Emeka Egbuka Helps Put The Bucs On The NFL Map
April 28th, 2025
Could Emeka Egbuka help raise the profile of the Bucs?
The Bucs were sort of hoping this took place in 2015. And it kind of did. But it sure didn’t translate into wins.
Part of the way NFL teams make money is to be out there, to be noticed, to be talked about, to be relevant. Yeah, it helps to win and it helps even further to have a star quarterback.
Pushing your brand is why Jerry Jones is a genius — at making money.
No one is more of a huckster in the NFL. Jones never met a microphone he didn’t like. He rarely if ever turns down a chance to pimp his team, no matter what, from playing himself in the popular TV drama Landman, to hosting a weekly local Dallas radio segment to having a network TV series about his cheerleaders.
Go to Jerry’s World in Arlington or walk about the entertainment district he helped build in Frisco, Tex. That’s where his “The Star,” the Cowboys’ headquarters, is the centerpiece. Think of a giant International Plaza with One Buc Palace, only the Glazer Shed would be an adjacent 12,000-seat dome stadium/entertainment venue, right smack in the middle of the plaza.
Jones clearly knows what he is doing. Financially.
Winning ballgames? Eh, not so much.
Indirectly in 2015, it seems the Bucs tried a Jones trick when they drafted America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston. He was a rock star coming out of college, a two-sport star like Deion Sanders with a David Lee Roth-like personality. A Heisman Trophy winner. A national champion. He lost just one game in college, a playoff game.
The buzz drafting Jameis worked for a while. The Bucs got attention they hadn’t had since Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks terrorized offenses. The wins with Jameis didn’t come, though.
Except for a brief period when Tom Brady came to town when the franchise won its second Super Bowl, the Bucs have never been a glamorous team. They were sort of high profile when Chucky helped the Bucs win their first Super Bowl, but that quickly faded.
Now, the Bucs are winning but they get almost no buzz. It has killed Lavonte David’s legacy. Joe knows this lack of buzz irks suits at One Buc Palace. Folks there vividly remember how some people expected the Bucs to win two games in 2023.
The Bucs are sort of what Midwestern states are. Nice places to live if you don’t mind freezing your arse off five months a year, but it is flyover country. There’s nothing sexy about it unless you get off on dairy cattle, wheat fields, hog houses, corn cribs or chicken farms.
The creator, curator and overall guru of Pro Football Talk, the great Mike Florio, thinks Emeka Egbuka may help change the Bucs’ image and raise their national profile. Like Jameis, Egbuka was a star on a powerhouse, high-profile, popular college team. A national champion. Unlike Jameis, Egbuka brings no baggage.
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t really need a receiver. Then again, they don’t have a whole lot of needs,” Florio said. “This is kind of a luxury pick for the four-time defending NFC champions who, the year before they started winning the division every year, won the Super Bowl.
“They’ve got Mike Evans, they’ve got Chris Godwin. Now they have Ohio State receiver and Emeka Egbuka with the 19th overall pick in the draft. This is a pick for the future, the not too distant future. Mike Evans was drafted in 2014. Chris Godwin had the serious leg injury last year. Didn’t stop the Buccaneers from breaking the bank to keep him around.
“Egbuka is a guy who’s going to take over for one of these two guys. He’s going to be part of the future at the position. They wisely grab a great player who can be groomed into becoming as good as Evans and Godwin, and continue to provide that offense with something that not a whole lot of teams have: two great receivers.
“The Bucs are one of those teams that even though they keep winning the division and making it to the playoffs, and not embarrassing themselves when they get there, they just get overlooked. They get disregarded.
“Maybe they’ll be taken a little more seriously if Egbuka can make a splash right away and give that offense an even bigger kick. Maybe the Bucs will not just get to the playoffs in 2025, but advance a level or two?”
And that’s just it. Having the most powerful wide receiver corps is one way to get attention. And deserved adulation also comes with winning big, which transforms into Team Glazer loot.
April 28th, 2025 at 12:23 pm
Slowly but surely, I think we’re starting to creep into relevancy. Bucs Nation has craved this attention and hopefully we’re about to get it, particularly once everyone outside Bucs Nation starts to get a feel for the character of this team. Good people not just good players!
April 28th, 2025 at 12:25 pm
I’m just fine with flying a bit under the radar.
April 28th, 2025 at 12:34 pm
Genius draft pick. Truly legendary player.
Remember how many catches Godwin had in this offense?
Our slot receiver is actually our main target in this offense.
Yes, Mike is our #1, but he gets doubled a lot.
So Godwin/Egbuka are actually our #1 option.
April 28th, 2025 at 12:34 pm
Tough to overcome being the worst team in all of pro sports. It’s going to take sustained winning for a while before the team gets the respect the team has earned.
