Byron Leftwich: Bruce Arians Cussed Me Out To Get To Ben Roethlisberger
January 19th, 2019
New Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich says being a quarterback guru is a lot about the QB-coach relationship and understanding, plus effective and sometimes unique communication.
Leftwich’s chatter on that subject was one of the more interesting aspects of his introductory news conference yesterday.
He explained that his great personal growth as a quarterback/future coach came when he arrived in Pittsburgh in 2010. Bruce Arians was the offensive coordinator and Ben Roethlisberger was the starter.
“I think that’s when I really started coaching, too, to be honest with you. I was the backup to Ben [Roethlisberger],” Leftwich said.
“… Going [to Pittsburgh] and slowing down and being the backup, it allowed me to see the way I played the game and the way that [Roethlisberger] played the game, and see that there’s a whole lot of different ways to get the job done. And that in itself made me a completely better coach and a completely better player. Just being around a guy with that unique skillset and see the plays that he would make on a daily basis to understand that you can do this thing a lot of different ways once you have an understanding of what your quarterback can and cannot do.”
Leftwich, 39, went on to say the timing of communication with a quarterback is an art form rooted in understanding the position at the NFL level, something Arians has mastered.
“I remember [Arians], we were in Pittsburgh, he cussed me out one day, I wasn’t even playing. And I knew it was for Ben. You know, it’s just having an understanding of the dynamics. It was not the time to say that to Ben. It was to say it to me so I could relate it to Ben, you know, later on two, three plays later. And that’s just having that sort of understanding of the position. Because it is a unique position.
“Playing quarterback is unlike anything else; it’s different, it’s fragile. It’s a whole lot of different things that when you’re in that room, when you’re coaching that room, you have a true understanding of that.
“Just demeanor, just having an understanding, knowing when to say certain things, knowing when not to say nothing, let the player play. And that’s what I picked up from [Arians] the most, besides the Xs and Os. We all know he’s great at Xs and Os. But just those types of things, just relationships, communication, just the human element of playing this game.”
Yes, America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, is in good hands. Still, Leftwich is very new in his role and Arians hasn’t worked with a young franchise quarterback in seven seasons, Andrew Luck in 2012.
It’ll be interesting to see if there’s much of a learning/adjustment curve for all involved.
Why is Ira wearing a No. 4 Bucs jersey??? TAMPA TWO marches toward the Super Bowl, and in this episode Bucs legend Derrick Brooks and Ira Kaufman dive into Sunday’s games.
TAMPA TWO is presented by Caldeco Air Conditioning & Heating, via The Identity Tampa Bay and JoeBucsFan.com.
January 19th, 2019 at 3:00 pm
Just imagine being a fan and watching them bring in Christensen and Leftwich as the answers to the “Lost Decade”. Can you feel the optimism?
January 19th, 2019 at 4:45 pm
foles
January 19th, 2019 at 4:58 pm
I think my dad cussed me out too, but meant it for my brother
January 19th, 2019 at 5:00 pm
I can’t predict wins and losses – not even going to try – but I can see there are going to be a lot of changes at OBP. Some individuals are about to get a big reality check. The days of excuses and no accountability are over, and as a fan, I say it’s about time.
January 19th, 2019 at 5:14 pm
after a few years with jamies, leftwich is going to look like forrest whitaker
January 19th, 2019 at 5:38 pm
#7423 remembers when Byron Leftwhich came to Tampa to play quarterback and all he kept talking about was about how many weapons we had over and over
Then the offense played like hot garbage the whole year
So #7423 doesn’t care what Leftwhich says anymore because it all sounds stupid until he proves it. Leftwhich lost all his credibility
January 19th, 2019 at 5:47 pm
We just need a middle of the pack D and the wins will take care of themselves.
Bowles can get us to .500 by fixing the D….Jameis can get us to the playoffs and a rushing attack will get us a championship.
Need all three and a kicker who does not have to be relief up too heavily.
January 19th, 2019 at 5:49 pm
*Relied upon
January 19th, 2019 at 6:32 pm
#7423
Your posts have been consistently lame. Did Leftwich come to us the last time as a coach or player. Here’s a clue numbnall…playing is different from coaching.
BA was decent in his senior year at Va Tech the only year he started and he played in a wishbone offense…not exactly great prep for NFL offenses. Hasn’t hurt his coaching career.
