Tampa Bay Buccaneers PFWA Super Bowl LV Pool Report – February 6, 2021

By Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times
Pro Football Writers of America

TAMPA — The Bucs concluded their on-field preparations for Super Bowl LV Saturday morning with a 35-minute practice in their indoor facility at the AventHealth Training Center.

Every workout during the week has followed the schedule of a regular-season game and this was no different.

“Whatever meetings we might have are in here, so it just flows easily” coach Bruce Arians said.

The Bucs conducted what they call a “simulated game,” during a walk-through practice in shorts and t-shirts and no helmets.

Every player participated, including receiver Antonio Brown (knee) and tight end Cameron Brate (back), who are both listed as questionable.

“On a normal Saturday, we would have all the kids and families in here,” Arians said. “That’s one thing I really, really miss this year. I love watching the kids play ball and run around and watching their dads practice. That was one of the hardest things about this year.”

Players had the option of eating lunch but departed the team’s facility and will return later Saturday afternoon to take busses to the team hotel in Tampa.

The Bucs will have dinner at the hotel and mass for those who wish to attend. After that, there will be position meetings until Arians addresses the full squad for his final thoughts prior to Super Bowl LV.

“I’ll talk tonight,” Arians said. “It’s not very long. We watch a video that we have a lot of fun with from our last game when we win, then the offense, defense and special teams will meet in the morning.”

Arians said he hasn’t planned any special message for the team to take into Super Bowl LV.

“No, like I told them, if you need a speech to get fired up to play football, you’re in the wrong game,” Arians said. “I have to laugh when people bring in speakers and stuff. I don’t know the message they’re going to bring. There’s only one voice in this one.”

Arians, who was an assistant coach in three other Super Bowls, said he has no trouble sleeping the night before the game.

“It’s just another game,” Arians said. “It is the biggest one. But the preparation is done so you just need to go play.”

Arians said he felt the Bucs got better during the two weeks of practice following the NFC Championship Game.

“There’s no doubt,” he said. “There’s still a new concept here or there or this is what they did and this is how we’re going to handle it this time. So it’s all still learning and that part never stops.”

More meetings are planned following breakfast Sunday until the team takes buses from the hotel to Raymond James Stadium for Super Bowl LV.