Brady’s Impact Needed Early
May 29th, 2020
Todd Bowles answer highlights need
There is no question a reason the Bucs signed park-violating, home-invading quarterback Tom Brady is what Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder used to call, “intangibles.”
Brady’s ability to lead and to motivate and to raise the level of the Bucs offense is part of why he was signed. The more Joe thinks about it, the more vital Brady’s intangibles will be early this season.
Thanks to The Sickness, the offseason has been trashed. Yesterday, Joe asked Todd Bowles if he saw standout leadership or anything in Zoom meetings with his players that would suggest one might be a leader or impressively locked in. Bowles chuckled and said from his perspective he wouldn’t even try to comment about getting a read on players from a Zoom meeting.
So Joe started to think more about what the lost offseason would affect most. A new coaching staff, a new quarterback and rookies, perhaps new teammates, too?
Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com thinks Bucs rookie wide receiver Tyler Johnson might start as a No. 3 receiver. Rosenthal wrote this while predicting the Bucs’ lineup and noting Bucco Bruce Arians might only start one tight end.
Joe did a little math. The Bucs could have five new starters on offense. Let’s add up the potential candidates.
QB: Tom Brady
TE: Rob Gronkowski
RT: Tristan Wirfs
RB: Ke’Shawn Vaughn
WR: Tyler Johnson
That could be damn near half of the offense that has never played together (though Brady and Gronk have, obviously) and never used Bucco Bruce Arians’ playbook against a live defense. Three of those five have never worn an NFL practice jersey.
So in Joe’s eyes, Brady’s intangibles will be needed more than maybe at any point in his career. Seriously.
The defense will be fine, Joe believes. They may have only one rookie starter with 10 of 11 starters returning.
How quickly Brady can help mold the offense and get everyone on the same page may determine if the Bucs make the playoffs or not.
May 29th, 2020 at 10:51 am
Not sure Vaughn and Johnson will be considered starters, even though they will play a lot.
May 29th, 2020 at 11:18 am
One tight end?
May 29th, 2020 at 1:05 pm
I don’t think you can overlook the O Line communication with Bradys audibles and snap count either being a New QB to the system.
Practicing with Jensen is Brilliant!
May 29th, 2020 at 3:43 pm
I’d pump the breaks a little on KV & TJ. Need to see them prove it at the next level before suggesting they could be starters. So many options at TE has me thinking they’d be foolish to have the base offense feature only one TE.
May 29th, 2020 at 4:16 pm
When it gets down to it, it might be a cliche but it’s true. Do you believe?
I said DO YOU BELIEVE?
That’s at the core of every championship team, they believed.
That is Brady’s job #1. When he walks into the locker room do his six rings make it easier for guys to believe?
When the chips are on the line and you’re in the huddle with Brady do you believe. I’d love to honestly know how the Pats felt in that huddle when they came back from 28-3 in a freaking Super Bowl.
If we struggle at the start I’ll be neither panicked nor that concerned because of the points Joe made. I do not believe this team will fold if they start 3-5 and disappoint everyone. That’s another Brady advantage…he’s tough.
If OTOH we start quickly…the NFL better watch out!!!! We could start rolling folks up if we truly got that supreme championship swagger that comes not from talk or talent but from crushing your opponents.
We need to go all Conan! What is best in life? Conan : To crush your enemies. See them driven before you. And to hear the lamentations of their women.
May 29th, 2020 at 4:58 pm
The offense will continue to develop. all season.
It will start stronger than many other teams because Gronk and Brady have the it factor. They will make first downs and move the ball while Brady gets into the swing of Godwin and Evans.
After that will come the impact game and near the end of the season they will play in a way to eat clock.
May 29th, 2020 at 5:04 pm
The term “Starter” in the NFL has lost its meaning.
The NFL is not a situational and specialist league. You just don’t line up the same 11-12 guys every play.
Virtually every player is now a “starter” depending on down, distance and strategery. The exception is the QB, and with the emergence of Wildcat formations, even that is in doubt.
IMO, the key to the modern NFL is not who the starting 11 are, but how many of each side of the ball brings diversity to game planning, rookies and vets alike.
@stpetebucsfan: I agree. “Do you believe?” One one hand there is the swagger of the cocky which can be quickly dismantled. Then there is the quiet confidence of those who Believe in themselves, their teammates, and the coaches. I am getting a strong indication the latter could define the 2020 Buccaneers. You got a good look at it in the last half of 2019 (save those last 2 games by Winston), and with the advent of Brady & Gronk, along with a strong (so far) draft, these guys may not need feckless swagger to show their belief.
May 29th, 2020 at 5:49 pm
“these guys may not need feckless swagger to show their belief.”
Amen Cobra! Of course I’m old school…really old school. LMAO
I grew up in elementary school in a Cleveland Browns market meaning I saw Jimmy Brown in his prime when I was just beginning to become a fan.
I grew to love the way he always walked back to the huddle at the same speed..never jogged…never hobbled or showed pain…just back to the huddle at the same pace play after play after play like grim death. I loved the “certainty” of Brown’s game.
May 31st, 2020 at 5:41 pm
I’m a diehard NFL fan who loves all of the teams but my number one team is the Bucs. I love the Browns too. I am a huge underdog lover but I digress.
I love Joe’s post. It almost sounds like he is coming around to our point of view and maybe just maybe he will leave that Winsnone fellow alone. Love ya Joe. I am glad my brother showed me your site.