Timeout Freedom Clarified
December 1st, 2022
“Byron, why doesn’t Todd join our timeout huddles?”
Joe heard former quarterbacks this week scoff at the notion that Tom Brady should have called timeout on his own with 26 seconds remaining in regulation Sunday.
You know, that was when head coach Todd Bowles wouldn’t stop the clock because he was afraid of the Browns an interception.
Former Bucs QB Shaun King did a great job on CBS Sports Radio shooting down the take that Brady should have called the timeout on his own. Aside from it not being Brady’s job, King explained how many factors are part of that decision.
Quarterbacks often are free to call timeout to avoid a delay of game call or if they are particularly disturbed by a defensive formation. But otherwise timeouts are on the head coach.
Todd Bowles was asked today about whether Brady has the freedom to call timeout in a late-game situation. He replied that Brady “knows when the play goes down whether he needs a timeout or not.”
That didn’t really answer the question, but Joe translated the response as, “Before the play is called Brady knows whether coaches will be calling timeout based on the result.”
Bowles added that Lavonte David and Devin White know they can call timeout if the defense is in disarray.
Joe thinks anyone pointing a finger at Brady for not calling timeout is reaching. However, it’s fair to wonder if Brady was on board with playing for a tie when he and his coaches were crafting their final-drive strategy on the sidelines.
December 1st, 2022 at 2:18 pm
Let’s get something straight, the only thing standing between this franchise and a return to being the laughingstock of the NFL is Tom Brady
December 1st, 2022 at 2:23 pm
King. Exactly. And putting it anywhere near Brady’s shoulders is a puss move on bowles part. The guy is clearly not gona take blame for any of his mistakes either. That’s a problem with any employee in any line of work. Means it’s time to go because time for learning was years and years ago
December 1st, 2022 at 2:25 pm
So true, imagine this staff with Andy Dalton or Kyle Trask, we would throw less than the Nebraska cornhuskers in the wishbone days
Brady hasn’t been the problem – yes he has missed some throws, but we have dropped just as many and allowed a lot of quick pressure prior to the LG being swapped out
The staff’s lack of trust in the offense in key situations screams out loud how clueless Toilet Bowles is
Coaching scared with the GOAT at Qb….what a tool
December 1st, 2022 at 2:26 pm
There’s a chain of command for a reason
December 1st, 2022 at 2:28 pm
I think Brady should go with his gut and call a time out or change a play. He has forgotten more football strategy than Todd Bowles will ever know. I don’t care about protocol. I mean, what are the Bucs going to do? Cut Brady?
December 1st, 2022 at 2:33 pm
Its over, i aint worried….rebuild mode….lose the rest please!
BTW, ABrown has an arrest warrant out for his dummyazz, HAHAHAHAHALOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 1st, 2022 at 2:33 pm
I was surprised Brady didn’t call the TO. King is right though, it’s not his responsibility. Bowles has no excuse. He doesn’t call plays, are should’ve been focused on the game situation. Andy Reid use to get killed because he had that huge play sheet in front of him. He often mismanaged time outs, because he was too focused on the play call. Most teams have a guy dedicated to reminding the HC of the time out situation. It’s usually the same guy who buzzers down for possible challenge situations. I wonder if the bucs have a guy that does that
December 1st, 2022 at 2:39 pm
bowleszo has Brady on a leash this yr–he dosen’t seem to have the same latitude that he had in last 2 seasons with Arians
Bowleszo is pathetic–beyond belief.
December 1st, 2022 at 2:42 pm
Notice Bowles left it hanging in the air. Little things like that lose locker rooms. Bowles wants accountability just not for himself.
December 1st, 2022 at 2:43 pm
If Brady was on board with the tie….then why the 30 yard pass to Julio?…….Was that pay called by BL?….or did Brady do it on his own?
If Bucs were wanting to run the clock……take a knee (in surrender)
December 1st, 2022 at 2:46 pm
D-Rok Says:
December 1st, 2022 at 12:07 pm
“One guess as to why lots of QB’s or players on the field don’t have the final responsibility for TO’s: Adrenaline. They are worried about the play on the field, and getting the next play off in time.”
