A lot has been said about what quarterback Tom Brady now brings to the Buccaneers. Things like twenty years of NFL experience at the highest of levels, how to win and subsequently, what it takes to win, as well as a national spotlight.
But what about what the Bucs give to Brady?
In a now highly publicized story, General Manager Jason Licht said on the over 90-minute phone call between him, Head Coach Bruce Arians and Brady the opening Wednesday of free agency, Brady pitched them. Brady spent the time convincing Licht and Arians why he would be a good fit for the Bucs and talked about how he wanted to come to Tampa Bay.
"I'm trying to do things that have never been done in my sport," Brady wrote in a Players' Tribune feature. "That's actually fun for me, too, because I know I can do them. When a team gives you the opportunity to do those things with them, well … if not with them, then who?"
In the third and final part of this series, we'll take a look at what Brady is getting out of this deal. The experience he brings will be matched with some of the most experienced coaches and resources Brady could have gotten, complete with some familiar faces even. And it starts with Arians himself, who is otherwise known as 'The Quarterback Whisperer.'
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Not that Brady needs 'whispering.' He comes to the Buccaneers with a whole lot of hardware, including four Super Bowl and three league MVP awards along with his plethora of championships. But Arians has a thing with quarterbacks – veteran ones, at that. Maybe it's because he was one himself back in his Hokie days at Virginia Tech; maybe it's because he's coached some of the league's best, but BA has a different approach to the position and it's one that Brady wanted to be a part of.
"I think that's one thing that drew us both together is I've always collaborated with my quarterbacks, whether it be putting a playbook together with Ben [Roethlisberger] [or] starting with Andrew [Luck] from scratch," Arians said. "[It's about] just finding out the likes and dislikes of a quarterback. Sooner or later, we will be working together on game plans and things like that – playbooks are huge in the spring [and] playbooks are huge in training camp. Then you start taking things out of it for game plans and working together on a team. That's the most fun and I look forward to doing that with him."
In that same Players' Tribune letter saying goodbye to New England and Hello to Tampa, Brady said he wanted to see how great he could be. He wanted to do things never done before in this sport. A 43-year-old quarterback taking the home team to the Super Bowl would certainly be that. But on a granular level, the day-to-day will be something unique for Brady, too. He will play a significant part of shaping the offense from the ground up. And history shows – this approach works.
Arians' coaching resume now includes two of the league's top three all-time passing leaders. The biggest feather in Arians' New Era cap was Peyton Manning prior to the G.O.A.T.'s arrival. Manning was a rookie in 1998, the year Arians was hired as the Indianapolis Colts' quarterbacks coach. By the third season under Arians, Manning was the league's passing king, finishing with an NFL-best 4,413 yards in 1999 (and a league-leading 33 touchdowns). It was his second 4,000+ yard season and his second Pro Bowl nod. Arians helped provide the foundation for a Hall of Fame career before departing the Colts for what ended up being just a few years.
He'd return in 2012. This time as Indy's offensive coordinator. And he'd jump start another career of one of the league's best: Andrew Luck. His rookie year, Luck passed for 4,374 yards with 23 touchdowns and earned himself a spot in that year's Pro Bowl.
Between the two Colts QBs, Arians also mentored Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh, starting first as the teams' wide receivers coach before being promoted to Roethlisberger's offensive coordinator from 2007-2011. Arians would not only help Roethlisberger to some of his best years as a quarterback, but also to a Super Bowl championship. See, Arians, like Brady, also knows what it's like to win.
And like Brady is doing in Tampa currently, Arians himself took on a new challenge. Where he'd tutored young quarterbacks in Manning, Roethlisberger and Luck – after being named the Cardinals' head coach in 2013, he was now getting Carson Palmer in Arizona, an 'aging' quarterback deemed on his way out after two disappointing seasons in Oakland for the Raiders.
Instead, Arians turned the 'twilight' of Palmer's career into the highlight of it. Palmer set new career highs in passing yards, touchdowns and perhaps, most importantly, wins, while under Arians as head coach. He made the Pro Bowl for the first time since age 27 at age 36 in 2015. The Cardinals went 13-3 that year, while Palmer passed for 4,671 yards and 35 touchdowns.
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Alongside Arians for two of those stints was Tom Moore, a current offensive consultant for the Buccaneers, who has shaped some of the most prolific offenses in the NFL. Moore and Arians worked together in Indianapolis and Moore would win Super Bowl XLI as the Colts' offensive coordinator while under Head Coach Tony Dungy. Manning spanned Moore's tenure with the Colts as his quarterback and with Moore's help, set numerous league records.
Moore also helped turn the Detroit Lions into an offensive powerhouse in the mid-1990s. The 1995 team was the first to have two 100-yard receivers and led the league in total offense that year.
That team and the 1999 Colts are still the only two offenses to ever feature a 4,000-yard passer, 1,500-yard receiver and a 1,500-yard rusher.
Moore has even been credited with popularizing the 11-personnel set (one running back, one tight end and three wideouts), according to a Pro Football Focus article.
"This offense is designed to produce over 5,000 yards in total offense each season," said Moore in the article. "Every year, we expect a 4,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher and two 1,000 yard receivers."
