Bruce Arians Talks “Lethargic” Bucs & A Dozen Jobs “Up For Grabs”
August 21st, 2021
There’s a game tonight and Bucco Bruce Arians jumped on radio to serve up some insight into his team.
After the final practice against the Titans, the head coach visited WDAE radio and lamented how his Bucs came out “lethargic” in their first practice with Tennessee on Wednesday.
Joe will be candid. How the hell does that happen???
Still, it’s August and Joe’s all in favor of getting the notorious Super Bowl hangover out of the way early. Arians said the Bucs found the appropriate amount of juice on Thursday and handled the Titans exceptionally well.
Yeah, Arians talked about the fights/non-fights between the two teams. He seems to find some laughs in the bench-clearing aspect of the brawls/non-brawls.
“The funny part is the guys who run to the back [of the group]. ‘Hey, man, Hey, man, Don’t hurt my guy,’ Arians said with a smile in his voice.
As for the game against the Titans tonight, Arians said it’s all about the backups tonight before the starters return next week in Houston against the Texans.
About a dozen jobs remain up for grabs.
“It’s just now taking through the weekend with the starters. And I think we’ll give them off, but all the young guys that are fighting for jobs are going to play in this ball game,” Arians said. “And it’s very big because there are about 10 or 12 jobs that are up for grabs. It’ll be big in this game. And then we’ll play more [starters] in the last [preseason game].”
Joe remains focused on kick/punt returner.
August 21st, 2021 at 8:34 am
I want to see Trask out there with Vaughn, Dardin and McElroy…..even Tyler Johnson. Give Trask some capable weapons against other 2nd string players. 3rd string is lesser talent with ZERO chemistry…..hard to gain much insight on a young QB when there’s poor understanding and execution by the entire unit.
August 21st, 2021 at 8:44 am
Looking for Darden to return kickoffs & punts…..forget Vaughn on that. Should see a lot of Tyler Johnson…..will get good looks at Britt, Wilcox & Huard…..
Looking for Huddy to have another big preseason game.
August 21st, 2021 at 8:46 am
Agreed I would like to see Trask with real weapons and a line that can block.
August 21st, 2021 at 8:51 am
TBBF,
I hope you’re right about Darden returning kicks but we always seem to find a way to Buc common sense when it comes to that part of the game.
It’s like a Twilight Zone episode.
August 21st, 2021 at 9:00 am
Best way to evaluate Trask future potential is start him tonight with the best number two players across the board. Play him at least the entire first have. Then work in the wanna be’s for the second half with the now expendable #3 long term non starting cb. Save Gabbert for the final preseason game after Brady gets a full first quarter tune up.
August 21st, 2021 at 9:36 am
Unfortunately many people remember Trask for the Oklahoma bowl game.
That is what happened to him that game. He had to play with 3rd and 4th stringers because all of his WRs and TEs sat the game out.
August 21st, 2021 at 9:44 am
@Wild Bill: if starters sit, all that is left is second-stringers.
I suspect all three QB’s get a shot.
I’m less concerned about Trask as a point for the 2021 season. It is abundantly clear he’s on the developmental glide path and doesn’t factor into this team’s success this season.
August 21st, 2021 at 9:44 am
I’d like to see Trask out there with some better receivers. Ryan Griffin won’t be on the team next week so why waste time putting him out there.
August 21st, 2021 at 10:58 am
@Cobra, what QB outside of Brady does “factor into this team’s success this season”? As most coaches say (but BA clearly does not live by), if QB #1 goes down (Brady, god forbid), few, if any, savior QBs are coming in to save the season. Ok, maybe a one or two game stretch, Gabbert can play game manager (as Tayson Hill did last year for the Aint’s); I can live with that kind of thinking.
But where I have a problem is why are we wasting snaps on 4 QBs??? And why is our developmental QB getting the least number of learning opportunities (games and practice snaps)? That to me, screams of misguided loyalty to Griffin. Much like Mr Koetter had with Mike Smith.
don’t get me wrong, I love BA. But, IMO, this is stupid.
August 21st, 2021 at 11:40 am
I’d love to see more Trask as well but they have to see what they have in Griffen.
He hasn’t played all that well. In fact, I bet they hope he plays really well and then that might increase his trade value for the few teams who still need some back up QB help! We’ll probably see Trask most or all of the 2nd half though So I’m looking forward to that.
August 21st, 2021 at 11:44 am
Yea I agree. Almost a waste for Griffin to still be on the team.
I mean what after like 6 years are we gonna learn anything about him we don’t already know?
If he makes it through next cuts I’ll be surprised.
August 21st, 2021 at 11:59 am
The key is to make sure we keep the guys we should, and allow those that really don’t have what it takes, walk. This game will help determine who those guys are. We don’t need to see starters.
August 21st, 2021 at 2:53 pm
If Brady goes down, and Gabbert can play at a maybe a Trent Dilfer level I think we could still repeat.
August 21st, 2021 at 4:39 pm
To the folks who question why BA would play 3 QBs: Remember how Brady became a starter?
August 21st, 2021 at 7:20 pm
Most of us are pretty much in agreement about Griffen. More important to evaluate and prepare Trask as number 3 and a development project. Griffen has been a loyal third guy but never got any better than that. I hope they give Trask a real long look tonight with number ones or twos with him. Let Griffen play later in the game with the deep backups. Then put him on the practice squad where he will be #4 unless someone steals him. Give him bonus money and a signed agreement not to reveal our info if another team “steals” him. He has been a good guy and deserves fair treatment. He just didn’t shine enough over plenty of seasons. If he banked a good portion of his salaries he should be a millionaire. Not bad for a part time job.
August 22nd, 2021 at 11:50 am
Griffin needs to be on PS just in case. (Heaven forbid)