The Pros And Cons Of Scrambling
April 9th, 2021
No Lamar Jackson.
Leave it to the crowd at Football Outsiders to dig up really cool data on the Bucs, both on offense and defense.
Now we all know old man park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting, handshake-stiffing, jet-ski-losing, biscuit-baking, tequila-shooting, smartphone-phobic, waffle-grilling, trophy-throwing, roller-coaster-scared, Bucs-Super-Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady is immobile. He is nimble, even at 43. But he sure isn’t mobile.
So obviously, a guy who isn’t mobile would be a sitting duck for pass rushers, no? Well, with the Bucs offensive line? No.
How good was the Bucs’ offensive line last year?
Per Aaron Schatz, the founder of Football Outsiders, the Bucs’ offensive line was excellent at pass blocking. Again, per Schatz, Brady scrambled three times during the regular season. Only one other team had single-digit scrambles from its quarterback and this guy, too, was as mobile as a water fountain. That would be Philip Rivers and the Colts.
The story Joe linked to is about how scrambling does or does not change an offense or a defense. As good as the Bucs run defense was last year, its Achilles heel was a mobile quarterback.
On the other side of the ball, Tampa Bay is once again on the extreme. Just like the Buccaneers weren’t good on scrambles, they also weren’t good against scrambles, allowing 8.6 yards per carry on these plays. Because their defense was so stellar against the run otherwise, the Bucs see the biggest difference between … scrambles as runs and … scrambles as passes.
Joe thinks this intel is pretty cool. It demonstrates just how strong the Bucs are at pass blocking, and how dangerous scrambling quarterbacks can be on the ground against the Bucs defense.
April 9th, 2021 at 10:08 am
The good thing for the Buc’s and those scrambling quarterbacks is that eventually they get hit by those Buc defenders.
I continue to think that quarterbacks become less effective in games when they get hit. So let them scramble to make plays in the 1st half. It will come back to haunt them at the end of games.
April 9th, 2021 at 10:18 am
Very interesting observations by Football Outsiders Joe. Our OLine was superb last year IMO in both pass blocking AND run blocking (when we really needed it). Personally think that the addition of Wirfs made all the difference. Well, plus the ’emergence’ of Donovan Smith and Alex Cappa (and of course his injury replacement Stinnie).
I’m surprised by the 8.6 yards per carry allowed by our defense on QB scrambles, but I probably shouldn’t be. We faced a lot of scrambling QBs (today’s flavor du jour in the NFL it seems) and they’re gonna break free periodically. Quality scrambling QBs obviously add another dimension to any offense, and I’m sure that it’s a balancing act with defenses in terms of pass rush versus QB containment. Overall we must’ve done an acceptable job; we faced 4 pretty mobile QBs in the playoffs and rumor has won the Super Bowl in the process.
April 9th, 2021 at 10:21 am
I would think it is because the safeties and corners always played back in soft zone.
April 9th, 2021 at 10:22 am
One stat that’s overlooked is fumbles….in 2019 Jameis fumbled 12 times losing 5…..in 2020 Brady fumbled 4 times losing 1 and that was on a handoff to Rojo.
April 9th, 2021 at 10:24 am
Instead of running around and doing a 360 Brady is elite in the pocket!!!! It’s a thing of beauty. Seriously who in the nfl right now has better pocket awareness????
April 9th, 2021 at 10:30 am
Brady is our 1st Franchise QB in 45 years. Mind boggling
April 9th, 2021 at 10:54 am
I was afraid that Mahomes would run us ragged in the SB.
April 9th, 2021 at 11:08 am
Who needs to scramble? It’s amazing to finally have a QB who can throw a slant pass.
April 9th, 2021 at 11:10 am
And more importantly, gets rid of the dang ball (to quote Colt McCoy)!
April 9th, 2021 at 11:52 am
Jameis scrambled 3 times in one series
That said… the future NFL QB is one that can do it all!
With the wussified NFL protect the QB at all costs a scrambling QB is a huge advantage
April 9th, 2021 at 12:13 pm
bojim Says:
April 9th, 2021 at 10:54 am
I was afraid that Mahomes would run us ragged in the SB.
