The start of the season is rapidly approaching for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Training camp is in full swing and many players are competing for a job. And a year where it could be make or break for head coach Todd Bowles, there is a lot of seriousness around football.
But let’s not forget that football is a game. It is meant to be played and watched and enjoyed. Despite what coach Herman Boone might tell you, football is supposed to be fun.
A perfect encapsulation of that to me is broadcaster Chris Berman. Growing up listening to him was a treat that younger fans just don’t get to experience. Specifically, the nicknames he would give players.
I will always remember Ty “I fought the law and the Law won” as well as Jake “Daylight come and you gotta” Delhomme. A brilliant blend of pop culture and randomness that made every highlight that much more fun.
So in the spirit of good natured silliness and pure fun, I took a crack at giving some Bucs players some of these goofy titles. New players that I can give my own personal spin to. Here are my Buccaneers Bermanism Nicknames.
Rueben “Bain of my Existence”
The phrase bane of my existence is something that causes you constant frustration and misery. And if you are a quarterback, I can’t think of a better way to describe the Bucs first round pass rusher. This is a player that we expect to be an absolute nightmare and relentless force on the field.
Josiah “Hot To Trotter”
Josiah Trotter is a linebacker who is always in attack mode. Someone who wants to fire forward and bring the pain. He is as excited about hitting people as I am to watch him hit people.
You could definitely say that I am hot to trot for Trotter and he is hot to trot about physicality. Thus the name, Hot to Trotter.
Teddy “Deadman” Hurst A.K.A Ted The Dead
I know that his last name isn’t the correct spelling of hearse, but Hurst sounds close enough to where we’re just going to roll with it. Besides, it goes so well with the skull and crossbones theme that the Bucs have.
I can just hear the highlight now. “Baker Mayfield drops back, throws over the middle to Hurst and he’s going to go all the way! Put that ball on the Deadman’s chest and he will make plays happen!”
Keionte “Great Scott!”
A shoutout to Back to the Future and Doc Brown (played by Christopher Lloyd). With every great realization came his famous catch phrase. “Great Scott!”
I could definitely get used to saying that after every big hit or interception return made by this exciting rookie cornerback.
A’Shawn “You don’t want the Smoke-y Robinson”
Robinson has a reputation of being the type of guy that you don’t want to mess with. Someone who plays mean.
When blockers go against him, they really don’t want to step up and go against him (or as the kids say, they don’t want the smoke). And with a slight play on famous Motown singer Smokey Robinson, this one lines up very nicely.
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