Tampa Bay Bucs QB coach: Offense will be Bruce Arians' with 'Brady influence'

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback coach Clyde Christensen plans to "keep the offense the same" this season, with the addition of "a [Tom] Brady influence." Christensen says it will remain head coach Bruce Arians’ offense, guided by free-agent addition Tom Brady.

The Buccaneers passed on 62% of their downs last season, seventh-most in the NFL. Arians loves having his quarterbacks air the ball out. Brady fared well in his deep passes last season. According to Pro Football Reference, Brady was one of 14 QBs to post a passer Rating over 100 on throws at least 20 yards downfield.

Brady has two of the best receivers in the NFL by his side in Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. The acquisition of longtime target Rob Gronkowski should help Brady and the Bucs become one of the most pass-friendly teams in the league.

The Bucs relied on the passing attack heavily last season, even with turnover prone Jameis Winston under center. When tied or leading, the Bucs passed 55% of the time, according to Sharp Football Stats. The Bucs will likely be ahead more this season than last, but that does not necessarily mean they will pass less often.

Brady, who is entering his age-43 season, has some of his best offensive weapons in a long time and will have plenty of passing opportunities. Sitting second all-time in passing yards and TD passes (trailing Drew Brees in both categories), Brady can pile on to his statistical greatness with the Bucs.

An Ode to Rodney Harrison, the Greatest Free Agent Signing in Patriots History

The NFL free agency market has been quiet lately. The 2020 NFL Draft, which runs April 23-25, is the feature event football fans now have to look forward to.

This year’s free agency period was brutal for the New England Patriots. They were gutted with departures, as franchise icon Tom Brady defected to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after 20 legendary seasons in New England.

The Patriots also lost linebackers Kyle Van Noy (Dolphins) and Jamie Collins (Lions). They did, however, add safety Adrian Phillips. An undrafted free agent, Phillips originally entered the NFL with the then-San Diego Chargers in 2014. The defensive back is most known for his elite special teams’ play. He earned a Pro Bowl nod and was named to the first-team All-Pro in 2018, both as a special teamer. Phillips suffered a broken arm in Week 2 last year, a season-ending injury that effectively ended his six-year run with the Chargers.

With the exciting part of free agency come and gone, it gives us a chance to look back on prior free agent signings. Specifically with regards to the Patriots, who is the best signing in team history? That honor belongs to Rodney Harrison.

Rodney Harrison: Patriots Career (2003-08) Overview 

After being released by the Chargers in February of 2003, the 31-year-old safety Harrison joined the Patriots on a six-year pact.

Harrison shined in his first season in New England, leading all NFL defensive backs in tackles (143) in an All-Pro campaign. Named a defensive captain, Harrison helped the Patriots win the Super Bowl with a dominant postseason, collecting two interceptions and a forced fumble across three playoff victories. He picked off a Jake Delhomme pass in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

The following season, Harrison again led the league in tackles (138). He was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2004 and again made his mark in the postseason. Harrison intercepted Peyton Manning for the second consecutive postseason, this time in the divisional round in the Patriots’ win over the Indianapolis Colts. He had Manning’s number, and the five-time NFL MVP quarterback even gave a shutout to Harrison in his Hall of Fame speech.

Harrison came through with a pick-six the following week against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship. He intercepted a pass from then-rookie Ben Roethlisberger and returned it 87 yards for a TD.  

Adding to his playoff legacy, Harrison intercepted two more passes in Super Bowl XXXIX versus the Philadelphia Eagles. Harrison was the Patriots’ best defensive player during that postseason, amassing four interceptions and leading New England to its second straight title.

Mike Vrabel (right) celebrates with Rodney Harrison (left) after the safety secured a game-sealing interception in Super Bowl 39. (AP)

Following the 2008 season, Harrison retired from the NFL after 15 seasons—six with the Patriots. Across six years in New England, he accumulated 634 tackles with eight interceptions, 32 pass breakups, seven forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and nine sacks. In addition to his regular-season totals, Harrison also mustered seven interceptions in nine playoffs contests.

