Ring Of Honor Member Bruce Arians Says There’s No Need To Panic
October 2nd, 2025
Feels good about Bucs.
The Bucs lost their first game last week against Philadelphia. Some believe it wasn’t that bad in the big picture.
As former Bucs defensive tackle Booger McFarland pointed out, the Bucs lost to the defending Super Bowl champions by one score despite spotting the Eagles a 14-0 lead, in large part due to a blocked punt. Additionally, the Bucs were missing a pile of players to injury. Booger said when the Bucs get healthy, look out.
Another man with a strong Bucs history is Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians. Making his weekly in-studio appearance this week on the “Pat McAfee Show,” seen on BSPN, Arians isn’t remotely close to throwing in the towel.
Arians looked at the loss the Eagles through a glass-half-full lens. “I feel really good about the Tampa Bay situation because, still, all the injuries and guys they are missing,”
Like Booger, Arians said when the Bucs get the injured players back, the NFL better look the hell out.
Imagine, Arians said, if the Bucs were healthy and they didn’t give away a touchdown on a blocked punt?
Take away that blocked punt and the Bucs might still be undefeated.
It's a rough time for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers right now… pic.twitter.com/DiHXz9CQ3G
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) October 2, 2025
October 2nd, 2025 at 4:55 am
Joe … ‘Imagine, Arians said, if the Bucs were healthy and they didn’t give away a touchdown on a blocked punt? Well, take away that blocked punt, and the Bucs might still be undefeated.’
I find myself playing that ‘What If?’ game sometimes too Joe, but it never changes the outcome of the game once it’s in the books. Falcons could play exactly the same game. IF Egbuka hadn’t caught that 25-yd TD pass with 1 minute to go in Game 1, the Falcons would’ve won and they’d be 3-1 and we’d be 2-2.
Our S/Ts has now given up 2 TDs … 14 points … to a blocked FG & blocked punt that our defense has been tagged with in just 4 games. That’s humongous, gargantuan. Our defense is ranked #20 now in Points Allowed, tagged with giving up 97 points in 4 games. Take away those 2 TDs given up by our S/Ts, and we’d be ranked #12. And oh ya, we’d be 4-0 despite massive injuries. Then probably only half the Bucs’ fans would be calling for Todd Bowles head.
October 2nd, 2025 at 5:36 am
Make them sing 99 bottles of beer all the way to Seattle on the plane.
October 2nd, 2025 at 5:55 am
What kind of comment was that from Bruce? He started to talk himself into it, and then he talked himself out of it before he could finish his sentence! LMAO…
I suppose the fantastical “what if” was better than nothing…
October 2nd, 2025 at 6:16 am
Let’s face facts. Injuries in the NFL have reached epidemic proportions. It’s not just the Bucs, it’s most teams. Scanning the early injury report for this week shows the Ravens with 11 starters, same with the 49ers. The Bucs are right there too, with most teams listing 6-8 players as injured.
With that, the G.M. who has signed the best backups reigns supreme. And all the complaining in the world about injuries won’t fix a thing, with one exception …
How about expanding the 53 man roster to 60?
Injuries ain’t going anywhere. Three decades ago a QB or RB was being hit by 250 lbs of player muscle. Today’s game showcases players who are 75-100 lbs larger, stronger and just as fast.
Ever see these guys close up? It’s easy to imagine being broken in two when you do.
Expand to 60!
October 2nd, 2025 at 6:22 am
the nfl is fast and violent, expanding the roster would help
October 2nd, 2025 at 6:34 am
the only reason there is no need to panic is that they pulled 3 wins out of thin air on final drives or the other team blew it. they certainly should have lost to the falcons.
the bucs could easily be 0-4, but they arent, they are fortunately 3-1. no need to panic this isnt life and death but as a fan if you arent concerned about how rickety this team is in all aspects you are just a homer spouting talking points. the writing is on the wall for this season after 4 games.
October 2nd, 2025 at 6:56 am
If they lose to Seattle, Detroit, SF, can I panic then?
October 2nd, 2025 at 6:58 am
jimmy Says:
the only reason there is no need to panic is that they pulled 3 wins out of thin air on final drives or the other team blew it. they certainly should have lost to the falcons.
..the writing is on the wall for this season after 4 games.
*************************
Welcome to the NFL Jimmy. The VAST MAJORITY of games are decided by one score. The Bucs aren’t 0-4 because one of their players is so talented that he helped will them to victory in 3 of them.
If you think it’s a dice roll and nothing to do with the Bucs having an edge to pull out close games, you’re not watching closely enough.
October 2nd, 2025 at 7:21 am
@Louisfreind
I get what you’re saying BUT… I’m not so sure about that. Not This Time.
