Charlie Weis: It Is Up To Byron Leftwich To Find A Way To Protect Tom Brady
August 24th, 2022
Bucs OC Byron Leftwich.
So a guy that knows a little bit about what Tom Brady likes and what rattles him took to the SiriusXM NFL Radio airwaves Monday to explain whether the Bucs need to cower in fear about injuries to the offensive line, or come out swinging.
Charlie Weis, who was Brady’s offensive coordinator in New England when a little-known backup quarterback began to blossom into the greatest and become an international celebrity, had thoughts on the Bucs’ beat-up offensive line.
Simply put, Weis said this is where Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich will earn his money.
Weis added that it’s not time to panic and start prepping for the draft either, even with a QB who isn’t very nimble with his feet.
Weis said there are a number of things Leftwich can do to help Brady, provided he needs help. Max-protect and changing blocking assignments or schemes are just a few ways. Perhaps even running the ball more, Weis tossed out.
This interested Joe a great deal. The Bucs in July knew they would have new starters at center and left guard. So the team had time to prepare and Leftwich had time to make adjustments.
So while the Bucs are not in a good position with their offensive line injuries, it’s not time to throw in the towel.
August 24th, 2022 at 6:22 am
‘Simply put, Weis said this is where Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich will earn his money.’
Yea verily! And that thought is VERY concerning. Yes they can go Max Protect more. Yes they can manipulate blocking assignments. Yes they can run the ball more. But in the end, it still comes down to guys doing their jobs, and doing them well.
Could see opposing defenses REALLY going balls-to-the-wall testing this OLine right from the git-go, in the hopes of (1) getting to Brady; (2) wearing down the OLine relatively quickly; or (3) forcing us out of our gameplan early-on. Bucs NEED our OLine to hang tough, especially in the early going, or we could find ourselves in some deep holes very fast (been there; done that). Still fully expect us to grab TWO Olinemen from other teams in the next couple of weeks because our DEPTH won’t be adequate IF our starters get injured or can’t produce.
August 24th, 2022 at 6:42 am
“It Is Up To Byron Leftwich To Find A Way To Protect Tom Brady”
That sure doesn’t apply when Kyle Trask plays behind scrubs, though!
August 24th, 2022 at 6:57 am
Pretty obvious we need veteran depth. I expect the first string O-line to play a lot against Indy. If Jason isn’t happy then the Bucs will likely sign a vet or two.
August 24th, 2022 at 7:08 am
What’s up with Jensen? It took two seconds to determine Stinnie tore his MCL, ACL, so we’re still not supposed to know about Jensen’s knee? Is it still to swollen to tell? What’s it swollen from? While the media has been wondering where Tom’s been no one can get answers about Jensen’s injury yet?
August 24th, 2022 at 7:09 am
If the title says it all we are screwed. Depending on BL to do anything other than run up the gut on 1st down is a bad bet.
August 24th, 2022 at 7:18 am
If Jensen had a torn ACL, he’d already be on IR. Has to be something lesser. As for the line, I envision much more play-action, which Brady is awesome at anyway. I don’t know why we don’t run that more
August 24th, 2022 at 7:28 am
Max protect takes a WR or two off the field….
I sure hope Julio stays healthy & performs well & is worth it because we are going to be cutting a very, very good young WR because of his acquisition.
August 24th, 2022 at 7:33 am
The Jensen injury is an IR move. Bucs wont show their hand on the final roster.
Posted just yesterday, BL scares me. He strikes me as lacking imagination and creativity. Maybe this is a project for BA? Hope so.
Hainsey’s lack of experience calling blocking schemes scares me too.
Thinking we can hurry Brady’s release is just unrealistic IMO. We’ve got the skill position players to go hurry up if needed.
August 24th, 2022 at 7:48 am
Leftwich plan needs to incorporate bringing in some o line talent.
August 24th, 2022 at 7:53 am
Goedeke is very inexperienced but Harold Goodwin and Joe Gilbert are very experienced coaches–they must think he can learn fast. I’m sure Brady (not to mention BA) will weigh in this week. Wonder why they weren’t in on Cody Ford.
August 24th, 2022 at 8:00 am
Don’t worry folks, THE MASTERMIND will call for 3 runs up the middle.
Problem solved and a quality press conference after each game.
We’re in good hands.
😳
August 24th, 2022 at 8:22 am
Cody Ford was consistently bad for the Bills. They drafted him early 2nd round to be a starter in a draft we were taking cornerbacks. Cody Ford got chances. He had 3 seasons where they pulled him in and out of the lineup and he consistently was Buffalo’s lowest rated offensive lineman.
Last season was Ford’s worst.
August 24th, 2022 at 8:37 am
Maybe this is just wishful thinking Joe, but I can see BA & Tom Moore being a LOT more involved with BL this year in developing game plans. Behind the scenes of course.
August 24th, 2022 at 8:51 am
I certainly don’t see myself as a brilliant football mind. I’m Not. With that said I can not speak to the capabilites of Leftwich’s air game. Is it BL, Arains system, Tom Brady’s vision, or is it a likely combo of all the above? Like I said, I’m not aware enough of the schemes and who is the probable architect. However a dullard like myself can get a tugging, sick feeling when it comes to Brian Leftwich and his stamp on the run game. And that feeling tells me that “at the least” when it comes to him and the brilliance of his plan in that arena I can WITH CONFIDENCE say that it is Clear that he is a MORON! What kind of an idiot would continue to force a run up the middle again and again and again? To be specific and not sound even dumder than I am, let’s use the last 2 seasons as our focal point.
