Tom Brady And Bruce Arians
February 22nd, 2022
“Tommy, if the Glazers promise to market TB12 in England, will you come back?”
Before anyone tries to twist Joe’s words, let Joe be very clear here: Joe over the past two seasons developed a mancrush for Tom Brady.
After rarely watching the Belicheats and being a full-blown member of the Brady/Belicheats Fatigue club, Joe was skeptical of bringing in a 43-year old quarterback because, at the time, a 43-year old never did anything of note in the NFL.
And Joe thinks betting against never is a bad gamble.
Brady proved Joe wrong. Big time! And Joe learned all that Brady hype was real. So Joe is typing the following coming from the perspective of a guy that desperately wants Brady to change his mind, be a man and return to the Bucs.
There is way too much smoke out there that Brady grew frustrated with something in Tampa that drove him to retirement for Joe to believe it is nothing. Way too many plugged-in guys with strong track records, solid sources and loads of credibility are squawking that Brady had an issue(s) develop the last year with the Bucs for Joe to dismiss this as nonsense.
Albert Breer is one of those guys. He was the first to suggest that Brady didn’t necessarily retire from the NFL, he retired from the Bucs. And yesterday in his MMQB column on SI.com Breer added a small nugget.
I don’t know that Tom Brady has any issue directly with Bruce Arians. But I have heard there were things about the Bucs’ program that frustrated him (which might be natural, considering how tight a ship he was coming from when he got to Tampa).
So here is where Joe is on all of this. Maybe the problem is Brady and not the Bucs?
Didn’t Brady make a stink about how fed up he was with the Belicheats that he wanted to come to a place that respected him and valued his imput and allowed him to be himself? The Bucs offered up just such an atmosphere. And now Brady has an issue with the Bucs and quit? Sort of like how he had an issue with the Belicheats and walked away?
Perhaps the problem is Brady?
Yeah, Joe typed that.
Of course, Brady could pump out a Twitter or an Instagram story and throw cold water on all of these burning embers claiming he got fed up with the inner workings of the Bucs. Surely he knows about all this chatter. To date (Joe is typing this post late on a Monday night) Brady has yet to deny anything.
As the creator, curator and overall guru of Pro Football Talk, the great Mike Florio like to say, silence invites speculation. Meanwhile, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht and Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians twist in the wind.
The floor is yours, Tommy.
February 22nd, 2022 at 4:53 am
tiger wife > bucs
February 22nd, 2022 at 5:07 am
I would agree that it may very well be Brady. He is an intense person who requires a lot out of himself and others. It would not surprise me if Brady simply felt the organization’s commitment to winning did not match his commitment. Brady made a big deal about his commitment to the game in his retirement announcement. It may be that he didn’t feel a 100% reciprocal commitment from the Bucs. I personally think the Bucs gave it their all, but circumstances down the stretch may have changed Brady’s mind.
February 22nd, 2022 at 5:08 am
He’s not denying it because the truth probably lays somewhere in the middle… just move on from Tom . Bring in Deshaun & continue winning. The YOUNGER way.
GoBucs!
February 22nd, 2022 at 5:39 am
‘The floor is yours, Tommy.’
I’m confident that after reading that (TB12 obviously must read JBF?) Tom Brady will hop onto Instagram & Twitter and put all of this to bed once & for all. I mean, heck, the gauntlet has been thrown down. He has no choice but to defend his … whatever.
This has become the American way in today’s society. Florio is wrong: Silence doesn’t invite speculation in our media. EVERYTHING invites speculation, especially in our unsocial media.
Sir Winston Churchill once said that ‘Americans will always do the right thing, AFTER they’ve tried everything else’. Well, the same could similarly be said of today’s media. EVENTUALLY it gets to the truth, AFTER it’s speculated about every possible scenario surrounding that truth.
February 22nd, 2022 at 6:08 am
I unfollowed the NFL for 10 years. It was great! free Sundays, no emotional pain and hurt from seeing the bumbling bucs struggle thru the lost decade, great divorce. the only reason i came back was TB12. when I heard he was leaving NE to come to TB wow what a great story- that was an amazing 2 years just awesome. maybe he left a blueprint and we could get a derek carr or Mac jones a game manager occ play maker and keep winning… otherwise i’m going back to not watching… any day now…
February 22nd, 2022 at 6:16 am
I agree with you Defense Rules. Why does Tom have to say anything? No matter what he does or say it will be twisted anyway.
