How Much Influence Will Bruce Arians Have?
July 25th, 2022
“C’mon Tom, you know you want to keep playing next year.”
Over at the four-letter, they are trying to take a peek into the near future for NFL teams. And in the next three years, the sophists over there think the Bucs could be a top-10 team in the NFL, with Tom Brady for sure and perhaps without Tom Brady.
But who will succeed Brady (provided he doesn’t return next year) will have a profound effect on the Bucs.
Jeremy Fowler of BSPN believes Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has built a sufficient roster that will be very attractive to a free agent quarterback or one who wants to force himself out of bad situation (think Matty Ice or Russell Wilson).
Former NFL suit and current BSPN talking head Louis Riddick noted that finding Brady’s replacement will be an intense decision by the Bucs.
Biggest worry: All eyes are on the status of Brady from one season to the next. There is no way to quantify the effect his retirement will have on the entire organization, and when you add on the uncertainty, albeit minimal, surrounding Todd Bowles taking over for Bruce Arians as coach, the future will be a mix of excitement and challenges for the Buccaneers at the two most important positions in any professional football organization.
Now here is where Joe thinks former Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians comes into play. Arians, deservedly so, has the ear of both Licht and Team Glazer. Now we know that the (public) reasoning for Arians stepping away is that he wanted to set Todd Bowles up with a solid team and equally if not more important, set Bowles up with a good quarterback.
So let’s say Brady hangs it up after the 2022 season. Does Arians want to see his right-hand man and close friend Bowles try to win games with unproven Kyle Trask or a career misfit like Blaine Gabbert? It’s not like Bowles ever developed a young quarterback when he coached the Jets. He had two high draft picks (Christian Hackenberg and Sam Darnold) at quarterback to work with. How did that turn out?
Also remember Bowles will likely have a new offensive coordinator next year. Just what top-shelf candidate wants to hang his career trajectory on unproven Trask or career flop Gabbert? This is not a knock on Trask at all but Joe believes we can all agree none of us want to see Trask start a game this year (that would mean something is wrong with Brady, heaven forbid).
So what Joe wonders is, how much will Arians be in the ear of Licht and Team Glazer, how much would he be wearing out their phones with text messages and pounding the table in meetings demanding that the Bucs bring in a proven, veteran, winning quarterback to prevent Bowles’ stock from plunging after Brady retires?
Or could Bowles and/or Arians coax Brady into returning?
July 25th, 2022 at 5:52 am
Bowles is the COACH ….Arians will pound the table when Bowles tell him to pound the table!
July 25th, 2022 at 5:55 am
Keep building a Lamborghini to tempt a great driver to join.
July 25th, 2022 at 7:00 am
Trask surprised everyone in high school, and had great success in college against SEC competition. The Bucs will still have a great OL and great weapons after Brady is gone. Brady can’t take the coaching staff with him when he leaves. Other teams around the league have had great success with young QBs. Karen Rogers sat behind Bret Favre for a few years and did fairly well. Dump Gabbert and roll with Trask. I want a Buccaneer QB that is ours alone. No more hired guns at the QB position. I’ve watched all of them from 1976 on. We finally have a complete team with really great players at every level on both sides of the ball. I don’t have many years left. Just once I would like to the Bucs win a SB with a QB raised in our own system. No * that we did it with a Patriot or Viking QB running the show. Roll the dice with Trask.
July 25th, 2022 at 7:12 am
First off the development of trask has already become. If he starts next year he’ll be going into his 3rd year. Not like being a total rookie. Second thing would be, do they go outside the organization for a new O.C.? Arains believes in succession, Bowles probably does too. So maybe they’re better off keeping the same offense, and promote from within. Doing it that way the whole team doesn’t have to learn a new offense including the young QB Trask who like I said will be going on year three with said offense. Remember to Joe, there are only a few good QBs like Wilson that ever move on from the team they’re with. Teams rarely give them away. The Bucs might do it that way instead of new QB, new offense where eveyone starts from scratch. That makes more sense to me.
July 25th, 2022 at 7:20 am
I have a lingering suspicion they see a fundamental problem with Trask that can’t be overcome
July 25th, 2022 at 7:47 am
About as much as any retired person has …
He has been given the curtesy of hanging around, he will probably sit in on coaches meeting and free to speak his mind just like any coach in the meeting, the final decision will come from the head coach and coordinators .
