Embrace Reality: Tom Brady Had Time To Throw
January 2nd, 2023
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
Joe knows the chorus of folks who holler, whine and stomp their feet screaming the Bucs’ offensive line is the root of all evil and the reason for global warming and inflation will not like this.
It’s time to face facts and step away from silly, lazy, unoriginal narratives.
Tom Brady had time to throw yesterday.
Joe already went on Twitter and mentioned how a lot of teams only wished their quarterback had time to set up in the pocket like Brady did yesterday. No QB who has started every game has fewer sacks. Joe even had photographic evidence.
Let’s just say that didn’t go over well with a sect of fans.
But guess who else believes Brady’s protection was just fine? The guy who is in charge of the Bucs, head coach Todd Bowles.
Bowles was asked why Mike Evans blew up yesterday with over 200 yards and 3 touchdowns. Bowles said it was simple: the front line allowed Brady to throw deep.
“Well, he had more time to throw it a little more – he had some time to throw it,” Bowles said. “Mike had some time to get down the field and they connected.”
Want another piece of evidence the Bucs’ front line took care of work yesterday? Consider young stud Carolina defensive end Brian Burns. Some thought he was going to work over Bucs left tackle Donovan Smith all game long. Uh, ah!
Smith dominated Burns almost all day. Burns was pretty much a non-factor. He had one quarterback hit and Brady dropped back to pass 48 times. He also had one tackle for loss and three tackles total. So much for working over Smith.
And the folks who bellyache night and day about the offensive line, please find something else to holler about. Failing Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich is a good start. He provides ample firewood.
January 2nd, 2023 at 8:05 am
Agreed!
They need to still get rid of Leftwich after this season!
January 2nd, 2023 at 8:09 am
He had plenty of time to throw. A big change. Keep it up.
January 2nd, 2023 at 8:12 am
That was evidently clear yesterday.
BUT THERE still is no run game……….those two 90 yard drives yesterday which resulted in just 3 points were awful!!!!!……….you got to put those in the end zone.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
You ain’t beating the Cowboys like that Joe!!!!!!
January 2nd, 2023 at 8:13 am
Our Offense is a different animal when Brady has time to throw.
Our O Line stepped up to the plate yesterday, and came through for us!
What a Game!
January 2nd, 2023 at 8:19 am
Poor Joe.
The OL has clearly been the issue. And when it plays better (it was good yesterday) then the entire offense looks better. But if that is true then maybe the O’s problems aren’t BL (who Brady came back to play for).
January 2nd, 2023 at 8:28 am
I think that’s proof that the OL crowd was right.. he had a little more time yesterday is what coach said.. essentially saying there was more pressure all year than yesterday.. because they are getting healthier at the right time… OL played better, Tom played better
January 2nd, 2023 at 8:29 am
Bucs had both starting Tackles yesterday and the interior OLine is good at pass protection, not very good at run blocking.
White and Fournette had combined 45 yds receiving to go with their 50 yards rushing.
Stay with the hurry up offense- Brady sees more simplified defenses and it’s been working. Bucs couldn’t do anything offensively yesterday until they started no huddle.
January 2nd, 2023 at 8:32 am
Think I said this elsewhere, those two 50 yarders to Evans were 3.5 to 4 seconds from snap to throw
January 2nd, 2023 at 8:35 am
Imagine if Jensen is back in the playoffs, even as a left guard. This could be great
January 2nd, 2023 at 8:40 am
The run blocking is hard to gauge. The plays are so telegraphed and unimaginative that even when the box isn’t loaded the LBs and safeties are coming downhill. The pass blocking was better although they still let up some jailbreaks.
January 2nd, 2023 at 8:42 am
Our pass protection was good….but our run blocking failed again……backs are being hit in the backfield or at the line of scrimmage…..most yards are gained after being hit…..very poor indeed.
January 2nd, 2023 at 8:49 am
I’d be OK if Brady just ignored Leftwich and staged his own offensive “insurrection…”
January 2nd, 2023 at 9:00 am
Sorry Joe-Just because the Oline had one good game pass blocking they do not get a pass. To get where we all want to be there will have to be running the ball as part of the offense. Bowles is saying the Oline has sucked .
January 2nd, 2023 at 9:04 am
Most of us here knew that the o line would require some time to gel, adding new faces to replace the departing ones. Then all the injuries surely didn’t help. Looks like Jensen will be back for the playoffs. If Wirfs and Smith can get healthier, the o line will be in good shape!! Hopefully yesterday’s game was further progress in that direction and not an anomaly!! Timing is everything!!
January 2nd, 2023 at 9:04 am
I think Kentucky Buc is about right. Our running plays are too predictable. First downs are almost always a run up the gut. For 0-2 yards. Mix it up.
January 2nd, 2023 at 9:05 am
During the Superbowl season the Bucs had their O-Line intact for every game. They haven’t had that luxury yet. Getting Jensen back will help a lot. Does he play center after not building the timing all season? Or does he shift over to guard? Either way he is an improvement.
January 2nd, 2023 at 9:11 am
Having time to throw while playing against a depleted secondary, and we still trailed by 11 pts in the 4th qtr. I’m not banking on those conditions repeating in the playoffs either. Bucs will need to make changes to their offensive philosophy (play calling) if they want to make a run.
January 2nd, 2023 at 9:18 am
Predictability on running plays is a moot point-it is about putting a hat on a hat and winning at the point of attack , Bucs have the worst per rush average in the NFL at 3.3 and it ain’t play calling causing that.
January 2nd, 2023 at 9:26 am
We need find another Mason.
