Inside Bruce Arians
January 9th, 2019
What does Bruce Arians think about quarterback competition, team expectations, Todd Bowles, drafting an O-lineman early, and more? The Sage of Tampa Bay sports has answers.
BY IRA KAUFMAN
More good news for Buc fans.
You don’t have to wait for an introductory press conference at team headquarters to get a jump-start on the football philosophy of Bruce Charles Arians.
During his five seasons as head coach of the Cardinals, Arians held court each March at the NFL owners meetings, fielding an array of questions from media representatives.
Here’s a tasty sampler for those wondering what to expect from Dirk Koetter’s 66-year-old replacement:
On new Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, a player he coached at Temple and his DC during his first two years in Arizona. Bowles was just fired by the Jets after four seasons at the helm:
“I think it took about five years too long for Todd to be a head coach,” Arians said. “I really thought I’d be working for him. When he was the interim coach in Miami, I called him and said, ‘Hey man, I’m going to need a job one of these days. Just keep me in one of those consultant jobs.’ He’s the brightest football player and probably the brightest coach I’ve been around. He can teach it. He knows how to simplify the game, put you in a position to be successful — and that’s what good coaches do.”
On raising expectations. Heading into 2014, his second year with the Cardinals, Arians knew the Super Bowl that season would be played in Glendale.
“We talk about it in the first meeting, then we don’t talk about it anymore,” he said in 2015. “That’s the goal every year. Last year, it just happened to be in our stadium. It was easy to look a guy in the eye and say, who’s dressing in your locker? We don’t have that, so I have to come up with a new line this year. The goal is to win the Super Bowl. We won’t shy away. We talk about it the first day and then we talk about the process, every day the process.”
On how he judges young quarterbacks.
“I personally don’t look at stats. I’ve seen too many guys with those stats fail over the years. It’s how does he play the position? What’s he do on the next play when he gets the crap knocked out of him? How does he respond to an interception or a bad play? His body language, his demeanor in the huddle. You have to have a guy in that huddle that when he calls a play, the other 10 guys believe it. Some guys can throw the ball through the wall, but that’s not really playing quarterback.”
On improving a quarterback’s accuracy.
“Up to a point, you can. I call it going to the driving range. If a quarterback is not on the driving range for 30 to 45 minutes every day, working on his craft, his footwork, his accuracy, then he’s not going to be a real good quarterback.
“The really good ones I’ve had, they’ve worked on it, just like Tiger and Rory. Those guys are great golfers but they are out there practicing on specific things and the quarterback has to be out there with his coaches, working on his craft. Yes, a guy can get better. Can he get extremely better? Depending on what you’re trying to fix. If you’re trying to overhaul a swing (with the arm), giving him a new motion, at this level? That’s tough to do. You saw Tiger struggle for two years. We don’t have two years to wait. I think you can fix them some.”
On drafting an offensive lineman with a premium pick.
In 2013, the first year of the Arians era in Arizona, the Cardinals chose Jonathan Cooper at No.7, the highest slot any guard had been drafted since 1986.
Plagued by injuries, Cooper has been with six NFL clubs. He started for the Redskins at Tampa in November.
“I think if he’s not a dynamic player, the answer is no. If it’s Alan Faneca, yeah, I’d take him. If he’s going to go the Pro Bowl for 12 years and be a difference maker, why not? If you’re going to get a Pro Bowler, a 12-year starter with the seventh pick, you take him, regardless of position.”
Sounds like he’s looking for the next Quenton Nelson.
On opening up competition for the starting QB job.
“I’m not a two-quarterback guy. It’s extremly important. We don’t want different factions of the locker room politicking for guys. I’ve always been a one-quarterback guy. When you’ve got two, you don’t have one. That’s been my philosophy all these years. If we’re out there competing to see who the quarterback is, we’ve got a problem.”
January 9th, 2019 at 6:55 pm
Lol mic drop on that last paragraph
January 9th, 2019 at 7:04 pm
Arians is the right choice
January 9th, 2019 at 7:12 pm
Hopefully dumbass Winston doesn’t get his ass suspended again creating another QB controversy.
