Bruce Arians On Tom Brady — Two Weeks Before The Head Coach Was Hired By The Bucs
March 30th, 2020
For Joe, “shelter in place” means endless football watching and a steady diet of Burger Monger and Big Storm Brewing Co. beer and food.
Yesterday, Joe watched the Bills-Patriots game on December 23, 2018, in which Bucs Bruce Arians was a game analyst for CBS.
So what did Arians have to say about Tom Brady and what did Brady do in the game, a 24-12 Patriots win at home?
Here are highlights:
*For starters, the Patriots rushed for 179 yards in the first half. Joe hopes Brady doesn’t expect anything like that output in Tampa.
*Brady’s first throw was a drop by wide receiver Julian Edelman. The opening drive ended with Brady throwing a pass that was a dropped pick-6 possibility by then-rookie Bills LB Tremaine Edmunds.
*Arians loved the “wham” blocking by the New England fullback and tight ends, and the overall “wham” play by the Patriots. He makes an obscure reference to Dan Henning coaching the Falcons 35 years ago. (Yes, Arians was a bad announcer.)
*At one point in the first quarter, Brady benefited from 11 consecutive rushes.
*Arians raved about the diversity in the run game by offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. This got Joe wondering where were Bucs coaches scheming the run game to match Bucs running backs last season.
*Interesting to hear Arians talk about inexcusable pre-snap penalties.
*Arians expressed his surprise that the Patriots ran a draw play on 3rd-and-21. He noted in past years that would have been a throw to Rob Gronkowski down the seam. (Gronk was in the game.)
*New England ran a healthy share of two-running-back sets. Don’t expect to see that in Tampa.
*Arians talked about the Patriots’ “need for a deep threat” and he was high on running back James White’s ability to be a real wide receiver threat, in addition to his rushing ability.
*Uh, oh, Brady threw a very ugly first-half pick to Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander. A 10-yard throw and Brady clearly didn’t see Alexander.
*Gronk has an ugly drop that is picked off to start the second half.
*That was Brady’s third multi-interception game of the season. He finished with 11 picks on the 2018 regular season and three in three playoff games.
*Brady is criticized for bad feet on a 3rd-and-4 incompletion by Arians’ broadcast partner and former NFL QB Trent Green. Arians agrees.
*On a 3rd-and-6 play in the second half, Arians didn’t like how quickly Brady threw short. The result was a short gain and a punt. Arians noted Brady “must have really liked that [1-on-1] matchup” to the running back.
*”I’m just surprised they haven’t taken one shot down the field,” Arians said of Brady and Patriots early in the fourth quarter.
*The 33-yard TD pass that iced the game was a 4th-and-4 perfect slant pass throw by Brady to Edelman, who took it in stride and to the house.
*Brady missed a wide open James White on a 2nd-and-7 throw in the fourth quarter and was very unhappy with himself.
*Brady’s final scoring drive started on the Bills’ 24 yard line after a great punt return.
*Arians was impressed with the ground push of the Patriots’ offensive line and the patience of their running backs.
*Brady backup Brian Hoyer came in for Brady to finish the last half of the fourth quarter. Arians noted Brady didn’t have a Brady day and he didn’t play well enough to win in January. Arians added that so many rushes by the Patriots might have thrown Brady out of a rhythm.
March 30th, 2020 at 12:16 am
a steady diet of (Burger Monger) and (Big Storm Brewing Co.) beer and food.
___________________________________
you forgot,
while driving around in my (Bill Currie Ford). ..there fixed it! lol
By the way Brady certainly isn’t infallible and has made his share of mistakes but he usually has a way with overcoming setbacks in the clutch. ..and he definitely isn’t known for stacking bad games together.
March 30th, 2020 at 12:57 am
Alright now compare Bradys worst game of the year to Winston’s. Lets see that was 2018 okay.
Go watch the Bengals game where he gets benched for Fitz and compare the play.
March 30th, 2020 at 1:55 am
That’s exactly how I expect virgin Brady to play thru the season. Every game.
March 30th, 2020 at 1:57 am
And that’s exactly how Bruce and Byron (B&B) will be calling plays all confused with virgin Brady.
March 30th, 2020 at 3:13 am
Negative Nancy strikes again (please don’t tell me you’re offended by a nickname when this site does it all the time)…
—-Why can’t the Bucs run for 179? Barber’s gonna be replaced at starter by Jones, and Jonathan Taylor or Cam Akers are coming in. Name me the great NE RBs in 2018.
—-Dan Henning was a respected Bill Parcells acolyte, especially as an Offensive Coordinator. The fact Arians referenced him shows a depth of knowledge, not bad announcing.
—-And Arians & Tom are gonna collaborate…why won’t the Bucs run out Jones/Akers-Taylor at the same time if that’s something Tom likes?
March 30th, 2020 at 4:33 am
Joe JR is still sad his heart throb Winston is gone. Sour grapes.
