Friday, 4 a.m.
Bruce Arians is tired of talking about Antonio Brown.
And the world answers: Get used to it.
Arians, once again, was asked about Brown and his most recent incident where he allegedly threw a bicycle and destroyed a camera eight days before being signed by the Buc. The league is investigating it, but Arians shrugged it off, admitting that the team knew about the incident.
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“Like the statement said, we were totally aware," Arians said. "He’s been a model citizen. I think we’re trying to beat a dead horse now. There’s been enough statements about it.”
Asked about his statements that Brown had matured, even though he had had his troubles just before signing, Arians said "I think we’ve had enough conversations about that. Thank you.”
The thing is, silence won't be the answer with Brown, who has a long reputation of misbehavior in his past. He has verbally ripped teammates, fought with a former front office member and been accused of rape.
Yet, Arians stands behind him...for now. "He's been a model citizen, if and when he's not, we'll move on," he said on Sirius Radio.
For most long-time coaches, the decision to sign a controversial player is one that measures risk vs. reward. The Bucs can always cut Brown, but in the meantime, they have to worry about chemistry, which hasn't been one of the Brown's strong suits.
The Bucs signed Brown because of injuries at the position, but in two games, he has 10 catches for 100 yards. In other words, he's been a helper, but he hasn't been a star.
Has he been worth the risk? It depends on how he plays the rest of the way.
For now, he's here, and the team has gone silent.
How long either lasts is speculation.