All-In … Except At Head Coach
April 2nd, 2022
Jason Licht and Team Glazer fell one move short.
Nearly every move the Bucs have made since Tom Brady arrived appears to reflect the organization’s win-now mentality.
But there are two glaring exceptions.
First, it was drafting Kyle Trask last year, a wise play for the future. And yeah, you guessed it, the other is this week’s head coaching change.
Bucco Bruce Arians, who Joe believes is the best head coach in team history, stepped aside. He’s healthy, he says, and he definitely was ready to coach after the 2022 Super Bowl and then was torn later in February about his future. But it seems neither Team Glazer nor Jason Licht could convince Arians to stay on for the good of the franchise.
Did they even try? And if not, why not?
All those all-in, win-now personnel moves and the Bucs’ hierarchy, including Arians, let their fearless leader walk out the door for no good reason. The culture-builder-in-chief resigned without much of a fight, it seems. Joe didn’t hear anything this past week about how hard Licht and Glazer schemed, pressed and sold Arians on coming back for one more season.
Yes, Joe wrote “for no good reason” regarding Arians leaving. That might ruffle feathers, but it’s no knock on Todd Bowles.
If you believe Arians quit now to make sure Bowles’ job was secure, then Joe has to ask why Team Glazer didn’t respond to Arians’ desire to leave by demanding he stay with a firm agreement to hand Bowles the keys to the franchise next season. “Bruce, don’t quit. Coach in 2022. Announce now that it’s your last year and immediately we’ll name Todd Bowles the 2023 head coach with a five-year contract and modest extensions for the coaching staff. It’s a win-win all around and Todd can fully ready himself for 2023. We’ll even drop an extra $5 million on your foundation.”
But that did not happen. Team Glazer and Licht couldn’t find a way. They failed, unless you believe Bowles is a better head coach than Arians, who will be inducted into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor this fall.
If you believe Arians is healthy and still wants to work, as he claims, then this whole situation is downright odd.
One could chalk it up to an extreme (to a fault) respect for Arians’ desires, so Licht and Team Glazer didn’t push Arians. But that doesn’t add up for a healthy, delegating head coach who could be set up wonderfully for a farewell tour over the next 10 months. Joe can’t stop dwelling on the missing all-out effort to ensure the Bucs and their fans had the best head coach possible for this season: Arians.
And lastly, Joe is wondering about the ultimate Buccaneers salesman, Tom Brady. Does Arians walk if Brady says, ‘Coach, you must stay one more year?’
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:08 pm
It’s his Achilles, his alcoholism, his desire to write his own narrative on his Legacy. He’s a politician, who doesn’t want to chance things falling apart with potentially not winning.
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:12 pm
“Did they even try? And if not, why not?“
Maybe someone should’ve asked at the presser they had a few days ago…
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:22 pm
“Joe has to ask why Team Glazer didn’t respond to Arians’ desire to leave by demanding he stay with an firm agreement to hand Bowles the keys to the franchise next season.”
That is a totally false premise Joe. Who amongst us thinks the Bucs will be as good next year as they are right now? Seriously? Before the TB unretirement and the subsequent resigning of our players and a couple of terrific FA’s we all thought the Bucs were already toast THIS YEAR. Whoa! So with six returning Pro Bowlers and quality in the trenches, in a bad division, everyone thought the team was toast? That’s ridiculous. Without Brady, Joe would have expected the Bucs to win the division. Arians arrived in Arizona with no QB and a 5-11 team and did just fine. –Joe
AGAIN…money was not a factor…reputation was not a factor…perhaps at the very most another SB might “insure” BA’s HOF inclusion but that’s no sure thing either.
I can see though why Brady and the Glazers and Licht ran off BA. Hell according to folks here he’s an alcoholic, publicity hound, self absorbed moron who has a gay lover on the side and supports pedophelia. OH an he NEVER WON A FREAKING FOOTBALL GAME.
The nastiness of some hear is sad. I realize most are trolls but damn guys calling people some of the names I’ve read is amazingly classless!!! If reflects on the mindless morons posting not BA. DUH.
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:23 pm
The part time head meddler getting shown the door was a easy decision. The Glazers know Tom Brady won the superbowl for them. It is no coincidence that that the broken down golf cart meddler had his best result when he was furthest from the team.
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:24 pm
“Did they even try? And if not, why not?”
Just respect the man’s decision. Sheeesh!
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:25 pm
There are so many things that don’t add up. The only conclusion I can reach is that Brady’s return was contingent on Arians’ retirement. Too strange and too many timing coincidences to think otherwise.
