Buccaneers report to Training Camp, Bruce Arians gives updates
Buccaneers Coach Bruce Arians provides updates as players report to Training Camp
Portion of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster reported to Training Camp Tuesday for the first time and it was certainly different than we’ve ever seen before.
As players begin to report for camp and go through the process to start the season, it’s going to be interesting to see how franchises handle playing during a pandemic and what the players do in terms of following protocol and remaining safe.
Buccaneers Coach Bruce Arians met with the media via Zoom on Tuesday and fielded several questions, mostly related to the pandemic and the depth chart heading into the season.
Bruce Arians touched on a whole host of subjects during his first press conference with Buccaneers media members
Arians said that he hasn’t talked to Donovan Smith, but he expects him to report for training camp on time.
Bucs coach Bruce Arians says he has not talked to Donovan Smith but expects him to report on time for training camp. He says it's a personal choice and he respects players' right to opt out if they want to.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) July 28, 2020
Arians also confirmed that he’ll likely be wearing a mask and face shield on the sideline this season. He said he wasn’t concerned about players catching the virus in the facility, but believes that community spread could still be a problem.
Arians says the NFL's safety protocols relating to COVID are extremely safe, but said "a lot of discipline" will be needed to avoid contracting it outside and bringing it into the building.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) July 28, 2020
In terms of on-the-field observations, Arians said he believes the shortened amount of practice time will lead to some miscues early.
"I think it's definitely going to take a hit," Arians said of the level of play in Week 1, with teams missing out on offseason workouts and all preseason games. Players will work themselves into shape and normal playing quickly.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) July 28, 2020
Arians says 14 padded practices is "not a lot of time" to get Bucs ready for first game of season and physicality of regular-season football.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) July 28, 2020
Arians was also clearly excited about getting started with Tom Brady this season. He believes Brady can be a difference-maker and take this Buccaneers team to new heights.
Arians said he would have liked to have summer workouts for players to get used to Tom Brady as teammate, to have less awe and "have enough balls to go talk to him."
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) July 28, 2020
Overall, Arians seems comfortable with his roster and is clearly excited about the prospect of what could happen this season in Tampa Bay.
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There are still a lot of questions as we progress closer to the start of the season, but it’s clear that the Bucs are going to do everything possible to get ready to play football and that’s certainly a positive sign.