

  38. Redeemer Says:

    Ash, you know how rediculous you sound? No, everyone is not the same. You must have access to chartered flights, and people that are hired to organization your life for you. For Christ sake, they were flying players pets out of harms way. It’s a terrible excuse to lay an egg. This wasn’t Katrina, where everyone was effected. Brady himself tried to stem the excuse making with his comments.

  39. Kody Says:

    OUT COACHED
    OUT HUSTLED
    OUT PLAYED

    NOT Out Prepared

  40. CrackWise Says:

    Why would you say it’s an excuse when it clearly was a problem.

    If anything, he is stating the obvious and ADDMITTING they did not do enough to overcome it.

    Sounds like you are using this admission from the coach as an excuse to slant the narrative to your opinion.

  41. CrackWise Says:

    Which feeds the trolls and why I don’t like this article.

  42. sasquatch Says:

    There’s a difference between an excuse and an explanation.

  43. Oddball Says:

    So screaming kids and Miami MILF pocket dogs got you off your game!?! WTF!

    It’s called a sh1t game plan Toooodd!
    Looking at you too Lefty…

    Embrace the suck.

  44. Pruritus Ani Says:

    Covid was a bigger distraction and they did fine.

  45. Redeemer Says:

    Built-in excuse to lose, and boy they took it. Why did they even bother showing up? Oh yeah it was a home game..

  46. Kentucky Buc Says:

    What day of the week is the official move on day. On to Atlanta G#tD*mnit

  47. CrackWise Says:

    Redeemer

    I realize it’s not easy being as brilliant as you. I mean you have a built-in excuse for it.

    Pruritus Ani

    Clearly you are equally a brilliant. Just a little less obvious, however.

    Either way, my pearls are only for women. I am sure we won’t be hearing from many of you folks for the next several weeks anyhow.

  48. Dave in Winter Park, Fla Says:

    JOE ❓The next time you have to interview Todd Bowles, ask him “WHY DID YOU GET YOUR ASS FIRED AS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH OF THE NEW YORK JETS AT THE END OF THE 2018 NFL SEASON ❗️David Corcoran, 2018 Westgate Super Contest, Winter Park, Florida.

  49. Trash Says:

    Yall (including this site in general) go way too hard on Bowles. In ways that you never did with BA…even when he was going 7-9 with Jameis.

  50. DBS Says:

    You can say anything. Add or subtract this or that. Fact is the time of the events would have changed had the fumble not occurred. We may or may not have scored 31 points. So that is out the window. Game is over and time to move on.

  51. ModHairKen Says:

    What a load of BS. I’m sorry these multimillionaires could not suck it up and play with pride.

    Trade them all to GB or NO.

    Just dump the whole sorry lot and start over.

    What next, Brady’s divorce?

  52. ModHairKen Says:

    Trash, take that crap elsewhere. Arians caught more crap than your precious Toddy.

  53. DmanTX Says:

    No body likes excuses but as far they go, a major storm disrupting the team during the week wasn’t a welcome distraction. I thought game should have been pushed 24 hrs but still not sure we win. It is what it is. The team leans and moves on. I’d rather take some learning lumps now vs the post season. Hopefully we focus our frustrations and thrash the dirtybirds this weekend.

  54. Redeemer Says:

    Crack, wasn’t talking to you. Go on making excuses, reasons or whatever. I’m sure the bucs will right the ship. No hurricanes forecasted. BTW old red face would’ve punched that cane straight in the head. Bowles isn’t up for the job and you know it. Sorry, losers make excuses, sorry reasons for losing

  55. Ash Says:

    @Redemeer Being decent isn’t ridiculous, tossing someone else’s struggle because it doesnt fit your definition, to me that seems ridiculous. You seem lost in your bitterness so eager to point the finger all around you for your have nots. Hope you strive to be better and not villainize everyone around you for the things you don’t have. Go bucs hard loss for sure but the team will move past it and get it together.

  56. Jack Sparrow Says:

    Todd Bowles next excuse, the dog ate the playbook…..

  57. T REX Says:

    Excuses are now done for the year…injuries…used…hurricane? used up

    It’s do or die boys.

  58. Redeemer Says:

    Ash, I’m not bitter about anything. Not sure where that’s coming from. I just hate excuse making for a loss. You think Brady feels like you do? I think not. They knew last week was going to be disruptive. I get it. NFL players are creatures of habit. It doesn’t justify an ass kicking on your home field. BTW I did just fine in the shower curtain ring industry. Kinda like John Candy in planes trains and automobiles.

