Ben Roethlisberger: It’s “Not Always Rainbows And Butterflies” Between Tom Brady And Byron Leftwich
October 15th, 2022
“Byron, what are you seeing?”
This got Joe’s attention but it’s certainly no surprise.
The Bucs heading to play Pittsburgh tomorrow is sort of a homecoming for offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, who was Ben Roethlisberger’s backup QB there for several years.
That’s where Leftwich played for Bucco Bruce Arians and showed Arians and others that he had what it takes to be a successful coach.
The Post-Gazette newspaper in Pittsburgh ran a feature on Leftwich this week and quoted Arians and Roethlisberger. Joe knows Leftwich and Roethlisberger have been golfing buddies and are good friends, so it was intriguing to hear the future Hall of Fame QB acknowledge that it’s not always a smooth ride for Leftwich and Tom Brady.
“He walks that line of knowing when to be a buddy but still have to work with him,” Roethlisberger said. “He’s younger than Tom, and Tom respects him enough to want to be there with him. It’s not always rainbows and butterflies between the two, but I think they have the respect of each other. If Tom is going to respect you, you have to have earned his respect.”
Joe assumes Roethlisberger heard directly from Leftwich that the QB-OC relationship is sometimes challenging. That’s totally normal, but something Joe never hears coming out of One Buc Palace.
Other former Leftwich associates in Pittsburgh were quoted in the story and gave Leftwich a strong endorsement, including Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. And those familiar with Tomlin (Joe, Ira Kaufman and Tomlin hung out and had deep conversation in March), know he doesn’t throw roses around for the hell of it.
“You know when a guy has an aptitude to coach when you coach them,” [Tomlin said of Leftwich]. “I’ll just say this: I’m not surprised at all. He was always a global perspective dude. He could see from outside the helmet. He was a great idea guy. He’s a natural leader and communicator. But I say the same thing about [Bucs co-defensive coordinator] Larry Foote.
“Forget their expertise; they’re just quality football people….”
Joe hopes Leftwich can flex his playcalling muscles on Sunday. Joe guesses it would be extra special for him, and it’s certainly in the cards with the Steelers’ defense decimated by injuries.
October 15th, 2022 at 3:52 pm
The last time I remember being impressed with Bymron’s playcalling was last year’s game against the Giants. The opening script was awesome, creative, like 8 different Bucs touched the ball on that drive, the Bucs took the lead and never looked back. Since? No.
October 15th, 2022 at 3:59 pm
If there was a ‘No Risk it no Biscuit’ game, this is it. Get the butter and jam out.
October 15th, 2022 at 4:13 pm
Thank you Tom for signing Deion Sanders son to your team …I call him S S 396 … anybody see what I did there! I truly believe that in some way Tom is telling the Bucs upper management that SS 396 should be our next QB …get in position to Draft SS 396!! Go Bucs!
October 15th, 2022 at 4:14 pm
Gawddam, I wish they’d just let Brady call the plays. Leftwich calls the worst plays ever. Every single one predictable and uncreative. Other teams read us like a book. We have no element of surprise.
October 15th, 2022 at 4:24 pm
I see Brady talking to BL almost every play. I am certain he has a lot of input.
October 15th, 2022 at 4:35 pm
Wow. It’s getting stacked pretty high around here. *cough
October 15th, 2022 at 4:42 pm
Ah, yes, Big Ben. Played college ball at powerhouse Miami of Ohio. Won 2 Super Bowls. Same height and weight as Trask. But Trask can’t play because he played at Florida and is not “athletic”. So say the many morons on this board. LMAO.
October 15th, 2022 at 4:49 pm
What’s our main complaint, today?
I don’t want to be off topic..
October 15th, 2022 at 4:50 pm
I feel like the media is going full smear campaign against Brady. Every article is either he looks sick he ruined football or his getting a divorce. Brady hates Leftwich got Arians fired tampered with dolphins. Brady talks about mental health media assumes its about Gisele. Brady goes to wedding and everybody laughs at Brady picture
October 15th, 2022 at 5:44 pm
I’m the same height and weight as Trask. Can I play too. I’m only 57. In my prime. Arms shot. Backs shot but I think I still got it.
October 15th, 2022 at 6:13 pm
Forgot to mention I played at Alabama State…..Correctional
October 15th, 2022 at 6:15 pm
This would be a great time to shine.
October 15th, 2022 at 6:31 pm
Look, all you posters claiming our OC is trash, look who has stayed with THIS OC for the third consecutive year as his QB.
