“We Want To Be Aggressive At Everything We Do”
March 29th, 2019
Be aggressive.
If there is one word to describe how Bucco Bruce Arians will direct his team, it’s pretty easy to figure out.
That word is “aggressive.” And that begins with special teams.
Joe had heard through the grapevine that one reason the Bucs did not keep Adam Humphries, who bolted to Tennessee, is that Arians wanted more speed at receiver. And Humphries, who was a safe return man, apparently was too safe for Arians’ blood based on what Arians said about his Bucs’ special teams play.
(Joe once spoke to a Bucs suit about two years ago and told the suit while Humphries never fumbled a return, he wasn’t much of a threat. Joe was told safe was good, that sometimes it’s better not to fumble a return and let the offense score six.)
Earlier this week during the coaches breakfast at the NFL owners meetings, Arians said the Bucs won’t be safe on special teams, but they’ll be “aggressive,” just like on offense and defense.
“Not to a point where it hurts us and we lose drastic field position,” Arians cautioned. “Yeah, we want to be aggressive at everything we do. I don’t like anything that reads and reacts. I want to be aggressive and attack. In all phases.
“[Special teams coach] Keith [Armstrong] — his reputation in Atlanta was fantastic. He is another guy that played for me so he knows what I want.”
Joe dove deeper on the upcoming edition of the Ira Kaufman Podcast about the special teams. They have been pretty bad the last few years. Arians stated in Arizona that special teams was the Bucs “glaring” weakness and it’s hard to argue. How many return men did the Bucs go through the past few years before settling on a man who’s greatest return attribute — per a suit with the team — was safe?
And don’t get Joe started on the kickers!
So yeah, Joe thinks Arians is onto something. The special teams the past few years have been anything but special. Improvement there ought to give the Bucs better field position.
March 29th, 2019 at 1:17 am
This is opposite of Dirk and Smitty. Playing soft 10 yards off the receivers, I mean was there a worst 3rd and long defense in the NFL? Seriously, it would be 3rd and 10 or 3rd an 13 and we all knew it was coming every dang time over the middle.
Then on offense, every time we would get a lead Dirk would go full turtle and try to run the ball with no success. There was no RB screens, just the predictable run in up the gut or put Rojo in and run a sweep.
I’m so relieved that we will have a complete new look on defense and a great teacher as a head coach who gets the most out of his guys. The only change we need now are some new uniforms and we can wipe the stench of the last decade from our memories, hopefully. That’s what I am, very hopeful.
Go BUCS!!
March 29th, 2019 at 2:17 am
YOU SIT ON A THROWN OF LIES JORDAN HOWARD WAS JUST TRADED FOR A 5TH, JASON NEEDS TO GO HE DOSENT HAVE THE CONNECTIONS AND IS A COMPLETE BETA MALE. HE TALKS A BIG GAME ABOUT NO RISK IT NO BISCOUT BUT DOES NOTHING RISKY THAT HAS PANNED OUT.
March 29th, 2019 at 3:58 am
^^^^
Agree. Jordan Howard for 6th round 2020 pick. Not even this draft. It could become a 5th. His salary is only 2 mil per . Barber is making more.
Why would you not bring this guy in. Who cares if you like barber. We need better backs. Howard was the bomb up until last year where bears went to more speed with Cohen.
The eagles keep bringing in talent . Their GM and coach are good mix.
And Licht not so much.
March 29th, 2019 at 4:09 am
Licht this dumpster fire
March 29th, 2019 at 5:01 am
Bucs’ special teams play has been anything but special for quite awhile now. Part of the problem surely has been coaching, but part of it has just as surely been the meh talent that’s been made available to S/T’s coaches.
Interesting article at https://footballmaven.io/talkoffame/nfl/rick-gosselin-s-2018-nfl-special-teams-rankings-MbGJNF3fzUq4AiEDITayKQ/ where Rick Gosselin ranks the NFL teams in 22 categories (he’s been doing that for 39 years). Top 2018 S/Ts … New York Jets. Bucs overall tied for #27, but of significance they came in NFL worst in 2 categories: Inside-the-20 punts and Opponents-Net-Punting (poorest return yardage IOW?). Kinda explains why Brian Anger was released & also why Hump isn’t our return man this year.
Bucs S/Ts coach Rick Armstrong has a LOOONG history of producing quality S/Ts (last 8 years with the Falcons, then 7 years before that with the Dolphins). Impressive results, but he’s had some quality talent to work with (Matt Bryant, Ted Ginn & Wes Welker among others?). His relationship to BA? Played for him at Temple & then coached for him as a graduate assistant. Small world.
March 29th, 2019 at 6:17 am
Clean house
“Licht this dumpster fire “
I give you props. That’s pretty good
March 29th, 2019 at 6:26 am
You think maybe they actually like Barber more than Howard smart guys? If you believe in someone why would you bring another player in to limit his opportunities?
March 29th, 2019 at 6:42 am
More Aggressive on Special Teams
UMmmm is about More Aggressive
Does Coach know he has a DL how bakes cupcakes on the sideline to apologize for hitting other players
I heard Big Ben gained 5 pounds against the Bucs
March 29th, 2019 at 6:56 am
“No money no honey
Bucs offered vet minimum to have mo clairborne as our starting corner but he wants more
Gump drafted 15 worthless corners and we cant even get a competent corner because we have no money…
And we were back to back 5 win bottom feeding team?
How can that be?
Open your eyes Bucsfan
BA talks a good game but we dont have the real 55 year old BA…
We have the bygone outdated Generic fake viagra version BA”
Kobe Faker
March 29th, 2019 at 6:57 am
Licht bigger “dumpster” is BA himself.We soon are going to witness the LoveS type of coach. The PR guy,Bruce Arians, “is placing a ton of trust in offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, pictured, who has never called plays for a full season” this was mention in an article today, I included cause i strongly believe so. He is here to promote other coaches…he is NOT what they hoping he is. This will be the worst and the last biggest mistake JL did. A manager without vision, without fantasy. He use pass statistics, and pass performances to determent the future. Secure failure.
BA = LoveS 2.0
March 29th, 2019 at 7:14 am
“2019 season is going to be a Epic failure…
How come the whole league wants young agressive offensive mined the next Sean Mcvay?
Its a copycat league and all the NFL is smarter than the Bucs FO
All NFL wants young guys that eat, sleep and crap football…
That was BA 10 years ago now semi retired BA wants to lol “distribute”..
All we paid for is 21 million in 3 years of outdated fake viagra and a few kangol hats”
Kobe Faker
March 29th, 2019 at 7:51 am
I think what the Bucs got when they hired BA is a baby sitter for his coaches. Licht is a complete waste. Maybe in the end he may turn out to be the worst GM in Bucs history. And the Glazers aren’t any better. They are so out of touch with reality that they think JL is a great GM. Same crappy organization year after year.
March 29th, 2019 at 9:11 am
i have no problem being aggressive on ST…..the goal is to win the game not play it safe and see who f’s up first…..
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
March 29th, 2019 at 11:46 am
As opposed to Koetter who wanted to only take what the defense allowed. That was a losing philosophy.. Can’t get over how many people defended this. I was chastised on this board for calling Koetter out on this. Wish I had the time to go back and link it.
Koetter’s main philosophy, was don’t make mistakes. Execution had to be perfect every time for his philosophy to work. Arian’s philosophy is to set the players up for success and allow the play makers to play. The Bucs have been dictated to WAY TOO LONG. This is the reason why have been so tough to embrace. Go attack, play hard, take risks. I’m just sick of watching the Bucs play things safe and lose after 3 quarters. Can’t wait for this season to start