Brian Tyms On Touchdown Catch: 'I Wanted The Ball More'
BOSTON (CBS) -- The New England Patriots have basically lacked a deep threat in their offense since trading away Randy Moss four years ago.
While a few receivers have tried to fill that void, there hasn't been much success, and those long balls from Brady to someone (anyone) deep down the field have been non-existent in the early parts of the 2014 season.
But while he wasn't on the field for most of Sunday's 37-22 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Brian Tyms gave the Patriots that deep threat in a big way at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The receiver, who entered the game with two career receptions, played just eight snaps on Sunday and made just one catch -- but it was a big one for the 25-year-old and the Patriots.
Early in the second half, Tyms sprinted down the field into triple coverage, and despite having corner Stephon Gilmore acting like an extension of his uniform, Tyms hauled in Tom Brady's 43-yard throw while crossing the goal line for his first career touchdown. The play gave the New England a 20-7 lead, and started off the best offensive half of football for the Patriots this season.
"Tom made a great throw, so I had to go get it," Tyms said casually in the locker room after the win.
"Brian found a way to kind of slither his way through there and get behind him, and I threw it up and gave him a chance to make the play," Brady said of the play. "Like he has continued to do, he goes up and makes them. That was a big play for our team."
Tyms said he knew Gilmore was all over him as he streaked to the end zone, but wasn't going to lose the battle for the ball.
"Gilmore is really good. I knew regardless if I ran past him, he had make-up speed so I have to attack the ball," said Tyms. "That's just my M.O. I always try to attack the ball. I don't like to let the ball come to me. There are a lot of good players in this league that can make a play. I wanted the ball more."
Tyms made a name for himself in the preseason by giving backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo a deep threat. Now, head coach Bill Belichick is happy to see that carry over into the regular season in Tyms' first action of the year.
"I've seen him do that several times this year in the preseason and it was good to see it today," Belichick said. "Nice job by Tom creating the coverage -- low safety there -- and put it up there and give Tyms the chance for the ball and he made the play."
So it was fitting that Tyms, who may be New England's best deep option given his speed, threw out a little Randy Moss celebration when the officials signaled touchdown. He tossed the ball over his head, and gave Moss's separation signal before Brady and his teammates could get to him in the end zone.
When asked if that was a Moss tribute in the New England locker room, Tyms gave a good chuckle.
"It might have been," he said with a smile. "I was just really excited."
Tyms is with his fourth NFL team in three years, but said he's finally comfortable with the Patriots. His always-attacking mentality was shared by the rest of the Patriots offense on Sunday afternoon, as they put up 24 points against the Bills in the second half.
For Tyms, who had to sit out the first four games of the season due to a suspension, he's just going to continue to make the most of any opportunity he gets.
"It's a blessing to be in my shoes," he said.
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