“This Game Is On Bruce Arians & Byron Leftwich”
October 24th, 2019
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
For Bruce Arians, these are unchartered waters. Treacherous waters.
He’s never been here before, and he never wants to return to this ugly dot on the map — the sorry intersection of Relevance and Rebuild.
Arians didn’t sign up for this. He didn’t come out of retirement to prepare for a crossroads game this early in the season, a matchup that will shape Tampa Bay’s approach the rest of the way.
That’s what a 2-4 getaway will do in this league, especially in this conference.
A loss in Nashville changes the equation in a big way. A 12th consecutive season without a playoff game would be virtually guaranteed, laying waste to the Arians claim in January that this was an easier reclamation project than he faced in Arizona.
“This is a big one,” he says. “We’ve got to win a couple of these road games so that those home games give us a chance to get into the playoffs. I can’t say we want to split on the road, but we need to win this one on the road for sure, and then hopefully grab another.”
Playoffs? Playoffs? Yes, playoffs.
That’s still the goal around here, or at least it should be. Buc fans are beaten down, but it shouldn’t be to the point where 7-9 is acceptable.
Let’s be realistic … the Bucs aren’t going to win the NFC South. The Saints are too good and Tampa Bay isn’t good enough. But a 3-4 record heading into Seattle, where the Seahawks have already lost twice, would generate some hope in Buc Nation that a two-time Coach of the Year isn’t giving up the fight.
The bye week gave Arians and his staff a chance to reflect on how they arrived at this depressing junction. They can sink into the abyss or crawl out of a hole largely of their own making.
In his five seasons in the desert, Arians never found himself sitting at 2-4. His Cardinals were never saddled with a losing record after six games.
In fact, the only time Arians was below .500 at the midpoint of an Arizona season came in 2016, when the Cardinals sat at 3-4-1. If the Bucs drop to 2-5 on Sunday, they will likely find themselves 10-point underdogs, an NFL afterthought traveling to the Pacific Northwest.
Coffin Corner
If the Bucs want to avoid a funeral dirge, they have to start with a win in Music City. The second half of their schedule appears quite favorable, with two games against the hapless Falcons and matchups with Arizona, Jacksonville and Detroit. The only second-half opponent with more than four wins is New Orleans.
The quarterback whisperer has an opportunity to make some noise in the final two months, but only if the Bucs raise their road record to 3-1.
Tennessee gained momentum by edging the Chargers last week behind new starter Ryan Tannehill, but this is a good matchup for Tampa Bay.
Tennessee doesn’t have the weapons to exploit the NFL’s most porous pass defense. Except for Adam Humphries, Buc fans would be hard pressed to name Tannehill’s targets. Derrick Henry is the league’s No. 10 rusher, but the Bucs do run defense very well. If they can shut down Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey (twice), Todd Gurley and Alvin Kamara, they should be able to contain Henry.
Humphries could be a problem, however.
The shifty slot receiver knows how to get open and Todd Bowles has grown tired of seeing Buc opponents running wide-ass open downfield.
“It will be exciting,” Humphries said about meeting his former teammates. “It will be cool to see my friends and stuff in pregame and catch up with them and then some familiar faces going up against them on the defensive side of the ball. But I am focused on getting the win, and helping this team the best I can.”
If the Bucs give Humphries time and space to find cracks in the back seven, it could be a long afternoon.
“I think it works both ways – they’ve gone up against me in practice, and I’ve gone up against a lot of them,” Humphries said. “But there’s new faces back there, too, so obviously it’s a great challenge. In many ways.”
Coaching On Center Stage
This game is on Arians and Byron Leftwich.
The strength of the Titans is a defense that hasn’t allowed more than 20 points during a 3-4 start. Tennessee’s plus-4 turnover ratio disguises some weaknesses and it’s up to Jameis Winston and company to play a smart game, minimizing giveaways and penalties.
A team that has won in Charlotte and Los Angeles shouldn’t lose in Nashville against a mediocre opponent. Tennessee fans are looking at this matchup as an easy springboard to 4-4, and I get that.
