Cutting The Call Sheets

June 16th, 2020

Two indicators emerged today that point toward Tom Brady having things done his way early this season.

The first is not what you might think.

Former Texans and Redskins GM Charley Casserly published an interesting article on NFL-owned NFL.com about what a preseason sliced in half would mean for NFL teams. (If that’s not the biggest hint yet that preseason actually is getting cut, Joe isn’t sure what else would be.)

Casserly sought insight from former CFL coaches working in the NFL, among others, because they only play two preseason games in the Canadian league. Here is one of several nuggets:

A shortened preseason would favor more experienced teams. With significant game action in preseason taken away, call sheets might be limited early on in an effort to avoid overwhelming skill players and quarterbacks new to schemes in which they have little exposure. Organizations with new players at skill positions — particularly at quarterback — would likely emphasize the run game and screens early in the regular season, letting the passing game evolve over time, while teams with strong continuity from 2019 would be better positioned to deploy their full game plans sooner.

Hmmm, cutting the call sheets and relying more on the run game and screens. That sounds like Tom Brady’s former playbook.

And throw in what Byron Leftwich told Joe today: “We just gotta figure out what [Brady] does well and make sure we run a lot more of those plays on Sunday than not.”

Yes, the Bucs will be doing everything they can to accommodate Brady, as they should. However, Joe’s starting to wonder how much that might neuter some of the strengths in the offense. It feels like a lifetime ago, but this team did score the third-most points in the NFL last year.

24 Responses to “Cutting The Call Sheets”

  1. K2 Says:

    The neutered Bucs only have the park guy and not America’s Pro Bowl QB Jameis Winston according to Joe Bucs Fan.

  2. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Just don’t throw it to the other team……things should be better.

  3. Don_RyJo(e) Says:

    I have tremendous faith in TB12 to figure things out on the go. I do, however, share the Joe(s) ongoing concern about the run game. C’mon, already, Licht – get a proven veteran to give us all some peace of mind!

  4. bojim Says:

    I agree completely. Its a good thing that Brady has been throwing to his receivers.

  5. Bobby M. Says:

    As far as RBs go….I think there’s a growing belief that there will be several options before Week 1. I believe if the vets aren’t on the roster for week 1, then their contracts aren’t guaranteed. Teams WILL be penny pinching this year…..its just the reality of the environment we are in. Throw in the Glazers have made their move with Brady, resigned JPP, tagged Shaq, added Gronk….I think the Glazers might prefer to wait on a position that is high risk for injury and completely devalued in the league.

  6. Buc1987 Says:

    What TBBF said. lol

  7. El Buco Realisto Says:

    Again, Brady is running the show!!!!!!! Why do they need the largest coaching staff any more!!!!!!!! They could setup a hammock for ole stale biscuit so the old geezer could sleep thru the whole game!!!!!!!!! It w ok old actually be beneficial, as ole stale biscuit magoo would not be in the way!!!!!!!!!

    go bucs!!!!!!!!!!

  8. SlyPirate541 Says:

    I’m looking forward to long drives that eat clock and end in a TD.

  9. BucEmUp Says:

    Screw you Byron, you already made Jameis throw a career high ints in your.first full season as an oc, Brady is going to.run his game and take his shots when HE wants. The best possible outcome.is that he makes you look so good another team gives you a head coach spot and your gone. Id much rather have BA running things but Brady is the new play caller. Just sit there and enjoy the ride.

  10. Tampabuscsbro Says:

    A good chunk of this fanbase is still genuinely salty Jay Miss is gone.

    I really don’t know why. He was never that great or even that good of a QB outside of flashes he showed.

  11. Cainishere Says:

    I fully expect at least two contests before the regular season to test masks on players faces and I guess “here comes the gloves oh I say It’s alright”.
    Sorry . . . Half a stadium sounds reasonable for crowds, all wearing BUCCANEER masks! Temps checked at the gate no alcohol because boos causes heat and can get you removed. I am pretty sure the tickets should rise for adults but not for kids I would imagine. No player to fan contact allowed. Refs must wear gloves.
    No tossing the football to little jimmy after a TD. No Signatures at games.
    (remember them ass pats back in the day?) LAWDY! how nasty. GO BUCS!!

  12. Bucnjim Says:

    Leftwich made Jameis throw a career high in interceptions? You must be Really HIGH! You know when players perform best? In contract years! That was the best he had to offer.

  13. Tampabuscsbro Says:

    Bucnjim you don’t get it.

