Brady Set To Smash More Bucs Records

SR’s Fab 5 is a group of reporting and evaluation on the Bucs from yours really, Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds. Listed here are 4 issues that caught my consideration this week, plus some random tidbits in my Buc Pictures part on the finish. Take pleasure in!

FAB 1. Brady Set To Smash Extra Bucs Data

It took only one 12 months for Tom Brady to do a number of issues no Bucs quarterback has ever achieved. In 2020, Brady grew to become the primary Tampa Bay quarterback to win a Tremendous Bowl in his first season. Not solely that, however he additionally grew to become the franchise’s first-ever QB to win Tremendous Bowl MVP honors.

In the course of the 2020 common season, Brady broke Jameis Winston’s single-season passing touchdowns file with 40. He then broke his personal file final 12 months with 43 passing scores. And Brady additionally broke Winston’s single-season passing yardage file in 2021, throwing for five,316 yards to guide the league. That wound up being the third-most passing yards in a single season in NFL historical past.

As Brady enters what very nicely might be his ultimate season in Tampa Bay – and maybe the NFL – he has extra Bucs data to smash. Let’s have a look.

In simply two seasons in Tampa Bay, Brady has already handed Josh Freeman (80) with 83 profession passing touchdowns. Up subsequent is Winston’s franchise file of 121. If Brady passes for 39 touchdowns in 2022 he’ll topple that mark and grow to be the Bucs’ all-time landing chief. Brady has thrown for 40 and 43 TDs in every of his two seasons in pink and pewter, in order that appears possible if he stays wholesome.

Different Bucs Data Brady Would possibly Topple

Brady has eight-game successful drives with the Bucs. That ranks proper behind Vinny Testaverde (9), Freeman (10), Winston (11), Trent Dilfer (13) and Doug Williams (14). Brady has averaged 4 game-winning drives per season, so he’ll wind up with 12 after 2022 if he maintains that common. However a a lot more durable schedule may imply Brady might need to come back by way of with some extra game-winning drives. Seven extra this season and he’ll beat Williams’ franchise file.

And people seven would probably give Brady a tie for the franchise file of fourth-quarter comebacks, which is at present 13 – held by Williams. Brady has six fourth-quarter comebacks in his two years in Tampa Bay.

Brady at present holds the profession completion proportion file of 66.7. That edges out Brian Griese’s 65.6 for the lead. Brady accomplished 65.7% of his passes in his first 12 months in Tampa Bay. Final 12 months, he improved that proportion to 67.5%. It looks as if a secure wager that he’ll maintain on to this Bucs file in 2023.

Should you assume Brady holds the Bucs’ highest QB score distinction, you’d be unsuitable. Brady’s Bucs QB score is 102.1 by way of two years. That beat Ryan Fitzpatrick’s profession mark in pink and pewter of 94.7.

Nevertheless, backup Blaine Gabbert truly has the best QB score in Tampa Bay historical past for these showing in not less than 10 video games. Gabbert, who has largely been utilized in late-game, kneel-down conditions, has a QB score of 108.6. That’s largely as a result of he threw two touchdowns within the second half of the Bucs’ 47-7 win over the Lions in 2020. And he has but to throw an interception in mop-up responsibility.

The One Bucs Document That Will Nonetheless Be Out Of Attain

The one Bucs passing file Brady received’t break in 2023 is Winston’s profession passing yards mark. In two years, Brady has thrown for an incredible 9,949 yards. That at present ranks seventh on the Bucs’ all-time record.

He wants 992 yards to move Johnson (10,940) and a pair of,699 to maneuver previous Williams (12,648) into fifth place. If Brady passes for 4,872 yards this season, he’ll transfer previous Dilfer (12,969), Freeman (13,534) and Testaverde (14,820) into second place. However Brady would want one other 12 months to surpass Winston’s profession passing mark of 19,737. He’s at present 9,788 yards away from that file.

A pair of 4,900-yard passing seasons in pink and pewter would do it.

If Brady returns to Tampa Bay in 2023 that would actually occur.

FAB 2. Brady’s Crimson Zone Perfection Is Superb

One in every of Tom Brady’s most unbelievable data with the Bucs is his mastery within the pink zone. In 39 video games in Tampa Bay, together with the postseason, Brady has thrown 68 pink zone touchdowns.

Brady has thrown 60 pink zone touchdowns within the common season and eight within the postseason. These 68 scores account for 68% of the 99 whole touchdowns he’s thrown in Tampa Bay. He has thrown 83 within the common season and 16 within the postseason.

However what’s much more spectacular is that Brady hasn’t thrown a single interception within the pink zone since becoming a member of the Bucs.

PFF stories that Brady has 295 consecutive pink zone passes with out an interception within the common season. That’s really exceptional.

As a defensive coordinator charged with making an attempt to maintain quarterbacks out of the tip zone, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles marvels at Brady’s feat.