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:32 pm
There is ALWAYS more to the story.
That doesn’t mean that it is always bad.
What determines your “need to know”.
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:32 pm
Arians said why and his mind would not be changed. He was going to retire after one more year, anyway. This year Brady could get injured. We could go 10-7. THEN would not be the time to hand over the team (in his unselfish position).
He built the team the best it could be NOW and gave it to his good friend. I don’t understand why some people do not seem to really know who BA is…
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:34 pm
Proud girl you really need to tuck away your estrogen pills and go away.
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:35 pm
Once again, I love Arians! But sorry before Brady, Arians won Jack s$$t! He had ready made Andrew Luck at QB that pretty much got him his first head coaching gig! Then, if I recall, the cardinals got absolutely blown out in the nfc championship game by the cam newton panthers! It was one of the most lopsided outcomes in an nfc championship! I’m just fine with Bowles as head coach, and a playoff tested QB named Brady!
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:37 pm
Cricket, I think the point is Arians’ mind could have been changed. He said himself he wrestled with the decision, so much that he didn’t even tell Bowles until this week! Nothing wrong with handing over a team with strong talent, a strong staff and a good front office. That line from Arians was ridiculous, IMO>
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:37 pm
The part time, broken down golf cart, head meddler Bruce Arrogance, according to Tom Brady.
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:38 pm
Joe, with all due respect…you have no idea if Arians requested a guarantee for next year on Bowles & didn’t receive it…..you have no idea what transpired and neither do we.
This is pure speculation which may be permanent. With all due respect, none of us have an idea if we don’t see it on the field. Coaches, owners, players and executives lie and tell half-truths. It’s in the job description. Anyone who writes and talks about the NFL is filtering for accuracy. –Joe
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:40 pm
Respct BA’s decision and move on. How many times have we heard about a coach being offered a head coach position with another team and opting for something much less of a grind…play by play guy on network TV for instance, instead of coaching. I know I’ve heard that logic on this website more than once. BA’s older and deserves whatever he chooses.
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:46 pm
If we go back to when Arians was hired, everyone said he’d be here for 3-years and that was it. Also Arians said part of coming back was to make sure Bowles and Leftwich both became headcoaches — and all talk was that Bowles would end up taking over for Arians if they had any success.
All that happened — just like it was predicted in 2019.
I legit believe it was just the plan. Arians wanted to use his name and rep to put his guys in a situation where they could succeed. I also believe that Arians knows that if this team didn’t have a legit QB option, they would stink, and he didn’t want to dump the team onto Bowles only for them to go 3-14 and have Bowles take the hit. Additionally if Arians jump ships when Brady retires, you can say goodbye to any chance of getting a quality FA QB, and it would likely be nearly impossible to trade for someone. So Arians sticks around until the QB situation is figured out, then does what he was always going to do.
It all makes perfect sense when you go back to the beginning and don’t focus on the day to day stuff over the last few weeks.
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:50 pm
Arians was the head coach. He could meddle in whatever the hell he wanted to. And if you’re going to call someone an alcoholic you’d better damn well have proof.
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:51 pm
I think the guy has satisfied himself. He felt that they were in good hands. He guaranteed the succession plan he wanted.
He probably is ready to enjoy life. He came back to win a SB and did it. I don’t think he wants to give the energy it would take to go through this season.
Why can’t it just be a selfless act by a confident man?
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:52 pm
Rod has the winning take. Now let’s move on
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:52 pm
Hoping the best for this season because I predict much of the talent bail next off season (especially if Brady does), Leftwich could go to another team, the Bucs will be forced into a 2 years rebuild because of cap which Bowles probably doesn’t survive and then and HC change…. then repeat much like the lost year!
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:56 pm
No plan as of now. Not yet. –Joe
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:59 pm
The thing I love about Arians is his genuine loyalty he has to helping the coaches around him succeed! I do think he is a great coach, don’t get me wrong, but his 3 short years coaching here is just a blip on the Bucs radar. Dungy and Gruden are more memorable than he is. I will be forever grateful for the championship he brought. But my personal preferences are Dungy and Chucky over him. I was too young of a pup to remember McKay. Don’t hate me for it, just my opinion
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:59 pm
It is what it is. It doesn’t have to be complicated.
April 2nd, 2022 at 5:03 pm
Love the strategic planning rather than reacting after the fact
April 2nd, 2022 at 5:06 pm
Joe has to ask why Team Glazer didn’t respond to Arians’ desire to leave by demanding he stay with a firm agreement to hand Bowles the keys to the franchise next season.
