“It Was A Conscious Decision Not Only By B.A., But By Byron As Well”
August 27th, 2021
Bryon Leftwich
There are a lot of cooks in the Bucs’ offensive stew, but who is the head chef?
Bucco Bruce Arians swears it’s all offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich front and center, calling plays and letting Arians be a CEO-style coach.
Joe wants to believe that completely, but it always seems like something comes up — something a coach or player does or doesn’t say — that makes Joe a little skeptical.
Yesterday, Bucs assistant head coach/run game coordinator Harold Goodwin was chatting with media and was asked about the Bucs running more late last season and in the playoffs.
“It was a conscious decision not only by B.A., but by Byron as well. And I’m sure Tom likes it, too,” Goodwin replied.
Odd phrasing there from Goodwin if Leftwich is the guy fully in charge of the offense.
Goodwin went on to say the Bucs ran about 21 times per game and then elevated that to about 29 late in the Super Bowl run.
“It was a decision made by the coaching staff, Byron calling more runs. That’s all it was,” Goodwin said.
Joe really doesn’t care what the hard truth is about the Bucs’ offense and whose input carries what percentage of weight. But how much Arians is involved will matter when the day comes that Arians chooses golf, whiskey and grandkids over the Bucs.
August 27th, 2021 at 1:27 pm
Joe actually cares a lot b/c he won’t let it go. Joe likes to diminish Leftwich’s role any chance Joe gets. Dude, you don’t get to make stuff up here and ascribe motives to Joe.
Joe loves the Bucs and loves looking for answers and realities of all kinds as they relate to the team. –Joe
August 27th, 2021 at 1:29 pm
I always figured it was kind of collaboration between the three of them in game planning. And no matter what Byron or Bruce call, if Tom sees some opportunity or problem, I’m pretty sure he has the power to change the call. I’m fine with that. And as we have to run from time to time to keep the D honest, when those are called is beyond my miniscule expertise on the matter.
August 27th, 2021 at 1:39 pm
So the coaches got together and developed a game plan.
BL was still the one calling it on game day.
No big deal.
August 27th, 2021 at 1:43 pm
This is a crazy article. So what if Arians went to byron and said lets run the ball more. All byron did was instead of calling 19 runs a game, he called 25 runs a game. HE STILL CALLED THE PLAYS!!! Really not that hard to understand and definitely not something to delve into like this. What coach and OC in the NFL do not collaborate weekly? If a HC does not consult with his OC, that would be suicide. Consulting with and trusting your OC to call the correct play during games is two separate functions within an game planning operation. Really not that hard to understand
August 27th, 2021 at 1:45 pm
So…it’s left up in the air…..it’s BA….or is it BL or is it BA & BL or is it BS.
Or…is it Tom….or Tom or Tom & Tom.
August 27th, 2021 at 1:45 pm
I think BA may be one of those rare coaches who doesn’t care about his resume, in that there isn’t going to be another gig after this one.
The dude is so good at propping up the people around him that he often gets accused by fans of not being much of a coach at all (which is silly).
This is how the truest of leaders wind down a career, by focusing more on strengthening those around you and less on what your “legacy” will be.
August 27th, 2021 at 1:46 pm
@Tampabaybucfan Hahahaaa
August 27th, 2021 at 1:49 pm
Why would anyone ever think the head coach of any team is 100% hands off?
Why would anyone think game plans and season strategy are not group endeavors?
August 27th, 2021 at 1:51 pm
BL is the mastermind.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
August 27th, 2021 at 1:57 pm
I’m sure Arians and Leftwich call plays, but the final decision is made by Tom Brady. That mic shuts off about 20 seconds before the snap. The defense knows this, and that’s when they sometimes shift and give away their intentions. Tommy Boy has the liberty of changing the play and the blocking assignments during the audible.
August 27th, 2021 at 1:58 pm
If Leftwich had his choice, he’d run 90% of the time, always right up the middle. The guy has zero imagination. If someone hires him to be their HC, and he doubles as the OC, it’s gonna be a disaster.
August 27th, 2021 at 2:20 pm
Definitely don’t see the “odd” in that phrasing
No big deal. Nothing to see here. Move along peeps!
August 27th, 2021 at 2:24 pm
Don’t forget Tom Brady, and Tom Moore, I’m sure they have imput too. Joe is making a big deal of it when there is none.
