Details On Brady’s Involvement
December 10th, 2020
It’s Brady’s offense.
The bye week only quieted the restlessness of Bucs fans wanting to know how much park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting, jet-ski-losing, handshake-stiffing, biscuit-baking Bucs quarterback Tom Brady has his hand in the cookie jar labeled “Bucs Offense.”
That’s because they are tired of asking.
The Bucs offense, despite being loaded with all-stars and future Hall of Famers, seems like it has been stuck in second gear the past month. Also, like an old truck in the frigid cold, the Bucs offense takes time — too much time — to get warmed up on gamedays.
So last night when Bucco Bruce Arians returned to SiriusXM NFL Radio, Friend of Joe co-host Alex Marvez asked Arians if a report over the weekend claiming Brady calls the plays is accurate.
Arians said the report from NFL Network is accurate. Marvez then asked Arians if he could spell out exactly how Brady is involved with the offense.
Arians offered the goods.
Much like Mr. Entertainment, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, and other Arians quarterbacks, Brady selects what plays in the gameplan he likes. What he doesn’t like, Arians and Leftwich throw out.
Arians added given Brady’s experience, he’s involved with crafting the gameplan earlier in the week more than most of Arians’ past quarterbacks.
From there, Arians said, Brady selects a set number of play-action passes, regular passes, runs and so on to use in the game and pack in his arsenal when he steps onto the field of battle.
Given how much input Brady has in the offense, based on Arians’ information, it’s a bit of a stretch to call this offense by any other name than “Brady’s offense” — with guidance from Arians and Joe assumes offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich as well.
You can hear Arians discuss this in detail in the SiriusXM NFL Radio audio below.
Bruce Arians talks about how much influence Tom Brady has on the game plan each week and how comfortable his QB is with the offense….
“I’m really pleased with where Tom is, it’s not easy to change after 20 years” #GoBucs @Buccaneers
LISTEN 👇👇 pic.twitter.com/Q8vlrpotfJ
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) December 10, 2020
December 10th, 2020 at 5:28 am
During the 4 games in this 2nd half of the season, Bucs have played 3 games against teams with winning records (Saints, Rams, Chiefs) and 1 game against a team with a losing record (Panthers). We lost all 3 games against the winning-record teams but won the 1 game against the losing-record team.
Bucs’ offense has scored 97 points total in those 4 games … 24.25 PPG … scoring 51 total points in the 3 games we lost and 46 points in the 1 game we won. Bucs’ defense allowed 115 total points in those 4 games … 28.75 PPG … allowing 92 total points in the 3 games we lost and 23 points in the 1 game we won.
Note to Bruce: Your game-planning & play-calling system isn’t working in this 2nd half of the season, and especially against quality teams. Fix it.
December 10th, 2020 at 5:31 am
What he said.
December 10th, 2020 at 5:51 am
I continue to believe that it’s poor execution of the game plan…..not the plan itself…..the only exception is abandoning the run too early.
And, it’s not limited to but it starts with Brady missing passes early……drops and poor run blocking.
We could use more play action……fewer empty backfields especially on 3rd & short.
December 10th, 2020 at 6:24 am
Ealrier in the year, Arians said Brady was allowed to choose whatever pkays he wanted from the plays provided avilable to choose from….not any play any time.
This is just Arians throwing Brady under the bus again to proect his Protege Lefty.
December 10th, 2020 at 6:43 am
TBBF … I agree with you about poor execution, but the only thing we’re consistent with at the start of games is that we start incredibly slow. It’s at the start of games that game-planning bears the most fruit IMO; get ahead early & most of the time you gain a decided advantage.
Also agree about Brady missing passes early, but many of those were 3rd-and-short situations where a decent running play call might’ve gotten the 1st down, kept the drive alive, given our defense some rest, and MAYBE even led to scoring some points. Chiefs game opening qtr provided a good example.
o First series: RoJo got 5 yds then Brady hit Evans for a 1st down. RoJo then got 4 yds on the 1st down, Brady missed deep to Evans on 2nd then he missed short to Evans on 3rd down … Pinion punt. Total of 1:44 mins TOP.
o Second series: RoJo got 1 yd on 1st down, then Brady hit Gronk for 6 yds on 2nd down. Brady then missed Brown on 3rd-and-3 … Pinion punt. Grand total of 1:10 mins TOP.
o Third series: Brady hit Gronk for 6 yds on 1st down, then RoJo got 2 yds on 2nd down. Brady missed Brate on 3rd-and-2 … Pinion punt. Grand total of 1:08 mins TOP.
o Fourth series: Brady hit Godwin for 2 yds on 1st down, then hit Brate for 6 yds on 2nd down. Brady missed Godwin on 3rd-and-2 … Pinion punt. Total of 1:27 mins TOP used.
