“They Won That Game Because Tom Brady Was Thinking About That Defensive Front”

October 11th, 2020

It’s fun and maddening to make a big deal about Tom Brady’s obvious confusion surrounding what down it was in crunch time Thursday night.

But a glory-days Buccaneer says that’s just a distraction from the real Tampa Bay issue.

Keyshawn Johnson, a 1,088-yard receiver during the Bucs’ Super Bowl season, was bellowing on ESPN Radio about how Brady was rattled by the Bears’ pass rush. And when that happens, per Johnson, Brady might as well be Mike Glennon.

“He’s just like every other quarterback when you apply pressure to him,” Johnson said of Brady.

Johnson said fans should go back and look at many games Brady has lost, noting he struggled against Rex Ryan’s Jets teams that rushed him, and against the Giants and Ravens in postseasons, among many other examples.

Brady has 59-game winning drives in fourth quarters and/or overtimes. But the Bears rush got in his head, per Johnson, combined with getting spooked by the loss of absent pass catchers that was just enough to turn Brady mortal.

“They won that game because Tom Brady was thinking about that defensive front,” Johnson said.

It’s all very bizarre for Joe to think about. Nobody in NFL history has played more situational football than Brady, and he’s been coached by arguably the most meticulous staff in NFL history. Yet there he was, looking like an outfielder who didn’t know how many outs there were in the bottom of the ninth inning and a runner on third base.

As for the offensive line woes against the Bears, Joe’s chalking it up to a bad night and Brady’s leadership failing to snap the group out of it.

48 Responses to ““They Won That Game Because Tom Brady Was Thinking About That Defensive Front””

  1. bojim Says:

    The mini-bye should help them get healthy in body as well as mind..

  2. Casual Observer Says:

    That Bears game was bizarre – in several ways. Time to move on. Learn from the many mistakes. This team has fine potential despite the injuries. All teams have those. Our depth is good. Packer game is now even more important. I think the Bucs can get back on their good track. We’ll see, but that’s my guess. (Hope)

  3. TampaTown Says:

    Wonder what the reaction would have been if Jameis forgot what down it was.

  4. Ndog Says:

    Yes because Brady’s leadership will just magically make players better than they are. I mean look a much better D. Smith is playing!!!! I mean isn’t it obvious!!!!!!

  5. August 1976 Buc Says:

    NDOG – Jameis lost the locker room, and the ownership, Jameis has only to look in the mirror to see where the change needs takes place. He played his way out of Tampa Bay. I have been a Nole fan since 1979, was glad they drafted him. He has undeniable talent, 5000 yards, but he also lead the NFL for 5 years in the worst stat – turnovers. I unlike others here, still like Jameis and hopre one day he figures it out. But in no way has he shown yet that he can be trusted to consistantly play well. 4 games last year he was intercepted on the first pass of the game, and a 5th game he was intercepted on the first drive. Also over a 5 year period of time with Jameis the Bucs were not a fast starting team. Yes they started pretty fast sometimes, but overall not so much. I hope he does well, just not against the Bucs. When speaking about a player, at least give both sides of the story. Again Jameis lost the lockeroom, and management by not being trust worthy with the football. Teamates lose respect for you when you do not progress, and over 5 years he turned over the ball more then anyone in the league by a wide margin. GO BUCS!!!!

  6. August 1976 Buc Says:

    NDOG – Why not be honest and give both sides of the story, not just cherry pick points. GO BUCS!!!!

  7. james west Says:

    wirfs to left heage to the right, or center if ryan pulls an assanine stunt like he did thursday, smith will end brady’s career

  8. Rob Says:

    I had this same thought after the game that the Bears pass rush got in Brady’s head. He also was getting hit way too much with a ton of stupid penalties and think he had to be worn down at that final play. For all his knowledge and experience, it’s surprising on the surface, but not so surprising considering his age, the rough night for the OL, injuries and all newness. Not making excuses for Brady (Jameis would have been crucified!), he has to be better, but think the team will shake it off pretty quickly and this will be an non-factor.

  9. Ndog Says:

    Cherry picking?

    Ha that is rich coming the peeps that ignored every flaw with this team and wanted to run the QB out of town who was the leader on literally the only part of the offense that gave us a chance to win.

    You people are hilarious!!!!??

  10. August 1976 Buc Says:

    NDOG The point is to be honest, give both sides of the story about Jameis, not just be bitter about something and make snide remarks. GO BUCS !!!

