Bruce Arians: Cold Is Mind Over Matter
January 18th, 2021
The Bucs have done OK this century when the temperature is below 40 on gameday.
The Bucs are 3-3 in those conditions. If you want to include 40 degrees at kickoff, the Bucs are 4-3 (it was 40 at Washington a week ago).
Unlike in years past when anything below 40 was a virtual loss for the Bucs, that may not be the case Sunday when the Bucs travel to east-central Wisconsin to face the Packers on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field.
A TV news director from Milwaukee, a Bucs fan raised in St. Petersburg, texted Joe today saying it appears the weather in Green Bay will be “around 30” with snow. AccuWeather.com is predicting 26 and snow.
Joe knows from being raised in the Midwest that predicting the weather anything more than three days out is a roll of the dice. So we shall see. Joe is hoping for a temperature above freezing like at Washington.
Today, Bucco Bruce Arians dismissed the cold as being a factor.
“It’s just a matter of staying warm on the sideline,” Arians said in his day-after presser. “Every time I’ve played in Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Cleveland [or] Buffalo, nobody was cold out on the field. It’s more mental and staying warm on the sideline.
“We’ve got all that technology now with the heaters and everything else. It’s different, but it’s not that big of a deal for us.”
The Bucs have a roster full of guys either used to the cold or from cold climates, especially younger guys and the offensive line.
Sean Murphy-Bunting played at Central Michigan. Scotty Miller is from suburban Chicago. Tyler Johnson and Antoine Winfield both played at Minnesota and are from there. Tristan Wirfs is Mr. Iowa. Cameron Brate talked today about his time at Harvard, noting the cold is no big deal in the NFL because teams have heated benches and all kinds of warm gear.
And of course, park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting, handshake-stiffing, jet-ski-losing, biscuit-baking Bucs quarterback Tom Brady played the past 23 years in New England and Michigan.
If it snows Sunday, the Packers may very well have an edge, having already played in snow against Tennessee last month.
And yes, you can make big plays on the frozen tundra. Who could forget this rumble by ex-Bucs running back LeGarrette Blount at Lambeau Field in 2011. The wind chill was 25 degrees, but the Bucs (4-5) lost to the then-undefeated Packers.
LeGarrette Blount running right through the defense… @LG_Blount (via @nflthrowback) pic.twitter.com/sMxunsT7yn
— NFL (@NFL) August 21, 2020
Buccaneers legend Derrick Brooks is here to talk about yesterday’s physical and aggressive masterpiece. It’s more TAMPA TWO with Ira Kaufman from The Identity Tampa Bay and Joe.
Great stuff this morning from Brooks.
January 18th, 2021 at 3:51 pm
…to get to the Big Dance? Just win. baby!
January 18th, 2021 at 3:57 pm
Does the NFL allow players to wear heated vests? They’re getting pretty common now, just USB powered devices that will run about 3-4 hours and will literally make you sweat if that’s what you wanted. I’ve never seen any rules on anything like that.
However, to be clear, I’d be against them in any case – mainly because as technology moves forward, those heated vests will eventually become cooling vests, and it would be a huge disadvantage if one day a team like the Packers could come into Tampa in Nov on a 90 degree day and not have to worry about the heat.
January 18th, 2021 at 3:59 pm
Davin Joseph laid 38 out!
January 18th, 2021 at 3:59 pm
October 2009 – Titans vs. Patriots
There was a freak snow storm in New England. How did Tom Brady do? He threw for 6 TDs and got pulled in the 3rd.
I’m more confident about this game than the one vs. the Saints. Rodgers is a better QB than Brees. The defense is not as good. It will be close and stressful to watch, but the Bucs definitely have a shot.
January 18th, 2021 at 4:00 pm
Legendary run by Blount !
January 18th, 2021 at 4:09 pm
LET’S GIVE SOME PROPS TO RYAN SUCCOP. GREAT GAME YESTERDAY!
January 18th, 2021 at 4:19 pm
Now I am pissed again they let Blunt walk out the door.
January 18th, 2021 at 4:29 pm
He was a head case, Brady was one a a very few that could wrangle a guy like that in.
January 18th, 2021 at 4:29 pm
Of*
January 18th, 2021 at 4:30 pm
Vita Vea!!!!
January 18th, 2021 at 4:37 pm
The only issue with cold weather is ailing injuries and I believe Bucs have more and 1 less day to recoup.
January 18th, 2021 at 4:39 pm
The cold does not matter. People always make a big deal out of that. As long as you have traction for your footing, it does not affect the defense. On offense you just need to make sure your hands are warm on the sideline.
