Bruce Arians Piles The Pressure On Todd Bowles
August 30th, 2022
Fresh chatter from the best coach in Bucs history.
Man, Joe was stunned that Bucco Bruce Arians would say what he said today on national television.
Arians was an in-studio guest on First Dump with renowned hollerer and top-shelf interviewer Stephen A. Smith.
Of course, that pair was rare must-watch TV on ESPN.
The Bucs were the subject and Smith asked about expectations for the 2022 Bucs — “not hope,” Smith said, but expectations.
“This is probably the best roster we’ve had since I’ve been there,” Arians said. Then Smith followed up and pressed Arians about this being the best group of players he’s seen in Tampa. “Oh, yeah,” Arians replied.
This all made Joe take pause. Arians just told the world Todd Bowles took over a team with more talent than the group that just completed a 22-5 run, including a Super Bowl.
Joe’s all for high expectations and candid chatter, but give your good buddy a break, Bruce. Bowles has enough pressure without you throwing gas on the fire.
Just nudged past 2.2 million pages viewed for August 2022 @JoeBucsFan. Joe thanks you for your patronage!
— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) August 30, 2022
August 30th, 2022 at 4:23 pm
Arians has always been a straight shooter and calls it the way he sees it. Also, I agree that this is a more talented roster…
August 30th, 2022 at 4:24 pm
A lot goes into winning a Super Bowl. Luck and injuries have as much to do with it as talent and good coaching. Had Godwin and Wirfs played in the Rams game, who knows what would have happened. Bowles was handed a very talented team. Let us hope he has some luck as well.
August 30th, 2022 at 4:25 pm
IF the BUcs season nose dive, a great portion of the blame will be on Bowles….
Many will be at the ready to say: ‘I told you so”!
August 30th, 2022 at 4:25 pm
Other than OL and TE to a lesser degree, I would agree.
August 30th, 2022 at 4:25 pm
Bowles is a strong man. And Arians is a straight shooter. No problem in saying this is the best talent we have had in years. I don’t think it is any more or less pressure. Of course, injuries and such have their way. So there are no guarantees.
August 30th, 2022 at 4:26 pm
Tells me he really does have a ton of confidence in Bowles. He knows what he’s capable of and obviously doesn’t feel he’s putting any more pressure on the man than is already there. I mean, seriously, if you can’t get far into the playoffs with this roster, you shouldn’t be a head coach.
August 30th, 2022 at 4:26 pm
Actually, I think Todd Bowles would agree……ask him when you get a chance….
And, for what it’s worth, I agree….
This was a fantastic draft class….we lost Gronk, Cappa, OJ, Rojo & Whitehead, McLendon
But we picked up Hall, White, Otten, Kief, Mason, Hicks, Ryan, Neal, Goedeke
All of our young players are more experienced and most have rings.
And….don’t forget our new Punter!!!
August 30th, 2022 at 4:27 pm
We need that IOL to come through. I haven’t checked to see who’s dangling in the breeze yet.
August 30th, 2022 at 4:28 pm
BA is full of it. We had a top 5 OL last year. Thats not the case this year. Sure we added Julio, but we also lost AB and Gronk. BA needs media attention. He can’t help himself. He was all over TV this morning.
August 30th, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Yea BA sure set the bar high for Bowles lol
August 30th, 2022 at 4:29 pm
They’re not wrong. Technically the injured OL guys are on the roster so there’s that. Left guard is the big question. The other question is can JTS step up and be equal or better than what JPP was 2 years ago
August 30th, 2022 at 4:30 pm
Orlando, you forgot AB! He just keeps flapping and flapping away. Does he realize the Bucs have a skeleton offensive line and the secondary hasn’t proved squat yet? Let’s not forget to me too the ST’s. Idiot!!! Put the cow out to pasture, they’d have 3 SB’s if he weren’t last seasons HC.
August 30th, 2022 at 4:31 pm
mention, darn autofill
August 30th, 2022 at 4:36 pm
I agree too. Defense looks to be stronger at DL, LB and Secondary. Offensive is weaker at OL and TE, but better at RB and WR.
August 30th, 2022 at 4:42 pm
But List… if we had Jameis, we would have no SB’s.
August 30th, 2022 at 4:45 pm
I forgot to mention that we have a rested/more experienced Brady….(sarcasm)
Our WR corps is better…..we have added Julio & Gage & lost Grayson & Johnson
I really think White will perform better than Rojo…
Mason & Cappa re a wash.