– IMO, Arians priority was to set Bowles up for success and waiting until 2023 would mean the QB position would be unknown.
I think the “Arians taking care of Bowles” factor is overlooked in alot of analysis.
April 2nd, 2022 at 5:10 pm
Maybe the Glazers were afraid he would hit more players on the head.
April 2nd, 2022 at 5:13 pm
Bowles wasn’t getting another head coaching job after his latest playoff gaffe- he was trending down. Arians stepped in and extended Bowles career, just like he did for Jason Licht and just like Brady did for Licht and Arians- It takes a village.
April 2nd, 2022 at 5:14 pm
Rod Munch hit the nail on the head.
This is called an orginizational plan(so was Trask btw). I know its wierd for is Bucs fans to see an actual plan take place. We are used to a new HC, coaching staff and front office every 2 years.
And Joe theres no way the Glazers are telling Bruce what to do. At his age hes doing whatever he wants and if they dont like it he will probably tell them to kiss his white ass………actually he probably would have told them that on his interview to get the job if they werent willing to follow his plans…….Bruce held up his end of the bargain and delived a Ring.
April 2nd, 2022 at 5:17 pm
Thats a good point and i get it
Brady didnt demand arians stay around for this year. For brady last year?
Lets be honest , with this move Brady runs the show on offense so he Is a coach himself now. So he is stoked. I think this control of offense is something he wanted to test in career.
But as far as brady goes. The dude is humble. A great teammate. He just hates to lose so much that it comes across sometimes like he is the opposite. And the stories from former And current players confirm how amazing this guy is. He is the GOAT. So glad he picked tampa. This whole rift between head coach and player is blown out of proportion.
Do i think brady prefers a more hands on approach from his coach like bellichick? I do. Where arians was coaching hands off like he was the likable rah rah drinking buddy coach who let his guys run the show while he was in background. So again brady probably gets to focus on different aspects of offense at practice now.
Anyway. Cant wait for this season
Edge rusher / def tackle/ corner / tight end with first 4 picks
Get a return guy and punter with 2 seventh rounders
Win win. Go bucs!
April 2nd, 2022 at 5:25 pm
All alcoholics have proof!! Oooh! I’ll be here all day.
Can we get some mock draft type stuff vs the soap opera stuff?
Also where is our help on D?
Also trade for Patterson. He’ll want out now with no Matty Ice.
April 2nd, 2022 at 5:28 pm
Joe, my friend: there is no human way to sort a single clean undigested kernal of accuracy from this bloated bloviating biomass of bovine hypetflatuence the NFL world has blasted out of its collective buttholes for the informative entertainment of its thoroughly dismayed audience.
Any attempt to make heads or tails of this offal offering without the express expulsion of our moronic minions and the biblical blessings of his Holiness, Rodger Goodell, and the brown circle of quality fron a Dilbert cartoon is strictly prohibited.
April 2nd, 2022 at 5:31 pm
Brady + Bowles 》Trask + Arians
April 2nd, 2022 at 5:38 pm
What happened to Arians is a one question IQ test where the only people failing it are bought and paid for by the team or hopeless homers.
As far as conspiracy theories go it’s one of the few where the majority of people believe it and it makes far more sense than the manure coming out of One Buc.
Arians said himself he’s healthy, which would’ve been a much easier excuse than the one he’s floating. You almost think he’s putting out the worse story as a wink-nod to anyone with half a brain to what actually happened.
April 2nd, 2022 at 5:40 pm
Could Arians have wanted to give Bowles the job now so he could be successful with Brady? If Brady is gone next year it will be tough sledding. If Bowles has a successful year under his belt it will give him more time…
April 2nd, 2022 at 5:42 pm
With Arians’ entire career there are examples of him mentoring players & coaches…..that is, unarguably, what he’s all about.
The net effect is that Todd Bowles got his HC job & it was Arians that saw to it.
I do agree that Arians wanted to leave the job to Bowles with Brady rather than an unknown. It makes far too much sense to see it any other way.
You have to admire Arians’ unselfishness. He gave up another shot at a SB…..he left a winner in my book as I’m sure in Bowles’.
April 2nd, 2022 at 5:43 pm
Arians said he stepped aside this year instead of next to give Todd the best opportunity to succeed. He felt if Brady retired for good after this year Bowles would be starting out with an extreme disadvantage.
Apparently Joe thinks he is a liar.
