“He’s Skittish In The Pocket; He Doesn’t Have That Patience”

May 29th, 2020

So what are NFL defensive coordinators saying behind closed doors or in semi-private conversations?

The woman who first shared that the Bucs were eager to give Tom Brady a say in personnel matters — and that Brady wanted that power — Dianna Russini of ESPN now claims coaches are telling her Brady’s added fear to his game and lost some that he struck in opponents.

“Tom Brady’s arm strength is not what it [was]. When I talk to defensive coordinators who faced Tom Brady last year, He’s skittish in the pocket; he doesn’t have that patience,” Russini said this week on ESPN TV.

Well, the evidence says Brady’s arm is very strong, but perhaps it’s not what it was five years ago. Joe can’t be certain.

Joe wrote recently about former Super Bowl QB Phil Simms explaining that Brady’s arm is just fine but he worries about Brady shying away from hits.

Joe is not concerned about Brady. He’ll throw the ball away if he has to and he’s proven to be durable. However, Brady is not mobile and if he takes repeated hits at 43 years old, the odds of him coming back strong and Super Bowl-ready at 44 are flimsy as hell.

43 Responses to ““He’s Skittish In The Pocket; He Doesn’t Have That Patience””

  1. ocala Says:

    I don’t believe Dianna.

  2. Chuckstutz Says:

    Skittish in pocket = longevity,health,fewer interceptions,wins. What’s the question?

  3. thisisouryear!! Says:

    Throughout Brady’s career, he’s been anything but skiddish in the pocket. He stands almost uniquely upright, no bend in his knees. I’ve always thought he has no worries when back to pass. I think our O-line is strong and as he gets comfortable with them, it will be the same Tom Brady. Can’t wait for the season to start. Go Bucs!!!

  4. Youngbucs Says:

    Manipulating the pocket is 1 of his best attributes.

  5. BuucccNASTY Says:

    Dirty Lies from Dirty Dianna

  6. Hawk Says:

    When you’re three best targets are Edelman, out-of-bounds, and the turf, I don’t blame any QB for being a bit skittish. This year, out-of-bounds and the turf will not make the roster.

  7. Bojim Says:

    They make it sound like he’s a rickety old man and plays with a cane. Pfft.

  8. Tampabuscsbro Says:

    I mean he could do what the last guy did if he is cooked. Get bailed out by his two top 5 WRs. Granted he can play smarter while doing it.

  9. Youngbucs Says:

    Serious ? When was Brady ever mobile?

  10. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Skittish and smart in the pocket is far better than Brave & stupid…..

  11. Bucamania Says:

    This kind of crap will just add fuel to the fire for TB12 in 2020!

  12. Dapostman Says:

    Research his last 9 games of 2019. The numbers back this up. Throw in a 4-5 win loss record and well there you go.

    This signing is about buzz and Arians hoping he can milk a good two years out of a 43 yr old QB. The Glazers are first and foremost in the entertainment business and selling ticket like PT Barnum is priority #1. Combine with Arians in win now mode and you have a perfect storm.

    Anything less than playing in the NFC Championship will be a failure.

    So with that I’ll let you homers spend your hard earned dough on this product while I stream for free.

    43 yr old Tom Brady isn’t 35 yr old Tom Brady. The cover looks the same but inside the book it’s different.

  13. Hawk Says:

    you’re-your
    I’m surprised the grammar/spelling police didn’t arrest me. Must be the social distancing.

  14. Craig Says:

    We have had previous QBs that flinched when a LB said Boo, one who blamed his high balls on the crown of the field, and that endearing deer in the headlights look for a few years.

    Brady should be skittish, a three hundred pound gorilla falling on you hurts.

    The big difference is that Brady knows what comes next. Being skittish doesn’t affect the workings of his brain, even if it is to get rid of the ball and try again on the next play.

    Trivial.

  15. SOEbuc Says:

    Bleacher Report ranked CG14 and ME13 the best WR duo in the league not to mention our TEs. He’s not just sitting around for his one weapon Eddlmam. With Brady’s smarts in the pocket it’s too easy not to connect with one of our guys in time. If this is true these DC are dumb or scared or both.

  16. adam from ny Says:

    One Thomas Bradysworth…..is not skittish in the sprocket

  17. SOEbuc Says:

    Hawk

    “This year, out-of-bounds and the turf will not make the roster”

    Lol. And the Pats still made the playoffs last year.

  18. Joe in Michigan Says:

    Tom Brady has been sacked 500 times in his NFL career, and has only missed time with an injury once. That’s beyond amazing!

  19. Swampbuc Says:

    Brady skittish? Naw.

