Shaq Shares His View Of Who Controlled The Offense
March 22nd, 2021
The fall debate raged for weeks across the national media, which claimed there was a 2020 tug-of-war between the offensive philosophies of Bucco Bruce Arians and Tom Brady.
Bucs fans remember the endless ramble. How much — or how little — was Brady in charge, and was he pissed off or happy about it?
Cris Collinsworth qualifies as national media. The Sunday Night Football game analyst and former Pro Bowl receiver also hosts The Collinsworth Podcast. Last week, Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett was a podcast guest and Collinsworth demanded Shaq’s take on whose offense the Bucs were running and whether Arians gave in to what Brady wanted.
Shaq had a firm opinion.
“So I think probably initially it was more B.A. offense; Leftwich calling the calls. And then towards the end of the year, I think they incorporated Tom probably like 50-50, because we did a lot of play-action, a lot of running, running, play-action over the top towards the end of the year,” Shaq replied. “And then we still took our normal shots that we usually would take. So I think we found a perfect balance at the end of the year, but initially I think it was more B.A.’s system and then we slowly but surely started to work it toward balance.”
So, does that mean Shaq thinks Arians’ offense is a little out of balance? Of course, this matters little now because the Bucs offense averaged more than 30 points per game last season, including the playoffs. Whatever led to their December, January and February offense is a beautiful thing.
Still, Joe finds Shaq’s perspective interesting. Joe liked when Shaq said “they incorporated Tom,” almost like Tom is the name of an offense.
March 22nd, 2021 at 6:28 pm
This season it’s all Brady’s offense. He & Mike Evans need to develop chemistry somehow
March 22nd, 2021 at 6:35 pm
They will all only be better this year with an off-season and because they did learn their identity as the year went on last year. Plus the chemistry got better and better
March 22nd, 2021 at 6:40 pm
All Tom All The Time = 2 MORE Championships AKA 3-Peat MJ Style
This is the new dream.
March 22nd, 2021 at 6:41 pm
Tom is not averse to the long ball, but he moves the chains better than Bruce with play-action and short passes and screens–I expect that will continue as he obviously has gained all the credibility a legend deserves.
March 22nd, 2021 at 6:41 pm
Great thing about Arians is that his offense is ever changing.
He adapted to Brady. Brady had not been that successful in many years.
Brady came here because he knew Arians would work with him and not limit his calls like they did in New England.
Arians has always adapted. The fans and media take the “No Risk it No Biscuit” philosophy and then simplify it that it is a throw deep all the time philosophy. Read his book. That is not what it means.
The no risk it let him go for it on 4th and 4 near the end of the 1st half in the Green Bay championship game.
How he adjusted his coaching from a wishbone offense in college, to coaches for Indy, and Pittsburgh and Arizona show his versatility.
No doubt that Brady had influence this past year and that is a good thing. Two great minds working together.
But, it is not all Brady guys. Even Shaq clearly says that here.
Remember, the idea to put in Fitzpatrick at slot receiver even though he was a bigger guy was Arians.
The Nigerian Nightmare had his best rushing season the year that Arians became the running back coach for KC.
Rothlesberger had his highest QB rating in history the year that Arians took over at offensive coordinator.
Reggie Wayne had his best year when Arians came back to Indy.
Carson Palmer had his best two years under Arians.
The guy understands offenses. He looks for the superior players and he figures out how to utilize them. David Johnson anyone. He figured out who was special there.
That is not to say that the Bucs did not need to adjust to more play action passing. They did. But the team worked it out. Especially the QB and the coaches together.
Football requires good coaching more than any other pro sport. So before you throw out the it was only because or Brady, think about it.
March 22nd, 2021 at 6:52 pm
Shaq is our new Demar Dotson…..he will talk to anybody at anytime about anything…..
You want to know something….ask Shaq…
He’s a very, very happy man right now!!!
March 22nd, 2021 at 6:52 pm
It was off balance. Look at Arians best year in Arizona when they ran a bunch of playaction and threw the ball to david johnson a ton. Leftwich wouldn’t have job of it were not for Brady.
Same reason Jameis will have a career year this season under an excellent play caller, its all about balance.Even Brady was struggling early with ints because it was so off balance.
Thankfully B.A gave Tom the green light to provide input and help Leftwich call a real attack
March 22nd, 2021 at 6:57 pm
The BA12 Offense was born!
Or LFG!!!!!! Offense!!!!!!
March 22nd, 2021 at 6:59 pm
Bottom Line: they teamed and figured it out. Pity, the season wS cut short by a Super Bowl. Tampa is still trending upward. This year, they’ll need that playoff bye; no games off.
