Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles, New Tampa Edition, Vol. 5 Issue 2, February 2019

Vol. 5, Issue 2, February 2019

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Why Should I Choose Judi Beck as My Realtor?

By Tom Bostock Caveat Emptor – “Buyer Beware” – should be the mantra of anyone who buys or sells real property without the assistance of a competent real estate agent. If you needed a gallbladder operation, would you go out and buy a book called Gallbladder Operations for Dummies? Of course not, right? Then, why would you attempt to navigate the intricacies of a real estate transaction alone?

Do you know what time limits are imposed by the different real estate contracts OR the rights of the buyer or

seller? Does your contract have verbiage that could impact the profit you receive from the sale of your home? Has the buyer lender been vetted, or do you know what price you will ultimately pay for a home at the closing table?

These are only a few of the many considerations involved in a typical real estate transaction.

Protecting the interests of her clients throughout the Tampa Bay area is experienced, real estate professional, Realtor Judi Beck. As a Realtor, Judi is voluntarily a part of a nationwide organization which has adopted a Code of Ethics to protect the consumer from

See “Judi Beck” on page 16

If You’ve Got Junk – We’ve Got the Solution: 1-800-GOT-JUNK?

By Tom Bostock It’s amazing how easy it is to collect unwanted junk without even realizing it. If it’s not the garage sale leftovers that didn’t sell, it’s the clothes that the kids have outgrown that got boxed up and stored in the garage for a later time than never came.

Maybe, it’s the newspapers for the drive that were never collected. Here’s a thought: It’s just human nature to collect things, but wouldn’t it be nice if you could use your garage for your car again or the spare bedroom for something besides a storage room?

If the thought of having waste your Saturday, taking unwanted stuff to the dumps and then waiting in line for your chance to finally place your junk in the appropriate bin for disposal is not your idea of a fun way to spend your weekend, why not call the friendly folks at 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Owners Troy and Rachelle White enjoy a great reputation and take great pride in the quality of the junk removal services that they provide to both their residential and commercial customers. “We are committed

See “Got Junk” on page 12

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Editor.........................5 Pet Wants - Natural, FRESH Pet Food Delivered FREE To Your Door.................................8-9 Tech Talk with Bob...............10-11 Garage Guru.............................18 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: “Wait ‘til Next Year” … again...........19

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FEBRUARY 2019 3

4 FEBRUARY 2019

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February is National Heart Month The month of February has long been synonymous with tender heart shapes and the sensual color of red— thanks to the annual celebration of Valentine’s Day. But February isn’t just for lovers. It also reminds us to take care of our heart and consider our risk factors, because February is Heart Disease Awareness Month.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease.

My father was one of its victims, he was only 62 years old.

Your risk of heart disease increases as you get older but believe it or not, heart disease can happen at any age.

The good news? Some risk factors for heart disease and stroke are preventable when people make healthy lifestyle choices.

Some risk factors for cardiovascular disease include; obesity, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, high cholesterol or diabetes.

So, if you want to stay on top of your health and try to avoid the risk of heart disease, there

are a few things you can do. Starting with not smoking, but if you’re already a smoker try your best to quit. If you are being treated for high blood pressure and cholesterol do your best to take your medications as prescribed by your doctor. Next, make heart-healthy decisions.

Eat whole foods that are low in trans-fat, saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar.

Limit sugar-sweetened beverages and red meat. Condiment your proteins with spices instead of salt. When you’re preparing a meal, make sure to fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables instead of carbohydrates. Finally, get moving! Living a sedentary lifestyle will put you at a much greater risk for heart disease. Try to get in at least 20 minutes of physical activity 4-5 days a week, then build from there. Manage your stress levels. Stress is linked to heart disease in many ways. It can raise your blood pressure.

Extreme stress can be a “trigger” for a heart attack. Make sure you get enough sleep. If you don’t get enough sleep, you may raise your risk of high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.

Those three things can raise your risks for heart disease.

How can you help

spread awareness?

Here are just a few ideas: Encourage family members and friends to eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise Motivate teachers and administrators to make physical activity a part of the school day. Encourage your children to play outside more often. This can help students start good habits early.

Limit your alcohol consumption Maintain a healthy weight Ask your doctor to provide information about ways to prevent heart disease and share knowledge with your loved ones.

