Bruce Arians bites back at report of rift with Tom Brady: 'That's such bulls***'
Now that Tom Brady has been retired for a few weeks, the inevitable stories of discord and disharmony between him and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians have started to bubble up.
According to tweets from former NFL player and current sports radio host Rich Ohrnberger, Arians and Brady's relationship was "souring" partly because of disputes between the two and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich over game plans.
"Heard some interesting things recently... The Tom Brady and Bruce Arians honeymoon was over in Tampa," Ohrnberger tweeted on Friday. "The retirement announcement wasn't because of the trouble seeing eye to eye on the offensive game planning, but the relationship was souring.
"Apparently, while Arians was rehabbing the Achilles in the early mornings, offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and Brady would work on the week's game plan. Arians would later come in and take the red pen to work they'd done. The QB and OC felt undermined, there was tension."
Ohrnberger, who played in the NFL from 2009-2014 after several seasons at Penn State, never played under Arians, but did play with Brady on the New England Patriots from 2009 to 2011.
Arians emphatically denies Ohrnberger's claims
Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reached out to Arians for a response to Ohrnberger's claims, and Arians' response was profane and to the point. In other words, it was classic Arians.
“I mean, that’s such bulls***‚’’ Arians said. “That’s what pisses me off. I guess probably Byron could corroborate this, too.’’
Arians, who partially tore his Achilles in January, also pointed out that a number of things Ohrnberger claimed simply weren't true, while also heaping praise on Leftwich, one of the best offensive coordinators in the biz.
“First of all, I don’t rehab my Achilles in the morning,’’ Arians said. “I will go over the game plans and add things, but I don’t delete anything. I don’t have to because they do such a good job.
“I’ll see some things. Add some things. It’s an awesome collaboration, one of the best I’ve ever been around.’’
As far as the "red pen" comment, Arians thought that was a laughable but creative touch.
“I never heard of that one,’’ he said laughing. “That was the best one ever. That’s pretty graphic to not know what the (expletive) you’re talking about.”
Ohrnberger doubles down
Ohrnberger must have read Arians' responses to his initial claims, because he came back with more reports from his "impregnable" sources on Saturday. This time, Ohrnberger said there was tension between Leftwich and Brady over the run game, and people "inside the building" resented Arians for his "lighter work schedule."
Per my earlier report, Head Coach Bruce Arians would at times take red pen to that offensive plan… figuratively speaking, of course.
There were apparently major disagreements between Leftwich and Brady on strategy, especially regarding the run game.— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) February 20, 2022
At a certain point during the 2021 season, Brady successfully seized control of the offensive game plan, adjusting play calls he didn’t believe would work.
Additionally, there was a feeling of resentment inside the building toward Arians.— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) February 20, 2022
While others worked around the clock in Tampa to build a winner, Head Football Coach Bruce Arians had a much lighter work schedule.
…per multiple impregnable sources.— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) February 20, 2022
Arians hasn't responded yet, but Stroud has. He tweeted at Ohrnberger some of the details he knows as a longtime Bucs beat writer. According to Stroud, Arians intentionally didn't want to be a game planner, and at age 69 he leaves the long hours to his younger assistants. Not only has that worked extremely well over the last two seasons, Stroud said that not a single player or assistant he's talked to has echoed the claims of a rift between Arians and Brady.
Impregnable…
Couple things Rich. Spent two years every day with Tom Brady, Byron Leftwich and BA. Arians took the job on the condition of not game planning. There was no figurative red pen. It was ALWAYS Leftwich and Brady and was collaborative. They had a top 2 and 3 offense… https://t.co/8nADEAuMwW— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) February 20, 2022
…the two years Brady played here. He led the NFL in passing and TDs. If it’s news to you Arians relies on his coaching staff at age 69 and doesn’t game plan you’re late to the party. They worked out some things during the bye week a YEAR ago. WON a Super Bowl.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) February 20, 2022
The “much lighter work schedule” is by design. He’s not getting in at 3:30 AM to do practice scripts. That’s the job of Leftwich and Todd Bowles. 29 wins in two season, 5-1 playoff record, SB, NFC South title. Hard to imagine a better run for Brady.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) February 20, 2022
But even then, Ohrnberger wasn't done. He quote tweeted Stroud and made a pretty salient point.
Impregnable.
Offensive rankings and team success are not indications that relationships are/were on steady footing.
If that were the case Tom Brady would still be playing in New England… or in this instance playing football at all. https://t.co/wpLWaE0FJ8— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) February 20, 2022
What's next in the ongoing Tom Brady retirement soap opera? No one knows. You'll have to stay tuned for the next episode of "As the Brady Turns."