August 27th, 2021 at 3:42 pm
Medicare Pete is a trolll
August 27th, 2021 at 3:44 pm
I’d almost bet that Arians is more involved than he lets on. I’m sure that Leftwich does plenty, but Arian’s is ultimately responsible in the end. Isn’t it like a universal rule that teams run the ball more in the playoffs, in part to lessen the chance of turnovers?
August 27th, 2021 at 4:16 pm
Position coaches feed info up the chain, everyday, all day. OC and HC feed info down the chain, every day all day. Developing a game plan involves all coaches. Deciding to run the ball more in the playoffs could have been for numerous reasons. Maybe it was matchups, maybe it was weather, Maybe Toms knee was killing him. It’s rare to have a HC or OC not utilize his position coaches to develop the game plan. Why would BA have the biggest coaching staff in the league if he was not going to utilize their input? When game day is here, Byron is calling the plays. A great deal of communication has occurred between all the coaches before Byron is calling plays in a game.
August 27th, 2021 at 4:19 pm
Rod Munch Says:
August 27th, 2021 at 1:58 pm
If Leftwich had his choice, he’d run 90% of the time, always right up the middle.
Well Rod maybe you know Leftwich’s mind better than anyone else on this site.
Fact is the Bucs run up the middle less than all but three teams on 1st down.
I do not know the stats on other downs but basically, they are not a run up the middle offense.
August 27th, 2021 at 4:20 pm
Rod Munch Says:
August 27th, 2021 at 1:58 pm
If Leftwich had his choice, he’d run 90% of the time, always right up the middle.
^^^^^^^^
Dude, what planet are you from? Are you trying to top yourself in ridiculous comments?
August 27th, 2021 at 4:29 pm
I recall both coaches saying TB12 created plays, too.
NET RESULT:
Does it matter? There is enough praise to go around for the Super Bowl run.
August 27th, 2021 at 4:50 pm
Slypirate please provide proof of that. I can definitely provide proof of BA saying its easier to teach one man the goat a new playbook then 22 other guys a new playbook. I can also show proof that BA and BL said the team got better once Brady learned the offense. Please show us where the coaches said Brady created plays
August 27th, 2021 at 5:21 pm
The premise that other hands in the kitchen means Leftwich isn’t really calling the shots is preposterous. Any decent coaching staff would have contributions to the strategy and game planning. This isn’t a freaking autocracy, and any staff that runs that way probably isn’t employed very long.
August 27th, 2021 at 5:49 pm
Cobraboy said the 2 things I had to add “”Why would anyone ever think the head coach of any team is 100% hands off?
Why would anyone think game plans and season strategy are not group endeavors?””
August 27th, 2021 at 7:41 pm
What in Bruce Arians history has shown you that he will choose to run instead of chucking it 50yrds down field?
August 27th, 2021 at 7:48 pm
Tackleblockwin Well said bro the truth well said
August 28th, 2021 at 3:37 am
There seems to be an agenda to minimize any contribution Coach Leftwich has on successful game planning and play calling while at the same time advancing the premise that Brady and or Arians is more responsible. In my opinion they operated collaboratively like a well oiled machine and had great results. So stressing who is more responsible is like worrying about which of your legs is responsible for your speed. Just be thankful you have two that work well as a unit.
August 28th, 2021 at 5:17 am
This kind of comment from Goodwin just illustrates how independent Bowles is in running his side of the ball. Night and day from Leftwich.
August 28th, 2021 at 5:48 am
I’m sure there was input by BA, BL & TB and with that combo of brain storming how could you go wrong 😉
August 28th, 2021 at 7:12 am
They all three work together. There’s no way its any other way. I think of BL as a moderator between BA and Tom. BA wants a bomb every play and Tom wants to dink and dunk. BL magically makes them both happy. It just took a half season for him to find that zone.
A bit over simplified but that’s how I see it.
August 28th, 2021 at 8:45 am
Bottom line is that it’s a team effort. Having a qb that’s seen it all most certainly makes Leftwich and Arians job sooooo much easier. Cuz when a play is called into the huddle and passed on to the team, they line up and see what the defense calls for coverage, that is where the separation of men and boys happens. Tom sees the D and and the potential plays to counter, he makes the adjustments. Brady is very adept (I should say beyond adept) at picking apart the Defense. This year, baring any significant injuries, should be historic.
August 28th, 2021 at 11:08 am
Whoever made the calls, it worked. Let’s keep the Trophy in Tampa! 👍