Bruce Arians: Antonio Brown “Working Hard” At Changing
December 22nd, 2021
Antonio Brown
The Bucco Bruce Arians-Antonio Brown relationship is an intriguing one.
Arians wanted no part of the guy 15 months ago, but a football need and Tom Brady convinced him to give Brown a shot in Tampa. And then Brown improved his behavior, played well, won a Super Bowl, and even closed out his State of Florida probation a full year early.
The Bucs re-signed Brown late in 2021 free agency and all was good.
Brown was an energizer at training camp and had an explosive start to this season.
And then came Brown jilting his personal chef and giving the Bucs a phony vaccination card during a time when Arians was preaching the importance of vaccines to every member of his team and staff.
No, getting a jab was not a team rule, but manning up and owning your behavior always was. Especially when it could directly affect teammates. And face it, back in July when Brown was playing with fake V-cards, the medical value of the vaccine was not as clear as it is today (whichever side of the vaccine discussion you fall into).
Today, Arians appeared on Tiki & Tierney on CBS Sports Radio and was asked whether he’s legitimately happy to have Brown back on the team following his three-game suspension that ended Monday.
Arians said he’s definitely happy and went on to explain that his relationship with Brown changed a lot since Brown has been with the club.
Still, Arians described Brown as a work in progress.
“I wasn’t very proud of what he did this time [with the phony vaccine card], but I’ve got a spot in my heart for him now,” Arians said.
Does Brown really seem like a different and better person, Coach?
“I think he’s working at it. He’s still got a ways to go. He’s working hard at it,” Arians said.
At this point, the Bucs just need Brown to work hard for hopefully another seven weeks. After that, it’ll be up to Arians to determine whether he wants to keep Brown on his team, as well as in his heart.
Clean Hit On Chris Godwin, Says Derrick Brooks
Insight & fun from The Identity Tampa Bay and Joe. It’s TAMPA TWO!
Derrick Brooks dives in on the Bucs’ loss to the Saints, one he predicted last week. Sage Ira Kaufman, as always, is alongside Brooks in this episode.
December 22nd, 2021 at 5:51 pm
Ted Bundy worked hard at changing….as did John Wayne Gacy…..but the jury is out on Jeffrey Dahmer.
December 22nd, 2021 at 5:55 pm
Tampa, you’ve got issues, maybe it’s time for you to change arsewipe.
December 22nd, 2021 at 5:56 pm
They featured AB last year on SNF if I remember correctly. I believe he’d gone through some kind of counseling and said he was a better person. Is this version 3.0? 4.0? We’ve heard it before.
My take is he has some serious issues going on from all that I’ve heard over the past years. I welcome him back to the team, hope he plays lights out, and hope he helps get the Bucs to the prize.
And when the time comes, I hope the Bucs are so very done with him. One liability to society up in the ROH in our stadium is enough.
December 22nd, 2021 at 5:56 pm
There’s certain people that I believe genuinely try to do better but simply are terrible decision makers. Brown is one….at 32 yrs old, he’s not evolving a whole lot more. His off the field issues remind me Winston’s on the field decision making. They both mean well but in the heat of the moment they make the wrong choice.
December 22nd, 2021 at 6:01 pm
@Tampabaybucfan Your farts smell like latex!!!
December 22nd, 2021 at 6:08 pm
Bobby M, but Winston made very poor decisions off the field as well as on the field…
I can’t believe AB means well off the field but I believe mean well on the field…and AB actually performs on the field.
December 22nd, 2021 at 6:10 pm
I want a winning football team, not a team of Altar Boys.
December 22nd, 2021 at 6:11 pm
Good on Arians…no wonder his current and past players like him so much. And boy are certain people pissed Brown is still around. Florio, Stroud, Every NFC contender…makes you wonder their motivation…but not really.
December 22nd, 2021 at 6:16 pm
The folks in charge were ok enough with Brown’s past in order to sign him originally and then resign him after he gave them no grief and got to know him. Cutting him for a fake v card would be beyond dumb. This guy when healthy is dynamic with both his play and the energy he brings to the team. I’m glad he’s back.
December 22nd, 2021 at 7:51 pm
I am one of those guys who see AB as a “hired gun”. I don’t expect the tiger to change his stripes totally.
(Look at what Aqib Talib did with his career after he left the Bucs if you care to. He had a terrible family background to overcome as an adult.)
December 22nd, 2021 at 9:09 pm
AB will swing on u in a heartbeat. Could’ve used some of that mentality last game.
December 22nd, 2021 at 9:58 pm
Papers, please.
Ah, everything seems in order. You have learned, you will do what you are told by the state. You are now a citizen is good standing. Long live our great and glorious leader.
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:17 pm
Yeah a lot of shadenfreude against Arians and particularly fans of other teams mad we didn’t let him go. Personally I was hesitant for us to sign him, but I’d you’d told me a year ago a fake passport was the only issue we’d have with him if have probably said sign him up. I can’t help but think maybe Arians feels the same way and when he said one screw up I think he has more sinister things in mind
December 23rd, 2021 at 2:31 am
The only reason people are mad about us keeping AB is because they know he makes us better, and they wanted a shot at signing him for their team. Even the delusional Packers fans that say their team doesnt sign “low character” guys. I guess wife beaters and men who poop in a strangers laundry basket count as high moral guys.
December 23rd, 2021 at 8:55 am
You’re right. AB would have been signed in about 2 seconds.
December 26th, 2021 at 10:22 am
We would be foolish to let him go, he’s amazing! Personally don’t blame him for the fake coof card 😭