Improvement
August 25th, 2020
One Buc Palace guest sees a difference-maker.
From what Joe has seen, backup receivers Scotty Miller and Justin Watson are improved.
Watson had a bad summer last year. Bad enough that Joe wondered if he would survive the final cuts.
Miller seemed as if he was looking for a small child that wandered away. Unless you actually knew Miller was on the Bucs, you’d never guess it.
Now, Watson looks like a better player, and Miller looks like a fully different player who suddenly now has hops in his legs and a ton of confidence.
O.J. Howard has at times in training camp dominated the Bucs’ defense.
Albert Breer of SI.com believes there is a common denominator here. And that would be park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring Bucs quarterback Tom Brady.
One thing that continually came up when I was with the Bucs the last two days: how Tom Brady is instilling confidence in the team’s younger skill guys. From Scottie Miller to O.J. Howard, the coaches and front office are seeing jumps they hadn’t previously, at least in part as a result of Brady’s presence. And as I heard this, I kept thinking about how, in New England, skill players would arrive from elsewhere and, if they clicked with Brady early, pretty quickly put up big numbers. Randy Moss. Wes Welker. Chris Hogan. Danny Woodhead. And on and on. Now, that should be working in reverse, with Brady coming to them rather than those guys coming to him. It’s one reason to believe that when we get to September, a bunch of good players will be better than they were before.
It could be Brady who has made Miller and Watson and Howard better. But there could also be other factors.
Many players make a big jump from their rookie seasons to their second year in the league. This is Miller’s second NFL training camp.
Joe doesn’t know what happened to Watson early last year. Maybe Arians’ offense was so foreign to him it held him back until he caught 15 balls and two touchdowns in the final four games?
Arians specifically mentioned that Howard came into training camp with a better frame of mind, “in great mental shape.” Perhaps that is all Howard needed? No one doubts Howard’s talent for a second.
If Brady is making all these players that much better, and they weren’t shabby to begin with, this should be a very fun season of Bucs football.
August 25th, 2020 at 5:51 am
We are so blessed to have Brady here. I was not a Winston fan but in a way was sorry to see him go. So much potential. But now, i see why the Saints have been so good so long, Brady, Brees, Manning, Mahomes, Wilson, etc… are a rare breed. They make others better.
August 25th, 2020 at 5:52 am
“Miller seemed as if he was looking for a small child that wandered away.” hahahaha..never heard that one before!
“Many players make a big jump from their rookie seasons to their second year in the league.” Looking at you Mr. Devin White! Bring the thunder!!
August 25th, 2020 at 6:16 am
Watson & Miller’s development is vital to our success….we know how important Perriman was and it’s always possible Godwin or Evans or both will go down with injuries at some point.
The TE group’s depth also adds to our advantage.
So….we have multiple weapons for Brady and we have depth…..now all we need is to keep him healthy.
August 25th, 2020 at 6:21 am
It’s called Development not NE12!!
August 25th, 2020 at 6:37 am
It’s called been there done that after 20 years of playing, umpteen playoff wins and 9 Super Bowls. Brady has seen it all and done it all. Being a cerebral man as well as immense skill set and being the GOAT also helps these guys confidence. I don’t think Jameis is a very good teacher or leader. Also though how much confidence can you have when you’re not always sure you’ll get the ball where you need it or where the defender can get it?
August 25th, 2020 at 7:34 am
Pinch me !
August 25th, 2020 at 8:14 am
Sure they’ve developed, but Brady with 20 years in the NFL has to be helping to accelerate that curve.
August 25th, 2020 at 9:56 am
How in the HELL can park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring be a good thing?
August 25th, 2020 at 10:08 am
So far so good. I am very excited to see these boys play this year.
August 25th, 2020 at 10:22 am
I hear that Gronk and Howard are looking great and am very happy to hear that. However, I felt like our linebackers did a poor job of covering tight ends last year.
Kittle caught 8 of 10 targets.
Olson 6 of 9 and 4 of 7
Engram 6 of 8
Gerald Everett 5 of 8
Tyler Higbee 4 of 7
Jared Cook 4 of 6 and 2 of 2
Jonnu Smith 6 of 7
Anthony Frisker 3 of 5
Jacob Hollister 4 of 6
Is it possible that our tights look good because the linebackers are not very skilled in covering tight ends?
