More New England Vibe
September 25th, 2020
Dissecting Tom Brady and more
Former Bucs quarterback Chris Simms speaks with first-hand knowledge when he references New England’s offense during the years park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring Tom Brady played there.
After Simms retired from football, he was a Belicheats offensive quality control assistant coach. And yes, Brady was the quarterback.
So Joe found it very interesting that in the latest edition of his podcast, “Unbuttoned,” Simms stated the Bucs are running a lot of spread-type plays (as in spread out) that are very much like what Belicheat and Brady ran in New England.
After his first drive in the Bucs’ first game, Brady marched the Bucs downfield beautifully with hardly a hiccup. The entire drive was straight out of the Patriots’ playbook, Simms said, and after that Brady was all out of whack because the rest of the day, the Bucs ran Bucco Bruce Arians’ offense.
So after breaking down Bucs-Panthers film, Simms said there was a reason Brady looked so much more comfortable. And a big one is for much of the game, Arians ran similar concepts to what Belicheat likes to run.
“The biggest thing here I took away is I felt like there were more spread formations,” Simms said of Brady’s performance last Sunday. “More spread the ball out, give him New England-type formations. Let him make a [New England]-type throw. I thought I saw some New England-type concepts there.”
Simms noticed something else, as well. On deep-passing plays, the Bucs ran a lot of max-protect formations.
Simms also said the second-half offense had the feel that Arians took his foot off the gas and tried to milk the clock, so Brady didn’t have to throw as much and to spare him potential hits.
Arians stated his offense is going to take “three or four” more weeks to get humming, Simms agreed, “They are not a finished product [on offense]. Did [Brady] leave some yards on the field? I believe he did. He is going to get more and more comfortable.”
Other observations from Simms:
* Simms said “swamp@ss” footballs in September in Tampa “are real” and he blames a sweaty football on Brady underthrowing Justin Watson on a flea-flicker, which would have been a touchdown if thrown better. “Sometimes with a swamp@ss football you just have to get rid of it and somehow get it to the receiver,” Simms said.
* Simms said don’t listen to people who claim Brady no longer has a strong arm because it is a blatant lie. “His arm is top notch,” Simms said of Brady. “I sit there in amazement with his arm. … The throw to LeSean McCoy in the back of the end zone? That’s a high, high-level throw. He does have the arm strength. I don’t have any doubt about that. … He really threw the ball phenomenally.” Simms added that one pass Brady threw like a “rocket.”
* Simms was not as sold on Tristan Wirfs as an NFL tackle coming out of Iowa as some. Simms thought Penn State pass rusher Yetur Gross-Matos (now with Carolina) got past Wirfs too much for his liking. But Simms said he has been pleasantly surprised how well Wirfs has played thus far. “Better than I would have expected. I was really concerned about him at tackle because I was worried about his feet.”
* Simms thought the signing of Leonard Fournette was almost the perfect move for the Bucs. He said the Bucs are not a good run-blocking team and Fournette doesn’t care if a hole is clogged, he just lowers his shoulder and knocks defenders back. And his speed, which he displayed in the win over the Stinking Panthers, is something smallish defensive backs don’t want to tangle with. Fournette “is going to allow [the Bucs] to close games out. And that’s what he did. Good luck tackling this sucker in the fourth quarter.”
* Though not near what he was with the Belicheats, Simms saw an improved foot-rubbing tight end Rob Gronkowski last Sunday. “At least he didn’t look like he was running in lava [like he did at New Orleans]. He is still a little ways off.”
September 25th, 2020 at 5:52 am
BAN NDOG
September 25th, 2020 at 6:39 am
“Running in lava” is a new one for me. So like his feet were melting from the bottom up? Or was he skittering across like it was a hot coals challenge? I’m not sure in the history of the world anyone has run in (maybe on?) lava.
Chris, K.I.S.S. try a good Floridian analogy for us fans like he was running in sand or just say he was sluggish.
September 25th, 2020 at 6:40 am
I agree with Simms, and frankly, I don’t care “who’s” offense we’re running as long as it works. Common sense should dictate playing to your strengths.
Gronk did look slow, and tentative, in the opener. I think he’ll get more involved as the season progresses. Defenses STILL have to account for him.
People that say Brady doesn’t have an arm are “haters”, plain and simple. Watch the games!
September 25th, 2020 at 6:52 am
I pretty much agree with Simms’ analysis.
Here’s mine…..The Bucs loss vs the Bucs victory came down to Turnovers, Penalties & Special Teams…
And….it will be that way all year.
September 25th, 2020 at 7:20 am
No improvement, they just played a team that is rebuilding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 25th, 2020 at 7:20 am
Leighroy, running in lava is another Simms-ism. He does it all the time if you watch PFT.
September 25th, 2020 at 7:28 am
we receivers that can actually catch the damn ball besides ME13 and CG
September 25th, 2020 at 7:43 am
Mickey Mouse writing
Classless Moniker giving
Childish attempt at humor
park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring Tom Brady
Old and NOT FUNNY!!
September 25th, 2020 at 7:50 am
Paula, Paula, Paula
Smh….
September 25th, 2020 at 7:55 am
I hope they put together a good game against the Broncos. It’s a well coached team, but still a game Tampa should win. A good litmus test will be the Chargers the following week given how they played against KC. Although, the game that will be a serous challenge early this season will be against Green Bay. We will learn a lot from that game.
