“Maintenance” Is On Players’ Minds

May 20th, 2021

Tampa Bay cornerback Carlton Davis wants Bucco Bruce Arians to take it easy.

And he says he’s not alone.

Davis was asked recently for his feelings on a 17-game regular season, as the first extra-game campaign is on the way in 2021.

It’s blessing to be able to perform in front of hundreds of millions of people, Davis assured the Behind The Mask podcast, but that entertainment quality fans adore late in a season could be in jeopardy.

“Guys are more so concerned about the maintenance of it, you know, how we’re going to be able to keep up our bodies to give that performance that you want to see — that entertaining gravedigger performance that we’re capable of doing,” Davis said.

“It’s not about how many games you play, it’s about the longevity of it. You know, you just being able to make those 17 games and not being run into the ground because, you know, camp was about four or five weeks or the practices were just as hard.

“So I think it’s about recovery, making sure the players are able to get to that game at their peak. You know, as long as the league agrees to keep up with our maintenance and allow us to be able to perform at our top-notch level, the entertainment the fans love to see. As long as we’re able to do that, I think guys will be ok with [17 games].”

Davis went on to talk more about how training camp runs players into the ground and he suggested it should be easier since there’s an extra game this season.

Joe found that intriguing since Bucco Bruce Arians plans to be cracking the whip come July. “I’m going to beat the sh*t out of them,” he said.

24 Responses to ““Maintenance” Is On Players’ Minds”

  1. sasquatch Says:

    Yeah, he just wants a break. They played 20 games last year and lived to tell about it.

    I don’t have any concern that BA would overwork the guys to where they had a decline – he listens to the sports science guys and wants to keep guys healthy, cuz he wants to win.

  2. No Risk It No Biscuit Says:

    Sasquatch is right on track. Agree

  3. All lives matter Says:

    Just read today that Cam Newton is ranked as the sixth worst starting QB in the NFL. Worst than Teddy Bridgewater

  4. Jaymiss Pick6 Again Says:

    Good thing we have depth at running back. I’ve read more than once that playing RB in the NFL is like being in a car crash every Sunday.

  5. All lives matter Says:

    I sort of agree you should try to keep your veterans fresh, especially if they are familiar with the playbook already but they can’t expect to skate through OTA’s. There body’s need to be conditioned for taking the pounding.

  6. All lives matter Says:

    correction there should be their

  7. SlyPirate Says:

    The premier teams should run up scores on weaker appointments, so they can rest marquis players and veterans in the 4th quarter. Think Detroit (last year).

  8. Swampbuc Says:

    It’s one more game, one less preseason. The camp is just as long. The Bucs just played 20, if they dp what they are committed to do they should play 20 in 2021 — 21 at the most. This is a lot of chirping that I am tired of.

  9. Alvin Scissors Harper Says:

    Cam Newton was done when he hurt his shoulder. His throwing motion was terrible two years ago and not a whole lot better last year. I think we’ll see Mac Jones starting for the Patriots before the season ends. Love him or hate him, Cam was a force a few years ago and he’s a shell of himself now.

  10. Jason Says:

    This is why I want to see ROJO and Lenny alternate starts. I also hope to see the reserves led by Trask in the last 5 minutes of games.

  11. mark2001 Says:

    Bruce knows when the vets need rest and will likely rest them. The practices will be long and hard. But as I said, I’m sure Bruce will be closely monitoring them and make sure they don’t get run down. The younger players that are rookies and backups? That is a different story.

  12. Anonymous Says:

    They are playing one less preseason game so the “camp”/preseason part of the year will be one week shorter as well. Get over it and play

  13. Bird Says:

    Off topic but pretty cool

    They did charity virtual 40 time run

    Devin white was one of them. I want to say the other 3 were receivers
    White had 35 lbs more on any other runner

    He ran 4.37. Whowsah!

  14. SB~LV Says:

    BA should look through the Buc archives and find a Ray Perkins 3 a day training camp schedule up for the first day of training camp. Back in the day practice in shells was a real treat. Three a days in pads and contact!!!
    Day after day after day!

  15. BucEmUp Says:

    I say do what works.Do whatever you did last season. Reeling it bacl.is why teams never repeat.

  16. catcard202 Says:

    You want to go hard enough to get them ready for the season, but not so hard that you leave starters beaten & bruised & on the sidelines when SEP rolls around.

    I think BA & staff know that…

  17. Cainishere Says:

    I think Bruce will pick and choose his intensity drills. Bruce knows how far to push a player and coach for that matter. The drills are priceless and go a long way to getting these fellas in great shape for a long season, besides we picked up a ton of depth for this very reason, to make things easier on full time starters. This season should be easier than last season.

  18. DavidBigBucsFan99 Says:

    Don’t know if you all knew but Gronk is in a movie called BOSS LEVEL. It’s a small part but the movie is out of this world crazy good! Lots of violence, gun play, fighting and humor. Became an all time classic for me instantly!

  19. DrunkInYbor Says:

    I said this when the idea came out for this 17 game nonsense. How angry are franchises going to be when one of the stars ⭐ /super important player gets injured in to hat 17th game. Just wait and See 🙈. I already did some hoo Doo voo doo to assure it won’t happen to us but yikes it’s going to suck for a different team.

  20. DrunkInYbor Says:

    @David I saw it when it came out. I liked that movie alot. Forme the actor will always be Shane from the walking dead. I hated him back then to his credit he’s one of my favorite actors rolling right now. Gronk was hilarious 😂😂

  21. MarkR Says:

    For playoff caliber teams, the only important thing is to make sure the team shows up healthy and refreshed for the playoffs. Generally speaking, the older veteran players need some rest from practices during the season to accomplish this. As for the preseason, one would think that experienced teams with players who know each other well would need less work as long as they enter the season well-conditioned. But successful coaches like Belichick would disagree.

  22. Bbro Says:

    If we get big leads late in the game start changing out some players or if there’s a player in that same position that’s big on talent switch them out more often and preserve our good health for endurance.

  23. lambeau Says:

    Maybe a new rule: you can’t run practice from a golf cart.

  24. Bojim Says:

    I remember when camp was to get you in shape. Now you better be in shape when you get there. No excuse for a professional athlete not to be in shape all year.