Greats Like To Watch Greats
September 28th, 2020
Had a special visitor (again).
A Tampa Bay sports reporter not working for this here site once told Joe a year or two ago an interesting observation about a tribal habit and social more in 21st century America. Joe guesses you could say it is one of life’s truisms.
“Hot chicks hang with hot chicks,” the reporter told Joe.
And so it must be that quarterback greats hang with quarterback greats.
Last week Brett Favre, purported to be freelancing for NFL Films, showed up at the empty Den of Depression wearing a park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring Bucs quarterback Tom Brady/Bucco Bruce T-shirt.
Yesterday, per Adam Maya of NFL.com, Peyton Manning showed up at the Bucs-Broncos game. From what former Broncos have said publicly, it’s not unusual for Manning to pop in at whateverthehell they call that stadium these days in Denver.
Manning and Brady hung out briefly before the game. Joe wonders if Manning also hung out with Broncos backup Jeff Driskel?
Manning didn’t make it to 40 before his arm was shot and he guided the Broncos to a Super Bowl victory in February 2016.
Brady is 43 and showing the world that unlike Manning at 39 and Brees at 41, Brady can still zip the ball downfield.
Brady’s bombs to Scotty Miller and O.J. Howard yesterday proved that. Manning, at least a little bit, must have been jealous of his biggest rival from his playing days.
With Peyton Manning in attendance and limited fans in the stands, Tom Brady made himself at home at Mile High Stadium. He came into Sunday just 4-7 all-time in Denver. He came out of it a winner after producing three touchdowns, no interceptions, 66% completions and 297 yards. This is 43 for the purported G.O.A.T., although he made throws both vintage and wild. It’s clear he’s still working through timing and tendencies with his new supporting cast, but a pair of TD passes to Mike Evans looked like second nature. Brady did a lot of his damage on underneath throws, but threaded the needle downfield to O.J. Howard for a big gain amid defensive pass interference. He also connected with old friend Rob Gronkowski six times. Blocking is so last week.
The way the Bucs have been pass blocking is a very good sign that Brady should be physically OK as the season drags on. Of course, he didn’t get hit much last year in New England, and whispers began late in the season that he was losing zip on his fastball.
The way it seems Bucco Bruce Arians has changed his offense for Brady, perhaps Arians has in the back of his mind to try to save Brady’s arm for December games and beyond, thus how Arians has dialed back on the constant downfield, no-risk-it, no-biscuit passing attack?
After watching Brady wing the ball downfield yesterday, the rumor of Brady’s arm being shot has been greatly exaggerated.
Three touchdowns and a @Buccaneers win for @TomBrady in Week 3!@Buccaneers | #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/A87l8lLozH
— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2020
September 28th, 2020 at 12:05 pm
Recycling Joe?
September 28th, 2020 at 12:07 pm
ON TO LAC!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
September 28th, 2020 at 12:14 pm
It is so nice to watch a Bucs game without a gut full of dread every time your QB drops back to pass.
September 28th, 2020 at 12:15 pm
Almost feels like a farewell tour.
September 28th, 2020 at 12:30 pm
Greats hanging with greats…….Brady & Mike Evans….
I can’t tell you how impressed I am with Evans……what an absolute monster….and, you can really see Brady’s admiration….
September 28th, 2020 at 12:54 pm
BY THE WAY…
It’s so funny how some are saying “If we only had last year’s Offense to go with this year’s Defense…”
WAKE UP CALL:
Last season through three games… POINTS SCORED: 68
This season through three games… POINTS SCORED: 82
The Tom Brady led Tampa Bay Buccaneers are scoring more points per game than last year’s Jameis Winston “Let it fly!” offense.
September 28th, 2020 at 1:47 pm
Am I the only one that felt awkward with that hug Brady gave Evans from behind? Evans’ face tells me he may have felt the same way.
September 28th, 2020 at 1:54 pm
I hate these lazy narratives the offense is not changed the person throwing the ball decision making has changed.