    Mike Glennon is skittish in the pocket. Freaks out and imagines pressure when it’s not there.

    Brady purposely avoids a bad play by throwing it away especially when Edelmann is his only target.

  20. WyldKat Says:

    The games on TV prime time during the last half of the season gave me the impression that none of his no-name guys were getting open. Brady back to pass, waiting, waiting, waiting, incomplete.

  21. Buc4evr Says:

    And Jameis wasn’t skittish in the pocket ? Brady reads defenses quicker and has a faster release. He won’t be throwing 30 INTs and the offense will be tailored to his game. Plus our receiving core is INSANE! This will be a Super Bowl team.

  22. Mort Says:

    Damn, I guess when his contract runs out he will just have to go back up Brees to restart his career. Sheesh. FREAKING EYEROLL, DIANNA!

  23. PSL Bob Says:

    Given his age and general immobility, defenses key up on him. That’s why there are so many dink and dunk passes. He gets the ball out quick. But if he consistently completes those passes, the defense has to back off the blitzes. So, we just have to hope that the O-line and Gronk are up to the task of giving him some protection. Because if the O-line can effectively pick up the blitzes, he will be able to pick the defense apart.

  24. stpetebucsfan Says:

    He doesn’t need to be 35 year old Tom Brady. His arm doesn’t need to be that strong. It just needs to be strong enough to get the job done.

    Peyton with the Broncos was not the same as Peyton with the Colts. Brady should not be needed to carry this team…just play his position well and let the many talents on this team do the heavy lifting…Brady just needs to distribute the ball to the right guy on each play which depends far more on smarts and experience than arm strength.

    Brady will do more than simply protect the ball…he will WISELY protect himself!!!

    So there are at least two reasons from Brady’s perspective to be “skittish”. LMAO

    1.) The team cannot afford to lose it’s QB. That’s always true but even more so in this case. Brady will protect the team’s investment and the future of the season.

    2.) Brady isn’t getting any younger and he clearly knows how bad it feels to have a 275 lb freak smash you running full speed. Anything less than fear would be irrational!

    Do we care if Brady is afraid? Nah…because #1 is a FAR more important than any other consideration.

    Brady will use his experience and smarts to play Bee Gees Saturday Night Fever football….”Stayin Alive”.

  25. geno711 Says:

    Dirty Dianna – I liked that!

    I’ll be your night lovin’ thing
    I’ll be the freak you can taunt
    And I don’t care what you say
    I want to go too far

  26. Tampabuscsbro Says:

    Brady being slightly skittish is still a massive improvement. If you don’t think our last QB wasn’t skittish in the pocket you’re not watching games.

  27. kyle Says:

    Diana, I need a quick haircut and a shave hun.. Are you available?? lol

  28. Cobraboy Says:

    Someone point to a QB with very weak weapons who is NOT skittish?

  29. Dr. J Says:

    I take last year with a grain of salt for two major reasons related to Tom’s play:
    (1) after AB was gone and Josh Gordon was suspended, name the WR that was a reliable target and constantly got open.

    (2) who were his tight ends?

    With legitimate weapons, I believe Tom will excel and help the team return to the promised land!

  30. Cainishere Says:

    If you have ever played or coached a football team whether professionally or just for fun, then you would know that without blocking up front your QB will be a skittish fellow.
    Tom Brady throuout his career has shown that he can release the ball so fast
    that his O-line doesn’t really matter.
    Just look at last season in New England, Brady, Edielman and a gifted defense
    took the Patriots to the playoffs and almost the superbowl again.
    That was with barely any O-line.
    So even if the Bucs O-line were to completely faulter,
    Brady’s release is so fast that they could over come that problem.
    Also, no QB in the history of the league has done as much as Brady with so little to rely on.
    Brady has had a few targets every season and look what he accomplished.
    He had many reasons to come to Tampa but the number one reason was the gifted hands the Bucs have.
    With the passing game in mind, I believe Brady and the Bucs will set new NFL highs and will be successful.
    I mean the Bucs did finish 3rd in offense with a QB with no QB smarts.
    There is one other point I want to touch on, the comments being made regarding Brady’s
    lack of arm due to his age. When has Brady ever been a bomber? Never has really.
    He is a tactician who dissects defenses with ease and will continue that in Tampa Bay.
    Jameis threw many bombs to his recievers. Why?
    Because the Bucs knew that he would probably over throw and relied on the speed and hands of the recievers
    to either perform miracles or result in interceptions or the fun fumbles.
    All of those things are gone now and are New Orleans problems.
    Does anyone remember Dan Marino’s final season? Scary sights.
    Obviously Brady isn’t in that position yet, he still performs at a top notch level.
    Those who think the Bucs will fail are either Jameis fans who feel that the Bucs have betrayed them or Patriots fans who feel Brady has betrayed them.
    These of course are normal reactions when a seperation occurs.
    What silences all of that talk? WINS!! GO BUCS!!!