Very odd comment. Joe watched a game (because Arians was calling it) and shared what was seen and heard. –Joe
March 30th, 2020 at 5:36 am
I’m actually looking forward to not cringing every…single…time..my quarterback throws the ball. 😜
March 30th, 2020 at 6:10 am
It’s a good point above noting that Brady is indeed NOT perfect.
As such, we knew going into the season that this team needed to improve in MANY areas, and this was with Jameis or whoever at QB: RB, OL, S, and QB. If the Bucs are to go deep in the playoffs, they need to continue that trend.
March 30th, 2020 at 6:41 am
^^^^
And you got someone in your underground bunker for this doomsday scenario with brady. Adr nagy will bring over the cheetos and cianide pills
March 30th, 2020 at 7:28 am
Definitely one of your best articles ever Joe. Even though Brady himself had a ‘bad day’ (for him), the Patriots as a TEAM still managed to still win the game. Pats had great BALANCE that year, and used it to their advantage.
Bills were awesome that year in pass defense (#1 in Passing Yardage Allowed) but just mediocre against the run (#16 in Rushing Yardage Allowed & #25 in Rushing TDs Allowed). Pats were good in both passing offense (#8 Passing Yards with over 4,200 yds) and running offense (#5 Rushing Yards with over 2,000 yds) … THAT’S very good BALANCE IMO. Patriots took advantage of their rushing advantage to win the game (273 rushing yards on 47 carries to only 117 passing yards on 25 attempts). Yes, Brady had a bad game (2 INTs) but the Pats rushing strength controlled the game (over 35 mins TOP).
Your point Joe that the Patriots used a ‘healthy share of two running-back sets’ was great, but I HOPE that you’re wrong about us not doing that this year. Another of your comments that “Arians loved the “wham” blocking by the New England fullback and tight ends’ gives me HOPE that (1) Bucs will actually pick up a FULLBACK this year, and (2) that we’ll see a more effective Bucs run game this year, with better BALANCE between passing & rushing. HOPEFULLY that fullback is AJ Dillon.
I am getting concerned about your health though Joe. That opening gambit … “endless football watching and a steady diet of Burger Monger and Big Storm Brewing Co. beer and food” … can’t be good if this thing goes on for as long as some predict. You could get to be several hundred pounds before you blink on an ‘steady diet’ like that. On the good news side though, the Bucs might sign you for their defense to ‘clog the middle’ on goal line stances. Gotta look on the bright side.
March 30th, 2020 at 7:38 am
This is the point folks, if Brady plays that way here in Tampa any one game over the last 12 years he gets beat, but in New England it’s a win. This is exactly what the folks that have a CLUE have been trying to tell you. It’s a team game yet the CLUELESS have been blaming one player simply because they don’t have a clue.
March 30th, 2020 at 7:41 am
I love how we are going to change the entire offense to make it easier on Brady, a first ballot all time great QB, but for a 25 year we just hand him the ball and say go get em kid. You don’t need no stinking fullback on the roster, or running game, or kicker or pass defense, you got it.
March 30th, 2020 at 8:04 am
Ndog… Go to work or go back to sleep! It’s too early for your nonstop Winston nonsense. Smh, get a life!
March 30th, 2020 at 8:05 am
Ndog 😂
March 30th, 2020 at 8:19 am
Laugh it up Young but please point out where I’m wrong?
March 30th, 2020 at 8:29 am
Everyone on this site is here to talk about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NDOG!!! Jameis Winston is not a Tampa Bay Buccaneer!!!!
March 30th, 2020 at 8:32 am
I’m sorry I didn’t know that talking about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster construction wasn’t talking about the Bucs. But that’s ok I now just accept that there’s idiots on here that also can’t read and yes you qualify for both.
March 30th, 2020 at 8:33 am
I love it you people can never refute anything I post. You just start jabs cause YOU HAVE NOTHING to add.
March 30th, 2020 at 8:38 am
NDog- exactly right- NOW Arians willing to change his entire offense to suit Brady (which is needed), but refused to do it for JW. QB Whisperer my arse. Dude is a Fraud, IMO. Great coaches make adjustments. How many times do we see NE playing bad in the first half and come back in the second and destroy their opponent. Adjustments by the coaches (and most likely Brady in this case).
March 30th, 2020 at 8:40 am
NDog. Everyone on this site knows your the idiot!!! If you can’t figure that out by now your more of one than WE ALL thought!!
March 30th, 2020 at 8:46 am
TBUC again bringing nothing to the table. Congratulations sir you have again proved you are worthless in regards to anything you post.
March 30th, 2020 at 8:52 am
Jameis1of1 needs to go to work or back to bed.
March 30th, 2020 at 8:55 am
I get it guys I would hate getting proved wrong daily as well, so i totally get why you don’t like me. But I do have a solution for you, try actually to know what you are talking about before posting that would help your cause.
