Tom Brady’s eyes widened when he heard Chase Young’s call after Washington secured a playoff spot after Sunday’s victory over Philadelphia. As he ran into the locker room, Young could be heard shouting, “Tom Brady! I’m going! I want Tom.” Young will fulfill his wish, as Washington will host Brady and the rest of the Buccaneers’ No. 5 Saturday night in the wild card round.
The oldest player in league history to launch 40 touchdown passes in one season, Brady, 43, called the 21-year-old “a great young player”. He also said that he understands the origin of Young’s desire to face him.
“He went to Ohio, so naturally, I think the thing between Ohio and Michigan wore him out a little bit,” said Brady of Young. “I understand that. We are prepared for a difficult challenge. It must be a fun game.”
Before starting his record professional career, Brady was a two-year holder in Michigan. As a veteran in 1999, Brady led the Wolverines to a 24-17 victory over the Buckeyes. Young, who helped Ohio State win three consecutive titles at the conference two decades later, was a shy day from completing six months when Brady won his first and only match against Michigan’s longtime rival.
Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians gave his own response to Young’s comments on Tuesday.
“It’s kind of like what (Steelers coach) Mike Tomlin was saying, you don’t want to have to call up guys like that,” said Arians of Young, via Rick Stroud of Tampa Bay Times. “But you have to play against them. He is a great player. Making him a captain as a rookie says a lot.
“The two kids from Ohio, he and (Terry) McLaurin, are great. He’s a handful, but (Montez) Sweat, (Daron) Payne and the rest of these guys too. Ryan Kerrigan, I had a lot of respect for a long time. We’ll be busy, but it’s one of those games where you better take care of what you want. “
While Young and his defensive teammates led Washington’s run for the NFC East title, the Buccaneers’ attack has been firing up in recent weeks. Tampa Bay is 4-0 after their farewell in week 13 During that period, the Buccaneers scored 26, 31, 47 and 44 points.
“Each week is getting a little better and a little more consistent,” said Brady of the Buccaneers’ recent offensive improvement. “Better communication. We are all getting along a little better each week.”
Although this season has not always been the smoothest, Brady seems to have been comfortable with his new team entering the postseason.
“I think that throughout the year, you just have to deal with a lot of different things that came up with me being in a different place,” said Brady. “Today, for example, I was over 60 degrees in training for a playoff game. I haven’t had many of them in 20 years.
“Different news, but still with the same excitement of being ready to go out and pick up a bunch of teammates and hit the road in the playoffs. It’s a difficult thing to do. We are a team that has made a lot of improvements over the year, and we have to do our best. That’s part of what this season is about. The regular season is what it is. You put it in the books, but we’re here to win the qualifiers. ”