Bruce Arians: Bucs Must “Stay The Hunter”
July 9th, 2021
Joe laughs when people say the Bucs are going to be “the hunted” this season.
Every defense last year was jacked up to face Tom Brady and the Buccaneers’ dream team on offense.
Every opposing quarterback was hungry to beat Brady, as well, just the way it’s been for years.
So who exactly wasn’t “hunting” the Bucs last season?
But what Joe does take seriously is the Bucs maintaining their fire after winning a Super Bowl and injecting so little new blood into their 2021 roster — and the coaching staff.
Bucco Bruce Arians has that on his mind, so he told Buccaneers.com in a feature released today.
“I think for me I’m going to have to be harder; make sure that we stay the hunter and not the hunted,” Arians said. “We’ve relaxed a lot already this spring. Teams are getting ahead of us right now but I think we can catch up quickly.”
Apparently, the interview was taped just before mandatory minicamp in June and a few months after Arians said, “I’m going to beat the sh*t out of them,” referring to how hard he plans to make 2021 training camp.
Joe doubts Arians will end up being especially hard on his roster this summer, although that is the clear message.
Arians admitted in the Buccaneers.com video that he regretted being too hard on his Cardinals team after they lost in the NFC title game because that led to many injuries the following season.
On the mental front, Arians said his 2021 summer goal is simple: “Make sure this year’s team doesn’t think they’re last year’s team.”
July 9th, 2021 at 8:43 pm
Tampa has a chance to have repeat champions in 2 major sports at the same time. Can anyone recall if any other city has accomplished this? I can’t think of any off the top of my head.
July 9th, 2021 at 9:49 pm
Bucs got hot after the BYE last season, but up until that point we were just 7-5. Good news was that we played 4 games after the BYE against teams with losing records, and oh ya, we were fairly healthy compared to most teams. Finishing very strong was awesome, but even if we’d finished 9-7 instead of 11-5, we still would’ve made the playoffs.
Fact seems to be that the NFC is pretty weak. Last season we only had 5 teams with winning records: Packers, Seahawks, Saints, Bucs & Rams. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the Saints slip this year now that Brees has retired.
Bottom line to me is that we’re gonna have 7 NFC teams make the playoffs this year, and given the talent our Bucs team is loaded with there’s no reason why we shouldn’t at least be in the Top-3. And as we saw last year, once in the playoffs, anything can happen. And especially if you go in relatively healthy. Winning another Super Bowl is certainly not a ‘given’, but this team has a fantastic mix of talented veterans & talented youth that’ll be especially hungry for another championship. I like our odds of repeating.
July 9th, 2021 at 10:34 pm
I don’t think ANY city has ever won dual championships, in consecutive years.
However, back in 1935: Detroit Red Wings, Lions and Tigers all won for the Triple Crown.
We have a very very good chance to make history if we win it all this year.
July 10th, 2021 at 5:36 am
I like that mindset of staying “the hunter.” With Brady, we are never going to “sneak up” on teams. It was that way last year and we didn’t play our best football until later in the season.
We have weapons that we didn’t have and we have continuity. The defense is progressing, if not already dangerous.
Health will play a major role in our season. If we’re healthy late in the season with an eye on the playoffs, watch out.
Stay hungry!
July 10th, 2021 at 11:17 am
Back to back baby!
I expect it now.
July 10th, 2021 at 1:12 pm
Finally got it done–I put $50 on them to go 17-0 (FanDuel) payout would be $2500
July 10th, 2021 at 3:12 pm
The primary goal for 2021 will be to have a bye the first week of the playoffs. That means winning the Division and finishing with at least a 14-3 record. No reason this team can’t go undefeated, and I know that’s what Brady will be shooting for. But any more than 3 losses will be a huge disappointment.
July 11th, 2021 at 1:57 am
Defense will remain the hunters they are but the offense AND Arians have to learn to stay hunters which he showed in the playoffs, the offense can really do great things.
July 11th, 2021 at 2:38 pm
“Make sure this year’s team doesn’t think they’re last year’s team.”
This is a GREAT perspective! This year’s team has not earned anything yet and will have to work hard for everything they get