Silly “Public Battering” Talk
March 16th, 2015
Sure, if Tampa Bay signs free agent defensive end Greg Hardy, a small percentage of media and fans will wag a finger of shame at the Buccaneers.
The same thing inevitably will happen if the Bucs vastly improve the franchise by drafting Jameis Winston.
But Joe has trouble stomaching anyone who thinks either player will generate some sort of franchise-bruising revolt in the streets of Tampa. That’s pure silly talk.
Unfortunately, pickpocket-thwarting, Bucs-uniform-frowning, Allie-LaForce-smitten, Big-Ten-Network-hating, pedestrian-bumping, olive oil-lapping, popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, fried-chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, circle-jerking, beer-chugging, cricket-watching, scone-loathing, college football-naïve, baseball-box-score-reading, NPR-listening, filthy-hotel-staying, fight-instigating, barista-training Peter King, of Sports Illustrated and NBC Sports fame, believes the team that signs Hardy will have to deal with that kind of chaos.
King explained in his Monday Morning Quarterback column today on TheMMQB.com.
4. Greg Hardy certainly is repelling his share of suitors. As the GM of one team who told me Hardy “is on our list, but pretty far down,” there are two distinct problems with taking on Hardy: a) Teams believe there’s a good chance he’ll be suspended for the first six games of the season because of his domestic-violence incident that caused him to be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list; b) the public battering the team would take would potentially be intense and distracting. I think he’d fit best—without regard to off-field stuff—in Dallas or pass-rush-desperate Atlanta, Tampa Bay, San Diego or Jacksonville. Which team can best take the heat?
Joe’s confident King is way over the top here. “Public battering?” Joe would point King to the stunning support for Hardy among Bucs fans.
Actually, Joe will assert the opposite. The giddy screams of glee from Bucs fans easily would drown negativity about Hardy that might have been distracting. If the Bucs signed Hardy in April, the negativity would be gone before the NFL Draft.
March 16th, 2015 at 9:20 am
A lot of Bucs fans were excited about Johnson coming in last year with a whole lot less potential than Hardy has to be a good signing for us. We convinced ourselves that Johnson would be Simeon Rice. We’ll have no problem convincing ourselves that Hardy is a pillar of the community if he helps us get wins
March 16th, 2015 at 9:21 am
Joe, I agree and I’m sick of the character issue excuse. If Belicheat can win coach of the year the same season he receives the biggest fine in football history, the Bucs can sign this guy. I’m sick of people asserting that football even involves morals. It’s about winning. Plain and simple. As you’re so fond of saying, winning is the best deodorant.
Keep banging the drum for Hardy. Incentive laden, team-friendly contract.
March 16th, 2015 at 9:27 am
Ill take Hardy I’ll pass on Winston
March 16th, 2015 at 9:27 am
C’mon Joe(s)!!
REALLY?!?!?
Every Frickin’ Post?!?!?!
Everything after
Jameis, Jameis, Jameis
is just Blah, Blah, Blah
Enough already!!!
You are making these two months really long…
March 16th, 2015 at 9:29 am
@ Joes
Where is the article about your semi-shady choice for the next Bucs QB not attending the draft?
Wow, that’s weird.
March 16th, 2015 at 9:30 am
Let’s get Winston, Hardy, and Peterson. We can deal with the media backlash.
March 16th, 2015 at 9:30 am
People have short attention spans… sure people will jump on the bandwagon for a few days bashing him and organization but all will be forgotten with a few sacks. If he hits double digit sacks then he has a best selling jersey.. just the way it works. people have short memories.
March 16th, 2015 at 9:30 am
Greg hardy is a Scum bag.geez where do some of you people draw the line? Dude is a piece of crap reaching jerramy stevans level. Hear the police call look at the police report.it’s all there. If that was you daughter or mom ud feel differently about signing this guy.
March 16th, 2015 at 9:31 am
Rapist Rothlesburger more than survived. He is an idle in PA. I’m sure watching Hardy take QBs down would be enough to get us to look past his sins.
March 16th, 2015 at 9:35 am
Winning cures all!
March 16th, 2015 at 9:37 am
Why does it matter? Why do you feel he needs to show up so he can walk across the stage and collect a jersey?
March 16th, 2015 at 9:37 am
LutzBuczFan said it best!