January 9th, 2019 at 7:23 pm
Amen, brother. Go Bucs !!!!
January 9th, 2019 at 7:29 pm
No team has ever won a Super Bowl in their own stadium. Can someone say Tampa Super Bowl 2021.
January 9th, 2019 at 7:32 pm
SOEbuc you stole my thunder. Super Bowl here in two years. We should have played the SB at home in 2000. Are fate and Karma giving us another chance?
January 9th, 2019 at 7:32 pm
The Buc always stops with Ira, e excellent column Sage!
January 9th, 2019 at 7:40 pm
Great excerpts by what will be a great coach for this franchise!
January 9th, 2019 at 7:44 pm
On opening up competition for the starting QB job.
“I’m not a two-quarterback guy. It’s extremly important. We don’t want different factions of the locker room politicking for guys. I’ve always been a one-quarterback guy. When you’ve got two, you don’t have one. That’s been my philosophy all these years. If we’re out there competing to see who the quarterback is, we’ve got a problem.”
Yet another exhibit as to why Dirk Koetter was clueless.
January 9th, 2019 at 7:45 pm
Tampa Super Bowl 2021.
The goal is the same at the start of every season no matter who is the head coach, quarterback, defensive coordinator, etc., etc, etc.. Bring the Lombardi Trophy back to One Buc Place!
__________
Go Bucs!!!!
January 9th, 2019 at 7:47 pm
“I’m not a two-quarterback guy. It’s extremly important. We don’t want different factions of the locker room politicking for guys. I’ve always been a one-quarterback guy. When you’ve got two, you don’t have one. That’s been my philosophy all these years. If we’re out there competing to see who the quarterback is, we’ve got a problem.”
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Jameis is going to love BA.
He’s finally going to get his degree…
His BA degree.
January 9th, 2019 at 7:50 pm
“Sounds like he’s looking for the next Quenton Nelson”
Jonah Williams is next Quenton Nelson if not better. #1 OL prospect from Alabama equals amazing skills and potential. J. Williams next to Marpet? Holy shoot!!! Kareem Hunt? Holy shoot x10!!!
January 9th, 2019 at 7:54 pm
SenileSenior
“The goal is the same at the start of every season no matter who is the head coach, quarterback, defensive coordinator, etc., etc, etc.. Bring the Lombardi Trophy back to One Buc Place!”
Haha. You ain’t gotta tell me. I’m a true Bucs fan unlike so many bandwagonders out there.
January 9th, 2019 at 8:04 pm
Dave, how long you been working on that line? Good one!
January 9th, 2019 at 8:08 pm
I love everyone is loving them some BA. I just caution about over enthusiasm. How many times have we been disappointed? I sure hope it’s not another year of Lucy yanking the ball away from Charlie Brown as he gets ready to kick. Speaking of kickers….
January 9th, 2019 at 8:15 pm
I choose to be enthusiastic. If I was already preparing myself for disappointment I’d be reading the cucks over at the tampabay times. Those losers wasted no time throwing cold water on the BA hiring. So here’s to 2019 May it bring Tampa a winning team and if we get real lucky the times corporate overlord will pull the plug on that money losing venture.
January 9th, 2019 at 8:16 pm
I have such an immature mind. But this title 😂
January 9th, 2019 at 8:19 pm
Accuracy follows proper mechanics… mechanics follow proper footwork…don’t throw unless both are dialed in….Jameis
January 9th, 2019 at 8:22 pm
I like Arians (one of those North Eastern Guys) and wish him well. Jameis is a mixed bag and not a successful NFL QB thus far, but Arians certainly is the guy to bring out that potential. Then you have to consider the rest of the team, which, beyond the receiving corps, is full of holes. So we’ll have to see; it will be interesting…
January 9th, 2019 at 8:27 pm
Shout out to all the pundits – local and national. Who over the last week came up with these silly lists. Of which team was the worst “Head Coaching” opportunity out there. And of course the Bucs were near or at the bottom of all of these list. Organization in disarray, poor ownership, bad fan support, and “Jameis” were the reasons given. Well you bunch of know it all….the best coach available, who took no other interviews as far as I know. Who came to Tampa for his interview and had a physical done and his doctor brought in too. Was just signed, sealed and delivered. And bringing with him a ready made coaching staff. I guess Coach Arians seems to think highly of the organization. Well played to the Glazer Family and Mr. Licht, well played…
January 9th, 2019 at 8:34 pm
Sound the trumpets and let loose the dogs of war.
