“All You Hear Is That He’s Handling The System”
December 19th, 2022
OC?
The voice of NFL Network, a guy with the strongest of connections who met with Buccaneers top officials and players in Germany last month, essentially said today that Tom Brady is the Bucs’ de facto offensive coordinator.
This brings to mind a longstanding discussion on The Ira Kaufman Podcast. Blaming offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich for Tampa Bay’s struggling offense is appropriate; any Bucs fan would agree. But how much of the blame should be directed at Tom Brady? That’s sparked heated disagreement on the podcast.
After all, Brady may have as much influence on the offense — or more — as the beleaguered playcaller. That’s unclear.
NFL Network voice Rich Eisen spoke on his Roku show today (also on Sirius XM Ch. 992) and talked about Brady’s quarterback future. He implied Brady may prefer the Bucs in 2023 because he’ll continue to get his way, in addition to talented receivers he won’t find elsewhere.
“… If Brady sits there and thinks to himself, ‘I can still sling it. I know my FOX contract is still sitting there. All I need is a better offensive line and a system that suits me a little better.’ I don’t know, I mean all you hear is that he’s handling the [Bucs’] system,” Eisen said.
“I don’t know because Evans and Godwin are pretty damn good. And of course, there’s got to be a team that will raise their hand, ‘Yes! We will either abandon our plan or postpone our plan at quarterback to bring Tom Brady in at age 46. We’ll do it.'”
So to rewind, Eisen, who is not a hot-take blowhard, says he keeps hearing that Brady “is handling the [Bucs] system.”
Joe hopes that translates to Brady wanting to clean up his own mess next season with a new offensive coordinator, in Tampa, assuming what ails Brady now is not his body but his skills as an offensive mastermind.
December 19th, 2022 at 2:46 pm
Brady just don’t wanna get hit anymore Joe.
December 19th, 2022 at 2:48 pm
Brady will go to a Superbowl contender team in 2023…..and that will not be with the Bucs.
December 19th, 2022 at 2:57 pm
LOL! Leftwich leaking to reporters that all the failures on the offense aren’t because of his awful, predictable, stupid play calling – no, it’s Tom Brady who wants to run every 1st down up the gut for 0.7 yards and throw a WR screen for 0.7 yards on every 2nd down.
Sure.
Meanwhile Brady literally said at the end of the Rams game he went to Leftwich and “asked” to run that pass to the TE. But yeah, he’s running the offense, which is why he’s asking to run plays.
December 19th, 2022 at 2:58 pm
Bowles has rubbed off on brady. This team is a joke and their pathetic coaching has overshadowed unto the players. 31 points they gave up in the second half along with the turnovers. BA would have destroyed these guys and i am not the biggest BA guy. Still don’t know how there hasn’t been sacrificial victim for this mess. Looks like licht is comatose.
December 19th, 2022 at 3:00 pm
Maybe if Licht promises to draft him some o-lineman in the first 2 rounds he’ll stick around… but I doubt it.
It’s funny yesterday I had written a comment about how great Brady was playing and laughing at the idea that he’s been the main problem… and before I could hit submit he threw that 1st interception. Did not think the wheels were going to fall off like they did, yikes. What a complete meltdown that was yesterday.
And you really can’t blame the defense. They played lights out in the 1st half, and then got stuck having to start what was it- 3? 4? drives in a row where the Bengals got to start in the red zone? Just unreal.
And the fake punt from deep in our zone… why? We were up 17 – 6 and controlling the game… and THAT is when Bowles finally decides he wants to do something risky? Letting Brady go win it in the 4th quarter vs Cleveland was too much of a gamble, but a fake punt from our own endzone was while we’re dominating the game?
And you just know that was the last ‘risky’ thing Bowles will ever try again now. You think he’s been conservative so far? Just wait for these last 3 weeks. Mark it.
December 19th, 2022 at 3:00 pm
Didn’t Bowles blatantly dismiss this in a presser? The first 1/2 looked like it had a different influence but sorry the second half NO way. Tommy please leave this shat show, fans like DR believe the fake punt on Bucs 27 was a good call but he never put up his normal % stats on the success rate. I’ll give you credit you’re a true Bowles groupie blaming Brady for giving up 34 points? Have you ever heard of holding to a FG? 79 points in 2 games Defense Rules, 79!!!