September 25th, 2020 at 7:57 am
TheBucsAnthem Says:
September 25th, 2020 at 7:28 am
we receivers that can actually catch the damn ball besides ME13 and CG
Where was this ⬆️ energy last year in the last two games when Evans and Godwin didn’t play? Remember then it was all the quarterbacks fault and he was horrible and that’s why we couldn’t do anything remember that? Funny how things change now.
But remember no excuses because all off season all we heard was how deep and talented our weapons are. So I don’t care who does what baby if we don’t produce, just like before, it’s on the quarterback, no questions asked.
September 25th, 2020 at 8:03 am
A win is a WIN. The first game was more winnable then I realized. Would of bet the Aints would have spanked us regardless of my PRAYERS that we would win. But the D Stepped up SORT OF. If not for it literally being the first game of the year, first time Brady has played with these guys and it being played so sloppy because of that. We would have pulled out the upset. If we played them this week I would bet the house that the Bucs would win.
The Panthers Win was a game that we would of found a way to lose last year. Either a Pick Six at the end vs a long TD RUN. Or several missed PATs or a couple Sack Fumbles on scramble plays. But they DIDNT choke it away. They SCRATCHED AND CLAWED theyre way to a victory.
This week, I believe we will hit our stride and they will GALUP to a big win!!!
September 25th, 2020 at 8:19 am
NDOG – ME13 led the team in drops last year with 5 so I don’t know what he is trying to say. Although outside of the 5 “concentration” drops from Mike. The Bucs other top two receivers Chris Godwin and Breshad Perriman dropped one ball out of over 185 targets. I think it’s a concern because so many balls were dropped by so many different receivers in one game. They had seven drops collectively. That’s almost 33% of all the drops the team posted last year in one game. There’s a difference.
September 25th, 2020 at 8:20 am
“I felt like there were more spread formations,” Simms said… More than what? BA has always liked to spread the field, so WTF is this nonsense from Simms?
September 25th, 2020 at 8:36 am
Anyone who knows anything told all of you they would not be able to run the same offense with the lucky/old one. And here we are having to make “accomodations” for the less talented QB for the offense to work. And that is with a far superior RB, RT, kicker and defense.
Boy if this franchise just wasn’t so stupid how, setup would we be for not only now but the foreseeable future. Sure is a shame these morons are more concerned with people’s perception of them rather than the REAL chance of sustainable winning.
September 25th, 2020 at 8:57 am
“His arm is top notch,” Simms said of Brady. “I sit there in amazement with his arm. … The throw to LeSean McCoy in the back of the end zone? That’s a high, high-level throw. ”
Or as BucsAnthem says repeatedly and unfounded…he’s got a noodle arm.
That’s not what I saw. I saw what Simms saw.
September 25th, 2020 at 8:58 am
Heres example of Lost Dog COMPLETLY IVNORONG FACTS yet again… Mitch, nice work on the total shut down with facts.
Admit it Lost Dog, you are just a tired, bitter, broken troll.
This is season helluva lot of fun, but you can’t see the forest through the trees.
In BA I Trust!
September 25th, 2020 at 9:00 am
Paul….go get your own website, so you can put what content you want on it.
You’re Old and NOT FUNNY!!
September 25th, 2020 at 9:02 am
LOL, “Running in lava”, I will never forget that one!
September 25th, 2020 at 9:16 am
1987, Paul is barking up the wrong tree in terms of trying to affect any change. But I agree with him in principle. I have always hated the monikers. Not the first time, but the 100th time yes for sure. It’s unnecessary and sophomoric. But as I’ve said before I read right past it because this is by far the best Bucs site.
September 25th, 2020 at 9:17 am
Thank you Steven!
September 25th, 2020 at 9:24 am
Ndog: your boy is still 3rd string, and your acute, chronic butthurt won’t change that fact.
September 25th, 2020 at 9:30 am
NEVER ban Ndog!!! His loyalty to jameis is hilarious. I look forward to people arguing with him and people getting mad. Good stuff. I sometimes suspect it’s Jameis dad or relative, or maybe a stalker. Free speech no matter how rediculous.
September 25th, 2020 at 9:42 am
“Simms thought Penn State pass rusher Yetur Gross-Matos (now with Carolina) got past Wirfs too much for his liking.”
Pretty sure Yetur Gross-Matos was OUT for the game. Makes me wonder who he was talking about
September 25th, 2020 at 9:47 am
That pass to Evans in the middle of the field was a perfect thrown dart that allowed mike to pick up that YAC! His arm looks just fine
September 25th, 2020 at 10:59 am
JOE HAS IT REALLY GOTTEN TO THIS?
Thanking someone for commenting that your Brady moniker is Sophomoric?
It is a desperate attempt to justify your continued CLASSLESS CHILDISH moniker towards the GOAT.
Really miss the Peter King one-where has that been? Great stuff!! lol
September 25th, 2020 at 11:03 am
And by the way the Hatred towards the Bucs that NDOG puts out is so over the top that my commentary about your CLASSLESS articles about the GOAT are a breath of fresh air to fellow commentators. If he hates the BUCS so much why does he read your site? I love the site-just not the DISRESPECT towards the GOAT. GO BUCS!!
September 25th, 2020 at 11:23 am
5109 was such a joy to watch
September 25th, 2020 at 3:32 pm
Clean House Says:
September 25th, 2020 at 11:23 am
5109 was such a joy to watch
So was the 35 turnovers…
September 25th, 2020 at 3:50 pm
Bellicheat… Smh. What a douchebag. You write a football blog and that is your comments on the GOAT of coaches. Good God, Tampa is the only place you could write a blog for…