  11. El Buco Realisto Is a Dicko and NDogTurd is a Crybaby and TheBucsAnus and LovesJameisTighties are Trolls Says:

    Still giddy over your “win” huh NDogTurd. Enjoy, because 99.99% of the rest of us on here aren’t happy when the Bucs lose. Congrats, you’ve earned your Masters in Trolling.

  12. August 1976 Buc Says:

    Like Keyshawn said about Brady. There is no QB that does well when he is getting roughed up, and escpecially a 43 year old QB. Keep his jersey clean and no turnovers and the Bucs win at least 10 games. Dirty jersey and the Bucs go nowhere. In spite of the foolish penalties and the final result against Chicago, they still have something to build on, they have become excellent at starting games and also in the redzone, and ROJO has begun to show real promise, even though he is not trust worthy to catch a pass. But still ROJO has stepped up his game considerably. The Bucs are on the right track overall. Again if they keep Bradys jersey clean, they should make the playoffs. We will see. GO BUCS!!!!

  13. Im tired and 87 is right Says:

    Thursday night games are always a mess. They should just do away with and hold more Monday night games.

  14. BADMAN Says:

    Tampa town, No, Because Winston would have thrown two or three pick 6’s by then , and wouldn’t of care …….

  15. WhoCares Says:

    He is not trolling. He is mauling in pain and agony. Really really sad when you think of the human behind the dag… I feel bad for the little fella. I really do.

  16. Darin Says:

    Any other night it would have been 13-0 at halftime. Only the Bucs can get a group of men who cant see a false start. Oh well its time to send cheesies back crying again.

  17. Soggy Says:

    Real bucs fans hope the falcons win today and the saints lose tomorrow, its a division race remember, so ndog will be rooting for the opposite to happen..

  18. El Buco Realisto Says:

    The old cheating goat USED to be coached up by “the most meticulous staff in NFL history” but now is coached down by the sloppy ole stale biscuit and crew!!!!!!!!!!! Ole stale biscuit has lead the NFL in penalties for the last year and a quarter!!!!!!!!!! Ole stale biscuit is so senile that he throws challenge flags when he is not allowed!!!!!!!! And then lies afterward to cover up his lack of preparation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No surprises that an Ole stale biscuit team is unprepared and does not know downs during crucial game situations!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

  19. Brandon Says:

    Keyshawn, with a Y.

  20. Craig Says:

    The Bucs lost because they were out-coached. Our coaches made a bunch of mistakes, the Bears coach made fewer.

    Both the offense and defense need a more complicated game plan. Re-running the same four downs all game isn’t going to win anything.

    Find ways to minimize people like Khalil Mack.

  21. Rayjay1122 Says:

    Hard to say your all in and keep Donovan Smith on the roster. Why did he not just opt out? He does not even try. He just collects a paycheck. It’s pretty obvious. He just stands around ans watches his guy sack and pressure the QB and then he slowly and emotionlessly plumbers back to the huddle. Guy is a bum.

  22. Alanbucsfan Says:

    On the last drive, Gronk dropped a 1st down pass and on 4th down, Brady didn’t see an open Vaughn for the 1st down. They just didn’t execute.
    The defense had opportunities for interceptions that they didn’t take advantage of and we know the penalties story…
    I expect a sharp Bucs team with 10 days off to beat the Packers.

  23. Defense Rules Says:

    @Johnson … “They won that game because Tom Brady was thinking about that defensive front.”

    What a bunch of horsepuckey, and downright lazy reporting. Has ANYONE heard Tom Brady say that he didn’t know what down it was? I sure haven’t. Much more important than what Brady did or didn’t know in those wabing moments of the Bears game is PLAY-CALLING and OLine play.

    With 4:52 to go in the game, the Bucs were on the Bears 7-yd line, trailing 17-16. We had moved the ball 70 yds in 10 plays … 4 runs for 15 yds, 1 sack, plus 5 SHORT passes of which 3 were complete for 48 yds (good YAC) and 1 which was pass-interference (10 yds).

    We were rolling … THEN WE WENT TURTLE. With a 4th-and-1 from the Bears 7-yd line, we chickened out and kicked a FG. Yes we took the lead by 2, but Chicago still had 5 mins to close the gap & go ahead. With a 3rd-and-19 (after a sack) on their next series, our defense stopped them (incomplete deep pass), BUT … Shaq gets called for roughing the passer & they get a 1st down. We stop them AGAIN & force them to punt (GRREAT punt BTW by O’Donnell of 59 yds backed us up to the Tampa 16).