Why must there always be an “angle” when someone does a good deed?
Are we that far gone as a species?
Believe it or not there are some decent people left out there. And it just might be that Bruce is one of them. He proved his worth to me when he all but labeled Florio a hack during his departing presser. One’s decency cannot be desecrated upon after that “revelation.”
This story defines the term, “overblown.”
Time to move on …
April 2nd, 2022 at 5:48 pm
Devante Parker to the Pats for a 3rd? Wow. Within the division no less
April 2nd, 2022 at 5:54 pm
Cleanhouse Says:
April 2nd, 2022 at 4:08 pm
It’s his Achilles, his alcoholism, his desire to write his own narrative on his Legacy. He’s a politician, who doesn’t want to chance things falling apart with potentially not winning.
^^^^^^^^^^
Is everyone who drinks alcohol and alcoholic? No.
Is everyone who accuses someone of being an alcoholic without knowing them an a$$clown? Again no, but there’s a much higher chance of being an a$$clownoholic.
April 2nd, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Yea Bucsfan4ever! You said almost all that needed to be said in your last post.. It’s just too bad you couldn’t have also spit out some colorful four letter superlative style abjectives for a little more depth to your absolute truth. Maybe next time -huh?
April 2nd, 2022 at 5:56 pm
Of course Bruce Arrogance is a great guy. Just ask him, he will tell you all about it.
April 2nd, 2022 at 6:06 pm
Just like our wonderful Proud Bucs Fan, right. He who knows everything is lost within himself. But can you deal with it becomes the question. Put you hand back in your pants, grab your Johnson between your 2 smallest fingers (just so you don’t miss it) and play with it until you go back to sleep.
April 2nd, 2022 at 6:14 pm
OK, I’ll be nice! It sucks to hear supposidly Buck fans talk about BA like he does. That ugliness towards Trye Bucs Fan was quite nasty; although deserved. I apologize.
April 2nd, 2022 at 6:15 pm
When enough is enough. Arians has been trying to make this decision during all the trials and troubles of last season. The Super Bowl high was a pinnacle. Last year was up and down and full of pressure, injuries and issues. At his age and health stage it was probably a decision that plagued him all or most of last season. When it stops being fun, and emotional resilience declines with age and health, it was simply time to step aside. As an older guy myself I can easily relate. ” Time, there was a time, a time of fun, a time of innocence, a time of confidence…… I borrow a line or two from a really good song. Only Bruce and a few others know for sure. For now. Maybe he eventually reveals more.
April 2nd, 2022 at 6:25 pm
Anyone with a functional brain can see how Arians health has failed. This bologna about keeping the coaches in place is laughable. The bucs timed this so plausible deniability could be upheld. Why in the hell would Brady travel across the pond just to tell ownership he was coming back. That could’ve been done with a simple phone call. Brady has already said that 90%of what he says is garbage. I don’t think they had a terrible relationship. That’s not what this all was about. It was about Brady’s realization that they couldn’t win going forward with the status quo. QB especially and football players in general crave structure and accountability. That was clearly lacking according to multiple, reputable reports.
April 2nd, 2022 at 6:53 pm
WAH WAH WAH BLA BLA BLA ……LFG
April 2nd, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Garbage article. Do you all actually do any work?
April 2nd, 2022 at 7:08 pm
StAugBuc Says:
April 2nd, 2022 at 5:48 pm
Devante Parker to the Pats for a 3rd? Wow. Within the division no less
———
Well, it was a 2023 3rd, for Parker and a 2022 5th — and the Pats get, at worst, a #2 WR for 2 years at $6m. Parker, if he’s healthy, is a #1 for a lot of teams, and on the Bucs he’d be a #3, and you’d save $4m a year over Gage.
With that said, taking into account the health of Godwin and the overall bad luck with injuries of the Bucs at WR, it’s probably better to go the safe route, and Parker has had a lot of issues staying healthy. So Gage, for this particular team, is probably the better fit since you only need him to be a #3.
April 2nd, 2022 at 7:15 pm
ElioT Says:
April 2nd, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Garbage article. Do you all actually do any work?
^^^^^^^^
Thanks for your positivity, T.S. ElioT.
April 2nd, 2022 at 7:17 pm
He is 70 in a short time- he has the chance to set up
His hand picked staff and move to the FO
Why is this strange to anyone?
Succession planning at its finest
April 2nd, 2022 at 7:20 pm
If I’m reviewing the past year with BA I think this may have been a mutual decision.. in many circles Bowles was mentioned as head coach in waiting. Heard rumors for a while. Players have confirmed.