September 28th, 2020 at 1:55 pm
Sure, having a crafty vet like Brady helps, but for this fan watching our kicker split the uprights every time was a thing of beauty! So nice to sit back and relax on a kick. Beats sitting on the edge my chair gnawing my fingernails til they bled!!
Go Bucs!!
September 28th, 2020 at 2:01 pm
Also this year through three games Brady 753 yards, 6 tds, 3int, 65.1 comp percent. Winston 782 yards, 5tds, 4int, 60.6 comp percent. Slightly better than last year. With no real preseason to speak of. Does anyone have any doubt that this offense will only improve as the season goes on.
September 28th, 2020 at 2:22 pm
I would like to see a consistent offense for 4 quarters against the Chargers before going into Chicago.
September 28th, 2020 at 2:34 pm
Enough with the criticisms of the second half Offense yesterday, Gronk, Brady and all the other crap. The only stat that matters is wins.
And if you are still made about Jameis being cut loose, you are a LOSER!
September 28th, 2020 at 2:37 pm
iamrhenry, Got that right, and I was a Winston fan.
September 28th, 2020 at 2:48 pm
No picks? None? Please give me some time to adjust to this. I’m not used to this.
September 28th, 2020 at 2:54 pm
Where is Anthem and ndog? All I heard on gameday was crying about how noodle-armed Brady is while they simultaneously also whined about his overthrows on bombs. Noodle-armed but he overthrows Miller on a bomb. LOL. You can’t make this stuff up. You two crybabies get on here and admit that you suck at life.
September 28th, 2020 at 3:10 pm
Old fart Brady has tremendous admiration for ME13. He has stated it publicly and predicts Evans will be a HOFamer, FWIW. Brady also admires Godwin. So, for Brady to hug Evans after that score–no brainer. ME13 a bit uncomfortable? Fine with me as long as it’s after a score.
September 28th, 2020 at 3:20 pm
Ivan great call. Fans get so enamored with stats they often forget context. We scored points last year but how often did we score them when we really needed them? Three games come to mind for me. San Fran, Houston, Atlanta……Big drives with the football, multiple chance to put points on the board for victory……And the scoreboard shows goiseegg.
We will get a chance to see Tom Brady with the ball in his hand with the game on the line…..at some point…..I for one cant wait.
September 28th, 2020 at 5:26 pm
I’ve been thinking about Mike Evans only having a couple of yards yet to touchdowns in yesterday’s game. It’s actually in genius play calling by Byron Leftwich. Doing so took advantage of Evan’s 6-ft 5-in reach advantage without stressing his hamstring. Our deep receiving core was able to take care of the deep balls while Evans took care of the short yardage necessary gain requirements, all without taxing his hamstring.
This game was also a test for rojo to see if he was Worthy of the status of bellcow running back. The bucks realize what they have in Fornett now it’s time to see how this complementary backfield works.
The biggest difference between this team and last year’s team is the depth of our backups there seems to be no let up on both sides of the ball.
September 28th, 2020 at 5:28 pm
Damn spell check gets you every time
September 28th, 2020 at 6:10 pm
NDOG going to have a meltdown reading this.
September 28th, 2020 at 7:55 pm
cmurda Says:
“No picks? None? Please give me some time to adjust to this. I’m not used to this.”
.
.
So true. I’m so used to being disappointed, that I think I have a mental block that won’t let me get excited. I’m still adjusting, too.
September 28th, 2020 at 9:30 pm
CAN WE CONFIRM THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM CHEF BOYARDEE WERE IN ATTENDANCE WHEN JW ATE HIS FINGERS SHAPED LIKE “W’S”…
September 28th, 2020 at 10:32 pm
Some of those completions were money throws into tight coverage, with some insane catches by the receiver. The bombs caught by Scotty Miller and OJ Howard in particular.
September 28th, 2020 at 11:00 pm
That reporter has to be Mark Cook lol
September 28th, 2020 at 11:40 pm
Nope.