It’s that time of year again. Buccaneers players are arriving from all over. There are introductions to be made. Playbooks to be handed out. The Florida summer sizzle momentarily taking a back seat to NFL training camp news. For forty-five years now, late July has brought a feeling of rebirth to Buccaneers fans. Why should 2020 be any different from the rest?
Oh, There’s That
What will a COVID-19 training camp look like? Will fans even get a chance to see? Gone temporarily are the days when rookies, veterans, even coaches slumber into the Advent Health Training Center unscheduled. The 2020 Buccaneers were to start coming in for their scheduled COVID-19 tests as early as last Thursday. A follow-up test was to be conducted 72 hours later. As of yesterday and this morning, player physicals were to be conducted. Again, both scheduled, and socially distanced. Just getting into training camp this year takes stamina.
Then There’s “THAT”
Since signing Tom Brady back on March 20th, the Buccaneers have been media darlings. After a successful 2020 draft, expectations got even higher. Even through a global pandemic, the news coming out of One Buc Place has given Buccaneer fans much reason for optimism. Even as the COVID bubble flattened, fattened, and now hovers. There are precautions to take and lessons to be learned.
Never before has there been an off season in which the Buccaneers have seemed to make so many positive moves. Building on a developmental 2019 season under new head coach Bruce Arians. This team seems positioned to get back to the playoffs, take a run at winning the NFC South, and dominate in a way they have not since the Super Bowl era in the ought 2000’s.
A Reason To Stay Positive
Even with the news coming out of Miami Monday, the problem that Major League Baseball is currently dealing with is cause for concern, from now until the indefinite future. Every NFL news cycle morning will start with some type of news related to the COVID-19 virus.
The Buccaneers organization, as well as the entire league will maintain rules regarding team activities and recognition of the Corona Virus. Due diligence must be practiced. Even the start of 2020 training camp will be more marathon than sprint. It has to be.
Hang those flags. Break out the tailgating gear. Pray for some luck and strike up the band. Excitement is in the air in Tampa Bay. The gangs all together and its that time of year. Buccaneers football is officially back.
