The Puzzle Of Protecting Brady
June 17th, 2020
Dancing.
If Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich gave the local pen and mic club a taste yesterday of what to expect this fall, Leftwich will be doing a whole lot of talking but answering few questions.
Leftwich talked a good game yesterday. Questions were responded to with many words, but he often didn’t address the question. Take Bucs fans’ all-time favorite subject, the offensive line!
We all know in the eyes of some, the line is fully responsible for all evils in the world from The Sickness to unemployment and violence and burning in the streets.
So Leftwich was asked what he will do with the offensive line in order for that unit to keep park-violating, home-invading Bucs quarterback Tom Brady (soon to turn 43) upright, as the line had challenges protecting a young, mobile 25-year old quarterback last season.
Last year the Bucs were No. 22 in sacks allowed (47).
Joe isn’t sure what message Leftwich tried to deliver but it almost seemed like he wanted to blame quarterbacks for getting drilled.
Leftwich did wave off concern that his calls for long-developing deep pass routes lead to quarterbacks getting pounded.
“We like to go down the field, obviously, but it is not a high percentage of the quarterback getting hit on those plays,” Leftwich said. “We want to protect the quarterback in all phases of the game. We are trying to protect the quarterback every time.
“The most important thing is to have your quarterback eligible, ready to play in football games. So we will do whatever we need to do to keep Tom as healthy as possible.
“We do have the utmost confidence in our players upfront. I believe in the guys we have upfront.”
Now how will Leftwich protect Brady when four of five offensive line starters return and Jameis, who was mobile, got drilled time and again? Leftwich didn’t say other than to add, “We just feel good where we are at.”
Of course, youknowwho had the green light to run when things broke down and he often had sizeable gains using his feet. Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians put the brakes on that practice when he arrived.
Are we to believe Brady’s quick release is the magic elixir? Time will tell.
June 17th, 2020 at 8:17 am
I get the impression that Brady will look to move the chains first, with the second priority being a long bomb. This is in to contrast Winston’s approach, where he was always looking down field.
June 17th, 2020 at 8:19 am
The man is learning how to be a great teacher on a huge professional football team. Stop picking at the youngster and let him learn. Go BUCS!!
June 17th, 2020 at 8:26 am
Brady will protect himself, he will throw the ball quickly, or away if no one is open.
June 17th, 2020 at 8:30 am
Brady’s decision making is the key which was last year’s problem.
As simple as that.
Btw I don’t reap TBR posts anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!
June 17th, 2020 at 8:33 am
22nd in pass protection and JW still #1 in NFL offense.
Doubt the constant pressure had a thing to do with his INTs
Blame Jameis
Enjoy Blaine Gabbert suckas!
June 17th, 2020 at 8:35 am
We played quick LBs. That is not Winston’s fault.
CHeck the sheet!
Btw I also don’t read TBR posts.
June 17th, 2020 at 8:42 am
Now Joe. You and I both know very well that you yourself in the past have defended the offensive line and put blame on Jameis for holding on to the ball too long.
Why act shocked when Leftwhich does it?
June 17th, 2020 at 8:46 am
That was the other Joe that wrote that.
June 17th, 2020 at 8:53 am
Brady is quicker at going through his progressions than Jamies is. With that being said he will get rid of the ball a lot quicker. That does not take away the long ball by the way Arians offense has deep routes but also intermediate routes he will get the ball to the open man giving the opposing defense less time to get to him. Bradys game isn’t a quick strike it’s ball control and time of possession he uses to beat his opponents.
June 17th, 2020 at 9:15 am
Brady is the king of throwing the ball away , Jameis was the total opposite and our offensive line was blamed for bad pass blocking at times.
June 17th, 2020 at 9:36 am
Here, let me show you something. Remember Johnny Manziel? Evans made him look like a million bucks. Have you noticed that Godwin is very much like Evans?
Winsnone’s lack of any real ability had just one bullet in the gun. The bomb. Still,
Evans is the core person that makes that receiver corps so deadly.
His technique is showing up with all of the receivers who apparently listen to him.
Evans deserves Brady. He earned a good QB throwing to him for a change. I would have an attitude too. Go BUCS!!!
June 17th, 2020 at 9:53 am
The check down will be his first read, often. Screens. Lots of screens.
June 17th, 2020 at 11:15 am
Clean House you know the nfl has stats with chip data. Winston picks came when he was protected clean pockets stop spewing lies.
June 17th, 2020 at 11:17 am
Anybody want to know what a QBs main weapon is?
