Bruce Arians Breaks Down Backup Receiver Failures
December 22nd, 2021
Scotty Miller
Scotty Miller, Tyler Johnson and Jaelon Darden were called to step up Sunday night in the absences of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown and Breshad Perriman.
It didn’t happen.
Bucco Bruce Arians already is on record saying Tom Brady had a “solid” game, despite the bagel/donut/goose egg on the Bucs’ side of the scoreboard. So it’s quite clear that Arians was unhappy (again) with the lower tier of his receiving corps.
The head coach tossed out real detail yesterday on the Buccaneers Radio Network show that bears his name.
“They need to play better when they get their opportunity,” Arians began.
“Scotty, I mean, he had a couple of catches but he needs to get off press coverage a little bit quicker, faster. You know, he’s always struggled with big corners who press him and then he can’t use his speed.
‘Tyler played ok, blocking a lot better. He needs to do a better job getting open when Tom needs him. And got covered 1-on-1 too many times in that game. Jaelon Darden. He got targeted, didn’t catch it, but he was open a few times.”
Joe appreciates Arians’ candor here. It is that simple. At least one of those receivers must step up.
It’s unrealistic to think Antonio Brown is going to revert to his full-time superstar form in the playoffs. He’s been a part-timer since he arrived in Tampa and he’s coming off two months of inactivity.
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December 22nd, 2021 at 1:00 pm
Go Bucs. Whatever.
December 22nd, 2021 at 1:09 pm
How about putting at least one of these guys in fast motion to get away from the press? Especially since Darden and Miller are faster than everyone else? Seems like other teams who don’t get shut out at home seem to do stuff like that.
December 22nd, 2021 at 1:11 pm
Just seems like a lazy, complacent team & coaching staff whose happy with 1 ring
December 22nd, 2021 at 1:11 pm
I’ll give it to BA yes those guys need to be better BUT when they’re not getting open and Brady is taking a beating down only by single digits. Start pounding the rock. Offense failed to adjust and that’s on BL and BA. Like you always said when we complained about the DBs Joe,” they’re backups for a reason and can’t be expected to perform like the starters.” Well in this case BL and BA expected them to perform like the starters.
December 22nd, 2021 at 1:32 pm
I’m not sure Tyler Johnson ever lost that weight that was reported he added in the offseason – looked very slow.
He’s got 3 weeks of a ton of work coming his way though, hopefully he can figure it out.
December 22nd, 2021 at 1:33 pm
Justin Watson ??
December 22nd, 2021 at 1:46 pm
IMHO, we need to completely re think our backup receivers, and especially Keshawn Vaughn.
Miller struggles with press coverage, and Darden drops balls.
Only Tyler Johnson shown any promise IMHO, the rest need to be cut.
Kind of excited about LeVeon Bell! He was a very very dominate back, at one time.
I mean, he was a real game changer, and I was very surprised he did not do better when he got traded.
December 22nd, 2021 at 1:47 pm
They’ll all get first team reps the rest of the season. I’m sure they’ll come out fine. They are great young fast recievers
December 22nd, 2021 at 2:09 pm
tyler johnson has to be the new chris godwin…
he’s been touted as a godwin clone…
time for the clone to ball the f out…
scotty needs to wake the f up too before he’s delivering thrasher magazine subscriptions like a 1950s newspaper bicycle delivery boy…
and as i said before, i’m now waiting for darden to moonwalk across the bucs logo at the 50 yard line – and of course stumble and fall at the end
December 22nd, 2021 at 2:10 pm
Eckwood that’s an interesting thoguht. He has the physical tools I think and if there is a time to shoe anything it’s now. He blew it before and you usually don’t get another opportunity like this
December 22nd, 2021 at 2:11 pm
Believe he’s also ivy league so he’s not dumb.. just didn’t look like a football player before.
