Preseason Can Be Fun
August 9th, 2023
Preseason memories.
Yes, “this Joe” is the one who thinks the best thing the NFL could do is abolish preseason games and stretch the regular season to 18 or more games.
Preseason games are worthless. However, for coaches and maybe bubble players, these games may bring value.
For example, Joe was speaking with a Bucs assistant today after practice. Players love the first preseason game because it finally breaks up the monotony of sweating your junk off beating on your teammates in the brutal Florida sun.
And this same coach told Joe that a coach can find all sorts of teaching moments from in preseason film.
For Todd Bowles, the first preseason game always brings back good memories. For in his first preseason game, his rookie year with Washington, Bowles blew up the Bucs.
“I got a pick-six off of Steve DeBerg, so that helped me make the team pretty good,” Bowles laughed. “I do remember it because it was storming and raining and we couldn’t get out of the airport that night. We had to stay overnight and then fly out the next day. I’m always fond of Tampa that way.
“You’re not really worried about the national anthem or the fans – you’re trying to make the team. You have a lot of butterflies and you know you’re going to play as a rookie – and you’re going to play all special teams.
“When I got the pick-six, I think I might have spiked the ball a yard after going over the end zone because I knew I had to go down on the kickoff team – I didn’t want to expend any energy. It’s exciting – as a rookie, it’ll be exciting. It’s a matter of who manages their emotions well and who can play under the lights.”
So Joe wonders who will shine Friday night. Will YaYa Diaby get a sack? Will SirVocea Dennis get a pick? Will Trey Palmer house a punt return?
Joe vividly remembers in his first preseason game as a rookie, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka had a textbook sack that the refs took away, flagging JTS for breaking Roger Goodell’s cardinal sin of hitting too hard.
Who knew that three years later, that sack would equate to one-eighth the number of sacks JTS would have in two seasons of regular and postseason games?
August 9th, 2023 at 4:35 pm
The Bucs need about 6 preseason games with the current QB situation. Then again the first four games may very well look like preseason games for the Bucs offense…..
August 9th, 2023 at 5:02 pm
“This Joe” doesn’t understand the importance of giving game reps to young players if he wants to get rid of preseason games. Also, 16 reg season games was enough. 17 is too many. Don’t need to push it any further. The longer you stretch the season, the greater the injury risk on key players.
August 9th, 2023 at 6:06 pm
DeBerg is playing pickleball over near Westchase in the morning.
Maybe that’s where Bowles will be next year.
August 9th, 2023 at 6:19 pm
I remember in a 2018 preseason game, when Adam humphries returned a missed dog attempt for a TD and that got me hype, and all excited for the season. Yeah, unfortunately Mike Smith was still our d coordinator, lol.
August 9th, 2023 at 6:57 pm
Must be really Fun especially with Todd take on not turning the ball over…then Start the QB that continues to turn the ball over HYPOCRITE..
August 9th, 2023 at 7:41 pm
Since Joe loves is monickers that eventually blow up in his face (ie America’s QB). I’m going start referring to Joe as “Joe-never-miss-a-chance-to-throw-shade-on-JTS”. I’m look forward to his 10 sack season.
August 9th, 2023 at 9:14 pm
“Preseason Can Be Fun”
What the..!?
Who are you and what have you done with Joe?
August 9th, 2023 at 9:40 pm
Anyone else remember ten game NFL seasons? Eighteen game seasons are beyond ridiculous, especially with the playoffs to follow.
August 10th, 2023 at 2:13 am
“So Joe wonders who will shine Friday night. Will YaYa Diaby get a sack? Will SirVocea Dennis get a pick? Will Trey Palmer house a punt return?”
Whoa!!! I think Joe is starting to come around!
LOL
Go Bucs!