Oops…sorry forgot you were a troll…didn’t mean to insult you intelligence because you do not come here to use it…you simply wish to troll and get Bucs fans upset. Sorry but we all laugh at you.
January 19th, 2019 at 6:51 pm
stpetebucsfan Says:
January 19th, 2019 at 6:32 pm
#7423
Your posts have been consistently lame. Did Leftwich come to us the last time as a coach or player. Here’s a clue numbnall…playing is different from coaching.
——-
So by your logic #7423 is a numbnall because #7423 learned not to trust what comes from Bucs players and coaches mouths???? After they have been lying to us for the past years????????
#7423 believes you are the true numbnall
January 19th, 2019 at 7:50 pm
#7423- If your memory was that good, you might remember that he started in only 3 games for us that entire season, before we eventually turned to Josh Freeman (after first turning to Josh Johnson for 3 games)…
#TheMoreYouKnow
January 19th, 2019 at 8:03 pm
smallaxe….Love your screen name !
January 19th, 2019 at 8:07 pm
smallaxe
we got chase them crazy bald heads out of town…. 🙂
January 19th, 2019 at 8:35 pm
I think we can all agree on one poster’s comment: “This will be interesting.”
January 19th, 2019 at 8:53 pm
@Bucs fan #7423
You should listen to St. Pete, he is a wise man.
I get the frustration but the instant-negativity is unnecessary.
Jameis has been on my sh!tlist for quite some time but I’m hopeful the coaching change leads him to be a better and more mature QB.
We should all be excited for the new regime, get behind it and enjoy this off-season because we truly have a PROFESSIONAL fighting chance.
January 19th, 2019 at 8:54 pm
7423
Your own words convict your of being a numbnall. Why would anyone cheer for or follow ANY team where they do not trust anything that comes from a coaches/players/GM/Owners mouth!
Seriously…why not pick a team you like and can TRUST.
I hope you’re just trolling us…otherwise you are a numbnall.
January 19th, 2019 at 9:46 pm
Stpete,
Agreed, except for the wishbone comment. One thing that is a must when running the wishbone is footwork and ball handling skills. Today’s QB’ s have been brought up in systems that have emphasized unit reps at the expense of individual skills reps. Both college and pro practices have been cut down substantially. The successful coaches have adapted by focusing on unit reps.
The Coaches who have experience with the wishbone generally speaking place a greater emphasis on the little things like play fakes and proper mesh ball placement. Details kill or get you killed.
January 19th, 2019 at 10:18 pm
That’s quite the collar on that shirt. BL needs a wide ’70s polyester tie and some fat lapels to go with it. Man, I hope the fashion world isn’t bringing that nonsense back.
January 20th, 2019 at 2:33 am
What’s a better teacher than a former successful former QB? I hope coach Leftwich can make a difference in Winston’s stagnated progression. Accuracy and touch are difficult to teach. I just wonder if JW will progress fast enough in his playbook than opposing team defensive coordinators catch up to what he learns. Can he stay ahead of the curve?
January 20th, 2019 at 5:21 am
Anonymous Says:
January 19th, 2019 at 7:50 pm
#7423- If your memory was that good, you might remember that he started in only 3 games for us that entire season, before we eventually turned to Josh Freeman (after first turning to Josh Johnson for 3 games)…
#TheMoreYouKnoW
———-
That proves everything I said about Leftwhich was right
-TheMoreYouKnow
January 20th, 2019 at 7:36 am
There is not a DAMN thing any new coaches/coaches will be teaching Jameis that he has not been coached to do before….his 10 o’clock – 4 o’clock foot position is a ready made off target 50-50 ball …..watch the footwork of all 4 QB’s today….watch them throw on time…watch them throw to the spot…watch them throw the receivers open….watch them hit their WR’s in stride on quick timing routes…
January 20th, 2019 at 11:18 am
Good for you Leftwich. When my dad spanked my A.. and cussed at me? My brother was laughing! I could take the tongue lashings. But man, them thumpin’s sure did hurt. Never made those mstakes again though. So Pops discipline must have worked!
January 20th, 2019 at 12:03 pm
I am so optimistic I’m going to say it. PLAYOFFS. OK there I said it. Done & done.
January 20th, 2019 at 4:43 pm
D1
Excellent points.