As you can tell from my previous journal entries, we here at WhataMark HQ have an extremely obvious bias towards the 3-0 Indianapolis Colts. No other team under the shields umbrella will ever have my mental stability in a chokehold like the horseshoe does.
However, over the first three weeks of the season, there's been a team in the NFC that's been tugging at my heart strings a tiny bit. Does my happiness hinge on their wins or losses? Not in the slightest. But, I've found myself root-root-rooting for the fellas in Tampa Bay for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, Baker is the man. The redemption arc has been one of the better sports stories in recent memory. He's got moxie in spades. He'll pop Zyn pouches mid game which is sick.
Above all, the man is a certified gunslinger. Being down with under 2 minutes to play has become his happy place. I swear they let the Jets block that field goal today on purpose, just so Baker could complete a successful 2-minute drill for the third week in a row.
Secondly, the creamsicle unis never miss.
"Guys want one thing and it's absolutely disgusting".
Yeah, you caught me. That one thing is for the Bucs to wear the creamsicles every damn game. I shed a tear every time they're brought back. An absolute work of art.
The Bucs have weapons, too. Egbuka sliding to the 19th pick in the draft is looking like a war crime. Mike Evans still doing it at a high level (went down with a hamstring tweak today, get well soon Mike). Bucky Irving is a workhorse. His name is also Bucky, which makes my all-name-team list every time. All while waiting for Chris Godwin to return.
The Bucs are 3-0 and having fun. However, the season is still young, so I'll point out some drawbacks as they move forward.
Guys are dropping like flies. Lost some guys in the trenches to season ending injuries. We mentioned Mike Evans earlier, and who knows how much time he'll miss. I will say, Tristen Wirfs and Godwin could be back next week, so the reinforcements are about to redeploy after a successful stint in the gulag.
Also, the competition up to this point hasn't been the best the NFL has to offer. Atlanta will probably be mid at best, and the Texans and Jets look BAD. They've needed game winning drives in each game. The real test begins next week, when the Eagles come to the bay. Let's see how Baker and the boys stack up.
All that being said, I've been having fun watching the Bucs, and I'm hoping they do some damage this year. Unless they meet the Colts in the Super Bowl. If that happens, you shall kneel down at the feet of Danny Dimes, Tampa Bay.
-WhataMark