Drew Stanton Explains How Bruce Arians Has Changed
January 30th, 2021
Changed man
Finally, finally, finally, someone associated with the Bucs who knows Bucco Bruce Arians extremely well is saying that the Tampa Bay head coach has changed.
Prior to hearing this from Bucs fourth-string quarterback Drew Stanton this week, Joe only every heard over and over that Arians is the same guy he was in Arizona.
Joe never bought that, and props to Stanton for thoughtful sharing during his recent visit to 98.7 FM in Arizona.
Stanton played for Arians for a combined six seasons with the Colts and Cardinals, and after QB Josh Rosen was signed off the Bucs’ practice squad last month, Arians called Stanton and asked him to join the Bucs as an emergency, virus-season quarterback.
Stanton, 36, said he didn’t come to Tampa in Week 17 for money; it was to reconnect with familiar coaches and to study Tom Brady in person.
Asked how Arians has changed since they parted ways three years ago, this was Stanton’s reply.
“I think just the stress level that he has is diminished from the standpoint that he’s not calling plays,” Stanton said of Arians.
“It’s so hard, again, I think that you look at the blueprint of the NFL, everybody wants these young playcallers. They want to hire them as coaches, right? But I look at the head coach as somebody that needs to facilitate and lead men. And B.A. does that as good as anybody that I’ve been around.
“And now he has somebody that he trusts to run his offense in Bryon [Leftwich] and carry out that vision. And he has somebody on the defensive side of the ball, Todd [Bowles], that does a tremendous job that’s been a head coach. He understands those things, and I think it allows him to relax more and be more interactive, which he loved doing that anyway.”
Stanton went on to share a story of Arians playing cards with players in Indianapolis and talked about how Arians now has time to mingle and bond with players on both sides of the ball while “not worrying about the scheme or what’s going on.
“Though he has some involvement,” Stanton continued, “[Arians] lets his coaches coach, which is a testament to him and the people that he’s brought in here.”
Obviously, being a CEO-style head coach fits Arians well, and it’s extending his career.
Great stuff from Stanton.
January 30th, 2021 at 7:23 am
Thus Arians’ recent comment, “I don’t do sh-t.”
From a practical standpoint he’s probably right, but having a head coach that can effectively do the job of a CEO is also very valuable.
As for leading other coaches it’s become clear that he’s grooming Leftwich to take over the Bucs when he leaves, not Bowles.
He’s constantly pumping Leftwich in the media, preparing the ground for his eventual takeover.
Bowles accepted damn near every possible interview he could manage after the regular season ended. A guy who’s expecting to take over his current team’s head coach position doesn’t do that.
January 30th, 2021 at 7:25 am
The true measure of great management is to hire good people and let them do their thing…..
Not a fan of the “Jerry Jones” management style…..
January 30th, 2021 at 7:28 am
You’re exactly right Joe … “Great stuff from Stanton”.
What you refer to as ‘CEO-style head coach’ certainly fits BA perfectly at this stage of his career. I could see BA doing this for another year as HC, but then moving up to be a President of Football Operations or something similar to that with the Bucs.
January 30th, 2021 at 7:58 am
The Bucs appear to have team unity at the most critical time. Kudos to the head coach.
January 30th, 2021 at 8:06 am
Hope to see him waving and smiling after the Super Bowl riding his golf cart on Bayshore Dr !
January 30th, 2021 at 8:16 am
Ndog would risk it…in jameis biscuits
😂
January 30th, 2021 at 8:37 am
“I love it when a plan comes together”
January 30th, 2021 at 9:19 am
Special team…special season…last loss vs Chiefs months ago. Gotta finish the job.
January 30th, 2021 at 9:30 am
Become CEO sooner, rather than later. Let a young coach like Lefty take over, and spent more time driving the cart.
January 30th, 2021 at 9:42 am
Nice comments on the camaraderie – among coaches and players. It’s all coming together. Bucs should play well in the big game.
January 30th, 2021 at 9:44 am
Perfect. I’ve said that for years. I never thought it’s good to have a head coach running an offense or defense. They have to take care of everything else and game management. Facilitate, hire great people, and let them do their job.
January 30th, 2021 at 9:54 am
Alot of players continue to comment that they are”happy”playing for Bruce Arians.
That matters. Players with the freedom to do what they do best- play with passion.
I cant believe this is the same team that wasted so many years on bad coaches and really bad Quarterbacks.
We know now what a great Coach and QB can do!!
SuperBowl Baby!!!
January 30th, 2021 at 11:04 am
GO BUCS!!!
January 30th, 2021 at 11:29 am
Keep Brady somewhere within the organization after his retirement. Who knows maybe he’ll bring in Payton Manning to the front office with him.
January 30th, 2021 at 12:17 pm
Bird…who is this Ndog you keep referring to?
January 30th, 2021 at 12:43 pm
Is NDog still on here. Man its is amazing what a QB can do.
January 30th, 2021 at 5:22 pm
Dontcha think BA sees that this team is geared for a few runs? Yeah, that’s a huge catalyst! It’s spirit…moved from being pretty good and winning some games to practise hard, expect to win, execute. Now, is it Belichick’s system or is it a TB12 who makes it happen and spreads it around? If we went by this season, it’s the latter. Yeah, it’s more than just throwing the ball; having a super arm to throw long passes. What? you didn’t think New England had a guy who could chuck it? Reminder: TB12 replaced Drew Bledsoe, one of the best arms in the history of the NFL; a #1 overall pick. And guess what? The Pats were about where the Bucs were without TB12. Go check the record books- Bledsoe could chuck em with the best; threw all kinds of yardage. Does that remind you of a guy that just left Tampa? WINNING is…an art. And TB12 is a winning artist. Stop trying to pin it all on physical abilities. Brady zips it. And he can go long. Like I posted before game 1: he’s not damaged goods…or was he? I’ll offer that UNDER BELICHICK, Brady was damaged goods. However, under another system- with good/great players -ya got a show to watch. This has been a season to watch. I’m not just seeing this year, I’m seeing some legitimate runs. Enjoy…
As for BA…he’s got something going on here in Tampa. Really cool.
January 30th, 2021 at 8:17 pm
the only thing in tampa that increases BA’s stress level and blood pressure at this point is the one and only jenna…
lol 🙂