NFC Notes: Buccaneers, Giants, Lions

Buccaneers

Buccaneers QB Tom Brady said HC Bruce Arians has been open with his critiques of Brady’s play when needed. 

“Working with B.A. has been really great for me in a very different way. You know, he’s very tough on you when things aren’t the way they need to be. There’s nothing about me or my game that’s infallible. I’m a player like everybody,” said Brady, via Rick Stroud. 

Brady confirmed that Arians’ coaching is providing motivation to consistently play at a high level. 

“So I’m trying to be coached and I think the team has very high expectations for me, so when I don’t meet those, he should be (ticked) at me and rightfully so. I know I’m more (ticked) at myself but when you hear it from your coach, too, you know it does motivate you,” said Brady, via Stroud. 

Giants

Giants’ ST coordinator Thomas McGaughey could be following in the footsteps of HC Joe Judge and Ravens’ HC John Harbaugh as a special teams coordinator who has aspirations of becoming a head coach in the NFL.

“My goal as a coach has always been to eventually become a head coach,” McGaughey said, via Ryan Dunleavy of The New York Post. “I’m just enjoying where I am now and learning as much as I can from Joe. He’s been awesome as far as learning all the different situational things and the preparation part. These two guys are kind of breaking that stereotype, the stigma of special teams coaches not being able to be head coaches. Just understanding the game and how it all fits together and having a vision and a purpose for what you want to do.”

Lions

ESPN analyst and Lions’ GM candidate Louis Riddick said on “Get Up” this week that he would bring back Matthew Stafford as his quarterback if he was hired. 

“Matthew Stafford should be sitting right where he is,” Riddick said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “They build around him, Detroit’ll be just fine. Does that answer your question?”

Riddick mentioned that Detroit must surround Stafford with better pieces to the offense but added that they have particular issues at wide receiver given only rookie Quintez Cephus currently under contract past this season. 

“Look, Matthew Stafford’s a good quarterback,” Riddick said. “Matthew Stafford’s a real good quarterback. He needs some pieces. He’s got a good left tackle, good offensive center, two good running backs. They got some issues at wide receiver as far as unrestricted free agency is concerned.”