Saturday, 3 a.m.
5 Thoughts
- There are a lot of ways to rate quarterbacks. Yardage. Touchdowns. Wins. Third-down conversions. My favorite has always been the fourht-quarter comeback, that time of the game when you can smell either victory or defeat. If you have a great one, he's going to deliver. And no one has ever done it better than Tom Brady. Technically, Brady is still three comebacks behind Peyton Manning all-time. However, Brady leads 9-2 in post-season comebacks, which gives him an edge. His next comeback will be the 50th of his career.
If you're counting, Joe Montana had 26 and Roger Staubach had 13.
Content beyond this point is for members only.
Already a member? To view the rest of this column, sign in using the handy "Sign In" button located in the upper right corner of the GarySheltonSports.com blog (it's at the far right of the navigation bar under Gary's photo)!
Not a member? It's easy to subscribe so you can view the rest of this column and all other premium content on GarySheltonSports.com.
2. Lavonte David and Devin White combined for 21 tackles Thursday night. How can anyone not think they're the best tandem in the league?
3. If I'm Rod Jones, I hereby grand Jamel Dean permission to use my old nickname: Toast.
4. Maybe it's just me, but I think the second-best offensive player the Bucs' had on Thursday night was Antonio Brown.
5. Is it just me or do we have a running back controversy already? As in, do the Bucs have one?
5 Comments
(From Bruce Arians' day-ager press conference)
(On if other teams will attack the Buc' the way the Cowboys did): "Oh, there's no doubt. No doubt, brother. You've got to put the fires out each week, you know? They had a nice plan but still the game comes down to situational football and we won situational football. We'll see the same things. They had a nice plan defensively, too, but I think we're a bit farther along offensively now. But yeah, we're going to see screens, screens, screens – throw it out there and see if you can make the tackle."
(On kicker Ryan Succop): "He's a solid pro. He had a great year last year and came in and took a little while to get it going, but we had all the confidence in the world. I don't believe in jinxes, and I don't think he does either, so he's never really struggled at that end at all."
(On why Ronald Jones II didn't return to the game after his fumble): ‘Ro’ was running really, really well until the fumble, and then he struggled mentally to get over it. That was too big of a game and go out there and not be focused, so ‘Lenny’ got the rest of the way."
(On the punting of Brandon Pinion): "Our special teams won the ballgame, there's no doubt. Between Bradley pinning them inside the 10 three times and ‘Mick’ (Jaydon Mickens) covering. Mick had a hell of a night [in the] return game; it's a shame we had a penalty on the punt return. But yeah, I think all those young guys – Grant [Stuard] had a tackle, they protected well. They showed up exactly in the ways we want them to. Our kickers kicked well and our returners were really, really good but they had good blocking, too."
(On defensive tackle Vita Vea): "Everybody thinks of him as a run-stuffer but he's a hell of a pass-rusher. He got the one holding; it should have been back-to-back holding penalties. He crushed that guard both times. They called the first one, but they wouldn't call two in a row. He had a hell of a night."
Game Balls
Offense: Are you kidding. It's Brady. Of course it's Brady.
Defense: David had one more tackle than White. This week, the honor is his.
Special teams: Jordan Mickens averaged 39.7 yada per kickoff return.
Grades
Quarterback: The Bucs don't win this game with any other quarterback in the history of the franchise. Grade: A.
Running back: So which do you like better? Ronald Jones' fumble or Leonard Fournette's bobble that led to an interception? Grade: D.
Offensive line: Too many penalties, but they protected Brady: Grade B.
Defensive line: Vea was a beast, but shouldn't there have been more of a pass rush? Grade: C.
Secondary: The Bucs played chase most of the night. Grade: F.
Special teams: Good night putting, returning and winning field goal. A good night. Grade A.
5 Players You're Glad Don't Kick for the Bucs Anymore
- Roberto Aguayo
2. Kyle Brindza
3. Nick Folk
4. Mirro Roder
5. Bill Capece
5 Quarterbacks Your'e Glad Don't Pass for the Bucs Anymore
- Jameis Winston
2. Josh Freeman
3. Trent Dilfer
4. Vinny Testaverde
5. Bruce Gradkowski
5 Coaches You're Glad Don't Work for the Bucs Anymore
- Richard Williamson
2. Leeman Bennett
3. Ray Perkins
4. Lovie Smith
5. Raheem Morris
3+ Touchdown Passes
1. Drew Brees (2001-2020) 97
2. Tom Brady (2000-Present) 94
3. Peyton Manning (1998-2015) 93
4. Aaron Rodgers (2005-Present) 75
5. Brett Favre (1991-2010) 72
4th Quarter Comebacks
(Regular Season)
1, Peyton Manning 43
2. Tom Brady 40
3. Drew Brees 36
4. Ben Roethlisberger 35
5. Johnny Unitas 34