5 Things We Learned from Bruce Arians' Combine Press Conference

The NFL Combine is the first real NFL event since the Super Bowl, and for most teams like the Buccaneers, its's the first real check-in since early January.

Head coach Bruce Arians is in attendance and gave a press conference, covering topics from Jameis Winston to his tactics during prospect interviews during the combine. As usual, the Bucs head coach was candid on pretty much every topic he discussed.

Here are five things to take away from Bruce Arians' combine presser:

The Bucs aren't ready to commit to Jameis Winston

Arians began the press on the topic of Jameis Winston, and he was less than effusive about the pending free agent (via the Athletic's Greg Auman):

Asked directly if Jameis Winston is his guy moving forward, Bruce Arians remains coy: “He could be.”
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) February 25, 2020

It's certainly not a definitive statement on Winston, who threw 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions during Arians' first year as Bucs head coach. Arians expressed disappointment with Winston's performance in December, during which Winston threw 10 picks.

Arians said the team would be exploring its options at quarterback, including the possibility of signing free agents. He mentioned Tom Brady as an example of a potential upgrade over Winston.

Still, Arians did not shut the door on Winston by any means. Though he called the quarterback "an unknown quantity," he did say the Bucs could win with Winston.

Defense is the priority in free agency

Arians didn't really mince words about what the Bucs' focus would be in free agency: re-signing their defensive free agents (via Pewter Report):

Bruce Arians says that the #Bucs ability to get their defensive free agents back will drive the direction of their draft.
— PewterReport 🏴‍☠️ (@PewterReport) February 25, 2020

Several Bucs on defense are headed to the open market, including Shaq Barrett, Jason Pierre-Paul, Ndamukong Suh, Beau Allen, and Carl Nassib. They comprise a significant share of production for the Bucs' much-improved defense in 2019.

Arians has made no secret that his focus is keeping the defense together this offseason, saying at the end of the season that the Bucs would win with any quarterback with their defense.

The Bucs want Shaq Barrett back

If Arians was coy about Jameis Winston, he was very much the opposite regarding Bucs linebacker Shaq Barrett (via Buccaneers.com's Scott Smith):

Bruce Arians on being so adamant about retaining Shaq Barrett while still considering options at QB: “One is the sack leader and they’re hard to find. And I know he wants to be in this defense. The other is an unknown quantity to me still.”
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) February 25, 2020

Arians also dismissed concerns whether Barrett is a one-hit wonder after hitting double-digit sacks for the first time in his NFL career in 2019. The near-unequivocal nature of Arians' enthusiasm for Barrett was a stark contrast to the murkiness with which he addressed Winston's future in Tampa Bay.

Arians likes what he sees in the wide receiver class

Team officials are typically careful not to tip their hands with their strategy heading into the draft, but that doesn't mean they won't show their enthusiasm for prospects. In particular this year, the wide receiver class is widely considered to be overstuffed with quality prospects and Bruce Arians was quick to recognize it (via Auman):

Bruce Arians on this year's draft strengths: "Wide receivers. Oh, my God. There's probably 40. You're going to find every shape, size. It's a beauty contest. Whatever you like, tall, fast, short, fast, they're all here."
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) February 25, 2020

Arians also indicated he would be comfortable letting WR Breshad Perriman, who recorded 36 catches for 645 yards and six touchdowns last season, sign elsewhere given the diversity of talent in this year's receiver class. Though the Bucs are unlikely to take a receiver with an early pick, Arians' enthusiasm suggests Tampa Bay could still take one at some point during the draft.

Arians doesn't care what your 40-time is, but he will ask you the tough questions

Bruce Arians does not sound like he's much fun to for draft prospects at the draft to come across, especially if he's asking very direct questions about drug use during interviews (via Auman):

Bruce Arians said he likes to throw prospects off guard in combine interviews. An example: "When's the last time you got high?" "I just want to look in their faces and see what they do. If they start (stammering), I know."
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) February 25, 2020

He does not even care if you test well, dismissing 40-yard dash times (via Auman):

Bucs coach Bruce Arians, guarding against combine darlings: "You might run a 4.3, but your tape says you're 4.6. You might run a 4.6, but your tape says you're 4.4. The tape don't lie. The combine lies. You can fall in love at the combine and get your ass broke."
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) February 25, 2020

Arians says he does not learn much from watching players move in shorts, which is not something that will ever happen on a game day. Instead, he says he likes following the college all-star games as he can watch players move in pads.

These statements beg the question why Arians even comes to the combine, except to watch the prospects sweat?

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