Social media has turned us into a giant talk show! Not everything HAS to have a reason nor a response. Even now as I type this, it makes me wonder why. Neither Brady nor the Bucs owe us anything. They just take our money willingly. This is entertainment.
Are you not entertained?!!!
February 22nd, 2022 at 6:40 am
How about bruce arrogance getting the word out that it is his fault for being sloppy and undisciplined,and does not put the work in. How about that he admits that he does not fix the problems. Nope. It is everyone else’s fault. Succo bruce will. Exposed this season.
February 22nd, 2022 at 6:40 am
Be a man, and come back, and play for the Bucs. Joe, are you suggesting Brady isn’t a man if he doesn’t? The problem isn’t Brady Joe, it’s you. Whether he’s retired from the Bucs, or football, what’s the dif? He’s retired. He already said he’s stepping away, he doesn’t need to say it everytime another hack says he’s coming back. Every day he’d have to refute another Joe who comes up with another phoney story. Time to find another crush Joe. This one has left you for good.
February 22nd, 2022 at 6:48 am
Joe same thing happened to me. I honestly didn’t like Brady because well of all the dam winning he did in New England then he comes here and dam I’m a Brady lover too. JOE wasn’t there a bunch of these same talking heads saying that Brady hated bill and then to hear Brady talk about his relationship with bill in the man in the area makes me think all these talking heads are just blowing smoke about TB12 and BA. honestly you can’t believe the media these days they produce more fake news then real news
February 22nd, 2022 at 6:59 am
Proud Bucs fan, you’re delusional. And you need to change your username, too.
February 22nd, 2022 at 6:59 am
You don’t know what got till it’s gone.
Could be Brady didn’t like the Belicheat way anymore, but missed the attention to detail the he learned from Belicheat that he brought to the Bucs but wanted someone in the Bucs camp to have that too, maybe Bowels?
Maybe Brady being away he will miss what he had in the Bucs, the freedom to have input and change plays and input who we get besides malcontent receivers.
Either way the people have a fear of not knowing, this applies to Brady too. Sometimes there might be truth in speculation but we just don’t know the whole truth, even when presented with truth people will still reject it. You can’t move on if you live in the speculation but you can in truth and the truth is he said he’s retired and It’s time to move on.
February 22nd, 2022 at 7:06 am
This is the one joe who worshipped the former qb here so touche joe. I give you props for coming around on the greatest ever.
Most knew that brady would take us too the next level
And he delivered and brought studs with him
We got to see greatness for two years. We were always in a game except thise saints and maybe rams games it seemed
And i agree on the souring. Again , it could have been strictly giselle who told him this would be his last year when the season started. But something was up this year. You could see it in his face on sidelines. The fire was gone. And this is a man that loves what he does. He was used to practicing like playing in actual games. Did the laid back walk thrus here get to him . It could. I just know he signed that extension after winning super bowl and things looked on the up and up. And then this year was happened and was different
February 22nd, 2022 at 7:12 am
WE can speculate all we want, but until we hear it rom Brady, it is just speculation.
But I agree, Brady did not retire from Football, he retired from the Bucs
February 22nd, 2022 at 7:13 am
I think the “game plan” Arians “red inked” was AB. Brady came here to compete for SBs….that was THE focus and for Brady, AB was a key component to accomplishing that goal.
February 22nd, 2022 at 7:32 am
Unless Brady opens up and reveals exactly why he “retired” all anybody can do is speculate. I don’t think he is the type to dump a lot of negatives on the Bucs owners, players or coaches. Whatever caused his decision to retire, the one thing that stood out to me for most of last season was his change in demeanor. Gone was the smiling, cheerful , player coach who played with obvious joy and whose enthusiasm spread amongst his team mates. This last season was a Brady who looked tense and unhappy about something. And unless he chooses to reveal what caused his change in attitude we may never know why. Of course a tell all book would get him millions . But based on how he handled his departure from Boston, I don’t see Brady dumping on the Bucs organization either.
