Bruce Arians: Antonio Brown Has Ultimate Screen Skills
January 6th, 2021
You can almost smell what’s coming Saturday against the talented, young and overly eager pass rush of Washington.
Those quick receiver screens in Bucco Bruce Arians’ playbook, especially to Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown, will get plenty of work to diffuse the rush. And Joe smells at least a couple of traditional screens to LeSean McCoy or Leonard Fournette.
Speaking last night on official team-sponsored radio programming, Arians talked about great screen runners/pass catchers and their ability to have instantaneous catch-to-tuck, meaning they have thoughtless and complete trust in their hands and are ready to explode without hesitation.
The conversation centered around Brown and his ability to transform from receiver to video game in what feels like less than a split second.
Interestingly, in the same interview, Arians sarcastically noted that Ronald Jones might be catching balls better with a modified cast on his left hand. (Joe got a laugh out of that).
Brown gets more and more meaningful work every week, it seems, and on Sunday he even hauled in a touchdown by intercepting Scotty Miller in the back of the end zone, a play that Arians said could earn Brown work at defensive back.
Watch for those quick passes to Brown on Saturday. Joe loves how an effective screen game can mess with inexperienced rushers.
January 6th, 2021 at 6:14 am
What we really didn’t have against NO is now a staple in our offense. This offense is what will carry this team!
January 6th, 2021 at 6:34 am
also:
maybe design a few good slants – maybe break one…
(remember jurevicius vs. eagles)
catch them sleeping on a long ball to miller…
screens to rojo, try to get him is some space out there with blocking…this worked well with jameis last year…rojo was averaging 10 yards per catch…
maybe auclair gets more work…
death wish coffee in vats on the sidelines instead of gatorade…will have the guys bouncing off the walls with mega-caffeine for a night game…
wear pewter pants if coffee makes them shat on themselves…
clean up after the game 🙂
January 6th, 2021 at 6:52 am
hope we can keep all the talent next year……..
January 6th, 2021 at 6:58 am
You know the ball will go to a place Chase just vacated as it whizzes by his head , at least few times. The version of Brady will be the “slice them up with 1000 paper cuts” version on Sat Night, and then Dagger shots down the Field. GO BUCS!!!!!
January 6th, 2021 at 7:00 am
I wish this game was at 1 and not 8. This team has been bad at night. Probably because they mess with Brady’s sleep schedule.
January 6th, 2021 at 7:14 am
When the Rams had Kupp and Woods each catch 10 passes for over 100 yards against us, I thought that would be a great game plan for us to use with AB and Godwin. We got to see it against the Falcons, hope to see a lot more of it Saturday night.
January 6th, 2021 at 7:21 am
I really really really HATE bubble passes and screens on offense.
Very rarely are they ever successfully deployed for decent gains and almost…..they’re just cop-out plays cause the offense cannot execute anything else.
Look to see short pass plays like the Patriots offense to neutralize Washington’s tremendous pass rush. Because after awhile, if it works…..Washington will then have no choice but to be less aggressive.
Alot of passes out of the flats will be utilized as well. I don’t think Rojo will be utilized all that much cause there will be no running lanes.
I hope the offensive line plays well…..if not then Brady will suck bigtime.
Lastly, I hope Chase Young gets ZERO hits or sacks on Brady cause he ran his big mouth.
January 6th, 2021 at 7:48 am
Playoff week is fun!!!
January 6th, 2021 at 8:05 am
i think our TEs will produce big on Saturday……as will AB…..
I’m hopeful but not optimistic that we will have a good run game…..but our defense may surprise against the WFT weak offense.
January 6th, 2021 at 8:07 am
Ploy tactic.
January 6th, 2021 at 8:23 am
AB & Godwin short crossing patterns. The screen & bubble pass threat pulls the corners up which will leave Gronk 1 on 1 with LB, formula for success. Can’t wait !
January 6th, 2021 at 8:32 am
Anthem, weenie arm will use those bubble screens as extended running plays basically. Pretty much what you’re trying to say with the rest of your post.
January 6th, 2021 at 8:40 am
The moves that AB makes after catching the ball are epic, and a lot of fun to watch. He often gets 3-5 yards after the catch just because the first guy can’t get his hands on him.
The dude is dangerous.
January 6th, 2021 at 8:44 am
Tommy has the offense clicking now. For all of you Tampa folks…welcome to Nirvana. I’ve watched pretty much every single game TB has played….this is where the stone cold killer really gets let loose. A whole other level. I love how he’s meshed. Am I the only one who notices the huge smile on AB’s face when they score..no matter who scores? How Gronk is the happiest man alive when Brate scores or when be pancakes a d end? How Mike Evans will run through a house fire to win….and now trusts every man beside him would too? How CG put himself through crazy pain to play…because he was needed. How AB looks so…..sad….. heartfelt sad and sorry when he feels he let down #12? Yeah. Rogers had the best year (barely) but name another player who turned around a team of vets…making them stone cold killers and brothers in arms……WITHOUT A TRAINING CAMP….then went on to set every team record…..WITHOUT A TRAINING CAMP…..at 43 years old?!?!???
January 6th, 2021 at 9:10 am
AB caught 3 or 4 of those passes and turned them into first downs this past week. As long as it works I am sure they will integrate it more into the offense.
Also a positive regarding the offensive line this weekend: they are healthy. When the Bucs struggled against higher quality pass rushing teams in this middle of the season this year the oline was beat up. Ali missed four games including the NO blowout and Donovan played the NO and Chiefs game on a sprained ankle. I think the rest 76 got when he missed a game due to COVID exposure helped him heal up some, and Ali has returned to All-pro form. Hopefully this will translate on Saturday to a big game by the oline.
January 6th, 2021 at 9:34 am
AB is the best receiver on this team. Nothing against Evans, but AB is far better with the ball in his hands. This week Evans should only be on the field in red zone – other than that, let AB play that spot.
January 6th, 2021 at 9:37 am
A call out to all you prior AB haters and those pissed Scotty lost his role to AB, how do you like him now. Brady & BA have kept him in check and as I stated in the past, this MAN is not a 7 time probowler by mistake. One would argue he is the best wr on the team. No disrespect to Evan’s or Godwin but AB has all the tools.
January 6th, 2021 at 10:35 am
@Anthem
“Very rarely are they ever successfully deployed for decent gains and almost”
I certainly appreciate your right to be bored by them…until AB breaks one off to the house…but what do you call a decent gain. See Mitch’s post up above.
Here is the alternative…try and pound the rock. Remember how running on every first down worked for us. The first time I saw Brady turn and fire to AB at the LOS I literally stood up and cheered. What no predictable run? AB had to dodge and juke his way to just six yards…still 2nd and 4 looks a lot better than 2nd and 9.
I love our OL…and they have been great at pass pro..not so much running until recently. But they and Brady will need some help…either a strong running game or strong screen game…I like screens and little safety valve dinks to RB’s because you have the chance to get a playmaker in space. AB can take it to the house.
January 6th, 2021 at 10:44 am
sux, but no way can we afford AB next year.
January 6th, 2021 at 11:44 am
Id like to see scotty millers name in the screen conversation as well. With a good block or two ge woukd take it to the house with ease
January 6th, 2021 at 12:24 pm
NFL scheduling sucks… Hawks vs Rims is on the left coast and should be 8 O’clock game… With that said….
Tampa Bradys 48
WTF’S. 6
January 6th, 2021 at 2:46 pm
AR—
ToeToe Brown is your master key to the Super Bowl. If U have Faith, the door will open.