Tom Brady and the Buccaneers’ loss last week brought more than just their season to an end. It is also potentially bringing Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich’s time at Tampa to a close. And while a lot of fans cheered the change, former NFL legend and 3x Super Bowl-winning tight end Shannon Sharpe is not happy with it.
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Sharpe thinks Brady should take more blame for this 8-10 season after the Dallas Cowboys eliminated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-14 in the wild-card round. Tampa Bay saw considerable success under Byron Leftwich’s play calling the last 2 years. And Shannon thinks the Bucs treated him unfairly.
Shannon Sharpe doesn’t think it’s Byron’s fault
“The Bucs never gave Byron Leftwich credit for calling plays in the Super Bowl but the moment Tom falls off, Byron Leftwich’s got to go,” an exasperated Sharpe said on the ‘Undisputed’ telecast. “Tom didn’t play well this year. Let’s not acknowledge that. Let’s put that on the OC,” the former Bronco sarcastically added. The Buccaneers won back-to-back NFC South divisional titles and one Lombardi Trophy during Byron’s time.
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However, fans think that the brilliance didn’t lie in Leftwich. According to the supporters, it was former HC Bruce Arians who made the offense strong. And more than Tom Brady, it was the entire team that failed as a unit this year, after an injury-depleted offensive line added to the problems.
I detect no lies here!
in 23 seasons Tom Brady got one head coach and offensive coordinator fired, Brady didn't play well but why is he acting like he purposely got the OC fired, like I don't get why he is so mad lol I just don't get it
Shannon bud grow up and stop blaming a QB for a coach’s mistake
it wasn't just Tom that fell off it was the entire offense in every way imaginable so often not even attempting to establish a run game, not even pretend they're trying to, and asking a 45 yr old to throw 60+ times a game instead the entire coaching staff was lost and clueless
Yes they did that’s why he was going to be interviewed for head coaching jobs.u got to admit this season there were a lot of issues but the play calling was horrendous. Also isn’t what ur buddy Lebron does…le ton and Brady are the same yet u treat them different
Fans thought Shannon’s treatment of Brady and LeBron James was hypocritical as the superstars are more or less going through a very similar phase in their careers. However, this is not surprising, as Sharpe is a die-hard LBJ fan. And he even almost fought the Grizzlies for trying to mess with LeBron last night at the Lakers game.
Tom Brady can also join Byron Leftwich in looking for a new team
Last week’s loss to the Dak Prescott-led Cowboys may have been Tom Brady’s final Buccaneers game. After a short and confusing post-game press conference that left a lot to wonder, TB12’s future hangs with his contract ending in March. However, Shannon thinks it won’t be as hard for the seven-time Super Bowl champion to find a team as it would be for Byron Leftwich.
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 8, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks to offensive coordinator Bryan Leftwich on the field prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Despite the NFL’s inclusive hiring policies, the insiders know the inherent bias prevalent during the selection of head coaches. “Don’t you turn down no jobs. Because the likelihood of you getting another opportunity is not very good,” Shannon said, while wishing Byron the best. Leftwich had turned down the Jaguars HC job offer before arriving in Tampa.
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Brady finished the league third in passing yards (4694). However, his touchdowns (25) and overall QBR rating (52.6) were nowhere close to the peak years. And Sharpe thinks that for a guy, who had nothing to do with drafting or signing or roster selection, Byron met an unfortunate end at Tampa Bay.