February 12, 2021
A full 21 years into his unmatched career, Tom Brady is still finding ways to amaze the football world including Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich.
“Hell no. You just didn’t think it was possible, right?” Leftwich said when asked on the Huddle & Flow Podcast if he expected Tom Brady to excel at this stage of his career. “Like, you watched the tape of him and I knew his arm was still live, you know, you could tell me he still got a live arm. So you knew his arm was live. But then you get around it and you’re like, look at that ball. It’s the type of ball that he throws, it’s a friendly ball. It’s a penetrating ball. So it was unique to see him to be able to do all these things, still. Hell, I just turned 41 and I tried . . . and to see him, I’m like, man, just the see how he’s able to still do things the young guys could do.”
Defense could be the key
In a game that features two legendary quarterbacks, whichever team’s defense makes the most plays might be the deciding factor.
The Packers ranked 5th in the NFL in total defense, while the Bucs were 7th on the list. Also, the Bucs ranked 2nd in the league in pass defense, allowing 289.1 yards a game.
Aaron Rodgers talked about how difficult it will be facing Todd Bowles’ Tampa Bay defense.
Bucs trying to make history
With a win Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would become the first team to host a Super Bowl. However, Bucs fans aren’t thinking about that now. As Head Coach Bruce Arians said earlier this week, “You start thinking about the Super Bowl, you get your ass beat…”
Adam Gase draws positive review from Patriots HC Bill Belichick By Erin Walsh | Last updated 12/30/20
New York Jets head coach Adam Gase reportedly was informed that he d be fired following the team s Week 17 matchup against the New England Patriots. He hasn t drawn many positive reviews since joining the Jets in 2019, though he received one on Wednesday from one of his AFC East peers. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was asked about Jets quarterback Sam Darnold during his Wednesday press conference and lauded Gase and the Jets coaching staff in his response.
Belichick on Darnold cont d: I know he s getting good coaching. . I don t think he could get better coaching than where he is at. Ben Volin (@BenVolin) December 30, 2020
When it was announced a couple of hours before kickoff that the Miami Dolphins would be heading into Sunday s game against the New England Patriots without DeVante Parker, Mike Gesicki, and Jakeem Grant, fans let out a collective gasp knowing that Tua Tagovailoa short on offensive weaponry on a good day would be playing a must-win game without his top three playmakers on offense.
That seemed bad. After Miami spent half of the game with exactly zero points, not having enough good football players was confirmed to be bad.
Then, the Dolphins came out of halftime looking like a pound-the-rock-up-your-asses, leather-helmet-era juggernaut. The Patriots had no answers for it, so the Dolphins just kept running it.
Dolphins Brian Flores on Patriots QB Cam Newton: I think he s a problem By Erin Walsh | Last updated 12/16/20
Cam Newton has been anything but a problem this season. However, Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores thinks otherwise. The 39-year-old told reporters on Wednesday that despite his struggles with the New England Patriots, Newton still is a problem.
Brian Flores called Cam Newton a problem. He s a very good player in this league. I think he does a really good job extending plays, his ability to scramble. . We ve got to do a good job from pass rush standpoint, try to keep him in the pocket, not let him extend plays. pic.twitter.com/TBFyWpst3y Ben Volin (@BenVolin) December 16, 2020