Heroes
October 28th, 2020
Getting national love
When national outlets mention the Bucs, of course park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting Bucs quarterback Tom Brady is included.
Bucco Bruce Arians is mentioned, then likely foot-rubbing, car-littering tight end Rob Gronkowski. then the wide receivers and possibly the Bucs linebackers.
Guess who a former NFL general manager thinks needs to be talked about? The offensive line.
That’s the word from former NFL suit Michael Lombardi. The ex-Browns general manager, who was also a coffee fetcher for Bill Walsh, Al Davis and Bill Belicheat, says there is a reason Brady looks younger than 43 while he lights up the NFL.
It’s the guys keeping his jersey clean, Lombardi said on a recent edition of his podcast, “GM Shuffle.” Lombardi watched the Bucs dismantle the Raiders in the fourth quarter and was very impressed.
“That was the first time in a while that [Brady] didn’t look like he was 43,” Lombardi said. “He looked really young out there playing.
“I think the secret to Tampa in why they have been so effective the last couple of weeks is their offensive line is playing really good right now. They are giving [Brady] time to throw the football.
“Tampa’s offensive line is the unsung hero.”
Other Bucs observations from Lombardi:
* Shady McCoy is shot and the Bucs should cut him (perhaps he is odd man out to make room on the roster for furniture-chucking Antonio Brown?). “LeSean McCoy is done. They should just cut LeSean McCoy. He’s got no juice left in him.”
* Lombardi has a hunch Arians may test-drive Brown at slot and move Godwin to the outside. “As good as this [offense] was [against the Raiders] watch it take off [with Brown]. He becomes the matchup problem.”
Joe isn’t so sure Arians will move Brown inside. That’s where Godwin usually plays and he is so good there, why fix something that isn’t broken? (Right Kevin Cash?) If Brown has his head screwed on straight — major if — Joe trusts him outside more than, say, Scotty Miller.
October 28th, 2020 at 8:12 am
They are keeping Toms Jersey clean which is the foundation for the Highest scoring offense in the NFL right now, and a solid run game. Tom is throwing the ball to the WR’s better than 2007 currently according to the stats I saw. All that and a Legit Defense. This team is turning into a nightmare for opponents. GO BUCS!!!!!
October 28th, 2020 at 8:17 am
There are 3 main justifications for our OLine play this year:
1. Donovan Smith really is not as bad as everyone wishes he was
2. Demar Dotson absolutely sucked and is being thoroughly outplayed by a rookie
3. Tom Brady demands accountability from all of them, unlike Jameis.
Reason 3 is not a dig at #3, but he just simply did not command the respect that TB did, and honestly, no one can.
October 28th, 2020 at 8:20 am
First time in awhile he didn’t look 42! Really dude you been watching this team this? How a about the chargers game where he starting puttin bombs in the air for a big come back win. Brady been balling dam near all year other than 2 games really
October 28th, 2020 at 8:25 am
Part of the reason the line is good is that Brady gets rid of the ball quickly, unlike Jameis who used to have a cup of tea back there.
Joe, I don’t know if you could get this stat, but can you a stat comparing Brady and Jameis on who gets rid of the ball quicker? From snap to throw I would love to see who does it faster.
October 28th, 2020 at 8:33 am
Why didn’t they block this good For America’s QB ????
October 28th, 2020 at 8:37 am
It helps the O-Line knowing where the QB will be (in the pocket, where he’s supposed to be). Having Wirfs playing at a high level is helping a ton, and Cappa definitely has continued to improve as well so he’s not missing assignments anymore. Really the biggest problem is occasional lapses by D. Smith where he gets beat, but even that does not seem to be happening much, so all in all, excellent O-Line play!
October 28th, 2020 at 8:47 am
imo, ME13, AB & godwin can play all WR positions….
whatever BL has in store, im cool with it….
GO BUCS!!!!!
October 28th, 2020 at 8:47 am
Still farting in the room and thinking its funny eh Joe. I’m beginning to feel sorry for you. You can’t write a piece without attempting to denigrate Brady and/or Gronk. Two guys that have increase your readership 500%. Yet you attach negatives to their name every chance you can. No respect for the GOAT QB and one of the best TEs to play the game. That makes you a sad sack. Out of touch with your readers, out of touch with reality, out of bounds in term of class.
October 28th, 2020 at 8:52 am
I know this is supposed to be all about Bucs football, but Touché with the Kevin Cash call out Joe. WTF was he thinking? Snell should have at least gone 8 if not pushed for the complete game. That was heartbreaking
October 28th, 2020 at 8:52 am
Nice dig at Cash Joe, what a horrible decision to pull Snell.
October 28th, 2020 at 8:53 am
@Boston Boy- I agree. So annoying to have to read that almost every time I see Brady’s name.