He continues for 2 straight years to run the ball up the gut on Way Over 50% of first downs. The opponent knows its coming. You know it’s coming and yes even a fuzeball unedjumacatid fool like me is FINALLY CONVINCED that guess what? It’s coming up the middle! Now, like I said. I’m just working with limited Intel on the actual goings on BUTT “COME ON MAN”! JUST WHAT IN THE HELL IS HE DOING? I used to think SURLY there must be a plan. There MUST BE a method for this MADNESS! But, alas, THERE IS NOT! There is NO BRILLIANCE in this and NO FINESSE in what he Continues to prove is useless and lacks luster. His plan seems to be to paint the wall sh!t brown and actually believes it beautifies the room. He can’t even speak decent English. This guy is NO GENIUS! I’m not sure what’s going on with this guy but as far as the run game goes especially on a first down? FORGET ABOUT IT! Where EXACTLY is the brilliance in squandering over 50% of our first down opportunities? Is ANYBODY surprised that he can’t get a gig without buddies gifting it to him? Him protecting Brady doesn’t seem plausible. Crafting like that might just take someone a bit more visionary than MR. Can’t come up with anything other than to “run it up the middle”. EVERY TIME! OOOOOFFFFFF! I can pretty much assure you that INDEED Arians HAD TO go through with a red marker more than Arians would like to admit!
I’VE GOT A GREAT IDEA! LET’S RUN IT UP THE MIDDLE AGAIN. THEY’LL NEVER SEE IT COMING!
GO BUCS!
August 24th, 2022 at 9:02 am
When the final 53 man roster cuts are made that’s when Licht is going to scoop up a released vet or 2 for the O line.
August 24th, 2022 at 9:44 am
I think we will scoop up a lineman or two too. Brady does not do well with pressure right up the middle.
August 24th, 2022 at 10:17 am
The only thing to fear is fear itself!!! The Bucs will be fine. May start out 1 and 2. Then it all comes together.
August 24th, 2022 at 10:34 am
Im not confident in Ol Lefty’s ability to scheme much of anything. I wish I understood why that is but I just can’t get past 1st and 10.
August 24th, 2022 at 10:49 am
Maybe im not being fair. There is always a chance that 1st and 10 up the gut will work…given enough attempts. Much like a monkey in front of typewriter will spell a word given enough time.
How does this guy scheme protection on a QB when he can’t scheme a run through the middle. These are the same players he is scheming against.
August 24th, 2022 at 10:56 am
Anyone relying on Leftwich to out scheme an opponent is gonna be let down. Good coordinators out scheme and successfully take advantage of weaknesses our coaches seem to just want to out talent opponents.
August 24th, 2022 at 12:06 pm
We need quick receivers, scooter, Darden, gage vintage Julio
August 24th, 2022 at 12:08 pm
So this year we’ve got a DC who’s dual-hatted as our HC (taking a lot of time away from his DC responsibilities), an OC who many seem to think couldn’t out-scheme anyone, and a S/T’s coordinator whose teams continually rank in the bottom of the league.
And yet many fans were very cocky in the Spring & were convinced that the Bucs would go at least 13-4 in the regular season then win the Super Bowl. It was a given to some.
So what’s changed in the interim? Losing Jensen & Stinnie? Nah, I think that once we’ve seen this year’s team in preseason, it’s dawned on most that there are no ‘givens’ in the NFL. Even with Tom Brady back in the fold for one more spin of the merry-go-round, Bucs have a long ways to go. 20-21 games to be precise. And every one will be a dogfight.
August 24th, 2022 at 12:39 pm
No QB does well with pressure right up the middle… Not sure why people seem to identify that as a Brady problem 🤣
August 24th, 2022 at 1:55 pm
It’s easy for me to sit here and say they should do this or that. But here goes more 3 tight end sets will help. And it will also leave match up problems for the D. If Brady sees something and changes the play
August 24th, 2022 at 2:15 pm
Oline needs help fast and that’s not BLs problem….JL needs to get to work….
Brady wanted less cooks in the kitchen so I doubt Tom Moore and BA get more involved than they already are….
With that being said BL is 1 of the best in the biz so I have full confidence in his ability to scheme up a game plan week by week..game by game…and succeed…
GO BUCS
August 26th, 2022 at 2:50 am
Geez people !! I’m all for getting a few players on the Oline myself , but where’s this ‘Leftwitch is garbage ‘ stuff coming from ?? I mean we’ve only had the #1 offense the last two years and top 3 since he’s been here. If Brady didn’t like the way things were being done by Leftwich then I guess he would either retire or call the plays himself ! MOST of you are the same one’s that said BA was the problem and that he messed with Brady and Leftwich game plans ? So what’s it gonna be ? Bunch of bandwagon fans ! Go Bucs
August 26th, 2022 at 2:51 am
813Buc – Well said 💯