“Tom Brady is the toughest”, is this Matt Judon’s defeat even before hitting the field?
Tom Brady will face the New England Patriots in Foxborough this upcoming season, returning to Gillette Stadium for the first time as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There has already been a massive hype over Brady’s take on his former team. Meanwhile, one of the new members of the Patriots has praised Brady ahead of the big encounter.
During an interview this week, new Patriots linebacker Matt Judon said that the former New England quarterback is the toughest guy to sack in the NFL. However, the reason he stated is not at all a praise of any kind.
The 28-year old said, “Tom Brady is the toughest (guy to sack) just because he intentionally grounds the ball every time. Every time I’m about to get a sack on him, he throws the ball away.”
“Defensive linemen are upset”
While some Brady supporters would come up with mixed reactions to Judon’s statement, football pundits believe this is a complaint that most defensive linemen would love to make. During a recent episode of ESPN’s “Get Up”, former football centre Jeff Saturday suggested that Judon was simply complaining.
Saturday said, “My God, they always complain. Defensive linemen are upset, what’s he supposed to do? Take a sack, get hit in the back? The last time I checked, quarterbacks can’t help you laid on the ground, they better throw it away. The way I look, greeny, defensive linemen only play 15 snaps per game, they don’t even play the run, just rush the passer. Give me a break. Go sack him. One, two, three, throw it away is the motto of every good quarterback. Save yourself. You’re better for it later in the game. Don’t worry what the defensive linemen say. Make me happy, make them go chase the ball.”
Brady vs Judon: An uncommon duel
Matthew Judon, a two-time Pro Bowler, has emerged as one of the NFL’s best edge rushers in recent years, racking up six interceptions, nine tackles for loss, and 21 quarterback hits in 14 games last season for the Baltimore Ravens. After signing a four-year, $54.5 million contract with the New England Patriots this offseason, he will begin a new adventure in 2021.
Judon only faced Brady once as a Raven, back in 2019. In Baltimore’s 37-20 win, he didn’t sack the Pats quarterback, but he did record four quarterback hits. Brady was flagged for a deliberate grounding in the second quarter, so Judon could be onto something. In Week 4 of the 2020 season, Judon will have another chance to go after Brady and prove his case.
Indeed, football fans from across the globe are waiting for this high-voltage match between the Bucs and the Patriots that has been scheduled in October. However, it seems the newest New England recruit is even more eager to welcome the franchise’s former heartthrob back to the Gillette Stadium. But here’s the catch; Brady knows the ground inside-out. He will be a real challenge to face for the home side, especially Judon.