Sorry Joe to be a downer on the subject. Just wondering others thoughts.
August 25th, 2020 at 10:22 am
Much of the buccaneers expected individual improvement this year is due to the fact that Brady is teaching the TB12 method for all those willing to try it. (Who knows it may be part of it) lol!
August 25th, 2020 at 10:41 am
Well, Miller was battling injuries all last season so he never got his footing. He was starting to come around before pulling his hammy.
August 25th, 2020 at 10:55 am
The sun rose this morning. It looked brighter.
Thank you, Tom Brady.
August 25th, 2020 at 11:05 am
“Miller seemed as if he was looking for a small child that wandered away.”
LMAO!!!
August 25th, 2020 at 11:06 am
Maybe it something far more nefarious. Considering how immensely talented the three players are, Watson 6’3 210 lbs and running 4.45, Miller smallish 5’10 180 lbs but 4.35, and Howard being a stud at 6’6 250 lbs 4.50, maybe it was who was throwing to them. Possible but Jameis can’t receive all the blame, if so then you have to give him all the credit for the ascension of Evans and Godwin.
August 25th, 2020 at 11:12 am
Our LB core has never been tremendous at pass coverage but improving there just a little bit will pay dividends this year I’m sure.
August 25th, 2020 at 11:23 am
I’d wager my salary that JW should thank Evans mainly and Godwin for his ascension, not the other way around. At least when Evans and Godwin have the ball they know what to do with it.
To that point above, I’ve watched countless hours of film study and JW doesn’t make players look good, other players just bail out JW’s horrible play. Has he made some amazing throws, without a doubt, but he’s too erratic and has a weak mind.
Also, read the Saints recent comments about JW, they aren’t good.
August 25th, 2020 at 11:38 am
Hey Big Racist! Go be a Saints fan……………..PUHLEASE!
August 25th, 2020 at 11:40 am
@geno……….I think a good deal of those results you posted could be due to an aversion to using TEs in BA’s system
Hopefully that changes!
August 25th, 2020 at 11:42 am
It’s not that Winston wasn’t good. It’s just that he sucked.
August 25th, 2020 at 12:42 pm
Let Leftwich train for Arians job and let Brady be offensive coordinator and quarterback.
August 25th, 2020 at 1:12 pm
“Which game is Brady going to scream into Leftwich and Grandpa Smurf have to separate Brady from killing Leftwich?
Game 1
Brady knows he has the players to win. Brady knows how and what scheme to succeed kn the NFL
Bradys problem is to convince and have Arians and Leftwich accountable
Brady came to the Bucs because of the Glazer boys. If there is a problem and change needs to be addressed, TB12 going straight to the Glazers office”
Kobe Faker
August 25th, 2020 at 1:32 pm
The arrival of Tom Brady at One Buc Place is a tremendous factor in all sorts of ways this year. But, I contend that year two of the Bruce Arains era has to be taken into consideration also.
Think about what the exit interview for each player on the roster was like after the end of last season. What were the players asked to improve on? What were the flaws in their games that needed addressing? Just what was the particular regimen each of the guys was being asked to do voluntarily?
Then, think about what was communicated to them when so much of the normally scheduled off season programs had to be canceled because of COVID-19.
All of the improvements that are being reported show that the guys did not waste their time off in most instances. The reports of guys bulking up or slimming down are also significant.
All of these stories give me great expectations and hope for the upcoming season. I am stoked to the max!
August 25th, 2020 at 1:53 pm
As long as Brady don’t get hurt or sick the bucs will definitely be in the playoffs. If the bucs have to depend on a backup QB they will probably lose every game Brady is out.
August 25th, 2020 at 6:37 pm
SB / If you’re going to call me out ….at least use my name, for now l’m asking kindly sir…stop being disrespectful …you’ve been asked!!!
August 26th, 2020 at 1:20 am
Agree @ Allbuccedup > the season success hinges on Brady’s health. Camp Reports are promising.
How long Brady survives in BA offense over the season, is wildcard. JMHO – I think Brady survives until game 11 vs Rams. Aaron Donald…..