C’mon, if you don’t trust Byron you at least you have to trust that Brady trusts him. And that’s good enough for me.
October 15th, 2022 at 6:45 pm
beano Says:
“Big Ben…Same height and weight as Trask. But Trask can’t play because he played at Florida and is not “athletic”.
Why even make that comparison?? Major difference in arm strength for one thing. And for a big QB – Ben was excellent at moving around in the pocket to buy time – and because of his strength and frame – it was very hard to get Ben down. So many times in his younger years, he’d get a successful throw off with 2 guys hanging on him….
Trask ain’t that kind of player at all. He is strictly a finesse pocket passer. If pocket breaks down and Trask still has the ball in his hands – he’s probably in trouble.
Roethlisberger drafted 11th overall
Trask drafted 64th
Makes no sense to compare…..
October 15th, 2022 at 6:54 pm
Some random Gator has a persecution complex. Brady is the QB right now. Enjoy it while it lasts.
October 15th, 2022 at 7:02 pm
Big Ben and Trask? Only thing they have in common is BAs love. Why anybody would befriend that miscreant is beyond me.
October 15th, 2022 at 7:15 pm
Great comment D-Rok, agreed.
October 15th, 2022 at 7:15 pm
Tap-Out,
What is the “SS396” reference to? I don’t get it.
October 15th, 2022 at 7:16 pm
…which means nothing. Brady had issues with Josh McDaniels too. Having disagreements with the OC is nothing to be concerned with unless there is persistent philosophical or personality conflict that interferes with their ability to work together. There’s no indication that such is the case. And Byron may talk like a dumbass in public, but there’s a reason he’s had so many coaches rave about his football intelligence.
October 15th, 2022 at 7:21 pm
This is absolutely no big deal. Unfortunately some so-called Buccaneer fans will make it a big deal and yell and scream about how BL sucks and he does nothing and it’s all Brady. Whatever. That’s just ignorant
The reality is it’s not all rainbows and butterflies for every single quarterback and OC in the NFL, never is
October 15th, 2022 at 7:29 pm
It doesn’t matter what plays are called if you can’t execute the play. The players have to do their jobs on every play for it to be successful. A OC can get too predictable but let’s be honest when we run the ball is when we have problems. Part of it is the offensive line and part of it is on the running back missing the hole or cutting the wrong way. I love playoff Lenny but there has been some plays where he seems to cut the wrong way or just doesn’t pound the ball up into the line. It’s not all on the offensive coordinator.
October 15th, 2022 at 7:32 pm
D-Rok, I think you’re forgetting the tampering stuff. If Brady really had his druthers, he’d be in Miami, or a totally new coaching staff. Things happen too late, and bucs ownership basically told him to pound sand. Play for us or stay retired. Btw, u think Tampa knew about the tampering long before any of us plebs
October 15th, 2022 at 8:11 pm
If he is so predictable…why don’t we just call all trick plays and see where that gets us !
October 15th, 2022 at 8:23 pm
I have yet to see anyone call our offense creative. BL is no Shanahan, McVay, or Reid. If they had our lineup, we would hang 40-50 errrrrrr weekend.
October 15th, 2022 at 9:37 pm
I think Coach Leftwich is a VERY GOOD O.C. But He actually will end up being a better Head Coach than O.C. But my main complaint is not his “play calling”, but the actual offense and the plays themselves. A lot of those plays are Arians I’m sure and the NFL is evolving so incredibly quickly offensively. The creativity with our offense is weak and there are teams years ahead of us in that department. I get we do not have a mobile QB, but he still is the greatest pocket passing QB ever, even at 45 years old. Sorry Peyton M. The Bucs have to play to his strengths but there IS middle ground. We can STILL integrate some creativity like EVERY other team that has an up and coming O.C. There has to be better “innovative, new, middle ground plays”!for a pocket passer that still has some elements of the picks and screens that the Bills, Ravens, Rams are using. Sean Peyton and Andy Reid come as far as being genius in that department. Two teams I DESPISE but have to acknowledge the well rounded, modern offensive greatness. Anyways, my point after this long ramble. I have confidence in B.L. We do need actual better plays though.
October 15th, 2022 at 11:59 pm
So many posts on this thread that reinforce the notion that cretinbots have a syndicate and see which one can say something more brain dead.
Trask and Big Ben? ROFL. Besides the fact that they are nothing at all alike other than their gender, yeah.