  59. Adrnagy Says:

    BS. These are professional players. Get paid millions. And to perform slow and out of sync. Unacceptable.

  60. Redeemer Says:

    Been accused of many things, decent never. I love you Ash. No hard feelings. Hug hug, kiss kiss, big hug, little kissss

  61. Jack dos Santos Says:

    We didn’t get beat by the better team, we got beat by the better COACH!!! Bellicheat would never allow his teams to make excuses. His first words are “WE GOT OUTCOACHED”!

    How does this coach who won his superboal on the coattails of the GOAT not back him up. Brady has been to 10 superbowls dumbass. That doesn’t happen by accident!

  62. firethecannons Says:

    who had the incredibly stupid idea of bringing kids wives and animals along to Miami?

  63. Bucschamp Says:

    Does this mean bucs are mentally weak?

  64. Joe Says:

    who had the incredibly stupid idea of bringing kids wives and animals along to Miami?

    Not exactly “stupid” when at the time the trip was made, a Cat-4 storm was barreling toward Tampa Bay. Just do a cursory Google search of “Fort Myers hurricane” to see what happens when one of those things rolls into town.

  65. captivajim Says:

    this is nonsense , BS , lame , and outright absurd.

  66. Kody Says:

    @firecanons

    LMAO. What you wanted them to leave the kids, wives and animals by themselves in Tampa Bay to get clobbered by the hurricane!??

  67. Listnfrmafar Says:

    And Bucs lost to GB, why??? They seemed less prepared for that game.. Clearly a distraction but no way the reason for the loss. Preparation = Coaching!!!

    Stpete@ KC turned it over once as well.

  68. pewter941 Says:

    I swear, some people on here leave the stupidest comments

  69. Buc1987 Says:

    firethecannons… I had to evacuate and much of it was a pain in the ass. I could have just left my wife and kids home to make things easier on me, but I brought them anyways.

    5 hours on I4 to get out of town sucked to name one thing.

  70. Mark clements Says:

    Funny thing I heard over and over during the game how k c lost the super bowl because of injuries but not a word about the storm effecting thr bucs this team will hard to beat later this season

  71. Mark clements Says:

    Funny thing I heard over and over during the game how k c lost the super bowl because of injuries but not a word about the storm effecting thr bucs this team will hard to beat later this season

  72. orlbucfan Says:

    Bucs played what I expected given all the factors. Let’s see: Hurricane Ian, official announcement of the Brady-Gisele divorce, O already injured, the rest of the team freaked that they are opening at home after a MAJOR hurricane. What else? KC totally healthy on all sides of the ball. Bucs lost by 10 points. 14 were gifted to KC by the ST and Brady. Plo-ease. We’ve got a lot of trolls and human waste on here. Spare me.

  73. Roc Says:

    So who was the smart guy who said put w in same hotel

    Team in one Family is another

    Genius

    Bucs call me obviously I can hel your organization

  74. Roc Says:

    Coach

    I think I would curb my talk on how rough it was to be in a hotel with family and then play a game making millions

    WHEN many people lost homes , or atleast lost power and are still at work the next day making Dollars an Hour (FIRST RESPONDERS) (LINEMEN)

  75. LakelandSteve Says:

    Excuses are tools of incompetence used to build bridges to nowhere and monuments of nothingness, and those who use them seldom specialize in anything else.

  76. garro Says:

    Many years ago. I played in a game and similar thing happened. We were undefeated and playing a winless archrival. They beat us like a drum…They came out very motivated …We stunk it up despite being the better team.
    I believe to this day that our minds were just not there.

    Coaches changed the pregame prep to include taking off from classes and a huge pregame meal. Really spent all day resting up for the game and I think this all played a factor.
    I truly believe that Ian and all the related little details that changed the week for our beloved Bucs were indeed a major factor in their sorry performance.

  77. garro Says:

    Many years ago I played in a game and a simular thing occured. We were undefeated and playing a winless archrival. They beat us like a drum. They came out very motivated and we stunk it up despite being the better team.

    The coaches decided to change our pregame routine by giving us no classes that day and a huge pregame meal. We really spent the whole day resting up for the game.
    I am convinced to this day that these changes were a big factor in our loss.

    Ian and all the details that were different/stressful for our beloved Bucs this week had to be a factor for them as well.