February 22nd, 2022 at 7:41 am
I keep reading how Brady didn’t like the Belichick way and he left. No, he was pushed out. Belichick didn’t believe in a 40+ old QB. They low balled his contract and he left. When you’re at any job for 20 yrs you’re going to find things not to you’re liking that’s just natural. I do believe the newness for both Brady and BA wore off. Brady probably saw the coaches and team not putting in the work to repeat and got frustrated, I can see that how many chances does he have left and on the other side, BA’s philosophy is I’m uncle Buc, you guys are pros figure it out. Simply oil & water. DR is right, no matter what Brady says it will be twisted so just just ignores the noise.
That being said, once the Bucs figure out the QB issue, they will release TB12. No one is going to burn a bridge. You all knew this day was coming and the Bucs would be in cap hell, that’s the price for winning.
February 22nd, 2022 at 7:51 am
I can’t help but think that Brady retired from the Bucs, but not Football.
But if so, what was he thinking ?
WE own his rights for next year
February 22nd, 2022 at 8:01 am
Let’s start another rumor – Maybe all this chatter about TB dissatisfied with the Bucs is to distract everyone that TB needs time to rethink his decision about retiring…
February 22nd, 2022 at 8:12 am
Just like the current speculation Joe. Brady never made a stink about the Pats. Just speculation by the media.
February 22nd, 2022 at 8:13 am
If BA is red inking anything it should be Todd Bowles and his horrible game plans. I mean single coverage on #10 for LA is a fireable offense. Its time for the Bucs to move on and get ready for the next version of the Bucs. Also maybe find out who is leaking the inside info to the reporters and “friend” on the radio
February 22nd, 2022 at 8:16 am
It could be. Brady is quite exacting, while Arians is loose to the point where it seems he’s running a country club. That’s why he’s a players’ coach, he gives you leeway and a personal life.
But I suppose football has parallels to the military. If you’re looking for results, you want your shock troops to be highly disciplined, synchronized as one to achieve the task at hand. Were they playing with that tight discipline in that divisional loss to the Rams? No, particularly on that Cooper Kupp dagger where few Bucs on the field knew what they were doing? Maybe a bit more film study and drills were in order, rather than sauntering off to watch a movie at the local cinema.
I think the Bucs were disciplined two season ago. Perhaps it was the pandemic taking away the distractions, or perhaps it was the honeymoon period after the team landed Tom Brady. Either way, I do think that where there’s smoke there’s fire, and that Brady has lost the element of trust with Arians and the coaching staff.
February 22nd, 2022 at 8:31 am
True Buc fans will take Brady’s so called problems over bruce arrogance’s long list of problems anyday!!!
And it sounds like Brady’s so called problem pertains to coaches that want to put in the work.
February 22nd, 2022 at 8:42 am
Brady felt vindicated (winning without BB), and seeing how the Pat’s wouldn’t win again under BB!! This last year was tiring, most of the player’s are selfish (trying to get the most, regardless of team). TB12, has been about sacrifice for sake of Team. Also to get so close (obstacle, Rams) and lose like that, was draining! Buc’s never fixed the problem (DB), it was the problem, whole season! These are the things, and top of list; Family!!! Guy’s 22 years and to be able to walk away (not broken)!! We should all be thankful, instead of demanding more. Let his kids/wife have him, we had him for 22 great years. Lets be happy with some, guess appearance, and be happy, we witnessed da greatest who’s ever did it!!
February 22nd, 2022 at 8:44 am
Brady felt vindicated (winning without BB), and seeing how the Pat’s wouldn’t win again under BB!! This last year was tiring, most of the player’s are selfish (trying to get the most, regardless of team). TB12, has been about sacrifice for sake of Team. Also to get so close (obstacle, Rams) and lose like that, was draining! Buc’s never fixed the problem (DB), it was the problem, whole season! These are the things, and top of list; Family!!! Guy’s 22 years and to be able to walk away (not broken)!! We should all be thankful, instead of demanding more. Let his kids/wife have him, we had him for 22 great years. Lets be happy with some, guess appearance, and be happy, we witnessed da greatest who’s ever did it!!
February 22nd, 2022 at 9:19 am
Rick Stroud
@NFLSTROUD
The injuries sustained in 2021 was the biggest factor, especially at RT. The narrative that there was some rift between Brady and Arians isn’t buttressed by any players or assistants we’ve talked to for two seasons, including those closest to Brady.
