Tom Brady has never been much of a runner, but the 44-year-old can still get the job done with his legs if needed, even if Bruce Arians does not like it.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback scrambled for 16 yards on seven carries, including a rushing touchdown, but it was a first down Brady picked up with his legs in the first quarter that Arians does not want to see again.
On a third-and-2 from the Buffalo 23-yard line, Brady dropped back before stepping up into the pocket and getting the two yards himself. But, in doing so, he had to take a hit from a Bills linebacker before crossing the first down marker.
“Yeah, that’s enough of that s--t,” Arians said when asked about Brady sacrificing his body for the first down.
“He don’t like [rushing] that much,” he added after another question. “But, get your ass on the ground.”
Another reporter attempted to ask a third question about Brady’s rushing attempts but Arians cut him off: “That’s enough.”
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Brady’s uncharacteristic mobility on Sunday also led to him taking some more hits than usual, like on that first down, and there was a noticeable difference in his play between the first and second half, which saw the Bucs squander a 24-3 lead before winning in overtime, 33-27.
But Arians said Brady was checked by trainers and was fine.
“He’s fine. We checked him a number of times,” Arians said. “It wasn’t his best second half. A great first half and a good overtime.”
Brady did not get to play this long of a career by being reckless with his body, so don’t expect too many more running attempts going forward, especially if Arians wants a halt on them.
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