“Right From The Beginning, We’re Going To Get In This Guy’s Head”

December 31st, 2022

Joe hates the thought of defenses preparing for the Bucs and seeing a vulnerable Tom Brady.

Joe highly doubts that was the case last year — at least for teams not based in New Orleans.

This year? Well, Brady isn’t the 2021 edition. He’s looked jumpy in the pocket at times, a little too worried about self-preservation. And his precision throwing has escaped him more than in past seasons.

Joe watched the NFL Films mic’d up segment of Cardinals’ versatile linebacker Zevon Collins when he was facing the Bucs last Sunday. The 2021 first-round pick is a vocal leader type, and he’s been sent after quarterbacks more this year in addition to specializing in coverage.

During the pregame, a Cardinals assistant coach is seen in Collins’ face barking about attacking and being physical: “Right from the beginning, we’re going to get in this guy’s head.”

Joe can only deduce Brady was the guy whose head the Cardinals wanted to get inside.

And perhaps they did. Brady’s official average “time to throw” per snap against Arizona (snap to release) was only 2.16 seconds, the lowest total he has recorded.

Perhaps one reason for that was tied to Collins barking to teammates about Bucs third-string left tackle Brandon Walton, “attack that left tackle’s inside shoulder.” It seems obvious that Brady doesn’t trust his offensive line like he has in past seasons. And maybe that puts a little blood in the water for defenses to capitalize by getting in Brady’s head.

But as many analysts have pointed out, Brady adjusts well as games progress and he can’t be rattled by scoreboard pressure. So if a team can get in Brady’s head early, it doesn’t seem to last for 60 minutes.

That’s what made the loss to the Bengals so damn frustrating. Brady had a big lead at home and turned into Jameis Winston with turnovers on four consecutive drives.

It was Brady beating Brady for no good reason. The Bucs won’t win Sunday if that happens again, not without a running game and game-changing defensive plays.

16 Responses to ““Right From The Beginning, We’re Going To Get In This Guy’s Head””

  1. Goatfarmer Says:

    Leftbowels = losing bowels.

  2. Goatfarmer Says:

    The Browns game is the most unforgivable loss.

    Nice one Toad. That and the final 30 seconds of the Rams playoff game will be engraved on your coaching tombstone, which is hopefully embedded in the ground by March.

  3. bob Says:

    i am so sick of bad coaches getting 2nd and 3rd chances, Todd Bowles is a great DC thats it, he has showed you he is a bad HC before with the Jets, he is who he has always been a great DC who cant lead a team , No more Josh Mcdaniels no more todd bowles

  4. BrianBucs Says:

    Injuries happen to every team, every year.
    The Bucs have not had the quality and experienced depth on the offensive line this year that they need and that is squarely on the shoulders of Jason Licht

  5. My Momma Says:

    BrianBucs Says: The Bucs have not had the quality and experienced depth on the offensive line this year that they need and that is squarely on the shoulders of Jason Licht?

    My Momma say’s:”Amen to that, Brother!”

    What Light has done is unforgivable. What a crap job. We’ve wasted our last year with Brady. This teams chances of making another SB run is laughable. And don’t tell me they’ll turn it around. They’ve proven that they’re incapable of turning it around with these coaches.

    #throwlichtinthebay

  6. My Momma Says:

    BrianBucs Says: The Bucs have not had the quality and experienced depth on the offensive line this year that they need and that is squarely on the shoulders of Jason Licht.

    My Momma say’s:”Amen to that, Brother!”

    What Light has done is unforgivable. What a crap job. We’ve wasted our last year with Brady. This teams chances of making another SB run is laughable. And don’t tell me they’ll turn it around. They’ve proven that they’re incapable of turning it around with these coaches.

    #throwlichtinthebay

  7. Tap-Out Says:

    This (game) is why they pay him the big bucks!

  8. Beej Says:

    If backups were as good as starters they’d be getting starting money, elsewhere

  9. Bucsfan13 Says:

    When people keep saying Brady doesn’t trust his offensive line, isn’t it for a damn good reason?! They’re below average. No B ants to get hit. He is getting the ball quick, which is helps avoids sacks. Brady is living to fight another down. Brady hasn’t trusted his OL since the beginning of the season. Goedeke was getting beat immediately on every play. Brady is taking selective hits now.

    Brady would always stand in the pocket and take big hits. He’s 45! It’s understandable now why he doesn’t want to get mashed. He’s also much skinner, which might play a role in him not wanting to get hit. Teams know that Brady doesn’t trust his protection. Brady has been in the league long enough to know that defenders know he doesn’t trust his protection.

  10. NEfan Says:

    Whether he plays well or not, I have no doubt Brady will be jacked for this game. The problem is do the younger guys get it or have they had their day in the sun and simply play for the pay check. I know one thing if I were a Buc you’re not keeping me from this game. If Davis, Smith and Vea don’t play today cut their arses.

  11. Bucs14 Says:

    Shady Brady is done. If can’t cheat or have the NFL help him with calls, the Tampa Bay Baby Jeebus is going to lose today.

  12. Brandon Says:

    That 2.16 seconds has everything to do with play design. A far departure of No Risk It… yesterday we chose to throw downfield… and it worked because it always has. Play design and calling have handcuffed the O and made us predictable. Throwing the ball down the field, even when not successful, helps open everything else up.

  13. Steven L. Benner Says:

    So glad that Mike Evans & Tom Brady were on the same page in this Carolina game! Now we need to get Chris Godwin, JulioJones, Rashad Perryman, and Russell Gage involved more. It’s great to be able to run the ball….but not on 85% of the plays!!! Players are getting hurt and we’re losing alot of games that way. This last game we aired the ball out and WON the game Big Time!!! Keep up with the passing games and mix the runs in-between to confuse the other teams. Great WIN!!! Now the real games begin. CHAMPA BAY ALL THE WAY!!!

  14. Steve Says:

    I keep wondering if Joe is really a Bucs fan? His BS isn’t even interesting or accurate. Maybe he should print a more positive picture of our team. They haven’t been perfect , but we have the GOAT and are play off bound . This could be the Cowgirls worst nightmare ! 🤣

  15. Joe Says:

    Maybe he should print a more positive picture of our team.

    1) Joe is not a cheerleader.
    2) Funny you don’t think Joe is “positive” enough yet his readers kill Joe daily because he celebrates the greatest quarterback to ever live being on the Bucs roster and staunchly defends the offensive line from the lazy haters.

    But yeah, Joe’s not positive enough. 🙄

  16. Sammy Davis jr jr Says:

    Give Brady time and he’ll hang points on any team. This ATL game is important because it’ll give us another chance to see if they put 4 quarters of solid football together, on both sides of the ball. Plus ATL will be coming for Brady because of the last game. It’s a nice little test for the o-line & who knows maybe Brady & Evans prove last week wasn’t a fluke & Brady throws for 400 more yards dropping dimes on Evans.