Titans Release Dion Lewis

After two unproductive seasons in Nashville, the Tennessee Titans are cutting running back Dion Lewis. The Titans informed Lewis that he’ll be released, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Lewis signed a four-year, $20 million deal in 2018.

Due to the emergence of Derrick Henry, arguably the NFL's most dominant running back, Lewis became an afterthought in the Titans' offense.  Lewis amassed just 209 yards on 54 carries and caught only 25 passes for 164 yards last year.

Lewis played 61 percent of the snaps in his first season in Tennessee, but that percentage shrunk to 37 in 2019. 

Lewis was a non-factor in the Titans' offense last season. (James Kenney/AP)

Releasing Lewis clears just over $4 million from the salary cap, making this a no-brainer move for the Titans. The release of Lewis gives the Titans more funds to negotiate with Henry, a free agent. The Titans may place the franchise tag on Henry if the two sides cannot come to terms on a deal.

The Titans are rumored to have interest in free agent QB Tom Brady, but could opt to bring back Ryan Tannehill instead. After leading the Titans to the AFC Championship in his first season with the franchise, Tannehill could ink a long-term deal to remain in Tennessee. Tannehill made his first career Pro Bowl in 2019, won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors and led the league in passer rating.

Lewis enjoyed his best seasons with the New England Patriots. A member of the Patriots for three years (2015-17), Lewis helped the Patriots win Super LI. He played a crucial role in the team's run to Super LII during his impressive 2017 campaign.

Lewis forced 49 missed tackles in 2017 and registered 3.17 yards after contact, both team-highs, according to Pro Football Focus. Even more impressive, Lewis ranked first in Pro Football Focus’ “elusive rating,” which combines missed tackles and yards after contact.

A force in the passing game, Lewis did not drop a single pass (35 targets) in 2017, one of only 11 players to see more than 30 targets without dropping a pass. In terms of catch rate, he ranked first (91.4%) in the league among qualified players.

Unable to replicate that level of success with the Titans, the 29-year-old Lewis will look to join a new team this offseason. Lewis, a fifth-round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft, has collected 19 TDs (11 rushing, seven receiving, one kick return) in his nine-year career. He has accumulated 2,310 rushing yards, to go along with 172 catches and 1,281 receiving yards, in 85 games played.

Red Sox Fan Favorite Brock Holt Joins Brewers

Brock Holt signed with the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, ending a seven-year run in Boston. The 31-year-old infielder will make $3.25 million in 2020. Holt's deal includes a $5 million team option for 2021.

While Holt expressed a desire to return, the Boston Red Sox opted for a different path, signing infielder Jose Peraza earlier in the winter. Peraza, the 25-year-old who was non-tendered by the Cincinnati Reds at the start of the offseason, is under contract through 2022.

Holt hit a career-high .297 in 2019, smacking three homers and posting 31 RBIs. He played every position for the Red Sox except catcher, pitcher and center field. 

Brock Holt played for the Red Sox from 2013-2019. (AP)

Brewers manager Craig Counsell admitted he was unsure where exactly Holt will play in the field, but made it clear the super utility man is set for regular playing time.

“I told him that you don't know where you're going to play, you just know that we'll find a spot for you to play," Counsell said. “He comes with a great reputation from everywhere that he's been."

Leaving Boston was not an easy choice for Holt, a fan favorite known for his tremendous charity work.

“I loved it there. I loved playing at Fenway, I love the fans, I love the city,” Holt said. “I was a huge part of the community. So it was tough. It was tough for me to come to the fact that I wasn’t going back."

I honestly never expected to wear any other uniform but a #RedSox uniform. I loved it there."

Brock Holt admits it is very difficult leaving Boston, but that he "couldn't be more excited" to join the #Brewers clubhouse. pic.twitter.com/KWI4ZJJLIc

— Scott Grodsky (@ScottGrodsky) February 19, 2020

A one-time All-Star (2015), Holt won World Series championships with the Red Sox in 2013 and 2018. He was not active for the playoff roster during the '13 postseason, but played an integral role in the '18 championship campaign. 

