Window Is Two Years
June 14th, 2021
King of NFC South.
Tom Brady is a walking good luck charm. That seems to be the thought process from Scott Spratt of Football Outsiders when he looks at the current state of the Bucs and the NFC South.
Spratt points out that finding lousy divisions to take advantage of is a knack possessed by the park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting, handshake-stiffing, jet-ski-losing, biscuit-baking, tequila-shooting, smartphone-phobic, waffle-grilling, trophy-throwing, roller-coaster-scared, numbers-rules-peeved, Bucs-Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
For decades (yes, more than one) in New England, Brady and the Belicheats played in the AFC East, otherwise known as the grizzly bear and three field mice.
All Brady had to do in most years was mop the floor with the jughead Jets, the bungling Bills and the dreadful Dolphins. Talk about a layup each season!
And now that Brady is with the Bucs, after one season the NFC South is remarkably like the AFC East after the Jets’ strong run ended in 2010. The slimy Saints, the Dixie Chicks and the Stinking Panthers are all in various stages of rebuild and disarray, Spratt noted in a Football Outsiders podcast.
Spratt believes Brady and the Bucs have two more clear shots at a Super Bowl, given the state of the NFC South, the Bucs’ loaded roster and what appears to be a favorable salary cap scene.
Scott Spratt: Man, could [Brady] be in any better situation? Here is the dead cap situation in the NFC South: The Bucs $2.2 million, that’s the third-lowest. The Falcons, Panthers and Saints are all in the top-six with at least $20 million in dead cap. These other [three] teams are in various stages of rebuilding. And the Bucs have an unbelievable path to the Super Bowl the next two years if Brady can stick it out that long.
Aaron Schatz: If Brady picked the Bucs because of that, that was smart. But he also recognized all of the talent that [the Bucs] had. Not just on offense but on defense. [The team] just needed the star quarterback to have it all jump.
Maybe Schatz and Spratt are onto something. Remember, Brady’s contract runs out after the 2022 season.
FYI: In the podcast, Mike Tanier, Schatz and Spratt are way down on Sam Darnold. Tanier seems to believe Stinking Panthers coach Matt Rhule should be renting.
June 14th, 2021 at 8:19 am
No doubt, Brady could have joined to a half dozen other teams, but he knew the Bucs were in the perfect position to go to the Super Bowl. Plus, he must have heard BA was a player’s coach unlike Belichick.
June 14th, 2021 at 8:45 am
Funny, that Brady’s wining percentage against the AFC east, is basically the same as non-AFC-east teams. Many AFC East teams destroyed themselves trying to change to nock off the Pats. You have to win you divisions first.
June 14th, 2021 at 8:51 am
These are the real Glory years for the Bucs, appreciate it Buc fans for what it is. The Super Bowl Window is open for 2 more years at least. After that all bets are off.
GO BUCS!!!!
June 14th, 2021 at 8:51 am
I’m sure Brady took everything into account but I believe the biggest thing that got him was the day BA was asked what QB he would choose if he had his pick. We all know BAs answer was TB12. He went where he was wanted. Some things are more simple than people think. He also knew the warm weather would prolong his career. I believe one of the Joes ask BA the question. If true you deserve more credit than you realize.
June 14th, 2021 at 9:28 am
Brady haters will always point to how bad the AFC east has been over 2 decades as a big reason that’s he’s been so successful. “he’s division is handed to him every year” they say. But, him and the patriots created that environment. What gets an NFL head coach fired? Losing, not being able to beat a division rival. There have been 17 head coaches hired in the AFC east not named Bill Belichick. And it gets worse, there have been 49 starting QB’s on those 3 teams since Brady became the starter. There’s luck and then there’s salting the earth so nothing can grow there again.
How many SEC coaches have been fired because they can’t beat Nick Saban? Lots… so maybe you create your own luck.
June 14th, 2021 at 9:49 am
Brady’s record against the Dolphins is 23-12. 12 is the most losses Brady has by any one team.
After week #4, Brady will have wins against every NFL team and a winning record against 29 of the 32 teams (Including playoffs)
He does not have a losing record against any team.
