Brian Burns Goes Sackless

January 1st, 2023

Donovan Smith

Joe poked the Donovan Smith haters on Twitter before today’s game, sort of asking them to admit publicly that they were glad to see Smith return to start after a weeks-long foot injury.

Joe got various replies, most with the theme, “Talk to me after the game.”

Well, it’s after the game and Joe is talking. Smith squared up against Pro Bowl Panthers pass rusher Brian Burns and neutered him. Burns went sackless and hit Tom Brady just once on 48 dropbacks.

Why were the Bucs so successful with deep shots today? One reason was pass blocking giving Brady the time to breathe and see the field.

“Brady had all day in the pocket and I put that on me,” Burns said after the game.

Sure, the Bucs helped Smith at times with chip blocks and heavy sets. Smith wasn’t perfect, but he looked like the guy who was a rock guarding Brady’s blind side during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

46 Responses to “Brian Burns Goes Sackless”

  1. Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    I think Smith had one holding call, but Brady had enough time to find Mike Evans for 3 TD Passes today!

  2. Old Sombrero Says:

    Yes Smith has had his challenges and issues this season but good to see today.
    OLine, brutal positions but he gets paid $$ so hope he turns it around.

  3. NEfan Says:

    His personal issues are that he holds too much. Burns had a tee time.

  4. AmauryGuzman Says:

    Looks like the 49ers are about to get that second seed.

  5. orlbucfan Says:

    Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:
    January 1st, 2023 at 6:56 pm
    I think Smith had one holding call, but Brady had enough time to find Mike Evans for 3 TD Passes today!
    —————————-
    Wonder why the old fart had all that time plus a chance to win?

  6. DaPostman Says:

    So one game a guy goes sackless and we are supposed to forget a whole season of trash by the guy blocking him?

    Is this the first game this year that Burns didn’t get a sack? No! He’s had 5 games where he didn’t get a sack even before today.

    Meh

  7. NEfan Says:

    Oral, long throws take time to develop. You’re definitely a woman, I can tell by your ignorance to the game.

  8. NEfan Says:

    The O should have dropped 40 on them take out the penalties, coaching stupidity, drop balls and Succop.

  9. Mike C Says:

    Saw him in the tunnel pre game, jacking up his teammates. Lot of fire from him today, he knows what it takes to be a champion.

  10. Redeemer Says:

    Amazing what happens when the pocket doesn’t collapse in 3 seconds. Line did a marvelous job today. And no DA, it doesn’t matter. New season, new life. I’ve been on Smith all year, but the elbow and foot have hampered him, as well as some personal stuff. It’s not easy going up against the opposing teams best pass rusher all year.

  11. Tyler904 Says:

    Look, this guy played best when Marpet was helping him out. He had an OK game today, big deal, still got called for a holding. Still the most penalized o-lineman since he was drafted. The drop off wasn’t huge when he was out but it was noticeable. Hopefully when Jensen and Groningen come back for the playoffs he will look even better and we can go on a run.

  12. Old School Bucs Says:

    All my losers in the house let me hear you scream and shout!!! Let me hear you scream and shout the House is on fire! Evans wont get 1000. Brady too old. Panthers will win! Let me hear you loud and proud!!!

    See you losers in the superbowl!!!!

  13. IE Buc Says:

    Smith had a good game, but has not had a good season. His issue has always been consistency. Now can he have another good game next week or not? That will be what counts. Can he string together two good games or will he be at fault for more penalties that cost the team another win as he has done this season?

  14. DoooshLaRue Says:

    Mike C Says:
    January 1st, 2023 at 7:21 pm
    Saw him in the tunnel pre game, jacking up his teammates. Lot of fire from him today, he knows what it takes to be a champion.
    __________

    Jacking up or off?
    Oh wait, both take actual effort.

    He still sucks.

  15. SPARKY Says:

    I’m very hyped from what I saw today. The O-line was great. There’s no way Mike has time to get down field like that before. And Brady having time to get it to him. But after today I doubt Evans is going to see that much single coverage again. I also believe Brady will take more time before he throws this time of year, hench the 3 sacks that would have been throw A ways before. I think we see a different team in the playoffs now, and maybe Big Red Jensen coming back…. things are looking up.

  16. Beeej Says:

    Both of those long passes were nearly 4 seconds from snap to throw, a rare thing this year

  17. geno711 Says:

    I know it is a stretch but this was almost the Bucs Vernon Hargreaves revenge game.

    I believe that ex gator, CJ Henderson, an early 1st round pick in 2020 was the defensive back culprit on all of Evans TDs and even Godwins 2 point conversion.