    On the next series, with less than 3 mins to go, Bucs ran ONCE (for -2 yds), then crapped the bed. Bucs ran 2 more plays on that series … BOTH incomplete short passes) then punted. Not a very good punt to say the least, because we gave Chicago the ball at mid-field. Took them 8 plays to go 32 yds then they kicked the winning FG (2 runs for 2 yds, 2 incomplete deep passes plus 4 completed short passes for 30 yds). Bucs defense didn’t do all that bad in turns out, but letting Chicago have the ball at mid-field really screwed the pooch.

    Bucs had one last chance to win it with 1:13 left & got the ball at the Tampa 25. FIVE straight passes … all short … only used 35 secs (2 complete for 16 yds & 3 incomplete). So out of our last 9 plays inside the last 3 mins, we ran the ball ONCE, passed it 7 times … all SHORT … with 2 complete, and punted once (poorly). Against a very good Chicago defense that had struggled all game against our running game. Not impressed, and especially by the play-calling. Our coaches obviously had no faith in our run game, or our OLine. Inexcusably, we let that win slip away.

  24. tickrdr Says:

    @Craig: +1

    IIRC, the Bucs ran a total of TWO screen passes for good gains, plus a bubble screen for 7 yds, but Gronk got flagged for a block in the back. No draw plays or jet sweeps to try to negate that pass rush.

    tickrdr

    Fun fact: Brady threw for 55 yds in completions on that single series,
    where “Bucs were beating Bucs”.

  25. rrsrq Says:

    Brady was sacked 3xs, hit about 8 times, Nick Foles was sacked 3xs, hit about 5-6 times, Bucs had one turnover, Bears had one turnover, Bucs had 100 yard rusher, Bears had a 90 yard receiver, the difference, couldn’t overcome the penalties and lapse of concentration from the coaches to the players

  26. ModHairKen Says:

    Which coach talks to Brady in his helmet before the play? Wasn’t 4th Down discussed?

  27. Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    Chuck Pagano just demonstrated to the whole NFL, how to beat the Arians Offense.

  28. Mike Johnson Says:

    Brady had right to worry about the NFL’s 4th best defense. And he took some big hits in that game.Thats what great defensive pressure can do. Rattle even the best. You guys remember how sapp and the boys use to do it. Offenses were afraid of them. Lets move on. Them packers will be straight up tough. You can believe that. I just hope Arians and co does better at preparing the team.

  29. Stanglassman Says:

    If Jameis did that whole holding up his four fingers after the game looking confused he would have never lived it down. So many ‘he just doesn’t have it mentally’ and so many people questioning his intelligence. The correct reaction should be he made a mistake and lost a down it could happen to anyone.

  30. crazybucs_CL Says:

    @Craig Says:
    “The Bucs lost because they were out-coached. Our coaches made a bunch of mistakes…….”
    ———————–
    That’s IT, been saying since they got BA here.
    To win a super ball, you need a lot of things, but coaching is NOT substitutable.
    We have:
    BA = terrible (his coaching time is GONE)
    BL = terrible (selected by BA !!!!!)
    TB (defensive coordinator)= just OK
    ….so with these coaches , even with good players here and there, we are lucky if we make the post season.
    Forget the SB

    BA = Lovie S 2.0

  31. JameisAlmighty Says:

    Jameis didn’t lose the locker room!? What the heck are you talking about… fans and their theories.. Just plain pathetic. Jameis was beloved by his teammates besides human garbage DeSean Jackson. We see what DeSeason costing Jackson has done since, nothing… Jason Licht is loses a lot of football games with his terrible management. Licht is an idiot and a Sucker. Jason Sucker Licht has been conned and now Terrible Tom conned the Jameis Bashers. The Jameis Bashers, what a pathetic group of people. Licht and Brutal Brady should do the honorable thing and quit before they completely ruin the franchise beyond repair.

  32. JameisAlmighty Says:

    NDog and I are brave posters. We post the truths that most Bucs fans can’t handle. So fans bash us. Can’t bash Jameis anymore so just bash JameisAlmighty and NDog.

  33. JameisAlmighty Says:

    Everyone here is so emotional about Terrible Tom losing a very winnable game. Bucs fans are just going to have to accept that this team is not very good. The Bucs are the weakest link in Tampa Bay sports. There are better high school QBs in the area than Brutal Brady.

