(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
The coach picked which essential player from one season was to be trashed the next (see Galloway, Jurevicius, Alstott, etc.) The GM and coach were arrogant to fans, but kind enough to let us all know how little we knew and understood.
When that regime met its demise early in 2009, the old days were returning we were told. We were promised a coach who has never coached a game as a coordinator would cut his teeth as our new Dungy.
We were told that releasing the best player in the franchise's history with five minutes notice to him was a good thing.
That bringing back Stevens (and his horrible history) was beneficial. That the offensive centerpieces will be two career malcontents, Antonio Bryant and Kellen Winslow.
We were told Brooks' departure was to get younger, but Quincy Black, Geno Hayes and Adam Hayward will again be on the bench, only this time behind 30-year-old converted safety Jermaine Phillips and free agent signee Angelo Crowell. The former Bill missed all of last season after his second knee surgery. Youth, eh?
We are told that being $30 to $40 million under the salary cap, as well as looming sale the land around One Buc and Raymond James Stadium that was once Tampa Bay Center, is not in relation to the owner's debt in his soccer adventure.
Once again, we're being treated like we're stupid.
To reconnect, the Bucs must show that this year's class of Josh Freeman, Kyle Moore and Roy Miller can be built upon. Morris must show growth as the season progresses, from someone who appears to be a head coach a few years before he's ready, to one who isn't so wide-eyed to the entire experience.
The team doesn't need to go out and blow cash, but must address items such as linebacker Barrett Ruud and left tackle Donald Penn being allowed to play into the final year of their contracts. If players like those two are allowed to walk, with what exactly is this team building?
The team must also regain its touch of finding players like Shelton Quarles, Brad Culpepper and Karl Williams in the later rounds and as free agents.
These are guys fans root for because they are the underdogs, and because guys who earn there way into the league seem to better appreciate everything they get.
Most importantly, fans must be treated with a level of respect this team has not had to shown in years: since Buccaneer ticket gurus created movie trailers that were shown in theatres across the Bay area to create a buzz to a potential 1997 breakout season.
Respect not shown since the head coach ordered players out of the tented area during Fan Fest to sign autographs.
Attending a Buc game this season is not in the future of many around me. My parents ended their 10-year run as a season ticket holder prior to the 2008 season for the above reasons.
Still others can't see the point of contributing money to a franchise that has turned back the clock to 1988.
Until this franchise rededicates itself to quality people, shows a true commitment to winning, and regains the class it lost cutting loose Brooks, many seem unlikely to rush to the turn styles.
No orange pants, but this franchise again wants it all from its fans.
We're going to send you the most entertaining Tampa Bay Buccaneers articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
0 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete