“That’s The Only Way You Can Get Better”
July 23rd, 2020
Four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Boomer Esiason changed teams three times after he turned 30 years old, so he knows quite a bit about transitioning to a new club at the position.
He also knows Tom Brady.
Per Esiason on his WFAN radio show, Brady was keenly aware that the pandemic could wipe out the preseason and knew he had to overcome that huge loss. Yes, Esiason said no preseason games are a devastating blow to QBs in Brady’s position.
“I just always felt, even as I got older, that I need to play [preseason], especially if you’re on a new team,” Esiason said. “So if you’re Tom Brady, you’re Cam Newton, you’re Nick Foles, and you’re on these new teams and you’re trying to figure out your new teammates, you’re trying to figure out a new playbook, you’re trying to figure out the coaching staff, and all the things that go into becoming a successful quarterback, you want more time on the field. That’s the only way you can get better.
“That’s why Brady has been running these practices down in Tampa Bay. He knows that he has got to get on the field with these new players, get the feel for them, know what they’re good at, know where he can throw the ball where they can go make plays for it.”
Esiason went on to talk about how cancelling preseason is a feel-good public relations move for owners because they make so little money, if any, on preseason games. So it’s no big deal to kill them and claim it’s in the name of player safety.
During Esiason’s playing days (1984-1997), he said he always wanted to play into the third quarter of two preseason games per year. But no coach let him do it twice, he said, only once a year.
Joe found it especially interesting when Esiason talked about how awful media coverage can be for players in preseason, when analysts are evaluating football that isn’t real as backups shine against poor competition in meaningless games.
None of that fun will exist this year.
The first look at the Bucs will be Brady jumping off the high diving board into the deep end of a Saints defense that allowed just 21 points per game last year.
July 23rd, 2020 at 8:53 am
Thanks Joe, for not going into the stupid descriptor on Tom Brady. It makes the article so much better to read without having to blot out the worthless and redundant chaff.
It’s a good take from Boomer, especially with him not being local but knowing well what’s happening, and being able to logically explain why.
Also, interesting take he has on pre-season. As a fan, I detest paying full price for those games–glad to them go for now. Would like to see them replaced with joint scrimmages as much as possible, COVID or not. I liked Joe’s idea of bringing back Fanfest…but I know the Glazers are set on their on little gem with the new indoor practice facility and complete ownership of the facility. So doubt we see that.
July 23rd, 2020 at 9:38 am
“Thanks Joe, for not going into the stupid descriptor on Tom Brady. It makes the article so much better to read without having to blot out the worthless and redundant chaff.”
Yes, Joe. Please, whatever you do: don’t be entertaining, don’t make your articles fun to read, don’t exercise any sense of humor, and above all, remember to please listen to any whiney d-bag that could be doing a better job than you …but isn’t.
Seriously, the only worthless and redundant chaff I see in your articles is generally in the comments section.
July 23rd, 2020 at 10:27 am
He’s not wrong. It will be tougher, but I think more so on some of the young guys. We’re expecting Tristan Wirfs to start at RT on Day 1 with zero onfield, full contact work that you get in a game. Same for the other youngsters. Lots of second year guys would have benefited from a real off-season program and some snaps in pre-season. Yes, Brady is learning a new Offense, but he’s been around for a bit. He understands the methodology. None the Rooks do. That’s where this will hurt the most.
July 23rd, 2020 at 10:29 am
I realize that I might be in the minority on this one, but I’m of the opinion that the ‘fine tuning’ that occurs in preseason is very important. Yeah, I know, it looks so sloppy, even worse after the starters sit. Game speed doesn’t occur in practice or even scrimmages. Adding the term “game” to it makes a psychological difference, in my opinion, and changes the tension and tempo.
No preseason is a negative for us.
Hopefully TB12’s private practices are helping at least familiarize the players and give them confidence in TB the way that NO knows Brees.
July 23rd, 2020 at 11:12 am
@Max Vasher….
A knock knock joke may be funny once. It can make you manage a weak smile the second time. After a while, it’s a waste. If you think redundant is fun, that’s cool.
July 23rd, 2020 at 11:18 am
No pre-season. No scrimmages against another team. Get ready for the worst, poorest played and poorest officiated games ever seen. At least for the first four weeks.
July 23rd, 2020 at 1:11 pm
I can’t wait for football to start! Especially since I don’t think the season will be 16 games.
July 23rd, 2020 at 9:33 pm
I listen everyday and Boomer really likes and respects Brady. Boomer wanted Brady to stay with patriots. As a Brady fan I am happy he is Tampa and cant wait to see what he could do with these great weapons.