  34. IE Buc Says:

    Players need to be held accountable. Donovan Smith should be cut from the team. Just like VHG. The OL needs that kind of message.

  35. Dano407 Says:

    The OLine got MANHANDLED. That was the difference in the game. They really miss Godwin as well.

  36. Emmel Says:

    So it’s okay to always blame the QB for not winning ? Where was the Defense to stop that last Field goal with 1:30 remaining ? Tom and crew had the lead and why is it that TB has to be put into the situation to make game winning comebacks ? Dudes killing it, get a defense worth a damn

  37. Christopher Miller Says:

    Brady is an exalent leader. When you have a oli e that keeps collapsing on you and need fine tuning this happens. Go buccs we got this lets nove on heads up supper bowl here we come

  38. Bucsfan951 Says:

    I just thank god the Bucs don’t have that POS JW behind center. At least they have a chance of winning a game with Brady being the leader.

    THANK GOD THE CANCER JW GONE!!!

  39. JameisAlmighty Says:

    @bucsfan91 said what all of the Jameis Bashers want to say. People hate Famous Jameis Winston. But the fact is, Jameis saved this franchise from extreme embarrassment with his elite talent and made Jason Idiot Licht look less bad than he is. Can’t wait to see what Terrible Tom and his cast of characters cook up for all of you Winston Bashers. If I had to guess, it will be a pot of stool softened stew.

  40. Bucsfan951 Says:

    ^cool story bro

  41. Debi Says:

    I was sad to see him leave New England. Thanks Tom for everything that you did, but , you left New England ( your choice). You are not a Patriot anymore . Good riddance. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you but, you are just another quarterback .

  42. Brad Says:

    They win because we ran 6 times in a half

  43. August 1976 Buc Says:

    Jameis could not look his teamates in the eyes, lost the lockeroom with his inconsistantcy and also Management. The facts are the facts. Most unreliable starting QB for 5 years.The most turnovers over 5 years by a wide margin. I am still a jameis fan quite to the contray of others here. But be honest, you have to earn your paycheck or sooner or later you are looking for a job. He has undeniable talent,5000 yards but his immaturity on and off the field are on Jameis. I hope he matures and takes advantage of the talent he has. Go look at the posts, and see there is no bashing. Stating both sides of the equation, not hollering about something just to back up a point. You know cherry picking points. He played his way out of Tampa Bay. When people want to speak of a player, why not give both sides of the story. Why do some people take these things so personal. As all players find out in the end, it is a business, and Jamies has not earned the trust of people calling the shots of NFL teams. I really do not care what the name of a player is on the back of a jersey. Just win or or replace the person. Losing sucks and winning is fun, and why they get payed to play. GO BUCS!!!!

  44. Oneilbucs Says:

    August 1976 You are not telling the truth about Jamies and all this off the field stuff was over 5 years ago . Why do yall love to hold black players to their pass ? Number 1 you can’t prove the uber thing because at the time it was the me to movement that some women used to get paid . Brady ain’t looking to good either and yall want to blame everyone but him . Yall blame injuries to the receiver even though Jamies had to deal with the same thing at the end of the season and yall blame Jamies for every lost . But Brady get a pass it’s a double standard that I knew was going to happen . And last year Jamies never lost the team. So if we lose to Green Bay and Brady doesn’t play well who will yall blame ?? Who is going to be the next scapegoat is the real question because Jamies was the scapegoat for the pass 5 years.

  45. Oneilbucs Says:

    Brad I said the same thing last year about the running game and they told me I was making excuses for Jamies . So now the running game matters because we got Brady ???

  46. BucEmUp Says:

    A good OC woukd have changed the play calls to get the ball out faster.Instead Brady kept trying to scan the field and look for those deep shots. Leftwoch sucks and this team will never see a chamionship aslong as he is here

  47. Oneilbucs Says:

    Bucemup why didn’t yall say this last year for Jamies but now Brady is here it’s the coach ??? Now yall trying to find another scapegoat and I’m going to call it out every time !!! Last year yall made Jamies the scapegoat and made him the only reason we were losing . Despite Evans and Godwin being hurt . And now they hurt this year and that’s the excuse for Brady !!!

  48. mark demarino Says:

    brady went from the most disciplined,well coached team in the league to a bunch of undisciplined players and that falls on mr. hollier than though b.a. like it or not…hes no belichick thats 4 damn sure. its no coincidence his teams have never won a title. you could say the pats and brady missed each other last week and be entirely accurate. smarten up yucks.