Arians Talks About Shaq Getting Paid

December 2nd, 2019

Last month on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Bucco Bruce Arians talked about the irony of how sack artists get paid for one great play per game but offensive linemen get skewered by fans for 59 good plays and one bad one.

Arians explained to co-host and Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian that he’s never quite understood that phenomenon. But Arians did acknowledge that 16 sacks (one sack per game) is good enough to get a guy $16 to $20 million.

Fast forward to this afternoon at One Buc Palace, and Arians talked about Shaq Barrett being just 2 1/2 sacks from passing Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice for the single-season franchise record.

Interestingly, Arians talked about Shaq’s future as a guy who will paid a monster salary when his contract runs out after this season.

“I don’t think it’s stopping anytime soon,” Arians said of Shaq’s production. “I think he’s a hungry young fella that even after he gets paid, it’s going to continue. He’s just continued to work on his craft, getting slipperier and slipperier. I’m going to be shocked if he doesn’t break [the franchise sack record].”

It’s rare to hear a coach talk about a guy getting paid in season. But here we are.

Arians, of course, didn’t say what team would break the bank for Shaq. Joe sure hopes it’s not the Panthers.

20 Responses to “Arians Talks About Shaq Getting Paid”

  1. Sport Says:

    He needs to be a Buc for the long term. I agree with BA, this kid wants to be great.

    He should be our top priority.

    In BA I Trust!

  2. diggler Says:

    1 Jamies article and like 5 defense articles after a bucs win?! Has Joe turned the content corner?! God I hope so!

  3. Nole4JabooANDdBucs Says:

    SMH…it’s called complimentary football!

    It takes ALL 3 phases!

  4. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    I suspect much depends on Jameis’ contract extension or franchise…….We can definitely franchise Shaq to assure he stays a Buc…..that would mean we would need to extend Winston instead of franchising him.
    So, we have options with Shaq.
    I see no reason why he wouldn’t want to stay if the money is right….he’s a great fit….no state income tax…..a good young defense…..and, we are the team that gave him a shot at it all.

  5. Alaskan Abdominal Snowman Says:

    After the 3 looming FAs (Nassib, JPP, and Shaq) who do we have to rush the passer? We have ZERO young guys developing that are under contract.
    Licht is always chasing his tail, next year the new hole will be the pass rush, then the next the OL, then back to DBs…etc.

    Can we please just sign Shaq so we don’t have to read 200 articles a year about how they let him go “for no good reason”.

  6. James Walker Says:

    With Vita and Su, there is no Shaq.

  7. Aceofaerospace Says:

    Pay the man. What ever it takes. He has earned it!

  8. Alanbucsfan Says:

    Suh and Vea are what makes DLine work. Yes, Shaq, JPP and Nassib all are playing great and need to be re-signed.
    But so does Suh- FYI , Suh has 1 more tackle and 2 more QB pressures than Vea, in addition he has 2 td’s.
    Re-signing ALL of Defensive starters has to be a priority.

  9. TOM Says:

    With Vita & Suh, there would be no Shaq. Thats about the dumbest statement I’ve ever read. And believe me I’ve read some dumb ones.

  10. AJ Says:

    And to think, 3 weeks ago there wasn’t any talk of keeping this defense together. Its fun watching these young men grow up together. You can see it all starting to click for these guys. Feeling good about the future!!

    PS: Joe please quit pining for another cornerback with a high pick. We have spent enough draft capital in that area. We need to go O-Line heavy this draft!

  11. Howard Cosell Says:

    Howard is too scarred to believe the Bucs have turned the corner yet, but wins are nice.
    Sign Sack Barrett!
    How far we’ve come from Sackless George Johnson.
    Bucs have so much painful history

  12. Howard Cosell Says:

    When I see Kirk Cousins all I can think is “YOU LIKE THAT!” and Lovie Smith…..more painful history

  13. ElioT Says:

    Pay the man, he’s young and has earned it.

    Licht has paid many, many millions to free agents who produced for other teams then retired in Tampa.

    Give Shaq a 4yr deal with the first two years loaded with guarantees, then they’ll be able to work with Vea on his extension before his rookie deal runs out.

    Gotta draft in the trenches still, need more young ballers ready to step up.

  14. Mike Johnson Says:

    LMao here. Now if only our Bucs are the ones making sure..Shaq gets paid by us.
    Come on guys, you know we got that rep for..being cheap.

  15. Sport Says:

    Mike Johnson – the being cheap argument went out the window since the salary floor was put in place (not a coincidence it was the same year the Culverhouse Fam sold to the Glazers).

    Overall franchise execution under the Glazers. Now that is argument I will concede from a fan perspective. I’ve never heard a single player speak poorly of the Glazers and we most definitely know all the fired coaches were happy, because they all received hefty checks for not coaching.

    So cheap, not so much, maligned, for sure.

    In BA I Trust!

  16. Defense Rules Says:

    Wow, this redefines the word ‘conundrum’. Shaq has blown up, and has been an incredible performer this year. His 14.5 sacks in just 12 games are awesome, but beyond that he’s a pressure machine … 26 QB Hits, 13 TFLs, 6 forced fumbles, 1 INT & 2 PDs. That’s PRODUCTION at an elite level and if the Bucs let that slip away, they’re dumber than dirt.

    But a BIG part of the reason for Shaq’s blowup IMO is the DLine he’s playing with. Suh & Vea in the middle are both beasts. JPP is JPP, period. Nassib has played a huge role this year. When those 4 DLinemen get their motors revved up, someone’s gonna eat well, and that someone’s been Shaq. The QUALITY of who you play with makes a HUGE difference (just ask GMC).

    Under Todd Bowles’ guiding hand, this DLine, together with our LB group, is becoming special. And now that the Secondary is gaining confidence, the Bucs’ defense is poised to do some really good stuff. Jason Licht needs to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to not only keep this defense together for at least 2 more years, but also to improve it by adding a couple of veterans to the Secondary AND drafting at least 1, preferably 2, DLinemen (DT & DE hopefully) to ultimately replace Suh & JPP.

    BA’s no dummy to be sure. Without a strong defense, his Bombs Away offense will continue to rack up yardage & points too, but the Bucs won’t go anyplace. Building that strong defense will cost $$$ to re-sign our FAs & even add a couple. And since the salary Cap is fixed, the only way to achieve that is to create a better BALANCE between the offense & defense in terms of salary Cap. It’s all about CHOICES. My vote is for a strong DEFENSE.

  17. TDTB Says:

    Either Brown or Kinlaw in round 1 to replace Suh, then they should go with Zuniga (or similar) in round 3 to replace Nassib. The team has too many needs to keep all of the highly paid players. Some have to go. JPP and Barrett should be the priority. Need to say goodbye to rotational veterans too. Draft their replacements in late rounds. Brate has to go as well. Not his fault (entirely). Licht overpaid him. They also don’t need as deep a TE room given the offense. Winston is the wild card. If he wants big money, then it has to be a serious attempt for Bridgewater. If that fails, then journeyman and draft a QB with 2nd pick in the draft.

  18. Allbuccedup Says:

    If the Bucs break the bank for Shaq, Winston and Godwin there will not be a lot left for anyone else. I guess thats why Jason Licht is are trusted GM to make those tough decisions.

  19. Big Black Dick Says:

    No more Riverboat gambling in Carolina they let him go today.

  20. Buccernutter Says:

    Tom

    I can’t believe how ironic is that you think that’s dumb. Shaq would not be close to what he is without suh and vea

    You are dumb.