“If You Are The Glazer Family You Have To Make A Decision”
December 4th, 2020
Decision(s) looming?
Team Glazer may have to punt on a very famous employee of theirs if the Bucs offense continues to look like Joe walking out of a Central Avenue bar in St. Petersburg at 3 a.m.
Former general manager and coffee-fetcher for Bill Walsh, Al Davis and Bill Belicheat, Michael Lombardi, took to his podcast “GM Shuffle” to announce to the world that the Bucs offense is broken beyond repair as it is currently constructed.
The main problem, as Lombardi sees it, is what Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians desires for his offense and what park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting, jet ski-losing, handshake-stiffing Bucs quarterback Tom Brady wants are “diametrically” different views.
Lombardi said to think the offense will change in Game 13 or Games 14, 15 or 16 is naive.
“I think after 12 games we really know that the way Brady wants to play football, that Brady has been taught football and Brady has understood football, and the way Bruce Arians wants to do it, are different things,” Lombardi said. “And they can’t merge together. They just can’t.”
And this will continue, Lombardi said, as long as Arians and Brady are in a forced marriage.
“If you are the Glazer Family and you have a coach who is — this is his last job. You have a quarterback who is 43 and this is his last team. You owe the quarterback $25 million next year. You owe the coach, let’s say $20 million for the remainder of his contract. …
“I think if you are the Glazer Family you have to make a decision: do you bring Brady back and change coaches?” Lombardi said. “Or do we say ‘Brady, thank you very much, you are 43-years old. You can’t go any further. Bruce, who do you like since you are the quarterback whisperer? Who do you want to have at quarterback?'”
Well, let’s take a step or two back.
If Team Glazer has determined this won’t work with Arians and Brady and that one (both?) need to go, why listen to Arians? It was Arians who heavy-panted over Brady last winter like a high school sophomore in heat over the cheerleader captain. Arians didn’t try to hide how badly he wanted Brady.
Has this all of a sudden turned into a case of “Careful what you wish for?”
“This isn’t working,” Lombardi continued. “And it is not going to work. … That’s the dilemma the Glazer Family faces. ‘Do I go forward with Tom? Do I go forward with Bruce?’
“The idea that this is going to mix and get better over time is really not going to happen.”
Lombardi said he would go out and get a coach who could lead the Bucs for the next 10 years, draft a quarterback (the draft is expected to be loaded with quarterbacks next spring), keep Brady for one more year “and see what I can do.”
A reason Lombardi said he would keep Brady is he isn’t sure if Arians, 68, would stick around long enough to develop a rookie quarterback.
Lombardi, who admitted he’s in the tank for Brady, explained his views are not an attack on Arians. He noted the offense not working is neither Arians’ fault nor Brady’s. These things happen in football.
“It doesn’t make Brady wrong and Bruce right and it doesn’t mean Bruce is wrong and Brady is right,” Lombardi said. “There is not one right way and not one wrong way.”
To Joe the solution is simple. Arians has said many times that Brady calls the plays. Take away whatever you wish with that information.
It is clear play-action passes work and work well. It is also clear that Brady doesn’t want to use that type of offense much.
It’s time for Arians to be the adult in the room. Tell Brady that he, Arians, is taking over play-calling duties and if Brady has an issue with that he can go cry to Joel Glazer or Don Yee.
This can be avoided if Brady agrees to change what he wants to do on the field. If Brady agrees to run more of what actually works, then problem solved.
As for Lombardi suggesting the Bucs should draft a quarterback, Joe’s been writing that for well over a year, that this is the perfect time and place to draft a quarterback, given all the QB coaches on the staff. The rookie could sit back and watch (and learn from) how Mr. Six Rings goes about his daily routine.
Arians, however, is so petrified of sparking a quarterback controversy, he doesn’t want to go there.
There’s no controversy here. Brady has one year left on his contract. The rookie quarterback is for when Brady leaves. No controversy at all.
