Media Shenanigans On Display

January 22nd, 2025

Fun with the delete button.

Goal posts were moved on Bucs fans yesterday.

So TampaBay.com is the pay-per-view internet wing of the Bay area’s twice-weekly community newspaper.

Yesterday, it published a story headlined, “Bucs Preparing For Liam Coen To Be Offered Jaguars Job.”

Later in the day, however, that headline mysteriously changed to, “Bucs’ Liam Coen Emerging As Strongest Candidate For Jaguars Job.”

That’s a significant edit.

Also deleted from the article was a strong statement by reporter Rick Stroud. “The Bucs are bracing for Coen to be offered the Jaguars head coaching job, possibly as early as Wednesday when he interviews for the second time with the club,” he wrote before it vanished.

No explanation or clarification was provided.

Sadly, the original version was picked up by various national outlets and still appears websites now.

So what happened? Why did someone scurry to delete what was written and then fail to publish a formal correction?

It’s not hard to be transparent with fans.

UPDATE 10:36 a.m.: Gee, whaddya know, Coen had a new contract and will stay in Tampa!

17 Responses to “Media Shenanigans On Display”

  1. RagingBrisket Says:

    Said the same thing on his podcast. We don’t yet know it was wrong tho…
    Joe’s not evaluating right or wrong, only the misdirection nature of it all. Somebody decided what was written was incorrect or misleading and pulled it. –Joe

  2. BA’s Red Pen Says:

    Dr. Stroud is a pompous look down his nose at the fans clown.

  3. Ultra ClodHopper Says:

    I go out of my way to avoid that feller you named. Trash bucket reporter.

  4. JimBobBuc Says:

    I would value intel coming from the Jax media the most. What’s the Jax media saying?

    Joe, just call your buddy Rick and get the scoop for us. 🙂

    Joe already shared the on-the-record take out of Jacksonville from the team’s play-by-play voice, who also is the big local sports radio host. –Joe https://www.joebucsfan.com/2025/01/credible-non-anonymous-source-in-jacksonville-suggests-coen-is-jags-top-choice/

  5. StickinUp4Centers Says:

    From what I read, the 2nd round of interviews is still going on until Friday. Liam goes today. It seems preemptive to anoint him the next coach before the round finished. Could also be his agent planting seeds to coax the Bucs into a raise.

  6. Jeff Says:

    Coen was crazy not to take the Jax job if it was offered to him.

  7. Don Says:

    ( That’s a significant edit)

    Yes, yes it is Joe

  8. stpetebucsfan Says:

    @Joe

    We get it. You outhustle the competition by a mile! I’m simply curious what spurred your hard on against print media. I’m a dinosaur for sure but when I was working the competition between broadcast media and print was there I suppose but we never really took them seriously. Even in the heyday how many read these guys?

    Now we have the internet which has replaced fish wraps although my wife forces me to still get the fishwrap delivered. Her birthday present.

    Largely though it seems to me to be simply a difference in technology.

    If your point is that the newspaper people historically have been arrogant and self important I get it, I just never cared because even back in the 80’s newpaper guys had minimal influence. Most people were watching the tube or uber fans listening to sportstalk radio.

  9. Joe Says:

    If your point is that the newspaper people historically have been arrogant and self important I get it, I just never cared because even back in the 80’s newpaper guys had minimal influence.

    Joe would suggest newspapers had significant influence in the 1980s.

  10. Rod Munch Says:

    The St Pete Times has always been fake news.

    It’s a shame the Tampa Trib was the one that went out of business, as it was more trustworthy and had a vastly superior sports section.

  11. Peter Says:

    Joe
    I might not agree sometimes with you but you are correct 100% here
    These media folks and insiders spread misinformation and have no accountability
    Coen was not going anywhere
    Bucs have come a long way as a franchise

  12. geno711 Says:

    You guys post things on here all the time that don’t turn out to be accurate and there are no explanations.
    Get over it.

    Really? Joe claims the Bucs organization is doing X and then deletes that within a story along with a headline change??? Please. Yes, Joe doesn’t like when Bucs fans are BS’d for no good reason. –Joe

  13. WanderingWallflower Says:

    Word jumble

    r i c k s t r o u d

    Citrus Dork

  14. garro Says:

    Stroud and TBO = Bush league Journalism with little to no integrity Joe

    See Rays Stadium fiasco coverage.

    Go Bucs

  15. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Chris Godwin: The Smartest Path Forward


    The ideal scenario is re-signing Godwin before the voided year triggers.

    A 3-year, $67M deal would:

    ✔ Restructure the $18M voided year, spreading the cap hit.

    ✔ Secure a top weapon while keeping cap flexibility.


    If talks stall, non-exclusive franchise tagging ($22.5M) ensures leverage:


    ✔ Cap hit if he plays under the tag: $40.5M (tag + voided year).

    ✔ If traded: Bucs only pay the $18M voided year, freeing up $22.5M.

    ✔ Retain him, trade for draft capital, or negotiate a long-term deal.

    ✔ Manageable with restructures (Evans, Vea, Winfield, Wirfs, Dean).

    Example: In 2024, the Panthers tagged and traded Brian Burns to the Giants for multiple draft picks, leaving only the voided year on their books.

    📅 Deadline: The 2025-2026 years void March 12, 2025, at 4:00 PM PST—just 43 days away.

  16. LUVMYBUCS Says:


    Chris Godwin: Best Path Forward

    🔹 Ideal Scenario: Re-Sign Before Voided Year Hits
    ✔ 3-year, $67M deal restructures the $18M voided year, spreading the cap hit.
    ✔ Locks in a top offensive weapon while maintaining flexibility.

    🔹 Plan B: Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag ($22.5M)
    ✔ Cap hit if he plays under the tag: $40.5M (tag + voided year).
    ✔ If traded: Bucs only take the $18M void hit, freeing $22.5M in cap space.
    ✔ Flexibility: Keep him, trade for picks, or negotiate a long-term deal.
    ✔ Manageable with restructures (Evans, Vea, Winfield, Wirfs, Dean).

    📌 Example: In 2024, the Panthers tagged and traded Brian Burns, only absorbing his voided cap hit.

    ⏳ Deadline: 2025-2026 void March 12, 2025, at 4:00 PM PST—43 days away.

  17. Jeffs grandpa Says:

    Too bad it would be the 3rd time Bucs franchise him and would cost them $39 million