I held it in when Gary Shelton basically called our head coach’s decision to kick the onside attempt stupid or foolish (dictionary meaning of the word DAFT used to describe the call), but now its getting a little too much, when a full article is cleverly worded trickery of half facts and old ones at that.
I’ve exchanged email debates with Gary over topics far and wide, even to be told “I should know better” when disagreed with, and I’ve fully enjoyed reading Gary Shelton’s work over the years, but at some point it’s become personal, and I think we know who the person is.
In the article, Shelton calls the Bucs offense one of the worst in the league. Really? After the 3rd 400 + yard performance, this one in 32 degree temperatures at Green Bay? I’ve been a Bucs fan since 1979, we have NEVER moved the ball like that in all the years the Bucs played at GreenBay as a member of the NFC Central. Don’t call that offense one of the worst. The defense? Ok, its bombed a lot this year, but on the heels of holding Green Bay to 55 rush yards by its running backs? Like I said in the comments section; better to get it in now while you still can.
With the addition of Albert Hanesworth, the Defense is playing better football. He scoffs at the notion of Hanesworth being a mentor, I quote: Haynesworth is still more of a Band-Aid than a blueprint, and no, no one really considers him a mentor. (Let’s hope).
Really? You hope no one considers him a mentor? Because your wrong. You’re in the locker room, you dont hear Josh Freeman talking about him as one? You didnt see Hanesworth running down the field to make tackles? I wont doubt his behavior as a Redskin and Patriot are stuff of legend, and poor ones at that. But since coming here to play the position he was made to play, he looks like he has rejuvinated his career here in Tampa Bay. I would not be so surprised to see him here next season making 7 million dollars sharing time with Gerald McCoy. Ask yourself this Gary, if your a young Bucs D lineman, who are you going to look up to as a leader, McCoy? or Hanesworth?
Shelton hammers on Morris for making excuses about the schedule, but that was a question and answer session for local callers that JoeBucsFan.com sent up to Mike Florio. Somethings arent worth selling Joe. You cost the Bucs and Raheem Morris a quarter of a million dollars by being over zelous. I get it, its news. Not everything has to be reported for a few more hits.
Even the biggest Morris haters have to admit he does not make excuses. Morris detests making excuses, but he WILL and DOES make every effort to answer questions, and if thats taken as an excuse, so be it. When the media hammers him over and over again for an answer they want, sometimes, he’s going to give it.
How anyone can fault the blackouts, in any way shape or form, when you have to know that the rule is an act of congress, and has NOTHING to do with the Glazers at all, is beyond me. Especially when the hardest hit in America fans of Tampa Bay reached into their pockets and sold out TWO home games this year, Indianapolis and now the Dallas Cowboys. Its only two, but its a step in the right direction.
Not that Tampa Bay is the lone team with Blackout issues…The Cincinnati Bengals, who are in a divisional race, are blacked out AGAIN for their game against the Cleveland Browns, the 8th of the last 9 home games to be blacked out. So it’s not just Tampa Bay, but thanks for defending our honor.
Again, get it in while you can. Shelton seems to have waited for this losing streak to take his shot against last year. He never had the guts to criticize the team in 2010, but we should have known as soon as there was any losing, he would take aim and fire. There wasnt a word about 2010 being over rated when the Bucs beat the Saints at home for the first time under Raheem Morris’ regime. Or Atlanta, not even a close loss to a horrible Colts team. But go on a losing streak, the first of its kind since the turn around, and it’s all fair game.
“There have been many more times when they have looked like the 3-13 team of 2009 than the 10-6 team of 2010”
Again, REALLY? Are you proofing this stuff when you write it? Lets count how many games were more ’09 or ’10-esque.
Detroit- Looked bad first half, 2nd half wild comeback attempt failed. Draw.
@Minnesota- Wild 17 point comeback- 2010
Atlanta- Win- 2010
Indianapolis Win 2010
San Francisco- Blow out loss , 2009
New Orleans Win 2010
Chicago- wild comeback attempt fails, 2010
New Orleans, comeback attempt fails, 2010
Houston- horrible loss, 2009
Green Bay- Admirable defeat, 2010.
Gary Shelton, that is 7 games that were 2010 like, and only 2 that were 2009-ish. How can you say “Many More Times”? The St. Pete times was also guilty of generalizing the odds of onside kicks Monday Morning, that was picked up by Tampa Bay radio dean Steve Big Dog Deumig.
You want to know why the Tampa Bay area is not ‘down’ with its football team, and hasnt been in a long time? It’s the St.Pete Times and Tampa Tribunes writing over the last 7-8 years since it became tired of Jon Grudens capers, and decided to hold a vendetta instead of just reporting the Bucs news.
A prime example is Pewter Report, the only real Buccaneers media outlet that can be trusted. They do not pull punches when the team does something poor, but they take a realistic approach to it all. They do not get their feelings hurt at news conferences if they are talked down to by the coach, then fail to let it go.
I for one am finished reading the St. Pete Times for Bucs coverage, other than Rick Romano’s Take Five, Only the Pewter Report staff knows how to fairly assess the Bucs and present it to me unbiased.
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