December 4th, 2020 at 7:08 am
you need a serious OC who can merge the two styles…
and spends the freakin’ off season actually doing it with a wickedly created playbook (that the the saints didn’t get from jameis)…
and then bring it to the field…
the OC essentially has to be the middle man between coach and qb…
gonna take work…
it can be done tho
December 4th, 2020 at 7:16 am
The problem here seems to be “too many cooks in the kitchen”……BA, BL, Brady……
I agree…..there is no controversy with whether to retain Brady & Arians…..you keep both….
BA will not take away the play calling from BL…..BL is his protege.
December 4th, 2020 at 7:16 am
Agree…..its time for Arians to actually coach. He’s enjoyed a year and a half of delegating, it didn’t work for Winston, now its flaming out with Brady. Leftwich is not a good OC, he may hang around the league but he’s got an Adam Gase feel to him….lots of hype, little to no results. Does he know football….sure. Does it correlate into winning football on the field…..meh.
December 4th, 2020 at 7:27 am
Fire BA and BL
Retain Todd Bowles as HC/DC and bring a creative OC that will utilize Brady’s strength…………………PROBLEM SOLVED
December 4th, 2020 at 7:28 am
it does not matter who they keep or who they draft as long as the glazers keep making the decisions this franchise will continue to be the laughing stock of the sports world.
This organization needs a complete makeover from the owners to the janitors. Nothing is worth salvaging.
you low standard fans that are excited this team will back in to the playoffs are hilarious. No ONE on planet earth believes this team has a shot in the playoffs nor does anyone believe this team has any future other than the brunt of league jokes and basement title after basement title that is the bucs future. Tampa Bay and the Bucs the only city / team combination on earth to make Cleveland look like utopia year in and year out.
December 4th, 2020 at 7:30 am
TheBucsAnthem
would that be the same incompetent tod bowles who team just gave up over 500 yards AGAIN!!!!! That defense unit sucks. Mentally weak lbs, no secondary and senior citizens on the line. there is nothing worth saving on this entire team outside of Godwin. hell he’s a nice guy let him leave to enjoy a career outside of the dumpster that is tampa bay. he’s earned his parole
December 4th, 2020 at 7:42 am
Bring back Rah!
December 4th, 2020 at 7:51 am
Whomever is calling the shots next year is going to have a big problem. As long as the cap ceiling stays where it is next year the Bucs have about 32 mil in cap space for only 30 players. That means you only have 32 mil for 21 players. Pewter Plank has the Bucs signing Godwin for 22 mil, Shaq for 17 mil, and David for 13 mil I guess Pewter Planks math leaves something to be desired.
December 4th, 2020 at 8:03 am
Bring back Rah and Jaboo, problem for the future solved “race to ten” “youngry” and let’s eat some W’s
December 4th, 2020 at 8:10 am
If Brady plays for 1 or more years, you have to prioritize the DLine. Bucs didn’t bring Brady here to jettison him after 1 season. Lombardi’s take is panicky.
Championship teams have strong D’s.
Brady’s presence will change the culture and expectations as Bucs establish a solid winning tradition- then in 2 years you draft the QB who will succeed him.
December 4th, 2020 at 8:18 am
Brady needs to play better. Throwing a jump ball to little Miller against KCs best corner was strange. We’ve seen some head scratching throws by Brady.
December 4th, 2020 at 8:24 am
Arians is wrong. This isn’t mismatch where neither is wrong situation. It is the coach’s job to adjust to the players he has. They make too much to not be adaptable. This is even more in the spotlight because this is what Arians wanted.
December 4th, 2020 at 8:25 am
LMAOOOO. He thinks the Glazer babies care??? Lombardi hilarious missed his calling as a stand up comedian.
December 4th, 2020 at 8:42 am
The talent on this team can make BA’s long ball philosophy work–28 ppg despite being 30th in first down efficiency and 31st in third down conversions.
But it wastes Brady’s unequalled talent at driving a team down the field using a balanced attack and quick passes (no pressure) on first and third downs to steadily move the chains–that’s how he’s won six rings. BA will never go for that, and he’s lying about Brady being responsible for the game plan and the play calls–that’s ludicrous. Brady’s way is a proven winner.