*********************************************************
He did!
500 yards worth
I’m sure Shaq and friends were getting tired of chasing him!
April 9th, 2021 at 12:32 pm
X
Sleep Well Bredren
April 9th, 2021 at 12:32 pm
Scramble? Bucs oline was fourth in least sacks allowed. Doesn’t look like a broken old hockey game where the player just keeps spinning in a circle.
April 9th, 2021 at 12:33 pm
X
Sleep Well Bredren!!
April 9th, 2021 at 12:33 pm
test
April 9th, 2021 at 12:33 pm
*like Jamies.
April 9th, 2021 at 12:36 pm
I don’t think we got a lot better at pass blocking as a unit. We upgraded significantly at RT and closed up a gaping weak spot for sure. Our QB makes our oline look better now by getting the ball out quickly. PFF had a great graph charting time to pass with average depth of target. Brady was 3rd quickest time to pass and deepest average depth of target in NFL. So he’s pushing the ball downfield more than any other QB but getting it out 3rd fastest. We have the GOAT playing QB, not a top flight pass blocking line, imo.
April 9th, 2021 at 12:36 pm
DMX – Let Me Fly
April 9th, 2021 at 12:45 pm
Bucs caller to NFL Radio wanted us to trade our 1st rd pick for QB Darnold. This is why we can’t have nice things Tampa. Bucs callers need to stay off National Radio
April 9th, 2021 at 12:56 pm
DMX – Who We Be
April 9th, 2021 at 1:14 pm
Quick, name me one scrambling QB that has had a long career in the NFL ?
When you read defenses as fast as Brady, there is little need to scramble.
April 9th, 2021 at 1:51 pm
Brady, Brees, Rivers, both Manning’s, Rogers…all had long successful careers. Name 5 scrambling QBs in the last 15 years that have had long successful careers. Most are broken after 5 years.
April 9th, 2021 at 1:58 pm
Luv
Dmx
April 9th, 2021 at 2:01 pm
NDog scrammbles yardage for eggplant is 2 miles
April 9th, 2021 at 2:03 pm
@chris
does steve young and randall cunningham count?
sorry, those are the first 2 that came to mind quick.
April 9th, 2021 at 3:55 pm
@Chris & @bucsfan951
Fran Tarkenton was a scrambler. He was not a QB who ran to gain rush yards. He ran receivers open with his scrambling ability. He had an 18-year career.
@gp
I think our defense was too hyped to get gassed. Mahomes was trying to run receivers open. Reminded me a lot of Tarkenton, that kid.
@Natural Selection
Maybe our Oline wasn’t as bad as we thought in the Jameis era. Maybe he just held the ball too damn long.
I will admit that Brady’s quick-release helped a lot.
A lot of great thoughts here.
April 9th, 2021 at 4:30 pm
So is it crazy to grab the fastest scrambling qb we can find for the practice squad?
April 9th, 2021 at 5:37 pm
Agree, it is a good thing that Mahomes is a pocket passer who can’t scramble. Who does this source have winning the Super Bowl? Sounds like the Bucs don’t have a chance. Guess I need to sell my fakeBucs Super Bowl gear.
April 9th, 2021 at 6:12 pm
Get ready fellas. Brady is gonna have a full offseason with these guys and this offensive line, which is far from offensive. I really can’t fathom the Bucs averaging less than 35 a game this year. Who is gonna stop em? Sign AB!
April 9th, 2021 at 6:17 pm
“…as mobile as a water fountain ” , WTF Joe ?
April 9th, 2021 at 7:52 pm
Actually, Lamar Jackson is no Tom Brady.
April 10th, 2021 at 5:38 am
Defense,
You didn’t Brady in your comments, is that intentional?
April 10th, 2021 at 7:12 am
Just win Baby
April 10th, 2021 at 8:43 am
^mention^
April 11th, 2021 at 7:48 am
LISTNFRMAFAR Says:
April 9th, 2021 at 10:21 am
I would think it is because the safeties and corners always played back in soft zone
_____
Then you would be thinking wrong. It is much harder to scramble against a team in zone with 14-16 eyes staring at you than against man to man where the players often are running down the field with their backs to you.