Bucs head coach Bruce Arians: Antonio Brown finally back at 'game speed'

After a slow start in Tampa Bay, wide receiver Antonio Brown seems to be returning to form at the perfect time, and Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians says that Brown's improvement should help the Bucs' offense in their matchup against the New Orleans Saints.

"He’s [at] game speed," Arians said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "He’s back to being A.B. He’s a handful. . .  He is playing really well. Tom [Brady] and him are [on the] same page. He’s into the offense now. He knows the offense, knows where his receptions areas are. So anytime we can get him the ball, it’s dangerous. He’s back into game shape now. It’s one thing to be out running routes and having somebody throw to you and being in physical shape. But game shape is a whole different thing."

Brown has at least one touchdown in each of his last four games, including one in the Bucs' wild-card round win over the Washington Football Team. With Brown as a legitimate receiving threat, the already-loaded Tampa Bay offense becomes downright lethal. And the Bucs will need to be firing at all cylinders to take down the Saints, who are deadly both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

For Brown, turning around his career has been a long and tumultuous journey, which, to be fair, he is mostly at blame for. Brown is one of the most talented receivers of the last decade, but his career quickly cratered after he demanded a trade from the Steelers, only to force his way off the Raiders before he played a single game for them. He was then signed by the Patriots but only played one game before they released him as well once allegations of sexual and personal misconduct began to surface. He then announced and un-announced his retirement from the league several times.

Now, he has the chance to help the Bucs make a Super Bowl run.