Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Another former player of Bruce Arians released
By Cory Kinnan
Yet another former player of Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ head coach Bruce Arians has been released by their current team. Is a reunion in store?
After spending one season in Cleveland with the Browns, tight end Darren Fells was cut by the team and now hits the open market. With ties to Bruce Arians, could Fells be a fit for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
A late bloomer into the NFL, the 32-year-old Fells has spent just five years after playing basketball during his collegiate career. Coming into the league in 2014, he spent his first three seasons under Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians with the Arizona Cardinals; since leaving the desert after the 2016 season, Fells spent one year in Detroit before signing with the Browns in 2018.
Predominantly a blocking tight end, Fells has less than 1,000 yards receiving in his career and has scored 10 touchdowns. However, just a year ago, he scored two touchdowns in the redzone, using his boxout technique that he learned on the basketball court to body smaller defenders.
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Looking forward to free agency set to start this week, The Buccaneers do not have a ton of money to spend, and it has been suggested that Cameron Brate’s $7 million salary could become expendable as O.J. Howard’s development continues to trend towards all-star status.
If that becomes the case, Fells would be a great backup to Howard and provide a solid blocking tight end. Knowing the offensive system that Arians hopes to operate under offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, the learning curve would be basically non-existent for Fells, providing veteran leadership and a mentor in a locker room filling with young, offensive players.
We have already seen Arians bring in a former player in running back Andre Ellington, who should serve as an on-the-field coach for running backs Peyton Barber, assuming he returns, and Ronald Jones. Fells could provide a similar role for Arians and provide his offense with a solid blocker and big body in the passing game.
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As free agency is set to begin this week, keep an eye on former players, like Fells, flocking to a reunion in Tampa Bay with Arians.