The Bucs crave respect, but they haven’t earned it, The only reason they’re not sitting in the division basement again is Atlanta’s wretched start.
A win on Sunday could turn the Bucs into buyers by the trade deadline. A loss and it’s onto the 2020 NFL draft.
That’s not what Arians is here for. He’s in a new place with a new team. Let’s see if he can conjure up some days of old.
Ira Kaufman launched his professional NFL coverage in 1979, back when Earl Campbell was the toast of the NFL and Lee Roy Selmon was defensive player of the year. After a lifetime at the Tampa Tribune, “The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports” joined JoeBucsFan.com in July of 2016. His twice-weekly podcast and three columns per week appear here year-round and are presented by Bill Currie Ford. Tampa Bay’s only Hall of Fame voter is a regular on SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio and a part of the FOX-13 Tailgate Sunday show, in addition to his other appearances. You can hang out with Ira during every Bucs road games at Buffalo Wild Wings. His schedule is linked here.
October 24th, 2019 at 11:56 am
Arizona had more talent when Arians took over on both sides of the ball
Arians is not thinking straight. Bucs don’t have the DB’s he had in AZ or the pass rushers. You need a good defense to make up for all the mistakes on offense. Plus now Arians is bad at managing the game and is not calling plays
Impossible to win with a turnover prone offense and awful d
But at least he fixed the kicker
October 24th, 2019 at 12:00 pm
You do realize we had exactly 1 TO combined in 2 if our 4 losses don’t you?
October 24th, 2019 at 12:11 pm
@Joe … “it’s up to Jameis Winston and company to play a smart game, minimizing giveaways and penalties.” And therein lies the bottom line to Sunday’s game. Another way of saying ‘IF we don’t beat ourselves, we might win.’
October 24th, 2019 at 12:13 pm
Titans fans see this game as a win.
October 24th, 2019 at 12:14 pm
It’s the same story every year like Groundhog Day with the Bucs. Eventually our fortunes have to surely change. The Glazers will still be here next year. Licht will still be here five more years. The coach and system is not going anywhere. The inconsistent QB will be here one more season if not more. Groundhog Day.
October 24th, 2019 at 12:18 pm
We have to be honest here folks. Winston threw away one game and possibly two games. The kicker threw away another game. We should be 5-1 or 4-2 at worst. Arians has done a good enough job coaching. The additional 2 or 3 losses on our record is directly the fault of two players.
October 24th, 2019 at 12:30 pm
BA doesn’t really give a damn.
He wants to collect a check, get his homies paid, and have his players love him for being a cool dude.
We’re going to get left with Bowles as our HC. As BA rides into retirement in his golf cart
October 24th, 2019 at 12:38 pm
This game depends on Tenn OC Smith
If he trys to grind it out like Mariota was the QB we have a chance (+2.5 line tells us the bookies want the public to bet Tenn and gladly willing to take it)
If the Tenn airs it out with dangerous Cory Davis, AJ Brown, Hump,and TE Smith
blowout city
October 24th, 2019 at 12:42 pm
arians should be calling the plays if he is what he wrote a book about prove it, let leftwich have his title and stand next to him act the big shot and learn a little if he’s all that he claims to be. it ain’t looking good in tampa town
October 24th, 2019 at 12:49 pm
Its simple really….a jekyll and hyde QB who turns the ball over too much, Oline not so great at protecting who just lost a good player to a broken arm (Cappa), worst secondary in the nfl….then when JW does manage to hit his targets in Evans and Howard, they all of a sudden cant catch! And never mind the bad stinking ref calls and red flags that shouldve went our way….
i tell ya, this season is the blueprint for how to make or break a fan….and thats for any team. They build us up just enough to tear us down and make it hurt worse than it already has…but im hanging in there.