His full time life away from football is nigh …
July 25th, 2022 at 7:53 am
What is the first thing that pops in to your head when the “without Brady” question is asked? That’s your answer.
July 25th, 2022 at 7:56 am
Joe believes we can all agree none of us want to see Trask start a game this year (that would mean something is wrong with Brady, heaven forbid).
I’d accept a Trask start this season if it meant the Bucs were something like 15-1 in week 18 and had the first-round bye locked up.
July 25th, 2022 at 8:03 am
@Sparky. I get your a passion for Trask. Maybe you’re a FL alum. That has to be the only reason you’re comparing Aaron Rodgers sitting to a Trask projection of attaining some sort of success. The situation is completely different. It was from an era where it was common for a top draft pick to sit. More importantly, we are talking about Aaron freakin’ Rodgers! He’s one of the greatest QBs of all time. Aaron has more talent than Trask could ever dream of! Trask didn’t even play a single game last year! Do you think Aaron Rodgers would be stuck behind Gabbert or Griffin?! No way because he’s far too talented. Trask Truthers need to take off their homer blinders. If Trask played for say Nebraska, no way he would be getting this much hype. And I don’t think Brady’s intangibles will somehow rub off Trask. Trask might be good, but he has a very low ceiling. I beg of you Trask stans to stop comparing his situation to a generational talent of Rodgers. It’s getting ridiculous. And don’t compare his situation to Mahomes and Alex Smith. Once again, Mahomes is far more talented than Trask.
July 25th, 2022 at 8:20 am
Brady didn’t come out of retirement to sit on the bench and watch a rookie play. While as a Patriot he rarely left the field. Secondly if I were a true Bucs fan I would cringe if BA’s became the influencer of the Bucs future. What dies that say about Bowles credibility? Face the facts folks, once Brady leaves the allure of playing with the best is over the FA’s are going to chase the golden ring $$$$.
July 25th, 2022 at 8:21 am
I like Matt Ryan, but this Joe speaks of him as if he’s Montana. I remember when Brady retired and everyone raved about how any QB would want to play here because of our talented roster. Yes, we have a talented roster, but that’s not always the deciding factor for a potential QB free agent. Watson had no plans to play here no matter what he said. It was always about money, not the talent on the roster. Wilson also will not force his way out of Denver. He also wants to be paid and has shown time and time again he will request the most he can get, salary cap issues be damned. Also, no way the Broncos let him go. The Waltons need their franchise QB and they’re not taking their chance in the draft.
July 25th, 2022 at 8:29 am
Brady will go put on his shield, ‘tis the way of warrior’s
He will not want to come even though it would be best for he and the franchise.
Mop up time allowing Trask game experience will clash with Brady’s stat padding rewarding his offensive weapons with stats of their own.
We’ll see plenty of Trask in preseason and that is not much of a gauge .
We can only hope Trask’s history of not ready for prime time until after a few years of backup repeats itself
July 25th, 2022 at 8:35 am
True, when Brady retires, we certainly won’t get the Best Players in free agency, at least not right away.
The futures is still really bright for this team.
Defense is good for years after this last draft, and I have a good feeling about future drafts with this staff and Arians still in the office.
Three great receivers locked up for 3 years.
Good OL
I’m excited about the next chapter, but not anywhere close to worried YET.
Gonna enjoy the heck out of this season though 1st.
July 25th, 2022 at 8:51 am
I can’t see how this team would be able to sign a $35+million dollar per year free agent QB after this season.
Trask should be Arians pet project the entire season this year. He shouldn’t leave his side.
July 25th, 2022 at 9:07 am
If TB12 hangs it up for good after this season, I think your thoughts are correct JOE, this is a team that would be very attractive to a top QB wanting to chase a title for a couple of seasons.
It will be a huge decision for sure, but Im confident in our FO
July 25th, 2022 at 9:14 am
It’s difficult to just relax and enjoy this season when next year is constantly the subject.
July 25th, 2022 at 9:14 am
The Trask love is hilarious.
July 25th, 2022 at 9:16 am
The only influence Arians had on Bowles was developed before the coaching change.
The only future influence from Arians is when Bowles asks for it.
July 25th, 2022 at 9:20 am
Agree with @sparky and @hodad….
Folks act like trask was drafted in the 1st round lol….
