Absent Bruce Arians
May 19th, 2022
The official Buccaneers website lists Bucco Bruce Arians as “Senior Advisor to the General Manager.”
Joe is starting to think a better title would be Head Coach Emeritus.
Session No. 3 of spring OTA practices ended today and Joe has scrolled through the hundreds of official team photos from all three sessions. Lots of coaches are seen, but Arians is not in any of the photos.
(Media was only permitted by Todd Bowles to attend Session No. 1. Keep that in mind when you hear conclusions from media types about overall OTA performance. Media will only be able to watch 30 percent of the 10 sessions.)
Arians wasn’t spotted at rookie minicamp, either.
Joe is not knocking Arians, but Joe is a little bummed out that Arians isn’t more visibly involved. After all, Arians said multiple times that he would do whatever Todd asks him to do.
Front office staff typically watches practice, so it’s not like Arians doing that wouldn’t fit his title.
When Arians was head coach, he talked at length about the importance of OTAs and getting young players on multiple fields to maximize their coaching time and their snaps.
Joe believes Arians’ eyes on Kyle Trask would be extremely valuable as Trask uses this time to develop. And Arians would be a nice sounding board for Bowles on the pace and energy of practice, along with Arians’ ability to study the offensive players at work.
Maybe Bowles asked Arians to stay away temporarily so Bowles can cement is new role. And yes, Arians can always watch practice film and weigh in. Still, it seems more likely that Arians doesn’t want to be around now and Bowles passed on asking Arians to do anything specific.
Joe is among the fans who sees Arians as a valuable asset that should be maximized.
May 19th, 2022 at 4:50 pm
He’s probably doing it out of respect for Coach Bowles.
Probably doesn’t want to take any of his thunder away.
I get it.
May 19th, 2022 at 4:52 pm
Arians was purged, comrade. He’s probably in some Russian gulag.
May 19th, 2022 at 5:00 pm
It’s probably out of respect. He isn’t the coach anymore this is Todd Bowles football team.
May 19th, 2022 at 5:01 pm
He’s probably getting sloshed in a AC box taking notes. Todd Bowles is the Bucs head coach now.
May 19th, 2022 at 5:02 pm
He is in his HoverRound in the AC on the 3rd floor of OBP
May 19th, 2022 at 5:05 pm
I think at this point the value in BA is in his mind and experience not the actual “coaching” at practice.
May 19th, 2022 at 5:10 pm
See him at the boat parade.
May 19th, 2022 at 5:12 pm
it’s still the offseason, what do u expect him to do.
May 19th, 2022 at 5:21 pm
Unless bowles needs help running a golf cart during practice, I wouldn’t worry.
May 19th, 2022 at 5:22 pm
I don’t like it but he was forced out. Pretty sure this role they created for him was to simply save face. Doubt he will be involved with much of anything going forward.
May 19th, 2022 at 5:27 pm
I agree the Arians wants to give Todd Bowles space. I believe that Arians will be there a lot once the team settles in a bit. Also, Arians can work with Trask a lot to help him get reps when the first team is working. So, I wouldn’t worry about Trask getting reps. I think coaches were trying to reduce pressure and expectations for the kind of “rookie”.
May 19th, 2022 at 5:29 pm
BA is the Dwight Schrute of the Buccaneers.
Assistant to the Regional Manager… lol.
May 19th, 2022 at 5:35 pm
Bowles is the head coach now. He doesn’t need Ariens riding around in a golf cart or watching from to tell him what to do. Communication has come a long way. It’s his team now. If he needs a question answered there is a number he can call I am sure.
May 19th, 2022 at 5:39 pm
SO AB is coming back baby!
May 19th, 2022 at 5:46 pm
Arians can’t be hanging around all the time. Proper distance needs to be established for Bowles to settle in as the leader in the minds of the players. Roles need to be clear. Arians is being respectful.
May 19th, 2022 at 5:47 pm
The BA was forced out conspiracy is so stupid. Believe whatever you want. There’s aliens living underground on Mars and the earth is flat.
May 19th, 2022 at 5:49 pm
Robert Says:
May 19th, 2022 at 5:39 pm
ZERO chance of that little b!tch coming back.