  31. 2002WasALongTimeAgo Says:

    Not only did Brady only have one reliable SLOT receiver, but there were 3 OLinemen injured. I do know that if there is a breakdown or the primary receiver is covered, it will be dumped off or thrown away. I got so tired of watching the “scramble ” last year, followed by a sack.

  32. TomTerrific Says:

    Joe wishes the turnover machine was still in Tampa to literally throw games away. Unfortunately you’ll have to suffer through the playoffs with Tom. Meanwhile Jamoist will be moving furniture and pumping gas soon.

  33. Old Sombrero Says:

    Skittish. That’s funny. Give the old man time and he will pick you apart. He’s 2 progressions ahead of everyone else so yeah what appears skittish is his nervous energy waiting for his teammates to catch up to where he’s doing with the ball.

  34. Cainishere Says:

    I don’t think Joe likes me much because he isn’t posting my posts. I dunno why. I was very positive in my comments generally speaking. I guess he can hand pick his posters

  35. Cainishere Says:

    Oh yeah one thing to mention. Of course I am not sure if this will be posted but it should be said. The Patriots for years were using the Bucs as a minor league team taking all of our great talent. Isn’t it funny that the shoe is now on the other foot. How does it feel New England? Go Bucs!!

  36. EA Says:

    Play solid O and D line and Tom Brady will do far more than Brad Johnson.

  37. Pugs&Bucs Says:

    What’s a broad know about football?

  38. N GA Mountains Says:

    Hawk says:
    “When you’re three best targets are Edelman, out-of-bounds, and the turf, I don’t blame any QB for being a bit skittish. This year, out-of-bounds and the turf will not make the roster.”

    That was awesome!
    Made me laugh out loud!!

  39. lambchop Says:

    Tampabaybucfan Says:
    May 29th, 2020 at 11:52 am

    Skittish and smart in the pocket is far better than Brave & stupid…..

    👍

  40. Cainishere Says:

    Few new things to say to some of these posts I have read. Firstly to Joe, an apology for thinking he did not like my posts… sure it took 3 hours to post the posts but hey the man has to eat right?
    Secondly, I loved the post from OldSombrero. Brady does get frustrated if receivers do not perform to his expectations. I guess Brady figures if you are getting paid millions to play you had better have your ass where it belongs.
    I love the analysis of why he is impatient. I would be too if it were me.
    EA’s statement needs added to, Brad Johnson had one thing in his favor. He didn’t drop the ball on the Bucs. He didn’t have to put it all on his shoulders because the team’s defense was incredible. This team today is offensively superior to the 2002 team and still have a good defense. Maybe not as strong as 2002 defense was but with time it could be possible. To Pugs&Bucs Women know a lot about football these days. To say that is very insensitive. Nothing personal but that statement is wrong. To 2002wasalongtimeago hit it directly on the head of the nail with his post. That is exactly why Brady struggled last season and still almost made the Superbowl again. StPeteBucsfan mentioned Brady’s efficiency and sure you can compare him to Brad Johnson because both will not drop the ball on you and both could handle a top notch team. Very similar in my opinion to our 2002 QB situation. Tom Brady won’t have to struggle at all this season simply because the Bucs are already a force to be reckoned with. Tom will have the easiest season he has ever had. Just watch and see how obvious it will be. Hey Los Vegas knows so should you.
    GO BUCS!!!!

  41. 2002WasALongTimeAgo Says:

    Caineshere: Don’t take the delayed posts to heart, a lot of us are delayed. Kudos to you for pointing out that painting females with a large brush is insensitive. I have been complimented for years as knowing more than some male fans.

  42. David Says:

    This lady is clueless. Every quarterback, even the goat, will get a little happy feet and skittish in the pocket when their O line sucks. And like I’ve been saying since day one, NEs O line last year was way worse than the Buccaneers line.
    He also had no receivers to throw two. If you watched some of their games, he was constantly talking to the receivers after plays because they weren’t doing anything right.

    Can’t really predict anything because there’s no off-season. If this was a normal offseason, I would be inclined to say Brady would pass for close to 5000 yards with these receivers and a pretty damn good O line

  43. Cobraboy Says:

    There is a reason Brady didn’t want to go back to the Pats, and Belichick was not the reason.