June 14th, 2021 at 10:33 am
Brady looks like he’s operating as a pimp down here in 813 ! Good for him, diversifying !
June 14th, 2021 at 10:44 am
“The Bucs just needed the star quarterback to have it all jump.”
I wonder how many “star” quarterbacks could have won with TB’s talent?
Or better … Could Matt Stafford have won the SB on TB? If yes, then the Rams are a real threat. If no, then we should be less worried.
June 14th, 2021 at 10:51 am
I get the premise of ‘renting’ but it still makes no sense. Buy a nice pad and sell it for 50K more than you paid for it. Don’t throw away 50k on rent.
June 14th, 2021 at 11:08 am
Having moved to Florida two years ago from Massachusetts, I’ve watched every Brady game in the nfl. Tom has had to adjust to new teammates every couple years, with Belichick picking up one year contracts with veterans from other clubs. How many QBs do that successfully? Bottom line, TB12 is a winner.
June 14th, 2021 at 11:14 am
3peat?
June 14th, 2021 at 11:39 am
The greatest franchise in the history of pro sports did greatly benefit from being in a rotten division. It was usually a tomato can in the divisional round and boom, you’re in the title game.
Continually calling the pats the belicheats, shows how ignorant curley joe is. Spoken like the fan of a rotten franchise. I can’t wait to see the bucs return to turdville after the goat retires. Joe will no doubt by then be washing and waxing for Ira
June 14th, 2021 at 12:01 pm
I think we are solid top to bottom but I saw where PFF ranked our running backs 26th as a group????????? Are you kidding me??? Not alot of love for Super Bowl Lenny and Rojo and to be bringing in Giovanni Bernard i wouldnt trade our backs for any team in the league except maybe the Browns.
June 14th, 2021 at 12:35 pm
Don’t sleep on the Saints man! They went 9-2 between Bridgwater and Hill when Brees was out. If Winston starts, he’s liable to throw interceptions but their down field game will explode. Payton is a great coach and knows how to get the most out of all his players. That’s why they’ve been a top team for a while now. They will contend the NFC South, we are not shoe ins.
June 14th, 2021 at 1:32 pm
Has a knack for taking over lousy divisions? NFC south has been considered one of the best if the best many season over the past decade or more. Tampa Bay might have been lousy but every other team from the division made it to the supper bowl.
June 14th, 2021 at 2:07 pm
Hello Mr Green, if you do not like the Bucs franchise, why torment yourself by reading this blog. Why are you taking a crap on the Joe Bucs fan blog. Billy boys record without Brady is a sorry rotten losing record of 47%. That is not a slam but a mathmatical fact. And now the goose that lays the golden eggs is playing for this franchise till he retires, instead of the Patsies that wanted out of. BTW This rotten franchise has Won 2 Super Bowls, not to shabby, considering some teams still have not won any. And a third might happen this year. Last time I checked the Patsied had another sorry rotten losing season last year without Brady playing QB for them. Again Billy B has a 47% wins, a sorry rotten losing record without Brady as the QB. Going to be fun mopping up the floor with the Patsies in week 4. Going be a beantown beatdown for the Patsies by the Brady led Bucs.
GO BUCS!!!!!!
June 14th, 2021 at 3:12 pm
What would you consider the NFC South today?
June 14th, 2021 at 5:11 pm
I’ll answer that Joe.
The Bucs are Gladys Knight and the rest of the division are the Pips.
June 14th, 2021 at 5:35 pm
Funny that if you actually look at the stats instead of just listening to other talking heads (I’m disappointed joe). The AFC east is one of the most winning divisions even if you EXCLUDE every divisions one seed for each year. Yes WITHOUT the pats the AFC east is a top 4 division over the last 20 years. Look it up.
June 14th, 2021 at 6:06 pm
Brady saw Arians hand picked coaches that he’s worked throughout his no biscuit career.
June 15th, 2021 at 7:38 pm
Sean Payton should have pulled Brees in the Bucs playoff Game. He was loyal to him. Belichek is loyal to no player.