I think playing constantly in cold weather and then suddenly playing a warm game affects you more.
As a runner, you can go out there and run in the cold all day. You suddenly do the exact same distance in the heat and your time is much slower.
Just make sure the receivers and running backs and Brady have their hands nice and warm for ball security.
LFG!
January 18th, 2021 at 4:41 pm
Also… if conditions are horrible for passing, the Buccaneers O- line and running back tandem will just pound them all day!
January 18th, 2021 at 4:41 pm
I have never watched a snow game. Bring it on.
January 18th, 2021 at 4:46 pm
I live at almost 7,000 ft. here in Montana.
My son plays in the snow half of the season. Advantage goes to the offense in those situations.
If we run the ball like we did last night, Green Bay will be watching the SB from the couch.
GO BUCS!!!!!!!
January 18th, 2021 at 4:50 pm
Brrrr being a longtime transplant from Boston….I hate the cold. I bundle up in Florida if the temp gets below 55.
It’s going to be freezing in GB…I don’t care what BA is trying to sell.
January 18th, 2021 at 4:54 pm
It’s so cold that even the Packers will be happy to have Devin White wrap them up……
We got to the playoffs…..now anything can happen……
This is great for LVD, Gholston, Evans,Smith, Marpet…..but it’s fantastic for our young Bucs….
White, Winfield,Davis, Dean,Whitehead, SMB,Wirfs,Miller, Johnson, Rojo, Edwards
What a fantastic experience it is for them to taste victory early in their careers….no losing culture for them.
January 18th, 2021 at 4:58 pm
Gotta go to Lambeau to get back home!!
January 18th, 2021 at 5:11 pm
Thing is, those Bucs teams that were consistently losing in under 40-degree weather would have probably lost those games in a dome.
January 18th, 2021 at 5:18 pm
Brady and Gronk cold no problem remember New England weather.
January 18th, 2021 at 5:24 pm
No post on that sideline circus catch by Tyler Johnson? That was one of the most clutch grabs in a big spot in Bucs history and by a seldom used rookie?!
January 18th, 2021 at 5:25 pm
I am surprised JoeBucs fan was not one of the first to report about Vita Vea.
January 18th, 2021 at 5:25 pm
I lived in a cold climate and when I got out on the field and started running around, after a while you get loose and don’t notice it. Its only when you have to stand around in it and we didn’t have heaters on the sidelines nor did we have very good equipment, bench warmers felt the cold for sure.
January 18th, 2021 at 5:37 pm
No excuses.
January 18th, 2021 at 5:49 pm
Its good its at 2:05 Green Bay time because when that sun goes down in the winter, it gets awfully cold mighty fast. 30 degrees during the day ain’t too bad. If its sunny and calm wind its damn near pleasant when you work as hard as football players work.
January 18th, 2021 at 5:50 pm
Shouout to all the diehard fans that read this. Im sure most of the people on this site are diehards. Just a reminder on just how special that win was for us……….Bucs certainly have a lot of new fans right now. And none of them new fans really know how big that win was for us diehards…….The only way to have a win like that mean so much is to suffer through all the torment, all the bitter lisses and frustration us diehards have experienced the last 20 years.
Pat yourself on the backs today diehards. We are the heart of this fanbase. No other fans can feel the amount of joy we had yesterday. We never gave up on this team and it took a lot of pain to finally see this team make it worthwhile.
GO BUCS, FIRE THE CANNONS, BUCS WIN BUCS WIN, KEEP IT ROLLING GO BUCS WOOOOOOOO!!!!!
January 18th, 2021 at 5:59 pm
40 years ago cold weather was an issue.
Today, with thermal fiber technology and sideline warming systems, not so much. It’s MUCH easier to stay warm and ready.
And receivers wear gloves all the time anyway.
January 18th, 2021 at 6:01 pm
@SD: why does the offense have the advantage in the cold?
January 18th, 2021 at 6:25 pm
Hey a 40 degree Florida night is colder than 30 degrees in the cold weather states, Florida cold cuts to the bone.
January 18th, 2021 at 6:30 pm
Cobraboy Says:
January 18th, 2021 at 6:01 pm
@SD: why does the offense have the advantage in the cold?
………….
I assume you meant ‘SB’ not SD.
The answer to your question is simple: Action vs. Reaction. The runner knows which way he is gonna cut. The defender has to guess and react. My son’s HS team has 3 really good RBs. Everytime we play in the snow we win by 20 or more.