If you’re a business owner, send out a newsletter about living a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Use social media to spread awareness.

Host a community event where families can be active while learning about local health resources.

Visit www.heart.org/en/ affiliates/florida/tampabay for more information of how you can join a culture of health in Tampa Bay. They host the Tampa Bay Heart Walk, a Tampa Bay Go Red for Women Luncheon, the Tampa Bay Heart Ball and more amazing events!

Carla Selby

6 FEBRUARY 2019

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FEBRUARY 2019 7

By Carla Selby

Pet Wants - Natural, FRESH Pet Food Delivered FREE To Your Door

As pet parents, we cherish our fourlegged companions as members of our family. They give us unconditional love and joy. That’s why it’s important to feed them the freshest, healthiest food possible for a long and healthy life.

“People are more focused than ever on living healthier lifestyles, so why should they feed fast food to their pets?” local owner of Pet Wants North Tampa, Maureen Farr, said.

“Pet Wants is the Trader Joe’s of the pet world. Our products can help your pets live healthier, happier lives. We offer multiple blends of dog and cat food formulas as well as a healing salve, calming balm, anti-itch spray, paw wax, and more.”

Pet Wants food is all natural and slowcooked in small batches on a monthly basis to ensure freshness and lock in nutrients.

“Our food is made fresh and delivered fresh. It gets to your pet’s bowl within weeks of being made, not months… right at the height of its nutritional value and freshness. It never sits around in distribution warehouses or on stores shelves for extended periods of time,” said Maureen.

“Freshness is critical for optimal nutrition and health.”

Pet Wants offers FREE DELIVERY services to New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Pebble Creek, Odessa, Lutz and Carrollwood, and surrounding areas through their auto-delivery program—just like clockwork. No more running out of food, no more late night trips to the store to buy any type of food available, no more carrying heavy bags. It’s so convenient and easy, and your pets will love it, trust me, mine do!

I have two 11-year-old rescue dogs and two rescue cats. My dogs are not picky eaters, so they chowed down on their Pet Wants Dog food as soon as I put it down and loved it! My two cats, well… they are completely the opposite; Penelope and Santiago are extremely picky eaters and prefer wet food over dry. When I got a few sample bags of the all natural Pet Wants Dry Cat Food my cats walked up to their bowls, sniffed it and ate it right away! They even cleaned out their bowls, which they have never done with any store brand dry cat food, so I was impressed and excited! I could finally start giving all four of my fur babies something that was good for their health and they actually enjoyed it.

Heavily-processed foods can cause major health problems in people, so how

8 FEBRUARY 2019

can the same be good for your pets? “There is a problem with the low nutritional value of most commercial pet food brands and the excess of chemicals and by-products they use,” said Maureen. “We guarantee the freshness and quality of our food, and we only source the best salmon, chicken, lamb, brown rice, and other ingredients available.

There’s no sugar added, no fillers, and no animal by-products. We never use corn, wheat, soy, or dyes, which makes the food great for animals with allergies.”

After a quick research on commercial pet food ingredients, I was shocked to see so many words I couldn’t even pronounce!

46% of dogs and 39% of cats are now dying of cancer. Heart, kidney, and liver disease are an epidemic. IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease) in pets is more common than ever in both cats and dogs. I was personally shocked to learn that the majority of the nationally recognized premium brand foods I had been trusting for years had so many by-products and chemicals. I couldn’t believe I was giving my animals something that was basically making them sick and shortening their time with me. So needless to say, after my personal experience, I became a strong supporter and client of Pet Wants straight away.

Pet Wants is proud to list every single ingredient used in their food, on their website: petwantsnorthtampa.com. “We want to be as upfront as possible with all of our products,” Maureen said. “Every ingredient is listed online, even for the treats. We also share a guaranteed food analysis as well.”

Maureen runs and operates Pet Wants North Tampa with the help of her autistic adult son, Channing, as well as her two best friends, Rachelle Simonof and Carolyn Victor. “Rachelle, Carolyn, and I know what it’s like to try to find the right pet food for your furry companions. I’m a failed pet foster mom who ended up adopting my two Chihuahuas, Katie and Makai, and a Beagle named Sedona that were all my fosters. I also have a Great Dane, Devon, who I’m training to be a service dog for my son and has had a host of food allergies,” said Maureen.

