Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians has now coached Peyton Manning, a Pro Football Hall of Fame candidate, and Tom Brady, two of the top quarterbacks of the NFL’s modern era.
“I used to call Peyton a piranha because you just couldn’t give him enough information,” Arians said. “He had notebook after notebook. Thomas, he’s the same way. He wants scouting reports on corners, linebackers from our pro scouts. Every bit of information that can go into a ballgame with (from) his preparation.”
They both have diligent practice habits.
“They both love taking guys aside,” Arians said. “Hey, let’s work on this route. ... This might be a good move. We might run it from a different formation. Let’s go practice it while the defense is practicing.
“So, they were always moving. They’re always getting something done. They both have the ability to will themselves on their teammates and make them win. It’s a very, very rare thing.”
After taking New England to six Super Bowl titles, Brady, at age 43, is set to complete his first regular season with Tampa Bay with a game at 1 p.m. Sunday against the Falcons.
“No, I really can’t,” Arians said when asked if he could fathom what Brady is doing at his age. “It’s amazing because when you out there watching him in practice, he kind of looks like he’s 30, maybe 33 at the most.
“It’s just amazing watching him practice and the way he works so hard and how he’s taking good care of himself. That’s not easy at 43. He’s taken a few shots. Hopefully not too many. He’s getting up and moving on. So, it’s really amazing to me. He’s really a freak of nature in that regard.”
The Bucs’ offense appears to be sync at the right time of the season as they head into the NFC playoffs.
“We’ve got things to where we don’t have to answer those questions, is it Tom’s offense or it’s my offense,” Arians said. “It’s the Bucs’ offense, and it’s pretty damn good.”
Falcons’ 2021 draft position
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
2. New York Jets
3. Miami Dolphins (via Houston)
4. Falcons
5. Cincinnati Bengals
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