Every week during the regular season we get an opportunity to talk with the opposing head coach via conference call. This week it was Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians. I also scanned the Tampa Bay media websites and the Buccaneers website to see what else Bucs players and coaches are saying about this Sunday's matchup with the Lions at Ford Field.
Here's what they had to say:
1. Asked about the thumb injury quarterback Jameis Winston suffered last week in a win over Indianapolis, Arians said his quarterback is currently wearing a protective brace and remains "day-to-day."
Meet this week's opponents, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
HC Bruce Arians
WR Mike Evans
Backed up by Breshad Perriman
TE Cameron Brate
Backed up by Tanner Hudson
LT Donovan Smith
Backed up by Jerald Hawkins
LG Ali Marpet
Backed up by Aaron Stinnie
C Ryan Jensen
RG Alex Cappa
Backed up by Earl Watford
RT Demar Dotson
Backed up by Josh Wells
TE O.J. Howard
Backed up by Jordan Leggett
WR Chris Godwin
Backed up by Scotty Miller and Justin Watson
QB Jameis Winston
Backed up by Ryan Griffin
RB Ronald Jones II
Backed up by Peyton Barber, Dare Ogunbowale and T.J. Logan
DE Ndamukong Suh
Backed up by Patrick O'Connor
NT Vita Vea
Backed up by Beau Allen
DE William Gholston
Backed up by Rakeem Nunez-Roches
OLB Carl Nassib
Backed up by Anthony Nelson and Kahzin Daniels
ILB Devin White
Backed up by Kevin Minter
ILB Lavonte David
Backed up by Noah Dawkins
OLB Shaquil Barrett
Backed up by Jason Pierre-Paul and Sam Acho
CB Carlton Davis
Backed up by Jamel Dean and Ryan Smith
CB Sean Murphy-Bunting
Backed up by M.J. Stewart and Mazzi Wilkins
S Mike Edwards
Backed up by Darian Stewart
S Jordan Whitehead
Backed up by Andrew Adams
P/KO/H Bradley Pinion
Backed up by Matt Gay (KO) and Ryan Griffin (H)
PK Matt Gay
LS Zach Triner
KR/PR T.J. Logan
Backed up by Scotty Miller (PR) and Dare Ogunbowale (KR) and Ronald Jones II (KR)
2. Speaking of Winston, he threw for 456 yards last week with four touchdowns and three interceptions. In his first year in Arians' offense, Winston has 4,115 passing yards with 26 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. Arians lamented the amount of interceptions Winston's thrown, though did appreciate how the fourth-year quarterback is able to shake them off pretty quickly. Arians said he'd like the touchdown-to-interception ratio for his quarterback to be closer to 3-1 than 1-1.
3. To that point, Arians said Winston better "be careful when you're throwing towards Darius (Slay)" this week.
Slay had six tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and two defended passes in the last meeting against Winston and the Bucs two years ago in Tampa Bay.
4. Consider Arians a huge fan of Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay, who leads the NFL with 10 touchdown grabs. He said Golladay reminds him a lot of Bucs All-Pro receiver Mike Evans with his ability to run after the catch for a big guy and go up and catch 50-50 balls. Arians said Golladay really jumps out to him on tape. "I think he's really a hell of a player."
5. In addition to Golladay, Arians also showed Lions rookie tight end T.J. Hockenson some love. He said it was a shame Hockenson went to IR because Arians thinks he's going to be one of the best in the business.
6. I found an interesting statistic on the Bucs website in their scouting report of Sunday's matchup. They think it's an advantage for the Bucs late in the game Sunday if the contest proves to be a close one. They pointed to Detroit being the only team in the league yet to score in the final two minutes of regulation in any game this season.
