Did Bruce Arians Tip His Hand For Bills Game?
December 9th, 2021
Bucs WR Justin Watson
Joe found it more than interesting yesterday when, just two days after Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians said Justin Watson’s season is probably done unless there is a rash of injuries to Bucs receivers, the Bucs placed Watson in the 21-day window to activate him from injured reserve.
At first, Joe thought maybe Scotty Miller’s turf toe is barking. He had four snaps against the Dixie Chicks. By comparison, fellow speedster Breshad Perriman had 59 snaps on Sunday.
Well yesterday, Arians had another quote that piqued Joe’s interest when he responded to a question about what makes Buffalo’s No. 1-ranked defense so good.
“Speed,” Arians said. “Then they’ve great, great linebackers, good front, good secondary. Obviously, they’re missing a heck of a corner now but young guys stepped up, stepped in. This is an extremely well-coached group.”
The first thing about speed is you cannot coach it. A cat is either quick or he is not, and speed is the great equalizer.
Miller is fast. Perriman is fast. Watson is fast. The rest of the Bucs’ skill position players? Not so much.
Chris Godwin isn’t really a burner (Joe has had several NFL folks say Godwin is actually faster than he looks — Dirk Koetter mentioned that once). Same with Mike Evans and Rob Gronkowski. Playoff Lenny will never be confused with Reggie Bush. Tyler Johnson isn’t fast. RoJo is pretty fast but he never seems to be able to use it to lose defenders.
So is Arians — provided Watson is activated — trying to get as much speed on the field Sunday to counter Buffalo’s speed on defense?
December 9th, 2021 at 12:08 am
Maybe.
December 9th, 2021 at 12:16 am
Bruce is just playing Santa by giving Watson a gameday check before Christmas. Kris Kringle
December 9th, 2021 at 12:21 am
Godwin ran/runs something in the 4.4s…which ain’t too shabby. He’s smooth…looks to be gliding vs “burning”.
December 9th, 2021 at 12:26 am
This talk about speed is crap. Godwin is not fast? Evans is not fast? That’s funny. I saw Evans blow past a guy last week.
They are all fast. And 40 time does not translate to the field. It’s a joke of a measurement for WRs.
December 9th, 2021 at 1:24 am
@MOdHairKen
exactly. Also when you’re 6’5″ you don’t “look” fast because you’re covering so much ground in one stride.
Also Fournette has made it onto NextGen Stats list of top 20 fastest players in 2019 and 2020, at just over 21mph. So, yeah, he’s plenty fast.
December 9th, 2021 at 1:28 am
Tea leaves.
December 9th, 2021 at 1:41 am
sometimes it’s not what you say…
BA crossed his arms when asked about watson at the presser…
and looked as if he was thinking:
“people, you win never see that mofo in the building again!”
then again what do i know lol
December 9th, 2021 at 2:15 am
typo:
“people, you will never see that mofo in the building again!”
December 9th, 2021 at 2:56 am
Godwin ran 4.42 at the combine. He has played faster than that since he has been here.
Watson ran a 4.44 at his pro day. And that speed has never translated to the field.
The only true “burner” on the team is Scottie Miller. I would have put rojo in there, but he is not the same 205 lb back from USC.
Speed is secondary. All it allows is a receiver to get separation easier. Godwin, Evans and gronk all are elite at creating separation with their route running. Add a qb who puts the ball exactly where it needs to be when it needs to be there, and to have an explosive offense.
The team doesn’t need speed. They certainly don’t need Justin Watson.
December 9th, 2021 at 5:17 am
You can beat their speed with physicality. We’re not gonna try to out run them, we’ll probably make it a physical game and cruise to an easy win.
December 9th, 2021 at 5:54 am
Joe, you are barking up the wrong tree. You beat speed with being physical like PTwalk said. Watson brings a big physical presence.
December 9th, 2021 at 5:55 am
Watson… thing is he had GREAT hands coming out of college and that has disappeared in the NFL… I am pulling for the guy!
Maybe a JJ breakout game, just takes one big play to get his and the QB’s confidence back
December 9th, 2021 at 6:29 am
Sorry but watson is soooooooo mediocre
Kind of surprised to see all the joebucs writers praise for a guy brady does not want to throw too
December 9th, 2021 at 7:22 am
Maybe Johnson and Miller taking it too easy on practice… Johnson had training camp issues.. out of shape, unmotivated.