From. What I saw, Baker Mayfield did so Serious Willing! Noboby was as driven (especially in those last minutes of ALL three wins)!
And I’m Not hero worshiping here. Baker Had To EARN my respect (and he absolutely Has) before I had a nice e thing to say about the guy..
I’m Not So Sure Any of those games would have been won without Him under center and ABSOLUTELY, SINGLE HANDEDLY, TAKING THE WINS! Seriously….
My gut tells me that we Have us a Winner of a QB. And so does my eyes as I watched him Yank Victory from the jaws of defeat 3 times in a row.. Almost 4
He’s not perfect but I can’t name one other player (specifically) that I’d give TOP Credit and Effort to, for any of our wins thus far… Just saying…
October 2nd, 2025 at 7:37 am
@mj
Right on. That WOULD help us and everyone else quite a bit. It would cost more money, but it isn’t my money and who’s counting anyways.
In all seriousness I can see them giving perhaps another 3 spots. And there IS Certainly an argument to be made. It IS happening in Bunches All across the board on All teams. But for us? Well, We just KEEP GETTING HIT WITH THE UGLY STICK!
We “maybe” THE MOST damaged team in ALL the NFL! I believe that our team in particular may have other issues going on over at One Buc that SHOULD BE looked at rather closely…
Now if we can just get you out in front of Rodger Goodell’s front door with a sign…..jk..
October 2nd, 2025 at 7:45 am
HOLD ON… APOLOGIES TO JA.
I see now that I gave Your credit to the wrong guy. “Though it is assuredly violent game” (of which we All love deeply)
I just woke up and got your name crossed with mj.. Sorry.
You definitely have the Best suggestion to help to solve this problem. Haven’t heard a better one.
October 2nd, 2025 at 8:44 am
It seems to me that with all these injuries, a three game preseason, holding all the starters out, and giving veterans rest days, the conventional wisdom about not playing guys is not working.
Some would say “yeah, but these injuries are not related to conditioning.”However, they may be related to the speed of the game. Maybe these guys are not training enough in game-like conditions.
October 2nd, 2025 at 8:54 am
Did anyone really think they would go 17-0?
October 2nd, 2025 at 8:57 am
The Bucs have 15 players on the injury report this week, which doesn’t include players who are out for the season. Hopefully the Glazers and Licht are looking at our situation because we are the most injured team based on this weeks report.
I agree that the NFL should expand the active roster and the practice squad. They also need to look at if there is any correlation to the increase in games to 17 and this sudden spike in injuries.If they are going to increase the number of games the teams play perhaps the players need to have a cap on the number of games they participate in.
October 2nd, 2025 at 9:32 am
For many years now, I’ve been in strong favor of expanding rosters. Simply put, it would put a better product on the field. It allows for more players to be trained and used if needed. A few years back, there was a team (forgot their name, maybe the Broncos?) that started their emergency QB (4th or 5th) and the team could barely complete a pass – it looked like a high school game.
Look at the Bucs right now – we are actually running out of players! It’s insane.
Another benefit to expanded rosters? It would allow coaches/GM’s to find “diamonds in the rough” that wouldn’t have been discovered. Sometimes, 6th rounders buried in the depth chart actually have HOF careers.
Just my 2 cents.
October 2nd, 2025 at 10:52 am
If someone is going to say “4-0 if not for blocked punt” then it should also be said “0-4 because of blocked punts, blocked FGs, huge punt returns allowed, terrible kickoff coverage and anemic kickoff returns, and sieve defense at the end of games.”
BA should be helping Jason fix the mess instead of enabling it.
October 2nd, 2025 at 11:23 am
3 bad teams and the Bucs struggled against all 3 to barely pull a win out in the final seconds…
The Eagles game was VERY telling in the 1st half… Many, Many factors could play a role as to how the 2nd half looked… Just one possible factor is the score at half time (24-6).. there are times that teams see how easy they match up against opponents so they try new plays or schemes to see how they work or they may let up thinking the game is in their control to win not caring about their opponents scoring a few points as long as they win… watch football long enough and you will see teams let the other team score because they are confident they can score against the defense…
The 1st 4 games are not a good sign for much confidence…
The next 3 games will be revealing!
October 2nd, 2025 at 11:38 am
BA, say it louder for the folks in the back!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
October 2nd, 2025 at 1:25 pm
Arians is a straight CLOWN
Dude probably still thinks Leftwich should be the OC
October 2nd, 2025 at 1:27 pm
JA, Thats an awesome idea.
October 2nd, 2025 at 2:54 pm
PERSPECTIVE
2 teams with better records than the Bucs.
21 teams would love to be 3-1.
It would take 2 games (at minimum) for the Bucs to not have the divisional lead.