It’s always been the coaches responsibility to manage the game clock. The QB manages the play clock. Or am I missing something?
December 1st, 2022 at 2:51 pm
Joe says,
“his coaches were crafting their final-drive strategy on the sidelines.”
You give the coaches too much credit, sir. Strategy. LOL.
December 1st, 2022 at 2:54 pm
Brady is stuck with Bowlzo the Clown.
December 1st, 2022 at 3:14 pm
there’s one more possible reason besides being a moron that Todd is doing aoto losing calls. Maybe he is jealous of the fact Tom is the Goat. Like in NE Bilichick and Tom worked together but in the end we found out who is the goat right? Todd can’t handle it
December 1st, 2022 at 3:14 pm
Try as I might, I can’t understand what went on with that timeout everyone’s crucifying Bowles for.
Bucs got the ball 1st-and-10 on their own 25-yard line after the touchback with 32 seconds left in the game. The play sequence makes no sense:
o 1st play (1st-and-10 at Bucs 25): Short pass (right) to White for 1 yard. IF you were trying to run out the clock, why pass? Why not just take a knee? IF you were trying to get in FG range (about 45 yards upfield), why throw the short pass instead of letting Brady throw upfield to the sideline to Evans, Godwin or Julio or Otton? The only thing I can think of is that the short pass was a dump-off to White, not the preferred play.
After White was tackled, there were probably 25 or 26 seconds left, but the Bucs didn’t call the timeout then, but hurried up & got the next play off at 14 seconds. Thus they wasted 10-12 precious seconds. And yet, they called a timeout AFTER the next play. WHY if they were playing to go to OT? Nothing makes any sense.
o 2nd play (2nd-and-9 from Bucs 26-yard line with 14 seconds left): NOW they throw DEEP to Julio who catches it for a 26 yard gain to the Browns 48-yard line. Bucs call a timeout (#1) with 8 seconds left.
Obvious question: IF they were trying to just play for overtime, WHY THROW DEEP & risk an interception? And WHY CALL A TIMEOUT after this play but NOT after the preceding play? Again, nothing makes any sense.
o 3rd play (1st-and-10 at Browns 48): Incomplete SHORT pass to Brate.
Bucs needed at least 15 yards on this play to get into FG range for a win before time expired. Brate’s longest catch of the season is 19 yards; his longest on the day was 9 yards. With Evans, Godwin, Julio, White & Otton available, WHY THROW SHORT TO BRATE of all players? Nope, none of it makes any sense.
o 4th play was a DEEP Hail Mary with 2 seconds left. Now THAT makes sense.
December 1st, 2022 at 3:42 pm
“However, it’s fair to wonder if Brady was on board with playing for a tie when he and his coaches were crafting their final-drive strategy on the sidelines.”
Indeed. Because fair or not it’s clear Bowles is coaching scared and the FAIR part of the question is Brady an enabler or a victim?
If I’m blowing it out my backside I honestly want you guys to correct.
IMHO Brady has the FINAL say!!! IF Brady went to Licht and said…I’m a team player but it’s gone to far. We need to return to the same style of play that we won an SB with. The season is toast unless something miraculous happens anyway.
Is it really that miraculous to think a DELIBERATE return to BA’s “No risk it” offense MIGHT just do the trick. We know for a fact ALREADY that’s it’s replacement SUCKS!
December 1st, 2022 at 3:59 pm
StPete … Brady threw DEEP 9 times on Sunday and managed to complete 3 of them. So 9 deep out of 43 passes (21%). That’s a lot of deep passes, and it looks suspiciously like ‘No Risk It-No Biscuit’ to me.
Problem is … it’s a really bad ‘No Risk It-No Biscuit’. As in ‘No Biscuit For You’. Brady is throwing short (with lots of checkdowns it appears) out of necessity. OK … for survival. The play-calling is meh and the OLine isn’t blocking worth a hoot. Other than that, the play was very nice.
December 1st, 2022 at 4:00 pm
Bowles has the team close to where he wants them to be which is at the front of the line for a premium draft pick. It is the dumbest lie I’ve ever heard to say I’m afraid of the greatest player ever in the sport throwing an interception.