Logan & Neal for Whitehead
And then, again….there’s our new Punter!!!
August 30th, 2022 at 4:46 pm
And according to Listnfrmafar……our roster is better because BA isn’t coaching it.
August 30th, 2022 at 4:48 pm
I think we are better. The most important position on the team is punter!
August 30th, 2022 at 4:49 pm
But we aren’t ever going to punt? #wastedrosterspot
August 30th, 2022 at 4:50 pm
Not with this O line.
August 30th, 2022 at 4:51 pm
Too many cooks haunting the kitchen.
Potential is one thing, but lets wait to see the product in action on the field. We don’t have to wait long now – Go Bucs!
August 30th, 2022 at 4:54 pm
He’s still a big part of the organization, it’s on him too.
August 30th, 2022 at 4:56 pm
Why listen to anything BA says? It’s all hype and vapor. They will all say that this is the greatest team in NFL history (aka “propaganda”). Press them further, and then it would be the “we like our guys, they’re working hard, they’re learning” line (aka JAGs, rookies, practice squad).
Bottom line, nothing is ever wrong. Ever.
August 30th, 2022 at 4:57 pm
Fix the O Line.
August 30th, 2022 at 5:03 pm
Bruce shouldn’t be lurking around looking over Bowles’ shoulder.
August 30th, 2022 at 5:04 pm
I’m glad fans are just ignoring our issues on the OL. The skill positions mean nothing if Tom is on his back, but sure keep believing the propaganda from the team about Hainsey and Goedeke. Don’t believe your own eyes.
August 30th, 2022 at 5:04 pm
Good thing we didn’t draft the “Punt God”…..
August 30th, 2022 at 5:09 pm
We need offensive line help. Going to be like Custers last stand
August 30th, 2022 at 5:09 pm
I don’t think he was heaping on pressure, just answering a question. Even if you have the best team ever, this game has a way of making teams equal with certain injuries. The Pats team was undefeated and ended up losing to far worse football team. Any given Sunday…. That’s why teams can go from worse to first in an offseason. The Bengals are last years team. The Bucs the year before.
August 30th, 2022 at 5:10 pm
I think this is a better roster.
If we would have had Hall, Goedeke, White, Otton and Kieft last year it might have made a difference.
Cant understate how important Logan Ryan will be with Neal and Hicks will be an immediate upgrade.
Suh will sign somewhere and maybe it’s back with us.
Just not a lot left in the tank and the Rams knew it.
He helped us win a SB and I am thankful.
This is a better team. Period.
No pressure whatsoever lol
August 30th, 2022 at 5:17 pm
We had a loaded roster to start last year, didn’t look very similar to the group on the field who lost to the Rams
August 30th, 2022 at 5:24 pm
Jon Gruden in press conference today:
“I’m ashamed what has come about in these e-mails and I’ll make no excuses. It’s shameful.”
August 30th, 2022 at 5:24 pm
BA always said he welcomed high expectations. Bowles, I assume, is of the same mind. And he’s not wrong about this roster, although the O-line losses have caused some havoc there.
August 30th, 2022 at 5:26 pm
I like Todd Bowles, and I am all for him being our coach. However, if I had to choose between him and Arians, I would take Arians.
That being said, we have a few guys who frequent the local Sports Bar who are from New York.
They literally despise Todd Bowles. These are ex NY Jets Fans, and call him “Toilet Bowles”
They are literally waiting for him to fail, so they can say “I Told You So”.
These idiots claim to be Buc Fans now, but how can you be a Bucs Fan, and wish bad things for our Head Coach ?
August 30th, 2022 at 5:28 pm
Joe was stunned that BA was telling the truth ? What is he supposed say….they stink ? They are ranked as one of the top rosters by national media.
When you have the GOAT at QB your expectations are high no matter what the roster looks like, Todd knew that when he took the job.
I bet you every buc fan has high expectations for this team……including the Joes.
August 30th, 2022 at 5:35 pm
He might be challenging the team a little bit. That’s something he’s been known to do.
August 30th, 2022 at 5:49 pm
Bruce was cranky and had gas pains during the interview.
August 30th, 2022 at 5:51 pm
Has the makings for an interesting debate at least. We lost a number of battle-hardened vets who were at or approaching the peak of their careers: Marpet, Cappa, Whitehead among others. We also lost some very competent vets who according to many were on the downside of their careers: Suh, McLendon, Gronk, AB, Minter. And oh ya a few others like OJ & RoJo (nuff said there).