May 19th, 2022 at 5:50 pm
*Assistant Regional Manager
May 19th, 2022 at 5:51 pm
I wonder if Tom Moore was absent from the practices too? If so, that’s two great offensive minds that our players aren’t hearing from.
May 19th, 2022 at 5:52 pm
Marine Buc Says:
May 19th, 2022 at 5:29 pm
BA is the Dwight Schrute of the Buccaneers.
Assistant to the Regional Manager… lol.
________
Well, BA is usually the color of a beet…… so yeah.
May 19th, 2022 at 6:07 pm
is it really that complicated?
May 19th, 2022 at 6:19 pm
probably had surgery Jesus
May 19th, 2022 at 6:24 pm
Probably being respectful. Give BA the benefit of the doubt.
May 19th, 2022 at 6:25 pm
It is out of respect for Bowles. Absolutely the right thing to do.
May 19th, 2022 at 6:32 pm
I forget what interview but it was mentioned the BA was not in town. They didn’t elaborate on where he was or why he wasn’t around.
May 19th, 2022 at 6:39 pm
He wants to let Bowles be the head coach for a while first. No worries.
May 19th, 2022 at 6:53 pm
He’s not a coach anymore. He gave that position up. What a horrible mixed message that would give to have him out there interjecting.
Has anyone ever known Arians not to try to be front and center? He wouldn’t be able to help himself but to throw his two cents in there, and he knows that.
Do you bring a recovering alcoholic to a bar and set a drink in front of them? If you’ve never coached you have no idea how hard it is to not coach when the opportunity is in front of you.
May 19th, 2022 at 6:56 pm
@ The BradyBunch, it’s called hush money
May 19th, 2022 at 7:02 pm
BA working with KT , whoever said that, is a perfect combo for both Trask and Arians starting ASAP… just a low key relationship .
May 19th, 2022 at 7:04 pm
@gotbucs, gotta be careful making alcoholic references when BA is concerned. I think liquor played a huge role in the fact that he didn’t get a HC gig until very late into his career. I have a class three buzz on at the moment, and I’m quite sure BA does too
May 19th, 2022 at 7:06 pm
You hit it at the end – transition phase for Bowles
If BA is on his shoulder in the huddle it is a bad take
For the players – if he is in the cart on the sideline they are all looking to him
He comes back in training camp in the cart with JL
He is watching tapes of every practice, every day and recapping his thoughts to the staff, while swirling a high ball
May 19th, 2022 at 7:22 pm
In all seriousness, did anyone really expect BA to butt his big red face into bowles operation? They gave BA a cushy salary, and probably treat him like a child in the front office. I would always give my kids the illusion that they had a choice. In reality, they still did what GOB demanded of them.
May 19th, 2022 at 8:20 pm
Don’t expect to see Arians involved at practice.
TB12 axed BA for a reason.
He doesn’t want to see him.
May 19th, 2022 at 8:45 pm
RPK. LOL
I love people at home on the couch with a bag of Cheetos think they have it all figured out when every single person in the organization tells you that’s not the case. But, hey! Let’s just assume several dozen people are lying because why not?! it’s more fun!… Idiotic 🤦♂️
May 19th, 2022 at 8:46 pm
I’d love to see him out there working with Trask but I think he’s giving the new coaching staff room. I’m sure if they wanted him out there though he’d be there
May 19th, 2022 at 8:50 pm
Bruce put in his time. If he wanted to be at every training session he would have stayed as head coach. Let the man do as he pleases. He’s earned that respect and get over it Joe 😂
May 19th, 2022 at 8:56 pm
Actual mandatory mini camp is when I’d expect to see him or he’s watching film from wherever he is. It is smart to stay away until the new coach has the teams ears
May 19th, 2022 at 9:13 pm
Status quo
May 19th, 2022 at 9:35 pm
The NFL is the only league that expects its players to show up during their offseason. These “voluntary” workouts are a joke. Let BA enjoy his off-season! He’s had a long career. Let the man rest. Reporting about who and who doesn’t show up at voluntary workouts is the most insufferable thing about the media.
