“I Don’t See Myself In The Mirror That Way”
December 31st, 2021
As the seconds tick by on 2021, Joe has to share the latest on the coaching future of Bucco Bruce Arians, the greatest coach in Buccaneers history.
When will the party end? Arians turns 70 next season and he’s a guy who proudly says he earns a “C” grade after his annual physical exams.
As Arians recovers from The Sickness at home today, it’s a good time to look at his comments last week when asked if Tom Brady will outlast him in the game.
“I don’t consider myself old. I mean chronologically, yeah. But I don’t see myself in the mirror that way and [Tom Brady] doesn’t either,” Arians told CBS Sports Radio.
“I’m just going game-to-game, week-to-week, year-to-year. Mine’s all about health,” Arians of his NFL coaching future.
“And right now I feel good other than I screwed up my Achilles. Other than that I feel great. So, yeah, I’m looking forward to every year [with Brady].”
Joe doesn’t believe Arians has any intention of quitting no matter how this season concludes, maybe if Brady retires in February. Maybe.
Previously, Arians has said he would probably leave the game if he lost key assistant coaches. Why? Because he doesn’t want to coach up coaches. Arians has said his staff doesn’t have meetings like other teams do because they all know what to do.
The Bucs have the largest coaching staff in the NFL and Joe isn’t trembling all night about the prospects of losing Byron Leftwich and Todd Bowles to head coaching gigs.
It’s doubtful both would get jobs during this hiring cycle, and Joe suspects the Bucs have other key assistant coaches under contract to keep the train moving at least one more season with Brady and Arians.
Hopefully, the Arians-Brady party keeps rolling another two or three years.
December 31st, 2021 at 2:58 pm
Yess! From your fingers to God’s ears.
December 31st, 2021 at 3:28 pm
The idiot Packers get another break, get to face yet another backup QB… Unbelievable. It will be great if they get bounced in the 2nd round after having such a cupcake schedule.
December 31st, 2021 at 3:32 pm
Pinion on COVD list
December 31st, 2021 at 4:22 pm
I won’t be at all surprised if both Bowles and Leftwich are on the Bucs staff for 2022-23.
December 31st, 2021 at 4:42 pm
I imagine a 70 year old that keeps a portable bar in his trunk doesn’t see himself as a 70 year old.
December 31st, 2021 at 5:07 pm
BA has Gout
December 31st, 2021 at 5:22 pm
Bucs Fans have been losing so long they need to learn how to raise their expectations!
December 31st, 2021 at 5:29 pm
I may be wrong, but I do not see either Leftwich or Bowles going anywhere, and think they will both be back next year.
So, I agree with CobraBoy.
Bowles fell flat on his face up in New York, and Leftwich lacks the experience to be an NFL Head Coach.
Ask yourself this question, would either one have had the success they have had w/o all our talent ?
December 31st, 2021 at 5:32 pm
Rod Munch Says:
December 31st, 2021 at 3:28 pm
The idiot Packers get another break, get to face yet another backup QB… Unbelievable. It will be great if they get bounced in the 2nd round after having such a cupcake schedule.
Rod, Huntley may be an even swap.
December 31st, 2021 at 5:56 pm
70 is the new 50.
December 31st, 2021 at 9:29 pm
I’m sure he’ll be around until Brady is done or if the team needs a big retool. The retool will come once Brady is done or the team has a major fail during a season and doesn’t make the playoffs. Kinda like what happened in Arizona.
December 31st, 2021 at 11:23 pm
@Listn. You have stepped over the line with the coach has goat! Are you a MD? No you are a losoe canon! Stop your troll BS!
December 31st, 2021 at 11:24 pm
Of course that should be gout.
January 1st, 2022 at 12:59 am
I wish Bowles would stay as DC. Not every coordinator should go on to become a head coach. I think he’s better suited as a DC.
And I think someone would be stupid to hire BL right now. He needs more years under his belt as OC
January 1st, 2022 at 7:28 am
GB is overrated like the Patriots, playing all teams with injured key players and still just squeeking by. I guess at least the end of the season the Bucs got lucky playing 2 of the shatiest teams in the league.
January 1st, 2022 at 7:36 am
I hope Licht is in for the long haul, keeping this team a winner and relivant year after year. Franchise history is up and downs, down mostly. Would be nice to have a consistent playoff team EVERY year.
January 1st, 2022 at 8:12 am
He’s not leaving because he’s having fun. He doesn’t have to work hard because of his great staff. The Bucs are winning, and are looking to defend the S.B. winning the division heading to the playoffs. What happens when the train crashes, which it will. When he loses staff, brady hangs it up, all the great vets he has now go down hill the losing starts I’ll tell you what happens. Arians health goes down hill, becaue work, and stress do that to you, and Bruce will retire. He’s making his last lap before the rebuild begins.
January 1st, 2022 at 9:11 am
‘Joe doesn’t believe Arians has any intention of quitting no matter how this season concludes, maybe if Brady retires in February. Maybe.’
Still too early to even speculate what the Bucs’ roster MIGHT look like for 2022, BUT … I just can’t envision BA staying on as head coach IF Tom Brady retires after the playoffs. Next year’s schedule looks to be a LOT harder than this year’s schedule, and IF Tom Brady retires it’d be an even bigger bear to wrestle.
One thing I’ve noticed over these past 2 years especially Joe is that the Glazers have been very quiet, probably because the media’s largely focused on BA & TB12, as well as on our star-laden roster. But the Glazers are the ones who’ve foot the bill for that roster, as well as for ‘the largest coaching staff in the NFL’. They’ve built a premier training site for this team & it all seems to be paying off from a business perspective.
Appears that our Bucs’ management operation has ‘evolved’ just as much as the team has ‘evolved’. Seriously doubt that the Glazers would want to start rebuilding from Ground Zero in any event. Can envision BA moving up to be President of Football Operations, and Todd Bowles moving up to be HC in that situation however . Pure speculation though; too many variables. What the future holds is anyone’s guess at this point.
And BTW Joes, Happy New Year. And kudos on building JBF.com into the most successful blog (or whatever folks choose to call it) in Florida at least and maybe in the U.S. You keep it not just informative, but also thought-provoking and fun. Very impressive.
January 1st, 2022 at 10:19 am
Bruce, I love ya, but if I were you I would t want to see myself in the mirror.
January 1st, 2022 at 12:15 pm
One never knows what tomorrow will bring.
Hope for the best
Prepare for the worst?
Idk, happy new year everyone!
January 4th, 2022 at 12:08 pm
What D.R. just said!
And what Cobra just said!!!!! “70 is the new 50.”
At 74 I can still do almost everything I wish to do. The major difference in my life is WHAT I wish to do. E.G. Since retirement with all the extra time I’ve fallen back in love with exercise. I still love the competition but it’s not against myself and the 74 years. But while I’m still interested in Real Estate I don’t wish to take the time to get involved again. If you are doing what you LOVE you can last a lot longer. I’ve had several loves in my life like broadcasting but I wouldn’t ever wish to do that again. I loved it but do not miss it.
BA is in a far different situation than TB. His timing doesn’t really effect anybody unless his wife fears for his health. TB OTOH is worried about time away from his boys!!! That’s the kind of worry that makes someone retire.