Leftwurst is still very young and inexperienced. Four years ago he was golfing. Some good, some bad, right now he’s on a bad streak. Arians was helping him before. , Now not. Leftwurst needs help. Bowels won’t give it to him. I’m frustrated with him, he’s probably frustrated with all of us.
Bowelswich. The combination is not necessarily the best. One needs to go and let the other hire the guy he wants. With Jason’s and BA’s and Glazerettes blessing.
October 16th, 2022 at 12:08 am
Trask To The Future ….The game is moving towards a mobile QB who is a threat in the run game and can be efficient with the pass and right now S Sanders is showing he is a strong competitor in the college game …. do you not know the reference to the old Chevy-Chevelle SS 396!…That’s my nickname for S Sanders and I’m betting it catches on!!
October 16th, 2022 at 1:56 am
I honestly do not know why Brady would have any respect for Leftwich at all. Leftwich has no feel for the game, and stinks at his job. Leftwich had one year without Arians, as OC in Arizona, and they finished 32nd in offense. Leftwich was hired to run Arians offense, and it’s always felt like the Bucs QBs, be it Winston or Brady, have had to fight the insanely predictable and obvious play calling by Leftwich.
As for Brady, again, why would he give two cares about anything Leftwich has to say, why would he take him seriously? There’s literally nothing that Leftwich is going to teach Brady, nothing.
It’s always been a huge shame that Arians refused to take the job and call the games directly himself, since had he done that, I think the Bucs go from a yearly top 3 offense, year in, year out, to being one of the greatest offenses of all time on one of the greatest runs of all time. Instead we get up the middle for 1.2 yards on every first down.
October 16th, 2022 at 2:08 am
…but we winning! Ya’ll sound like DTrump seriously!
October 16th, 2022 at 3:13 am
“I wish I could articilate like he do.”
~ Byron Leftwich on Mike Tomlin
October 16th, 2022 at 6:47 am
Thumbs up Rod, spot on. And as for the question about respect, the TB-BL relationship is simply one of accepting the hand you’ve been dealt. Respect has nothing to do with it, Brady just has to make the best of what he has to work with. Which unfortunately is an unimaginative ego maniac OC. I’m not buying the superficial praise from a few other coaches or players…they plant that phony baloney on purpose in order to keep their opponent (us) weak. Whatever. We just have to power through this glaring problem.
October 16th, 2022 at 7:56 am
^^^.just like we did when we won the Super Thingy …he called a great game that day …but that was all Tom B dragging BL by his nose ring!
October 16th, 2022 at 9:00 am
Tap-Out Says:
“The game is moving towards a mobile QB who is a threat in the run game…”
.
.
I’ve been hearing about this new trend for 40 years. Tell me how many of those QBs have won Super Bowls during that time…
October 16th, 2022 at 9:20 am
Tap-Out Says:
“… just like we did when we won the Super Thingy …he called a great game that day…”
.
.
Can’t argue with that. In fact, BL and Todd B both showed some exotic play calls and outstanding sequencing during that whole playoffs. I bought into the idea that BA had our coordinators intentionally sand-bagging all season so that they could open the playbook during the playoffs and surprise everybody.
Then last year happened. All season, same boring trends. I’m thinking, they’re just sand-bagging again. But when we got to the playoffs, there were no new wrinkles and balanced playcall like we saw in the 2020 playoffs. There were no imaginative run and pass concepts that we didn’t see all year. It was just the same-ole that we saw all season.
So, were the 2020 playoffs just an accidental playbook malfunction? No way. Someone charted all the mis-direction and pull-blocking in the run game. Someone charted the rubs and crosses downfield. Where did they go last year in the playoffs?
I don’t know what to think any more. Even in the Dallas game, we saw run-blocking schemes that I haven’t seen used since then. We do suffer from predictable play calls and predictable blocking schemes. I don’t know why. It’s frustrating.
October 16th, 2022 at 10:30 am
There are still grown men on here calling other grown men out of their pocket. Joe, I think you go to a Facebook platform, where in order to comment, you have to have had your page for at least 3 years with a certified photo, so we know the person. I know that’s not really possible, but I know a lot of these dumb comments by immature human beings would go away. As a website owner though, you should block any comment that calls another human being anything other than their name.
Some people will never grow up. This world is going to hell fast
October 16th, 2022 at 10:32 am
*out of their name.
*I think you should go to
October 16th, 2022 at 11:17 am
Joe has tried to keep the comments as free-flowing as possible. Obviously, not everything goes but Joe believes the comments and the free thought are one of the reasons this site has been and is so successful.