Shaq Barrett Presented As “Away From The Team”
December 15th, 2022
Missed.
As Joe wrote when Bucs sack Shaq Barrett was lost for the season in October with an Achilles injury, good luck finding a team that lost its best pass rusher in midseason, didn’t replace him, and still won a Super Bowl.
When some players suffer a major injury, they will sort of disappear. They won’t be fixtures in team meetings or seen at practices. Others will hang around a lot, like Ryan Jensen or Vita Vea in 2020, for example.
It seems Shaq is “away from the team.” Buccaneers outside linebackers coach Bob Sanders characterized Shaq that way twice on the Buccaneers Radio Network this week. Sanders said Shaq’s leadership and influence is missed.
Joe hasn’t seen Shaq since his injury, and the iconic JoeBucsFan.com photographer hasn’t spotted him, either. Joe asked Bucs Kickoff host Rock Riley, who patrols One Buc Palace weekly, if he’s seen Shaq since the Achilles tear, and no sighting there.
Joe isn’t knocking Shaq here. Again, lots of players stay away when they’re hurt. But Joe is a little surprised. Shaq has a long-term contract and the Bucs have young players at the position that could use his influence in an all-in season.
Joe remembers hearing stories of Chris Godwin buzzing around One Buc Palace regularly after his December 2021 knee injury and surgery.
December 15th, 2022 at 11:18 am
It would be nice if he helped coach up JTS.
Shaq has talked about Vaughn taking him under his wing and that changed his career. He could pay it forward.
That said, it just shows how putrid the culture has become if guys don’t want to be there. You can feel it when you watch the games.
December 15th, 2022 at 11:18 am
I remember when it seemed his injury could impact this team in the playoffs. We all still had hope then. That’s what I get for ASSuming Leftwich could get his head out of his ass
December 15th, 2022 at 11:23 am
players like him and Donovan Smith are being paid like $18M and they haven’t taken the next step. This team is going to look very different when Brady retires and we get rid of all those overpaid players with win now contracts.
December 15th, 2022 at 11:26 am
Mixed emotions on this one…….love Shaq……usually a very upbeat player….motivated…..loves the Bucs & tampa.
The injury may have crushed his spirit so much that it pains him to hang around…..on the other hand…he’s paid millions of dollars to rehab his injury and he should contribute something in the interim.
December 15th, 2022 at 11:28 am
JTS is JTsht….somebody help me find a pass rush prospect we could land in the 3rd round please.
December 15th, 2022 at 11:30 am
If only Licht wouldve listened to me and drafted Landon Dickerson, who went a few picks later.
sometimes they listen to me, sometimes they dont
December 15th, 2022 at 11:31 am
On sunday, Joe Burrows will embarrass this overrated Toilet Bowles defense.
December 15th, 2022 at 11:38 am
Today’s America paid to stay at home.
December 15th, 2022 at 11:55 am
The most important priority for Shaq in my opinion is to do all he can to get back on the field ASAP, and if he’s doing that I’m fine with it. He may be rehabbing under the medical care of an out-of-state doctor which would explain his absence. I wouldn’t make a premature judgment about it.
December 15th, 2022 at 11:58 am
Why would he want to be tainted by close proximity to a train wreck?
December 15th, 2022 at 12:03 pm
Everybody and their momma on a big contract needs to be traded or cut after this year. Smith, Jensen, Fournette, Shaq, Gage. Lavonte hopefully will be willing to except a contract they will offer, even though he’s helped Bucs clear cap space his entire career. I would just hate to see my favorite Buc all time play one or two years too late on another team. Gholston as well. These guys are still very good, but so was Brady last year. Really old vets are one injury away from not being able to produce or flat out retirement. We not only need cash to retain players needed and large contracts like Weinfield and Wirfs in the future. I have a bad memory so I forgot if they’ve picked up Whites deal this year. This is officially the time to build through the draft.
December 15th, 2022 at 12:05 pm
What a bummer. Shaq is turning 31 next season – recovering from a torn AT and we still will owe him @ $30M after this season…
Yikes.
December 15th, 2022 at 12:09 pm
Shaq is turning 31 and recovering from a torn AT – an injury that usually takes over a year to fully recover from (if you fully recover at all) – and we still owe him @ $30M in guaranteed cash.
Yikes…
I wonder if the Bucs can reach an injury settlement with him after this season?
December 15th, 2022 at 12:10 pm
Sorry for the repeat.
The first one disappeared for a bit…
December 15th, 2022 at 12:18 pm
Vita and Jensen both had a chance of coming back and their respective seasons, Shaq will be lucky to be able to start training camp
December 15th, 2022 at 12:26 pm
@ Beej
Remember OJ Howard?
Tore his AT during weeks one. Made it back but missed most of training camp and preseason and was still visibly limping during the season.
Shaq tore his AT October 28th… He will probably miss the first half of 2023.
December 15th, 2022 at 12:56 pm
For a lot of reasons, some coaches, like ex-coach Bill Parcells, don’t like to have injured players hanging around the team and the facilities. One reason is that it hurts morale. Some players want to ‘rehab’ on their own. It’s worth looking into, but I know that how an organization handles an injured player is important to the overall morale of the players. I’m just not sure if the Bucs have a good track record.
December 15th, 2022 at 12:56 pm
Yes Mad Max, Bucs should have contacted YOU beforethe draft, “they didn’t listen to me” GTFOH you are a fan on a fan page stfu.
December 15th, 2022 at 2:00 pm
That’s the whole mercenary culture of this team.
December 15th, 2022 at 2:10 pm
Seriously… If you’re getting paid 18 million a year or whatever the f**k he’s getting paid, you ought to be around and try to offer something, like coaching up the younger players, trying to participate in meetings, etc… No doubt he’s probably bummed out that he has the injury and maybe this team seems hopeless… but come on dude — you’re getting paid. Pharkin’ athletes…
December 15th, 2022 at 3:14 pm
Been watching the Bucs since the start. Watch some sorry teams thru the years this year when I heard they lost their center and a couple of offensive linemen (not to mention Gronk), there was no way TB12 would have the time for receivers to complete deep routes like before. Throw in Godwin being out for a spell – yikes! Then losing Suh, Barrett, and their best defensive backs to injury, not the same team so not fair to compare.
December 15th, 2022 at 4:49 pm
He’s gone. Time to load up in the draft on edge rushers. Maybe we get lucky.
December 15th, 2022 at 5:07 pm
I dont trust SB58 at all to come back from this injury. He was never a gym rat. Has a sloppy limp body. Looks like he spends zero time in the gym. I dont think he has it in him to rehab effectively.
December 16th, 2022 at 6:35 pm
Absolute NON STORY. It’s the freakin Holidays. Let him have the time for to his family that he never would of gotten.
December 16th, 2022 at 6:37 pm
Absolute NON STORY. It’s the freakin Holidays. Let him have the time for to his family that he never would of gotten.
December 17th, 2022 at 11:04 am
Majority of comments about what these players earn. Is it hate? Is it jealousy? You complainers talking about player’s money should have played harder (if you played at all and probably not) yourselves. OMG who made you saints the NFL HE GETS PAID HOW MUCH SUPERVISORS? Be quiet already and cheer our team on tomorrow. Oh that’s right y’all won’t be watching because ur counting player’s money. Go order baby bottles and bibs. Geez Louis.
December 17th, 2022 at 11:06 am
Geez Louuse
December 17th, 2022 at 11:07 am
Geez Louise