Buccaneers On Hard Knocks, Fans React
By James Yarcho
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, HBO, and NFL Films made the official announcement today that the Bucs will be on “Hard Knocks” this season. What do Bucs fans think about it?
“Hard Knocks” is one of the most entertaining, yet divisive series around when it comes to NFL teams and the fans. Some fans love the insight into their team. Some see it as a distraction – and a curse. Teams like to avoid it. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Their fans? For the most part are embracing it.
At the press conference announcing the decision, head coach Dirk Koetter told the media, “I love watching it. I wish I wasn’t on it.” Now, is that because it’s a distraction? Or is it because by being eligible to be on it it means that the Bucs aren’t a team with a first year head coach or that they haven’t made the playoffs in either of the last two seasons – both being requirements for having been chosen by the NFL. Not much clarity, but we’re going to assume it’s a little of both.
HBO has already released a teaser trailer for the season and to be honest, it looks fantastic;
As David and I spoke about on this week’s Walking The Plank Podcast (listen below), we’re excited about the exposure, the storylines, the behind-the-scenes look at our squad. Most fans appear to feel the same way.
As I often do with these types of major moves/announcements, I took to Twitter to get the pulse of Bucs fans regarding the show.
Now I got to get HBO lol https://t.co/ndO4zxgClD
— David Soto ❕ (@D_dotSoto) April 18, 2017
Excited for the annual hard knocks underdog camp story, seeing a side of some players you don't usually see. And of course.... Folk v Aguayo
— nick brewer (@NickBrew2840) April 19, 2017
I love the fact that they'll be the first Hard Knocks team to win a Superbowl in the same season https://t.co/Ee8Bi2JRgZ
— Dave Lindfield (@dlindfield02) April 19, 2017
Excited to see even deeper into the team I love.
— Spence (@MarkWaltonGOAT) April 19, 2017
Don't know how to feel about it, really.... Just hope for the best outcome. https://t.co/eESKtLh4y6
— PJ 🇩🇴 🇺🇲 (@pjmaster25) April 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/HskrsStarsBucs/status/854493396794318854
its like that snack right before bed. You know you probably shouldnt, but you know its gonna be sooo good.
— Mike (@Ty_Am1) April 19, 2017
for a fan like me who clicks on every interview, podcast, every single buc article i can find, this will be like a dream.
— Mike (@Ty_Am1) April 19, 2017
I don't care that much about Hard Knocks. Excited for people to finally be able to know the real Jameis and the Bucs
— Justin (@_justin_haas_) April 19, 2017
love it. Deserved attention for guys. Though I hope team gets that the only way to earn real acknowledgement is by winning
— Mungo (@MungoMartino) April 19, 2017
I'm so excited!! Finally our team is getting some recognition!!! I can't wait to see them put it together for this season!!!
— Dennis Gatbonton (@GatbontonD) April 19, 2017
As you can see, most of the reaction is positive, albeit some with reservations. When I texted my dad – a Bucs fan since 1976 – about the Hard Knocks news, he was not so excited. He responded with, “Based on last year and with recent additions, expectations are high. This is only going to make it worse. And I’m sure this will be a big distraction when they need to focus on the upcoming season. I see no upside.”
A lot of folks took to Facebook to voice their displeasure, discussing the “curse” or the distraction this creates. The curse may be a bit overblown given the parameters in which the show is now made and as for a distraction? Well, there are cameras around at every practice, every workout, every everything anymore, it probably won’t amount to much more of a distraction than what they already go through.
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And let’s be honest – if a few extra cameras and microphones derail this team’s rise, then the Buccaneers weren’t ready to take the next step to begin with.