Bruce Arians: Bucs Were Down Two Starting Cornerbacks In Atlanta
September 9th, 2025
The Buccaneers’ senior advisor to the general manager, Bucco Bruce Arians, shed light on his beloved team today.
Arians opened up moments ago on the The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN2.
Talking about the Bucs’ nailbiter win against the Falcons, the front office executive and Super Bowl-winning coach said the Bucs were missing more starters that many realize.
Yes, the Bucs were down All-World left tackle Tristan Wirfs and receivers Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan, but there was more, per Arians.
“I think we got a great shot, especially when we get Tristan back, Chris back, Jalen McMillan back and both corners back. We had five starters out of the game,” Arians said.
The “both corners” and “five starters” phrases from Arians intrigued Joe. Both rookie cornerback Benjamin Morrison and versatile defensive back Christian Izien were inactive yesterday with injuries. (Joe is confident Arians hadn’t yet enjoyed a Tuesday cocktail.)
Maybe Arians got confused but Joe is confident there’s more than a kernel of truth in what Arians was saying.
Are the Bucs already set on starting Morrison in place of Jamel Dean, when Morrison gets healthy? Or do the Bucs want Izien to play nickel with rookie cornerback Jacob Parrish replacing Dean?
Given Dean’s massive pay cut, it would make sense that Bucs fans didn’t see the real starting lineup Sunday.
**Love to The Pat McAfee Show for featuring JoeBucsFan on the air today.
September 9th, 2025 at 2:00 pm
There’s definitely some hyperbole in this statement because JMac isn’t a starter. I highly doubt our starting 11 includes 4 wideouts and 1 RB. JMac is behind Mike, Chris and Mek.
So if we understand he’s stretching it here my guess is Izien isn’t a starter either but Morrison is.
September 9th, 2025 at 2:01 pm
Hey BA — how bout having a talk with yourt protege’ about the whole showing up flat, starting slower than a tortoise, and fear of night games and prime time things?
Have a drink. Thanks.
September 9th, 2025 at 2:08 pm
We missed Izien because he can catch.
September 9th, 2025 at 2:10 pm
I think Arians is viewing all of those players as true starters if the player in front of them goes down, rather than players who are ‘the next man up. IOW, they can step in rather than hoping they can step up.
September 9th, 2025 at 2:18 pm
LOL Joe, you forgot to mention they called out your website too!
September 9th, 2025 at 2:25 pm
Intriguing.
September 9th, 2025 at 2:26 pm
Starting caliber players, maybe.
September 9th, 2025 at 2:38 pm
Darn, I work hybrid and am at work today and missed the show! Glad to hear they mentioned your website. Very cool indeed.
September 9th, 2025 at 3:02 pm
Intrigue at One Buc Palace. This is not
What I was expecting.
September 9th, 2025 at 3:31 pm
Are they moving to Morrison?
Dean falls down on crucial plays. Sunday wasn’t the first time. Having a CB that has the ability to stay on his feet would be an upgrad.
September 9th, 2025 at 4:07 pm
BA has always been a blowhard, you have to take what he says with a grain of salt.
September 9th, 2025 at 4:19 pm
This years team is full of surprises! Dean did take that paycut and plans on being a free agent sooner than later. Perhaps a trade for an edge?
September 9th, 2025 at 4:26 pm
First last, note the* under the article.
September 9th, 2025 at 4:40 pm
The buc fam put much on Dean, he’s not that good Ya’ll
September 9th, 2025 at 4:40 pm
I was ticked at Jamel for 2 critical penalties (one could’ve cost us the game at the end), but beyond those he had a nice game. Of our 6 team PDs, Jamel had THREE (all against Drake London, their leading WR BTW). He also had 6 solo tackles, so he wasn’t afraid to stick his nose in there to make a stop. And considering that he played 74 of the 76 def snaps (97%), his availability wasn’t an issue Sunday.
September 9th, 2025 at 4:52 pm
As a fan with any sense of the game, you just have to ignore what BA says. Please remember this is the same guy who was convinced that Leftwich was going to be a Head Coach ha hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
September 9th, 2025 at 4:55 pm
I told you yesterday there was five starters out
September 9th, 2025 at 5:19 pm
We won yet another game with Dean in the lineup. We win almost every time he plays.
September 9th, 2025 at 6:01 pm
Izien needs to get more credit than he does. He’s fearless and a headhunter. As far as BA goes, I thought he was retired. Plus, McMillan has talent, but he’s still not quite at the level of ME13 and CG14. EE2? Whew.
September 9th, 2025 at 6:18 pm
The dumb Buc fans continue to trash Dean…. he played well on Sunday. He’s usually played well for us and has consistently been a top half of the league CB when he’s healthy. You wanna nitpick on his health? Go right ahead, at least that is based in fact. You wanna say he can’t play? Maybe try watching a different sport. Maybe bowling is more your speed. Dean is very solid and other than not being able to catch and consistently staying healthy, he does everything well. Sorry if the low IQ fans don’t see it but it’s true.
September 9th, 2025 at 8:29 pm
Morrison replaces Dean. Maybe Parrish can catch – unlike McCollum, and Parrish moves to CB with McCollum moving to slot.
September 9th, 2025 at 8:59 pm
BA is basically saying this is how it will be in very short order. Hi Dean. Looking at you Dean.
September 9th, 2025 at 9:19 pm
Brandon, calm down. No one cares about your unfounded insults. Relax.
September 9th, 2025 at 9:35 pm
Best not to overanalyze anything Bruce says. He just loves to hear himself talk.
September 9th, 2025 at 10:01 pm
You BA bashers are the same nimrods who bash Gruden. Rather have a loser like the current guy.