Keanu Neal Expects Brock Purdy To Be A Solid Quarterback
December 11th, 2022
Bucs safety Keanu Neal.
Joe really believes the Bucs defense has a chance to get a couple of cheap turnovers and perhaps a defensive touchdown today.
Why is that? Well, a rookie quarterback is making his first start for the 49ers, Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy. The guy was one breath away from being an undrafted free agent so let’s not pretend he’s Kenny Pickett.
And for a rookie to be facing a Todd Bowles defense, with all of his wild blitzes, Joe believes that sets up the defense to make impact plays.
Joe spoke with veteran safety Keanu Neal last week about rookie quarterbacks. Let’s just say Neal doesn’t believe Purdy is a pushover.
“You always have to be ready to play,” Neal said. “We have to execute what we have to do. You can’t take anyone lightly. To make the league, you have to have some talent. So we are definitely going in ready to play.”
Neal said basically if Kyle Shanahan didn’t think anything of Purdy, he wouldn’t start today so that alone demands respect.
“If their coaches are putting him out there to play, they have trust in him,” Neal said. “And we are expecting him to play his best.”
But what is Purdy’s best? Handing the ball off and making safe, short passes to George Kittle? A pitchout to Deebo Samuel? A run off right tackle to Christian McCaffrey, who has done little against the Bucs since Bowles showed up in Tampa Bay.
Joe is not saying the Bucs should play soft against Purdy. What Joe is saying is that the Bucs can take advantage of Purdy’s inexperience. Or at least, they should.
Bowles with Tampa Bay is 6-2 facing rookie quarterbacks. The two losses were to Daniel Jones in 2019 and this season to Pickett, both colossal choke jobs by Bucs coaches, mostly the offensive coaches.
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December 11th, 2022 at 12:32 am
Very Smart take by a good Veteran.
December 11th, 2022 at 12:53 am
Agreed, we always get beat by backups and rookie QBs. I would not take this guy lightly as he looked pretty good in the few highlights that I saw.
December 11th, 2022 at 1:40 am
The 262nd pick of the 2022 draft will be facing the 199th pick of the 2000 draft. Hope it will be a classic win for the Bucs.
December 11th, 2022 at 1:42 am
As well as the defense has played, they forced a lot of turnovers in the first two games, and then went underground. Interceptions turned to practically nothing. San Francisco on the other hand has a ton. Brady and the receivers need to be smart.
December 11th, 2022 at 6:19 am
Hey, Tom. Tell the head coach and OC to pound sand and call your own plays. What are they going to do? Fire you? I don’t think even Bowles is that stupid. I could be wrong, though.
December 11th, 2022 at 7:35 am
We have heard this before, back up QBs, back up offensive linemen, back up receivers, yet the Bucs have a habit of putting them on the map for at least one Sunday.
December 11th, 2022 at 7:37 am
I don’t think our loss to the Steelers was to Pickett…..it was to Trubisky…..sure, Pickett started but Trubisky is the QB who beat us…..
And, wasn’t the loss to Daniel Jones the missed FG by Gay?
Point is…..Bowles has done very well vs rookie QBs….
December 11th, 2022 at 7:49 am
Tampafan, remember when Trubisky was a rookie with the Bears when he played us? Bucs have not faired well against backup, and rookie QBs. I think the kids going to have a good day, and our offense is really going to struggle against a really good 49er defense. The best QB doesn’t win today, the best team does.
December 11th, 2022 at 8:05 am
With the weather the way it will be today I pray we can get the ground game going.
December 11th, 2022 at 8:26 am
Remember when Otto Graham threw for 4 tds as a rookie against the Bucs ? Neither do I. You guys should get treated for PTSD. Every game is new and different. What someone else did means nothing. I really wonder how or if some of you even enjoy watching a game. Even the last 2 , very successful years posters on the site bitched all year long. I bitch too but some of you guys need to move on for your own mental health or lack thereof.
December 11th, 2022 at 8:33 am
Wasn’t Jones & the benched Zak Wilson rookies? It’s not like Bowles D made them look bad. Of he plays his soft zone Bucs can kiss this game good bye. Their top 4 Offensive players are the best in yards after the catch. This will come down to coaching and the Bucs are 100% inferior in that category as we’ve seen since week two.
December 11th, 2022 at 8:40 am
I’m in with the crowd on this one. Backups, rookies, janitors, they all kick our ass under Bowelzo.
I hope we win, but I’m not counting on it.
December 11th, 2022 at 8:56 am
I remember him when he was at Iowa State.
He is quite athletic, and ran a 4.76 40 at the NFL Combine!
He has a ton of weapons, and a very good O Line to protect him.
Not to mention a great Defense as well.
December 11th, 2022 at 9:49 am
Joe can believe whatever he wants. It’s a possibility, but would be a miracle. A couple of turnovers would go against how we have played all year. We have the talent. The “win at all cost” attitude needs to show up. Haven’t seen it yet, except in Germany, and the season is getting old.
December 11th, 2022 at 10:20 am
With one of TB12’S hands being tied behind his back,by his coaches, this game, like last week’s, will be close! The team who wins the turnover battle will probably win!! I hope you’re right Joe!!
December 11th, 2022 at 10:27 am
Bradys old coach was practically undefeated in his entire career against rookie QBs..
So.. Brady the coach who learned so much over 20 years will give the bucs D a few clever moves that should make Purdee kinda nerdee.. looking at his pants and seeing turdees..
On offense it’s about protection.. period. Big guys play big.. give brady some time. Stud receivers getting open. Lenny doin his thing. Keep drives alive with solid gameplan. We shall see.
December 11th, 2022 at 11:19 am
Brock goes 15 of 18 with 225 yards and 2 TD’s. No picks. SF runs for 235 yards. Yucs go home embarrassed.
December 11th, 2022 at 12:00 pm
@Jeff might not be far off. It’s comical how many so easily overlook rookie QB’s. Have to think Miami was certain the game was in the bag once JG left the game lol. Brock is evidently poised and represented himself well last week, expecting a similar performance today. Seems their team is rallying around him too, so wouldn’t be surprised to see the SF D step up their game a notch as well. If the offense continues to sputter, think we’re in for a LONG afternoon.
December 11th, 2022 at 2:32 pm
Joes loves underestimating opponents before they beat us.
December 11th, 2022 at 6:24 pm
This post is not aging well