May 19th, 2022 at 10:01 pm
@David, apparently you don’t know how this all works. Front offices are in the business of lying. They go to great lengths to protect the brand. Do you honestly think it was coincidence that BA was “promoted” within or before 24 hours of Brady announcing his return? Many people here labor under the delusion that it was BAs decision to step down. Right. Just like the folks here that don’t believe Brady was in Europe, specifically to meet with ownership. His son like the team they own, that’s all it was. Bologna. BA was just stalling to set up his coaching tree, right? Instead he allowed his coaches to interview for HC jobs? Did BA have some secret knowledge that they wouldn’t be hired? I’m sure it was a grand attempt to subvert the Rooney rule. It’s ludicrous. Use your brain
May 19th, 2022 at 10:13 pm
I cant believe nobody said hes watching it on a laptop at mons venus
May 19th, 2022 at 10:21 pm
Meet our new HC after this season Tom Brady! JUST KIDDING!
May 19th, 2022 at 10:22 pm
BA will surface in due time. Not Bowles style to request his absence, I doubt that happened. Besides, BA knows the best way to setup Bowles for success is to give him time and space to establish his authority as HC.
May 19th, 2022 at 10:22 pm
GOB – STFU with the slander at BA. Just because you can’t handle your alcohol doesn’t mean he has a problem with it.
May 19th, 2022 at 10:51 pm
I still think Licht and the FO offered BA the job on the chance that we have a shot to run the table and win a title. BA gets his second ring as an “executive” and kind of puts the cherry on BAs HOF resume. Not based on anything concrete, just my opinion, but why else would he stay on the staff in any capacity post-retirement, if no to get that goatee and kangol in canton. That’s my “conspiracy theory” on the matter.
May 19th, 2022 at 11:21 pm
Goatfarmer, BlahahHa. Good one. Unlike BA, my wife limits me to one gallon of scotch per week.
May 19th, 2022 at 11:34 pm
It’s kind of like the kids got a new Dad cause Mama didn’t really like the old Dad anymore. Now new Dad doesn’t want old Dad at every practice hanging around until new Dad has firmly established himself in the eyes of the players as the Ultimate boss who runs the ship. Old Dad will come in every now and then just to say high to the kids and hang out for a little bit. Then old Dad will disappear for awhile until its time to make another appearance to let the kids know he still loves them. But make no mistake, by this time the kids will realize that the New Dad is the ultimate Boss and old Dad is just well, old.
May 19th, 2022 at 11:52 pm
Steve, old Dad should just stay away. The kids still know he loves them, but new Dad goes to sleep every night with his ex wife (licht) and his kids under his roof. The kids know who rules the roost
May 20th, 2022 at 12:02 am
Per Ron White, “You can’t fix stupid.”
(Facepalm)
May 20th, 2022 at 12:46 am
With all the speculation that Tom Brady got rid of him, I was surprised to see no comments like “Maybe Tom Brady does not want him there”.
May 20th, 2022 at 3:16 am
Hey, why just call BA and ask him. Yes these kinds of Blog posts spark comments, I get it. But have you tried to call BA?
May 20th, 2022 at 4:09 am
Staying under the Brady radar? BA may feel unwanted and unappreciated. Maybe it’s time to retire.
May 20th, 2022 at 7:44 am
Anyone who has been in a spot where you handover a position to successor u always give space so that they can put their own footprint on the job at hand. Classy for Bruce to do this and no reason to read anymore into it or try to create headlines
May 20th, 2022 at 8:14 am
It takes a while to recover from an Achilles repair. Especially at his age.
May 20th, 2022 at 8:15 am
He was at the movies. C’mon get real BA has perfected the invisible man character. This is nothing new he was part time when he was HC. Bowles and Brady don’t want him around they have their work cut out changing the teams work ethic from the lazy one BA left behind.
May 20th, 2022 at 8:41 am
I think Arians has retired. The job is just a title. I don’t think he has a portfolio of responsibilities. If he shows up, great… if he doesn’t, that’s fine too.
May 20th, 2022 at 12:28 pm
If I were Todd Bowles I’d be sending AB hookers, weed, whatever he wants to come back.