Tampa Bay Buccaneers Beginning To Feel The Heat

As temperatures cool in NE Ohio, the heat is on at Tampa Bay.  Eric Mangini leaving no stone unturned, thoroughly prepared his team Wednesday by holding practice in their indoor field with the heat turned up.

“Obviously, you can’t simulate Tampa Bay heat, but I think we’re going to be ready and it’s definitely not going to be an excuse. They’ve got to play in it too. We’re ready to roll,” said LB Blake Costanzo.

Conversely however in Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers are trying to escape the heat.

With temperatures soaring into the 90’s Wednesday accompanied by high humidity, the St. Petersburg Times reported that head coach Raheem Morris, “called a late audible” Wednesday night by placing a call over to Tropicana Field and asking to borrow the use of the field Thursday and “beat the heat.”

Morris became concerned about the team after reviewing Wednesday’s practice tape and decided to ask a favor of their fellow sports team, The Tampa Bay Devil Rays who were out of town on a road trip.

Morris stated, "You want to embrace the heat. You just don't want to have it be a factor on your body, have it be a factor on your players."  This despite Morris’ statements in the past of embracing the heat and using it as a home advantage, much like the thin air at Invesco Field in Denver.

Practice subsequently was held with players only wearing helmets and no pads – much to the chagrin to some of the local fans and former Buc players. 

"Pussified," is how former Buccaneer Ian Beckles described his feeling regarding the move according to Tom Edrington on our sister Bleacher Report site for the Tampa Bay Bucs. 

Football has always been glamorized as a “man's game." Images of Dick Butkus, Jack Lambert and the 1967 NFL Championship "Ice Bowl" at Lambeau Field between the Packers and Cowboys are all examples to support the brutality the game. Times were different and medical knowledge was not like it is today. Finding that fine line between being NFL tough or criminally liable is a debate that will probably never be solved.

But while some might view it as being soft, others may view it as being smart. In August of 2001, Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Korey Stinger died of a heat stroke after practicing in similar conditions during training camp in Mankato, Minnesota. 

Heat indexes that day soared over 100. By the time Stringer reached the hospital, his body temperature reached 108 degrees. Soon thereafter, multiple organs began to shut down due to the trauma. He never again regained consciousness and eventually died the next morning.

In response to Stringer’s death, the NFL immediately instituted increased awareness to all NFL teams about the signs and prevention of heat related stress. Stringer’s wife Kelci started the Korey Stringer Institute Team with the NFL, Gatorade, and the University of Connecticut to research and educate about the seriousness of heat stroke.

Sunday’s weather forecast’s estimate 92°F with 50% humidity by game time. Let’s hope the Browns have conditioned themselves adequately to make heat a non-factor. I for one will be drinking a beer to quench my thirst while watching the game!