Trask has always had talent and ability…in high school he sat behind a 5* Qb deriq king….kid worked his tail off and got a scholarship to UF…he was better than FF as a freshman but injures held him back…while on the bench with mcelwain and Mullen he studied the play book…once he got his chance he produced….
Same situation here….he’s sitting behind the GOAT, learning the playbook…when he gets his chance he’ll produce…
Y’all JW fan boys need to jump off a cliff lol….
GO BUCS
July 25th, 2022 at 9:30 am
I think BA would have a hand in scouting college QBs and perhaps hand picking a potential 2023 draftee to come in and directly competing with Kyle Trask. In that scenario I’d be in favor of bringing Gabbert back if he’s still active, but were Gabbert to retire seeing him join our offensive staff wouldn’t shock me especially if Leftwich is hired away(which I hope doesn’t happen for at least the next 2 seasons). Give me Trask vs Will Levis or even Hendon Hooker for a camp battle next season.
July 25th, 2022 at 9:31 am
That would be nice. 🙂
Man, talk about overhyped. D’Eric King was just OK in college. But man, folks acted like he was Michael Vick.
July 25th, 2022 at 9:38 am
Best way to sustain the winning when Brady is gone… hire Sean Payton as HC.
July 25th, 2022 at 9:49 am
BF13 & goatsh!t-hurler, I just love how you guys operate in such righteous absolutes when you have absolutely no body of evidence, inside knowledge, or even eyes on Trask’s NFL abilities. I find it ironic that you hold Bruce in such high regard, yet think his 2nd rd QB pick is a bust before you’ve even seen him play. Look, I agree the pick was an ugly baby at the time, but what do I know…and ugly babies can grow to be beauties
July 25th, 2022 at 9:58 am
Would it be fair to assume Thad Lewis has an inside track to be our next OC if Leftwich retires? I vaguely recall reading (an articles from JBF?) about how he was either a good coach, just waiting for an opportunity or if he was being groomed by Arians? I tried finding the specific article, but had no luck!
July 25th, 2022 at 10:25 am
Joe, can you honestly say “nobody” would want Trask starting a game this year? What about his family? What If Trask were to take that major leap this year like Mahomes or Allen and becomes a top tier quarterback? Impractical yes but not like it doesn’t happen. Besides this could be the year father time catches up with Brady and at age 45 I wouldn’t call that having something wrong with him…
July 25th, 2022 at 10:51 am
OK, three people who have been Bucs fans for a grand total of 15 months only because an immediate family member was drafted by the Bucs and who wear No. 2 jerseys to games want to see Trask start over Brady. Feel better?
(Joe is also guessing Blaine Gabbert has a family too. Why then are you dissing Gabbert?)
July 25th, 2022 at 10:54 am
@Chibuc. I do not hold BA in high regard. I’ve never been high on him. I’m just not drinking the Kool aid on Trask. Trask couldn’t even beat out Gabbert. If that’s not a red flag I don’t know what to tell ya. He’s the only QB in his draft class that hasn’t taken a snap in a regular season game! Stop listing the so-called accolades he had in college and HS. None of that matters now, and he’s not the first scrappy QB ever. I prefer my QBs to be Alphas. I don’t see that with Trask.
July 25th, 2022 at 11:10 am
So trask as a rookie 2nd round pick was supposed to beat out a former 1st round veteran that was has been studying the same playbook for years?…lol…
What difference did it make if he was #2 or #3… either would’ve saw the field playing behind Brady…
D.king broke all of k.Murray’s records in the state of Texas…doubt he was overhyped…
Take off those FSU glasses joe lol
GO BUCS
July 25th, 2022 at 11:37 am
What did King do in college? OK at Houston, meh at Miami.
Murray won the Heisman, No. 1 overall pick and just got paid in the NFL. King is an undrafted free agent.
Yeah he was overhyped.
July 25th, 2022 at 12:45 pm
@813, Joe got you pretty good. He seems to have his panties in a bunch today, no tolerance for moronic posts.
July 25th, 2022 at 12:46 pm
Anonymous, let’s start Trask against the Rams, you’ll get your one and done.
July 25th, 2022 at 1:31 pm
Joe
you really thought trask, a 2nd round pick was supposed to come in and beat out Blaine?…a former 1st round pick that is a veteran and in BAs system for years….