What I see in those 4 first qtr drives of the Chiefs game is ‘The Tom Brady Show’ starring Tom Brady. I see ONE 3rd-and-6 where a pass was our best chance to make a 1st down, but I also see a 3rd-and-3, a 3rd-and-2 and another 3rd-and-2 where even 1 run would’ve been appropriate. Instead Brady passed all 3 times … incomplete all 3 times to 3 different receivers.
And oh ya in the meantime our defense hadn’t even had time to sit down. Once they did get a breather at the end of the 1st qtr, good things started happening. Forced Mahomes to fumble on his 1st drive in the 2nd qtr at our 13-yard line, turned it over to our offense, and BAM … they marched down the field for a TD to close the score to 17-7 at that point. Amazing to me that that was the only drive our offense had in the whole 2nd qtr (except for Brady taking a knee with 11 secs left in the half).
December 10th, 2020 at 6:59 am
Defense is right, what’s worse is each of those 3rd and short situations, we lined up in shotgun with receivers spread. We didn’t even make the defenses consider the run. I don’t care who called the play, it’s a bad play call for down and distance
December 10th, 2020 at 7:10 am
Agree with both Defense Rules and Tampa Bay Bucs Fan points. I will add this ,
in the games against the good defenses like the Saints for example, Brady gets a bit rattled and his passes fall incomplete early. We somehow have to stop the pass rush up the middle that he is most affected by. IMO, we have to get more of a rhythm for Brady early. I am not a big fan of an offense that relies on the short crossing routes that patriots ran. Even though you might complete
them, you risk getting players hurt or concussed after the catch. We need to take advantage of our WR’s skillset which are different than a Wes Welker
or a Julian Edelman.
December 10th, 2020 at 7:40 am
I would not call this Brady’s offense unless Arians’ playbook contains all the plays Brady wants to run. We don’t see the same type of shifts, misdirection, short and intermediate routes, and rubs and slants that have been “Brady” staples for 20 years in our offense. Is that because Brady doesn’t want to run them, or because Arians’ playbook doesn’t contain them? In any event, we have seen two seasons of inefficient offense – one season under a talented, former #1 pick and the other under the GOAT.
What does this offense need to be efficient?
December 10th, 2020 at 7:41 am
Run up middle for 3
nobody open on second down, they’re away
blitzed and hurried on third and seven…
punt
December 10th, 2020 at 7:52 am
I agree with Ira, can you throw a damn slant?
December 10th, 2020 at 7:52 am
Another dumb question from me, but if Brady is selecting the plays and helping to craft the game plan, then how much responsibility does he have for not getting Rojo the ball?
Also curious how far down the field those 3rd down incompletions were.
December 10th, 2020 at 7:54 am
That’s what Arain’s says, but was it the truth? Not sure I believe anything Arains has to say.
December 10th, 2020 at 8:04 am
We’ll know soon enough… everyone is coaching and playing for their professional lives!
They can do it winning one game at a time!
December 10th, 2020 at 8:09 am
Yeah bruce hes won 6 superbowls. Lets change him. A great coach, Belichick, changes and adapts his system to better facilitate putting his players in a position to be successful. Adapt to your players strengths. Bruce isnt doing that. Yeah bradys picking some plays, but from a cache thats limited to Arians desires and scheme. Is Tom adjusting? Yes. Great ones will and none is greater , as heady, as Tom, but when your pass catching back who caught 70 balls with Jax on a down year drops 3 passes in a row.WTF? I heard no rebukes from Arians of that back. Just about Tom. Pull your head out Bruce.Adjust.
December 10th, 2020 at 8:18 am
hey Joebucsfan; You sound like a politician when you “explain” TB picking the plays that he likes. Let me ask you something (after 26 yrs in sales, I’ve learned NOT to ask a question that you don’t already know the answer.) But here goes; “If you was a mechanic and you had 10 wrenches would you use the RIGHT wrench for that particular nut???????? That’s a rhetorical question. After going to the SB 9 times and winning 6, (66%), don’t you think Tompa Bay would know the right wrench????? Let me refresh everybody’s memory. BOTH Saint’s games BA and Todd B just stood on the sidelines looking like they were watching a Giraffe try to give birth to an elephant. THEY WERE ABOLUTELY CLUELESS. It took half a game for them to wake up against the Chiefs. By then it was too late. For God’s sake let Tompa pick the correct wrench. He’s a master mechanic!!!!!!!!
