“If You Wanna Pick One, Have Him”
May 7th, 2020
Bruce Arians talks about Tom Brady’s power in personnel matters
Bucco Bruce Arians was asked today about Tom Brady’s alleged desire to make roster decisions a condition of him joining the Buccaneers or any other team.
The head coach served up an interesting answer.
Arians was a guest with one of his former players on The Pat McAfee Show, hosted by former Pro Bowl punter and Colts emergency quarterback Pat McAfee.
McAfee pressed Arians on whether Brady told the Bucs he wanted roster control on some level during the negotiation process to sign him.
“Was that just like Tom Brady would like to be able to say, ‘Hey, I want this guy on my team.’ Or was that ever a conversation between you, Jason [Licht] and Tom?” McAfee asked.
Arians broke into a big smile and explained that Brady will have the freedom to pick receivers.
“No. That was never a conversation,” Arians said of roster control. “It was just a matter of, ‘Hey, you’re going to tell me which receivers you like, we’ve got like 10 of them, ok. I know the top 2 you’re going to like. [Numbers] 3, 4 and 5, you know, if you want to pick one, have him. I’m not throwing the ball.’
“So I think the big thing was when he brought up [Rob Gronkowski] that he wanted to play again. That was like, ‘Is that for real? One thing led to another. We got in touch with the Patriots, got the compensation and he’s ready to roll.”
Arians clarified to say that Brady didn’t bring up Gronk until after he signed with the Bucs.
As Joe discussed on a recent Ira Kaufman Podcast, look for Brady to be the guy who decides whether O.J. Howard stays or goes.
May 7th, 2020 at 3:45 pm
You’d have to be a dummy if you don’t think Brady is not calling shots on play acquisitions.
May 7th, 2020 at 3:55 pm
just win baby …. WIN
May 7th, 2020 at 4:15 pm
I know sometimes there is coach bull but Arians comments on this just ring true to me.
May 7th, 2020 at 4:15 pm
“Its the Brady Show
TB12 is going to be in charge of his recievers and the routes and scheme he is comfortable and successful in
There is absolutely no one to blame than himself if OJ Howard doesnt blowup this year
OJ skillset is perfect for what TB12 does well
OJ going for 90 receptions and 1000k yards
3 yard dump passes and Yac Yac Yac”
Kobe Faker
May 7th, 2020 at 4:26 pm
That is the most amazing answer I’ve ever heard. Looks like a good plan to me. Brady ain’t gonna know what to do with all these loose rules and regulations. Hope he don’t turn into a preachers daughter at college. Or IOW turn into JFro 😂
May 7th, 2020 at 4:27 pm
I’m gonna have to give this Pat McAfee show a chance. Looks like he’s building himself a pretty decent show.
May 7th, 2020 at 4:34 pm
I love how people think Brady is calling the shots here when he’s brought in one player that he had an amazing connection with. So Brady has control over this roster and he has changed one player.
May 7th, 2020 at 4:43 pm
This isn’t the same as controlling the roster and its totally consistent with a recent Brady interview… per Brady, he told Bill/Josh not to bother inserting a receiver he doesn’t trust into the lineup because they were wasting a spot as he would never throw in a real game to a receiver he didn’t trust. Never. Period. He’s fully earned the right to say that to any coach… and Bruce/Byron will do just what Bill/Josh did: listen to him! He only wants one thing… to win.
May 7th, 2020 at 5:09 pm
gimme the dang corona-schedule now…right now!
May 7th, 2020 at 5:11 pm
SC fan – it is pretty crazy. One reporter spit balling one day that Brady was demanding roster control and man the media ran with it, Joe especially. She was guessing. She had no sources nor first hand knowledge that this was a precondition of him coming to the Bucs. Of course someone like Gronk coming on board is a big win and a no brainer. Did we really think that Tom would be on the zoom conference calls on draft saying “Jason, trade up to 13 and get Wirfs.” SMH!
May 7th, 2020 at 5:18 pm
Ater this season, they should trade Byron Leftwich to a team that needs a head coach while his stock is high
May 7th, 2020 at 5:34 pm
@ BucEmUp
Byron Suckwich is not head coaching material….
You gotta understand politics…..and yes, it exists in sports too.
Bruce Arians is pumping Suckwich up so he can get teams talking about him……and if Suckwich ever gets a HC job, then he will FAIL miserably.
Some coaches are just better at being an offensive/defensive/special teams coordinators.
