Less Than Half Of Roster Attends First OTA Practice

May 25th, 2021

Bucco Bruce Arians following today’s practice

The coaches and training staff almost outnumbered the players at One Buc Palace today.

And that was fine with Bucco Bruce Arians, so he told Joe and assembled media early this afternoon.

The ”big names” on the field were Jaydon Mickens, Ryan Griffin, Giovani Bernard, Anthony Nelson, Tanner Hudson and Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Khalil Davis and Jeremiah Ledbetter.

Most of the other players have been assembling online and the offensive studs are down the street doing their own thing, even though Arians made it clear Tom Brady and friends have an open invitation to use the pristine grounds — indoors and outdoors — at One Buc Palace.

29 Responses to “Less Than Half Of Roster Attends First OTA Practice”

  1. Defense Rules Says:

    Didn’t know that Tom Brady had ‘made a passionate plea in a conference call to fellow members of the National Football League Players Association to boycott voluntary OTAs’.

    Since he’s got the offense practicing off-site, the rationale for not practicing at One Buc Palace eludes me. If any of those guys get hurt while practicing on their own away from the Bucs’ facilities, they’re SOL when it comes to collecting a paycheck. Don’t understand; how is that doing what’s best for their family as Carlton Davis was espousing a few days ago?

  2. Dusthty Rhothdes Says:

    DR; 100% this makes no sense especially since they are practicing all this is doing is putting players at risk of losing everything by getting some freak injury. I am guessing brady got them all some type of insurance policies but still. Brady siding with the weak A$$ NFLPA is just odd in this instance

  3. mark2001 Says:

    D Rules… I think they are meeting and working out elsewhere, because Tom wants to control the pace and get to mix things up in a way that helps him continue bonding and getting to know the other players in the best way he thinks possible. I don’t know that is better than what would happen in the normal training camp. But there it is.

    On the bright side, maybe the guys that are there will get even closer attention and development. Don’t know…but again…looking on the bright side…

  4. Rico 210 Says:

    Yeah I’m confused… hope no once gets hurt.
    Go Bucs

  5. August 1976 Buc Says:

    Just let everything fall into place. Brady knows what he is doing. The man is playing 3 level chess compared to most QBs, that have ever played in the NFL. So I will just watch and see why Brady is playing both sides of the equation. It will all come out in the wash. GO BUCS!!!!

  6. BA4President Says:

    Everyone better wrap their ankles well and no cut routes!

  7. Cobraboy Says:

    No Trask?

  8. Mitch Says:

    Just what Bruce wanted….development for the young guys.

  9. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    “OTA Skipping” Tom Brady, Joe…..

    Keep in mind that Jameis attended OTAs…..

  10. Redblud Says:

    Anyone who thinks these players are SOL if they get hurt is falling for the NFL narrative…SMH. And anyone who sided with the NFL of the NFLPA is as dumb as a box of rocks. Brady and the players know their rights. If your contract isn’t guaranteed, you might wanna show up. Other than that, your paycheck will be just fine, injury or not.

  11. gotbbucs Says:

    Maybe the coaches should head down the street and watch the fellas practice.

  12. Dusthty Rhothdes Says:

    Red the NFL doesn’t do guaranteed contracts, only thing they can keep is their signing bonus

  13. JA Says:

    “Voluntary” is such an ugly word. Complete with its damned if you don’t connotation, it opens the door for insults and questionable character.
    I’m a much bigger bigger fan of “mandatory.” No question about the requirement needed to comply with that piece of language. It’s not a request, it’s an order. And it completely eliminates the gray area that hovers above “voluntary.”

  14. JGhotier Says:

    A good amount of the teams I’ve read reports on seem to be around that 70% attendance. Not sure what to think about this.

    Can we get a Gio Bernard pic in Bucs uni too?!

  15. SB Says:

    Good Catch TBBF. If we can’t get rid of the adjectives we may as well keep adding to them until they get longer than Peter Kings! 🙂

  16. JA Says:

    Dusthty—

    Mahomes 10-year, 450 million dollar contract is fully guaranteed.

  17. TampaTown Says:

    Cobraboy

    Has Trask signed his contract? I’m not sure. I’m also confused by the off-site workouts.