December 10th, 2020 at 8:37 am
let’s assume Tompa pics the plays that he likes. Now, after watching the NFL for 6 decades I realize that just because Tom picks 30 or whatever amount he picks, doesn’t mean he picks the right play for “SITUATIONAL FOOTBALL” does that sound familiar???? The 1st. TD that Hill scored, I was yelling why in &#%% is Hill not double covered???????? WHY isn’t Kelsey hit at the line. Do you ever watch the Pats play. Just steal the Pat’s playbook. It’s not Tompa’s responsibility to give OJT, (on the job training), to the Buc’s coaching staff. If the Buc’s don’t fix the pass defense, it doesn’t matter who they play. #1 If the other team just has a half^$@ QB, he will pick the Bucs to pieces, (every game we lost), #2; let Tom use his experience to call the CORRECT plays. #3 protect Brady better. A 10 yr old could see these problems. Go ahead BA and be hard headed and you will be watching the playoffs from the couch
December 10th, 2020 at 8:52 am
Alton Green said exactly what I was going to say. Tom picks the plays he likes from Ariens playbook. Fine, but it’s how they are used situationally that matters most, and that’s what “calling the plays” actually means.
December 10th, 2020 at 9:06 am
Really good comments by posters above. I agree with Defense and Conte. In addition, on offense, I’d like to see us have a little more motion at pre snap too.
December 10th, 2020 at 9:19 am
BA or BS! If Bradys preparing the game plan and calling the plays what does Leftwich and Ole’ Stale Biscuits actually do. Maybe they should get a golf cart for Leftwich.
December 10th, 2020 at 9:48 am
Poor situational calls. Im sure Brady wants to throw on every 3rd and 3 or less but someone(ba or bl) needs to be the adult and pick the correct situational play. If we get in 3rd and 3 against the vikings and run, i would not be shocked if rojo gets 15+ yards because the Vikings 3rd down defense package will be press man or underneath zone in a nickek or dime package based on their film study of our 3rd down offense. They would be utterly shocked if we ran on 3rd and short.
December 10th, 2020 at 9:59 am
So they’ll let Brady fail the entire team. Who’s gonna be the adult, did Brady get scolded last week for abandoning the run in the first quarter of so many games?
December 10th, 2020 at 10:04 am
The offense has sputtered in 1st quarter of last 4 games, but it’s the Defense that has put team in big hole to start games vs Rams, Chiefs and Saints.
It’s hard to win games when the D gives up 31, 17 and 20 1st half points.
For Bucs offense to be successful (true for every NFL team), Running game has to be effective. Force the safeties to play the run and passing game will open up.
December 10th, 2020 at 10:20 am
Hilarious that it comes out Bradys calling his own plays and even having a large part to do with the game plan……..the response from some…..Just dig your heels in even further blaming the Ciaching staff.
Yall have chosen your scapegoat and no article fact or stat will change that. Its incredible.
At the end of the day Im with Tampabaybucfan. Im not happy with the execution. Use the plays DR kindly laid out to us for example………….
On the first series what wasnt mentioned is Evans dropped a perfect pass deep then cut his route on 3rd when Brady was clearly looking for Mike to go……on the second series Brown didnt read the play right and ran the wrong route. On the third series Brate dropped a conversion…….which I also blame Brady some on that for a poorly located throw………..Call me crazy but all of that is poor execution. You kind posters please tell me a playcall on earth that works when your recievers drops the pass. Or when they run the wrong route.
I certainly will never say BA is above critism. But when you are using your scapegoat in front of the accountability that should belong to ,Evans, Brate, Brown, Brady you are doing a disservice.
So if you wanna blame BA for, lets say, our FG drive where we stalled in the redzone Ill listen……Because those playcalls didnt work. But when a guy drops an open pass that means the playcall did work and yall just double down and use your scapegoat again. Just be fair dont be a ass.
December 10th, 2020 at 10:29 am
He gets to pick his favorite items off the menu that BA and BL provide. Having said that, they need to give him a different menu. That’s the problem. They only know one menu. And they’re too stubborn to take a cooking class or learn anything new.
December 10th, 2020 at 10:38 am
Brady’s bread and butter is play action and we’re not seeing enough plus I find it unusual to see Brady not game planning more run plays. You give him a productive run game and he will pick you apart on 3rd downs.
December 10th, 2020 at 10:39 am
Alan. I will push back a little bit there. Looking at the KC game i say unfair to blame just the one side of the ball. Our offense went 3 and out for almost the entire 1st half. They are responsible for heading the ball back to a really goid offense repeatedly……..Its one of the worst thing you could do playing the Chiefs.