Holt produced a performance for the ages in Game 3 of the 2018 ALDS against the New York Yankees. He went 4-for-6 with five RBIs in Boston's 16-1 blowout win at Yankees Stadium. Holt collected a single, a double and a triple before belting a homer in his final at-bat. Holt became the first player in MLB history to hit for the cycle in the postseason, a record that still holds to the day.

THANK YOU BROCK HOLT.

Only guy to ever hit for the cycle in the postseason.

Forever in the history books. Legend.

pic.twitter.com/sixtzBp9z1

— Savage Boston Sports 🇺🇸🍀❄️☃️ (@SavageBoston) February 18, 2020

3 Standouts from NFL's Conference Championships

The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers punched their tickets to Super Bowl LIV. The AFC Champion Chiefs defeated the Tennessee Titans 35-24, while the NFC Champion 49ers pounded the visiting Green Bay Packers 37-20. Here are three offensive players who dominated the Conference Championship Round.

1. Raheem Mostert

The 49ers fed Tevin Coleman the rock 22 times during their win over Minnesota last week. It was Raheem Mostert’s turn in the NFC Championship. 

On the 49ers’ second drive, Mostert busted out a 36-yard TD run on a halfback draw. By game’s end, Mostert had amassed a jaw-dropping 220 yards and four TDs.

Mostert carried the ball 29 times, as Coleman exited the contest early with a shoulder injury. The undrafted running back gashed the Packers for 160 yards and three TDs in the first half.  He is the only player in NFL history to rush for at least 150 yards and a trio of TDs in the first half of a playoff game. Mostert’s 220 yards were the second-most rushing yards by a player in league history.

Raheem Mostert's 220 rushing yards are the 2nd-most in a postseason game in NFL history. pic.twitter.com/qbpvgY8K5G

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 20, 2020

The 49ers’ offensive line did a remarkable job at creating holes up front for Mostert. According to Pro Football Focus, the 49ers provided nearly three yards of open run room before contact per carry. Mostert took advantage of these gaps and refused to go down once he was hit by a defender. Mostert gained 159 yards after contact and broke seven tackles.

The rushing attack was so dominant that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo attempted only eight passes, the second fewest ever in a postseason contest. 24 minutes of game time went by between Garopolo’s sixth and seventh pass attempts. He ended the night with six completions for 77 yards.

2. Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes demonstrated why he is the best player in football Sunday afternoon. The 24-year-old quarterback threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns. His most highlight-worthy play came on a 23-yard TD run. He finished with 53 yards rushing on eight carries.

THAT. WAS. INCREDIBLE.

Championship moment for @PatrickMahomes. #NFLPlayoffs #ChiefsKingdom

📺: #TENvsKC on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/x5sQRf24XS pic.twitter.com/fopHAvVlzl

— NFL (@NFL) January 19, 2020

All three of Mahomes’ TD passes were thrown to wide receivers. This is a direct contrast to last week’s touchdown barrage in which Mahomes threw all five scores to running backs and tight ends.

Mahomes will play in his first Super Bowl after winning the AFC Championship. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

Mahomes has compiled nine TDs (eight passing) in two games this postseason. A week after the Chiefs stormed back from a 24-0 deficit, they erased a 17-7 early hole behind Mahomes to advance to the franchise’s first Super Bowl in 50 years.

3. Sammy Watkins

Sammy Watkins caught three 3 TDs this season—all three coming in Week 1—but dismantled the Titans’ secondary in the AFC Championship. He collected seven receptions for 114 yards and the dagger touchdown halfway through the fourth quarter. 

Watkins broke wide open in the middle of the field on his 60-yard TD grab, building a commanding 35-17 advantage for Kansas City.

AHHHHHHHH 😁 pic.twitter.com/vVIcO1bSw1

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 19, 2020

2019 MLB Awards: AL Picks

The 2019 MLB season was the year of the home run. In fact, 15 teams set franchise records for home runs. Furthermore, the Minnesota Twins broke the all-time record for most homers in a single season with 307. 

But this season, like any other year, will also be remembered for which players took home the league's most prestigious individual honors—MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year.

Here are my picks for each notable award in the American League.

