The Buccaneers Rocky Balboa Run Is Over

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off a losing season. On top of that, fans just watched a pair of veterans who helped the team win their most recent Super Bowl in Mike Evans and Jamel Dean walk out the door. It’s safe to say that the shine is off the apple from the 2020 championship.

Not that we as Bucs fans haven’t enjoyed life since then. It has been consistent division titles and watching franchise legends string together great years in the red and pewter. Life has been good over the last five years.

Perhaps too good. Fans have come to expect playoff wins and players seem to have lost their fire. If good truly is the enemy of great, then we are seeing why.

It reminds me of a classic 80s movie; Rocky III. This takes place fresh after Rocky Balboa had won the heavyweight championship in boxing and enjoying all the perks that come with it. That’s where the Bucs have been the last few years.

Sadly, the Buccaneers Rocky Balboa run is over.

It is time this franchise embraced the part of the antagonist in this movie. Not the champion or the hero, but the underdog with a chip on his shoulder. That was the infamous Clubber Lang (as played by Mr. T).

To open the movie we see Rocky defending his title and living the good life. Commercials, TV shows, spending time with loved ones. It was a comfortable feel good story for a man who had caught his way to the top.

However, at the same time we also see Lang at all of Rocky’s fights. Studying him, like a hunter stalking his prey. His montage was filled with relentless training, ruthless fights and a clear hunger that the defending champion lacked.

This is the mindset the Buccaneers need to return to. With so many veterans from the old days, it felt like a group that had nothing left to prove. Not that there wasn’t a desire to win, but the feeling wasn’t as desperate as before.

It’s time to get back in the gym. It’s time to ditch the comfortable mindset of a champion and embrace the toughness from the streets of Chicago (Lang’s hometown). Time to punch first, punch second and punch them when they’re down.

The Bucs have taken steps to do this in the early parts of the offseason. They’ve brought in players who play with an edge like A’Shawn Robinson and Alex Anzalone. Bringing back gritty tough guys like Cade Otton and Ko Kieft. Bringing in relentless hustle in Al-Quadin Muhammad.

All good things come to an end and make no mistake, the Buccaneers most recent era of success is over. It’s time to turn the page with the next generation. Players who are hungry to write their own legacy.

Because even though Clubber Lang was the bad guy and eventually lost to Rocky in the end, never forget that he was the heavyweight champion. His hard nosed style took him to a championship. Even if it doesn’t last forever, all that matters is reaching the top of the mountain. Clubber Lang did that and so can the Buccaneers.