December 22nd, 2021 at 2:13 pm
actually if tyler johnson does play like, and produce like godwin these final 4 games, he will have auditioned for chris’ job…
and godwin will then be signing elsewhere…
these are big shoes to fill though – godwin can ball
December 22nd, 2021 at 2:27 pm
Not sure how much film BA or Joebuc watched but in looking at the 2nd half here is what stands out:
A- The crossing patterns were what was working
B- The streaks and long patterns with no double moves were not open
C- The one double move was a Gronk Z out and the Saints got called for PI
should have done more like that
4- Scotty M. may have trouble with getting off bumps but why not put him in motion and the crossing routes were working for him, but the Brady lone Pick was a crossing route covered well. 1 of the few times Brady was at fault
5- Pass protection was lousy compared to other games, hence Gronk had 11 targets but 2 catches and not all drops. Just not enough time to develop
6- So where are the Screens, quick slants, Jet Sweeps, plays that counter heavy Dline pressure? Leftwich was not a great playcaller that night
December 22nd, 2021 at 2:28 pm
Brady should have enough targets sunday ; Gronk, AB, Johnson , Miller , Brate Grayson , possibly ME ? , and BP who might clear the sickness check ?
IF we don’t loose any more guys–we should be able to win last 3 ..
BUT slimys have easiest remaining schedule of all wildcard teams which is Big concern for playoffs
December 22nd, 2021 at 2:33 pm
AB is about to blow up. Remember why he’s here to begin with. Tom Brady lent him his home for heaven’s sakes and he loves to target AB.
AB can run any route, is explosive after the catch. He hasn’t had any wear and tear this season…just rehabbing and getting healthy. HE’S READY. He’s going to be hungry. The Bucs are going to NEED him. Brady TRUSTS him.
I do not play fantasy football but I’d mortgage whatever to get AB on my team the rest of the year.
December 22nd, 2021 at 2:38 pm
I agree if the corners are to big and they can’t get free send them in motion. Edleman and Amendola made a living doing that.
December 22nd, 2021 at 4:03 pm
Holy Christmas!!! It’s taken you people this long to realize Miller is a one horse pony and can’t break off a route where he won’t be able to see over the LOS. Now he has a tow. I said trade him before the season starts. It’s hard to keep up with all our FA, but I think he’s still under contract after this year, so he needs to be traded next year.
December 22nd, 2021 at 4:26 pm
Methusaleh12 did not have a solid game. He lost it. 4 sacks and two picks. Did anyone on the OLine get hurt? No. He threw a temper tantrum with breaking an IPad and cussing out a coach. The defense which only allowed 3 field goals should have lynched him. It cost Bucs ME13, CG14 and Fournette who is having a great year. Only good thing is the defense is getting healthy. That will help win these final games. I hope all the JBF posse and fans have a safe and healthy Xmas. Go Mighty Bucs Defense!
December 22nd, 2021 at 4:47 pm
Medicated Pete , i was thinking the same thing
December 22nd, 2021 at 5:00 pm
Ruck up Bucs! Time for a couple of guys to step up to the task. We shall see come Sunday.
December 22nd, 2021 at 5:27 pm
When it was clear Brady was getting rushed and sacked on 3rd downs after the first half, why didn’t Lefkowich have a running back help out with blocking? The Bucs never adjusted in that game against the Saints.
December 22nd, 2021 at 6:01 pm
BA’s offense relies heavily on wr’s winning their one on one matchups, since Godwin and Evans are out, BA should stop being stubborn and implement more mesh concepts and crossing patterns to help out the back ups.
December 22nd, 2021 at 6:56 pm
Miller is tiny- what is the expectation in terms of not getting beaten physically
You drafted him
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:28 pm
I don’t get why the Bucs were using Darden in Scotty’s old role, while trying to use Miller in Godwins role. It’s all screwed up, and it probably all comes down from Leftwich, I’d guess.
You use Johnson in Godwins role, you use Scotty in his old mold, and you use Darden in AB’s mold. If Perriman is available, then he should be in Evans role. Everything was completely disjointed the other night. We know Scotty and Brady have uncanny timing on the deep ball, and that’s where you should be using Scotty. Miller is fast, he’s NOT quick, so don’t throw him screen passes, don’t have him running 2 yard routes over the middle of the field, have him running fly routes where he can build speed, he’s not going to outquick anyone.
Tyler Johnson, last year anyways, showed promise in the slot, yet he seemed to be lined up more outside, at least when I noticed him. He’s not going to get open in that situation, he needs to use his toughness coming across the middle, knowing he’s going to get hit. I think that’s where he adds value.