    He should at least get a game ball from the Bucs!

  18. Alvin Scissors Harper Says:

    Hey Joe, I know you are all about inclusivity as long as it fits your agenda, but how the hell can you let someone post “naggar” repeatedly? I’m not African-American either. Just really poor taste man.
    Alvin, you do realize Joe doesn’t sit here babysitting a few thousand comments all day on gameday. They’re always dealt with in a reasonably timely fashion. Joe’s only agenda is covering the Bucs and not permitting fans to discredit or misrepresent Joe maliciously, make up stuff that’s malicious, attack each other hatefully, among other nonsense. Sadly, Joe spends far to much time policing because, well, that’s people. –Joe

  19. DoooshLaRue Says:

    Alvin Scissors Harper Says:
    January 1st, 2023 at 8:07 pm
    Hey Joe, I know you are all about inclusivity as long as it fits your agenda, but how the hell can you let someone post “naggar” repeatedly? I’m not African-American either. Just really poor taste man.
    _________
    nagger
    noun
    One who nags; a scold; a tease.
    Someone (especially a woman) who constantly finds fault.
    one who nags

    Perhaps it’s a simple spelling error and you are not being very sensitive to the misspeller’s struggles.
    Very sad.

  20. D-Rok Says:

    The O-line deserves the game ball today. They gave Brady, Evans, and Godwin TIME to work their magic. Give Brady time, and you see the results.

    Washed. Washed! Washed????????? ROFL 432 yards passing today. FOUR HUNDRED PASSING YARDS. Let that sink in.

    And it’s the O-freakin’-Line that gave Brady enough time to surgically excise the tumor called not making the playoffs.

    O-LINE!!! Best game of the season, by far, in my opinion.

  21. Buccos Says:

    All 3 of those bombs to Evans were in the same end zone. Those were the best passes that I have ever seen. Evans never broke stride. Absolutely amazing. One of those passes was in the air 57 yards. What a game!

  22. Buccos Says:

    And I was sitting in that end zone. And Gholston was a beast today

  23. D-Rok Says:

    Nice feedback, Buccos. Thanks! I wish I could have been at this game.

  24. D-Rok Says:

    So Buccos,

    Is Brady washed? Is his arm shot? You just saw it live, so I’m curious as to your opinion.

  25. kgh4life Says:

    To be fair, throughout the season Brady has had a good pocket to throw the football, it’s not like he has been getting hit left and right. There are teams with worst o-lines than the bucs and they find ways to score points. The Bucs o-line has it’s weaknesses but pass blocking is not one of them.

  26. DoooshLaRue Says:

    Brady has been dumping the ball early all year because he’s nervous.
    That’s why the sack total isn’t higher.

  27. Mike C Says:

    Dooosh, if you want to think about him doing that, you do you.

  28. kyle Says:

    burns is a player.. hes gonna be a problem to deal with for years to come..

    alvin scissors harper stop the race baiting bs.. this site is about love and lets celebrate the win!!

  29. Bucsfan13 Says:

    @Redeemer. You mean when the pocket doesn’t collapse in 2 seconds, sometimes one second. Bowles is self aware of the problems with this offense. He’s said it over and over. Give Tom time and things will click. He said it again today. It helps when Tom doesn’t have guys at his feet. His mechanics don’t suffer. I give Smith crap, but he’s way better than other options on the team.

  30. Bucsfan13 Says:

    Brady has not been given consistently good pockets. Please stop that narrative. It’s been up and down. I rather have a consistently average OL than a OL where there’s no consistency. It was too much up and down. That left Brady unsure from game to game. All QBs miss throws! Has Brady had poor throws? Sure. But why is that his poor throws can make or break a game? It’s because he has no complementary run game. Rodgers has that in GB, so he’s allowed to get away with his poor play.

    I can’t believe fans who actually watched where we won a SB because Mahomes couldn’t do anything with his patchwork OL. OL matters!! When Mahomes actually has an OL, he has killed us. A team being able to get pressure with 4 always will win.

  31. C2asante Says:

    What n absolutely apropos name for you: DoooshLaRue Says:

  32. C2asante Says:

    Sadly it’s been that way all season, no reason to be surprised today…

    Alvin Scissors Harper Says:
    January 1st, 2023 at 8:07 pm
    Hey Joe, I know you are all about inclusivity as long as it fits your agenda, but how the hell can you let someone post “naggar” repeatedly? I’m not African-American either. Just really poor taste man.