March 16th, 2015 at 9:38 am
don’t want Winston as face of the bucs because with all that money he will live at the strip clubs
March 16th, 2015 at 9:43 am
From fans that go to this site maybe. You better believe there will be backlash however. See- most of us guys who go to this site are either married or have a girl friend (we hope). And each of those people will have a problem with it.
And we know who actually calls the shots don’t we? The women in our lives have a bit more pull than any website we go to or survey we take. I know when I talk to my wife about it she would rather not watch the Bucs anymore than have them sign him.
March 16th, 2015 at 9:44 am
I dont think Bucs fans in Tampa would be outraged. Not at all. Its the national media types that would have something to say. All those feminist groups and anti abuse groups out there that would be critical and take any shot at the Bucs they could. We don’t the swagger to pull it off like the Cowboys or Patriots. If it dosen’t work out on the field, our likeness will be ruined off of it. BSPN has made a point to make Tampa Bay sports a joke. It wont be easy.
However I like all Bucs fans (yes we do exist BSPN) want us to win. So screw it. Sign Greg Hardy to a one year contract with a second year option like Revis signed with the Patriots last spring. Our defense is pretty good but our defense with the elite pass rush skills of Hardy could be good or even great. So I think we need to sign him. It may not be a good move for our image from a national perspective. But whatever. Were already the lamest NFL team in existence and if we dont win and make moves to win things will never change for our team(s) and our market.
March 16th, 2015 at 9:45 am
I hated Michael Johnson signing! Thought it was worse then signing McCown. But I’m in full support for a Hardy Signing! Let’s get him and make GMC happy!
March 16th, 2015 at 9:51 am
Babaloo
Speak for yourself…
I suggest you do a search for Neuticles. They helped my dog maybe they will help you.
You are completely wrong on multiple levels. 2 wins and everything is forgotten. Especially if Winston helps lovie over his fear of offense and scoring of points.
Personally my girlfriend does not like either of them. She is one of the morons in the trade down crowd which is utter stupidity. 2 of my employees who are female both LOVE Winston (1 gator and 1 USF grad to be clear) they both feel that winston was railroaded. Women with class and self respect despise self proclaimed cleat chasers and groupies.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:07 am
So, Babaloo, let me get this straight:
You’re going to have an issue rooting for this team because your WIFE would have an issue with the team drafting Winston?
Wow. Just….Wow…
March 16th, 2015 at 10:13 am
Take a look at how much backlash there was in Baltimore when the rice video came out. They cheered him like a hero even though he was on the downside of his career. The same will happen in Tampa. The people who will be upset are the professionally offended who get upset about everything. If Hardy comes in and performs, he’ll be welcomed with open arms.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:15 am
Its pretty messed up that King Goodell won’t just make a decision regarding any additional suspension that Hardy is to receive. Its like he is intentionally waiting to further punish Hardy by not revealing his decision in a timely fashion. Teams rightfully don’t want to even consider signing Hardy until they know what his availability is going to be next season. C’mon Roger – stop stalling. He was not allowed to play for 15 games last season. Should be a “time served” scenario and move on.
If I was Carolina – I would be super-pissed having had to pay Hardy $13M without the benefit of his services last year. I hate the way the NFL has this air of “society’s normal rules of fairness and decision making don’t apply to the NFL”. Players, teams and fans have no normal recourse if King Goodell is being unfair in his Kingly decisions.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:18 am
My wife loves Jameis Winston.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:19 am
As far as anyone’s off field activities hurt their playing on the field is a matter of concern.
Now I prefer Mariota over Winston because I think he is a better player.
I will be happy with either because I don’t believe that the off field activities will matter in this case.
I hope we sign Hardy because I know he has learned his lesson and he will play harder for the team that takes a chance on him. I believe there was only one incident also.
I am sure that contracts will be structured to severely penalize any player that steps over the line and yes I know this will not stop someone that is stupid like this, but we won’t end up paying him like we did the Ghost for nothing.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:20 am
A lot of problems seem to dissipate when the wins start rolling in. Sign Hardy, draft Winston get an O-line and we’ll see how much negativity shrouds the bay.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:23 am
@87,
Well if your wife is good with Winston, then that’s enough for me. That probably explains why 27 out of 28 mock drafts have Winston going #1, right? Lol
March 16th, 2015 at 10:33 am
When he says “Public Battering” he means that fact that he and the rest of the liberal judgemental filth that litters the media will write stories about how so-and-so could STOOP SO LOW to sign SOMEONE OF SUCH LOW MORAL CHARACTER…. how DARE they?