But we’ve picked up some excellent vets in Hicks, Julio, Gage, Mason with great credentials, as well as Neal & Ryan (hopefully Logan makes it back here) to replace some of those we lost. We drafted well IMO & hopefully those guys will shine. Unfortunately we’ve already lost a couple of starters to injury, but hopefully their replacements will play well. And of course we’ve still got Tom Brady, and hopefully we can protect him so that he continues playing at an incredibly high level despite his 45 years.
Wow, just noticed how many times I used the word HOPEFULLY in describing this current team. But then again, that’s what Super Bowl dreams hinge on for all 32 teams I’d expect: HOPE.
August 30th, 2022 at 5:59 pm
@Steele There’s North Korea style propaganda coming from the team, and fans are eating it up. Use your eyes! Goedeke and Hainsey have been getting man handled in games, and the joint practices with the Titans and Dolphins were embarrassing. I can’t believe this team is putting this make shift line in front of Tom. Is it gonna take a national TV sideline meltdown from Tom to make moves? You better believe if that line gets too leaky Tom will dirt that ball every time, and go back to the sidelines and complain to Leftwich.
August 30th, 2022 at 6:03 pm
And Bruce was supposed to say…?
August 30th, 2022 at 6:10 pm
Yah …hainsey (before injured) …leverett and goedeke did not have great games against the colts
And there are no diamonds in the rough so far that i can see with cuts. Again , not to rip into hainsey cause i think he will be decent player. I think goedeke later on down the road will be fine.
But those 2 next to each other will be a huge jailbreak for part of the year. Maybe longer. I cant believe bucs brass has not made a move on the interior.
August 30th, 2022 at 6:13 pm
Joe, why dont you post here the 53 left in the roster? so we don’t have to go in other websites to get the news. Joe posted the roster when it was official and Joe’s list was up before the team website had it. No need to say a guy is unemployed when he isn’t just to satisfy a race to be first. Joe’s not in that race. –Joe
August 30th, 2022 at 6:13 pm
Dirk Koetter would have just said we’ll take it one game at a time, our team will give 110% effort every week, we can’t afford to look past this (insert this weeks opponent here), we’ll leave everything on the field, we have to play 60 minutes, we have to stay healthy, we have to stay focused, we have to stay hydrated…
August 30th, 2022 at 6:16 pm
Chris Tucker@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:
August 30th, 2022 at 5:26 pm
NY fans, not necessarily known for patience… and everything one seems to acknowledge the front office with NYJ was atrocious, and they didn’t have a QB. Still, they went 10-6 in his first season. So, don’t really care what NY fans think of him.
August 30th, 2022 at 6:17 pm
Ricky,
Where are you tracking the cuts?
I don’t see them on NFL.com.
It seems like every year this happens during cuts and free agency. We’re always behind everyone else.
🤷♂️
August 30th, 2022 at 6:20 pm
Wow, I am stunned they’re keeping Darden around, he has shown absolutely nothing and was clearly outplayed Thompkins. To be clear, I didn’t think they’d keep Tompkins on the active roster, he’ll certainly be on the practice squad, but Darden? The guy looks like he’s running in quicksand, as someone said the other night in the game thread, tackling Darden is like tackling someone in a phone booth, he has no moves. That’s shocking.
I’ll hold off a total condemnation until we see additional moves, but keeping 7 WRs to hold onto Darden is baffling. I can’t imagine anyone that has watched his tape was going to pick him up, and he’d have made it easily to the practice squad, but would you even want him there? He’s had plenty of chances to do something and just doesn’t show any real promise.
I hope Licht knows what he’s doing here, because it just looks like he’s protecting his draft record.
August 30th, 2022 at 6:20 pm
Yeah Munch…… and JayMiss would still be saying that at the end of the day, he just needs to play better and make less mistakes, but he’s truly blessed by god to be here.
🥱
August 30th, 2022 at 6:21 pm
I have clicked on this site like 113 times today looking for updates.
Stressful
You had me worked the heck up with the Logan Ryan cut story.
Isn’t the final 53 decided now?
When will we know about practice squad additions?
August 30th, 2022 at 6:23 pm
Yeah I would have rather had both TJ and Thompkins over Darden… Have seen nothing from Darden…does feel like holding onto a guy due to draft status
August 30th, 2022 at 6:26 pm
BAs comments are right in line for his reasoning for handing the team off the TB this season.