December 4th, 2020 at 8:47 am
if this team was has talented as the delusional optimists would suggest… Hell the paper this roster is written on has more value….. NOT A SINGLE WIN SINCE 2003 and you people talk like this is the next dynasty in waiting. bucs are dysfunctional. brady arians all just another failed pr stunt by the glazers. you guys got all excited yet it’s just after thanksgiving this team has NO shot in the postseason, salary cap issues, washed up goats, washed up coaches and overrated players and by the way the salary cap is never going to increase. young people could careless about sports it’s going to be a dark decade in tampa. at least we can cling to the expired one year wonders fluke championship nearly two decades ago.
December 4th, 2020 at 8:53 am
I don’t know if anyone should be saying the offense is not working. It doesn’t work at times, and it seems the offense is out of sync, but it’s not as if the Bucs defense is putting up all the points.
December 4th, 2020 at 9:03 am
These guys are so dramatic it’s very annoying at how they try to make a non story a story.
We are exactly what most people thought we would be. A 10-6 or 9-7 football team. We are very competitive in just about every game and we should be playoff bound for the first time in over a decade. I for one am pumped about this and I look forward to seeing if we can make some noise in playoffs.
Everyone should be excited about this team not just for this year but for next year as well. We are only going to get better as Brady gets more comfortable.
December 4th, 2020 at 9:04 am
You can’t keep firing head coaches guys!!!!
My God please stop behaving like a Third class franchise and allow some continuity! Even through adversity.
December 4th, 2020 at 9:06 am
It can work – because we’ve occasionally seen the offense move the ball at will. It’s not rocket science to work out that running the ball and dunk/dunk passes are the order of the day. Bruce needs to park his deep ball and accept that it’s Tom’s offense.
December 4th, 2020 at 9:28 am
Arians is tied to Brady now.
If one goes they both go.
The NEW regime will be able to draft their OWN guy ..*imagine that*
HaRmOnY
mean while: we broke the slump of losing seasons yeehaw!!!
December 4th, 2020 at 9:29 am
Lombardi … ““This isn’t working. And it is not going to work”. Don’t agree; that’s just Lombardi’s speculation. This coaching staff has 2 weeks to get this train back on-track. If they can’t do that with the talent that this team has, they surely won’t be able to do it next year. If I was the Glazer Boyz, my guidance would be ‘Get this sorted out now or you’re ALL fired’.
December 4th, 2020 at 9:30 am
Sorry I refuse to think Brady is the one who is taking Rojo out of the game. We will see what happens here the next few games. The receivers need to give brady some help as well. How many drops does Evan’s have? Seen several perfect passes go through his hands. But truly feel just running the ball more with Rojo will solve the majority of the problems.
December 4th, 2020 at 9:33 am
TMAX
Do you have a freaking brain? Do you have much better weed than me? Do you ever read what you type and consider it?
“IT DOES NOT MATTER who they keep or who they draft as long as the glazers keep making the decisions this franchise will continue to be the laughing stock of the sports world.”
Which means your opinion doesn’t matter here until the Glazers sell the team.
You’ve summed up your opinion with that one sentence! No need to hear from you again…unless and until the Glazers sell the team. We already know your opinion and as you say…IT DOES NOT MATTER until the Glazers sell.
December 4th, 2020 at 9:35 am
I’m not opposed to bringing back Raheem. Right now he’s an interim HC but will he get the offer? If not and Arians and Brady breakup I would love to see Raheem come in and choose his QB. But also keep in mind, Raheem brought us Freeman.
December 4th, 2020 at 9:35 am
Offense is out of sync at times (recently) but numbers don’t lie. Brady is second in Yards, fourth in Tds and all this is while still learning the players, offense, etc. Imagine if he connected on 3 or 4 of those long balls…he’d be first in yards, first in Tds! Few weeks ago while we were winning people were calling him a potential MVP. I hate the media man, and the people that feed into it…bunch of flip/floppers!
It is not time to panic. Time to stack some W’s! Go Bucs!
