News broke out today that a number of teams would be “boycotting” voluntary workouts this off-season. The Buccaneers are the third team added to that list.
A statement from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers players. pic.twitter.com/SOa24L779P
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) April 13, 2021
A memo from the DeMaurice Smith and J.C. Tretter of the NFLPA went out today to the players advising them that having the same offseason rules as last year was in the best interest of the players and would give them the best chance of completing a full NFL season in 2021.
One benefit the Buccaneers will have is they are returning all 22 starters from last years roster. They also don’t have to integrate any new players except Giovani Bernard, the rookies and a few backups new to the team will be a bonus for them as they should be able to hit the ground running once training camp opens.
However for rookies, second and third year players those are valuable snaps lost. Bruce Arians said as much last month in his press conference.
“If we lose spring, [young players] are not getting developed. The veterans love that s–t, because that means they don’t get to take their jobs,” Arians said.“So when you have the veterans voting on the rules. . . . these young kids need practice. If the vets don’t want to come, they don’t have to come. It’s still voluntary.”
It will be an interesting situation to monitor as the rules were the same last year, we still saw a contingent of Bucs players gather at local high school Berkeley Prep to work out in the off-season. Could we see something like that this year? Only time will tell.