Rachelle is proudly owned by two Shiba Inu’s, Justice and Raven. “They are a great breed but don’t expect to be their boss,” says Rachelle. Justice too has many foodrelated issues. She is constantly having to read labels and make sure she is giving him the best food possible for his condition.

“It can be a real chore at times,” Rachelle

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commented. “Thankfully with Pet Wants I have been able to better understand not only what is good for pets but what a nutritionally sound diet is and can do for an animal.”

Carolyn is the famous cat lady -- She has had cats all her life and currently owns two energetic rescues, Nugget and Smokey. “We understand that every pet is unique and we look forward to helping you find the right products for yours,” said Carolyn, who personally delivered all my pet goodies to my house. Thanks again Maureen, Rachelle, and Carolyn!

Maureen enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1993 and retired as a Major in 2013. In addition to owning and working with Pet Wants, Maureen works as a contractor, flying drones overseas. “I’m also a certified pharmacy technician and a veterinary technician. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies, a Masters of education degree, and I am currently working on my Ph.D. in health psychology,” said Maureen, who has volunteered with the local humane society for many years, and often fosters newborn animals.

Rachelle, Carolyn, and Maureen have been friends for a long time and had been talking about going into business together. “I wanted to be able to spend more time with my son Channing and even include him in work-related activities.

We both love animals, but I didn’t want to go back to being a veterinary technician as it would keep me away from home

and I would still need to find a vocation for Channing. I started doing some research and found Pet Wants,” said Maureen. “The products, the story, and the business model spoke to us and now we’re excited to be able to bring Pet Wants to people here in the northern Tampa area.

Pet Wants food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Pet Food nutrient profiles for “All Life Stages.” So, whether you have a puppy or an older dog, a kitten or a senior cat, Pet Wants is perfect for all of them.

Pet Wants also provides you with a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee on their free delivery service and superior food. As such, you and your beloved four-legged family members have so much to gain, nothing to lose. “Please give us a call today so we can

talk about how we can help you find the food and products that work best for your pet(s) and your family,” said Maureen.

“Visit us online to get a free sample for your dog or cat delivered right to your home, so we can properly earn your trust, business, and referrals. We will not let you or your pets down.”

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Visit petwantsnorthtampa. com today to get your free sample and to learn more about their products and services. Reach out to Maureen directly by emailing her at mfarr@petwants.com or by calling 813-398-7387.

FEBRUARY 2019 9

Tech Talk with Bob: THE CALL! Did you get “The Call?”

By Bob Dalles [Note from Bob: Back by popular demand.

Beware that a lot of people fall prey to these calls every day. I wrote this article six months ago. If you’ve already read it, I hope you will share it with someone you care about.]

Did you get the call? If so, what did you do? Did your friends get the call?

If so, what did they do?

Maybe neither one of you got the call… yet. What will you or your friends do when you get the call?

Well I am going to help you with this situation. This information can save you

10 FEBRUARY 2019

hundreds of dollars!

Many criminals are working their way through the internet looking for people to scam. I personally have received “the call” several times myself. My dad received one last month. These scam artists will call you and identify themselves as representatives of a large company, like Microsoft, Apple, etc. The caller will tell you that a corruption was identified to be on your computer. They will then offer you a free scan of your computer to verify the corruption.

Most people will be happy to agree to do this because it is FREE. For these criminals to run this

free scan they must be in control of your computer.

They ask you to log onto

the internet with your computer, download a file and run it. The caller starts

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the scan. Now they have you. Once you download that file, you are in trouble.

You will be able to observe the scan from your computer screen. The caller will chit chat with you about the scan and then move the conversation to more personal information like your name, address, phone number and email address. When the scan is finished the caller will confirm that you have the corruption and assure you they can fix it right now. Most people get worried when they hear there is a problem with their computer so they tell the caller to fix it.

However, now the caller proceeds to ask for credit card information because they were not hired by Microsoft, Apple, etc. They

want your money. Many people will pay and think everything is fine. Other people will say no because they thought that this was a free offer to find and fix the corruption. If you refuse to pay, the caller may make threats like saying your computer is going to crash or you may not be able to connect to the internet.

The file they ask you to download and run to scan your system may actually sabotage your computer.

So if you refuse to pay, you may have introduced the caller’s corruption into your computer. $299.00 is the typical amount they ask you to pay, however the amount will vary.

