Bucs’ Brady And Jensen Fined From Playoff Game

Bucs quarterback Tom Brady and center Ryan Jensen were both fined by the NFL for unnecessary roughness incidents in their 31-14 Super Wild Card round playoff loss to the Cowboys on Monday night, per Ian Rapoport. Each of the fines occurred on the same play.

Brady was fined $16,444 while Jensen received less of a penalty with an $8,333 fine. Safety Malik Hooker of the Cowboys also got a fine to the same amount as Jensen’s.

Bucs QB Tom Brady and C Ryan Jensen – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

On the play that caused all of this, Brady completed a pass to Chris Godwin on Tampa Bay’s second drive of the third quarter. Godwin caught the ball for a first down and fumbled as he hit the ground, which was then recovered Hooker. As Hooker headed in the other direction upfield and avoiding tacklers, Brady attempted to trip Hooker by sliding at his legs almost in a soccer-style type of tackle. After Hooker was tackled by Julio Jones, some pushing and shoving by other players started, which led to Hooker and Jensen getting involved. Jensen was penalized for necessary roughness as well.

It was soon determined that Godwin was down before the ball was loose, so the play was overturned. The Bucs lost yards on the play as the penalty remained, though.

Second Fine Of Season For Brady, Jensen Gets Right Back Into Action

This is the second time that Brady was fined this season.  The first came following Week 5 when Brady kicked Falcons’ defensive lineman Grady Jarrett after he sacked him in the fourth quarter. That moment generated a lot of controversy not for Brady’s kick – but for a penalty that was called on Jarrett for roughing the passer.

Bucs C Ryan Jensen and LG Luke Goedeke – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

It was a bad call in a crucial moment. The Falcons were coming back against Bucs were about to get the ball again, but the penalty kept the Bucs’ drive going and they could close out the game.

The playoff game was the first game all season that Ryan Jensen was able to play in after suffering a knee injury on the second day of training camp. Jensen is known to be one of the leaders on the offensive line who brings a fire and attitude to the offense. Jensen picked up right where he left off getting in the faces of the opponents. Sometimes it may go over the line such as that play, but Jensen also shoved Micah Parsons early in the game when he entered the Bucs’ huddle, standing up for his teammates.

Brady’s future with the Bucs  and his career is not known, but having Jensen back for a full season next year will go a long way for Tampa Bay’s offense.