December 4th, 2020 at 9:35 am
Josh McDaniels Bucs coach 2021
December 4th, 2020 at 9:39 am
exactly Mikey McFly
December 4th, 2020 at 9:42 am
Lol.. they are scared sheetless we it comes to making football decisions
December 4th, 2020 at 9:44 am
LAWD! smh 🙁
December 4th, 2020 at 9:47 am
MikeyMcFly
EXACTLY!
December 4th, 2020 at 10:09 am
We only right answer is you get rid of Michael Lombardi. He’s an idiot who needs to shut his big fat mouth
December 4th, 2020 at 10:13 am
Lol … every December we are at the same place !
December 4th, 2020 at 10:23 am
Brady’s on a 2 year deal.
December 4th, 2020 at 10:28 am
Use some common sense. Anyone who has followed Brady over the years knows Brady wants to win pure and simple. He’s not stubborn about silly things like not using play action. If it works, he wants to do it. He will always alter whatever need be if it works. He will even lean on the defense if that’s what it takes to win games. It’s all about winning with Brady. This has been obvious his entire career. Ariens is the stubborn one insisting on his way or the highway. That’s also obvious. Brady was told from the get go that he needs to use Ariens offense. Ariens is not being completely honest here. He is misleading you.
December 4th, 2020 at 10:37 am
@joe
Seems weird that we have not seen a confidence poll!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its almost like the current regime is being protected!!!!!!! That they have been held to a lesser standard!!!!!!!! That excuses are in abundance, but not the truth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Intern Zach asks: “Mr Realist, what is the hardest part of being a Buc’s fan?????”
The Buc Realist says: “Waiting for months for the sheep to finally figure out the obvious”!!!!!!!!!!!
December 4th, 2020 at 10:39 am
Architek …exactly. Some fans always think firing coaches after LESS than 2 years is the answer. Schiano got a season and 4 games and a billboard went up.
The team currently has a winning record and some fans aren’t happy. They want a new coach so they can go 5-7 instead of 7-5. Maybe finish 5-11. Yeah that might make them happy
December 4th, 2020 at 11:04 am
No, we have defense that is not getting to the web, giving up lots of yards, that’s players and coaching. We lost vita and it went to crap. O line issues effect every qb again players and coaching. But don’t tell me Tom can’t throw the long ball, yes he’s had some head scratching moments but if you’re getting pushed, shoved hurried and sacked what would you expect. Get the line to work and get the run game and play action working. Sorry Todd Bowles defense isn’t scaring anyone and when you see the kind of heart that JPP, Shaw and Suh play with they deserve a better scheme to adjust to losing bita
December 4th, 2020 at 11:10 am
NOT WORKING?
You’re thinking about this the wrong way if you’re talking about the Glazers.
Most Prime Time Games. Jersey sales are threw the roof.
Oh, the IS WORKING BIG TIME for the Glazers.
If you like the money. You like this team. Big Name + Big Drama = Big Money
December 4th, 2020 at 11:14 am
Architek & Buc1987 … I couldn’t agree more about keeping the Bucs off of the ‘coaching carousel’ EXCEPT in this situation. Glazer Boyz seem to have this propensity to hire coaches that are either too inexperienced (Raheem & Schiano) or too ‘old school’ (Lovie & Arians). Not quite sure where Dirk Koetter fits in there (might be in both categories).
I’m happy that we’re 7-5 instead of 5-7 (like in 2018 when DK got fired after losing the last 4 games), BUT … my expectations were considerably higher. No I didn’t expect us to win the SB this year, but remember, the Glazers mortgaged the future to get the team you’re now seeing on the field. I figured that’d give us a 2-year window … 2020 & 2021 … to ‘git er done’. But based on the quality of play I’ve been seeing on BOTH sides of the ball, we’ll be (1) lucky to make the playoffs in 2020; and (2) very lucky if we win 1 or more playoff games. This team’s performances on the field have been very inconsistent, and that’s NOT what you want going into December & (hopefully) the playoffs.
Bucs started the year with the best STARTING LINEUP we’ve had since our SB year (and very possibly a better overall team). The only offensive player we’ve lost for the season has been OJ, and that loss hasn’t really impacted us greatly IMO. Our offense has no excuses far as I’m concerned, and SHOULD be playing much better football. I personally think that the reason they’re not falls on (1) BA & BL as our offensive coaches; and (2) Tom Brady as our QB (and supposed Field General). They have to do better, much better, or we’re toast.