Here’s the catch: The scan to confirm the existence of the “so called

corruption” was FREE, to fix the corruption will cost you. Here’s the BIGGER catch: you do not have the corruption they are trying to convince you you have. This whole call is a hoax. They want to scare you into thinking you have a corruption and offer you a way to diagnose it for FREE. And then get you to pay for the fix. Many people become victims of this scam. It has been around for a long time because it makes these criminals a lot of money.

Now that you are aware of this scam, you will not become one of their victims.

So, what do you do when you get this type of call? Hang up. As long as you hang up before downloading and running

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the scan file the caller instructs you to download.

If you have already downloaded the scan file then you will want to immediately turn off your computer and contact an IT professional to look over your system to make sure it is safe to use.

Have a tech question? Email it to TechTalk-TBNL@ BobTheComputerGuy. NET. Questions will be selected by the popularity of a topic and answered in this column. If you have a more urgent need or have a unique situation you may schedule an appointment with one of my Professionally Certified Technicians by calling 727-534-4000.

Until next time, stay safe on the internet!

FEBRUARY 2019 11

“Got Junk”-

continued from page 1

to providing our customers with up-front rates, and ontime, friendly, professional service that exceeds their expectations,” says Troy.

“We even provide same day service. All you have to do is point at the pile of junk you want removed and we’ll take care of the rest.”

If it fits in a truck, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? will remove it, quickly and safely. It doesn’t matter if it is a single item, a backyard or garage full, even an entire building. We will remove just about anything as long as it in non-hazardous. their trained employees will do all the heavy lifting for you.

This is not 2 college boys with

12 FEBRUARY 2019

a pickup on a weekend. It is a fully licensed, insured removal company with the right equipment to do the job right, the first time, and every time!

If you are concerned about the environment and indiscriminately adding to landfills with your discards, owner Troy reassuringly noted that “more than 70% of what we haul away is recycled or reused.” His haulers do the sorting for you to determine where your junk should go.

Recipients of your welcome, reusable items include: many local charities, a recycling center, a transfer station, to be converted into energy for local consumption, or if there

is no value or possible use, finally, to the dumps.

Troy proudly notes that “nationwide, 1-800-GOTJUNK? has save more than 2.4 billion pounds of junk from the landfill.” Even their company warehouse was expanded to give them the space to keep even more junk out of landfills.

“Our employees will sort through your junk and pull out the pieces that can be reused, recycled, or re-purposed so that you don’t have to.”

Listen to what some of your satisfied friends and neighbors had to say about two of their experiences with 1-800-GOT-JUNK: “ I called and the same day, not even 3 hours later, Michael and Justin arrived.

In less than 30 min they removed all the junk I needed hauled. They were absolutely AMAZING ! Pricing is fair for the amount of work that they do. They were understanding and didn’t pressure the sale. It was the best experience!”

“I recently learned that they recycle our junk and don’t just dump it all at the landfill! Thanks for doing our part for us!! Every little bit helps.” :)” In addition to their widely recommended residential junk removal services, represented by the consistent 5- star ratings that they receive from homeowners who have used 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, the company works closely with a variety of commercial

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enterprises. If you are a general contractor, business owner, property manager, real estate agent or any commercial venture in need of hauling and clean up assistance, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? has the experience and expertise to be the solution to your junk removal problems.

Their commitment to excellence will be evident in the renewed condition of your property or facilities. “We remove junk from wherever it’s located, and we wouldn’t leave a dent or a speck of dirt behind.”

Troy and Rachelle, owners of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? have a strong commitment to the community that they serve.

One of the best parts of their business, they say, is the relationships that they have developed and nurtured in the community. They appreciate their ability to help local nonprofits like: Hope Children’s

Home, Autism Awareness and Lighthouse Ministries, as well as the Pinellas County Youth Ranch. “We’ve enjoyed getting to know the customers that we’ve helped. Everyone has a different reason for wanting their junk removed and we help them all.”

Don’t guess how much it will cost to clean up your debris, both residential and commercial. Do yourself a favor and call the experts at 1-800-GOT-JUNK? for a free, same-day, no hassle estimate with sameday removal services.

Serving the tri-county area (Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco), 1-800-GOT-JUNK? is your source for all of your junk and unwanted removal needs. Call 1-800-4685865 or visit their website at www.1800gotjunk. com/tampa for further information.

