“He Is Definitely Missed”
September 11th, 2014
QB coach Marcus Arroyo confessed today that the Bucs do miss Jeff Tedford (above) — contrary to previous claims by Lovie Smith and some players — as Tedford recovers from having heart stents implanted.
Ever since Bucs offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford took a medical leave of absence to have heart stents implanted, and subsequently has been slowly trying to get back in the swing of things at One Buc Palace, Bucs coach Lovie Smith and most players did their best to spin Tedford’s absence as no big deal.
Joe simply didn’t buy it then. And didn’t buy it Sunday when Doug Martin looked Joe straight in the face and forcefully said Tedord’s absence did not have an effect on the offense against Carolina.
To say the nonattendance of the top offensive coach is trivial is to suggest an offensive coordinator and all of his responsibilities are meaningless. That’s simply ca-ca.
Well, the de facto offensive coordinator, Bucs quarterbacks coach Marcus Arroyo, a long-time colleague of Tedford’s at “Cal,” confessed today that, yes, when a team misses its offensive coordinator, it has a negative impact.
“I think when you are down a coach, you are down a guy, a member of the team, a unit,” Arroyo said to the local pen and mic club. “I think there is a lot to that. I think it is advantageous to have an extra brain, extra thought, extra guy let alone the offensive coordinator who has been doing it since we got here.
Tedford “definitely missed. Again, I think the staff has done a great job of supporting him and what he needs and our team and our unit. We are really pulling ourselves together and finding a way to put together a plan that best suits us.”
Arroyo stopped just short of saying the lack of input Tedford has had recently was significant. Arroyo, who was Tedford’s “pass game coordinator” as well as quarterbacks coach at Cal ,where he performed many of the same duties he has taken over since Tedford’s medical procedure, noted Sunday wasn’t really out of the ordinary for him.
Calling plays for him was “similar to Cal when [Tedford] was the head coach,” Arroyo said. “It wasn’t that foreign to me.”
Until Tedford gets medical clearance to resume his duties full-time, this week’s game against the Lambs will very much be like the 10 days leading up to the Stinking Panthers game for the offensive staff, Arroyo said. “Sunday, we will play it by ear,” he said. “We’re planning for [Tedford] to return tomorrow.”
To hear more from Arroyo, click the button below. Audio courtesy of Joe’s friends at WDAE-AM 620.
September 11th, 2014 at 3:06 pm
inexcusable…..pass the ultimater responsibilty off to ONE MAN…….if JT can return then back to JT….this is becoming…Dilbert Goes to the NFL…….
September 11th, 2014 at 3:12 pm
I’ve never seen an assistant coach get so much written about him. ZZZZ!
September 11th, 2014 at 3:15 pm
If you don’t think losing your offensive coordinator isn’t important you are beyond naive. Joe’s pretty sure Lovie had a bunch of guys on his list to hire as offensive coordinator that did not include the name “Marcus Arroyo.”
September 11th, 2014 at 3:22 pm
I don’t really care if it is Marcus Arroyo., althought I would think he would be the logical choice…I am adamant that ONE person needs to call plays and live or die by the decision….otherwise it would be like having Muhammad Ali throwing punches called from his corner men !
September 11th, 2014 at 3:26 pm
Look, it’s a big deal.
Trying to implement a new scheme, football or any business for that matter is difficult without having the mastermind behind it available.
September 11th, 2014 at 3:52 pm
No one associated with the Bucs ever said Tedford’s absence was trivial, Joe. That was your inaccurate interpretation. The coaches and players only stated they were making the best of the situation and planned to adapt. Pretty much it. So, this is a fabricated non-story Joe. We know his absence matters, but we know they’re going to do whatever they can to adapt and make the best of the situation.
Reaching. This just encourages the recreational complainers.
September 11th, 2014 at 4:28 pm
Man you just don’t stop do you Joe? I just don’t understand why you keep beating that horse man. WE GET IT! Tedford’s absence was an issue on Sunday. It didn’t lead to the loss, but it certainly played a huge part in the crappy play of the office. Dude, WE GET IT! I’m certain there are more stories to cover than rolling this beaten subject out over and over again….
September 11th, 2014 at 8:56 pm
Mr. Mudge:
First, how do you know who Joe talks to at One Buc Palace?
Second, Doug Martin told Joe to his face (with about eight witnesses alongide), and Joe quotes, not having Tedford had ” no effect” on offense.
September 11th, 2014 at 8:58 pm
Bucfish:
Because this is highly important, simple.
September 11th, 2014 at 9:04 pm
I’m 100% with you on this one, Joe. This is a huge issue. Tedford was the X factor going into this season. Our advantage of surprise and creativity. He’s not around and until he is we’ll keep seeing Dungy Ball. Lovie will try and ride this defense.
I wish Jeff the absolute best. But, as far as the Bucs are concerned, his presence and success are needed for this team to have ANY shot at a winning season.
September 11th, 2014 at 11:15 pm
Joe, I don’t disagree that whether Tedford is at practice or not is a big deal – I do want to know that. The dead horse is the 10 lines underneath, “and despite what Lovie and the players say, it had an effect on last game and will have an effect on the next..” That’s so obvious, I don’t know why you keep bringing it up. Some of your articles are solely on trying to prove that his absence had an effect. It did – we get it. Are the coaches and players supposed to throw Tedford (and Arroyo) under the bus? C’mon man! You have the tendency to beat a dead horse all year long on certain subjects. Hopefully you’ll give this one a break once Tedford comes back.
I love your site dude – I really do – but sometimes, and it’s not often, I voice my opinion on stuff that irks me. BTW, I also give you props when I like something. You probably don’t care because I’m a nobody, but I hope you at least hear your readers.
September 12th, 2014 at 2:39 am
Absolutely not. Without readers like you, Joe is nuthin.’
Appreciate your patronage and reading habits. 🙂
September 12th, 2014 at 6:59 am
Want a game plan that will work?
1.Have the qb set up a bit deeper in the shotgun
2.Roll out to buy more time to throw
3.Throw the ball more than 10 yards once in a while
4.Run the ball outside occasionally.
5.Set up the running game with the pass!!!!!