With one preseason game remaining and the Buccaneers' "high-profile run" on HBO's "Hard Knocks" ending next week, the team, and especially QB Jameis Winston, have been "cast in a positive light by the show," according to Greg Auman of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. Winston's development as a young leader as been a "central part of the show," resulting in some "colorful conversations" with coach Dirk Koetter. Part of the allure of "Hard Knocks" is the "chance to get an inside look at the NFL that few people can see." As it turns out, that "includes NFL owners." Buccaneers co-Chair Bryan Glazer said that the cameras have "taken him places that he hasn't been in two decades with his family owning the team." Glazer: "It's interesting for me, being in this for 20 years, how much of this are things that I don't get a chance to see. As an owner, I'm not in the small team meetings. I get to watch practice and I get to be at the games. To see the players in their personal lives, with their wives having a quiet dinner or a player in his hometown, those are the things that are really special to me, to get to know the players better, and for the community to get to know these players better. It's as much fun for me to watch the show as it is for you." Glazer said that he is "glad to have the added national interest in the Bucs as a result of being on Hard Knocks" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 8/30).
OUT OF THE SPOTLIGHT: Auman notes Buccaneers LB Cameron Lynch has "been here before, with final NFL cuts days away and 'Hard Knocks' cameras all around his locker room." A year ago, Lynch was with the Rams when the HBO series "chronicled their preseason, and he was among their final cuts, though his wasn't shown on the show." Lynch had a cameo on "Hard Knocks" at the start of last week's episode, showing him on WHPT-FM, where he "had an internship this offseason." Rookie LB Riley Bullough has been "one of this season's most colorful stars, and the two are competing for largely the same job, but Lynch has tried to stay lowkey and off-camera when possible." Lynch: "The eye is always on you, and that's tough. Everything's being broadcast, but you have to keep your eyes on the prize. There are some things you want to keep to yourself, and hopefully they provide some of the guys with that option" (TAMPABAY.com, 8/29).
