Tampa Bay Bucs QB coach: Offense will be Bruce Arians' with 'Brady influence'

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback coach Clyde Christensen plans to "keep the offense the same" this season, with the addition of "a [Tom] Brady influence." Christensen says it will remain head coach Bruce Arians’ offense, guided by free-agent addition Tom Brady.

The Buccaneers passed on 62% of their downs last season, seventh-most in the NFL. Arians loves having his quarterbacks air the ball out. Brady fared well in his deep passes last season. According to Pro Football Reference, Brady was one of 14 QBs to post a passer Rating over 100 on throws at least 20 yards downfield.

Brady has two of the best receivers in the NFL by his side in Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. The acquisition of longtime target Rob Gronkowski should help Brady and the Bucs become one of the most pass-friendly teams in the league.

The Bucs relied on the passing attack heavily last season, even with turnover prone Jameis Winston under center. When tied or leading, the Bucs passed 55% of the time, according to Sharp Football Stats. The Bucs will likely be ahead more this season than last, but that does not necessarily mean they will pass less often.

Brady, who is entering his age-43 season, has some of his best offensive weapons in a long time and will have plenty of passing opportunities. Sitting second all-time in passing yards and TD passes (trailing Drew Brees in both categories), Brady can pile on to his statistical greatness with the Bucs.

3 Potential Destinations for Marshawn Lynch

Marshawn Lynch will become an unrestricted free agent in March and has yet to declare whether he will continue his NFL career. Lynch, who turns 33 in April, came out of retirement in 2017 to play for his hometown Oakland Raiders after sitting out the 2016 season.

Here are three ideal free agent destinations for Lynch, assuming the five-time Pro Bowler returns for a 12th season in the NFL.

Oakland Raiders

Returning to the Raiders is a realistic possibility for Lynch. Head coach Jon Gruden said he “would love” to have Lynch back.  And there is certainly reason for the Raiders to re-sign the sturdy tailback.

Before hurting his groin—which sidelined him for the final 10 games of last season—Lynch was carrying the rock with authority and forcing plenty of missed tackles. According to Pro Football Focus, Lynch amassed 23 missed tackles and 311 yards after contact in Weeks 1-6. Among halfbacks with over 50 carries in that time span, Lynch ranked first in forced missed tackles per attempt (0.26) and sixth in yards after contact per attempt (3.46). He gained 72.2 percent of his yards after contact, per Pro Football Focus. Lynch accomplished this despite running behind a dreadful offensive line that was hit hard by injuries.

Marshawn Lynch has yet to decide whether he will continue his NFL career. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Lynch’s age and his inability to stay healthy last year is certainly a concern, but the Raiders’ lack of depth at the position could ultimately pave the way for him to suit up for a third season with the franchise.

New Orleans Saints

Mark Ingram is a free agent and may not return to New Orleans. The versatile Alvin Kamara is now the focal point of the Saints’ rushing attack and Ingram could seek a destination where he can carve out the lead running back role.

If Ingram were to leave in free agency, the Saints would need a replacement to compliment Kamara, who is not an every-down halfback—as evidenced by his 62.61 percent snap count rate in 2018.

Lynch could fit the bill for the Saints, who might be in need of an inside runner. Potentially filling the shoes of Ingram, Lynch would be tasked with goal-line carries and short-yardage situations. He’d be called upon to work in two-back sets in tandem with Kamara and provide solid pass protection.

The only other running back on the Saints’ roster is Dwayne Washington. He rushed for 108 yards in the team’s regular-season finale with the majority of the starters resting, but aside from that has failed to make a significant impact in the league since being drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers ranked 29th in rushing last season and need reinforcements at offensive line and perhaps at running back. Ronald Jones, a second-round draft selection, had a disastrous rookie campaign. He was on the field for only eight percent of the Bucs’ offensive plays and struggled in limited opportunities, rushing for a paltry 1.9 yards per attempt. The team’s No. 1 running back, Peyton Barber, managed to log just one game with over 100 yards rushing.

Lynch could be drawn to the rushing-needy Bucs, especially after they inked Bruce Arians to a four-year contract. While Arians is known for having a pass-heavy offense, he is a respected coach that may lure Lynch to Tampa Bay.

Revis Trade Makes Bucs Playoff Contenders

(AP Image)            

          Newly-acquired Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Darrelle Revis has high expectations for his new squad, which has not reached the postseason since 2007. The disgruntled All-Pro cornerback was traded from the New York Jets to the Buccaneers in exchange for the 13^th overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft and a conditional draft pick in either the third or fourth round in the 2014 NFL Draft. The Buccaneers immediately inked Revis to a 6 year, $96 million (no guaranteed money) contract upon acquiring the 27-year-old shut down corner, who missed almost the entirety of the 2012 season after tearing his ACL in Week 2.

            Six months removed from his knee surgery that repaired his torn left ACL, Revis is still unsure if he will be ready for the start of the 2013 season. Revis will likely do everything he can to fully recover in time for the season opener, given that the Buccaneers open their 2013 campaign at MetLife Stadium against Revis’ former team.

            After a major surgery, Revis understands that there will be doubters that will contend he will no longer be the great cover cornerback he was once was before tearing the ACL.

            "People are going to sit here and say, 'How's he going to perform? How's he going to play? Is he going to be like he was before?'" Revis said. "I understand all of that. I'm a hard worker. It's all on me. I'll give it my all."

            Revis asserted that he does not have a chip on his shoulder, despite his displeasure with how he was treated in New York.

            "I don't have nothing to prove to the New York Jets," he said, adding that he still considers himself a great player. "I don't have nothing to prove to nobody. I know my expectations as a player, and that's that."

            Revis could be the perfect addition to a Buccaneers team that ranked dead last in passing defense a season ago.  Earlier in the off-season, the Buccaneers signed former San Francisco 49ers safety Dashon Goldson.

Darrelle Revis Trade from a Patriots Standpoint

                The obvious takeaway from the Revis trade from a New England Patriots viewpoint is that a division rival has been significantly weakened for the time being, making the Patriots’ contests against the Jets this season a heck of a lot easier. Revis played exceptionally well against the Patriots over the years, often making the likes of Randy Moss and Wes Welker non-factors. He recorded two interceptions in nine career games against the Patriots, while shutting down the Patriots’ primary offensive targets. He was a major proponent of the Jets team that upset the Patriots in the 2010 AFC Divisional Round.

            Just like how Jets head coach Rex Ryan was pleased to see Welker depart to the Denver Broncos in the off-season, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will likely be glad he no longer has to prepare for Revis when squaring off against the Jets.

            Jets head coach Rex Ryan commented on the departure of Welker to Denver, saying, "I'm just glad Wes Welker isn't there. I hated Wes Welker. I'm kidding ... kind of. Actually, I'm a huge fan of Wes Welker. He had historical success. That's some big shoes for (Amendola) to fill."

            Belichick will certainly be happy to see Revis out of the AFC East, although he will have to prepare for Revis when the Buccaneers visit Gillette Stadium in Week 3 of the NFL season. Still, the thought of no longer facing off against arguably the leagues’ best cornerback twice a season has to gratify Belichick.