    Jameis was sabotaged from the beginning by a clueless coordinator and the worst coach in the NFL who back stabbed jameis and was a pathological liar since the second he got here.

    At least that’s what the Jameis1of1 narrative is. His source is essentially “dude trust me”

  14. Bird Says:

    I heard byron caused jameis to have the worst gas in the NfL too

    Good call. Its all byrons fault
    Nothing worse then a silent but deadly pick six

  15. Clean House Says:

    The best he had to offer?
    I don’t think so, he threw way too many int’s and pic 6’s. Not bad though for learning a new offense, playing injured with a broken hand and no receivers for a few games. Having zero running game. Losing a few games because of kicking and coaching.

    But he did come in at #1 in Total Offense in the entire NFL
    He is 1 of only 8 NFL qb’s to eclipse 5000yards, most of whom are legendary.
    He did place #1 in total passing yards in the entire NFL
    He did place #1 in passing yards per game in the entire NFL
    He was #2 in TD’s in the entire NFL.
    He mistakenly may have thought gritting through a broken hand, would have garnered some of the so called loyalty the so called whisperer,BS, promotes….

    He chose to focus on the positives of which there were many.
    This is may be why he said check your sheet.

    I think the entire quote was if he cleans up the obvious flaws he will be elite.

    Maybe some should of you ought to read over this post a few times and digest the #’s

    Check the sheet, JW hardly sucked. He had some glaring flaws but tremendous upside. I believe in a 26 year old putting it all together. Hey TB has won the most Super Bowls. It’s an interesting bet to see if he can be the first to beat Father Time and to see if a Head Coach can win a Super Bowl without putting in hard work and based on his self promoted reputation.

    I believe BS cut bait because he is not really in a coaching mode any longer.
    Jameis never got the benefit of year two in this “so called” genius system that all of the qbs saw a huge jump year two, once they got it under their belts.

    I hope TB12 is the band aid that BS needs to cover up his slack comeback offering. Bear Bryant you are not… Belichick you are not…

  16. BucEmUp Says:

    bucnjim Jameis didnt come close to 30 ints in.previous seasons. Playcalling was run.up the miiddle then throw deep with a defense thay didnt show up.until half the season was over.Brady comes.in with the defemse clicking from the start and bet.money brady throws career high ints if he doesnt control the calls at the line leftwich sucks

  17. SOEbuc Says:

    SlyPirate541…Unlike last year, this offense with Brady will get in the end zone all day.

    #RedZoneKillers

    GO BUCS!!!

  18. SOEbuc Says:

    If I say stop, you’ll probably continue more with the Jameis BS. Week 17 sealed the deal that they were not going to resign him. We have the GOAT now minus finally signed third string QB.

    #RedZoneKillers

    GO BUCS!!!

  19. Cainishere Says:

    Hmm, you Winsnone Weirdoes. I used to not read any further once I saw that you were in denial. Now I read em all.
    I think I will try to be in your world for just a minute . . . . LOOK>
    furry cartoon animals are coming at me. A bluebird just landed on my shoulder and took a dump. That’s okay, I love Blue Birds. Geez folks! GO BUCS!!!

  20. Tampabuscsbro Says:

    So I have been coming to this site since 2013. I only started commenting before the season started in 2018.

    Has it always been this cancerous? like yes trolls like realist have been at it since the beginning. but it seems like there is a million people on here trying to tell you your objective opinion backed up by facts and statistics is wrong, and even going so far as to write a short essay to prove it.

  21. Tampabuscsbro Says:

    Meanwhile we have users who just parrot what the Twitter troll known as Jameis1of1 tells them.

  22. Clean House Says:

    I’ve never read Jameis 1 of 1
    Facts are listed above for you
    SOE- unlike last year? JW was #2 in TD’s only behind Mahomes

  23. Bucsfanman Says:

    Simply stated: Tom Brady, 20 year vet, 3 time MVP, 9 SB appearances, 6 rings, and arguably the GOAT will be just fine. The guy has forgotten more football than most posters here “know”.
    Besides, this is the biggest “no duh” commentary of the offseason. They would be morons to not tailor the offense to their QB’s strengths.

  24. Oneilbucs Says:

    Bucfanman They should have done that for Jamies . But they gave him no running game or a defense that can make stops . Then they told him to keep slanging it up the field regardless of the plays that defense called . So if Jamies was the only problem why change the playbook now that Brady is here . Bruce Arians is a fraud and he don’t really want to coach just like Terry Bradshaw said he’s trying to win a superbowl and leave . But the only problem is Brady is use of having a good defense and being able to run the ball which we can’t do .