Can’t believe there was no deep shot to scooter before the half last week, instead of a pick six.
December 9th, 2021 at 7:39 am
I don’t think Watson being activated has anything to do with him as a WR……now special teams….that’s another matter.
December 9th, 2021 at 7:56 am
Execution is the key, Bills will be relieved to be in the Florida sun (beat them like they are on vacation)
December 9th, 2021 at 8:01 am
Watson won’t be activated. He’s going on IR.
December 9th, 2021 at 8:08 am
Don’t think that either Godwin or Evans has great speed but they both have enough speed and technique to get open.
I get “you can’t coach speed” but speed does little without some technique.
The interception that went off Evans hands a few games ago was more Tyler Johnson’s error than Evans. The ball was intended for Tyler Johnson but Johnson forgot to step back for the wide receiver screen. Evans was in a blocking position for Johnson when all of a sudden the ball is coming to him because of Johnson’s mistake. A big reason Perriman got a lot more snaps.
Godwin and Evans do not make those technique mistakes.
December 9th, 2021 at 8:24 am
Plus I think when given the chance, Watson’s a decent receiver. He’ll drop the ball once in a while or run a bad route but what receiver doesn’t? His speed is definitely what Arians and Leftwich are hoping for.
December 9th, 2021 at 9:13 am
How come BA didn’t mention Brady? Maybe he thinks he’s fast. Run Tommy run. Ok just kidding. Getting open and running fast are two different things. Our WR know how to get open and make plays. Glad their on our team. GOO BUCS!
December 9th, 2021 at 9:29 am
Did the Pats win by being faster on Monday? The faster defenses are normally undersized, thats why you run the ball. What excites me about this game is that Buffalo is against the wall and going to come out looking to score. Hoping for a shoot out. Buffalo loses most of their one score games, and I dont see them getting a blowout win over our Bucs at home.
December 9th, 2021 at 9:32 am
Best way to beat speed is with strength. Run right at them. They took a beating last game, keep pounding them by running strait down hill. They couldn’t stop the Pats run game, I doubt they can stop ours. They’re probably hurting, make them hurt more.
December 9th, 2021 at 9:46 am
You have to activate a player from IR before you waive him, too.
So Arians’ initial statement could still stand.
Besides, Brady is still steaming about Watson’s poor route that resulted in a pick-6.
December 9th, 2021 at 10:07 am
Watson is a really good gunner. Would love to see him covering punts and kickoffs. Pass routes? Not so much.
December 9th, 2021 at 10:53 am
What good is it if Brady ain’t throwing him the ball? So what’s the plan BA, line up all these track stars, send them sprinting down the field and have Brady heave it? I wouldn’t doubt it. BA doesn’t know if Godwin is fast because you would have to be at practice instead of doing all these stupid interviews to witness it. Just save time and hand McDermott your playbook. I can guarantee you this McDermott hasn’t slept since Monday night and is chomping on the bit to play this game. This is going to be like the Rams game, Bucs will not be prepared for it. Maybe BA is why Brady is disinterested.
December 9th, 2021 at 11:10 am
Watson is fast? But Godwin isn’t???
Godwin ran a 4.42 40 at the combine
Watson ran a 4.42 40 at his pro day
Who looks faster on the field in pads???
This is a silly take.
If Justin Watson gets activated – it is not because of ‘speed’ or his receiving ability….. It would be because the Bucs want a boost in their special teams coverage play and/or the need for an additional body at WR due to injuries and AB being suspended…..
December 9th, 2021 at 12:02 pm
I will take quick over fast any day in a receiver except in the sideline wheel out route. Edelman wasn’t that fast at 4.52 in the 40, but he caught plenty of passes with his quickness.
December 9th, 2021 at 12:41 pm
Edleman or James White, only things missing on this team. Could of got White for $500k less than Gio. I know he is injured but who is to say he would of got injured on the Bucs?
December 9th, 2021 at 7:55 pm
Lenny should have another 4 td game. 3 rushing 1 receiving but then again we couldn’t run very well against against Atl so not so sure our OL will do so well either. Run Lenny early and this could be a very good play action game for Mr Brady, like a 5 td day