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FEBRUARY 2019 13

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FEBRUARY 2019 15

“Judi Beck”-

continued from page 1

unfair and unethical practices during a real estate transaction. On-going training, every 2 years, ensures that she is aware of any changes in real estate law that can affect a real estate outcome. Judi has already advanced her real estate education, enhancing her ability to assist her clients, earning the GRE, ePRO, and CNE designations.

As an agent with Florida Executive Realty, Judi has extensive personal knowledge in the sale of homes throughout the Tampa Bay area. Her listings and “solds” have included: country club, waterfront, farms and luxury properties. She is not just local, but, through her broker affiliate, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, Judi is able to buy or list a property, across the country

16 FEBRUARY 2019

and world- wide.

Judi is in a relationship business where honesty and confidence in your Realtor are the most important aspects. Trust is a must in any real estate transaction; she strives to satisfy all parties, understanding and responding to the needs of the participants.

“The most difficult part,” Judi stresses, “for a seller or buyer is to feel confident and trust the agent they’re with.

On any appointment I go into, I tell the potential seller or buyer client the truth. I have the comparable (a list of homes of similar size and value to the property being listed) ready and really do my research because the first 30 days are crucial.” She is constantly monitoring the market, ensuring that the seller is kept informed of any

changes that may affect their pricing or updates the home may need to be competitive.

Judi continues, “When meeting a buyer who has a list of houses they are interested in, I make sure I have the history of the houses and what they sold for in the past and bring a list of comparable properties, so that I have a good idea if the house is

priced right before I even walk in.”

Over the past six years, Judi has sold three of her personal homes; she is able to relate to and empathize with buyers’ and sellers’ feelings when they may feel overwhelmed, going through moving, showings, and finding their new home.

Great marketing

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Judi’s listings and “solds” have included: country club, waterfront, farms and luxury properties. She provides professional high definition photography and aerial drone photography to highlight both the home and communities for her clients. techniques are the keys to every successful and profitable real estate transaction, another thing that Judi excels at. Taking advantage of the knowledge of advertising and layout that she learned while working for the then St. Petersburg Times,

their Washington DC affiliate, and Veritas in New York City, Judi offers her clients a wide range of marketing options in her arsenal of cutting-edge strategies.

In addition to the MLS listing, traditional email blasts and flyers, Judi uses

professional high definition photography and aerial drone photography to highlight both the home and communities her clients are interested in.

If you are buying or selling in the Tampa Bay area, you owe it to yourself

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to hire the best. Call Judi Beck today at Florida Executive Realty - 15802 Amberly Drive - 813380-3866 (cell) or email JudiBeckSellsTampaBay@ gmail.com and take the worry out of your real estate transaction.

FEBRUARY 2019 17

Garage Guru

What’s going on with my car?

Brought to you by Christian Brothers Automotive, New Tampa and Wesley Chapel

My Air Conditioner has a mind of its own?

Dear Garage Guru,

“I have a 2014 Chrysler 300 and it is very comfortable, except for the air conditioner. It seems to have a mind of its own. It works when it wants to and doesn’t work when it doesn’t want to. When I’m driving along it is very cold. When I stop for a red light the air conditioner stops, too. After a minute or two the air from the vents blows out warm and humid no matter what buttons. Then the light turns green, I start driving, and it decides to get cold again. Am I doing something wrong? It obviously works but only when it wants to. So

annoying! What’s going on?”

You have the same car as our courtesy shuttle. I agree, it is very comfortable. Forget about your air conditioner for a second. Did you know your Chrysler might have a setting that raises a sunscreen on the rear window to shade the passengers in the back seat? We had the car for over a year before we found this out.

Search the control buttons on the screen and you might find all sorts of useful options, maybe even cool air that blows out of the front seats or defoggers for your outside mirrors.

18 FEBRUARY 2019

Ok, back to business. Your air conditioner may seem to have a mind of its own, but it really isn’t that smart.

It can only do what your car’s computer tells it to do. There are a number of reasons your air conditioning may be acting that way, but there is one pretty common reason – your radiator cooling fan may not be turning on.

Your car’s air conditioner depends on air passing through a radiator type box under the hood and in the front of your engine that removes the heat from the refrigerant (called R134). The cooled refrigerant is then allowed to expand and becomes very cold. The very cold refrigerant passes through another radiator type box under your dash where a blower fan pushes air through the cold box and out your vents and you get cooled.

