A 'Different Feel' This YearGil Arcia @GilArciaTBCMay 12th, 2015
The atmosphere within the walls of One Buc Place is different for the 2015 season.There is something different about this Buccaneers team.Perhaps it's the fact that the regime recognized their failures from a year ago and have made the necessary moves to try and right the ship. Perhaps it's the fact that players are starting a second year under head coach Lovie Smith so there is a higher comfort level.Whatever the reason, there is a different feel throughout One Buccaneer Place and veteran center Evan Smith acknowledges it.“I’m chomping at the bit. It’s definitley a different feel this year," said Smith. "Guys are showing up, but you can tell guys have gotten a little more accustomed to how things are supposed to be run around here. It’s not so much – last year everybody was kind of feeling it out. This year it’s “Get up and go." Everybody has a great idea of what we want and what coaches expect from us. There’s really no meeting expectation. The bar has been set.”Sure, there are some clichés used by Smith in his quote. But he isn't the only one that feels that way. Almost every player who has talked to the media -- whether recently or last month before the draft -- is carrying themselves differently and talking with more optimism.Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins is another player who feels the same and is excited for the upcoming season. And part of that excitement is because of rookie quarterback Jameis Winston."I’ve already built a relationship with Jameis," said the second-year tight end. "I know him; he’s a good guy. I talked to him a number of times before he was drafted. I’m excited he’s here, he’s excited he’s here, we’re all excited he’s here. Looking forward to working with him and getting better all together.”Optimism is great. Especially coming off of a 2014 season that had its ups and downs leading to a 2-14 season.But it's certainly a start. And perhaps a better start than last season.link