“That’s very uncommon,” Bowles stated. “It nonetheless amazes me to at the present time. You must be a really good, savvy quarterback to keep away from the stuff you keep away from. I’m certain there have been a number of tipped balls right here and there. However for probably the most half, he understands that we want factors – whether or not it’s seven or three. He’s been doing that a very long time. [The red zone TD-INT stat] one among his infants – I believe he takes a variety of satisfaction in it and I believe that claims loads in regards to the man.”

Brady’s Crimson Zone Targets

Do you bear in mind who caught Brady’s first landing move in 2020? It additionally occurred to be the primary of his 60 common season pink zone TD passes.

Should you guessed Mike Evans, you’d be unsuitable. Evans did catch a 2-yard landing at New Orleans within the Bucs’ 34-23 loss in Week 1 that 12 months. However that was Brady’s second TD move as a Buccaneer.

The primary was truly a 9-yard strike to former Bucs tight finish O.J. Howard. Brady wound up throwing 28 pink zone touchdowns out of his 40 TDs in 2020. Evans caught probably the most with 9 pink zone scores, adopted by Chris Godwin with six and Rob Gronkowski with 5.

In 2021, 32 of Brady’s 43 landing passes have been within the pink zone. Evans hauled in 10 of them, with Godwin and Gronkowski every catching 5.

Brady threw seven pink zone touchdowns within the 2020 postseason, with Gronkowski and Mike Evans main with two every. Leonard Fournette, Cameron Brate and Antonio Brown additionally caught pink zone TDs within the 2020 postseason. Gronkowski additionally caught Brady’s lone pink zone TD move within the 2021 playoffs – a 2-yarder towards Philadelphia.

FAB 3. What If Gronk’s Retirement Is A Sensible Joke?

Instantly after Bucs tight finish Rob Gronkowski introduced his retirement, his agent did one thing I’ve by no means seen earlier than. Simply minutes after the announcement was made public, Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that he envisions Gronkowski taking part in once more.

That’s odd.

And figuring out how Gronkowski likes to have an excellent time and play sensible jokes, the very first thing that got here to my thoughts was him probably “pulling a Tom Brady” and un-retiring after 40 days. That may imply Gronk skipping the primary few days of coaching camp and arriving in Tampa the weekend of July 30-31.

But when Gronk is taking part in some type of sensible joke on Brady, the Bucs and their followers, let’s hope basic supervisor Jason Licht is in on it. Tampa Bay should make investments hundreds of thousands in a veteran like Jared Prepare dinner, Blake Jarwin, Jimmy Graham, Kyle Rudolph or another person to exchange the long run Corridor of Famer.

The Bucs can’t signal Gronk’s alternative solely to have him say in a month, “Hey, simply kidding! I’m coming again!” After which pay Gronk hundreds of thousands, too.

So, if the Bucs don’t signal a veteran previous to the beginning of coaching camp, you’ll be able to nonetheless maintain out hope for this pipe dream state of affairs to occur and for Gronk to return.

If this isn’t a joke, then we must always all heed Rosenhaus’ phrases.

Will Gronk Return Midseason?

Maybe Gronkowski needs to forego coaching camp and the beginning of the season and solely play a half of a season. Perhaps Gronk doesn’t belief his physique, which has performed 11 years within the league, to carry up over a full 17-game season. Accidents have taken their toll on Gronkowski, now 33, through the years. Final 12 months, he missed 5 video games after breaking ribs and puncturing his lung in a Week 3 loss towards the Rams.

In 2020, Gronkowski noticed Antonio Brown be part of the crew in November and assist the Bucs win a Tremendous Bowl simply over three months later. Maybe he’ll observe go well with as a shock midseason addition?

Gronkowski already retired as soon as following New England’s Tremendous Bowl win in 2018. After sitting out the 2019 season attributable to accidents, the 31-year outdated Gronkowski got here out of retirement to reunite with Brady in Tampa Bay. The Bucs traded for Gronkowski to accumulate his rights and he helped the crew win Tremendous Bowl LV.

Perhaps this time, Gronkowski shortens his retirement from a 12 months to just some months and returns to assist the Bucs win one other Tremendous Bowl.

FAB 4. Bucs Might Wait To Signal Some Veterans

As Pewter Report’s Matt Matera identified on Thursday, the Bucs have a few evident holes at each exterior linebacker and tight finish. It’s not that the Bucs lack sufficient our bodies or sufficient expertise. It’s that Tampa Bay lacks expertise at each positions.

However Bucs basic supervisor Jason Licht would possibly wait till deep into coaching camp or maybe after the preseason to handle one or each of these wants.

Second-year participant Joe Tryon-Shoyinka replaces Jason Pierre-Paul as a beginning exterior linebacker reverse Professional Bowler Shaq Barrett. Veteran Anthony Nelson, who’s in a contract 12 months, is the highest reserve off the bench. If all three keep wholesome, the Bucs ought to be tremendous with both Cam Gill, Elijah Ponder or maybe seventh-round choose Andre Anthony because the fourth exterior linebacker. But when the Bucs lose Barrett, who missed three video games final 12 months, rapidly they lack a ton of expertise on the sector.

