Derrick Brooks Explains Bruce Arians’ Alumni Engagement Is Real & Strong
June 30th, 2019
Joe’s heard a lot of rather empty talk from former Tampa Bay head coaches about their interest in welcoming ex-Bucs into the mix at One Buc Palace.
After being hired in January, Bucco Bruce Arians immediately went down that road and Joe was skeptical.
Well, Derrick Brooks made it clear that Arians is backing up his words. During an appearance on the Ira Kaumfan Podcast, Brooks said he got a call from Arians — to rally the troops.
“I’m a little nervous about going [to practice] because I may want to get out there and perform and sign another contract,” Brooks joked. “But yes, Coach Arians has definitely asked me to assist in really reaching out to our alumni and getting more involved with our players. So we’re going to take him up on it. And you’re going to see, this coming fall, at lot of players at practices lending whatever professional assistance they can. But I just think that he wants to embody the spirit of family, engagement, guys that invested into this game [having] a small way of giving back to this current team. I look forward to being part of the process.”
Joe loves this stuff. Leadership within a team my be overrated, but coaching certainly isn’t. If Brooks and Arians can recruit the right ex-Bucs to impact players in small ways, that can add up in a hurry.
Joe hopes Brooks’ former teammate, left tackle Donald Penn, gets a call. The former Bucs and Raiders Pro Bowler might be done for good at 36 years old, coming off an injury and unemployed. So he could be free for a summer visit to One Buc Palace.
Joe chatted with Penn at the Pro Bowl a couple of years ago, and it was clear then that Penn keeps a close eye on his beloved Bucs.
Just based on Joe’s conversation that evening, Joe can say with confidence that Penn would have very clear and impactful messaging for Donovan Smith, if given the opening in a guest-coach setting.
And yes, if you missed it, Warren Sapp is on his way.
June 30th, 2019 at 10:32 am
Key phrase ” the right ex-Bucs”.
Please keep Swaggy away from this team.
June 30th, 2019 at 10:49 am
So far BA is saying all the right things & pulling all the right strings; let’s just hope for everyone’s sake it equates to wins…
June 30th, 2019 at 11:10 am
Lets get steve white and ian beckles out there too. Both media dudes now but both follow the bucs and care a lot. And Bring in Simeon Rice. Because this world needs more Simeon Rice.
June 30th, 2019 at 11:41 am
Maybe Donald Penn is too old to play LT, but MAYBE he could play RG for 1-2 seasons…
I know he’s working out like a Champ right now at Yo Murphy’s training camp…
June 30th, 2019 at 11:46 am
BA & Lichr,
Please invite Penn to Training Camp and try him out at RG.
My intuition is telling me he can be our RG for a season or 2…
June 30th, 2019 at 11:47 am
Obvious typo… * Licht
June 30th, 2019 at 11:49 am
#SignDonaldPennToPlayRG
June 30th, 2019 at 12:11 pm
This is telling, sense of family, players will play harder when they see what they can gain in the long run. Sapp barking at d lineman, will 100% put a fire under their ass. Would love to have Bryant or Keyshawn there too. Just the presence of rings around will motivate. Even players without rings. It’s just a better environment rather then just a workout facility. Being a buc used to mean something great now it’s a retirement community.
June 30th, 2019 at 12:51 pm
Love this!
Thanks Joe!
June 30th, 2019 at 1:11 pm
Ha! I’d say scrimmage against UCF so they can see just how bad they really are. UCF +7
*Mike Evans not allowed to play
June 30th, 2019 at 1:15 pm
What’s Erricht Rhett up to?
He may be an inspiration to Rojo.
He was living out of his car when he arrived in Tampa.
June 30th, 2019 at 2:45 pm
we could not play any of the starters and it would be the best team UCF played during their “Championship Season” or last year
Remember a couple of years ago when USF thought they too good to play UCF anymore? I do
June 30th, 2019 at 2:45 pm
Hopefully Brad Johnson can get Jameis to be a game manager and learn when to take his shots!
June 30th, 2019 at 2:55 pm
Of course, no former Bucs’ QB could help #3, since he is already “the best QB they have ever had!”
-Garnet & Gold Goons
June 30th, 2019 at 3:49 pm
BA’s a Hokie. Family and Hokie are synonymous.
Cue “Enter Sandman”!
June 30th, 2019 at 7:37 pm
The more Bucs alumni that show up, the more accountability. I’m glad BA is doing this. Would love for warrick Dunn to come talk to Rojo.
June 30th, 2019 at 7:52 pm
Dunn is done as a Buc… he is a Falcon