Hidden Gift?
August 22nd, 2020
What element of the team may Tom Brady help the most?
This is a fascinating concept.
When the Bucs returned their entire starting defense and added park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring quarterback Tom Brady, foot-rubbing tight end Rob Gronkowski and drafted right tackle Tristan Wirfs, only two areas of the team on paper, remained where the Bucs seemingly were not locked and loaded with strong veteran players.
That would be running back and the secondary.
Running back still is a work in progress. With the Bucs’ secondary, it showed a lot of promise last year but when Carlton Davis is the old man of the group, you can understand why some (including one of the Joe’s) are nervous about the Bucs not going after depth there.
Jamel Dean and Davis were one of the leaders in the NFL in passes defensed. Sean Murphy-Bunting led the Bucs in picks. But again, these guys are it, and there is no net to fall on.
So who did Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians finger as the guy who is making the secondary better? Not rookie safety Antoine Winfield, but Brady.
Yes, the quarterback.
“I think Tom has made them better in the way that he’s making them cover every zone and be very, very honest,” Arians said. “You can’t cheat or he’ll find it and he gets the ball out of his hand quick.
“It’s the same thing we’re going to see with Drew [Brees] and Teddy [Bridgewater] – the ball is coming out and they know where it’s going, so it’s been real good for them to see it.”
Now Joe never gave a lot of thought to that angle but it makes sense. Look, who has more weapons in the passing game than the Bucs? Mike Evans may be in the Hall of Fame someday. Gronk will be. Chris Godwin may be one of the top-five receivers in the game. Scotty Miller and Justin Watson can fly. O.J. Howard has the talent to take over a game.
You see where Joe is going? If you are practicing against the very best each and every day, how can you not get better? Bad habits and mistakes will stick out like a sore thumb, as well.
There should be no mystery after trying to stop the Bucs’ passing game what the secondary needs to work on. The bad elements certainly will be flushed out by Brady and his gang.
As Mr. Entertainment, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, would say, “Iron sharpens iron.”
Arians added that if the young secondary can hold its own against Brady, they shouldn’t have a problem with Drew Brees and Teddy Bridgewater in the first two weeks of the season.
August 22nd, 2020 at 8:13 am
Difference between Brady and Jameis is huge. Not entirely Jameis fault, it just shows you how intelligent and precise Brady is. Brady is making everyone better, so far he has been better than any hands-on coach. Sure hope he takes up coaching after retirement.
August 22nd, 2020 at 8:19 am
There is no question that Brady is very motivated to succeed….not just coming to Tampa to retire with an extra paycheck….
He will help the entire defense by not turning it over and giving the opponents fewer chances & worse field position….
August 22nd, 2020 at 8:40 am
Hey Joe, I’m hearing good things about undrafted rookie corner Motley from OK. At 6 ft 180 pounds coming from a good program, have we found a diamond in the rough? Your thoughts on him.
August 22nd, 2020 at 8:47 am
@Tom Brady-disrespecting, Rachel Watson-stalking, non-proofreading, journalism degree-claiming Joe:
Don’t you see that Tom Brady will make the running game better for the very same reason. His accuracy and experience will make the short passing game absolutely lethal, and force linebackers and safeties to respect that short passing threat of slants and outlets to the backs/TEs, rather than crowd the box, like they did against JW3. I think there will be frequent 2nd and 4’s/3rd and 1’s, where play selection will be wide open allowing the running game to flourish. JMHO.
tickrdr
August 22nd, 2020 at 10:32 am
Without reading ill say defense. Clock management and keeping them fresh off the field will benefit them tremendously.
August 22nd, 2020 at 10:56 am
D Coorinators please play the same defense you played against our previous QB.
He will carve that ish up.
And Joe, sure our previous QB used to say it, but the Iron Sharpens quote is from the Bible. I’m sure you already knew that and continue to bring our previous QB back into the conversation because it helps with the success of this website. For which I am grateful.
Go Bucs!
In BA I Trust!
August 22nd, 2020 at 1:18 pm
park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring quarterback Tom Brady,
Here we go again. An article that shows how great Brady is yet you still use your silliness in describing him and use nice adjectives to describe that turnover machine that set the franchise back 5 years. LAME
August 22nd, 2020 at 1:24 pm
Seriously-The same article that’s talking about another of the 450 positive things that having the GOAT on the BUCS does for this team and in turn town you write:
park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring quarterback Tom Brady
As Mr. Entertainment, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, would say, “Iron sharpens iron.”
Which one is it?
You love JW
You hate/disrespect Brady
You think it’s funny
August 22nd, 2020 at 3:06 pm
Couldn’t have been too horrible. You read it. 🤷♂️
August 22nd, 2020 at 3:46 pm
Oh and the Peter King attributes are just hysterical too. More space is wasted on describing him than are usually in the article. People are Buc starved-you are lucky that the Times charges for their digital material. Not much competition in this town LOCAL other than PR for you. Nothing childish there.
August 22nd, 2020 at 4:17 pm
I liked it better that one article I read Joe where you referred to JW2 as “Bucs Bust Jameis Winston”
August 22nd, 2020 at 5:29 pm
No way. I did not think that was possible.
I just read the Brady bashing instead of praise and it’s mind-boggling when you see the JW loyalty still. Nauseating
August 23rd, 2020 at 1:10 am
Paul
Utopia,
As you view it…
DOES NOT EXIST!
Grow up!
August 25th, 2020 at 7:40 am
@Tom Brady-disrespecting, Rachel Watson-stalking, non-proofreading, journalism degree-claiming Joe: LOVE THIS!