The identical may be stated at tight finish, the place Cameron Brate is admittedly the one veteran on the crew. Codey McElroy, 29, has been round since 2019, however totally on the apply squad. He’s performed in simply three video games in three years and isn’t a lock to make the crew. Tampa Bay invested a pair of draft picks in Cade Otton (fourth spherical) and Ko Kieft (sixth spherical). The Bucs like their expertise and are optimistic for his or her futures. Brate shouldn’t be a super starter, particularly after shedding Rob Gronkowski to retirement. So, if he goes down with an harm, the Bucs are awfully younger and inexperienced.

It appears probably that the Bucs would wish to add an skilled edge rusher like former Buc Carl Nassib, Justin Houston or Carlos Dunlap in some unspecified time in the future. The identical might be stated at tight finish, with veterans like Jimmy Graham, Kyle Rudolph, Jared Prepare dinner and Blake Jarwin nonetheless out there.

Bucs Have Waited To Add Gamers After Camp Earlier than

But, with loads of younger expertise that the Bucs like already on the roster, there may not be a rush to signal a veteran proper now. Tampa Bay would possibly undergo coaching camp, giving the younger edge rushers and tight ends extra reps to see how shortly they develop. Including a veteran at one or each of these positions would solely take away reps in camp and within the preseason video games from guys like Gill, Ponder, Anthony, Otton, Kieft and others.

Licht and head coach Todd Bowles might wish to entry the positions in late August to see if a veteran is really wanted. If Otton appears to be like like a No. 1 tight finish, the Bucs could be tempted to not add a veteran tight finish in the beginning of the season. That may additionally depart the door open simply in case Gronkowski needs to come back out of retirement midseason. If Gill or Ponder finally ends up main the Bucs in sacks within the preseason, maybe going with a younger, rising participant with extra upside makes extra sense than signing an growing older veteran whose expertise are in decline.

Licht is understood for his persistence. In 2014, he acquired defensive finish Jacquies Smith off waivers in early September. He wound up being a two-year starter. The identical occurred in 2018, when Licht claimed Nassib off waivers per week earlier than the season began. And working again Leonard Fournette wasn’t signed till per week previous to the beginning of the 2020 season.

Assist could be on the way in which at exterior linebacker and tight finish – however it could or might not arrive till after coaching camp.

FAB 5. SR’s Buc Pictures

• MIKE IS TOM’S MAIN MAN: In two seasons collectively, Bucs receiver Mike Evans and quarterback Tom Brady have linked for 27 touchdowns. Brady and Evans even have a pair of postseason touchdowns, too. Final 12 months, Evans broke his personal file for many TD catches in a season with 14. What’s on faucet for 2022?

• BRADY CHOSE THE BUCS – TWICE: Whereas rumors swirled this offseason about Tom Brady probably taking part in elsewhere, he finally got here out of retirement to play with the Bucs. Which means he’s now chosen Tampa Bay twice.

• DON’T ENCOURAGE HIM, GRONK: Retired Bucs tight finish Rob Gronkowski had some enjoyable on Twitter concerning his re-retirement and Brady’s quick retirement.

• FIRST BALLOT HALL OF FAMER: Gronk’s stats communicate for themselves.

THIS WEEK’S PEWTER REPORT PODCASTS

• REACTION TO GRONKOWSKI’S RETIREMENT ON THE PEWTER REPORT PODCAST: The Pewter Report Podcast is energized by CELSIUS and broadcasts 4 dwell episodes every week. Pewter Report Podcasts sometimes air on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 4:00 pm EST within the offseason.

On Monday, Matt Matera and Scott Reynolds mentioned the Bucs’ offensive sleepers heading into coaching camp.

Tuesday’s episode featured loads of dialogue concerning Rob Gronkowski’s retirement announcement.

Matera, Reynolds and J.C. Allen analyzed the Bucs’ defensive sleepers heading into coaching camp.

Matera and Kasey Hudson talked about whether or not the Bucs are nonetheless a prime NFC crew even with out Gronkowski on Thursday.

Watch the Pewter Report Podcasts dwell on our PewterReportTV channel on YouTube.com and please subscribe (it’s free) and add your feedback. We archive all Pewter Report Podcasts. So, you’ll be able to watch the recorded episodes for those who missed them dwell.

There isn’t a higher time to take heed to or watch a brand new Pewter Report Podcast – energized by CELSIUS – than Friday afternoon on the way in which residence from work. Or early Saturday morning throughout your exercise or whereas working errands.

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FINAL VIDEO

• GRONK’S BEST PLAYS AS A BUCCANEER: You might need to observe this video on YouTube, however the Bucs have compiled an inventory of Rob Gronkowki’s finest performs in pink and pewter through the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Take pleasure in.