Tag: Bruce Arians

Bruce Arians predicted Chris Godwin’s big season back in March

See what Bruce Arians had to say about Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin all the way back in March at the Annual League Meetings.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers extended their winning-streak to four yesterday with a 38-17 win over the Detroit Lions. The Bucs are back at .500 and will play their final two games at home, a far cry from the five-game stretch they had to endure earlier in the year, in which they went just 1-4. But, Tampa Bay is 5-1 over their last six games and have a chance to finish with their first winning record since 2016.

Yesterday’s victory came at a cost, however, as wide receiver Chris Godwin left the game in the third quarter with a hamstring injury. This comes just one week after Mike Evans suffered a hamstring injury that’ll sideline him for the rest of the year.

If it is the end of Godwin’s season, as some have speculated, he’ll finish the year with 86 receptions for 1,333 yards and nine touchdowns — career highs in all three categories. Not many people could’ve predicted such a big jump in Year 3 for Godwin, except maybe Bruce Arians, who said back in March at the Annual League Meeting in Phoenix that Godwin would be close to a 100-catch guy this season.

“I think Chris Godwin is going to be close to a 100-catch guy, especially because I think he can play in the slot. He’s never coming off the field.”

The best part of this article is that Kevin Patra of NFL.com had this to say after Arians’ quote.

“Sidebar: This is the same coach that once boasted during one of these March meetings back in 2014 that running back Andre Ellington could handle 30 touches per game, so we should take that 100-catch number with a massive salt pill.”

In Patra’s defense, he did say Godwin could make a big leap playing in Arians’ offense.

Had Godwin been healthy for the final two games, he could’ve easily approached that 100-catch mark. Still, it was a breakout season for the former Penn State receiver, and definitely a sign of things to come.

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Bruce Arians says Shaq Barrett ‘ain’t going nowhere’

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians thinks linebacker and impending free agent Shaq Barrett will return in 2020.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on a four-game winning-streak after Sunday’s 38-17 win over the Detroit Lions. The Bucs saw quarterback Jameis Winston become the first player in NFL history to post back-to-back games with 450 yards passing.

On the defensive side, linebacker Shaquil Barrett had a sack that gave him 16.5 on the year, tying him with Hall of Famer Warren Sapp for the Bucs’ single-season record.

Without question, Barrett has been the best player on this defense all year. And, as a pending free agent, some Bucs fans may be worried these final two games will be the last they see of Barrett in a Tampa uniform.

But, according to Bruce Arians, it looks like Barrett will be wearing one for years to come. At least, that’s the plan.

For what it’s worth, Barrett seems to be all for staying in Tampa Bay next year. I’m sure striking a deal with him is at the top of the team’s to-do list once the season ends.

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Field Yates says the Bucs are the best fit for Jameis Winston in 2020

See why ESPN’s Field Yates believes the Buccaneers will ultimately bring quarterback Jameis Winston back for at least one more year.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are riding a three-game winning-streak after Sunday’s comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Tampa Bay has averaged 33.7 points per game in those wins, but, as usual, things aren’t always as they appear. Despite the big win over the Colts, the Bucs had to play catch-up most of the game thanks to early interceptions by Jameis Winston, who had his first pass attempt of the game picked off and then another taken back 80 yards for a pick-six before halftime.

Winston finished the game with four passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown and three interceptions, bringing his league-leading total to 23. Fans have been wondering all season long whether the Bucs would bring the former number one pick back after this season. Some will say enough is enough and it’s time to move on, while others feel Winston is still the best option for a Bucs team looking to win now.

And, according to ESPN’s Field Yates, when it comes to the best team fits for 2020 free agents, Tampa Bay still remains the best place for Winston.

Here’s what Yates had to say:

“My own evaluation of Winston is that he is not a starting quarterback whom I’d feel comfortable relying upon for a full 16-game season because of his carelessness with the football. But after evaluating the Buccaneers’ ability to acquire a new signal-caller, seeing their recent comments on Winston and understanding their overall commitment to him over the past five seasons, I’d expect he will be back — with the franchise tag in play.”

It’s no secret that the Bucs brought in head coach and quarterback whisperer Bruce Arians to try and save Winston’s career. It’s certainly been an up-and-down season for the Winston as he adjusts to Arians’ offense. But, as former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer proved, things get better after Year 1 under Arians.

Tampa Bay is hoping the same will be true for Winston, should he return.

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Update: Mike Evans to miss remainder of the season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without wide receiver Mike Evans for the remainder of the season due to a hamstring injury.

As noted earlier, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans went down late in the game during Sunday’s 38-35 win over the Indianapolis Colts with an apparent hamstring injury.

