Imagine, a big, enthusiastic, RayJay crowd. An intriguing–as well as underdog–opponent. A 4:30 Sunday national telecast. A unique mano a mano marquee matchup between the uber-hyped Heisman tandem of Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, this year’s top two draft picks.
And then, alas, an outcome that could not have gone worse for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their critical, franchise-reset-button season-opener at home. Home fans, the ones who didn’t leave early, booing the home team: How’s that for ominous ambience? And how’s that for the credibility of head coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht? And how’s that for having the most “NFL-ready” quarterback in the 2015 draft?
Among the beyond-sobering thoughts: Could it simply be that the superior athlete and the nicer guy is also the better pro quarterback? Ouch.
If you prefer honesty in your marketing after a 42-14 loss to the previously down-trodden Tennessee Titans, it would be “Siege the Public Relations Spin” or if you like carpe diem riffs, “Seize the Daze.”