Former Tom Brady teammate concedes that Bucs QB can’t save team
Tom Brady's former New England Patriots teammate and linebacker Rob Ninkovich doesn't think that the legendary quarterback can save the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' season. Ninkovich, who was Brady's teammate for eight years, made the comments on ESPN's Get Up.
With Tampa Bay in serious trouble with a 3-4 record after losing four out of their last five games, many are looking to Brady to solve the team's problems. But at the time of writing, his efforts have been in vain.
For Ninkovich, the 45-year-old doesn't look like the same quarterback and can't save the season, despite still playing at a high level.
“At this point, you can't just look at Tom and think that he's the guy that's going to solve every issue that this team has. You have a bunch of health issues. You have key players that are out, that's hard to overcome. And then on top of that, you have a new coaching style in place as a head coach.
"And Tom is 45 years old. So, I look at it and sometimes it's upsetting a little bit to see Tom in this position because he had an opportunity to just kind of walk off in."
Ninkovich continued:
"And after last year's playoff game, I don't think anyone would have debated, you know, Tom Brady looking the way he looked. He could have played another year. Of course he could have. But at this point, you wonder if he regrets putting himself back in this position, because now everybody is talking about Tom Brady, the player and how he doesn't look the same. But I still think he's playing at a high level.”
Tom Brady still has time to turn things around
While things down in Tampa aren't looking good right now, there is still time to steady the ship. With only seven of the 17 games played this season, there is more than enough time to turn things around.
The Buccaneers are still in first place in the NFC South and are hoping to get some key players back on offense soon. The big question is, can the Buccaneers stay afloat until the cavalry arrives?
With games against the Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks in the next three weeks, they will need to start winning games and fast.
Many thought the NFC South was going to be Tampa's to lose. Well, with Atlanta looking decent at 3-4 as well, the Buccaneers could even have themselves a fight to just win the division.
However, it's Tom Brady and if we have learned anything over the last 22 years, it's that one writes him off at their own peril.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit ESPN's Get Up and H/T Sportskeeda