Tom Brady Evaluates His Starting Offensive Linemen
December 19th, 2021
The grades are in.
They are not letter grades, but Tom Brady did itemize what he thinks of his 2021 starting offensive linemen.
The Goat sat down with Casey Phillips of the Buccaneers’ official media group and dove into it starting with the man protecting his blind side.
“Donnie has had an incredible year. I mean he’s just proven to be one of the great left tackles in the NFL,” Brady began. “Ali Marpet is one of the all-time great guards in this organization, you know, in the short time that he’s been here. And he’s proven that he’s like a rock for that line. Ryan Jensen has had one of the great years for any center in the NFL. Alex Cappa has been one of the most consistent players we’ve for a year and a half, and he holds down whatever we’re asking of him. And Tristan [Wirfs], in a year and a half of football, has established himself as one of the dominant right tackles in the NFL. So they’re well coached. They’re playing hard together. They just want to get the job done every game — and they do it. It’s incredible to watch.”
Joe will let Brady’s words stand on their own. Joe just hopes the O-line stays healthy and keeps performing. Their success is the key to keeping Brady a Buccaneer.
December 19th, 2021 at 1:38 pm
Amazing what one man can do and change the organization. As much as the O-line has improved, Brady should get a lot of credit for their improvement. The talent was there but sometimes the extra motivation and push by someone of Brady’s stature and resume can elevate performances. Donnie is focused and driven, marpet is arguably the best pulling guard in the game, Jensen in nasty and the anchor, cappa seems to always show up and give
100 percent, and Wirfs may not have a ceiling.
December 19th, 2021 at 2:15 pm
Knoxville correct. And the same can be said for many other great QBs. Take a look at HOF QBs and they most always have great Olines in front of them. I do not believe that is merely a coininciondence.
December 19th, 2021 at 2:34 pm
Without those guys, he’d be Matt Ryan
December 19th, 2021 at 2:41 pm
That’s one thing I wish Brady could do sometimes and that’s hold the ball just an extra click – I think his internal clock is set at 1.4 sec ..tough to get your mind to occasionally reset to 1.6sec or so (when he can) when you’ve been at 1.4 for so long…but we do have guys open more down field on some of his check downs.
Normally my focus is to just win the game and hopefully without injuries. I would be lying if I didn’t say I’d love to run the score up score on the Saints tonight.
Go Bucs – let’s beat the Saints!
December 19th, 2021 at 2:44 pm
It is a virtuous circle (the opposite of viscous circle). QB releases fast and stays in pocket, OL have less running to do and shorter playing time per snap, that in turn keeps them fresh to continue good protection, and QB gets less hits so can continue to release the ball fast.
December 19th, 2021 at 3:03 pm
I’ve been assured by the secret cabal of experts who post here that Donovan Smith is trash, and the offensive line is average at best. They “don’t see it” — these experts.
Of course they would know more than Tom Brady about it. Jason Licht should call a meeting with these geniuses to get their input after they are all cut for being so bad.
December 19th, 2021 at 3:06 pm
Tom, I must disagree with you about Donnie. Why? Glad you asked. Because some of the posters on the site just don’t like him that much. And us posters consider ourselves very highly qualified in all matters whether it be football, politics, and oh I don’t know the environment?
/Sarcasm, for those of you who might need the tag
December 19th, 2021 at 3:06 pm
@swamp, I now see that you beat me to the punch.
December 19th, 2021 at 3:37 pm
Steven007 — if only we were so enlightened. I’ll bet those geniuses know where all the space aliens are buried and have regular discussions with the ancient Martians who colonized earth before it became flat.
December 19th, 2021 at 4:17 pm
Every one of them is under 30 and signed for a bit except Cappa I believe.
Plus they have Stinnie and I am curious to see how the young center they have plays when he has to take over for Jensen.
The line is looking good
December 19th, 2021 at 4:25 pm
None of us need to hear brady say how good this line is, we watch them play every week and Brady is 100% correct. Our line is awesome!!
December 19th, 2021 at 6:25 pm
I’m of the opinion that our O-Line is one of the great strengths of this team, same as the D-Line is the anchor of the defense.
GO BUCS!!
December 19th, 2021 at 7:34 pm
I’m just damn happy that they are healthy and keeping TB12 safe.
I do, sometimes, wonder if some of you thumbtappin couch potatoes ever even played a snap. Just saying
December 19th, 2021 at 9:49 pm
Last time Tom gives his OL accolades. They are laying a big fat stinking turd out there, although Boron’s playcalling isn’t helping them out regarding what’s coming. Typical Bucs against the Saints, as I expected. At least the D hasn’t left turds in the bed. Yet. It’s halftime.