BA although somewhat justified with his reaction to AB it probably could have been handled better.
BA flat out over reacting in reaction to Andrew Adams.
These are the things we know of.
I just think there was more behind the scenes that the Glazers were ready to make the change. Especially if Brady was onboard. I think this was a it’s time for you to move on. But to save face. We got a nice cushy job for you and a spot in the Ring. Thats what makes sense to me.
April 2nd, 2022 at 7:20 pm
oh come on…how can people actually say that Arians was not pushed out…come on…are people that gullible. People can’t be that stupid…Come on…Arians is getting his full coaching pay check to get out of the way. Arians was becoming a clown show. ps…like how the black journalists are fine that there was no job interview.(yes, I know the technicality).
April 2nd, 2022 at 7:25 pm
Joe in Michigan, I must have struck a nerve, be glad you still have a few nerves left with all that drinking, there’s a good chance maybe it’s time for you to get off the sauce. Keep your clown talk to yourself. Seems to be a pretty prevalent subject matter for someone with no issue (Arians)
April 2nd, 2022 at 7:37 pm
Arians has not been healthy for some time. What other NFL coach you know rides around in a GD golf cart all practice? Both during training camps and regular season? HE left like he wanted to leave. And like it or not, Did quite the spin move in not giving the Glazers enough notice so they could find another coach prior to this season. Perhaps not a great coach but certainly an experienced one. The team will be fine with Bowles. I’m just concerned with us not paying enough attention to a Defense which was 3 Stars at best last season. Brady might not be enough to get us over the hump.
April 2nd, 2022 at 7:41 pm
Does Arians walk if Brady says, ‘Coach, you must stay one more year?’
Lol Brady a pimp I guess he got hoes in the nfl. Sorry to call you out but that was weak minded as hell. BA being the man he is I am sure it was no different than Brady contemplating retirement. Damn so pathetic how cowardly people are in this day and age. Dude is still in the building helping and not 100% retired at his age how could you make him coach another year?
April 2nd, 2022 at 7:50 pm
Josh Freeman would say that Succo Bruce was not putting in the time.
April 2nd, 2022 at 7:50 pm
JameisPick6Again … ‘Just respect the man’s decision. Sheeesh!’
Couldn’t agree more, but that’s not what today’s media is all about. If there’s no story to be found, it’s simple: Manufacture one. Conspiracy theories abound nowadays … in sports, in politics, you name it … and always seem to achieve a life of their own.
Certainly every JBFer would agree that BA MUST have had some deep, dark, hidden desire to get the last shot in at Tom Brady. What else could’ve motivated BA to just ride off into the sunset at age 70, with lots of financial security, and at the peak of a very successful career? No, it has to all be related to BA’s horrific relationship with Tom Brady.
April 2nd, 2022 at 8:01 pm
Even money says he’ll travel with the team and prowl the sidelines gametime. Just not with all that ridiculous electronic gear!
April 2nd, 2022 at 8:03 pm
Overall this change is a downgrade to our coaching hierarchy. Having Bruce as the lead dog allowed Todd to concentrate on what he did best DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR and allowed Byron concentrate on what he did best OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR. Not everyone is cut out to be the lead dog. I don’t believe Todd or Byron is cut out to be a lead dog but time will tell. This is no disrespect to either of them. They should learn from Norv Turner who was a great OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR but a terrible HEAD COACH. In addition we are moving up two position coaches to be considered co-DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR’S in name only. Todd will continue to call plays because neither of them is qualified to do so. In reality Todd is going to wear two hats HEAD COACH/OFFENSE COORDINATOR. He will have a great year this year because the table has already been set for him. He could sleep walk into the playoffs this year. Let see if he makes it to the end of his 5 year contract.
April 2nd, 2022 at 8:17 pm
Cleanhouse: No nerves struck, I just told the truth. I’m sorry if the truth hurts you.
April 2nd, 2022 at 8:28 pm
Everybody has to have a take. This one is garbage like most of the others.
Arians decided it was time to move on and do what he was planning, as he said, with the table set for Bowles to succeed… not next year, when Brady might not come back, and dump a bad situation without a QB in Bowles’ lap. I believe Arians when he says succession was on his mind. That’s who he is. Coaches know it and players know it. Jason Licht and the Glazers know it.
Licht and the Glazers ultimately respected Arians’ decision.
Also, this article presumes that Licht and the Glazers did not press hard to get Arians back for one more round. How would you even know if that happened or not?