March 22nd, 2021 at 7:07 pm
This 2 years or so association with Brady will only help Byron Leftwich become a better OC. You can see the difference already from Leftwich play calling before Brady came aboard. All those long to mid range shots w Winston at the helm. Yes, big passing yards and get to brag about all the points and yardage. But at the end of the game your losing because you had nothing else to go to. Brady mindset is ball control and no turnovers. A good mix of the BA system and Brady strengths is where we were the last 4-6 games of the season. Can’t wait to see this mix take off next year.
March 22nd, 2021 at 7:11 pm
Probably better to ask an offensive player. You know – someone who actually would be involved in the installation of game plans and stuff versus someone who just watched from the sidelines.
March 22nd, 2021 at 7:17 pm
IMHO the 2TE sets proved to be very versatile when you have TE like we do that can catch but more importantly can block like a lineman like Gronk
March 22nd, 2021 at 7:38 pm
Arians has always been a coach that works closely with the QBs the make sure they are comfortable and get plays they want. He has always done that…it is no different with Brady. It just took them time to figure out what would work ….when the RBs can only catch about 50% of passes. Media always tries to create division even when coaches and players are on the same page.
March 22nd, 2021 at 7:45 pm
By balance he meant some of BA offense and some of Tom’s
March 22nd, 2021 at 8:16 pm
Arians offense is garbage. It took Brady to let him see it. Brady moved the playbook upside down. Who won the SB in offense for Arians , yes a TE !
Anyways. Ppl in here don’t know nothing about football
Licht…. find a way to sign Cordarrelle Patterson
March 22nd, 2021 at 8:17 pm
Licht priority list
Suh
Patterson
A. Peterson
Hilton if aB is not coming back
March 22nd, 2021 at 8:22 pm
Brady made the changes happen and everyone knows that. To those saying Jamis will be successful now is laugable….he had how many coaches and oc’s?…..they had to throw so much because he kept them behind with his picks and fumbles….Brady proved himself last season and proved he is more than just a qb
March 22nd, 2021 at 8:55 pm
A.Peterson?
Seriously, That’s completely unnecessary.
March 22nd, 2021 at 8:56 pm
Tom Brady has been in the league for 21 years and gone to 10 Super Bowls which is 47.62%
The NBA’s best 3 point shooter by percentage was Steve Kerr at 45.40%.
Tom Brady is more likely to go to the Super Bowl then Steve Kerr was to hit an open 3 pointer.
MIND……. BLOWN
March 22nd, 2021 at 9:01 pm
Jameis never had a coach like Payton. He won’t have the team around him like he had with the Bucs. He will never beat the Bucs, but he will be a better QB than he was here.
March 22nd, 2021 at 11:02 pm
Mort, exactly my thoughts. He could be spot on, but it would have more credibility coming from the offensive side of the room. And oh yeah, WTF cares? It’s the end product that matters. It may be interesting to know how you got there, but not all that important.
March 22nd, 2021 at 11:28 pm
Duh – a 7 Ring QB – who “MIGHT” have a “say in Offense”… LFG. LMAO….
Bucs FANS – Imagine 2021 – stupid crazy – 40 ppt/game w this offense. And…our D….gonna b ugly for NFL teams facing BUCs….
March 22nd, 2021 at 11:48 pm
Having “fun” with this post > Saints w JW as QB.
– JW @QB will change Bucs D strategy vs Brees @QB or T Hill@QB
– JW will make D respect long ball options
– JW might toss an INT – which will ignite Bucs D
– JW might Bomb a pass to M Thomas for long TD
No matter outcome, the game will be fun to watch….Brady vs JW… And/or Arians vs Payton.
March 23rd, 2021 at 4:03 am
joe:
tom is the name of the offense…
#OperationTomTuddy — #AndThenThereWasGronk
March 23rd, 2021 at 7:55 am
Well we got the Tampa 2 on defense, and offense we can call it The Tom Tom. Wait, nope, can’t have that! ” B.A. Tom” does have a ring to it! And a Lombardi
March 23rd, 2021 at 8:42 am
BL is our next HC!!!!
watch BL work AGAIN in 21!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
March 23rd, 2021 at 8:44 am
And I thought it was all a result of Leftwich’s complete command of the offense that got us to the SB……..
Ha ha ha
March 23rd, 2021 at 8:32 pm
Tom Brady was the genius that got us to the Super Bowl; not BL! With BL alone making the calls how many times did he do a run right up the middle for only 2 yards as the first play? He was so easily predictable it was nauseating to watch and aided the other side’s Defense! But BA was willing to let Brady overrule the called play because BA knew how well Tom could read defenses and pick the right play for success and that made all the difference. We just need BA to stay Head Coach long enough for Brady to play as long as he wants to. Then if BA steps down at the right time when Brady retires then we need Brady as our Head Coach; not BL!
March 23rd, 2021 at 8:55 pm
A good coach would try to coach his system withthe players he’s given, a great coach will use the strengths of his players and change his system to his players! That ‘s what Arians did through the season! Outstanding job Coach!!!! Attack, attack, attack!!!!