5 Thoughts
- If you own a snake as a pet, you don't get a lot of sympathy when he bites you. Remember that as you assess the damage in the wake of the Antonio Brown meltdown. Hey, it was always going to end badly, and the Bucs invited the flames with their refusal to discipline Brown.
2. I wonder what Keyshawn Johnson thinks of the way Brown went out.
3. I'm not taking sides here, but I have never covered a coach -- any coach -- who would have tolerated what Brown did Sunday. And if Brown is going to come up with some phantom injury, I'd like to see the notes from when he complained to the team trainer. Brown has been hurt often enough to know the procedure.
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4. If Brown had gone back into the game, does that mean Cyril Grayson wouldn't have been in the lineup for that last drive?
5. If you're undecided about the NFL MVP this year, how about this stat? Tom Brady has five fourth-quarter comebacks. Aaron Rodgers has two.
5 Comments
(From Bruce Arians' Day-After Press Conference)
(On if Antonio Brown told him he was hurt): "No. It' s pretty obvious what happened. He left the field and that was it. It was very hard. I wish him well. I hope, if he needs help, [that he] gets some. It’s very hard because I do care about him.””
(On the health of the team's running backs): We’re waiting to see on RoJo’s (Ronald Jones II) MRI on his ankle with how severe it is. I think Ke’Shawn [Vaughn] has bruised ribs and hopefully he’ll be ready to go. I have my fingers crossed that Gio [Bernard] might be able to get back. Kenjon Barner is ready and Le’Veon [Bell] is ready, so we’ll have somebody out there.”
(On if Mike Evans (who needs 54 more yards) will be able to challenge fo another 1,000-yard season): Seeing him today, he said he felt good. We’ll wait and see how it goes. Obviously, I would love to see him have it.”
On if Sunday's run defense shows the importance of Lavonte David): "Oh, I don’t think there’s any doubt. More of it was just flat missed tackles – the 55-yard run should have been a no gain. The other 20-yarder we had them for a loss, but just make better tackles. But yeah, you can’t replace Lavonte. He is one of a kind.”
(On balancing injuries and going for the NFC's second seed on Sunday): “There is none. There is no balance. You play to win. You play to get that second seed, that’s huge. We’re not resting anybody. We’re playing to win.”
Game Balls
Offense: It's Tom Brady's team. He threw for 410 yards and led a fourth-quarterback comeback.
Defense: Antoine Winfield led the team in tackles with seven.
Special teams: Ryan Succop kicked two field goals and two extra points.
Grades
Quarterback: No, Brady isn't perfect on every throw. But he's the best this team has ever had by far. Grade: A.
Running back: Injuries played a part, but the Bucs didn't run on the Jets the way a lot of teams have. Grade: C.
Offensive line: The pass protection was excellent, particularly on the winning drive The run block can be better. Grade: B-.
Receivers: Except for Brown's sideline antics, the game was marked by young receivers: Grade: B.
Defensive line: Didn't this team used to be good against the run? Grade: D.
Linebackers: One of Devin White's worst games, with just two tackles. Grade: D.
Secondary: Still not enough plays made. Grade: C.
Special teams: Lousy punting, not much in the return game. Grade: C-.
Worst Performances
- Antonio Brown.
2. Devin White.
3. Sterling Hofrichter
4, Scotty Miller
5. Kevin Minter
Bad Endings
- Antonio Brown
2. Keyshawn Johnson
3. Ray Perkins
4. Austin Seferian-Jenkins
5. Jeff Jagodzinski
MVP Comparison
Brady Rodgers
1 Passing Yards 9
1 TD Passes 3
1 Attemps 13
1 Completions 11
1 First Downs 8
Fourth-Quarter Comebacks
- Peyton Manning. 43
2. Tom Brady 42
3. Ben Roethlisberger 40
4. Drew Brees 36
5. Matthew Stafford 34
5. (Tie) Johnny Unitas 34