October 28th, 2020 at 9:00 am
The whole series was a clown show of decision. Cash is not as smart as he thinks he is.
October 28th, 2020 at 9:09 am
Are you tools here to support the Bucs or cry about Joe’s so-called lack of respect for Brady? I might understand if this was 5th grade, but you are supposed to be adults (maybe not). Gotta be millennials. They’re the only ones that cry about mean words. Grow a pair.
October 28th, 2020 at 9:09 am
The Oline is superb…..and we have depth…..
Our matchups were a nightmare before Brown……..imaging after he is inserted….
I suspect it will open up things for Evans considerably…
Evans, Godwin, Brown, Gronk can be on the field at the same time often…..a nightmare, for sure.
October 28th, 2020 at 9:13 am
First down Tampa bay – I was/am one of those people hollerin’ about 76. But I will eat a giant bowl of crow with the biggest smile on my face if he continues to play like he has the past few weeks. One thing about him is he’s a rock and is always available. I’d LOVE for them to not need to look at a LT in the first round next yr. we need to backfill Shaq and JPP as one (or both) may be gone
October 28th, 2020 at 9:30 am
Lombardi has a hunch Arians may test-drive Brown at slot and move Godwin to the outside. “As good as this [offense] was [against the Raiders] watch it take off [with Brown]. He becomes the matchup problem
————
Lombardi showing why he’s an EX NFL executive. Surely he doesn’t realize that Arians likes a bigger slot that can block LBs and chip DEs… guys like Godwin, Fitzgerald, Hines Ward… McCoy is cooked though.
October 28th, 2020 at 9:43 am
Boston Boy Says:
October 28th, 2020 at 8:47 am
Still farting in the room and thinking its funny eh Joe. I’m beginning to feel sorry for you. You can’t write a piece without attempting to denigrate Brady and/or Gronk. Two guys that have increase your readership 500%.
Actually you are almost for sure wrong about readership increased by 500%.
The Jameis Winston experiment was so beautiful for this site. Fans for Jameis, Fans against Jameis, It was a never ending discussion for at least the last three years.
Brady does not give that dialogue to the Joe’s here and there is some loss of traffic without the every week discussion on Winston and his skill set.
There is no way readership is up 5 times or even 2 times.
October 28th, 2020 at 9:52 am
Actually Joe, your shot at Kevin Cash was ass backward. What wasn’t broke was his liberal use of their best relievers in high leverage situations created by a starter. Like it or not, that is how they roll. And, it worked, all the way to the sixth inning of the sixth game of the World Series against the best $221 million team in baseball. That said, I almost threw my dog (not NDOG) through the tv at the time.
October 28th, 2020 at 10:58 am
Donovan has stepped up of late. Wirfs and Ali are ridiculously good. Jensen and Cappa playing very well. Good times.
October 28th, 2020 at 11:27 am
BIG props to O-line! W/O their improved play, the Bucs’ record is worse, no doubt!
October 28th, 2020 at 12:25 pm
CHECK THIS OUT … Bucs are 5-2, leading the NFC South, 1 game out of first place, most points scored in NFL, and everyone’s favorite team (because secretly everyone loves to rub it in the Patriot’s face).
THIS IS WHERE I’M GOING … Imagine Jameis Winston in the New Orleans locker room. The conversations must be so uncomfortable! It’s got to be like getting dumped by like Kate Upton.
ROLE PLAY …
So you were with Kate? (or Bucs)
Ya.
She’s pretty hot.
Ya.
That’s gotta suck.
Ya.
You know she just got hotter? (AB)
Ya
OMG!!! Someone needs to interview him.
October 28th, 2020 at 1:51 pm
I can’t believe lazy ass Smith was included in doing a good job keeping TB clean. I might be wrong but the only time TB got knocked on his ass last week was because of Mr. lazy ass. Don’t tell me he’s worth anything close to 14 mil.
October 28th, 2020 at 1:59 pm
I’m glad that Marpet is finally getting some recognition, he should be an all-pro this year. I’m also happy everyone has discovered that Brady has forced Jensen to wear a diaper. Finally, while Wirfs won’t win this, I hope he gets some votes for offensive rookie of the year, he has been stellar so far.
October 28th, 2020 at 2:04 pm
With that opening it’s obvious that Joe Buck isn’t a Brady fan – rather the opposite – a long time hater. You must be a new reader. This is quite a misinformed take. Have a sense of humor. –Joe
When you look at recent team numbers following the wins and stats, how do you lead with the ancient preseason minor crap that has virtually nada to do with the infield play – not to mention leadership? Joe Buck has probably been burned by Brady & Gronk in previous years – time to let it go and enjoy the here and now with this team.
October 28th, 2020 at 6:07 pm
[Where exactly is Joe showing his “disrespect?” — Joe]