March 30th, 2020 at 8:56 am
NDogg completely agree. The hatred for Winston is just rediculous. He will shine somewhere else I am surr of it and come back at laugh at all of his haters. In 2 years time from now Tampa will be starting all over looking for a new coach and qb. So if they dont win a super bowl in 2 years the signing of Brady will simply mean we get to start all over again. You and I both know Tampa wont do this right and draft a qb early that has a chance in the nfl to make it and allow him to learn from Brady for 2 years.
March 30th, 2020 at 9:23 am
I thought it was my racist hate that made me blame JayMiss for losing?
Now ndildo says it’s because I’m CLUELESS?
Confusing stuff from a bitter little guy who allegedly deals only in FACTS….. wouldn’t you say?
March 30th, 2020 at 9:32 am
Again Doosh nothing from you but more conjecture, zero substance.
March 30th, 2020 at 9:32 am
NPUPPY:
Rushing yards for the season:
Chiefs: 1569 attempts: 375
Bucs:1521 attempts: 409
Defense yards for the season:
Chiefs: 5594 in 1043 plays
Bucs: 5503 in 1073 plays
Kicking fgs made:
Chiefs: 34/38
Bucs: 27/35
So actually, they both are pretty similar except for the kicking… gay screwed the pooch on fgs last yr. but it is possible to win with the “help” jw had last yr.
But here’s the major difference:
Winston: 5109, 33, 30 rating of 84.3
Mahomes: 4031, 26, 5 rating of 105.3
Which by the way, qbs with worse ratings than jw would be mayfield, dalton, Allen, trubisky, and darnold.
March 30th, 2020 at 9:40 am
And for the record I don’t bring up race so if you’re going to talk trash at the very least you can direct your trash to the correct person.
March 30th, 2020 at 9:57 am
sounds like a bucs game from 2019…
“*Uh, oh, Brady threw a very ugly first-half pick to Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander. A 10-yard throw and Brady clearly didn’t see Alexander.
*Gronk has an ugly drop that is picked off to start the second half.
*That was Brady’s third multi-interception game of the season”
March 30th, 2020 at 10:07 am
Yeah 951 what you conviently forget is that Jameis Winston was number 2 in the NFL in Air Yards to the Sticks (which shows the amount of Air Yards ahead or behind the first down marker on all attempts for a passer. The metric indicates if the passer is attempting his passes past the 1st down marker, or if he is relying on his skill position players to make yards after catch). While Mr. Mahomes was in the same range as Dwayne Haskins, David Blough, Derek Carr and many other dink and dunk offenses. So yes while Mahomes is a marvelous players and does take deep shots his team relies on him having tremendous players make plays with the ball in their hands by design waaaaaaay more than the Bucs do. Two different styles as they use their screen much like a long hand off.
By the way one note here is we could have and should have done that much more with Godwin as he is very good at screens, unlike Evans.
March 30th, 2020 at 10:13 am
Ndog Winston got a job yet asking for a friend
March 30th, 2020 at 10:19 am
Sorry ndog……. YOU PEOPLE are all the same to me
March 30th, 2020 at 10:49 am
Doosh I honestly have no clue what that means.
March 30th, 2020 at 11:12 am
So you’re CLUELESS?
March 30th, 2020 at 11:58 am
Yes when it comes to criptic comments from you yes I am. I have no idea in what context or why you are saying “you people”.
March 30th, 2020 at 12:10 pm
NDOG
“but for a 25 year we just hand him the ball and say go get em kid.”
As the man said you’re entitled to your opinion but not you’re own set of facts.
Do you not remember #WeaponsforJameis?
We drafted two OL we had a first round all pro potential HOF…a second WR who is all pro…two TE’s…one of them selected in the first round…we paid out the wazoo for JW’s center…we took an RB in the second round.
Now you could make the argument that all those moves were failures…that’s a debate…but you simply cannot spout absurdities like nobody ever helped poor widdle Jamie.
DR is apoplectic about now because he’s been desperate for some #weaponfordefense. Thankfully last year we addressed that.
March 30th, 2020 at 1:11 pm
*Arians loved the “wham” blocking by the New England fullback and tight ends, and the overall “wham” play by the Patriots. He makes an obscure reference to Dan Henning coaching the Falcons 35 years ago. (Yes, Arians was a bad announcer.
____
Dan Henning in reference to a wham play makes sense. He was Joe Gibbs’s OC for his first two Super Bowl teams and those Redskins loved to run the Counterr Trey, in which the RB took a counter step to one side and ran behind two pulling players, usually Russ Grimm and Joe Jacoby, to the other. It was profile a very valid reference to those that know a little history of NFL.
March 30th, 2020 at 2:27 pm
Ndog
Nobody cares about JWs air yards or anything else.
Do you get paid by the word, or just a flat rate?
March 30th, 2020 at 3:52 pm
@Ndog
What is the most important stat for a QB in today’s game?
Times up.
It’s turnover margin, nothing else. And that is why Jamoist is unemployed.
You will never win in the NFL if you give the ball to your opponent.
His record of 28-42 says it all. Beggining and ending with a Pick 6.
No soup for you!!!
#TomTerrific