Tom Brady: Bucs Want Big Investment To Pay Off
November 12th, 2024
The evidence was there for all to see. The Bucs’ offensive line was wearing down the tough 49ers defense Sunday and punched in a rushing touchdown easily to give Tampa Bay a 17-13 lead early in the fourth quarter.
It was quite a statement. In 2022 and 2023, the Bucs had no such running game or the current overall level of physicality on the line.
On that play, the seventh run of a 70-yard drive, Bucky Irving scored untouched with the big boys leading the way.
Tom Brady, calling the game for FOX, talked about the Bucs’ offensive line and mentioned how much is expected of it and how it was sucking the juice out of the 49ers.
“They’ve really invested, now they want to see it pay off,” Brady said.
Joe has seen bigger offensive line investments, but the Bucs indeed have put a lot into their line. Starting are two second-round draft picks and two first-rounders, plus inexpensive free agent left guard Ben Bredeson. Of course, Tristan Wirfs was made the NFL’s highest paid left tackle earlier this year.
It’s similar to what the Bucs have on their defensive front with three first-round picks — Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka — and Logan Hall, the first pick of Round 2 in 2022.
The Bucs, obviously, are getting more out of their offensive line.
That strong and improving line is a reason Joe feels pretty good about the Bucs’ future and about the Bucs’ chances against the brutal Giants, the sad Panthers and the bumbling Raiders, Tampa Bay’s next three opponents.
November 12th, 2024 at 12:53 pm
Also credit to the two online coaches!
November 12th, 2024 at 1:17 pm
the team needs to make a “run the f’in table !” t-shirt…
and distribute it to all players and staff this week…
just do it
November 12th, 2024 at 1:18 pm
I think a Jon Gruden re-hire would be great with the offense we have now and also hire a very strong younger DC and of course lock down Coen at OC I think he’s a perfect fit and with an Offensive minded HC this could be a nice run for several years. GO BUCS!
November 12th, 2024 at 1:22 pm
All good points, so why are they not using the “3 headed monster”. If you have a strong offensive line which of your running backs is the combination of power and speed? Sean Tucker of course.
The Bucs have to rely on their Pony formation and that is because it is the best of both running backs, shifty/speedy Bucky and a powerful, quick back in Tucker. Forget about running the ball with White, he doesn’t have the power of Tucker, he doesn’t have the “twitch” of Bucky.
White is one of the best receiving backs in the league. There is no law that says because he is a running back that he can’t be a replacement for the quick horizontal throw to they do with Godwin. Just put White in that formation, he can catch the ball. He can probably run West Coast offense routes and slants.
This team keeps feeding the ball to White as an RB. They have better options, use them!
November 12th, 2024 at 1:31 pm
Even signing Coen to a mega OC deal doesn’t prevent him from moving on if/when he’s offered a HC gig w/ another team (league rules). And like Gruden. but not sure his game plans or his shtick fit the modern day NFL at this point.
November 12th, 2024 at 1:50 pm
Faker only has two winning seasons as QB1.
Already 4-6 this year.
Take him out of the NFC South trash division and he’s way worse.
He can’t throw the deep ball consistently and way too many balls get batted down at the line.
The HC is not the entire problem.
Don’t sleep on the QB position in the draft. We need someone ready should Faker get hurt.
November 12th, 2024 at 1:52 pm
Gruden SUCKED his 2nd time around with the Raiders and he SUCKED here after the Superbowl. Will always thank him for the victory but please NO when it comes to our next HC. I get that we need and want a coach with some fire on the sidelines but he’s not the guy. BB isn’t the guy either, what’s his record without Brady? I don’t have an answer for who I think it should be but I definitely don’t think it should be either of them. IF we end up with either I hope they prove me wrong.
November 12th, 2024 at 1:56 pm
With all said and done, Grudens only current advantage for HC consideration is his knowledge of how to use a full back.
Probably not enough to get him into consideration, again, with all that has been said and done by all parties involved.
November 12th, 2024 at 2:04 pm
Half of the Bucs losses (including against the defending Super Bowl champs and the defending NFC champs — neither is an NFC South team) came when the opponent scored on the final drive of the game. Mayfield was on the sidelines watching each time.
Not sure how you pin Mayfield with the blame for that. He didn’t choke those games away.
November 12th, 2024 at 2:08 pm
People complaining about Logan Hall and JTS, if you look at the stats right now, the top five sackers all came high in the first round. You just don’t seem to find people like Aiden Hutchinson later on
November 12th, 2024 at 2:11 pm
Anyone blaming Baker has no clue, dude is playing great but Head Coach inadequacy and injuries at WR have killed this team
Todd is an awful coach mainly because, he has no feel for the flow of the game or does not even know what the strongest unit on his team is
Now he has a losing record with two franchises
November 12th, 2024 at 2:33 pm
Joe says:
Half of the Bucs losses (including against the defending Super Bowl champs and the defending NFC champs — neither is an NFC South team) came when the opponent scored on the final drive of the game. Mayfield was on the sidelines watching each time.
Not sure how you pin Mayfield with the blame for that. He didn’t choke those games away.
One, if he didn’t call tails every time, perhaps we would have beaten the Chiefs. Never mind the clueless HC that plays to lose.
Two, he missed several wide open receivers vs the 49ers. The most critical at the goal line. Again, never mind the HC calling for White up the middle twice. Classic Bowels.
