We all know the book on Tom Brady, right? Quick interior pressure. That is how you stop the greatest quarterback of all time.
The funny thing about “books” and “blueprints” is that often you might think you have the answer, but reality guides you down a different path. In pulling together a potential game plan for the Green Bay Packers defense against Brady, my assumption was that I would find that teams had success in pressuring Brady this season using interior stunts. Attack those interior gaps with twist games up front, and get to the veteran QB.
The film, however, led me down a different path. Towards simulated pressures. Using the definition set forth by Blitzology, we’re talking about defensive fronts that show the offense potentially five or more rushers, but in reality only send four after the QB from a variety of angles.
As you’ll see in this video breakdown, that has worked against Brady this season:
Of course, the reason why you want to pressure Brady – regardless of how you go about it – should be clear. As well as Brady has played this season pressure remains his kryptonite. According to charting data from Pro Football Focus (PFF), Brady posted an Adjusted Completion Percentage (ACP) of just 57.9% this season when pressured in the regular season. Where does that rank one of the greatest to ever play the position? 27th among qualified passers. Just ahead of Joe Burrow and Drew Lock, and behind players such as Jared Goff, Ben Roethlisberger, Kyler Murray, Cam Newton and Carson Wentz. This season when pressured Brady has an NFL passer rating of just 54.5, ranking him 21st in the league.
When kept clean, PFF has Brady with an ACP of 79.3% and an NFL Passer Rating of 115.1.
You want to get pressure on him if you are the Packers, and with all the sub packages that Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine uses, simulated pressures might just be the way.
