No Starters Yet At Safety, Says Bruce Arians
March 26th, 2019
Much to prove
Over breakfast this morning in Phoenix, Joe opened the door for head coach Bucco Bruce Arians to drop a lot of love on Justin Evans, but Arians didn’t go there.
He had plenty of positives to say about specific players at many other positions (Joe will have more of that later), but it didn’t come at safety.
JoeBucsFan.com: What can you say about the safeties, you have an interesting mix of young players back there.
Bruce Arians: They all bring something to the table. But they’ll all hit you. As a safety, you gotta hit. So, yeah, we’ll see them [in practice], man-to-man skills, breaking-on-the-ball skills. So I can’t wait to get out at OTAs and start seeing these guys on the field.
Joe: Is it fair to say safety is a position completely wide open?
Arians: Oh yeah. And we’ll have schemes with four safeties on the field. Todd [Bowles’] blackboard is filled. You know, and you got personnel groups, might be four linebackers and four safeties in the game in this package. So we’ll use every guy we got.
Again, for perspective, Arians had no problem talking about other guys he likes a lot and leaders at different positions. Safeties? He didn’t go there, which might say a lot about where the organziation stands on 2017 second-round pick Justin Evans.
March 26th, 2019 at 12:58 pm
You could have put the personnel from the ‘80’s Bears and Giants defense or the personnel from the Ravens and Bucs defense of 2000’s and Smith and company would have screwed it up
March 26th, 2019 at 1:03 pm
How it should be… guys earning the right to be on the field rather than gifting spots. Novel concept.
March 26th, 2019 at 1:33 pm
Love this dude….
March 26th, 2019 at 1:43 pm
Justin Evans and Jordan Whitehead will win the starting spots, watch.
They are 2 of the fastest, most athletic, & physical Safeties in the entire NFL.
They will blossom…
March 26th, 2019 at 1:50 pm
Curious if Arian is the on the same page as Licht when he mentioned Stewart is not a CB but a safety. If so, I think this suits his ability more so as Stewart is a pretty good tackler but only descent at covering due to his limited open speed.
March 26th, 2019 at 1:57 pm
Alabama I’m willing to wager that was BA and his staff not Licht. Licht was simply the voice to break the news.
March 26th, 2019 at 2:20 pm
I’d be surprised if it isn’t Evans/Whitehead barring injury.
March 26th, 2019 at 2:26 pm
Also – Bucs say they “love” their RBs – but have met with like 7-8 RB prospects.
They have only met with 2 safeties. Also only 2 CBs.
Per their draft interest they barely have shown any in the CB or S position, meanwhile they have had like 20-30 visits alone with defensive front 7 players and another 10-20 with O-lineman (and thank god for that being the focus). Also like 10+ WR meetings
So I don’t know what to make of this comment really other than he might want to motivate / challenge the younger guys vs giving them anything
March 26th, 2019 at 3:44 pm
U s at Nassib Adderly pro day, also I’m sur they were at Alabama’s also, hopefully they were at University of Miami. Michale Jackson, 6’0” 210, can play both safety and CB
March 26th, 2019 at 5:02 pm
Love this. Turn the dogs loose BA! Just having them not lining up 25 yards deep and immediately backpedaling is a big improvement. But no need to give anyone a leg up right now. Competition is what we need.
March 26th, 2019 at 9:09 pm
I dont really feel like his response throws shade at anyone in particular. I think they’re going to play more of a matchup game plan rather than stick with the same group no matter the game situation.
The NFL is so situational now, more than ever before. You might have a guy on your defensive roster who only plays alot against certain offensive packages, so some games they might not see the field very much. The Patriots have been doing this for 20 years.
This isnt your grandfather’s NFL, this is a new game they’re playing now.
I’m hopeful that this defensive staff has the correct approach this time around. Some players can cross schemes, some guys can’t, you have to have both on your roster. Defense still rules the roost and that side of the ball is what’s going to have to steer this ship back into open seas.
March 26th, 2019 at 9:20 pm
Pathetic franchise and the new coach is going to embarrass himself this year. When he becomes a MeToo victim for yelling at these woman coaches he will be finished.
March 26th, 2019 at 9:42 pm
Evans is athletic and will make a splash play here and there
But his tape is awful beyond belief
March 27th, 2019 at 12:24 am
gotbbucs Says:
March 26th, 2019 at 9:09 pm
Good Comments!
Though, I am ever refining my understanding of football fundamental, I crave to get new perspectives. Thanks much for the picture you paint of what is going on here under BA.
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Go Bucs!!!!