Lastly, his record is what is says he is. He’ll win ballgames for sure. But never the big game when everything is on the line. And mostly against sub par talent.
November 12th, 2024 at 2:36 pm
11 comments, only 2 of which have anything to do with the topic of the article. Cmon guys, focus….SMH 🤣
November 12th, 2024 at 2:37 pm
The Coachless Bucs are more brutal than any f the upcoming opponents.
November 12th, 2024 at 2:40 pm
We all know Jason knows how to draft Olineman. He’s got studs. Between marpet cappa wirfs geodke Donnie brought in jenson and Logan I mean he’s a baller but man Jason really needs to bring in someone to help him with the DL more specifically the edge rushers. He did get vea and kancey but everyone else he’s missed. Jason for the love of god please ask for help when it comes to drafting pass rushers lol
November 12th, 2024 at 2:45 pm
Some of yall are blaming baker for losses and some are defending. I see it both ways. Unfortunately there’s 2 games 2nd falcons game and ravens game that he thru 5 or 6 picks in between those games. That right there is how you use lose games. Can’t turn the ball over like that and expect to win sorry those are more on baker than our putrid defense. I will say if we had a good defense then we prob overcome the turnovers but with how bad our defense is which they are losing us games it’s also the QB job to play smart football. Baker since has limited the turnovers. He’s missed a few passes here and there but for the most park has played very well. I impressed by him but he’s basically has to play perfect cause of our putrid defense
November 12th, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Haven’t been running the ball enough. Sean Tucker disappeared after a massive game. Has to change after bye week. Get him touches by simply running the ball more.
November 12th, 2024 at 3:00 pm
The OL is the main reason this offense is successful. Bucs have built a great unit, just need it to stay healthy and possibly upgrade the LG spot this offseason. Only things missing from the O are upgrades at #3 or #2 WR if Godwin isn’t retained and an upgrade at TE even its the #2 behind Otton.
Guys jumping on Baker haha. Get a grip. Yeah the guy made some mistakes, he clearly did not help us with the Falcons and Ravens INTs but it is a team game!
I have seen Jordan Love throw 2 awful pick 6s this season.
Last night Stafford threw 2 picks and had multiple balls deflected at the LOS.
Josh Allen threw 2 picks and 0 TDs Sunday, they won.
Darnold threw 3 picks, Vikings didn’t score a TD, they won.
Jared Goff was being bandied about as an MVP candidate and threw 5 INTs Sunday… 5! The Lions won the game because the D stepped up.
See what I am getting at here? We have Bowles, the D and injuries to blame. Wanna blame Baker for something, blame him for not checking out of the running plays that doomed our potential GW TD drive.
November 12th, 2024 at 3:06 pm
Joe, Ballhawk is a troll, Do not feed
November 12th, 2024 at 3:17 pm
I’m every bit as much a fan as anyone here.
Just staying in reality versus living in the land of Oz.
Baker is not the main issue, the defense is the problem. And the HC is the prime suspect.
But his record is that of a career loser. There is no escaping that reality.
Outside of a few decent years he’s just a middle of the road guy.
I like his attitude and toughness, no question.
But results do actually matter in the NFL.
Good coaching could change that scenario. Scarecrow Bowels ain’t getting that done.
November 12th, 2024 at 3:18 pm
Baker is not the reason we are losing…..The huge investment in our defense is a complete failure…
November 12th, 2024 at 3:36 pm
So why couldn’t they punch it in on second and goal late in the fourth?
November 12th, 2024 at 3:43 pm
@Jack Burton Mercer
Exactly. If Baker has the reigns then he should be able to read the defense, audible out of Bowles nonsense runs up the middle, and lead the team to victory.
When he did have the chance with the game on the line, what did he do?
He failed. Plenty of evidence that failing in big moments is his pattern.
Excuses only work on the weak minded.
November 12th, 2024 at 4:40 pm
Brady did an excellent job calling the game. He was right on about everything too. He knows.
November 12th, 2024 at 4:44 pm
Keep on drafting good Jason
November 12th, 2024 at 5:19 pm
Licht’s picks on the defense have been absolute disasters. Devin White, JTMs and Logan Hall have all been abysmal failures and the result is what see on the field now. Even Calajah Kancy is getting pushed around in the run game due to his light weight.
November 12th, 2024 at 5:43 pm
Ballhawksays u mean ball sh!t for brains what a loser u r you ain’t no bucs fan
November 12th, 2024 at 9:26 pm
BakerBucsfan you’re a Baker fan not a true Bucs fan so go to your lil Baker fanboi site and let real Buc fans have their own opinions! You fanbois always get yer panties crammed in yer crackside whenever someone says anything bad about yer man. Baker is not a career winner and he can’t read defenses. Ballhawk was a lil tough on him but he isn’t wrong about him.
November 12th, 2024 at 9:43 pm
@Ballhawk I was neutral on Baker when we signed him but you have to give credit where it’s due, and he is (again) playing at a pro bowl level for our Bucs. And continues to do so without his best targets. Not to mention the way his teammates rally around him.
Pretty sure the Vikings are content with Sam Darnold despite his prior track record.
Also, “Audible out of Bowles nonsense runs up the middle, and…” Really? That’s what You’re going with?
November 13th, 2024 at 6:57 am
And then ,they couldn’t punch it in from the seven yard line when the bacon was on the line .This article pisses me off!,Really !!