The only defensive player we’ve lost for the season has been Vea, and that loss really stung. Our pass rush hasn’t been the same since IMO, and without a pass rush we’re in serious trouble. Still, it’s up to Todd Bowles & his defensive staff to find ways to compensate; no excuses. They also have to do better, much better, or we’re toast.
We’ve got 2020 and (hopefully) 2021 to be serious contenders. After that, this team will almost surely be in major rebuild mode. Just take a look at who’ll be retiring in 2022 & beyond AND which players contracts will be up for renewal. Oh & during that time we’ll surely have a new coach & coaching staff, and very possibly a new GM. Fun days ahead, so let’s enjoy the ride now and HOPE for the best.
December 4th, 2020 at 11:23 am
Why is the defense skating on this?
Last 2 games they lost 27-24.
24 points should be enough to win with a competent defense.
December 4th, 2020 at 11:26 am
If it’s the case it is an easy one because if we left Brady go this washed up coach would gladly roll with Blaine gabbert. Don’t trust his draft analysis. If keep Brady because it’s basically do you want to be like the 2019 patriots or the 2020 patriots
December 4th, 2020 at 11:30 am
tmax, you’re being a frontrunner for negativity. You disappeared from March all the way till recently when the Bucs have gone 1-3 over the last four. Are you going to disappear if they win four in a row?
December 4th, 2020 at 11:38 am
Can we look at the schedule? Three of our losses are to New Orleans and KC.
Those are two of the top three teams in the league and in a class by themselves…certainly they outclass us.
We have been incredibly inconsistent. We have a LOT of new pieces left to incorporate and an embarrassment of riches at WR.
Strategically at least…we have done very well. We have ‘survived” the toughest part of our schedule including three games against the two best teams in the league.
Now we get to find out the truth. We should finish on a four game win streak.
If we win three of the four it will be OK…anything less THEN..but could we at least wait till THEN to grade these guys?
This is like getting through your mid terms and a few weeks left in the semester the prof gives you a grade without even giving you the benefit of a final exam.
December 4th, 2020 at 11:48 am
Licht fired the guy who hired him, dirk koetter then was the guy in this coaching search. If the glazers don’t feel Arians is wrong or don’t have another coaches lined up themselves nothing will happen, get rid of Brady we are worse off than before Winston unless they give up the house to get stafford from Detroit I don’t see how we have a competent quarterback next year with Brady gone. The team still has other needs to be drafting a quarterback high
December 4th, 2020 at 11:51 am
I agree with defense rules. For a team that’s been preaching all in for 2020 they sure have a funny way of showing it. I guess a 7-5 record is better than the past, but can you be satisfied being all in and probably finish 10-6 at best. I just have this feeling the Bucs are going all in for maybe one playoff win. BA will retire and leave the team cap strapped and in total rebuild mode like he did the Cardinals. It will be back to the drawing board. Maybe I’m being too pessimistic but I hope they prove me wrong. Go Bucs!
December 4th, 2020 at 11:51 am
I believe Schiano would have been a good HC if given a little more time. But the media pretty much got him packing. As far as changing HC’s I think BA will go back into retirement after his contract expires if not before. When he goes The GM & all his coaches should go with him. Maybe TB should be GM or HC. & Brooks DC. TB should be kept in some capacity unless he goes back to NE. If BA should retire after this season I do believe Josh McDaniels would be a good HC & Patricia DC.
December 4th, 2020 at 11:54 am
Remember BA was hired by Jason Lite to save his own azz..
December 4th, 2020 at 12:05 pm
What media? He got along with local media (except for a couple of radio guys). What did Schiano in was Josh Freeman melting down and just about everyone working at One Buc Palace hated him.
