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How Tom Brady fits with the Buccaneers – theScore

Published

5 years ago

March 31, 2020

As unthinkable as it still may seem, Tom Brady is now the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ quarterback. Brady separated himself from the New England Patriots, whom he helped steer through two decades of unmatched success, in part because he thinks he still has lots to prove.

But can he make things work with the Bucs? Tampa Bay hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2007. During the same span, Brady has played in 24 playoff games and five Super Bowls, winning three. This is going to be … different. But how? And can it work?

It ought to go without saying that Brady is the greatest quarterback of all time. It’s also easy to acknowledge that he benefited from the system with which Bill Belichick surrounded him. This is not to knock Brady or Belichick, but rather to acknowledge that team success is never the product of any single factor. Still, Brady will be 43 when the 2020 season begins (assuming it starts on time), and he’ll also be in a new environment with new coaches and new standards for the first time in his career.

There’s no way to know whether Brady’s body will begin to betray him, or what effect his new surroundings will have on him and vice versa. But it is possible to assess how Brady might mesh with what the Bucs have and with what head coach Bruce Arians and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich are trying to do.

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At first glance, Brady’s penchant for shorter, quicker throws seems as if it would clash with Arians’ predilection for quarterbacks who take deep drops in the pocket and heave the ball downfield. But Arians told NFL Network’s Mike Silver he’d keep an open mind about this, and he’s willing to collaborate with Brady and to adapt where necessary.

Arians has worked with Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck, Carson Palmer, Jameis Winston, and Ryan Fitzpatrick, among others. So he knows a thing or two about dealing with different QBs – and differing egos. “We’ll probably meet somewhere in the middle,” he told Silver.

This an important detail. The evidence that Brady’s arm has declined is mixed. In 2018 and 2019, per PFF, his average depth of target was just 8.4 yards. According to Football Outsiders, his percentage of failed completions – completed passes that fail to pick up 45% of needed yards on first down, 60% on second down, or 100% on third and fourth down – ranked 27th in the league (27.9). In addition, Brady’s 6.6% drop in failed completions from 2018 to 2019 was the biggest decline in the NFL.

In isolation, this would seem to indicate that Brady’s arm strength is deteriorating. But he also lacked help these last two seasons. In 2017, when the Patriots had speedster Brandin Cooks to stretch the field, Brady’s average depth of target was 10.4 yards, per PFF. But by 2019, his stable of pass catchers capable of getting open had pretty much vanished, at least after the Pats’ flirtations with Antonio Brown and Josh Gordon came to an end.

FiveThirtyEight’s Neil Paine ran Brady’s top three pass catchers through Pro Football Reference’s Approximate Value metric and determined that last year’s trio of Julian Edelman, Phillip Dorsett, and Jakobi Meyers had the lowest AV of any wideout group Brady’s worked with since 2013. Brady was thus forced to hold the ball longer – his average time to throw from 2018 to 2019 jumped from 2.62 seconds to 2.75 seconds, according to Next Gen Stats – and to check down more frequently.

And yet, as the clip ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky put together shows, Brady could still put plenty of zip on downfield throws outside the hash marks – exactly the kind of passes that require decent arm strength:

Can we stop with the “Brady’s arm isn’t strong enough to play in Arians’ style of offense? Tape as always-no lies ?? #NFLGamepass @JennaLaineESPN @NFLSTROUD #BucsNation @Bucs_Nation pic.twitter.com/9iOEfiGEIj

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) March 18, 2020

Bucs GM Jason Licht also talked up Brady’s arm strength in an appearance Monday on ESPN’s “Get Up.”

“The tape showed to us that he had plenty of arm. In fact, we thought that he had an ideal arm for Bruce in his system,” Licht said. “He can still throw it deep. We felt like the mobility was still the same as he’s always had, which, he’s never been able to outrun anybody. But he certainly is good in the pocket in terms of eluding pressure and with his poise and his instincts.

“We did not see a decline in his arm talent whatsoever. And, in fact, we feel like he could still play for over two years for us, and hopefully that’s the case.”

Brady will have better weapons in Tampa Bay than he had last season in New England. Wideout Mike Evans is one of the best in the league, and his combination of size and speed makes him the most complete target for Brady since Randy Moss.

Chris Godwin is another terrific talent. As Sports Illustrated’s Andy Benoit pointed out, Arians’ affinity for using tight split formations – whereby a slot receiver lines up close to the tackles – is ideally suited for pick plays and rub routes across the middle. It’s thus possible to envision Godwin sometimes playing the role Edelman did for Brady on such plays. And Godwin can thrive on out routes; per The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen, he had 19 catches for 223 yards on those routes last season.

The Bucs have a pair of solid tight ends in O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate, which creates another set of options for Brady, Arians, and Leftwich to tinker with. And Arians told reporters last week that the Bucs would “love to have a pass-catching back” to complement Ronald Jones. It’s no secret that running backs were a big part of Brady’s pass-catching arsenal in New England.

Lastly, there’s the offensive line. Center Ryan Jensen and left guard Ali Marpet both ranked in the top 10 at their respective positions last season in pass block win rate. But the Bucs aren’t nearly as strong on the outside. Tackle could be a position they attack in the draft, though trading with Washington to acquire Trent Williams is another possible option. Why this is important: Brady’s adjusted completion percentage – which factors in drops, throwaways, batted passes, spikes, and being hit when throwing – was 59.5 last season, which ranked 21st in the league, per PFF.

All told, there seems to be enough of a foundation in place in for Brady to play well with the Bucs. He apparently thought so, too, according to what Licht also had to say during his “Get Up” appearance. “It was almost like a recruitment on his part,” the GM said, “telling us why it would make sense for him to come to Tampa Bay.”

It does make some sense, but it’s also going to be different. Brady’s made his living in the AFC East, where every other team has spent the last 20 years largely involved in a clown-car pileup. He’s now in a new setting, and he’ll have to face off twice each against Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, and Teddy Bridgewater. Meanwhile, Father Time will be checking his watch.

Dom Cosentino is a senior features writer at theScore.

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Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

4 days ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

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Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

Published

4 days ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

Published

4 days ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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