January 18th, 2021 at 6:44 pm
So, after we beat GB and return home for the Super Bowl… will we be the “visiting team”?
January 18th, 2021 at 7:51 pm
@BuccoDav
More importantly, Will they let us fire the cannons?
January 18th, 2021 at 8:32 pm
Cannon:
You’ve never seen a snow game? What about the tuck rule?
January 18th, 2021 at 8:56 pm
I know he’s not what he use to be and hasn’t contributed a ton on the field this year but Shady is one of the best backs when it comes to snow games that I’ve ever seen. Maybe it’ll be his time to contribute on the field.
GO BUCS!
January 18th, 2021 at 9:46 pm
Call me a pessimist but I do have some concern w/ how Bucs warm weather players will handle a balmy 26* @ Lambeau.
Bucs beating a shorthanded WAS squad in 40* temps is not like playing GB in Wisconsin in late JAN.
January 18th, 2021 at 10:25 pm
SB : Your comment is awaiting moderation. Says:
Huh?
I have played college ball in 15 degrees F (with snow in Marquette MI) and the locker room was not heated (on purpose by the hosts.) I have played college ball in 20F, Lubbock TX in December. I played pro ball in 25F in Philly.
It really didn’t matter. The only real differences were my hands were drier, and the ball felt like a rock.
I don’t get the action/reaction thing at all.
January 18th, 2021 at 10:26 pm
I played football in snow in high school – the key is keeping your hands warm. Outside of that once you start playing it really isn’t an issue.
One thing: the field in Lambeau is heated. The famous Packers/Cowboys game took place on a frozen field. This game will take place on grass that won’t be much different than the field at RJS. Guys will be able to play with cleats and plant as they would normally.
Of course, if it snows that will change – but less than people think.
January 18th, 2021 at 10:48 pm
The Bucs should be flying to Wisconsin to practice in the cold! When do they go! Brady and Gronk practiced and played in snowstorms!
January 18th, 2021 at 10:57 pm
Does realize all the players played college football all over the country in varying types of weather?
There are articles of clothing by under armor and different thermal stuff to wear under your pads and uniform, they have heated benches that most the players complain are too hot. Lambeau Field has a heater underneath so it doesn’t freeze.
The weather is not an issue.
For offense- Just keep your hands and the ball warm
For defense and the O- lineman- They don’t care, you don’t notice it when you’re playing
January 18th, 2021 at 11:27 pm
Updated forecast for Sunday at 3pm… temps around 29 degrees, 40% chance of snow… It’s not going to be the 85 Snow Bowl it doesn’t appear.
January 18th, 2021 at 11:30 pm
Wow, the NFL did a copyright claim on the 1985 Bucs @ Packers game – what a bunch of pricks. Out of all the crap on YouTube, why would they do a take down on that game?
January 19th, 2021 at 2:14 am
Cobraboy Says:
January 18th, 2021 at 10:25 pm
SB : Your comment is awaiting moderation. Says:
I assume you meant ‘SB’ not SD.
The answer to your question is simple: Action vs. Reaction. The runner knows which way he is gonna cut. The defender has to guess and react. My son’s HS team has 3 really good RBs. Everytime we play in the snow we win by 20 or more.
Huh?
I have played college ball in 15 degrees F (with snow in Marquette MI) and the locker room was not heated (on purpose by the hosts.) I have played college ball in 20F, Lubbock TX in December. I played pro ball in 25F in Philly.
It really didn’t matter. The only real differences were my hands were drier, and the ball felt like a rock.
I don’t get the action/reaction thing at all.
……………
Congratulations on being in the MAJOR Minority.
Carry on Sir.
I have nothing against you BTW
January 19th, 2021 at 7:35 am
Hey Buc1987 or Mr/Mrs snowbird….. did you read that most of the players are from the north?? Just because there are some weak thin blooded people who shiver at 50 degrees doesn’t mean that all do. These are real MEN who play the game!
January 19th, 2021 at 9:45 am
I watched that 1985 game with Steve Young (yes, THAT Steve Young) under center for the Yucco ( to the max) Bucs. The NFL can keep it. Being a Buc fan was a real trip back then. Speaking of weather, how about talking about how HOT it gets down here?! Some of those September home games were played in the H3ll 🔥 Bowl. Literally. And with climate change, it’s only getting hotter and muggier.
January 19th, 2021 at 10:08 am
What is not often discussed is the fact that BOTH teams must play in cold, snowy weather.
Hopefully, we run the ball down their throats, and control the clock. That will keep their offense on the cold sideline.
I feel better about this game, than I did about the Saints game.