That being said, I think Tampa Bay is a great place for him for no other reason than no one gives a crap what happens to anyone in Tampa. We’re so low-profile no one cares about the Bucs, the Bucs’ players, or the Bucs’ personnel moves because as far as the NFL goes – good or bad – the Buccaneers are insignificant.
And if you don’t believe me, when do you see a Bucs player in a DirecTV commercial? When they show “fans” wearing gear in a commercial , do you EVER see a Bucs jersey? When ESPN does highlights, do the Bucs ever get more than 20 seconds worth of screen time while Peyton, Brady, and Romo get put in heavy rotation? No. One. Cares. You can hide down here.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:37 am
I think the public outcry would be minimal so long as he kept his nose clean. And we NEED him here.
However…things do seem to add up. To build over time. So having Hardy. Then Winston? All it would take is one mishap…even if it is by someone else on the team, and there would be a public frenzy, enhanced by the media vultures.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:39 am
Buc1987 Says
“My wife loves Jameis Winston.”
I would think most imaginary wives would be. It’s the real ones that might take issue. 😉
March 16th, 2015 at 10:42 am
Just win baby!!
March 16th, 2015 at 10:49 am
Hey Joe…do you have a daughter and how would you feel if she was involved with someone like Hardy?
March 16th, 2015 at 11:00 am
You people act like having someone play for the team means that he’s going to be paraded around to the local neighborhoods and introduced to everyone’s wives and young daughters. Signing him to the team is doing nothing to endorse his actions and not signing him will do nothing to dissuade him from being who be is. The NFL didn’t give him women issues and not signing him will not help him to address the issues he has. A lot of you folks don’t seem to grasp how business deals work.
March 16th, 2015 at 11:06 am
Hardy-yes Winston-NO Jameis Winston =Jamarcus Russell
March 16th, 2015 at 11:09 am
My fiance is real and she loves Winston. She’s also read all the case reports / etc
I personally am shaky on signing Hardy; simply because it seems he actually did something pretty F**d up and borderline evil. It’s not like he hit his girlfriend in some sort of heated physical argument and was remoresful about it. The judge was able to conclude beyond reasonable doubt that he beat her / threatened her life while choking her / and then fabricated a 911 call. That’s a pretty evil dude if you ask me and not someone I want to chear for. I find that more disturbing than Ray Rice – we just don’t have the video footage for the media to freak out to.
If I felt Winston had actually raped the girl; I would not want to touch him with a 10 foot pole; and I’d be wanting justice for the girl. But I feel extremely confident he did not rape that girl; based up on everything you can look up on the case.
March 16th, 2015 at 11:12 am
Nice pirates finish last! Bring on Hardy, Winston, Peterson, and Incognito.
March 16th, 2015 at 11:20 am
Anthony_Liga
I would suspect Joe’s daughter would have been taught at a early age nothing good happens at a cocaine fueled gun party with strippers. And that the people you associate with is critical to avoiding those situations.
Some of you act like Hardy and Winston are going out patrolling high schools and choir practices stealing little girls like ISIS… it’s ridiculous. I am sure the NFL has the national guard on alert for when Winston is drafted by bucs. These guys are being paid to play football and win games NOT house sit your kids…. Neither one of these ladies are going for citizen of the year awards either. does not mean they deserve anything bad. we all agree and accept rape and violence is wrong that being said it also does not mean winston and hardy are predators either.
It’s one thing to support victims but it’s equally as wrong to blindly support liars and people with hidden agendas. I don’t know what happened and either do any of you. i read the reports and listened to 911 does not sound like anyone was innocent to me. what I am getting at is reasonable women will see the difference. however the liberal agenda will pick and choose their causes. I doubt Hardy’s victim fits the poster child for the agenda that is more important than fact after all. if he gets sacks all will be forgotten and he will be loved.
March 16th, 2015 at 11:26 am
I thought Hardy is only gonna be suspended 1-2 games? The source is Bleacher Report though, sometimes there unreliable.
March 16th, 2015 at 11:46 am
@ tmax
There were a few witnesses whose stories corroborated the woman’s account and poked holes in Hardy’s credibility; although they were associated with the victim i believe moreso than Hardy.
The case is less resolved for me than Winston’s. It’s very easy to go through Winston’s case and dismiss the accusor’s story as anything close to credible once you look at how many time she has changed it (and when) along with the actual physical evidence.
