Did Brady Have Subpar Receivers?
July 30th, 2020
Intriguing stat. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
A lot of folks are trying to excuse park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring Bucs quarterback Tom Brady for lesser numbers than usual last season (at age 42) because of his receivers.
His receivers were lousy, they will say. Brady will be back to being Brady because his weapons are so much better in Tampa, they are quick to point out.
Fair points.
No one in their right mind would remotely compare Brady’s 2019 receivers with the Belicheats to what Brady has this season. Night and day.
But Joe found a very interesting stat. Last year with Mr. Entertainment, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, Bucs receivers were No. 8 in the NFL in passing yards after the catch (this is also known as YAC).
Jameis and the Bucs had 1,860 yards after the catch, per NFL Stats, a Twitter feed that is featured on BSPN but has no affiliation with the NFL.
OK, so 1,860 yards of YAC; the Bucs led the NFL in passing and Jameis threw for over 5,000 yards. So if the Bucs were No. 8, take a guess who was No. 10? That would be Brady. He had 1,824 yards after the catch, or YAC.
Not much of a difference, is it? (Brady completed 373 passes, only seven fewer than Jameis.)
So what does this tell you? Maybe the Belicheats receivers weren’t that awful? Or perhaps the Bucs stink at YAC? Were Brady’s passes better for receivers to catch-and-run with than Jameis’ were?
On face value, this stat destroys the notion that Brady’s receivers were a bunch of low-rung stiffs. Either that, or the Bucs’ receivers way underperformed.
QBs with the most passing yards after the catch in 2019
Jared Goff – 2,250
Philip Rivers – 2,185
Jimmy Garoppolo – 2,159
Derek Carr – 2,122
Aaron Rodgers – 2,009
Patrick Mahomes – 1,955
Dak Prescott – 1,918
Jameis Winston – 1,860
Kyler Murray – 1,852
Tom Brady – 1,824— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) July 29, 2020
July 30th, 2020 at 5:41 am
Feeding the Saints QB’s trolls I see.
Incidentally, the list above is very similar to the league’s top 10 passing yards leaders. Gee, think there might be a correlation?!
There is no comparison between the two. Brady-led offenses put the ball, IN STRIDE, to its WRs. AND, if the argument is that you’re saying his WRs were “as good”, either you are blind or drunk at 5:30 in the morning!
This is the very definition of “cherry-picked” stats.
C’mon! There is NO WAY that you can believe that Brady’s numbers would look waaaaaay different with a pair of WRs like we have. No way!
July 30th, 2020 at 5:43 am
Brady can hit guys in stride. So could Fitzmagic. Jameis is a spot thrower, has a strong arm, but doesn’t always lead the receiver to YAC: hence 3rd strong QB status.
July 30th, 2020 at 6:27 am
Joe, if you are trying to make a case that New England’s WR were almost as good as the Bucs, why are you giving stats for QBs. Why not give the stats solely for the WRs? I don’t think you can compare J. Edelman and J. White, NE top two WRs to Evans and Godwin. The PPF has the Bucs WRs at #2 and NE at #30.
July 30th, 2020 at 6:31 am
First, it’s probably a little of “all the above.” We know Brady has taken recievers without much upside coming in and helped turn them into big name guys. We know Evans isn’t a speedster per se but thank goodness in the past he could “King Kong” things flying in his vicinity…that is, he’s a monster that can snatch things from the air no one could dream of getting. Godwin…largely the same. All “YACs” are not created equal. It is WHEN the catches, runs, and yards occur. I haven’t seen stats on it haven’t looked, and haven’t cared (again, stats only confirm what we already know), but WHEN they occur is much more important. Winston is the master of come-from-behind garbage yards and INTs at bad times (that makes him half to come from behind), and there had been way too many of them. That is what makes Winston an eternal loser and Brady a HoF GOAT. Just look at why 32 of 32 teams have passed on Winston.
July 30th, 2020 at 6:34 am
The patriots ran the type of plays that that were designed to get yac. The bucs do not.