December 19th, 2022 at 3:01 pm
If Brady is “handling the system”, then he should be fired from those responsibilities. Find a strong offensive coordinator who can maximize the talent with a sound offensive system and let Brady play.
December 19th, 2022 at 3:01 pm
I’m perfectly fine with Brady leaving. As Ira Kaufman stated it’s time to start developing a new young QB.
Also there’s going to be some major housecleaning in this off-season including coaches and players.
This organization needs a reboot desperately. Our current coaches and players suck to be honest.
The only players untouchable are Chris Godwin and Tristan Wirfs. EVERYBODY else is expendable.
December 19th, 2022 at 3:02 pm
Unbelievable very disappointed with brady yesteday but bowles is not BA. You think he pulls this stuff if BA was the coach.
December 19th, 2022 at 3:03 pm
So if Brady is handling the system….Why does Leftwich gets fired and replaced??? What OC wants to come here with limited control??
December 19th, 2022 at 3:04 pm
Brady is simply a GOAT that is not in dispute. Bowzo is a proven bust as a Head Coach on the record. His Blunders ar on the record. I choose Goat over Bowzo. Keep da Goat lose the Bowzo.
December 19th, 2022 at 3:06 pm
I’m ready for the rebuild.
It was fun while it lasted even though it never felt totally real to me.
December 19th, 2022 at 3:07 pm
Unbelievable, go back and watch the game, the closest was the 34, others were around the 40 & 50 yd line. The guy has had 6 or 7 ints, that’s what Mahomes, Allen, Hebert & yes Burrows had in their first 3 or 4 games. Please every turnover doesn’t have to end in a TD. Turn 3 into FG’s Bucs win. 79 points scored against the D in 2 games. For those challenged in mathematics, that’s 39.5 points a game!!!!
December 19th, 2022 at 3:12 pm
Maybe this is just me. Yes Leftwich has been awful but this season is far from over. What I saw in the first half yesterday was the first time this year I’ve seen the Bucs offense from previous years. I don’t think this season is over. I think our boys are working hard and they’re close. I think come playoff time we could be a very dangerous team. We may do a lot more than people think.
December 19th, 2022 at 3:16 pm
This last games was on Turnover Tom, aka Butterfingers Brady.
December 19th, 2022 at 3:16 pm
*Last game
December 19th, 2022 at 3:19 pm
Defense was tired. Worn out. On the field to long. Injured. But hey the Bengals offense was fresh as a daisy. Never missed a beat.
December 19th, 2022 at 3:25 pm
DBS the Bengals offense didn’t play in the first half, so yeah, fresh, They also played the second half on our end. Not to tough.
December 19th, 2022 at 3:33 pm
Our defense did not play the first half. And they should be able to hold teams to field goals. So yeah they were fresh.
December 19th, 2022 at 3:33 pm
So Brady calls the run up the middle every single time on first down?
December 19th, 2022 at 3:37 pm
Winfield going down should not cause this defense to collapse. And their coach out smarted Bowles in the second half with the adjustments. He even changed his receivers had put them on LB’s.
December 19th, 2022 at 3:38 pm
My translation is Brady is running the system. The Bowles/Leftwich system. Not no risk it no biscuit! Yesterday’s loss was from the turnovers!
December 19th, 2022 at 3:42 pm
NEfan – you know it’s okay to give Brady some of the blame too, right?
The INT he got hit on, I don’t blame him for. The other one was just a bad throw. Brady even said so himself.
As for field position, you are totally wrong:
Fake punt fumble: CIN stared at the Bucs 16 yard line = red zone.
Brady INT #1: CIN started at the Bucs 31 yard line = just outside red zone.
Brady fumble #1: CIN started at the Bucs 13 yard line = red zone.
Brady fumble #2: CIN started at the Bucs 33 yard line = just outside red zone.
Brady INT #2: CIN started at the Bengals 47 yard line
4 of the 5 turnovers gave Cinci the ball either in the red zone, or just outside of it. Only 1 was close to mid field.
December 19th, 2022 at 3:43 pm
The qb always runs the system! The coordinator calls the play. The qb implements the play with available options based on what he sees the defense doing.
December 19th, 2022 at 3:44 pm
I don’t think Brady will be with the Bucs in 2023, but Rich Eisen makes a good point. We have the talent at key positions, particularly our wide receivers and defensive backs. Our offensive line is missing Jensen, but if we draft or sign a quality starting tackle AND replace our coaching staff, then the Bucs would be an attractive option. It’s crazy to believe that with as poor as the Bucs have played, there is still a chance for them to win the division and win 9 games. Crazy!!! If that scenario plays out, you have to wonder what the Bucs could have accomplished with with Jensen, better play at LT, AND better coaching.