1:29 AM · Feb 20, 2022·Twitter for iPhone
February 22nd, 2022 at 9:27 am
Manby Brady didn’t like working with Leftwich anymore.
Of course, he could say nothing, lest he be branded in an untoward manner by the SJ mob.
As long as everyone is parsing and speculating, maybe the “rift” with Arians is how hands-off Arians was with Leftwich which directly affected Brady’s play.
I have never been a fan of Leftwich, either as a player or a coach. I could never see Leftwich as a head coach and was hoping the Jags wanted him back.
Maybe Brady wants to be QB ~AND~ OC…total control of the offense.
February 22nd, 2022 at 9:41 am
IDK, some blame could be on Brady but personally, I put 90% of the blame for the deterioration of the relationship between Brady and the Bucs squarely on the shoulders of Bruce Arians. To me he is really extremely lame as a HC. I will be happy when that golf cart riding senior citizen cleans out his desk and builds his final home in Sun City. Plenty of opportunities to waste time golfing there BA. Move on please.
February 22nd, 2022 at 9:41 am
MJ , so you just admitted to being a bandwagon fan ?? You “didn’t watch the Bucs during the Lost decade” ?? You shouldn’t have a opinion on anything to do with the Bucs
February 22nd, 2022 at 10:04 am
Yeah I don’t think Brady has a right to be mad about anything. Bucs brought in his guys, changed the offense (rightfully so) and stood by AB until he had a meltdown. He got a Super Bowl without Belichick with more weapons than he’s ever had. If he had problems with the coaching, I’m sure it could’ve been worked out without retirement
February 22nd, 2022 at 10:41 am
It’s usually always a two-way street……..BA is the head coach and even though Brady is the Goat….he’s a player…..
BA should have the final say on issues like AB…..
All indications are that Brady was given considerable input….but that’s just it….it’s input.
February 22nd, 2022 at 10:52 am
One last thought of mine. Maybe Brady suffered a serious case of “burn out”. I certainly did not see that high level of positivity and enthusiasm that helped lift the entire teams attitude and confidence in that great run for the Super Bowl win. 22 years of the grind might of finally worn on Tom. Add in his lovely wife and kids, their posh new home on a semi private island near Miami. Was it just time for Tom to stop and smell the roses? He did take some pretty hard its this season. Why continue to risk it when you already have plenty of biscuit? When is enough truly enough? I think Tom was wise to get out with his health and reputation intact. Playing next season with a potentially depleted team roster would have been a sad end to a fantastic career. Too many great qbs of the past hung on too long and endured a sad ending to their careers. Tom gets to retire healthy and wealthy and pick and chose lucrative media deals. Tom already has truck load of biscuit. No need to risk it. Tall, handsome, great personality. Easy big money as a media star.
February 22nd, 2022 at 10:53 am
Interesting Tech. The Bucs were everything Brady wanted, the opposite of New England. Maybe after two years he just realized it’s not what he wants. I don’t know, doesn’t seem reasonable though because they had a lot of success and very well could’ve won another Super Bowl this coming year.
The big issue was injuries on defense. Brady can’t control that and knows that was not going to be an issue this year.
The other big issue that I saw is not finishing games. Basically the O would really stall in the second half and allow teams back into games. That points towards coaching because they did not adapt when the other team adapted. They also did not anticipate the other team making any changes.
But… Brady had a big part of the offense along with BL so that’s like him running away from a problem instead of staying and trying to resolve it, not something he does.
As for anyone saying anything about the Antonio Brown incident, no chance. I don’t believe there’s any chance that has anything to do with him retiring. Besides, Antonio Brown, as of yesterday, is still throwing Brady under the bus after all he did for him.
February 22nd, 2022 at 11:51 am
“Way too much smoke out there”
And yet, not a single ember (named or credible source) has been found. Only a denial from Arians himself as well as great vibes and shoutouts from Brady (didn’t even mention NE during initial retirement post). Brady’s retirement has thus far made for great publicity and speculation.
