Why The Chargers Picked Off Tom Brady

[Blue Bolt]

:Bolt: Wonder why the Chargers managed to pick off Brady 3 times, when other teams couldn't touch him?

The answer - this guy:
http://www.nfl.com/static/content/catch_all/nfl_image/Bradley_Bill.jpg
Bill Bradley

In the "Inside The NFL" highlights of the Chargers vs. Patriots AFC Championship game, they had a sideline clip of Bill Bradley talking to the secondary on the sideline. In animated fashion, he was telling them that when Brady dropped back, that the first receiver he looked to was the one he ended up throwing the ball to. That's right, the "best QB to ever play the game"' was unconsciously tipping off the defense where he intended to throw the ball.

It reminded me of that old Chargers playoff game against the Oilers where Fouts claimed they stole the Chargers offensive signals. An Oiler player later said that they could tell by the play calls by Fouts' footwork:

It was Gregg Bingham, an Oilers linebacker, who had told me about it, in the locker room, without spelling out how it worked. I found out when I ran into Bingham in a bar in the off-season.

"Very simple," he said. "We read Fouts' feet before the snap. When they were square, he would hand off on a running play. When one was behind the other, it was going to be a pass. Worked every time."

It seems rather simple, but sometimes you don't need spy-gate to get an advantage on the opposition, you just have to be observant. :Beer:

[spysnipedis]

chargers are cheaters.

[LordBling]

I really doubt it was that simple.

[RIPgriggs]

i rembember on coach, asst coach luther van dam was in the hospital for some reason during a big bowl game, and he was watching the game and noticed that the other teams QB was tipping his palys also,

it was funny he had to try to get ahold of coach hayden and the doctors were trying to stop him

then dauber some how relayed the message

haha i like that show

[ReadyToBolt]

Bolts picked off Brady 3 times last year too, didn't they? This is Bradley's 1st year as a coach in SD. I think the reason for the picks is the same as for the picks against Peyton Manning: Strong pass rush and good db's.

[ChargerBoy4Life]

you know on that florence pick against the pats in the afccg on espn they were talkin about the boot gate and thats why he through a couple picks.. cus i guess his ankle was hurt:P

[ReadyToBolt]

I didn't see that, although it comes as no surprise that espn is making excuses for Tom Terrific. I think the simple answer is that we have good talent and match up well. Jammer handled Moss when he was with the faiders and it's no different now that he is with the Pats. Cro is a beast, and with a starter (Flo) at nickel and Weddle in there anyone is going to have problems, even TB.

[shoedork]

because cro wanted to introduce himself. and jammer wanted to re-introduce himself.

[SuperMatt]

Very interesting. Nice find!

[BuenoExcelente]

Wolfie told me that when Fouts was getting a bit long in the tooth...or in his later playing days, he could tell if the play was pass or run when they broke the huddle. If it was pass, Fouts had a spring in his step and if it was run, he kinda hung his shoulders and trudged to the line.

[gobigblue]

You can hear the Bradley comments on the following link:

http://www.nfl.com/partner?partnerType=game-of-the-week&season=2007&seasonType=REG&week=20

[croco]

I don't think it's too surprising that you can read a lot out of shoulder and foot movement, you almost have to study film on a QB doing it.

[DDMALO]

Brady throws 6 picks in two playoff games against us and we lose both. Nauseating.

[The Moekid]

You can hear the Bradley comments on the following link:

http://www.nfl.com/partner?partnerType=game-of-the-week&season=2007&seasonType=REG&week=20

I saw that and he was correct for the most part. When Gil Byrd was playing CB for us he cracked Elways code and could tell when the ball was coming because of a hand tap. Served him well.

[DutchCheddar]

I don't think it's too surprising that you can read a lot out of shoulder and foot movement, you almost have to study film on a QB doing it.

Astute observation! Do you think players and coaches in today's game watch any film? I wonder if they pick up any tendancies that opponents might be tipping off.

Just a thought on a cold, rainy day.

[SuperBowlBolts]

Astute observation! Do you think players and coaches in today's game watch any film? I wonder if they pick up any tendancies that opponents might be tipping off.

Just a thought on a cold, rainy day.

They watch tons of film, I would like to believe they watch more film now more than ever. We have plenty of guys who spend extra time in the film room one of them is Cro.

[Bolttime]

Brady throws 6 picks in two playoff games against us and we lose both. Nauseating.

I agree man it is pretty sad when you get the 3 turnovers and still manage to lose the game. If we lose in the play-offs next year like we have the past 3 times that is really going to hurt a lot.

[Blue Bolt]

I agree man it is pretty sad when you get the 3 turnovers and still manage to lose the game. If we lose in the play-offs next year like we have the past 3 times that is really going to hurt a lot.

It's not so surprising when you have as many injured to key players as the Chargers did. A healthy Chargers team forcing 3 turnovers would've been able to close the deal - IMHO. :Beer:

[Bolttime]

It's not so surprising when you have as many injured to key players as the Chargers did. A healthy Chargers team forcing 3 turnovers would've been able to close the deal - IMHO. :Beer:

Not only close the deal I think we would of blown them out. I can't use injuries as an excuse because we had plenty of chances to score.

[thumper300zx]

Well, if it's true that this is what Brady does, it would take any SMART ESPN analyst about 10 minutes to figure it out and capitalize.



:Bolt: Wonder why the Chargers managed to pick off Brady 3 times, when other teams couldn't touch him?