Coach Bruce Arians diagnosed the injury immediately following Sunday’s win as “not good” and continued the trend during Monday’s press conference. “He was a quick healer when he had it in the spring. I would be very doubtful for this week,” Arians said in reference to Evans suffering the same injury during the offseason.

ESPN’s Jenna Laine reported today that the Bucs do not expect their Pro Bowl receiver to return to the field this season.

With Jameis Winston ailing with a fractured thumb, and Evans missing the rest of the season, the team’s goal of a 9-7 finish could be in jeopardy. Luckily, the Detroit Lions are struggling to piece together consistency on either side of the ball, the Atlanta Falcons surge was fizzled out by the Bucs in Week 12 and the Houston Texans defense has been struggling, while the Bucs offense ranks higher than the Texans. Their schedule is favorable, but it will be that much more difficult now without Evans.

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Report: Jameis Winston has fractured right thumb

Despite suffering a fractured thumb in Sunday’s win over the Indianapolis Colts, Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston will start in Week 15.

Sunday, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took down the Indianapolis Colts, quarterback Jameis Winston seemed to have injured his thumb towards the end of the first half. When the third quarter was underway, backup QB Ryan Griffin took the field. With Winston in pain and Griffin struggling to get into rhythm, Winston took the field back and ultimately helped the Bucs comeback from a 14-point deficit for their third-straight win.

Winston’s play has fans divided as to whether or not he is their guy, but his toughness has never wavered. In the 2017 season, Winston only missed three games with a sprained AC joint in his right (throwing) shoulder.

Yesterday, Winston met with a hand specialist and discovered there is a hairline fracture in his thumb. However, he has been cleared to play Sunday in Detroit against the Lions.

While the Bucs were eliminated from the playoffs as the Minnesota Vikings beat the Lions, coach Bruce Arians responded to questions regarding the team’s approach for the remainder of the season. “We’re going to come, we’re going to work. We’re going to try to win four in a row, five in a row, and then six in a row.” The Bucs are playing to win and finish the season on a high note — not play for a better draft position.

The surging Buccaneers enter Sunday’s game as the favorites over the struggling Lions.

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Bruce Arians on Mike Evans: ‘I’ll be shocked if Mike makes it back before the last week’

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians spoke about the hamstring injury to wide receiver Mike Evans and what it means for his season.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their third-straight game yesterday by taking down the Indianapolis Colts 38-35.

But, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for the Bucs. They had to overcome four turnovers, including three Jameis Winston interceptions, to get the win. Fortunately, on top of the interceptions, Winston also had four touchdown passes and a career-high 456 passing yards. One of those touchdowns went to wide receiver Mike Evans for 61 yards, who came up limping after the score and went to the locker room before being ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Evans will undergo an MRI to see the extent of the damage, but, according to head coach Bruce Arians, fans shouldn’t expect to see Evans back on the field again this season.

“It’s not good…I’ll be shocked if Mike makes it back before the last week.”

If it is the end of Evans’ season, he’ll finish the year with 67 receptions for 1,157 yards and eight touchdowns.

Arians, in true Arians fashion, also spoke about his team giving up points early and having to storm back.

“It’s a damn good thing I’m a young cub. Coaching the nicest team in the league is tough. We just love spotting 17 points to the other team, then come back and winning. … I don’t think I have blood pressure anymore.”

The Bucs head back out on the road in Week 15 to take on the struggling Detroit Lions, who are just 3-9-1 and riding a six-game losing streak.

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Bruce Arians dodges question about Jameis Winston’s future

See what Bruce Arians had to say when asked whether or not he thinks Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston should return next year.

The uncertain status of Jameis Winston has been the elephant in the room all season long for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Actually, it’s been more like an elephant sitting on your lap and refusing to get up.

Ever since the Bucs hired Bruce Arians to take over for Dirk Koetter, the biggest question has been whether or not Arians — the alleged quarterback guru who’s worked with players like Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger and Andrew Luck over the course of his NFL coaching career — could save the career of the former number one overall pick and Heisman Trophy winner, who is playing on the fifth and final year of his rookie contract.

Winston has put up big passing numbers this year, and could make a run at 5,000 yards. But, as has been the case since he came into the league in 2015, turnovers have been the biggest issue for the Bucs quarterback. So far this season, Winston’s thrown a league-high 20 interceptions, and since coming into the league he’s turned it over an NFL-high 101 times.

Today, Arians was asked point blank if he’d endorse Winston returning beyond this year if Bucs management asked for an evaluation this week.

Take a look at what he had to say.

(Per Jenna Laine of ESPN.)

“I’m gonna pass on that one… I’m gonna wait until the end of December.”