February 22nd, 2022 at 12:05 pm
When the Bucs let AB go (which was rightfully so) I feel Brady felt the Bucs were not willing to do ANYTHING to win, and after a narrow loss to the Super Bowl champ Rams feel that that lack of extreme commitment was not worth pursuing another ring in Tampa. If he’s going to sacrifice more of his life to this game to win it’s going to be in a place that is desperate to win and I feel the Bucs lost that when they let AB go and Bruce let ABs antics get under his pride. If he had been able to bite his toung for a few more months AB may have made the difference in that game and possibly the chance of repeating. Just my opinion
February 22nd, 2022 at 1:04 pm
BA and BB have very different styles. Was it different and refreshing for Brady, sure they won. For Brady, it must have been somewhat shocking that you could win with an operation like Ariana’s. After all, he’d been use to doing it one way for two decades. As this past season progressed, Brady probably felt the superbowl win was more of an exception to the rule. You can’t continue to win when mistakes are not corrected. You can’t continue to win with zero defensive gameplan or adjustment. You can’t continue to win with a bumbling, meddlesome head coach, when it isn’t his offense.
February 22nd, 2022 at 1:05 pm
Sooner later some tv network will fork up a few million and Tom will spill the beans, the good, the bad and the ugly.
February 22nd, 2022 at 1:15 pm
Give it up already. Thanks Tom Brady the “GOAT” for coming to Tampa and winning a Super Bowl, and teaching what it takes to become world champion. We have a lot of good memories of the time he was here. He has played for 22 seasons. Won 7 Super Bowls. If he feels it is time let him go do his thing. He has earned it.
Thanks for the Super Bowl win at home we are still the first team to Ever do it. Thanks for the exciting second season, and thanks for the last pass you threw to Mike Evans over Ramsey’s head for the to easy TD. We will be different next season without Brady. But who thought he would ever play for us, and win a Super Bowl.
Please move on.
Our Brady time is over.
Go! BUCS!!!
February 22nd, 2022 at 1:37 pm
Brady wipes his arse with a few million.
February 22nd, 2022 at 4:53 pm
Fire Arians.
Let Tom call all his own plays.
Win 2 more Super Bowls.
February 22nd, 2022 at 5:31 pm
If he did sour on Arians and wants to play again, maybe we could trade him and a first round pick to Seatle for Wilson?
February 22nd, 2022 at 5:33 pm
If you become frustrated, dissatisfied and disgruntled about your organization and its leadership, you become frustrated, dissatisfied, disgruntled, and you no longer want to be part of it.
Why is it so hard to understand? It’s not a “PROBLEM”. It just is. The “problem” aspect depends on specifics. On all sides.
If in fact this is the case with Brady. We wait for confirmation of this. Maybe we get it, maybe we don’t. I think the latter. (He gives away little or nothing publicly.)
To anyone who knows the history of Tom Brady longer than, oh, one year, his chippiness and demand for perfection is at the core of who and what he is. HE WANTS THINGS HIS WAY, AND HE WANTS TO WIN HIS WAY. Anything in the way of that, too bad.
February 22nd, 2022 at 6:50 pm
“Sir Winston Churchill once said that ‘Americans will always do the right thing, AFTER they’ve tried everything else’. Well, the same could similarly be said of today’s media. EVENTUALLY it gets to the truth, AFTER it’s speculated about every possible scenario surrounding that truth.”
Wow, Defense Rules, you’ve blown my mind with that one. Churchill must have said that at least 60 to 80 ago. Shows how some things don’t change that much from generation to generation. This remains true for today’s media, sports-wise and news-wise in general. I enjoy speculation in sports but, sometimes you just have to go “Aw c’mon now!” also.
February 22nd, 2022 at 6:59 pm
@passing thru…you get it. Brady brought the blueprint and imho we kinda followed it for a season. Last year was a mess and brady said hell no.
February 23rd, 2022 at 1:39 pm
Just three things change all of this dramatically.
First…CG14 doesn’t go down
Second…AB doesn’t get hurt and then implode
Third…Tristan Wirfs does not go down.
Yes injuries…having players go bat shirt crazy…this is all part of the NFL. Gotta be lucky to make it all the way to the SB. We were lucky last year…not so much this year.
Time to savor a great two year run and see what the future has in store…without Tom Brady. I’m ready for him to move on. I’m truly appreciative of the two years of greatness he showed us, but if he ended up in SF back home again I’m cool with that.