“I Usually Only Talk To A Veteran Player”

August 24th, 2021

Interesting and slightly rare insight here from Bucco Bruce Arians.

The head coach was asked today to reveal some of what he says to guys who get cut. The Bucs, like most teams, are about to chop nearly 30 players after the preseason finale this weekend.

“I usually only talk to a veteran player,” Arians explained, noting that the young guys who get released are advised by general manager Jason Licht and his staff.

Obviously, Licht and his team release several of those players and talk to them about joining the Bucs’ practice squad if they clear waivers, but Joe finds it interesting that Arians doesn’t find a few minutes to talk to each guy individually. He could probably get that done in two hours or less. It seems unlike the head coach.

Joe’s not knocking Arians. Joe just thought Arians would be the kind of coach to schedule a brief exit chat for every young player. Hopefully, the released dudes get a little pep-talk time with their position coaches.

25 Responses to ““I Usually Only Talk To A Veteran Player””

  1. SufferingSince76 Says:

    Wouldn’t that response normally elicit the question “why”?

  2. WillieG Says:

    I may have asked this before, forgive me if so. I’ve always wondered if teams help players they cut find work elsewhere, you know, put in a word with another coach or point them in the direction of teams that would be a good fit. Obviously, they can’t do that with potential practice squad players, but (for example) maybe the 12th receiver on the Bucs would have a good shot at a job somewhere and since we sure don’t need him……

  3. Drunkinybor Says:

    Of course to they do. It’s human nature say we cut bob bob and the raiders want to sign him. They call up our g.m and ask about him. Maybe this doesn’t happen with rivals but there’s only 32 gm jobs they are a pretty tight but group.

  4. Joe Says:

    I’ve always wondered if teams help players they cut find work elsewhere, you know, put in a word with another coach or point them in the direction of teams that would be a good fit.

    Yes and no. Some of the final cuts the Bucs often want those guys back for practice squad duty.

    But yeah, GMs talk all the time. Pretty sure there are some tips shared.

  5. QB Whisperer Says:

    I don’t blame BA for not sitting down and talking to the men he just cut. I think it should be the GM or the position coach to give them a pep talk and then help them catch on with another team or tell them the truth that it’s doubtful that football will be in the cards for them. There’s a chance that a few, very few in that category will get to play in the NFL. It’s a tough business, but that’s what it is.

  6. Mike Johnson Says:

    Kinda surprised Arians does not say something to guys who get cut. A lot of head coaches do. HE should because God knows he ain’t doin much coaching out of that golf cart.

  7. DaBux Says:

    It’s rare that I say this, but I just looked at our cuts on NFL.com. I don’t have a damned clue who any of them are/were.

    And that’s a good thing.

    GO BUCS!

  8. mark2001 Says:

    Since his position coaches do most of the work with these guys, maybe he feels it is better just coming from Licht. If he was more hands on and got to know them, it might be different. But maybe then, he doesn’t really want to know them that well. I’ve fired a couple people. Firing a jerk is pretty easy. Firing a person doing their best and giving their all. Basically telling them they just aren’t good enough. That wants the job and needs the money. That kind of firing is tough.

  9. Hodad Says:

    They should line the players up who are going to be cut, and let each take a spin with B.A. in his golf cart as he drives them to the exit gate.

  10. Steve Burke Says:

    Wasn’t “Norm” from “Cheers” quite good at that before he got burned out

  11. Lamarcus Says:

    Licht has to cut the players? Geez

  12. Youngbucs Says:

    Lamarcus and Mike Johnson that’s all y’all got trolling here has lost its luster 😂. It’s hard to troll when y’all been proven so wrong.

  13. Wild Bill Says:

    It’s always a ruthless process. My brotherinlaw was among the last cuts three years in a row with a different team each year. He was the fastest running back each time but was deemed too small and likely to be injured badly. It was hard to give up the dream. He had been a starter in a Rose Bowl game. Too small for the pros. Each time he had to leave a job. Each time he made it to the very last cut day. He was a cocky little prik but I still felt sorry for him. Happens to hundreds each season. They go thru all the work just to be dumped even though they were dam good athletes in college. It’s a very tough business. But obviously very rewarding for the lucky few that make it each year.

  14. Jason Says:

    Joe’s not knocking Arians. Joe just thought Arians would be the kind of coach to schedule a brief exit chat for every young player. Hopefully, the released dudes get a little pep-talk time with their position coaches.

    BA doesn’t have time to talk to future (insert list of trades you wish to degrade. LoL) He’s got to drive that golf cart dammit!!!

  15. Lets Roll Says:

    Makes sense, most people don’t get to talk to the GM or the Big Boss when they get fired.

    I think its cool that he at least talks to the vets.

  16. Greg Says:

    @Mike J. what we see is BA in the golf cart but the reality is probably 85% of the coaching is inside the building Mano y Mano.

  17. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Why on earth would Arians speak to a future mattress mover, insurance claims adjuster or UPS driver?

    And…..Joe’s love Travis Etienne is out for the season.

  18. Chris l Says:

    People got all crazy when Brady says he only tells the truth 90% of time. I wouldn’t be surprised Arians is the same way.

    Also I know why people went nuts when Brady said that but he also could have been lying when he said that and I imagine most players or QBs are very similar. Nobody wants to give anything away.

  19. Lamarcus Says:

    Youngbucs

    What proof do you need as a fan? None because if you think these franchises care what the fans think or proof they’re right means nothing to them. Our opinions don’t matter and rightfully so.

  20. Buc92’ Says:

    This ain’t baby league, pep talk for what … I’d only talk to veterans too , specially with this covid situation less ppl in your face, besides it’s a business nothing personal. I don’t view Arians any different

    GoBucs!

  21. Sport Says:

    Outside our top draft picks this year, we weren’t going to add any new players anyways.

    We got EVERYONE BACK!

    GO BUCS!

    In BA I Trust!

  22. SB~LV Says:

    Lol … there was a guy Tony Dungy spoke with, rookie, when he was cut and the guy refused to go, I think the cops were called to escort him out 🕺

  23. Listnfrmafar Says:

    You mean TB12 doesn’t pep talk the offensive players he has cut. If TB12 ain’t a fan ur not seeing the field on offense for sure.

  24. Mike Says:

    He gets some leeway and can pick and choose what he wants to do within the organization. I don’t have a problem with him delegating that responsibility. His focus has got to be on who’s here and keeping the team focused and moving forward.

  25. lambchop Says:

    All of a sudden Joe’s got a soft spot for “hotel night managers and short order cooks.” LOL

    Why the heck should the HC sit through cuts of camp meat? That’s what the pencil pushers get to do. Jason Licht makes sense since a GM is responsible for player contracts.