“His Special Teams Here Were Always Horrible”
January 9th, 2019
Cardinals beat writer talks about new Bucs head coach Bruce Arians
Yes, new head coach Bucco Bruce Arians comes with a few warts.
Nobody’s perfect.
A guy who studied him for many years was talking about Arians’ time leading the Cardinals on Tampa radio this morning. Cardinals beat writer Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic delivered Bucs fans a glimpse into what they might be getting with their new head coach.
On the down side, Somers said the Arians regime had “a big issue” with its offensive line, citing poor drafting and development, along with consistent injuries.
Also, Somers was very candid when it came to special teams and holding assistant coaches accountable.
“Part of the problem here in Arizona was just his stubborn loyalty to assistants who weren’t getting the job done,” Somers told WDAE-AM 620. “In 2016, they lost two or three games because of special teams. And his special teams here were always horrible under Amos Jones, who’s now with the Browns. But Bruce refused to make a change there because he and Amos go back 20 or 30 years. And it was very difficult to management here and ownership here to say, ‘We want changes; you need to make them.'”
On the upside, Somers said fans will enjoy Arians off and on the field.
“A lot of great soundbites. A lot of great one-liners. A lot of cockiness. An offense that throws the ball downfield a half a dozen times per game. It’ll be interesting. It’ll be fun. I don’t know if it will be successful, but it’ll be those other two things.”
Somers had plenty of good to say about Arians the coach but questioned whether the job of turning around the Bucs would be too much for him because the quarterback has issues and the general manager hasn’t been good.
It was a “natural parting of the ways,” Somers said about Arians leaving the Cardinals for what turned out to be a short-lived retirement. Nothing sinister behind the scenes.
January 9th, 2019 at 10:16 am
Well then…even with his bad history of ST’s….he’ll be an improvement in Tampa….
January 9th, 2019 at 10:21 am
My concern there is the line play. We need better O-line play to move the bar.
January 9th, 2019 at 10:24 am
as long as we win more than we lose
January 9th, 2019 at 10:24 am
Our kickers will love him
January 9th, 2019 at 10:26 am
Poor drafting?
He’ll feel right at home day 1.
January 9th, 2019 at 10:27 am
What is scary is other folks said this about Arians. His lines with the Steelers had big issues as well. Part of the reason why his contract was allowed to “expire”.
Regardless of all of this I am optimistic of the future. His staff as a whole seems to be a major upgrade and could possibly be the most talented staff we have had since Gruden days… Over 10 years later lol.
January 9th, 2019 at 10:34 am
An awful lot of sweeping and front-office-credentialed judgmental characterizations for a …..beat writer, of a newspaper. We’ve all seen how that goes here in Tampa Bay with some of our “beat writers” and their characterizations, judgments often times. In all objectivity, when exactly did Kent Somers serve his time as a Gil Brandt, Ernie Accorsi, or Ron Wolf type?? To really make those sweeping characterizations. I’ll grant him the loyalty issue perhaps, a beat writer could glean that.
Just two cents. Grain of salt.
Staff overall seems like it’s shaping up decent. Sounds like Arians won’t waste any time once week 1 comes.
January 9th, 2019 at 10:36 am
so i guess ST will be about the same next year…lol….
#DEFENSEWINSCHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
January 9th, 2019 at 10:54 am
It’s not just this beat writer, plenty of fans say about the same stuff, way to loyal to bad coaches, stubborn but entertaining and predictable play calling his last two years. And the term “threw players under the bus” was used on several sites…
He isn’t the greatest coach ever but if he can…are you ready for this Joe?…Change the culture around here and get things organized…he will likely be worth having despite his warts.
Got to hope for the best. BuccoBruce!
January 9th, 2019 at 10:56 am
Wasn’t that part of Koetter’s problems? Loyalty to Smith, bad Oline play and horrible ST’s?
January 9th, 2019 at 10:56 am
Have you watched the Bucs the last decade??? Special teams is the least of my worries lol this guy has a pretty solid proven record over a short stint as head coach and I always respected ARI as one of the best coached teams in the leauge when he was there. I think it may be safe to say this is the BEST head coach we have ever hired, similar to Somers not saying this will lead to success but by far the best head coach we’ve ever brought in. Now let’s get that coaching cupboard stocked up with studs (hopefully Todd Bowels as DC!)
January 9th, 2019 at 10:57 am
Good thing special teams is not as important as offense or defense…..
January 9th, 2019 at 10:59 am
So tired of our special teams being not so special. Who was the Jets special teams coach, can he come with Bowles, I believe they had two players off special teams make the pro bowl
January 9th, 2019 at 11:01 am
Greaaaaaat. . . .
Poor special teams play
Stubbornness in handling accountability issues
Buddy system problems
Poor OL play
WOW. . . he just fit right in here
:facepalm
January 9th, 2019 at 11:20 am
Our ST have been probably the worst in the entire league just due to our K situation; but our kick return / punt return game hasn’t done sh1t either, and that punt that was blocked against the Saints really did us in.
Actually this is f*cking hilarious:
Arizona would have had the worse FG % in the league in 2016 if not for the Bucs at 71% vs their 75%.
Thanks Aguayo/Licht lol
January 9th, 2019 at 11:20 am
Told Glazers what they wanted to hear. Will have marginal success next year and will insist need more time for system to take place. Will hope to get fired following year because he’s not going to coach and develop players then he can sit home and get free money next 3 years. Rinse repeat same old Bucs.
