Bucs’ Defense’s Daily Goal? Annoy Bruce Arians
July 26th, 2021
Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett
Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians is respected if not liked by his players.
Oh sure, Arians can cuss them out with the best of sailors. Remember what Arians said he learned about coaching from Bear Bryant? Work ’em hard and hug ’em later. Every once in a while the humid air at One Buc Palace is filled with a foul-mouthed bark from Arians (though Joe hasn’t heard such an outburst yet this training camp).
Still, outside linebacker, Bucs sack king Shaq Barrett, said there is a reason he and his defensive teammates enjoy Arians getting hot(ter) and bothered. Shaq said today when they look for feedback on defense about quality play, it doesn’t always come from Todd Bowles or Kacy Rodgers or even Larry Foote.
No, Shaq said, the defense gauges how well it is practicing by the temperature level of Arians’ temper.
Shaq was asked if the competition between defense and offense in training camp has changed this summer.
“It’s pretty much the same,” Shaq said. “We are always trying to come out here and try to make BA upset a little bit [laughs]. Because if we make him upset, that means the defense did good and the offense didn’t have a good day that he was expecting them to have.”
Joe never thought about it that way before but Shaq makes sense. Though Arians doesn’t ignore the defense, he’s an offensive guy. When Arians climbs out of his golf cart to get hands-on with coaching, it is exclusively with the offense.
So yeah, if an offensive-minded coach gets angry at the play of his offense, it usually means the defense is doing something right.
July 26th, 2021 at 4:00 pm
Let me ask a question:
If the Bucs defense can stop TB12 and this offensive juggernaut, then …
what chance does the the rest of the league have?
July 26th, 2021 at 4:22 pm
Highest point differential in a season: 315 by the 2007 Patriots. I think we can beat that this year. Just saying.
July 26th, 2021 at 4:59 pm
Jason, that would be pretty impressive. With a 17 game season, a 315 differential would mean you’d have to outscore your opponent by an average of 19 points per game. If the Bucs up their average offensive score to 35 points per game, the defense would have to hold opponents to 16 points per game. This group is good, but don’t see that happening. Would love it if they could though.
July 26th, 2021 at 5:00 pm
@Sly …. They have a “slyght” chance to keep us from going undefeated .
July 26th, 2021 at 5:10 pm
Keep your powder dry and your expectations higher.
July 26th, 2021 at 5:12 pm
I hope our Defense continue to pizz Arians off, LOL
An undefeated season would be real nice.
No one remembers points differentials, but they do remember undefeated seasons.
July 26th, 2021 at 6:36 pm
Day 3 underwear football.. no blocking/ tackling.. I’m sure everyone looks great.
July 26th, 2021 at 7:50 pm
If the defense can start turning some of their turnovers into automatic points it would only help the offense. We had a lot of turnovers last year but I can only remember the defense putting one in the endzone ( 1st Green Bay game) maybe I’m wrong does anyone else remember any others?
July 26th, 2021 at 9:08 pm
Will, I think you’re right in that Dean’s Pick-6 against the Packers was the only defensive score last season. But if our Front-7 really ups the pressure on opposing QBs this season, I’d expect that our Secondary will get more picks & several should be returned for TDs.
July 27th, 2021 at 12:55 am
Jason
PSL Bob
35-17
Is exactly what I predict the offense and defense to average. There’s no reason not to expect that jump from both sides of the ball
If they do that they will be damn close to that point differential record
July 27th, 2021 at 7:47 am
So yeah, if an offensive-minded coach gets angry at the play of his offense, it usually means the defense is doing something right – Joe
When Jameisdome is your QB that statement is out the door!!!