Decision Making!!!!!!!
June 17th, 2020 at 11:24 am
Clean house = NDog ?
June 17th, 2020 at 11:26 am
The best thing Lefty can do is stay the hell out of the way. What a waste.
June 17th, 2020 at 11:52 am
Yes quick releases, slant routes, RB safety valves, and other schemes are indeed the answer. Plus, you have to believe the protection got better with the addition of Wirfs and Gronk, not to mention that protecting Brady, the GOAT, will motivate everyone up front to perform better.
June 17th, 2020 at 11:54 am
Didn’t I read the Buc’s pass protection was ranked #7 last year. I know I saw a lot of clean pockets he was passing out of.
June 17th, 2020 at 11:54 am
I dont wanna a game where the qb throws the ball to the sidelines 50 times a game. No sir
June 17th, 2020 at 12:11 pm
Lamarcus, then don’t watch. Your not a Bucs fan anyway.
June 17th, 2020 at 12:34 pm
Lamarcus we know you would rather have the ball going to the other team.
June 17th, 2020 at 12:36 pm
Getting rid of the ball, throwing it away is part of football. If our last QB would’ve understood this, he’d still be in Tampa.
No QB in NFL history has thrown the ball away 50 times in a game. Ever. Never would have to, with the weapons Tampa Bay has.
June 17th, 2020 at 12:41 pm
Check the sheet!
June 17th, 2020 at 12:44 pm
Winston is going to bench Brees.
June 17th, 2020 at 12:57 pm
Joe Jameis fan is at it again.
Anyway remember how Winston was sacked 47 times but the O line only gave up 15 sacks because the indecisive deer in headlights QB couldn’t make up his mind.
sacks are going down regardless.
June 17th, 2020 at 12:59 pm
I’d like to see a stat of average time from snap to throw.
That would be a good metric in sack analysis.
June 17th, 2020 at 1:01 pm
I’d also like to see a “throwaway” stat, how many passes were not intended to be caught.
June 17th, 2020 at 1:06 pm
Also yes Cleanhouse is Ndog. I am 95% sure. He showed up around the time Ndog left.
June 17th, 2020 at 1:06 pm
The 20-year vet is far more capable of reading defenses and hot routes. This alone will help him avoid pressure.
Some of these comments are just so dumb.
June 17th, 2020 at 1:14 pm
Tampabuscsbro Says:
A sniff of both their noses would be like a DNA test… 😉
June 17th, 2020 at 1:16 pm
Wirfs is gonna be our decade long pro bowler. Vita Vea strength on oline. He can swing in, he can swing out, great hands. This is going to take a huge amount of pressure off Alex Cappa with no more Dot. This oline is very hyped about protecting Brady.
#RedZoneKillas
Go Bucs!!!
June 17th, 2020 at 1:22 pm
@SOEbuc: good take. I agree: much of what some saw in Cappa could be a result of Dotson having problems.
I do NOT think this OL is as bad or inept as many casuals opine.
June 17th, 2020 at 1:52 pm
I’d ask..how many times did JW try to leave the pocket when he didnt need to?
June 17th, 2020 at 2:07 pm
I know Cappa did not play against any really good teams when he was in college but he dominated both in the pass and run blocking. I hope with Dotson gone, he can prove to be dominating at a higher level.
June 17th, 2020 at 3:12 pm
So my take on this is Leftwhich just threw Jameis under the bus for alot of his sacks because of indecision and I cant blame him. He obviously feels the high amount of sacks last year werent the O-Lines fault. Jameis pulled off some great scrambles but was too late to pull the trigger time and time again.
June 17th, 2020 at 7:41 pm
Clean,
Winston threw 25 INT’S with a clean pocket (most in the NFL).
You were right, pressure had nothing to do with his picks.
Perhaps you should heed the advice of winston . Check ya sheets!
June 17th, 2020 at 8:55 pm
When offensive coordinators and head coaches draw up the offensive attack for the game ahead, they do not draw them up to showcase interceptions.
The plays are practiced. If jameass Winsnone then goes out and throws 4 or 5 picks, how is this the fault of anyone else but him?
Tipped balls you say? If he put the ball where it was designed those wouldn’t happen.
See when a Poser tries to throw the ball to someone accuracy is an issue but when a 30 million dollar QB throws, accuracy is natural talent. GO BUCS!!
June 18th, 2020 at 7:05 am
@Cobraboy and @TampaBuscbro Something tells me that we are going to see an NDog post today . Lol