January 9th, 2019 at 11:30 am
Run, Michael, run!
January 9th, 2019 at 11:31 am
“Kobe hopes BA is waiting for off coord Kitchens from Cleveland. Stefanski is getting 2nd interview for browns HC”
Kobe Faker
January 9th, 2019 at 11:48 am
Great ST’s tend to have really talented athletes waiting to break in the regular lineup with perhaps two or three ST specialists mixed in.
If the lineup they’re trying to break into is not really that good how can the ST players be better athletes?
IE I look at really bad ST play, can you say Bucs, is a reflection on the overall quality of athletes we are signing.
January 9th, 2019 at 12:12 pm
Colonel Angus Says:
January 9th, 2019 at 10:56 am
Wasn’t that part of Koetter’s problems? Loyalty to Smith, bad Oline play and horrible ST’s?
_________________________________________________
Yup, 100%
When I start hearing that guys are loyal to a fault, I get worried… We already saw this with Lovie and Koetter.
Temper your expectations Bucs fans…
January 9th, 2019 at 12:20 pm
Everyone turning on BA already and it’s been les than 24 hrs… CLASSIC!!
January 9th, 2019 at 12:29 pm
““Part of the problem here in Arizona was just his stubborn loyalty to assistants who weren’t getting the job done”
All coaches are like that. The ones who are not usually lose the confidence of their team pretty quickly.
Somers had plenty of good to say about Arians the coach but questioned whether the job of turning around the Bucs would be too much for him because the quarterback has issues and the general manager hasn’t been good.
Total crock. Jason Licht has actually been very good as a GM. Yes, he;s a little weak in free agency, but in all other things he;s reasonably good…regardless of the haters who try to blame everything on anyone they want.
January 9th, 2019 at 12:30 pm
@stpetebucsfan
Love that post. Very wise words.
January 9th, 2019 at 12:46 pm
All we need from special teams is the kicker to make his field goals, the punter to punt 50+ yards, and the special teams to NOT give up a touchdown
Simple as that
January 9th, 2019 at 12:48 pm
Special teams only a problem when the kicker misses field goals
January 9th, 2019 at 12:53 pm
First off let me say I believe in BA. I don’t believe in Licht. A little weak in free agency. Are you kidding me? What about how bad he is in the draft room or doesn’t that count? I also can’t believe in less than 24 hrs how some fans are already so ctitical of BA. Some read what jerkoff Somers says & fall right in line. For God’s sake give the guy a chance before running off the mouth.
January 9th, 2019 at 12:59 pm
Joe: you need to start a new thread regarding Leveon Brlls likelihood strong possibility of signing with the Bucs. Adam Shine and others have recently stated that the Bucs have a leg up signing him!!!!
January 9th, 2019 at 1:04 pm
AlteredEgo Says:
January 9th, 2019 at 10:16 am
Well then…even with his bad history of ST’s….he’ll be an improvement in Tampa….
____________
Agreed.
The Bucs have been the worst NFL team in special teams during Dirk Koetter’s time in Tampa.
January 9th, 2019 at 1:18 pm
I’m taking the under on 7 mil
January 9th, 2019 at 1:59 pm
Bonzai those are good point to but called people haters is a bit extreme. Licht has not provided results which is the only thing that matters. Everything else is debatable.
If you are unable to provide results(can make same point about JW) you deserve any critism thrown at you.
January 9th, 2019 at 2:39 pm
Poor O-line play
Poor Special teams
Loyalty to mediocre coaches…
And maybe bring in Bowles who’s a 3-4 scheme coach……..
WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE KOETTER?
I would have rather one more year of Koetter and Duffner as the d coordinator and got rid of Licht to get a O-line, RUNNING GAME and Defensive depth IN WHICH HE’S HAD 5 (FIVE) (CINCO) YEARS TO DO.
AND YALL SAY ITS KOETTER’s FAULT !!!????!!????
Shaking my damn head…
January 9th, 2019 at 2:44 pm
Not to mention his health being a concern…
If he’s doing bad and wants out he can use that as a scapegoat at any time…
I would love to see any coach come in with No name running backs, Caleb Benenoch, Donovan lazy ass Smith and Demar being 100 years old with injuries this year. AND NO DEFENSIVE DEPTH.
LICHT HAS HAD FIVE YEARS AND HORRIBLE DRAFTS AND FREE AGENCY.!!!!!
January 9th, 2019 at 2:46 pm
Hopefully BA (and I’d venture a guess that he is a wise old football owl) recognized the weak areas of Az. (special teams, OL, Etc) and with the Buc’s job realizes that all areas need to work and work in harmony….
Get Winston to do a better job of protecting the ball. Deliver a respectable defense and put together a first rate OL….. From there a kicker would be nice and if he does these things the Buc’s will be looking at a playoff berth and be consistently competing for a title…..
January 9th, 2019 at 4:06 pm
So what hes saying is not much will change in Tampa.
January 9th, 2019 at 5:19 pm
Bonzai
Thanks.
January 9th, 2019 at 5:36 pm
Two time coach of year…turned one of the worst teams in the NFL into a winning team for years!
January 13th, 2019 at 3:56 pm
We’re starting off negative?