“Tom Brady needs to get back to this team” – Ryan Clark blasts Bucs QB’s leadership amidst wretched form
Throughout the first six weeks of the 2022 season, it seemed like one of the more surprising teams has been Tampa Bay Buccaneers of Tom Brady. The Bucs started the season 2-0 but then lost three out of their next four games, falling to 3-3.
3-3 Buccaneers
3-3 Falcons
2-4 Saints
1-4 Panthers*
Saints are helped by a mediocre division, but they're part of the reason it's so mediocre to begin with.
They suffered losses to the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
ESPN analyst and former NFL safety Ryan Clark spoke about Tom Brady needing to get back to his team by being a better leader.
"Tom Brady is three for 10. He actually had wide receivers running wide open. He's darting the ball, over throwing the ball, missed throws. And now, you look at him and you think to yourself and you have to if you're on that team.
"Dang, man, I sure wish you wasn't a witness eating sugar cookies or whatever he puts in his cookies. I'm sure it's some type of rejuvenation pill or something that they put in pretty melted and it make sure that he looks good for the weekend but Tom Brady needs to get back to this team."
Clark added that Brady needs to get back to his leadership role in the same way he was in New England. He also talked about the relationship between Brady and the head coach of the team.
"I don't mean back to this team in the way that he's just playing on the field, but being the leader and being the teammate, also being one of the guys. The one thing we loved about him in New England was, they said that Bill Belichick treated Tom Brady exactly like the rest of the team.
"So there was nothing that he couldn't say to the other 52 players. That's where Todd Bowles needs to get with Tom Brady. That's what Tom Brady needs to get back to. It needs to get back to leading this team and playing the type of football that he played last year."
Buccaneers' 3-3 start through six games is the worst in Tom Brady era
Following Tampa Bay's upset loss on Sunday to the Pittsburgh Steelers, they sit at a .500 record of 3-3. That is the worst start to the three seasons that Brady has been with them.
In his first season with the team, the Bucs were 4-2 through six games, and last season, they were 5-1.
Part of the reason the Bucs have been struggling is because it's been hard for them to stay healthy this season. Their wide-outs, including Chris Godwin, Julio Jones, and Russell Gage have all had issues staying on the field. The same goes for their offensive line.
Tampa is also coached by Todd Bowles, who is in his first year with the team as they were coached by Bruce Arians in the last two.
Clark is right, Brady needs to step up as a leader. But he also needs more out of his teammates in order for the Bucs to succeed.
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