Nevermind… This is just sports journalism — everybody has to have a “take” and a critique based on an interpretation of facts that might not even be accurate. But, hey Joe, wanna talk about Fake News a little more?
Arians made a decision to retire, to pass the torch to his protegé, so to speak. Admirable. It’s something we don’t often see in sports. That’s my take.
April 2nd, 2022 at 8:54 pm
It definitely all feels a little off…. Just not sure exactly how.
If Brady feels Arians was a main reason why they didn’t win it all, you guys really don’t think that would bother Brady at all? And then, you don’t think Arians wouldn’t also eventually feel just as awful once he admitted to himself after the season that it was true?
That to me feels like what’s happening here
April 2nd, 2022 at 8:56 pm
sasquach
Your take is a good one…..better than most
April 2nd, 2022 at 9:28 pm
Most likely 2023: Bruce gone, Brady gone, Byron gone. A new OC already on the coaching squad.
Bucs and Licht just
April 2nd, 2022 at 9:33 pm
You really think Brady retired then unretired but didn’t have any opinion on who the HC was going to be?
April 2nd, 2022 at 9:49 pm
One question, how did Arians arrive at this decision? It went from, I’m calling plays next year, and I’m coaching until I can’t, to I was just setting up my coaching staff and moving to the front office. The bucs have a very competent GM. I’ve never seen or heard BA being involved in anything but the coaching aspect of the game. Its plain to see for anyone looking without fanboy eyes. They waited a respectable amount of time, for plausible deniability. Brady pushed him out, and the ownership made the correct call. The bucs are immeasurably better because of it. Would all you bucco Bruce fans be happy with BA at the helm and Kyle Trask starting? Just be grateful it worked out the way it did. The bucs have a better chance of making the superbowl now that BA is out of the picture.
April 2nd, 2022 at 9:53 pm
Arians acomplish his goal. SB. Did he accomplish the the bucs goal. No. Develop a qb.
Bowles legacy we shall know later on. 1-2 yrs. But it is a upgrade. Experienced and knowledgable coach. He develop the defense.
April 2nd, 2022 at 9:54 pm
The timeline just doesn’t add up
April 2nd, 2022 at 9:57 pm
Whoever did or didn’t do what to whom is now irrelevant. I am interested to see if the team is more disciplined and focused than last year.
That’s really all that’s important now.
April 2nd, 2022 at 10:02 pm
Top all of this depression off with the Lightning playing a putrid form of hockey.
Anyway, still not willing to take a bite out of the B.A. – T.B feud. Zero evidence of such a thing. If there were, why is it such a concern now?
April 2nd, 2022 at 10:05 pm
*Bucs and Jason Licht just starting the new system early. No sweat.
April 2nd, 2022 at 10:12 pm
joe’s on point…
and this whole story — the 2022 bucs is going to be an espn 30 for 30 in about 30 years…
don’t sleep
April 2nd, 2022 at 10:19 pm
The man has visible health problems. A coach that needs a cart to run the field …
April 2nd, 2022 at 10:29 pm
Visible health problems? What?
April 2nd, 2022 at 10:30 pm
Either Brady forced him out or he really wanted to get out of the way and alley oop his man Bowles a great opportunity. Either one has about the same degree of likelihood. Health is not the reason. He was clear about that. He’s not going to lie about that after retiring.
April 2nd, 2022 at 10:31 pm
the reason BA is out is because his achilles had no “pliability”…
just ask Tom and BA…
i’m sure they can both agree on that 🙂
April 2nd, 2022 at 10:52 pm
Sasquatch: “Lies!”
Also Sasquatch: “Brian Stelter is truthful!”
🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
April 2nd, 2022 at 10:53 pm
Visible health problems, what? Take a good look at the guy. For Christ sake use your eyes. BA and his wife did an interview for real sports a few years ago. They openly talked about his growing health concerns. He’s only failed scene. Why are you people holding on to this? Either he’s in fine health and decided this on his own, or was pushed aside because Brady demanded it. Don’t be children. Tell me what a great talent evaluator BA is next. His new front office position is nothing more than hush money. An NFL franchise isn’t going to let it be know that a singular player, no matter how great he is, gets to pick his HC. Keeping the staff and promoting bowles was nothing more than face saving for the ownership. It would set a Lebron like precisent that the good ole boys club that is NFL owners couldn’t stand
April 2nd, 2022 at 11:00 pm
Which is it GOB? Health problems or Brady. Or are you just going to throw darts everywhere and see which ones stick?