I already know the end result….thats why im already looking at draft prospects. Jacob Eason to replace JW, Mekhi Becton to replace Dotson, then CB, CB, CB, CB
October 24th, 2019 at 12:53 pm
“This could be the game we finally turn the corner”- no pun intended
October 24th, 2019 at 1:03 pm
With all the reps our guys, including the rookies, have had due to Arians’ dual-track practices we should begin seeing the results appear in a positive way now.
Should we win this one we shall see the results of real NFL level coaching having come to fruition. The fun part of this season will be upon us. If we should lose this one then we can be sure that Arians underestimated the challenge he faced when he came here.
The big question for me is what adjustments did the coaches make as a result of their self scouting?
What changes will Leftwich make in game planning and play calling during the games? How will we adjust the protection to take pressure off our QB?
What changes will Bowles make? What will will we see that is different from our young DBs? Will we see any progress yet?
The spotlight is on Arians and his head coaching decisions. He is being tested dramatically.
October 24th, 2019 at 1:14 pm
The 2013 Cardinals were 3-4 in Arians first season. They finished 10-6.
That’s not happening here. unfortunately.
October 24th, 2019 at 1:14 pm
“It pretty bad when the Glasers knew something wasnt just right
give BA and JL fathead twins 5 year guaranteed contracts with just fired Byon Leftwich as playcaller?
BA called himself a QB whisperer and previously stated he wouldnt accept being HC without calling plays
Glasers knew this wasnt right but believed the BSer and his twin enough to be conned
here we are
BA is too stubborn to admit he was wrong in not calling plays and the Glasers and 1 Buc place terrified when Papa Smurf turns all red
we are living in the Days of our Bucsfan lifes soap opera”
Son of Kobe Faker
October 24th, 2019 at 1:27 pm
Son of Kobe Faker is on point. BA is partially to blame for this mess due to his delegating the play calling to Leftwich. As for being buyers or sellers at the trade deadline, does anyone really trust Licht to make the right moves? All of Licht’ s moves are why the Bucs are in this mess. The season is lost and the Glazers should call BA’s bluff by firing Licht Sunday at 4:05 p.m.
October 24th, 2019 at 1:37 pm
“Glasers are scared of BA
He looks like a POed drunk when he gets beet red
All the reporters are terrified of asking him tough questions at the press conferences. My Dad and look at each other with disgust when its JBFs turn to ask questions”
Son of Kobe Faker
October 24th, 2019 at 1:58 pm
If Arians was in full control, I would say if anyone could get it done its him
BUT because he is delegating, I think he is trusting a guy that can’t get it done…
If JW throws 2 ints in the 1st half and they don’t pull him, it will send a clear message nation wide that the Bucs aren’t concerned with winning!
October 24th, 2019 at 2:01 pm
The excuse after the season is BA and the system needs more time. We need to get more players to fill the needs. we were unlucky in some games. We were close and almost wonEtc., Etc., Etc. After so many lost years the excuses are meaningless. Either you are winners or losers. That is all that matters.
October 24th, 2019 at 2:09 pm
Another excuse the schedule was terrible this year. Next year will be better. Yet next year comes with same results. It is beyond pathetic.
October 24th, 2019 at 2:29 pm
I love people are so blind they can’t see that it is very simple. When our oline holds there own (Giants, Rams) our offense is AWESOME, yes including QB, and when they don’t our offense struggles. Our defense doesn’t actually stop anyone they just thrive in turnovers. Bowles even says it every week, yards don’t matter to him he just wants pressure to create TOs.
In closing:
If our Oline plays well we will score a ton.
If we get pressure they won’t score much.
Those are the only two things that will determine our results and it’s the same every week. Just actually watch the games.
October 24th, 2019 at 2:35 pm
Seriously, what gives anyone an idea that this is a playoff team? Sorry, not this year.
October 24th, 2019 at 2:37 pm
Ndog – I wasn’t aware that our Oline commits turnovers.
Next time, check the screen better; I’m pretty sure it’s JayMiss giving it away.
