Bruce Arians Details Why He WorKs From Home
February 16th, 2024
Why he became a stranger.
Why did Bucco Bruce Arians stop making regular appearances at practices last year and this season, despite still being under contract as a special assistant to Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht?
Well, Arians explained in a recent podcast.
Previously, Arians had mentioned health issues as a reason he stopped going to Bucs practices and games in 2022. He is rarely seen around a Bucs practice or game through this past season. Appearing on the “Life After Sports Podcast” co-hosted by former Vikings and Raiders defensive end James Harris (who Arians coached at Temple) and former Rays outfielder Greg Vaughn, Arians said he believed he was getting in the way too much, so he quit.
“Last year I went to practice every day and went to the games,” Arians explained. “And then I got thrown off the field for that little incident down in New Orleans. So I wasn’t going down on the sidelines anymore.
“I was around too much. This is Todd’s team. I’m outta here.”
Well, Joe sort of understands. It’s a fine line between wanting to still coach and intruding. Arians apparently felt he was stepping on toes. But hey, if Todd Bowles didn’t want Arians around, wouldn’t he have told the coach? (Or maybe he did?)
Also, Joe found it interesting that Arians re-told the story of how he had to prod former Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich to join his staff when Arians came to Tampa Bay in 2019.
“Byron Leftwich, I coached him in Pittsburgh,” Arians began. “I had to get him off the couch and get him in the game. He is just a tremendous coordinator.
“I probably wouldn’t have taken the job if Byron wasn’t available. Because I didn’t want to call the plays anymore. I [just] wanted to be the head coach.”
Arians also mentioned that in 2020 internal disruption kept the Bucs from being their best selves until the Bucs threw it into high gear after their bye. Arians said he felt two players kept putting themselves above the team.
Arians didn’t mention their names but said, “We got them turned around.” He added those two players were big reasons why the Bucs became Super Bowl champs.
Any idea who those two may be? Joe has a couple of strong hunches. One should spring to mind somewhat easily and Leonard “Playoff Lenny” Fournette is probably the other. Remember, Playoff Lenny was benched in December of that season.
February 16th, 2024 at 11:41 am
Def Lenny and Devin White
February 16th, 2024 at 11:42 am
Grifter
February 16th, 2024 at 11:51 am
Isn’t Lefty still unemployed?
February 16th, 2024 at 11:54 am
JByrd – Devin White doesn’t make sense, my guess would be Brown
February 16th, 2024 at 11:56 am
BA Says; “I probably wouldn’t have taken the job if Byron wasn’t available. Because I didn’t want to call the plays anymore. I [just] wanted to be the head coach.”
Translation: I wanted a “Yes Man” who would kiss my *** and do whatever I told him.
Conclusion: Leftnut did exactly that and when told by the Hat to make Brady look bad even at the expense of the team and to the disappointment of the ticket and merchandise purchasing fans and possibly as a dig at the Glazers for hiring Bowles instead of Leftnut.
February 16th, 2024 at 12:08 pm
Conclusion: Leftnut did exactly that when told by the Hat to make Brady look bad even at the expense of the team and to the disappointment of the ticket and merchandise purchasing fans and possibly as a dig at the Glazers for hiring Bowles instead of Leftnut.
Strike the word “and”.
If a murder suspect being interviewed by the Cops keeps changing his story, one would conclude that the truth wasn’t being told and that there was something to hide.
Keep digging that hole Arians, keep digging.
February 16th, 2024 at 12:26 pm
I’m gonna guess that Captain Flat Brim be back on the couch.
It’s what he do.
February 16th, 2024 at 12:45 pm
Bruce can cut the bull crap. He won a Super Bowl and is reaping a Glazer thank you. I get it. You don’t have to BS anymore
.
February 16th, 2024 at 1:37 pm
Sorry coach but you can’t bs a bs’er
February 16th, 2024 at 1:42 pm
There’s nothing wrong with that. Leaders surround themselves with people that are good at their jobs and will follow their lead. There’s no question the Bucs lost a little something when Arians stepped away from the sidelines as a head coach. I firmly believe the 2022 Bucs would have been an 11-13 win team if Arians was still head coach.
February 16th, 2024 at 1:44 pm
Much respect to Arians. He’s a hell of a coach and he beat cancer. Spin it like you want to coach. You’re a future HOF’er and living legend.
February 16th, 2024 at 2:03 pm
Def Brown and wasnt there another guy that had faked his covid shot?
February 16th, 2024 at 2:08 pm
“Byron Leftwich, I coached him in Pittsburgh,” Arians began. “I had to get him off the couch and get him in the game. He is just a tremendous coordinator.”
HAHAHAHAHA!!!
I love you Bruce but please for goodness sake just go away and STFU already.
February 16th, 2024 at 2:09 pm
@ Sam
“Def Brown and wasnt there another guy that had faked his covid shot?”
Safety – Mike Edwards.
February 16th, 2024 at 2:21 pm
Lenny and Brown
Too bad Arians didn’t coach 2022. We would have won at least 10 games.
Miss ya Bruce. Enjoy retirement, but find a good young qb to groom.
February 16th, 2024 at 2:55 pm
Bruce, had a nice 3 year run here but every time he mentions Leftwich being a great coordinator his football credibility tanks for me
February 16th, 2024 at 2:57 pm
This reminded me of how Brady’s Super Bowl team took off after the Bye that year. This past year’s Canales offense came out of the bye terrible. What happened this past year during the bye???????
February 16th, 2024 at 3:02 pm
Arians is loyal to a fault.
February 16th, 2024 at 3:27 pm
Arians still has some skin in the game somewhere to be puking this BS
February 16th, 2024 at 4:35 pm
Brown and Lenny
No doubt whatsoever
February 16th, 2024 at 5:02 pm
Brown was def one. The other? All guesses are just that.
February 16th, 2024 at 6:09 pm
Any coach who brings a Lombardi trophy to our case will always be a favorite of mine