Byron Leftwich Explains Why Tom Brady No Longer Uses A Quarterback Sneak
October 14th, 2022
Bucs OC Byron Leftwich.
When Tom Brady played for the Belicheats, there were few surer things in football than Brady getting a first down or a touchdown on a quarterback sneak.
Prior to coming to the Bucs, Brady had an 82 percent conversion percentage on quarterback sneaks. He was deadly with them.
This year? To the best of Joe’s knowledge, Brady has yet to try a sneak in short-yardage for a first down or a touchdown. This happens to frost famed JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman to no end.
So yesterday, Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich was speaking at his weekly presser and discussing fourth-and-one situations. So Joe thought it was timely to ask Leftwich why Brady has yet to run a sneak.
In fact, Joe asked Leftwich if it is Brady’s call whether to sneak it in or not. Leftwich said it is not Brady’s decision (even if Rachaad White seemed to contradict him).
“That really has nothing to do with Tom,” Leftwich said. “That has something to do with how we feel and what we think we need to do moving forward in those situations.”
This sort of makes sense and if Joe is thinking what Leftwich is saying, it’s smart. Sure, Brady may have an excellent percentage of converting first downs or touchdowns in short-yardage situations.
But as always, football is all about blocking and tackling.
For example, if your center and/or guards aren’t getting any kind of push up front, it’s almost suicide to try to run a sneak. Naturally, this was rarely a problem with Pro Bowlers Ryan Jensen and Ali Marpet on the field. Neither is now available.
So if that is why the Bucs haven’t used Brady on sneaks in short-yardage, Joe applauds Leftwich for being aware of what’s happening and not pulling the trigger on a play because percentages told him so.
Percentages don’t block or tackle.
October 14th, 2022 at 12:05 am
I hate it during the game knowing that Brady could probably get that yard on a sneak, but the man is 45 and all the Bucs would need would be for him to get some 300 lb. Lineman cracking Brady in the head and off we go to concussion protocol. We need him all year and it seems like we can find another way to gain a damn yard.
October 14th, 2022 at 12:14 am
“Joe applauds Leftwich for being aware of what’s happening on the field of play…”
The bar is low if you applause an NFL OC for knowing what’s happening. Dang, you must standing ovation for those honorable mention kids on the soccer pitch. Too bad Lefty is unable to apply that awareness to development plays that help improve the production of the unit in his charge.
October 14th, 2022 at 12:17 am
You’d be surprised. Look at Brandon Staley and Zac Taylor. You think those guys know what’s going on? Staley has yet to figure out he’s losing games by constantly going for it on fourth down. Taylor was so dialed in he didn’t have his best running back in the game on a win-or-die last-minute drive in the Super Bowl.
October 14th, 2022 at 1:40 am
Just do what KC DID TO US… have a big TE like Ko take the snap and plow forward in the QB sneak.
It sucks that KC beat us so bad, but that was a brilliant play.
October 14th, 2022 at 1:50 am
Kinda sounds like Brian is acknowledging that the middle of our line (Goedeke, Hainsey & yes Mason) aren’t overwhelming at run-blocking. But then again, most Bucs’ fans had already figured that one out. Pity poor Lenny.
October 14th, 2022 at 1:53 am
Agree, DefenseRules. But if Jensen comes back, bet you the sneak will be too.
October 14th, 2022 at 2:41 am
@kody
Great idea. And why isn’t Vita Vea playing offense anymore?
I’m down with a direct snap to Vita Vea in the shotgun.
No one is stopping him from getting 1 yard.
October 14th, 2022 at 7:38 am
Why subject Brady to a needless injury?
At 45, and with other players wanting to rip Brady’s head off.
Why invite that crap?
I have no problem with TB 12 is not sneaking the ball.
And while we are at it, maybe let’s put Brady on special teams too. NO, there just is no reason to let Brady get beat up senselessly, and
I believe this is the bottom line from the Bucs organization, Mgmt and from the Coaches, do not senselessly shorten Brady’s career.
GO BUCS!!!
October 14th, 2022 at 7:56 am
Guess what, Byron……you think something other than the sneak will work better……you’re wrong…..again.
Rachaad White is better at short yardage……don’t know why….probably because he’s quicker to the hole or he chooses the right side…..
October 14th, 2022 at 8:03 am
If Brady is gone, the season is gone. Why risk it?
October 14th, 2022 at 8:25 am
I’m curious Joe and everyone else, has there been a better QB in the history of the NFL with the QB sneak than Brady?
October 14th, 2022 at 8:54 am
When the time comes Brady will call his number. I have to believe the finger and shoulder have something to do with this decision. What I’m not comfortable with is BL making the decision. BL, option 1, 2, 3, Lenny dive left, stuff. Mahomes and Roger’s rarely stick their heads in there.
#BLblows
October 14th, 2022 at 8:56 am
What Cody said, and what I’ve been saying, how about a direct snap to Lenny in short yardage? How about bringing in Gabbert for a sneak, or a run pass option? How about you get a little creative with your personel, and play calling Lefty? Gabbert is a big strong dude who can run. Last time I checked he’s been active every game, but Lefty can’t figure out he can use him? Think Tayson Hill.
October 14th, 2022 at 9:01 am
@D-Rome
Nah, Brady has kind of made the QB sneak a signature play of his over the course of his career, kind of like the football take on Micheal Jordans’ baseline fadeaway. You see the situation present itself for either player and you pretty much know it’s money.
October 14th, 2022 at 9:45 am
Brady has a sore hand, why expose him to further injury?
October 14th, 2022 at 9:56 am
Wait, didn’t he run the QB sneak on Giselle when he unretired???
October 14th, 2022 at 10:09 am
good look
October 14th, 2022 at 12:42 pm
Leftwurst is honestly someone who should be banned from talking to the press or anyone in journalism. There’s no way he can be as stupid as he sounds. Is there?
October 14th, 2022 at 12:46 pm
Leftwitch does not live up to the hype as evidence by Arians boss hand missing !
October 14th, 2022 at 1:58 pm
No …. Listnfrmafar that was an Alstott up the gut!
October 14th, 2022 at 3:27 pm
whatever you didn’t make 2 4th and 1
However the spot in one was suspect
Sneak it in
October 15th, 2022 at 3:06 am
Interesting conversation with a 240Lbs back in the backfield.
Can’t Tip Toe your way too success Leonard.
For now it’s “Tip Toe Lenny”👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