Thirty-two teams had the same COVID-19 shortened start to the 2020 season. The rest of the entire world is still dealing with this pandemic. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers start the 4th quarter of the season this Sunday by hosting the Minnesota Vikings. It is time to flip the script on this nonsense.
Be Careful What You Wish For
All those years ago, a young Buccaneers fan had a dream. Joe Montana is leaving San Francisco. Brett Favre is coming out of retirement. Jake Plummer is coming from Denver. Yeah, no idea how ‘Jake the Snake’ worked into that mix, either. The point being, Buccaneers fans have spent most of their forty-four years of existence with QB envy.
In a scene right from The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, the Brady’s came to Florida and the stars aligned. Or did they? Turns out that just mixing two combustible elements does not always produce an explosion. The ‘no risk it, no biscuit’ took a backseat to the ‘no run it, no gun it’ philosophy.
But Here Is The Part That Really Pulls Fans Chains
Fans have seen the mountaintop. The summit is steep, but manageable. Ronald Jones had three 100 yard games in a row, and a magnificent 98 yard gallop against the Panthers. Tom Brady has had marvelous moments where he has moved the ball down the field like the greatest quarterback of all time, which he is. Buccaneers fans have witnessed it.
What they haven’t seen is either one working consistently without the other. Now, for the antagonist of this little tale. The national media. Quick to build, faster to tear down. The Buccaneers were a hard nut to crack this year. Fortifying the sentry with the signings of the ‘Patriot Posse’, in the Spring. Retaining defensive free agents in Shaq, and Suh. Drafting a behemoth at right tackle in Tristan Wirfs in the 1st round. The 2020 Buccaneers narrative was as strong as Skywalker. Until it wasn’t. Then things got a little dark.
Put On A Happy Face
At 7-5, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are about to embark on the most important four game stretch in a very long time. On the inside looking out at a playoff picture that could see the team back in the dance for the first time in 13 years. This just got exciting. With two NFC South games(both against the Falcons), and two old school NFC Norris divisional games(the Vikings and Lions), this Buccaneers team has a unique opportunity. The opportunity to do what Buccaneers teams have rarely done. Get hot at just the right time.
So what do you say? Are you ready to once again shake off the team nickname of ‘the yuckaneers’? Are you ready to sip from the chalice of the NFL post season? Because this is about to happen and you are cordially invited. It’s the 4th quarter starting on Sunday.
This is not about the finish, but more about the start. Don’t say goodbye to the 2020 season just yet. Say hello, and get ready for a fun ride.
Make sure you checkout more from Ray Kennedy at Bucsreport.com
