Is Sean Murphy-Bunting Ready To Play?
November 12th, 2021
How many snaps Sunday?
Interesting words from Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles yesterday in his weekly presser.
Earlier this week, Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians noted that just because cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (and receiver Scotty Miller) returned to practice after injuries doesn’t mean they will play Sunday at WTF.
Practicing and a game are two different things, Arians noted. Joe initially thought Arians was discussing the physical differences — limited to no hitting in practice and the legal car wrecks of an NFL game.
Now SMB hasn’t played (or practiced prior to this week) since the first half of the season-opener against Dallas. The way Bowles talked yesterday, it isn’t so much the physical element that may keep SMB on the sidelines, it may be the mental aspect.
Bowles noted the Bucs’ defense has changed since SMB last took the field. Whether SMB knows it and whether he can adjust to those changes this week will be a factor.
“Understanding the plays where we tweaked a few things since he’s been down, and again using the elbow comfortably and him being comfortable using it,” Bowles said, referring to what he is looking for with SMB this week.
Now Joe understands if some readers say, “Hold up. Richard Sherman played right away.” That’s true.
Sherman, however, was pretty much forced to play due to injuries. That was not the plan. With Jamel Dean, Dee Delaney and Sherman back healthy now after the bye, SMB isn’t in a position where the Bucs will be forced to play him on Sunday (barring injuries cropping up again).
Joe wouldn’t be surprised if SMB logs, say, 20 snaps on Sunday. He may not start but he’ll be on the field at some point.
November 12th, 2021 at 10:04 am
As long as he wears an elbow pad
November 12th, 2021 at 10:10 am
He’s getting paid to play. He’s going to have to adjust to the defensive changes one way or another, and with Washington being the plodding offense they currently seem to be, seems like the right opportunity for him to get up to speed.
November 12th, 2021 at 10:13 am
It would be nice to swap up SMB and Sherminator in coverage to confuse WFT.
I see a few picks this game.
November 12th, 2021 at 10:26 am
No need to rush anyone back. This team blows out a bunch of bullspit to the media about injuries. 20 snaps sounds good.
November 12th, 2021 at 10:34 am
“Bowles noted the Bucs’ defense has changed since SMB last took the field.”
As in….more zone, LESS zone, different formations?
November 12th, 2021 at 10:39 am
Bowles was not specific.
Makes sense. Bowles for the most part has been dealt a different hand than what he had against the Cowboys.
November 12th, 2021 at 10:47 am
I am curious if Breshard Perrriman will play, or not.
He knows the offense, and with Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown out, and Scotty Miller out as well, we could use him.
+ He knows the offense, so I will not be surprised to see him play.
November 12th, 2021 at 12:27 pm
No… he will have to see real time real game speed and situations, he will have to prove himself again
November 12th, 2021 at 12:46 pm
SMB sucks. Sorry, folks. Go watch the play he got injured on against Dallas. Badly burned. That is SMB. Him returning doesn’t help anything.
November 12th, 2021 at 1:03 pm
I agree Snook. To me he’s an average CB. Not much of an upgrade.
November 12th, 2021 at 2:58 pm
SMB is capable of being a very good corner for the Bucs. He is definitely an upgrade from some the CB’s the Bucs have been rolling with since his injury.
November 12th, 2021 at 3:04 pm
I have my doubts for sure but whatever allows us to stop letting guys run open like musical chairs I’m all for.
It feels like our secondary can’t stick to WRs and that concerns me in big games. Especially down the stretch and in playoffs!
I trust our front office and DC so I will reserve judgement.
November 13th, 2021 at 4:27 am
Godwin is a game time decision so I’m guessing will get some snaps if necessary
November 13th, 2021 at 4:31 am
Jamal Dean is one of the highest rated corners the last few weeks. Delaney played well before his injury. He’s like a poor man’s Dean. Desir had a couple blown coverages when Delaney was out. I feel good about the rotation of Delaney and Sherman.
November 13th, 2021 at 7:40 am
Is he not watching practice tape and getting daily practice notes ……. When on ir can you attend practice ……… should be present in the booth for every game ,,, many players and analysts get substantially better with the game from this view ……….. sounds like Arians and Co could have laid out the dum jock disease on this one ……. Advice , Ask Tom ,,, Hey Tom what how should we handle Sean while he is out in order to turn this into an opportunity and not a liability .