April 28th, 2025 at 12:34 pm
Superbowl
April 28th, 2025 at 12:39 pm
If the Bucs had a really good year this year and the Jags, Falcons, Cardinals, and Texans all have really bad years we could actually leap frog them all in winning percentage this year. Most likely need two years of winning to move out of the basement.
April 28th, 2025 at 12:40 pm
The reason they fly under the radar is because of the character they go for in players. With the exception of Baker there really don’t a big personality on this team. As a fan I’m good without the true diva types. Plus anytime we seem to get some national buzz and have a prime time game we embarrass ourselves. Go on a mid season losing streak and get sent right back to not being talked about. Until the team can handle the spot light and continue to play well they don’t deserve national attention.
April 28th, 2025 at 12:45 pm
I don’t see him bringing all the attention. He is the 4th/3rd WR, splitting with MacMillan. All of them, Baker, and Bucky are going to bring the attention when they put up 32+ per game and the defense is getting after it as well.
I just saw the schedule, with a more consistent offense and pass rush, I see 13 wins.
April 28th, 2025 at 12:47 pm
If your WR with 11 straight 1000’s seasons has not done it then maybe a Rookie receiver getting 1500 yards and beating the record set in 2023 might do it.
Just the fact that Evans could Break the tie with Jerry Rice should be more than enough to get National Attention.
You want National Admiration win more than 10 games, don’t wait until the last week to clinch the Division and go farther than the Divisional Round in the Playoffs. Mediocre when the Spotlight is the brightest will do Squat to move the needle.
December 2023 Evans was #48 of the top 50 in NFL Merchandise Sales
December 2024 Lol B broke in at #50 and Evans fell completely off the list.
BTW. Tell all 4 of the 5 guys across the front line, the two from WI, and the others from ND and IA that their hometowns are worth much because it gets cold. Probably get a response that anyone that starts shivering at 50F is a Pu$$ A.
If the Bucs do move the needle the last guy might tell you. Joe. We are sexier than socks on a Rooster.
April 28th, 2025 at 12:49 pm
Landman is a great show but his cameo paid him $1 million to talk about himself
April 28th, 2025 at 12:51 pm
That was defense.
I’d rather have rings than Jerry Jones type glory
April 28th, 2025 at 12:57 pm
Eh, not sure I can agree with comparison here. EE is not nearly as well known as ‘Famous Jamies’ was back then. Jameis was a Heisman winner and the #1 pick in the draft…
EE might be famous amongst Ohio St fans, but I don’t think he’s known nationally in nearly the same way.
April 28th, 2025 at 1:01 pm
We’ll need a new HC to get over the top in the postseason.
As long as Bowles is around we’ll be irrelevant once the real games begin.
But I fear he’s going to back into a contract extension.
Much like he backs into the playoffs, then losses consistently.
April 28th, 2025 at 1:09 pm
Licht deserves a statue
April 28th, 2025 at 1:10 pm
MadMax
Remember this conversation back in December?
#Repost
LUVMYBUCS Says:
December 13th, 2024 at 4:52 am
Take a look at the following prospects when you get a moment.
WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
WR Tez Johnson
WR Elic Ayomanor, Stanford*
TE Tyler Warren, Penn State*
TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
TE Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
TE Mason Taylor, LSU
TE Luke Lachey Iowa
OG Luke Kandra, Cincinnati*
DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
DT Shemar Turner, Texas A&M
OLB Landon Jackson, Arkansas*
OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College*
OLB Bradyn Swinson, LSU
MLB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama*
MLB Lee Higgins, Iowa*
CB Tacario Davis, Arizona*
Note: I’m intrigued by moving S Nick Emmanwori back to his natural spot at inside linebacker.
April 28th, 2025 at 1:10 pm
I doubt the Bucs will get any more attention because of Egbuka. He’s not a blinged-out loudmouth. And all he’s gonna do is catch passes and score.
April 28th, 2025 at 1:26 pm
Egbuka isn’t just a replacement player for Chris Godwin – his floor is already NFL polished at the slot. He will adjust to the speed of the game, and depending on the work he gets, could be incredible – but he’s also going to get a chance to absorb what Mike Evans does in this offense, and how he works on his body & his craft. Mike Evans is elite, and has made himself that way. If there is a WR prospect that COULD be like Mike – It would take a guy like Egbuka who already has some of the gifts a starting slot guy needs – but also the commitment to becoming special.
Mike is a unicorn – but he made himself into one that has constantly become reliable in what he can do that no one else does (those jump balls in the end zone are outrageous, even 10 years into his career). Egbuka has the IQ, traits, and more importantly the desire and work-ethic needed to become a unicorn. Looking forward to seeing them on the field and the sidelines. This is a special addition to a special WR room.
And let’s not forget JMac! Maybe he’s the one the Bucs are actually grooming for Chris Godwin’s role? He has that desire, IQ and commitment to be great – let’s hope he’s in the weight room as we speak.