April 2nd, 2022 at 11:02 pm
@Joe in Michigan,
[That’s not very nice. — Joe], conspiracy boy. Turn on some Tucker and tune out reality. Good job.
April 2nd, 2022 at 11:10 pm
[Calm down. — Joe]
April 2nd, 2022 at 11:26 pm
Joe Florio
April 2nd, 2022 at 11:54 pm
The problem with so many people is that they think they’re entitled to know something because they are fans or they cover the team or they go to the games. Does it really matter why he retired and Brady un retired or Brady forced him out or even more believable that Arians had it set up to go down this way from the time he said yes to the Glazers??? The fact of the matter is we have the GOAT that his heir apparent has one or maybe even two more years to learn from him and a Head Coach who is intimately familiar with this entire team and not some new guy coming in with an entire new staff offense and defense!!! Win win for us all whether Arians stayed on our not. Inquiring minds really don’t need to know as long as it doesn’t affect their povket
April 3rd, 2022 at 12:32 am
This one felt like the someone trying to stir the pot. I stopped reading near the end…
April 3rd, 2022 at 12:35 am
On topic…I don’t think Arians needs a reason to retire. He’s reached the top. He’s old. He’s had health issues in the past, and he has a wife that wants to keep him around for a long time.
He came out of retirement, and if he feels he needs to go back…I thank him for what time he had for us. Truthfully, when he was hired, there were a lot around here who felt he would not last more than 2-3 years.
April 3rd, 2022 at 12:36 am
It’s definitely not an “all in now” move. But it’s possible – if BA is telling the truth – that he wanted Bowles to have Brady for at least a year, and not try to make it with Trask and who knows the rest of the team.
April 3rd, 2022 at 1:57 am
Well since everyone else is throwing there’s out there, here’s my theory. The weird timing of this is the result of the timing of other events. I think BA had planned on stepping down after last season all along. Then Brady retired. On top of that the fan base is still freshly peeved with Bowles over the Rams game. Then BA stays either bc he’s been asked to buy the glazers or he doesn’t want his legacy to be quitting bc he lost the GOAT. Then Brady comes back, opening the door to return to plan a.
I have total respect and gratitude for what BA has done for the Bucs. But… It was starting to feel like he was losing things a bit during the Brown debacle. And it just kinda feels like Bowles is loved in that locker room and everyone kind of knew this thing was going to be his soon anyway. The timing is strange but I believe it’s a good move.
April 3rd, 2022 at 2:57 am
Would the Rooney rule effect this plan of yours?
April 3rd, 2022 at 3:01 am
Yeah. They all lie. Don’t believe Arians. Don’t believe Licht. Don’t believe Brady. They all tell their sides, and you believe they are all lying but the “talking heads” are telling the truth. It is so silly.
April 3rd, 2022 at 4:42 am
I hope not, but maybe there is something going on health wise with Arians and he’s not ready to share it with the world? I don’t like losing him as the head coach, but we are looking damn good now as a franchise and I have faith that Bowles is going to kick a$$ as the head coach. I mean outside of a blunder here or there, Bowles has had our defense humming when most of our guys were healthy. Regardless, I’m happy as all get out with our team and the direction that it’s heading and we all know what bad football and disorganization looks like… Happy Friday/Saturday! 😜
April 3rd, 2022 at 6:12 am
I really don’t understand the hole discussing, where is the point?
BA is 69, he had a very hard season incl his thorn ACL and a real hard rehab, which is still going on, for a while. This had involved his personal coaching ability more than made publicly. Coaching from a card is different.
Beside this, what’s already a major performance hit, there’s his overall health situation.
Honestly, I and a lot of other viewers often see BA on the sidelines during games, hoping and praying that he wouldn’t collapse. He didn’t look healthy, he look exhausted and I think that stepping away from the sidelines, these kind of stress, is a really good thing. It will give us all so much more of all the BA stuff for years to come. And that’s what I’m looking forward to.
And I fully respect his way, incl. not riding the health train (this time).
There are also other things which let to his decision, nevertheless finally we’ve to except his decision and his way.
April 3rd, 2022 at 6:17 am
This is funny. Poor Joe very nicely says that Arians is a better coach than Bowles for this season and the Bucs should have found a way to keep him. And some of you guys are roasting his ass.
April 3rd, 2022 at 6:36 am
Would the Rooney rule allow for that kind of promise without running afoul of the league??