He’s watched Brady up close the last two years because the patriots kicking the crap out him as jets head coach
December 1st, 2022 at 4:14 pm
DR, you are correct again. The final plays are not consistent with the strategy Bowles has stated. Looks like he trying to cover up another head coaching error.
December 1st, 2022 at 4:21 pm
It makes sense if you just realize he is just a bad coach who is in over his head .
December 1st, 2022 at 4:43 pm
I don’t blame Brady for not calling timeout, it’s not his responsibility, I just wish he would have done it anyway. It’s far easier to get forgiveness than permission from these brain dead knuckleheads. What are they going to do, bench him?
December 1st, 2022 at 5:10 pm
If I were Brady I would have called timeout from the bench on the Browns 4th and goal with 1:10 left.
December 1st, 2022 at 5:31 pm
No, Brady did not want to play for OT. He was visibly upset on the sideline, and expressed his feelings to Leftwich. It was a very tense interaction caught on cameras. I’m surprised no one has mentioned it. Bowles is throwing Brady under the bus. Tom should feel very insulted his coaches didn’t trust him to win the game. He’ll be asked about it during his press conference tomorrow, and he’ll give the PC answer taking the blame off the coaches.
December 1st, 2022 at 5:41 pm
Weak HC’s blame players. That’s clueless Todd for ya!
December 1st, 2022 at 6:19 pm
ClwJB, Nebraska never ran the wishbone. Maybe you were thinking of Oklahoma, but I understand your point.
GO BUCS!!
December 1st, 2022 at 6:28 pm
DR
Bowles is not a HC, there’s your answer.
Call it the ghost of Koetter Past.
December 1st, 2022 at 7:04 pm
the HC & OC are not on the same page..SO, bowleszo & leftwurst blame players –and they lost the few guys left in their corner in the locker room
December 1st, 2022 at 7:37 pm
C’mon team…. It’s the Saints Monday Night! Time to get it together and play like you mean it. Show Lattimore whose boss Evans! Let’s go Brady…it’s you at the helm! LFG!!!!
December 1st, 2022 at 7:52 pm
Brian Flores or Eric Bienemy.
December 1st, 2022 at 9:00 pm
Pretty much sums it up!
As to the confusion as to what the heck they were thinking / doing on that last drive, well I think “confusion” is actually a great word to describe it… Bowles is in over his head as HC, as is Leftwich as an OC w/ out Arians, and an incredible supporting cast of players.
Hence why this team is sloppy, inconsistent and has no identity.
December 1st, 2022 at 9:06 pm
So Bowels said the plan was IF they got a big play on 1st down they’d continue. Which is exactly what happened in the Rams game. Only here they didn’t get the big play on 1st down. So go for OT problem is they ran another play and got big yards and no one knew what to do next. This shows someone wasn’t ok with playing for OT question is WHO?
Honestly they blew the game on the Browns final drive no Vea and Hicks on the field is just ridiculous. I don’t care if as a coach you believe that back ups should be able to get the job done. If I’m going down I want my best guys on the field. Take a time out and get them on the field. This team is a mess right now and it’ll be worse after the Saints game.
December 2nd, 2022 at 12:50 am
Idk, Joe. If “Quarterbacks often are free to call timeout … if they are particularly disturbed by a defensive formation” implies that the qb has leeway. While … “timeouts are on the head coach,” we are talking about the 23-year-greatest-of-all-time-qb Tommy, not career 4566 yds King. If Tom wanted a t.o. I have no doubt he could have called one. Sure it is the coach’s responsibility, but the “goat” should be able to read the room and realize his HC/OC are fools. Tom definitely seems to be having trust issues. Whether it is with his line, WRs, OC, HC, or his own judgment idk, but it seems illogical to absolve Brady of all culpability.
December 2nd, 2022 at 6:54 am
Clock managements on the H.C no one else
December 2nd, 2022 at 9:03 am
Brady should have called time out when the sideline didn’t. He’s been there a million times.
December 2nd, 2022 at 1:41 pm
Chi Buc & Tom Slick, yes Brady has played for 23 yrs, 20 under Belichick. Belichick would have NEVER let his QB make that decision and call the TO.