There has been plenty of speculation regarding how much artificial noise will become a factor in empty stadiums for the 2020 NFL season. Fortunately, it seems Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians took precautions to ensure that his team is prepared for the worst.
Tight end Rob Gronkowski says he is not concerned with the noise factor thanks to Arians' efforts to simulate it during training camp, per Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times:
Rob Gronkowski said that he’s not worried about pumped-in crowd noise in Superdome because Bruce Arians pumped “the most, brutal annoying noises he can possibly put on. I think I started to go insane. It was very obnoxious, the whole entire time. I can't see it being any worse.”
— Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) September 9, 2020
It is encouraging to see that Arians made sure that such inconveniences would not serve as a setback to begin the 2020 campaign, even if it came at the expense of the players. The Buccaneers are now fully prepared to try and make a statement against the New Orleans Saints in the season opener.
Regardless, there have been a number of coaches and teams to express their concern with the noise factor. They have even called out the unfair advantage some teams have since they are allowed a reduced capacity at their respective stadiums, however, these complaints have fallen on deaf ears with Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Regardless, the Bucs appears to have bigger concerns with wide receiver Mike Evans listed as day-to-day with a soft tissue injury. His absence would undoubtedly leave a notable void in this revamped offense that is looking to get the season started on the right track with a win against a formidable NFC South rival.
If Evans is forced to sit out, the onus would fall on Gronkowski and wide receiver Chris Godwin to carry the passing game for Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady.
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