The answer - this guy:
http://www.nfl.com/static/content/catch_all/nfl_image/Bradley_Bill.jpg
Bill Bradley

In the "Inside The NFL" highlights of the Chargers vs. Patriots AFC Championship game, they had a sideline clip of Bill Bradley talking to the secondary on the sideline. In animated fashion, he was telling them that when Brady dropped back, that the first receiver he looked to was the one he ended up throwing the ball to. That's right, the "best QB to ever play the game"' was unconsciously tipping off the defense where he intended to throw the ball.

It reminded me of that old Chargers playoff game against the Oilers where Fouts claimed they stole the Chargers offensive signals. An Oiler player later said that they could tell by the play calls by Fouts' footwork:



It seems rather simple, but sometimes you don't need spy-gate to get an advantage on the opposition, you just have to be observant. :Beer:

[SuperMatt]

Well, if it's true that this is what Brady does, it would take any SMART ESPN analyst about 10 minutes to figure it out and capitalize.

Precisely the problem.

:D

[Blue Bolt]

Well, if it's true that this is what Brady does, it would take any SMART ESPN analyst about 10 minutes to figure it out and capitalize.

"Inside The NFL" is on HBO actually, but I get your point. The only thing is, none of the "expert" analysts on the show commented on that. I just noticed it when they should the highlight clips of the game.

After the highlights, neither Collingsworth, Marino, or Carter mentioned anything about what Bill Bradley said about Brady. They just said that Brady had a bad game. :p

[PGHChargerfan]

The Bolts picked off Brady three times last season, too. Pressure will always cause a QB to throw errant passes ... well, that, and the occasional leg whip. Ask Mike Vrabel...

[Blue Bolt]

The Bolts picked off Brady three times last season, too. Pressure will always cause a QB to throw errant passes ... well, that, and the occasional leg whip. Ask Mike Vrabel...

That's true, pressure will create mistakes, but last year Brady didn't have Moss, Stallworth, and Welker to throw to - that makes a big difference.

When Reche Caldwell is your #1 receiver, you've got problems. :p

http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/reche_caldwell_insane_1_1.jpg

[starry]

Bolts picked off Brady 3 times last year too, didn't they? This is Bradley's 1st year as a coach in SD. I think the reason for the picks is the same as for the picks against Peyton Manning: Strong pass rush and good db's.

Exactly. People want to make out this was a big jump for the team, but we actually played well against NE a year ago as well. Both games could have gone either way.

[Blue Bolt]

Exactly. People want to make out this was a big jump for the team, but we actually played well against NE a year ago as well. Both games could have gone either way.

Yes, but as I pointed out, last years Pats team was nowhere near as good as this years Pats team.

Last years game, the Chargers had to choke it away to lose. This year, they had a much tougher task, but despite the injuries to key players, the Chargers proved they have the talent to compete with New England.

Next year, if they stay healthy, the Bolts should be able to finally beat the Pats in the playoffs when it counts. :Beer:

[eltrebor]

Why? Because he played a team who had the most INT's this season.

[Encinitas Fan]

It's not so surprising when you have as many injured to key players as the Chargers did. A healthy Chargers team forcing 3 turnovers would've been able to close the deal - IMHO. :Beer:
THANK YOU.... why does this keep getting overlooked, or side-barred!

[Bolttime]

THANK YOU.... why does this keep getting overlooked, or side-barred!

Because every sports anylyst in the world is on the Patriots nutsack.

They know what would of happened, and I know BB and Tommy know this to exactly why Brady has his head down at one point in the game. Trust me man BB was scared and lucky in the end.

[DutchCheddar]

They watch tons of film, I would like to believe they watch more film now more than ever. We have plenty of guys who spend extra time in the film room one of them is Cro.

8,000+ posts and sarcasm has escaped you.

[Blue Bolt]

8,000+ posts and sarcasm has escaped you.

I caught the sarcasm myself, but to be fair, sarcasm isn't always the easiest thing to detect in print. It's much easier to detect in conversation - inflection being the key.

That's why we have emoticons, no? ;)

A portmanteau of emotion (or emote) and icon, an emoticon is a symbol or combination of symbols used to convey emotional content in written or message form.

[LightsOut4ever]

You can hear the Bradley comments on the following link:

http://www.nfl.com/partner?partnerType=game-of-the-week&season=2007&seasonType=REG&week=20\

where at? 17min is a long video for a few comments

[simihi]

Strong pass rush and good db's is the real answer.

[Blue Bolt]

\

where at? 17min is a long video for a few comments

It comes right about at the 2:50 mark - I hope that helps. ;)

[SuperBowlBolts]

I caught the sarcasm myself, but to be fair, sarcasm isn't always the easiest thing to detect in print. It's much easier to detect in conversation - inflection being the key.

That's why we have emoticons, no? ;)

Exactly. I was not sure if he was being sarcastic, emoticons do help quite a bit.

[Strife9878]

first reciver... way to simple. You look to the #1 reciver for the play first but...

sounds like ESPN makeing excuses for there beloved team

[mrcwalk619]

that is wayyy to simple... if that was the case, that first reciever, whoever it was, should have never caught the ball on any down

[Blue Bolt]

first reciver... way to simple. You look to the #1 reciver for the play first but...

sounds like ESPN makeing excuses for there beloved team

Huh? What has ESPN have to do with anything?

I merely quoted what Bill Bradley actually said to the Chargers secondary during the game.

If you don't believe me, just watch the video yourself - it's at the 2 min. 50 sec. point of the clip.