No Hard Knocks For The Tampa Bay Buccaneers

by Sander on May 16, 2011 12:42 PM EDT

The Buccaneers have declined the invitation to participate in this year's installment of Hard Knocks. The spot was offered to the Buccaneers, but they decided to keep the focus on the field instead.

Rumors of Hard Knocks featuring the Bucs had been circling for a while, and it seemed almost a done deal. It's surprising that the Bucs decided not to participate, given their efforts to increase the team's media profile. But this also shows that the team's marketing and national awareness are secondary to the team's on-field performance.

Of course, a more cynical reading of this decision involves the Bucs' recent off-field problems. The Buccaneers have had several DUI incidents over the past month, and Alex Magee was cited for misdemeanor marijuana possession just last week. But Aqib Talib's Felony Assault With a Deadly Weapon charge would be a major storyline during any Hard Knocks show, and the Bucs may not want that kind of attention.

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And the Bucs told the NFL not to lose their number.

So yes, it seems like they still want the exposure, but just not right now. I was looking forward to it as a Bucs fan of course, but this is probably for the best.

by Landlubber on May 16, 2011 12:47 PM EDT reply actions

Plus no one knows when the lockout will end.

There may be nothing to film. Then they’d really have to squeeze all the juice out of the Talib story. Let the Bucs have it next year when hopefully things are a little less crazy.

by Landlubber on May 16, 2011 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

You can spin it anyway that you want...

But it would have built enthusiasm and sold additional tickets. It would have been a perfect time to showcase their young stars and try to stop the constant blackouts.

by Bucs on May 16, 2011 1:23 PM EDT reply actions

The problem is that right now it might have showcased our young stars in something other then football. Aside from that, there will be a very abbreviated training camp as it is, possibly with a limited pre-season as well. I’d rather they be able to focus on being able to put the best product on the field in the shortened amount of time they have, as ultimately having a better product to sell to the fans is more likely to end the blackouts then having a little bit more media exposure.

by KRoa on May 16, 2011 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Couldn't any team make the same argument?

I highly doubt HBO would bore their audience with constant dribble about a player (Talib) who isn’t that popular outside of the Tampa area.

Obviously you don’t want distractions in camp, but the show will build the fan base and sell tickets. Just imagine being able to watch the Bucs on television without having to use a wifi signal.

by Bucs on May 17, 2011 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions

I disagree

Don’t underestimate HBO’s desire to trump up the drama with Talib’s situation. Look at last season’s Hard Knocks and the insane amount of time dedicated each episode to Darrelle Revis’ contract situation. An underlying theme this season absolutely would’ve been all the legal troubles, and not just Talib’s either.

Saying that Talib isn’t popular outside of Tampa and thus HBO wouldn’t bore their audience with his story is dead wrong. They cover whatever they think will provide drama. Last year they spent a bunch of time on the Jets kicking situation and who would win that spot on the roster. Maybe it was punting, but the point is that wasn’t something anyone outside of New York had vested interest in, but it was dramatic so they spent time covering it. A first round star CB whose job is in danger because he fired a gun at his sister’s boyfriend is just a tad more interesting than a heated battle over who gets to be the punter.

Nobody is claiming that it wouldn’t help ticket sales, just that it’s probably bad timing this year.

by Landlubber on May 17, 2011 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

You make a valid point...

About HBO filming whatever they feel is interesting. I just don’ t think he’s all that interesting, frankly. It’s not like they would be able to get any dramatic interviews or footage from him because his attorneys will instruct him to close his mouth. Side note: Revis is a million times more recognizable outside of his market than Talib is. Plus, the coaches didn’t stop talking about him because he is probably the best player on their team.

You’re kind of glossing over the fact that Tampa needs to sell tickets. Their fan base in Orlando is shriveling up because of the lack of coverage and the fact that we can still watch the Jags and Dolphins without blackout restrictions. The Orlando Sentinel doesn’t even have a beat writer attached to the team anymore.

by Bucs on May 17, 2011 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn't realize that about the Sentinel.

That’s too bad. I’m hoping the team’s success last season helps put butts in the seats.

I just really think the Bucs turned HBO down because of all the off field issues. They said they wanted to keep the focus on the field but then told HBO they’d love to be considered in the future. So which is it, you know what I mean? If it would’ve been a distraction this year, it will be whenever they agree to do the show. So that makes me think they want to wait until some of this stuff blows over before they let HBO point a magnifying glass at the organization.

by Landlubber on May 18, 2011 7:32 AM EDT up reply actions

I think it was a good move to decline.. I would loving watching it, however, I feel it would serve as yet another team distraction & the Talib story would have been drove into the ground.

by RuudAwakening on May 16, 2011 2:01 PM EDT reply actions

they would have made a fiasco out of the whole thing

by Carlitin1988 on May 16, 2011 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it would have been a huge distraction...

for a young team that needs to keep its focus. There are too many off-season issues to open up the doors to outsiders right now. Deal with those, keep everybody on task and maybe do it next year.

by Cracker Ball on May 18, 2011 7:27 AM EDT up reply actions

This is actually the second time they have turned down Hard Knocks.

I’m glad they did, we don’t need it here. Let them screw up another teams practices.

I'm not negative, I'm just telling you how it is.

by bucnut1 on May 16, 2011 4:53 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I think I agree with this

I would’ve loved to see the inner workings of the team, but is it really ever going to help them on the field? Even if the chance it’ll hurt them is small, do they need to run that risk?

by Sander on May 16, 2011 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Good Move

When this idea was first brought up I wasnt a big fan of it. I agree let them concentrate on the on field stuff before we invite that three ring circus

"Geno Hayes sucks though
He is one notch above Sabby Piscatelli
by Sveet on Dec 1, 2009 12:34 PM EST"

by PewterPirate55 on May 16, 2011 5:43 PM EDT reply actions

I want them in it next year.

This year’s schedule would be all effed up anyways. Wait until 2012, then let them ride with the future SB champs.

As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.

by Buc Wild on May 16, 2011 6:01 PM EDT reply actions

im so glad the bucs refused this. i hope were never on hard knocks, its too much of a distraction trying to film a tv show and worry about football lets leave all that to rex ryan

by Carlitin1988 on May 16, 2011 6:08 PM EDT reply actions

the way things were going with the Bucs offseason...

they would have filmed Hard Knocks as a crossover to Weeds.

The 2010 Bucs: Considering their two-minute offense works wonders... Why can't EVERY offensive drive be run like that during the other 58 minutes of the damn game?!

by witty on May 16, 2011 8:01 PM EDT reply actions