Yes, you learn that proper.
Leonard Fournette threw a cross to Tom Brady right now.
It didn’t go properly.
NFL followers in Germany are witnessing their first dwell NFL motion, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers squaring off with the Seattle Seahawks. In the primary half they have been handled to an epic show of punting, as Seattle’s Michael Dickson and Tampa Bay’s Jake Carmarda placed on a present on back-to-back possessions.
But that was only a warm-up for the principle act, which they noticed within the second half.
Tom Brady, large receiver.
It started innocently sufficient, with the Tampa Bay offense placing Fournette right into a Wildcat formation, and splitting Brady out large in direction of the sideline. In response, the Seattle protection fully ignored the veteran quarterback, as a result of who of their proper thoughts would assume to focus on a 45-year-old quarterback as a receiver?
Brady’s route — and the truth that he was large open — was seen instantly by everybody. From Rich Eisen, Kurt Warner and firm within the sales space to everybody on social media.
And, apparently, Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich.
Because a number of performs later, Tampa Bay lined up in the identical formation, however referred to as for Fournette to really goal Brady on a, properly, let’s name it a vertical route.
No matter how dangerous you would possibly assume it went, I can guarantee you it’s truly a lot, a lot worse:
Okay, a number of issues.
First, the concept to have Fournette use a half-roll to the proper to promote the run, after which throw again to the now-far aspect of the sphere, is a curious choice at finest.
Then there may be the imagery of Brady slipping and falling earlier than the cross even received to him. Interestingly sufficient, there have been studies earlier than the sport of Brady battling the turf at Allianz Arena:
Watching Tom Brady in warmups simply now, he planted to make a throw, seemed like he wasn’t thrilled with one thing. Looked down and mentioned, “Wow.” Turf, possibly?
— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) November 13, 2022
However, credit score to rookie cornerback Tariq Woolen, who this time lined Brady and was there to make the play.
Adding insult to damage, Brady was flagged for tripping Woolen after the interception.
One can solely think about what this dialog gave the impression of after the play:
Thankfully for the Buccaneers, their protection bailed out the offense. While the Seahawks put collectively a drive that had them deep in Tampa Bay territory, linebacker Devin White received to Geno Smith for a sack and knocked the ball unfastened, and the Buccaneers recovered to protect their 14-3 lead.
Now, simply by no means run that play once more.