April 3rd, 2022 at 7:51 am
BA is a good man and a great head coach, always helping others even in situations where others didn’t or wouldn’t.
TB12 is a good man and great QB, always selflessly taking less so that his teammates can get more.
You judge a man by their actions.
TB12 and BA have shown through their actions that they are both stand up guys.
All this middle school girls gossip and hogwash is out of character for those two men.
If you have parents who have reached their golden years, you know how hard rehabbing a hip surgery or knee surgery is on them.
Also BA has a wife, and don’t think that a wife who has been a loving partner to a man for over 40 years doesn’t have any influence when she sees her husband struggling with his health.
Now add that reality to the fact that you also have an extremely stressful and demanding job, and I think BA quoted Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon and said “I’m to old for this spit.”
April 3rd, 2022 at 8:06 am
Stop it, BA became a distraction that’s all and Brady wasn’t having it. Brady knew Bowles was.getting the job. Who on this site believes Brady signs and Bucs bring in a new head coach. Eric hit the nail on the head.
Brady/Bowles > Arians/Trask/Garapolo/Gabbert etc.
Stop with the we love Uncle Buc so it can’t be true BS.
April 3rd, 2022 at 8:56 am
This just in, idiotic moron “journalist” who has been the king of stupid poorly thought out takes for as long as we can remember thinks that a black coach cant do as good of a job as a white coach.
More on this ignorant bungus at 11.
April 3rd, 2022 at 9:02 am
BA is the “Senior Football Consultant” for the Bucs…. I am the “Senior Management Consultant” for the organization “I consult and RUN”, I make all the decisions day to day, and I provide the direction for the GM’s to navigate. Knowing how I control things, squarely I’m in charge, but do not have to grind it out daily in the trenches, I consult and I’m rewarded very nicely from an organization that has been in existence for over 45 years and generates well over $20 million annually. So, I think, this is the best way for BA to continue to run the organization, BA started turning things around for the better before TB, right? First winning record in quite some time, JW was the weak link even the QB whisperer could not fix him, we’ll this coming season with him (JW) being this season starter for the Saints. For us we need to keep our “eye on the prize” and stop over analyzing this move. I strongly feel it WAS the right move to keep his disciples together for along time to come, even after the great one TB leaves the QB position and becomes a shareholder or in some capacity a long term operations relationship with the Bucs… It only makes sense to me.
April 3rd, 2022 at 9:45 am
Well, the trolls are going to troll.
Buc fans who have been here long enough know BA’s value. 3 years ago, this was a garbage team led by garbage ownership with a LOSER mentality.
There is ZERO to debate.
April 3rd, 2022 at 10:39 am
Perhaps all involved felt the Bucs needed a higher energy younger head coach that could put in more hours than Bruce. No disrespect to his coaching abilities but does anyone really think he had the stamina to do the full-blown data-intensive work a younger head coach handles.
Bruce was NFL royalty and he deserved the role he had as a member of the Buccaneer coaching board of directors. But can he be a full-time CEO dealing with all of the strenuous time-consumer duties of a head NFL coach at 70.
I think Brady and others realized that the team needed more hands on head coaching than Bruce can physically do and by giving Bowles the job they are keeping up with the trend throughout the league, go younger in your coaching staff.
April 3rd, 2022 at 11:22 am
Like Brady, he was at the top of his game and getting paid. You just don’t walk away. I still think Brady didn’t want to take the chance with Bruce Arians loosy goosey preparation. Not to mention the poor decision making and as Arians himself said, missed communication on their last play in the Rams game. I think TB12 wanted him out and it was organized with BA that everyone would talk not nice about him and give him a front office position; that neither BA or JL could tell you what
that new job actually is. This was all designed to save face for BA and generate the leas negativel controversy.
April 3rd, 2022 at 12:53 pm
Good points Joe
April 3rd, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Come on Joe!!!! I thought you were aware of all things Bucs!
Per Peter King (NBC Sports), the person that BA chose to give the inside scoop to, BA was planning this for a while but, he probably wouldn’t have left if Brady didn’t come back.
However, once Brady came back to the Bucs for another year, BA felt this would be the best opportunity to leave Bowles with a winning team.
April 3rd, 2022 at 9:48 pm
Joe, where were the hardball questions at the press conference? Really no one asked a question about the elephant in the room. Which is all the damn rumors about this being some type of back door power play by Brady or more likely his agent telling the Bucs that Brady isn’t playing if Arians is coach? I don’t know what to believe anymore but why wouldn’t just one of the reporters at least ask the damn question?