I hope the honeymoon lasts for years.
January 9th, 2019 at 8:48 pm
SOEBuc you are correct on all counts!!! Jonah Williams should be the pick at #5 if he is there!!!
January 9th, 2019 at 8:49 pm
Arians luvs quick and brutal linemen. Expect some changes to our lines. And don’t be surprised at us taking a lineman in the 1st rd. We also might be changing MLB’s too. I’m not worried about our Offense. Arians brings in better players to support his offenses. Whether they are on Defense or special teamers. I like our choice of HC. And I like Todd Bowles as DC. I still cannot beleive, The Glazers did NOT..screw this one up!!
January 9th, 2019 at 8:49 pm
All I know is this is going to be one heck of an offseason.
January 9th, 2019 at 9:37 pm
From what I’m reading about BA, he seem have that fire to get this team to gel. I’m ready to hit the field and tackle someone lol
January 9th, 2019 at 9:43 pm
Great post Ira. I love the last paragraph alone.
January 9th, 2019 at 9:55 pm
The bucs have won the past 3 off seasons and have 10 wins. Same GM calling the shots unless BA a louder voice because the bucs are VERY far away from the Saints, Bears, Eagles, Seahawks, etc. The eye test never lets you down so lets see come Sept 8 at 430ish what the bucs are
January 9th, 2019 at 10:28 pm
The unintentional anti-Dirk last paragraph. It’s the right answer. Anyone that has been watching the NFL for more than 5 years knew after those first 2 games that Fitz would return to Earth. Dirk shook JW’s confidence by benching him. It should have always been JW’s team and he should have started against the Steelers and definitely against the Skin and G Men. Meh, water under the bridge I guess.
January 9th, 2019 at 10:37 pm
I meant after the Bears, not Steelers.
January 9th, 2019 at 10:45 pm
Duthsty, you do remember your Bucs defeating the Saints & Eagles this year, in consecutive weeks, don’t you?
January 9th, 2019 at 11:09 pm
cmurda,
Winston was suspended for the Steelers game.
Winston sat and entire half once He returned from suspension. Then He , by his own account,
wasn’t focused on playing his game. Win
January 9th, 2019 at 11:23 pm
^^^^ besides it’s not all about winston and Dirk benching him. If you have eyes, and ears it was easy to see the team, not dirk, not winston…the team lost faith in winston or had more in fitz.
You could listen to the comments made by other players about winston. Winston is responsible 100% for the mess he created.
Dirk is gone anyway, we have a new coach …..why are you and a few others still b^^ching about last year or the guy you wanted gone is gone so move the puck forward…it’s a whole lot better looking forward than backwa4ds
. Seriously , a few of you have all the traits of a woman. Call the t clinic or watch man u. That or just stop being a whining about what can’t be changed , focus on moving forward…like men have done since the beginning of time .
January 9th, 2019 at 11:45 pm
Keeeeep Licht!
January 10th, 2019 at 4:28 am
Today’s enthusiasts are game four’s haters.
January 10th, 2019 at 7:40 am
Bucshot
JW will not be part of any other off field controversies that will mess with the team.
First off if he has ONE more off field scrape he will simply be released.
Secondly and most importantly….JW has been guilty of gross immaturity in the past. This past year he grew up. He was immature not brain dead. IMHO he’s figured that part out now.
He’s not going to mess up again off the field and on the field he seemed to rededicate himself at the end of last season.
Given the coach/QB combo we now have it’s hard to not get excited.