Bruce Arians Sounded Very Cautious When Speaking Of Lavonte David And Leonard Fournette’s Return
December 28th, 2021
Injury talk.
Joe hopes this was just Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians with a poker face, but he sure didn’t seem overly optimistic.
We all know about Bucs sack king Shaq Barrett’s diagnosis. Arians said he hopes Shaq is ready to roll for the first playoff game.
Then later in yesterday’s day-after presser, Arians was asked if the Bucs might have to make a deep push into the playoffs before Lavonte David (foot) and Playoff Lenny (ankle) would be healthy enough to play. Arians didn’t exactly wave off the question.
“Yeah, I think that’s still up in the air” Arians said. “We’ll see how they heal, you know? Fingers crossed that they’ll be back but we’re not going to rush it, either.”
The Bucs might be able to dispatch the 49ers or the Cardinals without David and Fournette (and maybe without Shaq, too). Jimmy GQ looks to have a really messed up throwing hand and the Cardinals are melting down before our very eyes. They are absolutely back-dooring their way into the playoffs.
Hopefully, the Bucs will have David, Playoff Lenny and Shaq available in the second playoff game.
December 28th, 2021 at 7:06 am
More worried about David and Shaq. Seems like Jones and Vaughn get some more reps the last two games we will be ok there.
December 28th, 2021 at 7:10 am
I agree….we need the very healthy defense……Shaq in particular….especially with JPP ailing……since our secondary is healthy, we haven’t allowed a touchdown.
December 28th, 2021 at 7:18 am
It’s all about being healthy in the playoffs!
The balance of the season is of lesser importance.
Tune up the back ups and rest and rehab the wounded starters .
December 28th, 2021 at 7:20 am
Watched that Saints game, God they’re horrible. 7-8 and two if their wins are from Bucs. I am convinced now it’s coaching. Miami’s offense stinks but a lot of mix direction, motion and balanced run, pass plays even though they didn’t do much on the ground. BL will drive the Jags into the abyss. To get shut out by that team us ridiculous.
If Bucs have to go into the playoffs without Lenny, Shaq & LVD, the only team you don’t want to play is Vikings. Shaq would be big against 49ers, Jimmy G has a quick release.
December 28th, 2021 at 7:37 am
the offense has carried us most of the year…
it’s time for a balanced team offensively and defensively for a run at another ring…
the d is banged up, as like all year, but they are definitely showing good signs of life these days…
it can’t all be tom…the whole roster has to get live and get crazy in january…
aaron “i eat lots of porridge” rodgers and the packers have been coasting too much for too long now…
they while get walloped in the playoffs as usual like a bunch of “little miss muffets sitting on their tuffets”
December 28th, 2021 at 7:57 am
Lstnfrmafar
Dont disagree. Jimmy g has torn ucl and fracture in right thumb. So lets see what kind of spiral comes out of that mess
December 28th, 2021 at 8:06 am
BA just under promising…. Strategery.
December 28th, 2021 at 9:39 am
Liars Poker.
Arians is a master.
December 28th, 2021 at 10:02 am
Hope BA is just playing poker?
The team that scares me the most is LA. Stanford is mobile and accurate. Also, our O really struggles with strong d-lines with solid physical secondaries that play a lot of man coverage. Luckily AB is back with Evans and Perriman. Think we will be ok with RoJo and Vaughn. Would like to see how Bell does this week with a starting O-line.
December 28th, 2021 at 10:51 am
Buc4evr, not sure how accurate he is, he always seems to be getting picked off. I still say.the Vikings, their D is coming around and a very balanced offense that would give Bucs D fits.
December 28th, 2021 at 11:02 am
One of the things I like about BA is he is straight up about injured players. No BS. If LVD and Shaq can’t play, they can’t play. The defensive secondary is getting healthy and shaking off rust as the first teamers return. Whitehead’s play and 12 sacks in 2 games are no accidents. Still chuckling over the Aints getting kicked by Miami. Good.
December 28th, 2021 at 11:43 am
Defense wins championships. Having A.B. back lifts this offense to another level gronk rojo Brate and oj are enough to keep the offense chugging along. We need LVD n Shaq. Be nice if jpp found a little bit more to help round this defense into form like last year. Come playoff time I think the band will be getting just right in time.
December 28th, 2021 at 11:55 am
Who will replace Shaq?
December 28th, 2021 at 3:12 pm
Not too worried about Lenny… if Leftwich can simply not be his predictable self with playcalling, our run game can be fine with RoJo and Vaughn for a few games.
The defense on the other hand, I’m just not sure. We’re already down JPP, so losing Shaq is huge. And same with David. Minter is great backup / 3rd ILB, but he’s no Lavonte David.