Best Tom Brady Protection — In Forever

May 25th, 2022

Joe always has maintained that Tom Brady will want to keep playing for the Bucs as long as — first and foremost — his offensive line stays mighty.

In fact, one could argue Brady’s O-line is the very best he’s ever played behind.

The Bucs combined to allow 43 sacks over the past two seasons. That’s the best total in the NFL in that time.

The best previous two-season total for Brady was 41 sacks through the 2009 and 2010 seasons. However, Brady was dumped on about 3.6 percent of his dropbacks in those years. For the 2020 and 2021 Bucs, The Goat was dropped on 3.1 percent of his dropbacks, the cleanest run of his career.

Joe has no doubt that Brady knows the numbers. And it’s a huge reason he unretired.

Keep an eye on those sacks numbers this season. Not only will they be a key to winning, but they’ll be crucial to any hope of a 2023 version of Brady in Tampa.

18 Responses to “Best Tom Brady Protection — In Forever”

  1. SB~LV Says:

    Yes on the Ol and the WR’s but the running game has never been up to the ability for Brady to take full advantage of. I think White is going to be the missing piece to open up the potential of Brady’s dreams

  2. champabay Says:

    its also illegal to hit a qb in the nfl now.

  3. PSL Bob Says:

    I think we did ok with Cappa’s departure when we picked up Mason from NE. Marpet’s retirement is more problematic. Hopefully Stinnie. Hainsey or Everett can plug that hole without a drop off. The biggest challenge is developing chemistry among the group, so everyone knows what everyone else is doing. That may take a little while to gel, but come playoff time, we should be running like a well oiled machine and Brady will remain upright.

  4. Defense Rules Says:

    Love that picture of Brady & Jensen Joe. The angle (and helmet) makes it look Jensen is gigantic compared to TB12, yet they’re both the same height (6’4″). Of course, Ryan does outweigh Tom by around 100 lbs, so there’s that.

  5. Defense Rules Says:

    PSL Bob … I’m hoping that Marpet’s replacement will be Luke Goedeke as opposed to Stinnie, Hainsey or Leverett. All 3 of those are very competent backups, but would still love to see Goedeke win the job.

  6. Cobraboy Says:

    All things equal, Goedeke will get the job, and the Bucs have great depth on the interior OL.

    Now about tackle…a different story.

  7. Cobraboy Says:

    The stats Joe offers, the few sacks allowed, is why I’m OK when Brady gives himself up early, saving his health, to come back and fight another day…

  8. Casual Observer Says:

    Agree with Cobra – Over the years, Brady had learned how to avoid as many sacks as possible; take a knee. Helps with these stats.

  9. AlabamaBucsFan Says:

    Hard to believe but the Bucs may have a better Oline this year than the past 2 years.

  10. Listnfrmafar Says:

    champabay@ ya I guess the blood from Miller in the Rams game was a capsule. They get hit plenty just not in the head or knees. Good news for the Bucs Brady has perfected avoiding the hard hit. You do know, other than the center (who cannot be hit in the head or knees) is the only person on offense other than the QB that touches the ball every offensive play? Except for wild cat or other direct snap plays.

  11. Listnfrmafar Says:

    champabay@, I bet Mahomes after 2020 SB would disagree with your post as I do.

  12. Colin in Canada Says:

    Joe’s, check out the hole in one Brady just posted on Instagram. Unreal.

  13. Cleanhouse Says:

    News flash- we lost two starters

  14. GOB Says:

    I think the weapons Brady’s had in Tampa, and his ridiculously fast release, made a slightly above average O line look much better. When you have a group of recievers that can get open quickly, it doesn’t take a ton of talent up front. His pocket awareness also makes things easier for the line. Brady knows when to step up, sidestep and throw the ball away, or eat a sack.

  15. PSL Bob Says:

    DR, yeah I forgot about Goedeke. He plays with a mean streak and having him next to Jensen should make for a formidable duo. That is if he can beat out the other 3 to win the spot. Nevertheless, there still will be a learning curve for Mason and the other new guard, and it will take a little time for the o-line to gel. Hopefully, not too long.

  16. Goatfarmer Says:

    Donovan Smith haters need to take medication. He’s been solid and done very well most of the time Brady has been a Buc. The Rams game not so much but that was a team effort to lose that game, led by the new head coach.

    Everyone knew the offense was crippled, and the defense had starters back.

    Let’s blitz Stafford on 7 out of 10 dropbacks. Brilliant.

    Kupp? No need to double him. In fact let him run free against the deep safety for fun as time is expiring.

    Hope Todd has been forced tonwatch the last two Ram pass completions over and over and over. And over.

    And over and over.

  17. AA3755 Says:

    LFG ,THIS SHOULD BE A GREAT SEASON FOR TOM AND THE BOYS, As A life long BUCCANEERS FANS can’t wait IT SHOULD BE EPIC…

  18. Eddie Marz Says:

    Hope Brady doesn’t HAVE TOO throw the ball 719 times this year. Hope they can incorporate the run better. Only makes the offense more diverse and less three and outs. GOBUCS!