The media pundits and haters have told us for years that Buccaneers QB Tom Brady is nothing more than a checkdown artist. The numbers show that isn’t true.
Tom Brady has proven a lot of people wrong during his time with the Buccaneers. A lot of what he accomplished had to do with his age relative to a franchise that had been terrible for most of Brady’s life, but getting out of New England also meant disproving a myth that has followed Brady for most of his career.
For years, we heard that the system Bill Belichick constructed was what propped up Brady as the GOAT. We heard that Bill could win with anyone.
Well, the results are in, and one of these guys was far more successful than the other after their split.
Not only did Brady win a ring and almost won an MVP, but he did it in an offense that was nearly the exact opposite of what he had in New England.
The run game? Non-existent. Checkdown passes? Well, those weren’t there either.
Which QB relies on the checkdown too often? https://t.co/EoMThX6I9R
— PFF (@PFF) May 26, 2022
While Brady did bring back his average depth of target throughout the 2021 season, PFF went about compiling the numbers and rates at which quarterbacks deferred to checkdown passes, and the numbers would surprise some people.
Brady and his “noodle arm” are nowhere to be seen amongst the highest offenders during the sample size. This might have something to do with the talent he has relative to some of his opponents, but it also shows that Brady isn’t nor has been tied to an “easy” scheme that has crutches for the quarterback.
Tom Brady is the reason why this Bucs team is great. Getting the ball down the field and in an efficient manner has revolutionized the franchise, and we hope to see much more of it during the 2022 season.
Want to write about the Buccaneers? Apply below!
Want your voice heard? Join the The Pewter Plank team!