March 16th, 2015 at 12:02 pm
Just bring in the biggest baddest players. The allegations and rap sheets will dissolve in time. If you want to get to heaven or the NFL you have to raise a little hell.
March 16th, 2015 at 12:24 pm
I agree there wouldn’t be a public battering outside of the expected reaction stories on the day Hardy signs, BUT let’s be real. There most definitely would be distractions unless/until Hardy is fully exonerated. Paying the accuser to go away and avoiding charges doesn’t mean he’s in the clear, and as long as reporters and talking heads want to bring it up, it’s a distraction.
March 16th, 2015 at 1:57 pm
If the Bucs want to win above anything else, then they should sign Greg Hardy and Rolando McClain then draft Jameis Winston.
This town is complicated though. It loves a winner, but that winner must be lovable. The Dungy Bucs were, and still are, beloved by this town because they won and they were lovable in the community. The Gruden Bucs won a lot of games, but the fan base soured on them after the Super Bowl season when the lovable players were gradually replaced with guys like “the king of turds” Jeramy Stevens.
March 16th, 2015 at 2:23 pm
Hardy going to Dallas with dez and we are whining over Winston bucs will be better without hardy how can I cheer for him watching with my 3 daughter’s and grand girls he will cost alot more ways then one
March 16th, 2015 at 2:43 pm
Winning on Sunday makes everything seem brighter. Makes the new week worth starting. Makes you want to pick up the paper and watch NFL Network whenever it’s on.
God Bless America. A country that was founded on giving people a second chance.
Just remember, the head of NASA was Werner Von Braun. A card carrying member of the Nazi Party that used Jewish slave labor to build rockets to kill innocent women and children civilians in London.
Somehow, what Hardy did pales in comparison.
March 16th, 2015 at 2:47 pm
Here’s anti idea Sturgis, either explain to your daughters one of the foundations of this great countrry of ours is giving people a second chance.
If that is to difficult for you, vote with your ,remote and just don’t watch. You will be replaced by ten other people who will. People who are so happy the Bucs are winning again and won’t care why.
March 16th, 2015 at 2:57 pm
So I have to explain winning a football game is the most important thing in life and without having hardy bucs can’t win he ain’t that good he paid the female off with Panthers money he didn’t even earn
March 16th, 2015 at 2:59 pm
Tmaxcon, I’m one of your so called “liberals” and I am suspect of both of these allegations against these two players.
Winston more so than Hardy.
Put your Rush Limbaugh stereotyping away and realize people are full of complex thought and just because they believe in treating people equally, it doesn’t mean you give them a 20 yard head start so they both finish at the same time.
I do believe Hardy may have gotten physical with this woman, but he also showed a lot of restraint or she would still be in traction if not dead.
What I know about the women is she took a big gob of cash off of Hardy and then refused to show up in court. Instead, she chose to seek the therapy of a ski resort and a shopping trip in New York to handle the trauma associated with the event.
If that’s being a victim of a terrible crime, where do I sign up.
March 16th, 2015 at 3:03 pm
Apparently the entire concept of giving people a second chance escapes your very limited intellect.
I have neither the time or the patience to explain to a mentally challenged individual the nuances of a second chance.
I am glad however, that you have lived such a perfect life and never made a mistake that you regretted and wish you could do over.
You and Jesus can now serve The Lord together as one.
March 16th, 2015 at 4:32 pm
ddneast
Learn how to read genius. I support second chances more than most here. I have been on Winston and Hardy bandwagon from day one. If you could read you would comprehend that.
March 16th, 2015 at 4:38 pm
You are sill having problems with your own comprehension. I understood completely your stand of giving people a second chance and supported you.
My contention with your post was the use of all liberals supporting and believing any woman who has claimed she has been assaulted.
Please reread again.
March 16th, 2015 at 8:55 pm
Consider me one of those small percentage.
But you are right, it is a small percentage who care about honor and ethics and basic morality. The sustained popularity of the Bucs when they had Jerramy Stevens catching touchdowns is proof of that.
Call me a prude or uptight or whatever, but I won’t be cheering a Jameis Winston Bucs team. I’ll be doing something else less degrading.
March 17th, 2015 at 8:40 am
[…] King, of Sports Illustrated and NBC Sports, claiming Hardy’s next team will face a “public battering” so distracting it could hurt the […]