December 19th, 2022 at 3:44 pm
jmarkbuc^^^ exactly brother.. no reason for the defense to be dogging it in the 2nd. forget the blunders by brady.. they didnt even play the first half??? lavonte holds chase on a sack? gutless pass rush.. they should get paid half a check.
December 19th, 2022 at 3:45 pm
@NEfan Brady is responsible for the ints and the fumble, period. Just because you’re a cultist doesn’t permit you to wave this away. He even admitted during the presser that those turnovers cost them the game.
December 19th, 2022 at 3:49 pm
they need to stop feeding the bucs the saltpeter at halftime?? for you young bucs..google.. hahahaha
December 19th, 2022 at 3:53 pm
If he plays, he stays…
December 19th, 2022 at 4:01 pm
The bucs will prove that they are the worse and the weakest organization in the NFL if they bring Brady back next year. All the so call bucs fans that wants Brady back next year are the weak links of the fan base. It’s time to move on and I don’t care what happens for the rest of the season even if we win a Superbowl and I hope we do they must move on from Brady.
December 19th, 2022 at 4:07 pm
I see most of us do what I do….ignore the Patriots fan in the room.
December 19th, 2022 at 4:09 pm
Sure Oneil…move on from Brady so they can still NEVER develop a QB.
You want to go back to the sucking and I don’t.
Couple of 2-15 seasons and you’ll be happy.
December 19th, 2022 at 4:17 pm
CoryC@ Brady is at fault, never said he wasn’t, two of the four were caused by pressure from the middle. The Lenny handoff is on both of them, Lenny has hands, I played a lot of RB when I was younger not every handoff is perfect actually far from it. My point is not every turnover had to lead to points at least hold them to a FG. Just 2 of them, Bucs lose 2624 but everyone feels a lot better, hey we lost but kept it close with 5 turnovers. Does anyone agree? 79 points in two games? Am I really the only one seeing something wrong with this?
December 19th, 2022 at 4:19 pm
4 of 5 turnovers gave the Bengals the ball within the Bucs 33 yard line… 2 of which were within the red zone (at the 16 yard line and 13 yard line).
Asking the defense to hold them to field goals on all 4 of those turnovers is a bit ridiculous (they actually did hold them to just 3 on the first one).
December 19th, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Unbelievable ok I’ll give you the red zone scores, that leaves 2 more and one was a sack of 26 yds, negated by a uncalled for holding call and a face mask on a guy wearing a shield no less.
December 19th, 2022 at 4:36 pm
FYI, the leak is BA & Leftnut, Leftnut isn’t bright enough to be that devious. We all know BA is, look how he held on long enough to keep Licht from reaching out to coaches like Doug Peterson.
December 19th, 2022 at 4:41 pm
Disfunction Junction if that true
December 19th, 2022 at 4:43 pm
Bucs1987 . Keeping a old quarterback around next year ain’t do it either I rather take my chances on trying to develop a quarterback.
December 19th, 2022 at 4:43 pm
More blow hard commentary. The media today has no accountability. Just sit in the fiction department and make up a narrative and run on the next edition of blow hard tonight!
December 19th, 2022 at 4:51 pm
Hell no! No more Brady. No way in hell he’s coming back. He’s, old, slow, can’t throw far and is washed up. If we can see that, then so too can the coaches. He should be benched but they don’t have the gonads to do that.
December 19th, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Old torterbrick ain’t be doin chit. We be need debelope . We B do what we B do. Debelope debelope da bell hop. We be gon reburd da teem.
December 19th, 2022 at 6:20 pm
I wouldn’t trust this coaching staff to develop anyone. If they move on from Brady, then they should be flushing Bowles and his staff, too.
Unless of course they want to tank for a higher pick. Todd Bowles is uniquely qualified to fill that role.
December 19th, 2022 at 6:30 pm
That first half is the first time I saw the potential of this offense. Keep doing what they were doing from the first half and eliminate mistakes, they can do some damage in the playoff.
December 19th, 2022 at 6:36 pm
I have to agree that Brady looks washed up playing within this system with these playcalls and a lack of a decent offensive line.
