Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady hasn’t won seven Super Bowl titles by being thin-skinned. He’ll take criticism from players, coaches and even the media.
This still rings true with Tom Terrific in the midst of his 22nd NFL season. Following the defending champ’s ugly 29-19 loss to the Washington Football Team last week, head coach Bruce Arians called out the team.
In his postgame presser, Arians said that the Buccaneers are a “very dumb football team.”
“Energy and passion is very fixable, the penalties, they got to get corrected sooner or later. I mean, first play of the game we’re shifting, and we jump offsides and they don’t even run a play and we jump offsides. Just the stupidity has to go away if we’re gonna go anywhere. That has nothing to do with ability, it’s all about execution and being a smart football team. We’re a very dumb football team and that’s a reflection of the coaches.”
Including Brady throwing another two interceptions, the Buccaneers’ mistake-filled performance left a sour taste in the mouth of Mr. Arians. For good reason. Tampa Bay ranks in the bottom six of the NFL in penalties per game at north of seven.
For his part, Brady has surprisingly thrown four interceptions in the past two games after starting the season out having tossed 21 touchdowns and three picks in his first seven starts. Apparently, he’s not immune to criticism and is willing to take it.
Tom Brady responds to Bruce Arians’ criticism
“Hopefully, we’re all very receptive to it because that’s what being a player is and that’s what being a great teammate is,” Brady said on his "Let's Go!" podcast Wednesday.
Part of Brady’s ability to win consistently is his willingness to look in the mirror. Remember, it was early in his first season with the Buccaneers that Brady threw three interceptions in his first two starts. The future Hall of Famer went on to toss 37 touchdowns and nine picks in his final 14 regular-season starts, eventually leading Tampa Bay to its second Super Bowl title.
At 6-3 on the season, Tampa Bay still finds itself in first place in the NFC South. It has what should be a relatively easy game against the New York Giants on Monday night. Further struggles against a lesser team could lead to more questions in Tampa.
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