Brady has tallied 11 4,000-yard seasons in his career, with three in the last three years. With guys like Arians and Moore, that shouldn't change with the Bucs.
"Tom Moore has the best saying in the world, 'You never go broke putting money in the bank. Take the damn check-down,'" Arians recalled about his long-time friend and colleague. "I don't think you have to teach Tom [Brady] that. I think the freedom of looking downfield on certain routes and in certain situations when the matchup is perfect – take it. Don't be afraid to take it."
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Arians is fiercely loyal to his staff. So much so, that there is another coach that will work closely with Brady in Tampa that was also around for those Colts years: Buccaneers quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen.
View pictures from QB Tom Brady's 6 Super Bowl victories.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) reacts to a second-quarter touchdown play during Super Bowl XXXVI at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Feb. 3, 2002 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass during an NFL Super Bowl XXXVI game against the St. Louis Rams in New Orleans at the Louisiana Superdome on Feb. 3, 2002. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) prepares to take the snap from center during an NFL Super Bowl XXXVI game against the St. Louis Rams in New Orleans at the Louisiana Superdome on Feb. 3, 2002. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17. (Allen Kee via AP)
New England Patroits Tom Brady plays in Super Bowl XXXVI against the St.Louis Rams at the Louisiana Superdome on February 3,2002 in New Orleans, Louisiana.The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17. (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
New England Patriots offensive line fires off to block in front of quarterback Tom Brady (12) during an NFL Super Bowl XXXVI game against the St. Louis Rams in New Orleans at the Louisiana Superdome on Feb. 3, 2002. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) rolls out to pass during Super Bowl XXXVI at the Louisiana Superdome on Feb. 3, 2002 in New Orleans. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17. (Allen Kee via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) gets set to throw a pass during Super Bowl XXXVI at the Louisiana Superdome on Feb. 3, 2002, in New Orleans. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17. (Allen Kee via AP)
New England Patroits Tom Brady in Super Bowl XXXVI against the St.Louis Rams at the Louisiana Superdome on February 3,2002 in New Orleans, Louisiana.The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17. (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
New England Patroits Tom Brady plays in Super Bowl XXXVI against the St.Louis Rams at the Louisiana Superdome on February 3,2002 in New Orleans, Louisiana.The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17. (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, celebrates on the stand as Patriots owner Robert Kraft, right, makes his way across the stand after the Patriots beat the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Feb. 3, 2002 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady (12) reacts after the Patriots beat the St. Louis Rams 20-17 in Super Bowl XXXVI Feb. 3, 2002, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. (Allen Kee via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady smiles during media day at Reliant Stadium in Houston Tuesday Jan. 27, 2004. The Patriots and Carolina Panthers meet in Super Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium on Sunday. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady laughs during media day at Reliant Stadium in Houston Tuesday Jan. 27, 2004. The Patriots and Carolina Panthers face off in Super Bowl XXXVIII on Sunday Feb. 1 (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
New England Patriots quarterback and game MVP Tom Brady (12) passes during Super Bowl XXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers, Feb. 1, 2004 in Houston. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
New England Patroits Tom Brady plays in SUPERBOWLXXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers at Reliant Stadium on February 1,2004 in Houston Texas.The Patriots defeated the Panthers 32-29. (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
Quarterback Tom Brady of the New England Patriots prepares to make a handoff during Super Bowl XXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers on Feb. 01, 2004 in Houston. The Patriots won 32-29. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
New England Patroits Tom Brady plays in SUPERBOWLXXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers at Reliant Stadium on February 1,2004 in Houston Texas.The Patriots defeated the Panthers 32-29. (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
New England Patroits Tom Brady plays in SUPERBOWLXXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers at Reliant Stadium on February 1,2004 in Houston Texas.The Patriots defeated the Panthers 32-29. (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
New England Patroits Tom Brady plays in SUPERBOWLXXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers at Reliant Stadium on February 1,2004 in Houston Texas.The Patriots defeated the Panthers 32-29. (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
Quarterback Tom Brady of the New England Patriots points out the defense during Super Bowl XXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers on Feb. 01, 2004 in Houston. The Patriots won 32-29. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) sets up to pass against the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII. The Patriots defeated the Panthers 32-29 in Houston, Texas on February 1, 2004. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) hands off to running back Antowain Smith in the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers during Super Bowl XXXVIII on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004, at Reliant Stadium in Houston. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady makes his way through the crowd after the Patriots beat the Carolina Panthers 32-29 in Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady smiles after the Patriots beat the Carolina Panthers 32-29 in the closing seconds of Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Feb. 1, 2004, a game widely considered one of the best Super Bowls. Brady was named MVP for the second time in three years after completing a record 32 passes for 354 yards and three touchdowns. Kicker Adam Vinatieri again kicked the winning field goal in the final seconds, as he had two years earlier. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Quarterback Tom Brady of the New England Patriots holds the Vince Lombardi trophy following Super Bowl XXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers on Feb. 01, 2004 in Houston. The Patriots won 32-29. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Patriots beat the Carolina Panthers 32-29 in Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) completed 32 of 48 passes for 354 yards and three touchdowns and was named Most Valuable Player, holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy while being interviewed by Jim Nantz after the Patriots 32-29 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Texas on February 1, 2004. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady calls a play at the line of scrimmage in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots Tom Brady plays against the Philadelphia Eagles in SUPERBOWL XXXIX at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, FL The Patriots defeated the Eagles 24-21. (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
New England Patriots Tom Brady plays against the Philadelphia Eagles in SUPERBOWL XXXIX at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, FL The Patriots defeated the Eagles 24-21. (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