October 24th, 2019 at 2:37 pm
” Either you are winners or losers. That is all that matters.”…JVV
Right on! This is what I have been harping on form the pre-season. This team has been the pitts for so long that it is stuck in bad until someday it isn’t. Unfortunately, that year is not this one. Anyone with any brains could see that. Those that didn’t are like (10-6) NOSBOS. Missing in action.
Maybe he and Ndog could hold a two man parade.
October 24th, 2019 at 2:58 pm
LOL the glaser commitment to losing is EPIC
The Avengers would lose if the glasers took over for Nick Fury
The Patriots would lose if the glasers took over for Kraft
Alexander the Great would lose if the glasers took over for Aristotle
I’m sorry guys but it’s absolutely stage-4 cancer hopeless with the glasers at the helm of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
October 24th, 2019 at 2:58 pm
6-10 the talent just isn’t there
October 24th, 2019 at 3:13 pm
So goes Jameis..So goes the Bucs in Tenn. Tannyhill is taking advantage of his opportunity. And I hate to remind all of yas, We..do give opposition replacement QB’s their great reputations in the hall of Buc shame. Jameis will have to have one of his better games to beat these Titans. I can 1000% guarantee all of you Titan fans have already marked this game as a win for them.
October 24th, 2019 at 3:34 pm
Mike – 100% spot on statement regarding back up QBs building great reputations when they play the Bucs. Hell Daniel Jones left Tampa with the nickname Danny Dimes and everyone outside of Tampa thought he was the next Manning (Peyton not Eli). Bridgewater had been very pedestrian until the Bucs strolled into the Big Easy. By the end of that game he looked like a top 3 QB in the league. Last game they played a chump that wasn’t even drafted. That Bucs d line never even breathed on that dude and he shredded our JV secondary. Tanneyhill is probably the best of these backup we have faced and most likely will make Titan fans think they have found their long term replacement for Mariota. Bucs fans know how this plays out but unsuspecting fans for these other teams don’t comprehend just how bad the Bucs defense is.
October 24th, 2019 at 3:42 pm
“We are close to being a good winning team”. Being close only works with grenades and horseshoes. This is the NFL. The object is to get to the playoffs and win a Superbowl.
October 24th, 2019 at 3:49 pm
No more BS, Koolaid, and empty words. prove it with actions. That is what the fans deserve to see after suffering so many years.
October 24th, 2019 at 3:53 pm
There is no way Ira penned this article.
October 24th, 2019 at 3:57 pm
Corey Davis will crush is not Humphries.
October 24th, 2019 at 3:59 pm
Arians is saying all the right things knowing that we will need to flush 70% of this team in order to get rid of the Cancer that we all know as Jameis Winston. Let’s trade and tank after we lose this game. We can load up on draft picks with some key trades. Move Evans, both TEs and see if we can get a 5th round pick for Jameis.
October 24th, 2019 at 4:00 pm
Get Lavante Davis out of here as well
October 24th, 2019 at 6:19 pm
You know there Sharthhappens? I do believe you are correcto Mundo here sir.
Arians does a major overhaul next season. Arians is NOT..a Loser. And he’s gonna let Licht know what it takes to win. I do look for major changes next season. And if the Bucs lose to the Titans, I look for Arians to be even more truthful about this sorry team.
October 24th, 2019 at 8:26 pm
Winston will throw for 600 yards and 10 TD’s, and then they’ll prepare his Canton bust with the “eating W’s” face……
….seriously now, Winston will throw for 90 yards on the first half with two turnovers, then in the second half Arizona’s defense will sit back in loose coverage and Winston will throw for 200 yards and a score and probably one more turnover.
Kyler Murray meanwhile will throw for 300 and have 75 yards on the ground with 4 total TD’s.
October 24th, 2019 at 8:27 pm
Wrong team, I’m a dumbass. Let me have it. Looking ahead on the schedule. Shows how much I care anymore.
October 24th, 2019 at 8:37 pm
just blew right on past Titans and Seahawks, did ya!… LoL!