*Sigh*..............

That was then...this is now
A year after the Bucs won the Super Bowl, Tampa Bay fans seem to be ignoring the game.
Published February 1, 2004


Where are the fans? (BOBBY COKER/ORLANDO SENTINEL)
Feb 1, 2004

TAMPA -- There is no line to get into Buccaneer Heaven these days. The faithful have lost their way.

"You can see what it's like," Edmund Davis said.

He was working the cash register at Buccaneer Heaven, the city's leading outlet for everything red and pewter. Picture the Maytag repairman in a Bucs golf shirt. Davis looked around. All he could see was merchandise, with no customers in sight.

This city has a bad case of Super Bowl Flu, a reverse strain of Super Bowl Fever. A year ago, every road from Brandon to Tarpon Springs was a parade of pirate flags. You couldn't turn on the TV, cross the street or try on a pair of Chucky underwear without somebody yelling "How About Those Bucs!"

If you turned on the radio this past week, this is what you heard.

"Are the Lightning going to trade Khabibulin?"

The biggest event on the sports planet is happening in Houston, and Tampa Bay's talking goalies? What in the Khabibulin happened?

A 7-9 record happened. Keyshawn Johnson happened. Rich McKay and Jon Gruden happened to find out they couldn't live happily ever after.

An emotional crash to earth was inevitable. But the timing has made this landing especially rough. It's one thing to have a throwback, Leeman Bennett season. It's another to have it right after winning the Super Bowl.

In the centuries of frustration leading up to last year, there was an optimistic hunger in the off-season. Now that Tampa Bay fans have been to the mountaintop, no other view will do.

"In the past, even if the Bucs didn't make the playoffs, people still came in," Davis said. "Now it's as if all the customers disappeared."

Instead of prompting fans to think of what might be, the playoffs now remind them of what was. And what isn't. As depressing as that is, there is a bright side. It's a lot easier to get ahold of a Chucky doll.

There's a stack of them at Buccaneer Heaven. Along with the usual jerseys, T-shirts, shorts, jackets, caps, license plates, blankets, bumper stickers, socks, posters, pictures and flags, there also are Buccaneer keychains, dog collars, steering-wheel covers, wind chimes and lingerie.

Anyone for a pair of black undies with red lettering that says "Chucky's Chick"?

Last year, even men were wearing them. Those days may return, salary cap willing. But for now, the banner flapping in the breeze outside Buccaneer Heaven says it all.

BLOWOUT SALE

"There was a line to get in last year," Davis said.

Now there's a news helicopter above Keyshawn's house. It was there one day last week, trying to get a shot of Mr. Bad Attitude packing a moving van and leaving Tampa for good.

With all due respect, the flying paparazzi won't be out when Khabibulin blows town. Throw in a chimpanzee, and it could have been a Michael Jackson Moment. Such is the infatuation with everything Buccaneer around here.

"It's amazing how many people come up to you and give you their opinions," Kenyatta Walker said.

He's heard plenty of them lately. Even elderly women have dissected what went wrong. None has yet told Walker they could play offensive tackle at least as well as he did last season, though it's still early.

The ageless interest is fun when a team wins. Then there are days like today, when the rest of America will tune in to find out who the new world champion will be.

In Tampa Bay, all it means is the crown comes off in a few precious hours. If it's any consolation, fans, the players don't feel any better about it than you do. There will be no Super Bowl party at Walker's house, even though it's his birthday.

"I'll watch the game, with a sick feeling," he said. "It leaves a bad taste in your mouth."

Sounds like a job for Chucky mouthwash. But check out the shelves at Buccaneer Heaven.

Wouldn't you know. The one thing this town really needs is nowhere to be found.

David Whitley can be reached at dwhitley@orlandosentinel.com.

[Got-defense?]

I dont beleive this people.

BIG deal, so the fans dont feel the need to pack the store when the losing season is over, wth do they expect.

I guess cause were not lined up to keep spending money alot of us dont have to spend. were not real fans.

I tell him to stick it up his arse.

[Got-defense?]

Originally posted by LynchM0b
BIG deal, so the fans dont feel the need to pack the store when the losing season is over, wth do they expect.

I guess cause were not lined up to keep spending money alot of us dont have to spend. were not real fans.

I tell him to stick it up his arse.

Lets go teach him a lesson LynchM0b.

[figment086]

if money wasnt an issue and i had a car i would be there in a heart beat, if you dont
have a packed so day in day out big deal that doesnt mean the bucs fans have lost
heart were down, next season the universe will correct itself and we will be back on
top.

[HaVoC]

Let those idiots yap their little mouths, they are the real bandwagoners... want proof, wait until we start winning again, they will think that the Bucs and their fans are the greatest thing since sliced bread

you mean I can actually get into Buccaneer Heaven Today??

sigh

[HaVoC]

Originally posted by BadChuckie
you mean I can actually get into Buccaneer Heaven Today??

lol, i thought they were still on vacation?

Originally posted by BadChuckie
That was then...this is now
A year after the Bucs won the Super Bowl, Tampa Bay fans seem to be ignoring the game.
Published February 1, 2004


Anyone for a pair of black undies with red lettering that says "Chucky's Chick"?

Last year, even men were wearing them.

Ok that's just scary.

Originally posted by First and Ten
Ok that's just scary.