On the other hand, if the Bucs can get organized with a coaching staff that has a proven offensive system plus like others are saying, build up the trenches.
December 19th, 2022 at 6:46 pm
Idk if this is true why does this team do so much better in a hurry up when Brady changes things up then the other 55 minutes of the football
Games.
December 19th, 2022 at 7:05 pm
Anyone who believes Brady is the architect of this mess is crazy. You’d think if he had it his way, he’d be running the offense he did for 20 years in New England, with 6 Superbowl rings. This offense doesn’t resemble the old system by any measures. They don’t run option routes, they don’t motion guys, or run run bunch formations. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a pick play. This offense is designed for recievers to win individual matchups. In new England, guys were schemed open plenty. Brady is at his best pre snap. Deciphering coverage and knowing where the ball is going before the play. Last year, the bucs out talented teams. A predicate was the ability to stretch the middle of the field. It opens up everything. No, this is Bowles version of the BA offense, with a lot less talent.
December 19th, 2022 at 7:16 pm
They were actually finally doing a ton of pre snap motion and play action in the 1st half… and whaddayaknow? They looked great. Scoring and moving the ball consistently…
Then in the 2nd half they went back to straight drop backs, no pre snap motion… I just don’t understand it.
December 19th, 2022 at 7:37 pm
unbelievable, right. Maybe Brady finally put his foot down. Best the offense had looked all year, followed by dog food.
December 19th, 2022 at 8:06 pm
Good news and I hope that Brady comes back. I also hope that he demands that Byron and Todd are sent packing.
December 19th, 2022 at 8:26 pm
Ive finally figured out how to participate in this forum without wanting to fight every idiot who comes along… I now know who you are and dont read your posts… So much better!
Redeemer and NEFan – slightly different takes but same basic premise. Brady is not the problem… and may be the only reason any of these changes (like the first half) happen. He clearly still has velocity and can overthrow a deep ball. What the phook has Time got to do with it? He is playing for a sh!t play caller with even sh!tt!ier Offensive line. He is scared for his health… He!l Im scared for his health being only slightly older than him. He had an abysmal 2nd half. 2 of the 4 had little to nothing to do with him. The hand off was weird and like he said had never happened before in 22+ years or even longer with college and high school. more like 30+ years. 1 bad INT… sh!t… Ive seen him have truly terrible games, much worse than this one… and he was much younger on better teams. It happens. My observations, for what they are worth, his finger is injured and occasionally impacts his throws (like the high ball the ME13 last week, overthrows like that are textbook poor grip) and he is terrified of his pass pro… for good cause as the middle is constantly pushed in his face. I think he is still 85-90% TB12… Thats 85-90% of the best QB of all time. If Bowels will grow some testic#lar fortitude and let them play the game and if Leftwurst can call/script a game like the 1st half against Cincy they have a real chance of getting into the playoffs and winning at least 1 game. I may be wrong I have been before, but Brady is as determined as he has ever been and if the coaches can do THEIR job, I think we may have a few weeks of fun football left.
December 19th, 2022 at 11:39 pm
I don’t think Brady is wired like that to go to a Super Bowl contender because Bucs weren’t when he came here but he saw the weapons and the o line and thought he could work with that and an offensive coach made it better
Brady’s biggest issue is he’s not used to losing in big games on a regular basis, he’s older so guys have to step it up to his mentality and take over a game. He’s still good but can’t put a team on your back at 45, gotta give him something more. A collapse like this won’t keep him in tampa even if he is to blame
December 20th, 2022 at 12:33 am
So the last 3 years was a lie and BL was not behind the O. It was really BA?
Draft O and D linemen, a quick fast young WR, Jensen back healthy…
He may come back. Right now I would not put my money on it though.
December 20th, 2022 at 1:14 am
Like I handle an unwieldy trashbag that has too much liquid and leftover shrimp boil waste in it.
December 20th, 2022 at 6:13 am
TheBucsAnthem… Super bowl teams have established quarterbacks.
December 20th, 2022 at 6:17 am
The players have bought into the hype they’re an elite team expected to win the super bowl. Having done so, they play lax at times. It’s time to remove themselves from the clouds and earn it. Get that hungry mentality back.
December 20th, 2022 at 9:25 am
Brady fans boys gave TOM (turn over machine) 100% of the credit when the offense was excellent but Leftwich 100% of the blame now. These are also the fools that have complied with everything the government has fed us.