July 30th, 2020 at 6:38 am
I just noticed…when you pass a trillion yards (roughly equal to 5,000) to come from behind after digging your team a hole, your total YAC will of course be higher. Brady passed for $1K less yards. What is the average YAC per play? While I don’t care, that’s a question someone who does care about stats may ask. Regardless of answer, I’m back to also asking what impact did the plays have on the game’s outcome. Advantage Brady?
July 30th, 2020 at 6:47 am
When you count the YAC after interceptions, Winston moves way up the list.
July 30th, 2020 at 7:09 am
For the patriots the number are cause of the QB, for the bucs it’s because of the wrs. Now let’s combine the best of both
July 30th, 2020 at 7:17 am
Pablo thinks Brady is gonna have Fitzmagic type numbers this year
July 30th, 2020 at 7:22 am
Were Brady’s passes better for receivers to catch-and-run with than Jameis’ were?
Why yes, yes they were.
July 30th, 2020 at 7:26 am
This season I expect Evans and Godwin to shatter their career best YAC.
July 30th, 2020 at 8:04 am
Bush league article. You compliment the Interception Machine, JW, and you use your pathetic adjectives to describe the GOAT that we are so lucky to have here. What’s your objective?
6x Super Bowl Winning, 3x SB MVP, 4X league MVP, 14 times Pro Bowler. Do you not know those numbers? Why do you not use those to describe Brady instead of your childish moniker?
July 30th, 2020 at 8:12 am
Paul.
“Why do you not use those to describe Brady instead of your childish moniker”
It’s probably because Joe has a sense of humour. Have you seen his “moniker” for Peter King yet? Lol.
July 30th, 2020 at 8:18 am
Isn’t it funny that in previous years when the Bucs had a lower yards after catch It was because James had no accuracy whatsoever now all of a sudden in a new offense the yards after catch go up tremendously it’s because all the receivers are great. But weren’t those the same receivers that were here before? But you’re right it had nothing to do with the quarterback clearly, everyone on the team just improved dramatically and that’s what it was yeah that’s it.
👌
July 30th, 2020 at 8:22 am
The real question is when are you people going to just accept the truth that the Bucs screwed up BIG-TIME? It’s clear you haven’t accepted it yet but I’m confident in time you will oh you will.
July 30th, 2020 at 8:23 am
StevenK
You are absolutely right.
Accuracy and hitting targets in stride goes a long way…. literally.
July 30th, 2020 at 8:29 am
alot of Edelman and alot of throwing to running backs.
July 30th, 2020 at 8:35 am
So someone on here is seriously trying to say aspot thrower through for 5,000 yards in the NFL with no accuracy, doesn’t lead receiver’s, and doesn’t hit them in stride. Does anyone really honestly believe that? Really think about what you’re saying, 5,000 yd by just throwing to spots yeah that makes perfect sense, wow guys wow.
So how about the perfect throw for the 70-yard touchdown to Godwin perfectly placed in stride just over the linebackers shoulder vs Atlanta, how about the perfect throw to Mike Evans deep for the Colts, how about the perfect throw to Mike Evans deep to the Rams, how about the perfect throw to Chris Godwin right before he got hit in the perfect place so he could get yards after the catch on the game-winning drive against the Cardinals, how about the absolutely ridiculous perfect throw to Brashard Perriman the second to last play before the end of the first half versus the Falcons in the last game, about three guys in the world could make that throw with it being perfectly placed, but yeah there’s no accuracy there at all is there? I guess none of those were anticipatory throws or led the receiver at all right?
July 30th, 2020 at 8:39 am
Have you not watched the Pats offense last year?
This isn’t surprising and the WRs sucked
July 30th, 2020 at 8:40 am
Isn’t it funny that Ndog is going to cry all season long. Who would ever have thought that would happen?
July 30th, 2020 at 8:42 am
Someone said Mr.5000 was a spot thrower ..get this thru your you people head, the man was a prolific passer in 2019 with plenty of yacyardage and touchdowns ..his only failure was too many interceptions in the first year of an offensive scheme that preached slang it down field!! I CAN’T BREATHE!!! With no running game to take the pressure of him!!
July 30th, 2020 at 8:54 am
It’s nice to see the Nuthugger Brigade is out in full force today.