  33. Rod Munch Says:

    The holding call on Smith was a 100% BS call, yet the idiots here were talking about it like he should have been cut on the spot. Typical overreacting women is what we got posting here.

  34. THOMAS PFALZ Says:

    Lazy ass D. Smith sucks. He’s been terrible all year. Now his big excuse is he has personal problems. I guess he’s had personal problems since day one. Way overpaid. Trade or cut his lazy ass.

  35. Bosch Says:

    Hey DoooshbagLaRue. Lighten up!

  36. NEfan Says:

    C2, showing your inner feelings?? I thought in YOUR eyes that is not permitted! Hypocrite

  37. Rob Says:

    Donavan Smith is an above average LT. I think age is getting to him. I think moving him inside to LG would be a great idea. Draft a LT. There are a few good ones in the draft. Ryan Jensen at Center. Let Hainsey, Goedeke, Mason fight it out for the RG spot. Wirfs at RT. Goedeke could be the backup RT and Smith the backup LT with Hainsey/Mason/Leverett or someone else at the backup C/G. Draft a dynamic WR and another RB. Leonard can stay with a restructured/reduce contract. Draft a DT, LB, and DB. Hulio ($2M) and Hicks ($4M) can come back on reduced salaries Beg Gronk to come back or sign/draft another TE. With an elite offensive line, this team can get back to being very dangerous.

  38. DoooshLaRue Says:

    Rob,

    Shouldn’t you be playing video games with your 14 year old “nephew?”

  39. Rob Says:

    Is that a serious question?

  40. Mike C Says:

    Doosh, that comment makes you look like a 14 year old….

  41. DoooshLaRue Says:

    Rod Munch Says:
    January 2nd, 2023 at 1:35 am
    The holding call on Smith was a 100% BS call, yet the idiots here were talking about it like he should have been cut on the spot. Typical overreacting women is what we got posting here.
    ______________

    Hilarious.
    DD WAS holding on that play (and many others) but did a Super Man move when he knew he got busted.
    The guy sucks, but the really funny thing is you calling others idiots (as usual) after you went all negative Nellie yesterday during the game.
    Below are some select Hot Takes from you.
    Idiot.

    Rod Munch Says:
    January 1st, 2023 at 1:18 pm
    This game is over already. Bucs can’t overcome this, not with these two loser coaches at the head of this team.

    Rod Munch Says:
    January 1st, 2023 at 1:21 pm
    Buccaneer Bonzai – I hope you’re right.

    But you’re not.

    Bucs gonna lose by 35 as they quit on Bowles and Leftwich – unless, maybe we get lucky and Brady physically assaults the two idiots at halftime and they’re out for the rest of the game, then, maybe, the Bucs have a chance.

    Rod Munch Says:
    January 1st, 2023 at 1:50 pm
    Bucs on pace to lose 28-0 in a must win game…

    That’s a Bowles coached team for you.

    Rod Munch Says:
    January 1st, 2023 at 2:03 pm
    Well at least these losers are getting blown out early and not wasting the entire afternoon. I needed to wash my car anyways.

  42. DoooshLaRue Says:

    Mike C Says:
    January 2nd, 2023 at 2:51 pm
    Doosh, that comment makes you look like a 14 year old….
    __________

    Sick burn Mikey.
    I give up.
    🤣

  43. garro Says:

    I’ve been critical all year of D Smith and the left side of the O-line… but they played lights out for the most part against the Panthers.

    The Holding call on Smith, like a few this year was just plain bogus. Funny how the TV guys seem to always agree with holding calls on Smith. He’s been screwed a couple of times recently.

  44. garro Says:

    Doosh… we can only hope…

  45. garro Says:

    Bucsfan13 Says:
    January 1st, 2023 at 10:10 pm

    Brady has not been given consistently good pockets. Please stop that narrative. It’s been up and down. I rather have a consistently average OL than a OL where there’s no consistency. It was too much up and down. That left Brady unsure from game to game. All QBs miss throws! Has Brady had poor throws? Sure. But why is that his poor throws can make or break a game? It’s because he has no complementary run game. Rodgers has that in GB, so he’s allowed to get away with his poor play.

    I can’t believe fans who actually watched where we won a SB because Mahomes couldn’t do anything with his patchwork OL. OL matters!! When Mahomes actually has an OL, he has killed us. A team being able to get pressure with 4 always will win.

    Nuts on my man …been saying the same…and it IS apparent the GOAT had gotten a bit uneasy in the pocket.

  46. Mike C Says:

    Hopefully on living