TAMPA, Fla. _ New Bucs coach Bruce Arians isn't pleased about his team's schedule, which includes a seven-week stretch in which the Bucs won't play a game at Raymond James Stadium.
"Am I happy about it? Hell no," Arians said Tuesday following his first minicamp practice at the Advent Health Training Center. "I think it's ridiculous and I've voiced my opinion to the people in New York ... it is what it is."
After the Bucs play their Week 3 home game against the Giants on Sept. 22, they won't play in Tampa again until Nov. 10 against Arizona.
Within that stretch is two trips to the West Coast _ Sept. 29 at the Los Angeles Rams and a Nov. 3 date at Seattle _ as well as an Oct. 13 game in London against Carolina.
"We have a great opportunity to showcase our ability," quarterback Jameis Winston said Tuesday. "It don't matter if we're in a Wal-Mart parking lot. ... That just gives us more passion and more competitiveness to make sure our games count at home."
Arians said it will be important to determine how the added travel will affect the players and dictate the practice schedule accordingly.
"Thank God we have a good sports science program to help me on travel and practice times in engaging how tired is our football team before we go out to Seattle," Arians said. "Those things are going to be very important through that stretch."
Also, following the 4:25 p.m. season-opener on Sept. 8 at home against the 49ers, they will have a short week before a road Thursday night in Carolina on Sept. 12.
"They didn't do us any favors, but hey, make it a chip on your shoulder," Arians said.