January 2nd, 2023 at 10:12 am
Fans. They need to get rid of bowles too but Leftwich is a start. We’ll see who goes. They should have had the south wrapped up a month and a half ago. Terrible coaching will do it. And this time to throw stuff is B’s. They could have schemed up ways to get more time to throw.
January 2nd, 2023 at 10:18 am
Brady also took 3 sacks….how long has it been since he’s been sacked 3 times in a game?
To me, that means he really wanted to throw deep….hung in there….
January 2nd, 2023 at 10:25 am
I said the same thing – Panthers mainly rush 4…he had time but didn’t trust it…he got more and more confident with it as the game went on…and the results showed…the Bucs have to exploit their no-huddle success. The whole offense seems to play better…mix in some sugar huddles…wear down the pass rush…mix in Breshad Perriman / Scotty Miller to run fly routes…Bruce always seemed to find ways to get speed on the field.
January 2nd, 2023 at 10:33 am
Been saying all season the O Line has been a problem. Bucs got a quality game out of the line yesterday and we saw the results
January 2nd, 2023 at 10:38 am
Is the point of this article that the line played well yesterday or that it has been playing well the whole season? Because even that quote from Bowles says that Brady had MORE time, meaning more time than he has had previously this season.
January 2nd, 2023 at 10:42 am
I’ve been critiquing the O-line play for months now, and I believe it was warranted.
Yesterday, however, our OL blocked so much better in pass pro. It was impressive to see the OL turn it on and turn it around. The Panthers D front is regarded as good, so it’s a great sign to see that this OL has the talent to block a good front. Now, can they keep it up against even better fronts in the playoffs?
The O-line deserves the game ball against the Panthers. Mike, Chris, nor Tom would have none of those gaudy stats without good/adequate blocking. Consider me impressed, and consider me optimistic about our chances going forward.
Playoffs. What a soothing, calming word. Playoffs.
January 2nd, 2023 at 11:10 am
Whomever wrote this article is hilarious! You are talking out of both sides of your mouth. Lol. You are proving the point of those complaining about the line at the same time saying it isn’t the line. I don’t know if I agree or disagree with you. Lol. Bottom line, like Todd said, Brady had time yesterday to throw deep. Look left look right pat the ball and throw. He didn’t have people at his feet. That means, yesterday the line held up. It hasn’t been that way all year, hence averaging 17 points a game with super quick passes. This Article is pure evil. Lol
January 2nd, 2023 at 11:43 am
Joe is just looking for clicks… as Dubcity points out…
Dubcity Says:
January 2nd, 2023 at 8:28 am
I think that’s proof that the OL crowd was right.. he had a little more time yesterday is what coach said.. essentially saying there was more pressure all year than yesterday.. because they are getting healthier at the right time… OL played better, Tom played better
January 2nd, 2023 at 12:28 pm
He’s always had time to throw. Brady throwing it lightning fast has been a result of play calls and design and little to do with protection. The big difference yesterday was that we actually looked to throw down the field.
January 2nd, 2023 at 12:37 pm
“LastDance Says:
January 2nd, 2023 at 11:43 am
Joe is just looking for clicks… as Dubcity points out…
Dubcity Says:
January 2nd, 2023 at 8:28 am
I think that’s proof that the OL crowd was right.. he had a little more time yesterday is what coach said.. essentially saying there was more pressure all year than yesterday.. because they are getting healthier at the right time… OL played better, Tom played better”
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💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯 RIGHT!!!!!!!!
BRAVO!!!!!!…….I couldn’t agree more with both of you!!!!!!!
January 2nd, 2023 at 1:35 pm
If the o-line had been competent all season. Brady would have well over 5,000 yards passing and about 45 touchdown passes. That despite Bowles’ ultra conservative approach on offense.
Hopefully the o-line can be at least decent in the playoffs.
January 2nd, 2023 at 2:41 pm
The line played well yesterday and have shown steady improvement with more continuity. Jensen coming back is huge.
The run blocking is still putrid, especially up the gut. I’m kind of surprised they don’t run more delayed hand offs or draw plays if they want to avoid the edge runs. Let the interior pass rushers take themselves out of the running lane (with a little steering by the center and guards). Sure there will be a LB keeping an eye on the RB in the backfield, but if he’s out of position pre-snap, Brady will see it. A lot of space can open up in as little as a second and gives the RB a little more vision to find his spot. Kind of like how Le’Veon Bell used to delay on his own for a beat to spot his opening.
January 2nd, 2023 at 2:57 pm
That’s not true, Joe. The line failed miserably many times this year. One game doesn’t change that. Licht was very, very irresponsible to send us into the season with a whole new interior OL after we lost Cappa, Marpet and Jensen.
January 2nd, 2023 at 3:40 pm
Brady has the fastest release time in the NFL. That obviously helps his line and reduces sack numbers.
With that said, Carolina still sacked him 3 times yesterday. Not great. He was also hurried, pressured and knocked down many times.
Despite all that, there were also several plays where Brady had tons of time. And they capitalize on that big time. He won’t have that kind of time on every play, but if they can continue to be opportunities, Brady & co should be able to make the most of it.
til;dr – The o-line is about average. Slightly above average in pass blocking (when healthy), but far below average in run blocking (even when healthy).
January 2nd, 2023 at 3:41 pm
And overall they’ve taken several large steps back in their play from the last 2 years. Anyone who is denial about that either doesn’t know football or has an agenda.
January 2nd, 2023 at 10:12 pm
This game changes nothing. This OL is what it is. Makeshift. Mediocre to poor, backups, injured, JAGs inflated to start. Major dropoff after key veteran exits, and Jensen out. The OL did better in pass pro for one game, but the Panthers rushers were also gassed. They still gave up pressures and sacks that they shouldn’t have, and the run blocking remains poor.