July 30th, 2020 at 8:59 am
duh
July 30th, 2020 at 9:10 am
Can we people stop say Winstons ints are from scheming the deep ball. It’s a straight up lie and it’s lazy. I believe at 25 of his int were short and intermediate. Winston can’t read the field gets baited by linebackers to often rookie mistakes for a 5 years vet. Stop the false narratives do some research for yourself.
July 30th, 2020 at 9:11 am
Least
July 30th, 2020 at 9:13 am
Ndog lays down the funniest line of the month: “The real question is when are you people going to just accept the truth that the Bucs screwed up BIG-TIME?”
Yeah, you are probably right. Dumping a guy who leads the NFL in INTs and has a dismal record, on and off the field, after five years and a bucket full of chances…in favor of the GOAT, six-time SB winner, mulitiple MVP, etc….and getting him for cheaper than what the previous loser says he wanted.
You make me laugh.
Again, Brady and his guys got YAC when it counted…obviously. And THAT is no joke.
July 30th, 2020 at 9:13 am
Whts the matter the saints ain’t put out any Winston videos. Goodbye fake buc fan’s hoping and wishing for failure bunch of weirdos.
July 30th, 2020 at 9:52 am
You don’t throw 7 pick 6’s, a league high on the deep ball. He was picked by a LB on his final play as Buc on a short pass to Brate. So this deep throw nonsense has to stop. Bucs receivers will have more YAC this year do to Tom’s ball placement, and the fact he throws to who’s open. So if a back is open 5 yards in front Brady with 20 yards of open field in front of him, there’s your YAC Joe. It’s not the receivers who didn’t gain YAC for Jameis, it was his poor decision making, and ball placement that held them back. Glad I could clear that up for you Joe.
July 30th, 2020 at 10:00 am
Um did you actually read the article, it is praising our YAC so there is no need to clear up anything other than that you’re saying ball placement was why they didn’t have good YAC, but they did have good YAC, so I guess that means it was good ball placement thanks Hodad im glad you agree that Jameis was accurate and had good ball placement.
July 30th, 2020 at 10:32 am
I suspect that the Bucs will be accused of poor sportsmanship this year for pointing opposing teams so badly that we won’t need a kicker to be consistant.
Perfect Storm Baby!
July 30th, 2020 at 10:48 am
Help me out here. All we heard for years “Brady does the most with the least.” Now Brady has been in decline for the past 2 seasons (nothing wrong with hat due to his age) we blame his receivers. Which one is it?
I do believe it was in the best interest of all that the Bucs moved on from Jameis, but he’s more accurate than Josh Allen.
A QB makes the receivers IMO. Besides Moss and Gronk, the Pats didn’t have big name receivers. Those no named guys did their jobs by running precise routes. Deion Branch, Welker, Edelman, Troy Brown, David Patten, Amendola, Chris Hogan, etc were no name guys who were elevated by the QB and a system that fits them. None had success outside of NE(I know Edelman never left). You could make the same argument about Winston. Who were Brate, Adam Humphries, Breshaud Perriman, and Chris Godwin? Brate and Hump were undrafted and got paid(Jameis had crazy chemistry with both), Perriman was on his way to being a 1st round bust, and Godwin was a 3rd rounder we hoped would become a contributor. No one saw this coming from Godwin. Good QBs make receivers better. Turnovers ultimately doomed Jameis. Can’t fault the organization for going in a different direction.
I am curious to see how well Brady and Evans vibe. Evans isn’t a burner, so he makes a lot of 50/50 catches. At age 43, is Brady aggressive enough to throw it up for Evans? Winston would for good or for bad. Should be a fun season. Too bad there was no camp.
July 30th, 2020 at 10:50 am
Jameis led the league in YAI (Yards After Interception) and PAI (Points After Interception). Quite an honor!
July 30th, 2020 at 10:55 am
TSmitty3000 you will learn quickly around here that in Brady situation it’s always everyone else’s fault and in James’s situation it is always his fault. That’s the way the posters roll here on this famous website.
July 30th, 2020 at 10:58 am
Alot of YAC is a qb throwing his receivers open. If the qb puts the ball in a bad spot he will route the receiver right into the defender. Thats what JW did time and time again if it didnt get picked off. So yes Bradys receivers were bad last year and this year we will see improved qb play and YAC write it down.