Never seen in Tampa what we’re seeing right now. Stacking talent, behind talent at every position, and at a time when our aging talent NEEDS it.
That culture thing has taken hold, we look to have taken another step forwards – I’m expecting a 12 win season. This TEAM looks to be ready.
April 28th, 2025 at 1:30 pm
Jameis was flashy but there was always some drama with him. Always some controversy and when he started to keep his nose clean, he garnered attention playing football… in the wrong way. 30 ints and 7 of those pick sixes in his last season (I’ll even leave his fumbles out), I’ll take a hard working, football-junky, dependable offensive player every time over a Mr Personality type. EE will make us proud and very happy we drafted him.
Jameis was on a solid trajectory until that last season. If the QB whisperer couldn’t make a true franchise QB out of him, nobody could.
I could care less about national attention… if we win at least 5 of 6 in the NFC south and 12+ wins total, we will be on the map. Even more so with a couple playoff wins. That’s how you get respect. We’re on our way! Go Bucs!
April 28th, 2025 at 1:40 pm
Growing up on the West Coast of Florida, I’ve come to call the Tampa Bay area the Midwest Coast. Compared to the East Coast of Florida, the West Coast had more of a “lunch pail” vibe. Maybe it’s because I-75 runs through the heart of the Midwest and brings a lot of folks from the Midwest every Spring and many of them stayed. It’s what I’ve grown to love about the area. Less “show” and more “go”. And, as a kid of the 70s and 80s, I remembe the few fans that didn’t stand or take their hat off for the national anthem at Bucs games getting a stern reminder or an elbow to the ribs.
I’m fine with it. Go Bucs!
April 28th, 2025 at 1:40 pm
I have been here since before there was a franchise. I have seen it all. Foolishly, I thought the national media’s treatment of the Bucs as the NFL’s red-headed step child would finally end after Brady led them to the franchise’s 2nd Super Bowl championship. Nope! Had no lasting effect at all. At this point nothing short of divine intervention will make any difference. I have two words for the national sports media.
April 28th, 2025 at 1:50 pm
I’m in agreement with TBBF and some others here.
What does “attention” really mean? So let me go old curmudgeon. I get what it means to Jerry Jones and the Glazers, I could care less! I respect the Glazers as businessmen and owners and valuable community citizens, they’re great! But they nor Jerry for that matter need all the money they already make! So that’s not a valid reason for ME personally as a fan, I get that they would disagree!
So WHAT garners attention. Start with market size. We been over that. Then as some have mentioned mix in some flashy flakes to draw attention.
There is yet ANOTHER way to get attention. “JUST WIN BABY!”
Here’s my curmudgeon rant. I’m not there yet but most of my neighbors are totally over the explosive growth of St. Pete. I suspect many Tampans and other Bay area communities feel the same way.
We ALREADY have all we need and who wants more traffic, congestion and dealing with the pollution etc that overpopulation brings.
I’m still good. I can drive to Weedon Island and Northshore Pool in ten minutes.
I can still see great theater and art with a “little” more hassle finding parking.
If I want to see the Bucs in person I usually go in a group, preferably riding one of those buses that parks right next to the hospitality tent.
We’ve heard the “build it and they will come”…I say WIN and the eyeballs are forced to come. As the playoffs wind down the winners become the only show in town!!! AGAIN…JUST WIN BABY!
April 28th, 2025 at 2:02 pm
Imagine the blocking on plays having Godwin and Ebuka in the slot on the same side.
April 28th, 2025 at 2:46 pm
The correct term for a Tampa native is “Tampanian” as in Floridian. I feel you about the congestion and overgrowth. In the 1970s I could go from Carrollwood to Jai-Alai in 20 minutes.
April 28th, 2025 at 3:00 pm
Who cares if people outside this community talk about the Bucs? All anyone talked about for years was the “Patriot Way”. How’s that looking now?
Lavonte is not a showboater. He’s not a yacker. He does not make splash plays like Brooks did. He does not have a Sapp as a hype man. That’s why he has gone largely unnoticed to casual fans in other cities.
April 28th, 2025 at 3:02 pm
Bucsfan
Thanks for that correction!!! I always thought Tampan sounded too close to a feminine hygiene product. When you compared to Floridian it Tampanian makes total sense to me. THX.
April 28th, 2025 at 3:05 pm
We get the Eagles in Tampa and the Lions in Detroit and what better way to get noticed than hanging an L on both. I pray that we get the Iggs on Monday night in the opener.
April 28th, 2025 at 3:05 pm
I’d rather be the chronically under-hyped team than the annually over-promoted empty suit franchise in Dallas. Jeez Us Aich Kreist, I never wanna hear the term “America’s Team” again. According to who? They might be “Murikuh’s Team”… which is an entirely different matter.