“Hair’s On Fire All The Time”
December 15th, 2021
Rookie special teams ace Grant Stuard
There’s not a lot to celebrate about the Bucs’ special teams this year, but there are positives.
(Joe was a tiny bit disturbed the Bucs passed on a 52-yard Ryan Succop on Sunday in pristine conditions, a kick that potentially could have ended the game.)
Bucco Bruce Arians was gushing about some special teams yesterday on the official Buccaneers show that bears his name.
Specifically, Arians was glowing about his two rookie linebackers, fifth-round pick K.J. Britt and seventh-rounder Grant Stuard. (Joe loves how Stuard, this year’s Mr. Irrelevant, scored himself a TV commercial).
Arians said Stuard is exactly what the team hoped for when they drafted him, “His hair’s on fire all the time.” And Arians went on to praise Britt.
Stuard has the Carlos Valderrama recognizability with his wild curly locks obvious to all as he flies down the field on coverage. He’s made a couple of plays, but the effort is what stands out most. If he makes a big play or two, Joe can already see the bobbleheads and the inevitable Stuard wigs in the crowd.
If general manager Jason Licht indeed scored two long-term standouts on special teams at the bottom of Rounds 5 and 7, then that’s another feather in Licht’s cap.
December 15th, 2021 at 1:04 pm
I’ve been cheering for this dude since draft day. I am so glad he was able to make the team. Watching his college film I noticed what a sure tackler he was and how quick his reaction time is.
LB is one of the only positions I am not worried about next year…
December 15th, 2021 at 1:06 pm
UH’s finest-
December 15th, 2021 at 1:10 pm
Definitely an effort guy. You need these guys on special teams.
December 15th, 2021 at 1:25 pm
@”…I’ve been cheering for this dude since draft day…”
————–
me too; love the kid.
can’t say the same thing for the first round pick, JTS. The “Opt-Out” dude.
December 15th, 2021 at 1:29 pm
I love his Uber Eats commercial.
December 15th, 2021 at 1:51 pm
Sturd better than The Flop! Plan 9 from Outer Space.
December 15th, 2021 at 1:53 pm
Love his play and his attitude on the field. He brings energy to the unit.
December 15th, 2021 at 2:04 pm
Remember the lets fire Licht folks… God those were the days haha
I love how much talent Licht brings on year after year. He is the best drafter in the NFL. No one is hitting more than him top to bottom.
December 15th, 2021 at 2:11 pm
Joe. Let’s be relieved that Arians passed on that 52 yarder. OIt would have meant the Bills would have needed the TD at the end and that would have been scary for us.
I love Locks. I call Stuard “Locks”. Not only am I extremely jealous of his hair but the dude really flies and gives it a 1000% out there. I always see him involved on the special teams tackles. He’s valuable. Great pick by Licht.
December 15th, 2021 at 2:22 pm
What’s not to like about this guy……the question is does his hair make him look like he hustles more than he does?
It sure doesn’t hurt…..
December 15th, 2021 at 2:36 pm
@ doolnuts
Licht took some heat for moving up into the second round and drafting a worthless kicker…
Since then he has been trending upward.
December 15th, 2021 at 2:46 pm
Reminds me of Curtis Buckley back in the day, one of my old favorites.
December 15th, 2021 at 2:53 pm
Stuard has a ton of hustle and passion in his game. Gotta love it
December 15th, 2021 at 4:41 pm
Agreed marinebuc.
Love seeing Stuart out there going wild on special teams every week. Hair on fire indeed.
December 15th, 2021 at 5:05 pm
Be interesting to see if he can grab a back up spot next year. He’ll look a lot better in the defense with a year under his belt next season.