Darden, meanwhile, he is your only quick WR still standing last week, and should have been used in that role. Unlike Miller, Darden is quick, but is not as fast as advertised. So stop using him as your deep ball guy, instead he should e your screen guy, etc.
Again, I think this all comes down to Leftwich just having no feel for the game and slotting guys wrong. Maybe I’m wrong, but Arians seems to know why each guy failed, so the question is, why put them in that position to fail, who’s fault is that?
December 23rd, 2021 at 12:55 am
A.B coming out party. Idk what practice has bin like but once A.B and T.B get it going that will be a dangerous combo like we’ve seen before and bell will have the next 3 games to get it going into time for the playoffs. It would be nice to have all the weapons back but at least we still have more than most teams. Not to worried about the offense but dam LVD is a big hit on defense and it’s a foot injury. Hope he gets well.
December 24th, 2021 at 7:35 pm
I heard some people use last weeks game vs Saints as some indictment on Brady & some even tried to use the 1 game example as Brady being a “fraud” who has ridden tails of stacked pass-catching core. Some of these people brought up Aaron Rodgers vs Cards without Davante Adams & down a couple of his top pass-catchers. These people actually tried to use that Packers game as example of Rodgers being so much better than Brady & why Brady is a “fraud”.
Did these people watch the 2 games?!! Aaron Rodgers got almost 140 yards on ground from Aaron Jones/AJ Dillon. He also was able to dump ball to Aaron Jones who took simple dump-offs to the tune of 70 odd yards. Also, LaFluer did a good job of scheming up seperation for the pass catchers available to ARod, and Tonyan got loose plenty in that game. And lastly Rodgers was sacked once that game, ONCE! And was rarely pressured. On the flip side. Brady was pressured 19 times I believe. That’s crazy. The Bucs Oline is one of best in NFL. But that is never the case when they play the Saints. The Saints DLine literally manhandles them. I lost count of how many times an OLineman got put on his rear. Wirfs who I love had it happen to him. Cappa was a disaster & was literally pile drived on 2 plays and almost picked up and smashed down. Brady was swarmed almost every drop back. Hell in a 3 step drop he would have guys in face on 2nd step back. Idk what peeps expect. He’s the Goat but he isn’t God & can’t walk on water. He doesn’t need big names to succeed. He’s proven that. But he does need guys to either get open, or make contested catches when he gives a guy a chance. Neither was happening vs Saints. It rarely happens when he has all his guys for some reason. The few times Gronk had a chance to make a catch he dropped it, and rest of guys, weren’t getting open. They just weren’t.
Luckily the Bucs don’t play Saints every week. But there is a chance they see em again.
Bucs fans should still feel good Vs entire playoff field save for the Saints & Rams. Those 2 teams should scare hell outta Bucs fans. The Saints for obv reasons. The Bucs OLine doesn’t seem to show up vs them, and the Saints just get physical with Bucs and Bucs fold for some inexplicable reason. The Rams should scare Bucs fans cuz Bowles completely gets pants’d from McVay & Cupp every time. They have no answer & basically have to score 35+ to win. Doesn’t mean Bucs can’t win. But they will need better coaching & playing to win those matchups. I love the Bucs coaching staff & respect those guys. But Bowles has to find way to neutralize Cupp. Just have to find a way. At least hold him to respectable numbers. And the D will have to pressure Stafford & force some bad throws & at least 1 turnover. Against the Saints, run some more 2 tight end looks & jumbo packages. Keep extra blocker more, Run the ball, create some play-action to the big bodied tight ends. Not saying every play, but more of it to neutralize the Saints pass-rush. On other side of the ball. Help the pass-catchers by scheming up some separation. Run some combo routes, run some crossers, and run some plays that create confusion for opposing DEF. But it’s not just on coaching. The players have to play better. Block better, don’t get driven back 10 yards into lap of QB. Don’t get face planted by guy you’re blocking. Cappa, at least stay on your feet. Pass-catchers need to work harder to get open. Match the physicality of other team. Gronk if they gonna let Jenkins assault you, use your hands to. Don’t push off, but push off. Drive into the DB & then turn it make a cut. And for love of God, catch the ball when it hits your hands or chest!!! If coaches do that & players step up & play better, the Bucs should go on another SB run. As long as DEF is more like the D we’ve seen the last few weeks & not the one we saw for first 10-12 games.