I doubt any of us expected Arians to come right out and give a definitive answer one way or the other, but it’s clear that these last four games will be the most important of Winston’s career. Even if Tampa Bay chooses to go in a different direction and let Winston leave, a strong finish to the season would be a great way to convince other quarterback-needy teams to take a chance on him, even if only on a one-year deal.

The Bucs welcome the Colts to town in Week 14 and then face off against the Lions, Texans and Falcons to finish the season. Those last three opponents rank near the bottom of the league in pass defense, so Winston will certainly get the chance to put up big numbers.

The question is, can he do so without turning it over?

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Comparing Adam Gase to other first-year head coaches

Jets Wire compares Adam Gase to other first-year head coaches around the league with a comprehensive breakdown.

Adam Gase’s first season with the Jets has featured a little bit of good and a lot of bad.

New York was supposed to be on its way back to contender status under Gase. Instead, due to injuries and incompetence across the board, the Jets have sputtered to a 4-8 record.

Gase isn’t the only first-year head coach that has experienced disappointment in 2019. Likewise, there are plenty of other first-year coaches that have achieved great success throughout the year.

So, how does Gase stack up compared to other first-year head coaches? Let’s take a look.

Zac Taylor

David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

What better way to kick things off than beginning with the coach who just defeated the Jets to pick up his first career win?

There’s not much sense in heaping praise upon Zac Taylor. It took him three months to win a game and considering who the victory came against, it’s really not all that impressive of a feat.

With that being said, Taylor inherited a roster seriously deprived of talent. His quarterbacks are over the hill Andy Dalton and Ryan Finley, who is clearly not up to the task of being an NFL quarterback despite putting together a solid career at NC State. He hasn’t had A.J. Green all year and Joe Mixon hasn’t been able to do much on the ground because of the atrocious offensive line he runs behind.

It would be unfair to paint Taylor as a bad coach considering what he’s working with. Until Cincinnati puts together an NFL-caliber roster, the verdict is still out on the former Sean McVay protege.

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Bruce Arians on benching Ronald Jones: ‘You can’t run the football if you can’t protect the quarterback’

See why head coach Bruce Arians made the decision to bench starting running back Ronald Jones in the second half against the Jaguars.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers earned an impressive 28-11 win Sunday on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars, giving them their first winning streak of the season.

The story of the day, of course, was the play of rookie linebacker Devin White, who helped the team jump out to an early 15-0 lead in the first quarter. But, one story that shouldn’t be overlooked is the second-half benching of running back Ronald Jones.

Jones, the second-year back out of USC who just last month earned the starting gig, was sent to the bench in the third quarter after failing to pick up a blitz, which resulted in a Jameis Winston sack and fumble.

Jones finished the day with just six carries for 8 yards. But, for those worried that Jones will be riding the bench going forward, head coach Bruce Arians talked about the young back’s strong work ethic, while also pointing out that if he wants to play, he’s got to protect the quarterback.

“[Jones] works his ass off. He’s gonna get better at it. We need him running the football. But you can’t run the football if you can’t protect the quarterback.”

Protection for Winston has been a problem all season long for the Buccaneers. Jones is still young, so hopefully he can use yesterday as a learning experience. If he works as hard as his coach says, I doubt anyone is more frustrated about what happened than Jones.

Tampa Bay returns home in Week 14 to face the Indianapolis Colts. With a win, the Bucs would not only make it three-straight victories, but they’d earn their sixth win of the season, surpassing their win totals from 2017 and 2018, when they finished 5-11 both times.

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Arians on Devin White: ‘He’s really come into his own’

See what Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians had to say about rookie linebacker Devin White following the team’s win over the Jags.

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted LSU linebacker Devin White with the fifth overall pick in April’s NFL Draft, the team had big expectations for the collegiate star. After all, White was the first linebacker Tampa Bay had selected in round one since Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks in 1995.

The hype surrounding White built up in training camp and the preseason, when some experts picked him as the favorite for the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.

But, White’s season got off to a bumpy start. In the week leading up to the home opener against the 49ers, White lost nearly 10 pounds while dealing with tonsillitis. Then, in Week 2 he suffered a knee sprain early in the game that ended up sidelining him for several weeks, leading many to wonder if White’s rookie year was going to be a bust.

Fortunately, since the rookie’s return to the lineup he’s been a force to be reckoned with, and he has Bucs fans and coaches excited about the future of this young defense.

In Week 13’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, White made history by becoming the first rookie in franchise history to have an interception, fumble recovery and defensive touchdown in the same game. Did I mention he did all that in the first quarter?

White’s big day helped the Buccaneers secure the 28-11 win, and head coach Bruce Arians sung the rookie’s praises after the game.

Take a look.

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