The Ultimate Wild Card
May 26th, 2020
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
Just get there.
Winning the NFC South would be ideal, but a wild-card Tampa Bay team would loom as a very dangerous opponent in January because the Bucs boast the ultimate wild card under center.
Tom Brady has been a fantastic quarterback during the regular season and an even better one in the postseason, considering the quality of the competition.
And with an extra club in each conference qualifying for the postseason this fall, Brady’s chances of stayin’ alive in January are enhanced. Seven of 16 NFC clubs advance and if the Bucs are in that group, they’ll enter the playoffs with a significant advantage.
Huge postseason gap
Brady’s 30-11 postseason record is simply remarkable, a testament to his ability to thrive under pressure. Joe Montana stands No. 2 on the all-time list with 16 postseason wins.
With all due respect to Patrick Mahomes, it’s hard to imagine Brady’s career playoff record will ever be challenged. It’s also hard to imagine Brady retiring in a few years without another shot at the brass ring.
It just wouldn’t be right.
A man with nine fourth-quarter comebacks and 13 game-winning drives in the postseason deserves to see what a post-Belichick playoff run looks like. A man who has thrown at least three TD passes in 11 playoff games (10-1 record) deserves an opportunity to end Tampa Bay’s 12-year postseason drought.
And while it’s true that Brady turns 43 in August, the opportunity to compete into January would make him feel forever young. When it comes to No. 12, it’s hard not to get ahead of yourself. He has proven so much in the postseason, it’s easy to forget the blood, sweat and tears the Bucs need to shed just to get there.
But if they do, look out.
Crown Jewel
The one Brady postseason performance that obviously jumps out is the Super Bowl comeback from a 28-3 deficit against Atlanta. That’s tough to beat, but I’m going with the 2015 Super Bowl rally vs. Seattle.
The 2014 Seahawks were the defending champs, with a stifling defense that yielded the fewest points and yards in the league. A unit led by Michael Bennett, Bruce Irvin, Bobby Wagner, Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas had fueled an 8-game winning streak entering the matchup in Glendale, Ariz.
Heading into the fourth quarter, the Patriots couldn’t run and Brady couldn’t hide.
Seattle led 24-14 and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who would replace Mike Smith as Atlanta’s head coach the very next day, had no reason to anticipate the Brady Blitz dead ahead.
While Malcolm Butler’s stunning interception at the goal-line was the game’s signature play, all Brady did down the stretch was complete 13-of-15 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns.
When Butler picked off that ill-advised pass from Russell Wilson, Brady hopped up and down on the sidelines like a teenager who had just been accepted into the University of Florida.
Curtain Call
More than five years have passed, but Brady’s enthusiasm for playing this game hasn’t waned one bit. In fact, he appears even more stoked to enter the arena with a new organization, knowing he’s approaching the finish line.
A lot of things have to go right for the 2020 Bucs to treat their fan to the thrill of postseason play. Brady must be well protected, a better run game needs to be established and someone needs to make some clutch kicks.
But if Bruce Arians and Todd Bowles are still preparing game plans past Jan. 3, that means Brady is back where he belongs — on a stage he commands, hunting another curtain call.
Ira with his good friend Sean Sullivan, general manager of Bill Currie Ford, Tampa’s first family of ford. Sean will help you personally in any way he can. Click on Ira’s nose to visit BillCurrieFord.com.
May 26th, 2020 at 6:38 am
When you read that, it’s hard not to be encouraged…….and then Elsuckopessimisto posts……trying to pi$$ on your thoughts…..
May 26th, 2020 at 7:10 am
Funny how Tampabaybucfan tries to describe the truth!!!!!!!!!! Does he also get made at the weatherman when he tells Tampabaybucfan that it will not be the perfect sunny day he dreams of!!!!!!!!!!! I said this to you over 4 years ago, so it seems that you need a “REALIST REPOST” to start your day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Buc Realist Says:
August 11th, 2016 at 6:20 am
Thanks for the Intro!!! Some called my a “futurist” when it come to things, but that is not true!!! Even though It seems like “magic” to others, It is just the Tampa2 mafia and the lovie loyalist!!!! Plotting their next move is as easy as a coach my scheme game plan!!!!! and you know their are not making adjustments!!!!!! Buc1987 can see it!!! He has been warning of what the lovie loyalist are planning!!!!! Tmaxcon knows what it is like to keep them back!!! To fight on the wall!!!! As do others!!!!!!! Just like the players at training camp, we have been EXPOSING the incompetent one so they will not revise history!!!! They lovie loyalist already let it slip that because he took a 2 win team to a 6 win, that you can just add 4 more wins if he stayed!!!!!!!!!!!! SO I thank all that have served with my on the wall fighting the sheep and lovie loyalist!!!! And to all those that told us to just move on all those times!!!!!!!