New England Patriots Tom Brady plays against the Philadelphia Eagles in SUPERBOWL XXXIX at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, FL The Patriots defeated the Eagles 24-21. (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
A general view from the endzone is seen as New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass during Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, February 1, 2015 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots won 28-24. (AP Photo/Peter Read Miller)
FILE - In this Feb. 1, 2015, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes during the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 28-24. (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes during the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 28-24. (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks to throw the ball downfield during Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, February 1, 2015 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots won 28-24. (AP Photo/Peter Read Miller)
Feb. 1, 2015, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates during the second half of NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)
FILE - In this Feb. 1, 2015, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game against the Seattle Seahawks, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 28-24. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Feb. 1, 2015, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates after the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game against the Seattle Seahawks (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) runs during Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston. ThePatriots won in overtime, 34-28. (Ric Tapia via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls a play at the line of scrimmage during the NFL Super Bowl LI football game against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium on Sunday, February 5, 2017 in Houston, TX. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) makes a call at the line of scrimmage during the NFL Super Bowl LI football game against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium on Sunday, February 5, 2017 in Houston, TX. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass during the NFL Super Bowl LI football game against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium on Sunday, February 5, 2017 in Houston, TX. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws during Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston. The Patriots won in overtime, 34-28. (Ric Tapia via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates during Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston. The Patriots won in overtime, 34-28. (Ric Tapia via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass during the NFL Super Bowl LI football game against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium on Sunday, February 5, 2017 in Houston, TX. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New England Patriots QB Tom Brady #12 in action against the Atlanta Falcons at Super Bowl 51 on Sunday, February 5, 2017 in Houston, TX. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and center David Andrews (60) celebrate after the game-winning touchdown during the NFL Super Bowl LI football game against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium on Sunday, February 5, 2017 in Houston, TX. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates after the game-winning touchdown during the NFL Super Bowl LI football game against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium on Sunday, February 5, 2017 in Houston, TX. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates while holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy following the Patriots' win in the NFL Super Bowl LI football game against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium on Sunday, February 5, 2017 in Houston, TX. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) receives the Vince Lombardi Trophy following the Patriots' win in the NFL Super Bowl LI football game against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium on Sunday, February 5, 2017 in Houston, TX. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
2017 AP YEAR END PHOTOS - New England Patriots' Tom Brady raises the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons in overtime at the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game on Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) screams as he enters the stadium before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) prepares to take the snap as the line up during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) hands the ball off to Rex Burkhead against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) looks to pass during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) drops back to pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks to pass during NFL Super Bowl 53 against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Atlanta. The Patriots defeated the Rams, 13-3. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) throw the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
New England Patriots QB Tom Brady #12 calls signals at the line against the Los Angeles Rams during NFL Super Bowl 53, Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) celebrates a touchdown run by Sony Michel during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is interviewed by Jim Nantz after defeating the Los Angeles Rams during NFL Super Bowl 53, Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
New England Patriots' Julian Edelman, left, and Tom Brady celebrate after the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. (Tom DiPace via AP)
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Christiansen initially served as Indy's wide receivers coach before then eventually being promoted to offensive coordinator and Luck's quarterback coach. Where Arians helped lay the foundation for Luck, Christiansen helped his career take off. Before coming to the Buccaneers, Christensen was the Director of Football/Player Development for the Dolphins, gaining a different perspective in the process.
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Another unique resource for Brady? Offensive Coordinator Byron Leftwich. Though Leftwich's coaching resume is relatively short, his league experience is not. Part of that league experience included playing AGAINST Brady. In the AFC, no less.
Hey, Brady said he wanted to do things never done in the sport before, right?
The pair make the only quarterback/offensive coordinator tandem that have actually gone against each other as opposing quarterbacks in the league. That means there will be someone there to tell Brady exactly how teams gameplan against him from a player point of view, in addition to, you know, various coaches and staff members that have been doing that for years.
That'll be new.
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As for those familiar faces?
Bucs General Manager Jason Licht was in the room when the Patriots drafted Tom Brady in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. Licht was a scout for New England back then. Brady had come out of Michigan, where current Bucs Director of Player Personnel John Spytek was playing at the time. Spytek was a freshman defensive back during Brady's last year as a Wolverine.
This should all be enough to not only make Brady feel at home in Tampa Bay – but equipped for success. Kinda makes the whole pitching BA and Jason thing make sense.
"They've welcomed me as one of their own," Brady wrote. "They want to listen to what I have to say. I'm excited to be embraced fully for what I can bring to the Bucs. In turn I'm ready to embrace fully a team that is confident in what I do — and what I bring — and is willing to go on this ride with me."
