Predictions don’t bother him.
A couple of years ago when Tom Brady left the Bucs and was replaced by Baker Mayfield, the Bucs became the laughing stock of the NFL to the self-inflated analysts.
One prominent chronicler of the game even picked the Bucs to win two games. He’s still trying to live that prediction down.
Bucs types within the walls of One Buc Palace erupted in outrage over that prediction, and others. The doomsday crowd was so loud and pervasive, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht thought he was missing something in the analysis of his team and ordered his staff to research again all the players on the Bucs roster and grade them against other teams’ rosters.
This study only reinforced the Bucs’ thoughts that they had a good team. Sure enough, the Bucs won the NFC South, beat the mighty Eagles in the playoffs and had the Lions on the ropes in the fourth quarter on the road.
The tables have sort of turned. This summer, many, but not remotely all, NFL analysts think the Bucs will win their fifth division crown in a row.
Joe’s good friend Rock Riley asked Bucs coach Todd Bowles today if he has to do anything to keep the players from hearing and reading these predictions and not get too full of themselves.
Bowles had a simple yet direct response to Rock: Bowles doesn’t give a damn what anyone thinks outside of One Buc Palace, good or bad.
> “We didn’t pay them any mind when they picked us to come in last,” Bowles said. “We’re not going to pay them any mind when they pick us to come in first.”
Bowles’ attitude is a good one to have. Besides, organizations want attention. It means not just that the team is doing something right, but it is free marketing, both for the team and the players.
It’s sort of hard to tune out the noise. Most players are on social media. There are TVs in the locker rooms that regularly display various network hollering shows. Pat McAfee’s show is popular in the Bucs’ locker room.
Players’ significant others and their kids often tell the players what the buzz is around town, good, bad or indifferent.
Let’s be honest: Kay Adams doesn’t show up for a practice in the dead of August just because she wants to work on her tan.
Good teams, by default, will always get attention and be talked about.