  18. crazyBucs_CL Says:

    So.. Mr. Magoo is saying: “if you are a starter, you not coming out to the field, anyway”, and yet when asked for Brady and the gang practicing out there, he said: “I rather have them doing here, for protection”… IMO this is all being Po<iticly correct B&S cr@p. As long as they are practicing is OK. TB12, smart man, everything calculated…. Still don’t get it Where We Got All This Luck having HIM here. 🐐

  19. crazyBucs_CL Says:

    …Giovani Bernard : “More practice I can get, better for me. I wish I can do both (with Tom and with coaches). I consider myself a rookie.” Awesome, already i like him, this is the attitude a champion needs, not staying home.
    ..was ask about risks practicing on their own, from a Pravda/SPT reporter; he answered: “this not a battle between this and that, im only can speak for myself, I’m type of guy that be able to be counted when situation arises. If Im told, hey we are going to through tomorrow, I will be there”.
    Awesome, I like him more…

  20. kaimaru Says:

    @JA It is not fully guaranteed. Only due to a football related injury. If Mahomes practiced on his own and got injured it would not be guaranteed.

  21. Oneilbuc Says:

    That’s a dumb move for those players because if they get hurt they lose their money because it’s not at the facility. Brady will be good if it happen to him and maybe Evans . But the rest of them they are being real stupid for taking a chance like that, look what happened to Denver left takle they cut him . Stupid move on those players and if any of them get hurt and the bucs cut them I can’t feel bad for them.

  22. kyle Says:

    Ive said it before, who gives a F(*& about OTA’s?? I know its media click bait but the Bucs just won the superbowl with a new QB and no offseason prep. RELAX!! Brady knows what the f he’s doing!

  23. Clw JB Says:

    TB12 sets the schedule, format, and structure of the work out that can focus solely on their piece of the pie

    No need to start/stop/start/stop while the future cable installers get their reps…

    Doubt seriously the Bucs pull a Denver on any of our stars that got hurt while working with TB12 100 yards from One Buc….this isn’t Elway running the show

  24. ArmchairGM Says:

    I’m choosing to be optimistic. Veterans not there are getting rest after 4 extra games last season. The ones with Brady are probably not working as hard, but working on further developing chemistry. The ones at OTAs get extra face time from the coaches. Good all around and taking advantage of the low roster turnover.

  25. JA Says:

    kaimaru Says:

    @JA It is not fully guaranteed. Only due to a football related injury. If Mahomes practiced on his own and got injured it would not be guaranteed.

    Although logical from a team perspective within any sport, please show me the stipulation in the contract that proves your statement. Is jogging on one’s own considered practicing away from the facility?
    Hair splitting is not my forte. He signed a fully guaranteed contract. If he shows up to camp and trips over a water bottle, ending his career, he receives the remainder of his 450 million contract. If that ain’t the definition of guaranteed, I’d appreciate your input to correct my mistake.
    Thanks …

  26. JimmyJack Says:

    Players wont be foregoing pay because they are working with Brady off-site. It just arent gonna happen. Any injury sustained will be covered by the team and will be dressed up as a TC or OTA injury……and all of this is happening with the Glazers blessing.

    It amazes me so many fans think the Bucs will turn their backs on the players if they get hurt training for a repeat.

    Trust me. The Bucs will take care of their own. They are a family. Some might say your naive to think otherwise…….Id have to say youre touched in the head to think otherwise.

    GO BUCS!!!!

  27. Bush's Coke Spoon Says:

    JA Says:
    “Mahomes 10-year, 450 million dollar contract is fully guaranteed.”

    This is an outlier in the NFL world.
    ———————

    TampaTown Says:
    “I’m also confused by the off-site workouts.”

    Color me confused, as well. If you have already committed to practicing, why not as a part of your team? Why not in a setting where you are legally protected?

  28. August 1976 Buc Says:

    The players know the ramifications, so ask them why they are practising with Tom. If someone gets hurt like the guy in Denver, the players know what they are risking. When they practised in the park, or Berkley last year with Tom, most people here were glad they got any kind of practice during the beginning of the Covid mess. Injuries can happen at the facility or on the playground, so whatever about that as far as being a fan, but as a player it could be the end your NFL paychecks. In the end it is all going to workout and the Bucs will be a dominant #1 seed in the NFC, contending again for another WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!GO BUCS!!!!!

  29. Capt.Tim Says:

    The Bucs had a long season last year, counting playoffs and SuperBowl.
    Vets need rest, not reps,
    After all, we did pretty good last yesr- with no off season or preseason