The Realist Says:
Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men!!!!! Who’s gonna do it? You? You, Tampabaybucfan??? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Coach my scheme, and you curse the Animosity Amigos. You have that luxury!!!!! You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Coach my scheme’s Firing, while tragic, probably saved Wins!!!!!And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves Wins!!!!! You don’t want the truth because deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline!!!!!!! I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it!!!!!!!! I would rather you just said thank you Realist, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a Keyboard, and make a post!!!!!! Either way, I don’t give a damn what you think you are entitled to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!
May 26th, 2020 at 7:16 am
Encouraged? I would use the term STOKED!! I have to fully agree Ira, how do the Bucs not have an awesome year with the GOAT at the most important position in sports?
TBBF, I don’t read El Best**lity’s posts. I am surprised you do!
May 26th, 2020 at 8:25 am
Yeah Harry I never read that idiot’s posts. I think we have a good chance to do some damage this year. I really hope we don’t have to back into the playoffs with only a wildcard spot. There are two things that could be the Bucs problem this year. A very young secondary and my god every time I watch highlights from last year I see a lot of Jameis running for his life. Hopefully Wirfs will help solidify that line. Regardless of what PFF says JW bailed that line out numerous times with his ability to escape the collapsing pocket and roll out to make a play. We won’t have that luxury with Brady. Yes he has a quick release and fast decisions, but we do need to protect our most valuable asset.
May 26th, 2020 at 8:48 am
So…El Buco Realisto and Bucs Realist are the same person?
I mean, I’m not surprised…but this is the first time I’ve seen him admit it.
Ira Kaufman, you did a good write-up here. Positive and it builds expectations!
Personally, I’m expecting NFC Championship or better this year. No reason why it can’t happen. Our Defensive line is back (this year) and we have the best (ever) at quarterback.
We have a stud Right Tackle who can run block (although I expect growing pains; he’ll probably have some blocking assistance at first).
I’m not concerned with Running Back. Although we drafted obe, I expect Rojo to explode this year a d get his first 1,000 yards rushing season.
My main area of concern is probably the same as everyone’s: Kicking.
It would suck to be a field goal away from the Superbowl only to have Matt Gay miss it.
It’s not that I don’t think he will be great. I’m optimistic about him. But it is a valid concern until he proves himself.
May 26th, 2020 at 8:51 am
TheBradyBunch, great comment.
I’m also concerned about Brady’s health. We may see a lot of max protection.
May 26th, 2020 at 10:18 am
I still gotta go with the 28-3 comback. Seattle choked that game away thanks to Pete Carroll or whomever called that int.
The Seahawks were in the SB in no small part thanks to Marshawn Lynch’s ability to go “beast mode”. Everybody looked for that on the goal line so I was fine with the fake…but why throw it into the crowd that is ALWAYS in the middle of the field?
Fake Lynch on a dive and then have Wilson roll right…1st option..run it in if he’s certain he can make it…2 Throw it to someone open in the end zone 3 Throw it away and go with what brung you there…beast mode.
May 26th, 2020 at 10:23 am
BB & BB
Hit the nail on the head!
Keeping Brady upright for the entire season is paramount.
The responsibility is shared by the line, (improved but not proven) Playcalling, (let him play his game, don’t force the long ball) and Brady himself, (don’t try to be superman).
And yeah, max protection is a must. At least until defenses start respecting our many weapons and don’t blitz as often. THEN the long balls will start popping!
And if you don’t think the blitzkrieg is coming, at least to start the season, I got some real nice oceanfront property in Nevada to sell you!
May 26th, 2020 at 10:57 am
Not a single game played. All talk so far. Better win..No excuses. Not with
all of this Hype.
May 26th, 2020 at 11:54 am
loved the line “Brady hopped up and down on the sidelines like a teenager who had just been accepted into the University of Florida.”
well done Ira, thank you good sir
May 26th, 2020 at 12:27 pm
Love the University of Florida reference, Ira!
May 26th, 2020 at 8:08 pm
^^^^^ What Swambuc just said^^^^^^
GO GATORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!