Norv Turner is your classic example of someone who’s a great coordinator but never succeeded as a HC.
May 7th, 2020 at 6:05 pm
TheBucsAnthem: I’m trying to find the logic behind your hypothesis that Byron Leftwich wouldn’t make a good NFL Head Coach…Have you ever played for Byron Leftwich? Do you know Byron Leftwich? Have you ever even spoken to Byron Leftwich? If yes, you May have some basis for your criticism. If the answers are no, your post is complete gibberish.
May 7th, 2020 at 6:16 pm
You would have to be an idiot to think a team turns over roster control to a QB. The QB could get hurt on the first snap and never play again. Then you would need to start a new roster for a new QB. Brilliant Idea!
May 7th, 2020 at 6:29 pm
That’s just good coaching. Seems like common sense to let the guy throwing the ball to decide who’s he wants to throw it to. Most coaches have too much ego to relinquish any power.
May 7th, 2020 at 6:57 pm
The man(Brady) has 20 years of success playing in the nfl. He’s not JAG, he has seen much in his 20 years and has credibility. For a team not seeing the playoffs in 13 years we should be head over heels that he is now part of the organization. His input will be invaluable. Who cares if it’s Brady or Arians with the input on any decisions? It’s a team effort. Arians is smart enough to come to that conclusion. Let’s work as a team.Let’s make the playoffs. Go Bucs!!
May 7th, 2020 at 7:19 pm
Perfect answer and it lights a fire for the 3, 4, 5 wannabes.
May 7th, 2020 at 7:27 pm
You don’t hand the GOAT 50 mil guaranteed and then put him in the closet – look what BA did with Carson Palmer – what do you think he can do with TB12?
We are LOADED – Gronk was icing on the cake – this is a collaboration, not a dictatorship by anyone
ToGether
Everyone
Accomplishes
More
TEAM
May 7th, 2020 at 7:38 pm
Just saw that starting October 8th the Bucs will have 5 out of their next 7 games on prime time night time….Go Bucs!
May 7th, 2020 at 7:41 pm
How can a QB who is on his last year of playing the game, keep another player who gives his all at practice from being a part of a he game….Mr.5,000 would have been tared and feathered and made walk the plank if he would have said I don’t trust CG12 on this particular play so don’t put him in!!! That’s just too much power!!!
May 7th, 2020 at 7:51 pm
….that would be white gibberish!!!
May 7th, 2020 at 8:53 pm
I’d like to see even more power. I mentioned a week or so ago how I’m old enough to remember when QB’s called their own plays. Made them up right there in the huddle on some occasions.
Paul Brown was the first coach i know to call the plays using his “messenger guards” who rotated every play with the new call for the QB. That was a first…the coach totally calling a game…another Paul Brown wrinkle.
Now of course with eyes in the sky, instant radio communication, instant..instant video to review plays..lots of coaches watching this stuff and then calling in the play with the radio into the helmet….no one dares think of letting a QB call plays although it seemed coaches used to let QB’d audible out of plays far more frequently.
I’d love to see Brady be given that control. The play..as part of a pre prepared game plan can get called in from upstairs..in reality the general on the field either goes with it or calls a play he likes better with freedom to audible whenever he wants.
Brady has EARNED that trust.
May 7th, 2020 at 9:34 pm
I’m sure that Arians gave Brady some input but I think, knowing Bruce, hmade it clear as to who the coach was and Brady understood. You’re crazy if you think otherwise
May 8th, 2020 at 12:43 am
I hope Tom Brady retires with 8 rings instead of 6. Then he needs his own TV show. Maybe him and Gronk together. And if they showed Brady this much respect with the schedule, how are the refs going to treat the Bucs? I mean are they going to help our players up after each play? It’s not like after 20 years of Zebra Shaft the Bucs haven’t earned a ref bye. And Buc hating announcers, what about that? Are they all going to go moo goo gaa gaa now? Did Rod Serling write this 60 years ago?
May 8th, 2020 at 12:54 am
@ClodHopper – The Pat McAfee show is HILARIOUS. This recap of his draft special is a good indicator lol youtube .com/watch?v=179ww9I8AH8
May 8th, 2020 at 6:52 am
3,4,5 will be Gronk, Howard, Brate. The three best tight ends in the history of NFL per some fans.
May 8th, 2020 at 10:54 am
If you don’t think the greatest QB of all time- will have major input on this team’s final roster- then I have some land to sell you!