Gezzzz, Mountains out of Mole Hills. You people are starved of critical thinking skills.
The Joes are really starting to ride this “Drama Sells” mantra as well.
August 30th, 2022 at 6:27 pm
Well, I see the Cardinals and Patriots still haven’t shown all they’re cuts, so it’s got to be a Licht thing given his experience with those 2 teams.
To what advantage… I have no idea?
August 30th, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Bruce will always tell the truth. The point being Todd is holding the team together through the Brady ERA. Once this season plays out you will see Bruce have more influence going forward . Its called REBUILDING WITHIN .
August 30th, 2022 at 6:31 pm
DoooshLaRue – He still might be saying that, I haven’t checked. Although when I checked the Saints/Chargers highlight from this weekend, Winston looked like he lost weight again, almost looked small. Not sure if it was the black jerseys, or just a strange sideline angle, but it didn’t even look like Jameis.
August 30th, 2022 at 6:42 pm
Bowles is despised in NY because he sucked as a HC and would probably do the same here if not for his QB. The verdict is out, one might say the same of Belichick. At least he made the playoffs with a rookie QB unlike BA with a 1st round QB that can throw for 5000 yds. The upgrades are in the secondary that’s it. Downgrade TE, Oline, D front 7, ST’s & WR. I would take Evan’s, Gronk, Godwin, AB over Jones & Brate, sorry it’s the facts.
August 30th, 2022 at 6:45 pm
Arians=Baghdad Bob
August 30th, 2022 at 7:32 pm
BA had a HUGE say in how this roster was put together, of course he is proud of it. He is likely paying lip service to the franchise he is a part of. Considering he is very active and enthusiastic as a consultant, I still wonder if he is this way because he is ready to slide in if there is an open OC spot on the team later in the season, or even a HC spot if Bowles takes too much heat. How many coaches has this franchise had that one can consider successful? Not ready to give Bowles the free pass, but damn, he’s not Schiano or Lovie, has more talent than Raheem had, and can likely hold his own with what Koetter did. This defense was also historically poor before Bowles came along btw.
August 30th, 2022 at 7:33 pm
Without Tom they wouldn’t even be considered a contender. We all know this. So I’m thinking that we better protect him. Ryan Jensen was a huge loss for the team and especially Tom. My biggest hope is that Tom stays healthy..and that the drama queens in the talking head business give him his privacy. As far as Todd B. goes, think he’ll do OK. I really have no idea tho. Byron and Tom will be running the offense. Doubt it Todd will over rule them on much if anything. Let’s go Tommy! Ring #8!
August 30th, 2022 at 7:59 pm
He told the truth as he sees it. I do respect Joe, that saying that might not serve the best interests of Coach Bowles if things go wrong and excuses are needed. Arians has had a major hand in assembleing this staff and players and should be proud of this group!
August 30th, 2022 at 8:10 pm
@joe this is a daily read. Great content and highly informative. This here site gets us through the long offseason. 2.2 million pages is a testament to the quality you put out. Keep the info coming and keep being authentic for US True BUCS fans. For the posers, please find another site to troll. Go BUCS. 12 more days. LFG!!!!!
August 30th, 2022 at 8:16 pm
And not true. This roster can’t compare to the SB team in the trenches, on either side of the ball. I heard Rhonda say to Licht during the Colts game that ‘there are no holes’ ion the roster. Just about choked. Lot of BS out there. With TB and our weapons e should be a playoff team. Saying anything more at this point is stupid and/or hype. Still not going to say we’ll win the division over the Saints.
August 31st, 2022 at 7:01 am
Bowles have a lot of pressure because he’s a black head coach that’s why he has a lot of pressure. Lol 🤣🤣 just tell the truth yall already know that’s why he has a lot of pressure and BA knows it as well. Joe you even know it so why don’t you just say it you don’t have to hide it because of the people on this site doesn’t like the truth. Lol 🤣🤣
August 31st, 2022 at 10:47 am
BA is right about this roster. It couldn’t even be much better
August 31st, 2022 at 1:33 pm
BA is dead wrong about this roster. On paper when you look at the roster maybe he has a point, but when you dig deeper and see the injured guys out, a rehabbing Godwin who may not be the same this year at all, Julio may not hold up, the running game still questionable…. Only definitive upgrade I see is defensively… Y’all overate this roster as it is right now.