C’mon man lol
GO BUCS
July 25th, 2022 at 1:42 pm
In his new job, Arians job #1 should be scouting QBs in next year’s draft. That is, unless they’re totally sold on Trask. I don’t think they are quite yet. BA should be looking at film for large schools down to tiny schools, looking for sleeper QBs, since we won’t be drafting high. Finding any prospects from round 1 through round 7. Sometimes it’s not just the player, it’s where he lands. And Dak Prescott was a 4th rounder… and obviously Brady was a 6th.
BA, please find us our FQBOF!
July 25th, 2022 at 3:33 pm
I think BA still has a lot of input because he is still on the team and has the most experience as a HC of anyone else. Also, I am one of the people who would not mind seeing Trask start in a game. At least then I could see him play once in the NFL.
July 25th, 2022 at 4:14 pm
Keep in mind Trask does not have to be the GOAT. If he can throw short to medium in less than 3 seconds that’s most of Brady’s game. With the receivers the Bucs have now and if the run game is strong Trask or any decent qb with a decent arm could get to the playoffs. They do need to give Task preseason time with the starters. We know that Gabbert will never be the answer. Now is the time to see what potential has or does not have. There is no guarantee that Brady will last the full season. Who will fill in if needed? Better use Trask as much as possible with the first team in preseason..
July 25th, 2022 at 4:19 pm
ChiBuc — I watched every game he starter at Florida. Excellent collefge QB like Danny Wuerfful was. He’ll be lucky to be as good as Danny in the NFL. Why? If you ever watched him play instead of his stat line you’d know that he was bauked out by Toney ad Pitts, in similar fashion to what NE13 did for Manziel. Trask stares down his receivers, has the pocket presence of Mike Glennon, and is slow to develop even when the competition is weak. (Unless you think HS and college ball is more competitive than the NFL.)
Now if you want to keep on your blind love for the dude, go ahead.
Two additional indirect points —
1. Gator QBs never amount to anything in the NFL.
2. Bucs have never drafted a QB to make it to his second contract.
Yeah. Trask is Brady’s replacement! ROTFLMAO
July 25th, 2022 at 5:29 pm
BF13/goat. I get it. I feel that pick was a reach. 5th round at best, but why puff up like you know more than any regular “joe.”
No love here, actually hate the gators, so you be barking up the wrong tree. My point is not a Trask crush, rather that…you don’t know diddly, so you might as well stop crushing hope.
July 25th, 2022 at 7:35 pm
At goaty: we all have low expectations for Trask. Funny thing is NE had low expectations for Brady. He came out of college with an average arm and mediocre foot speed. Trask was about all that was left at qb when they drafted him. Not a college super star but not an expensive risk either. Nothing to lose in giving some real exposure in preseason. Can he be a late bloomer like Brady? Who knows for sure? Only way to find out is to throw him into the preseason fire. And not in the 4th quarter scrubs. Brady comes out after one or two series, Trask should go in. We know exactly what Gabbert can do and he has no real future. Nuff said. We have Brady and nobody else unless Trask has decent potential. Time to find out.
July 25th, 2022 at 8:14 pm
Good post WILDBILL, and I agree.
July 25th, 2022 at 9:19 pm
Speaking of Kyle Trask, some of the guys at the Sports Bar say the problem with him is his Poor Velocity on the Football!
In College you can get away with poor velocity, but not in the NFL.
Plus, in the NFL, sometimes you literally have to throw a receiver open. Hard to do with poor ball velocity.
The guys at the Sports Bar say the Bucs are working with Trask to improve his ball velocity.
July 25th, 2022 at 10:15 pm
Hopefully none
July 25th, 2022 at 11:11 pm
Wild Bill – of course, preseason is Trask time. Like it was for Rudy Carpenter and then Griff. Thank god neither have ever started a game for the Bucs.
Both of them in their preseason days looked better than Trask did last year.
It would be great to see him suddenly learn how to quickly go through progressions and also shake his case of crapping his pants in the pocket. But don’t ask me. Ask his quarterback coach. Clyde thinks he sucks too.
July 26th, 2022 at 4:35 am
Chris Tucker@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:
July 25th, 2022 at 9:19 pm
Uh yeah, that’s super old news. Clyde has talked about this in interviews since back before Brady “un-retired.”