December 4th, 2020 at 12:12 pm
Matt Patricia in again with Brady Ariens out
December 4th, 2020 at 12:26 pm
Seems to me this is just a completely made up story based on speculation. Does anybody really know what’s going on behind the scenes? People talk about the Bucs offense like it’s a complete disaster. They’re still one of the highest scoring teams in the league. They’ve had some hiccups along the way, but to listen to the way commentators talk, you’d think the whole thing is melting down. It isn’t.
December 4th, 2020 at 12:43 pm
Glazers dream staff Josh Mc “HC” and Matt Pat running the “D”. A one of Belicheats sons as GM.
December 4th, 2020 at 1:17 pm
All I want to know is why do we keep having the same issues with multiple coaches?! At this point in the game we really have to look at the owners. I wish the NFL would cut the Glazers a fat check and hand the team over to some owners who want to win #SellTheBucs
December 4th, 2020 at 1:25 pm
Remember when Sapp said: “Give us 17 points and we’ll win.”
So now this defense is saying: “Give us 35 points and we’ll win.”
Again, 24 points should win most games with a decent defense.
December 4th, 2020 at 1:42 pm
This is insane you have a huge talented team I’ve watched Brady gronk Evans Godwin all play Over the years Brady is a leader,team builder he’s a quick release drop off 10-20 yard Quarterback always been your asking him to throw the long ball he’s not good at that never was never claimed to be he is one of the most intelligent players in the game let him run the game with guidance of a real Oc coach this guy has no clue what he has. what I see that the team is missing is a running back, offensive line, and defensive secondary nobody should put up over 200 yards if you have a winning d and a d is what will win games.
December 4th, 2020 at 2:39 pm
Ronde Barber, next Buc G.M.. He could be the next John Lynch. Glazers let Mike Thomlin slip out from under their noses. John Lynch made the most of his opportunity, another one who got away. The real loss was keeping Licht instead of seeing Jon Robinson as the better option. He’s built the Titans into a contender in half the time Licht has. Keeping Arains isn’t going to get the Bucs into the future. Of which we don’t have much of.
December 4th, 2020 at 2:50 pm
You win a Superbowl with a team not just a Quarterback…..let’s look at this as a team receivers A, running backs B, Offensive line C, Tight End B, Quarterback B, No Fullback…..Offensive Line Smith C, Marpet A-, Jensen B, Cappa C, Wirf A-…….So Offensive Line needs to improve a lot, they win some battles loose a lot example game Chicago lost a lot in the Offensive Line…….run the ball more often, Defense: Defensive Line C, Linebackers B, Secondary C, Special Teams C……Defense has been poor, Special Teams poor, no backups in Offensive Line that can replace starters or same with Defensive line…….team needs more talent……no impact….record againts good teams this year is poor, need to contnue to draft best player add more talent to team…..keep Brady, make Josh Rosen the backup Quarterback next year, never been given a chance to develope….draft offensive line, defensive line, secondary, running back, continue to building this team, we are close just not there yet
December 4th, 2020 at 3:20 pm
Brady doesn’t call his own plays. That is ridiculous, he does in the 2 minute offense, but, otherwise he isn’t calling his own plays. He has input, but, its Arians offense. Do you watch football? Have you seen NE under Brady? Arians runs a 1970’s passing offense. It never wins anything. Brady is the only guy besides Gronk that knows his offense. Hiw would he be calling that offense? Your coach likes to blame everybody but himself.
December 4th, 2020 at 3:26 pm
He ain’t playing in New England any longer, boss.
If Arians was lying this bad about Brady, why wouldn’t Brady — or more importantly, his agent — clarify?
December 4th, 2020 at 5:19 pm
Joe Says:
“— or more importantly, his agent — clarify?”
Because most know that calling out or blaming players or coaches is classless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 4th, 2020 at 9:19 pm
TheBucsAnthem So basically do the same thing we did when we hired lovie and promoted the offensive coordinator? You want to fire the offensive guy and hire the d coordinator who’s game plans are just as confusing and Byron leftwich. That’s a great idea lol no seriously!!! It worked out so well before.
December 4th, 2020 at 9:50 pm
This marriage has brought the Glazers everything they could have hoped for through 12games, minus maybe 2 more wins….& it may still bare fruit.
They have craved attention & media drama…They got that in spades.