MVP: Alex Bregman, Astros
There is a great case for Mike Trout to nab his third American League Most Valuable Player award. After all, the Los Angeles Angels outfielder led the AL in on-base percentage, OPS and slugging. He ranked second in homers with 45, despite missing 28 games due to injury.

Unfortunately for Trout, Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman had by far the best year of his career. Bregman finished first in the AL in the all-important Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at 8.4, just above Trout (8.3). The 25-year-old drew the most walks (119) and finished top-5 in runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, OPS and slugging. Bregman is the fifth player in AL history to reach over 40 homers, 110 and 35 doubles with less than 90 strikeouts in a seasons. The other four—Frank Thomas (1993), Ted Williams (1949), Lou Gehrig (1936) and Babe Ruth (1920, 1921 and 1924)—all won MVP in their respective season(s).

Alex Bregman spearheaded the Astros a MLB-best 107 wins. (AP Photo)

Cy Young: Gerrit Cole, Astros
Astros ace Justin Verlander, a one-time Cy Young winner, has finished runner-up for the award three times (2012, 2016 and 2018) in his legendary career. He is likely to be the runner-up again this year, despite going 21-6 with 300 strikeouts and a 2.58 ERA. Verlander achieved a career-best .803 WHIP.

The only player to outshine Verlander among AL pitchers, teammate Gerrit Cole led MLB with 326 strikeouts. Cole (20-5) set the Astros single-season record for strikeouts. Cole went 16-0 in the final 22 starts of the 2019 season with a 1.78 ERA and 226 punchouts. He had the No. 1 ERA (2.50) in the American League. Amazingly, he struck out 10 or more batters in each of his last nine starts.

Rookie of the Year: Yordan Alvarez, Astros
Yordan Alvarez played only 87 games, but he's still the odds-on favorite to win ROY. Since his June call-up, the designated hitter has posted a 1.078 OPS with 27 home runs and 78 RBIs.

In the second half of the MLB season, Alvarez wasn’t just the best rookie in the AL, he was among the best hitters in the league. He registered a tremendous slash line of .313/.412/.655. 

Chicago White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez also had a fine inaugural season in the majors, mashing 31 homers and slugging .513.

Manager of the Year: Aaron Boone, Yankees
New York Yankees skipper Aaron Boone led his club to 103 wins, winning the AL East with ease. They accomplished this despite setting a MLB record for most injured players in a season.

This award could go to Twins first-year manager Rocco Baldelli. The Twins rebounded from a 78-84 finish in 2018 to win 101 games this season. They seized their first AL Central division title since 2010. 

Patriots' Defense Playing at Historic Level

The New England Patriots are playing at a historically dominant level defensively.

New England’s defense has allowed just one offensive touchdown through four contests, tied for the fewest in the Super Bowl era. The NFL's top-ranked defense has surrendered just 6.8 points per game. (That 6.8 mark would be lower if not for the special teams and the offense surrendering a touchdown each in Week 3 versus the Jets)

Devin McCourty has an interception in every game this season, the first player to accomplish that feat since 2003. He leads the NFL in interceptions, while teammate Jamie Collins ranks second with three picks. As a team, the Patriots have 10 interceptions, double the amount of the next closest clubs (Giants, Bills and 49ers have amassed five interceptions).

J.C. Jackson was masterful in the Patriots' 16-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, becoming the first player since 1989 to record two interceptions and block a punt in the same game.

Our guy!

J.C. Jackson's punt block leads to Matthew Slater's first career TD!#NEvsBUF | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/JiaeNrwHFB

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 29, 2019

Kyle Van Noy had the best game of any New England defensive player. He recorded eight tackles, two sacks and forced two fumbles. He was named Week 4's AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

The Patriots have allowed just 13 points on defense in 2019.

Patriots defense has allowed 13 points on 51 drives this season. It has also scored two TD, so they have allowed net -1 points on 51 drives.

They might stay in the negatives with this Washington offense. https://t.co/6UcFmzSDKD

— Scott Kacsmar (@ScottKacsmar) September 30, 2019

Up next for the Patriots is a road tilt against the winless Washington Redskins (0-4). The Redskins rank 28th in total offense.