Brady mum on critical Arians: 'He's the coach, I'm a player'

Tom Brady kept a tight lip Thursday when asked if he was surprised by the amount of public criticism he received from Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians after Week 1.

"He's the coach, I'm a player," Brady said, via Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times. "(We're) just trying to win a game."

Arians wasn't hesitant to assign blame to his new quarterback after Brady threw two interceptions in a season-opening loss to the New Orleans Saints. The two-time Coach of the Year said the performance was "not what he expects from himself, nor what we expect." He also called on Brady to show "a little more grit (and) a little more determination" in Week 2.

Asked on Wednesday whether his open criticisms could create tension with Brady, Arians appeared unconcerned.

"Tom and I are fine," he said. "I don't really care what other people think. So, it's just what he and I think. We left the stadium fine. We showed up today fine. There ain't nothin' to talk about."

Brady signed a two-year, $50-million contract with the Buccaneers in free agency after a 20-year run with the New England Patriots. While he faced scrutiny in team meetings with the Patriots, head coach Bill Belichick never criticized Brady publicly.