When you are driving, wind passes through the front box to take the heat out of the refrigerant. Now here’s the main point – when you are stopped and no natural wind is blowing through, a fan should turn on to push air through that front box. If the fan is not working the refrigerant gets too hot and your air conditioning system turns itself off to protect against damage. When you start driving again, natural wind passes through the front box, cools the refrigerant,

the system is happy, and it turns the air conditioner back on. It can get more complicated because the fan can work sometimes and not others.

Is that more than you wanted to know? If so, ignore everything I said and just have your trusted mechanic check your A/C cooling fan to see if it is working. Or, just never slow down.

(Bad joke.)

We are eager to hear about your car concerns. Is your car acting up or have you wondered about how some part of your car works? Drop us a note at: Marty.labarbera@cbauto.net, and we will offer our honest opinion.

Christian Brothers Automotive, where we care for your family by caring for your family car.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: “Wait ‘til Next Year” … again.

By Tom Bostock The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have only been a part of the NFL since 1976: American Football Conference (AFC West in 1976), National Football Conference (NFC Central 1977 – 2001) and NFC South 2002 – Present. They’ve bounced around almost as much as their footballs. There have already been ten head coaches. That’s an average of 4.3 seasons per coach. How do you develop consistency when you are always changing coaches and subjecting both offense and defense to constantly changing game plans and schemes?

By comparison, the longestablished Pittsburgh Steelers have only had a total of 16 head coaches since 1933.

From “worst to first” was accomplished by the talented Bucs with the winning of Super Bowl XXXVII in 2002 by a Jon Gruden-coached Buccaneer team that had consistently been in the playoffs for the previous 9 years under experienced coaches like Tony Dungy, who, while coaching the Bucs, was tagged with the reputation of not getting them to the “big one.”

It wasn’t the coach since Dungy went on to become the first black head coach to win the Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts in 2008.

Since the Super Bowl win, there have been “0,” and I repeat “0” playoff games for the downtrodden Bucs! What’s wrong with that picture? If the New England Patriots can consistently “reload” instead of “rebuild,” why can’t the Bucs? What is it, management, player selection, coaching, offensive, and defensive play calling or just the players themselves?

What is keeping the Bucs from developing a winning culture? With another losing season already guaranteed, the finger pointing will soon begin. Sports pundits are heralding the impending departure of both the coach, general manager and possibly even the starting quarterback.

It’s hard to understand how a 9 and 7 record in 2016 deteriorated into 2 consecutive losing seasons, including this year.

Some people point the finger at the Bucs 59-year old head coach, Dirk Koetter, whose only head coaching experience was at the college level with both Boise State and Arizona State. It was, however, a winning record and led to several offensive coordinator positions in the NFL, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he was promoted to head coach in 2016.

According to Rick

Stroud on tbo.com “He’s already gotten more time than Greg Schiano or Lovie Smith.” Is the handwriting on the wall?

Many fans that I talk to think that will be the case. Koeter was handed his walking papers after the Bucs final 32-34 loss, the last game of the season. His replacement, Bruce Arians, a longtime head coach, will have his work cut out for him.

Others point to quarterback, Jameis Winston, whose athletic ability seems offset by his unfortunate penchant for inceptions, fumbles and negative publicity in equal measure. Blessed with a strong arm and indomitable faith in his God-given talents, fans seem to have a love/ hate relationship with this iconic leader of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the final year of his rookie contract, the question that fans are asking now is, with this dismal season over, will the team pick up his fifth-year option?

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According to a Tampa Bay Times online article, Jameis’s contract “is worth nearly 21 million dollars and guaranteed only against injury.” Is he worth it? Apparently, he is, since General Manager Licht confirmed this week that Winston would be quarterbacking the Bucs in 2019.

It seems incongruous that the Bucs continue to lose with wide receiver Evans having another 1000-yard season (the Pro Bowl snub not withstanding), and ever reliable slot receiver Humphries continuing to catch everything thrown at him. I’m only an avid, long-suffering Buc’s fan and armchair quarterback, so I’m going to leave the guessing and pontification for the “big boys.” Come this time next year; I hope to be rooting for the Bucs as they go deep into the playoffs and not thinking the same perennial mantra: “Wait til next year!”

FEBRUARY 2019 19