Now look at the Chiefs 1st two posessions. Our D put up a goalline stand and a 3 and out………Now lets just play make pretend for a minute and pretend the Bucs were ready to move the ball to start that game. Lets just pretend the Bucs offense plays to expectation and gives us one long scoring drive to start the game…….Say they move the ball and eat up some posession in their second drive and punt……..If the Bucs do that you are going to limit the Chiefs to 2 possessions in the 1st quater. Your looking at a 3-3 score or maybe 7-3 or 0-3……….This is far different then what actually happened where it was 17-0 instead. This is why you cant give good offenses 5 posessions in one freaking Q
This is not to excuse the defense for their poor play. But the offense deserves part of the blame. I can only speak for myself but I expect way way better then an entire half of football without even a first down. Thats not what I expect to see when i crack a beer prior to kickoff. I was very disappointed in both sides of the ball.
December 10th, 2020 at 10:40 am
How bout if we win the coin toss we don’t defer either. Let us be the first to score
December 10th, 2020 at 10:50 am
Brady the GOAT has to order off BA ‘s menu. When a menu isn’t working you need to change the menu. Brady & BA should split the menu items 50- 50. If not , Brady should start eating at a new restaurant.
December 10th, 2020 at 11:04 am
” Also, like an old truck in the frigid cold, the Bucs offense takes time — too much time — to get warmed up on gamedays.”
………….
All of my trucks have block heaters in ’em. Fire right up at 40 below
December 10th, 2020 at 11:50 am
No, it’s Bruce’s concepts, picked by Brady, called by Byron. Therefore, it’s Bruce’s offense.
December 10th, 2020 at 11:52 am
Play call for 3rd and 1? “Air it out down the field.” That’s the Wikipedia entry for BA, not TB12.
Tom’s not calling the plays–that’s BA covering his ass with BS.
December 10th, 2020 at 11:52 am
Our wins are against teams with losing records and 3 of our losses come against the two best teams in the NFL.
There is plenty to critique at this point in the season. But the IMHO the jury is still very much out on this season. So far however we should stop the complaining…although some of you believe SB or bust and we are clearly not the best team in the league right now. However we can finish with a good record and perhaps win a game or two in the post season. Bust me for accepting anything less than the championship but you gotta walk before you run.
So yeah the best teams have beat us…we’ve beaten the bad teams…
Bottom line…with the season on the line….
We just finished a four game stretch against teams with a combined 33-15 record. We enter a stretch where the competition is 19-29. If we simply play to our form so far…beat the bad teams and lose against the better squads..we’re in the playoffs!
There is no team left on our schedule that can beat us. There are four games however we can lose if we don’t trot out our A game.
December 10th, 2020 at 12:53 pm
Don’t worry be Happy we are about to break Bad One tho g you Bucs fans just do t get yet Tom Brady is on SOB that hates to loose he would rather be shot in the pecker with a shot gun full of Bird shot than loose I’m a Long term Patriots fan watch every game Brady played in his career and trust me he is furious in side smoming blazing like a volcano about to erupt so you can bet he has been working his team into shape I still think you all are selling him short even with a messed up season it will turn out ok to great still I believe that but the O li e needs to hold the Deffence back a little better that’s where we are having issuses I’m saying we will go on a big time winni g streak about now Go Bucks
December 10th, 2020 at 1:01 pm
I know the call to hand off to Fournette on 3rd down was not Brady’s call. That turned into a field goal.
December 10th, 2020 at 2:33 pm
JimmyJack … The easiest way for a QB to keep receivers from dropping passes is to hand it off to a RB … you can’t drop what was never thrown to you. And therein lies the problem: too much passing and too little running.
For the life of me I’ll never understand why we passed so much in that Chiefs’ game in the 1st qtr, and especially on those 3rd downs. I can understand the first 3rd-and-6, but not the next 3rd-and-3, 3rd-and-2 and 3rd-and-2. Running the ball didn’t even seem to be a consideration, and the Chiefs have a middle-of-the-pack run defense (#16) but a somewhat better pass defense (#12).
And please don’t be one of those who says it was because we were behind. Brady was 4-for-10 passing in that 1st qtr of the Chiefs game, with 4 incompletions coming on 3rd down … ending each of our 4 drives in that qtr. Each of our drives was so short that our defense was probably still breathing hard when they had to return to the field. The Chiefs ran them ragged (I think they call that ‘game planning’ but I’m not sure, it’s been so long since I’ve seen any of that this season).
December 10th, 2020 at 7:00 pm
Hey Captain Obvious …..
Captain of Offence
Captain of New Boat
Captain of Play Calling