July 30th, 2020 at 11:43 am
The closer this special season gets underway the farther it seems away.
July 30th, 2020 at 12:07 pm
Ndog, when are you going to learn that Winston is no longer on the team and is not coming back? Your only function on this site now is troll. Whatever makes you happy, I guess.
July 30th, 2020 at 12:26 pm
NDOG
“When will we accept the truth?”
That’s hilarious coming from you. What you are really asking us is when will we accept your OPINION as truth and ignore the OPINIONS of the professionals who run the NFL.
How is this for the TRUTH. See if we can agree.
JW played five years for the Bucs with a LOSING 28-42 record
JW’s contract was not renewed.
JW had difficulty catching on…finally landing as a third stringer in NO
Those are FACTS.
Here is the best I can do for you NDOG…I see this TRUTH….NDOG has the opinion based on a variety of excuses….er…reasons that BA…Bucs Hierarchy…the rest of the league…are wrong and they too are missing the true football talent that is Jameis Winston.
So I accept the truth that YOU believe that NDOG
Now can you accept the truth that the majority do not. Including the professionals who judge talent in the NFL>
July 30th, 2020 at 12:58 pm
^^^And, start rooting for the team that you have!
July 30th, 2020 at 1:23 pm
I love that you guys are so hung up on this whole back up third string blah blah blah blah blah when you know good and damn well he ain’t no third string, you know he’s THE backup and you know that’s a very likely chance he’ll be starting for the Saints after this year and carving us up for the next decade you just don’t want to admit it cuz ite scares the hell out of you that’s the truth.
July 30th, 2020 at 1:26 pm
I don’t feel like I have a team anymore to be honest. When you can’t stand the head coach and when you can’t stand the general manager and when you can’t stand the quarterback how exactly can you call it your team?
July 30th, 2020 at 1:57 pm
Ndog….I hear you & sympathize. The Bucs have been my team since 1976 – which has been a grind…Being a Bucs fan ain’t easy. Never has been easy rooting for the dysfunctional, yr after yr….Just keep in mind that Owners / Coaches & Players are only temporary. They come & go.
Just keep the faith & enjoy the ride regardless…. But damn sure reserve your right to bitch and complain along the way. (If I’ve learned anything in the last 25yrs…You NEVER invest in players Belicheat is willing to walk away from….So, This FO/ Staff won’t be here very much longer.)
July 30th, 2020 at 2:23 pm
You do have a team ndog the saints now leave 👋🏽
July 30th, 2020 at 2:27 pm
Great point catcard202.
July 30th, 2020 at 2:33 pm
I wouldn’t say the Patriots receivers were subpar, they had/have talent but the problem last year was injuries, N’Keal Harry(a rookie) dealt with injuries all year as well as Julian Edelman(shoulder, knee & ribs) and a 39 year old T.E. Ben Watson(torn Achilles) and let’s not forget they brought in Antonio Brown and Mohammed Sanu(whom also dealt with an ankle injury) as both were thrown into a new system mid year, so it can be said that Brady didn’t have much of healthy receiver corp to throw to during the entire 2019 season.
July 30th, 2020 at 3:16 pm
The Patriots RUNNING BACK was second in receiving yards so if yac isn’t counted then this stat doesn’t destroy the notion that Brady’s receivers were a bunch of low-rung stiffs, it makes it look like a poor attempt at comparing Winston and Brady
July 31st, 2020 at 8:09 am
Ndog I’ve said the same thing about Jamies and the saints a lot of these guys scared that Jamies went to the saints. They know this guy has had a lot of good games. But I also feel you about the team thing but I just look towards the future . Like I hate the Brady move because he’s old . And last year he looked bad without a running game. And now he came to a team that can’t run or just don’t called enough run plays. I really don’t know if Ro Jo is good or bad because he doesn’t get enough carries to me . But hang in there bro . Because I think this is a 1 year thing Brady will be gone next year and Bruce Arians I think is done after this year as well as Brady .
July 31st, 2020 at 8:15 am
And by the way no team wanted Brady but us . They were trying to push Brady with the raiders but the raiders said no because they saw what was on the film . Then they the Charges will be a good spot and they said no . Then they said the Colts will be a good spot and they said no . We were the only team that really wanted Brady .