NFL

Just practice, so why does it feel so good?

August 17, 2019 general

Saturday, 4 a.m. It was just a practice game in the rain. Why, then, does it feel like a promise? It was just a back-and-forth between the backups of two mediocre teams? Why, then, does it feel like hope? It was just another preseason game, fake sweat in the names of upcoming decisions. Why, then, […]

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A checklist for the Bucs’ game against Miami

August 16, 2019 general

Friday, 4 a.m. If they can just catch a few breaks … If they can somehow remain healthy … If they can cut down on the turnovers and the penalties and the blown plays … If they get production from their rookies … If their quarterback is just a bit better … And then, maybe […]

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Arians would like fewer penalties this week

August 15, 2019 general

Thursday, 3 a.m. In his second look, Bucs’ coach Bruce Arians would like a clearer picture. Arians, whose team faces the Dolphins on Friday night, would like his team be a bit sharper in week two of the preseason. “Better execution out of our young players,” Arians said when asked what he wants to see. […]

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Barber joins Bucs’ Ring of Honor

August 14, 2019 general

  Wednesday, 3 a.m. Ronde Barber ran again Tuesday afteroon. Once more, the stadium fell silent. Once more, the yard stripes flast past him. Once more, he made perhaps the single-greatest play in the history of a franchise, and he led the Tampa Bay Bucs to the Super Bowl. Barber, the last great Buc player, […]

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Assistant coaches like their players

August 13, 2019 general

Tuesday, 3 a.m. By now, we know that Bruce Arians is a positive old cuss. We know that too many mistakes irritate him. We know he believes in his quarterback, whether he should or not. We know he sees the running backs as a positive. But how about the men who work for him? How […]

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View from the golf cart: Here come the Dolphins

August 12, 2019 general

Monday, 3 a.m. Most of the time, he is thinking about the Bucs. This week, Bruce Arians may be thinking about the Dolphins, too. Arians’ Bucs team will share practices with Miami on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. It should be the Bucs’ starters a chance to go against the Dolphins’ starters. “It’s a great […]

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Looking back on the Bucs loss to Pittsburgh

August 11, 2019 general

5 Observations 1. It was only one drive, which means it was only one step. But if Jameis Winston can be as efficient as he was in Friday night’s loss to Pittsburgh, he has a chance, and Bruce Arians would have done his best job of whispering. More evidence, please. 2. The Pittsburgh media made […]

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Bucs fall just short to Steelers in preseason

August 10, 2019 general

Saturday, 4 a.m. They call him the quarterback whisperer. But, really, it is the rest of us that Bruce Arians is whispering too. “Hope,” he is whispering. “Believe.” “Have faith.” Other coaches have spoken the same words in their own hushed terms. But there is a wisdom to Arians that makes you want to believe […]

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In the NFL, turnarounds do happen

August 9, 2019 general

Monday, 4 a.m. Imagine the Bucs being good. More importantly, imagine them being good now. It’s hard, I know. You have to suspend a lot of disbelief that the franchise has built up over the years. You have to picture a lot of things going right. You have to envision Bruce Arians as a miracle […]

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View from the golf cart: Hoping to win

August 8, 2019 general

Thursday, 4 a.m. Bruce Arians isn’t asking for much. Just to win. Arians, who coaches his first Bucs’ game Friday night against Pittsburgh, would like to start out well. The Steelers were 9-6-1 last year and beat the Bucs in the regular season. “A win – that’s the only reason we play the game,” Arians […]

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