Close The Deal
March 13th, 2020
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
All’s fair in love, war and the pursuit of Tom Brady.
If some national reports are accurate, the Bucs and 49ers could find themselves competing for Brady’s services as a free agent next week in a high-stakes Battle of the Bays. These organizations are coming from two distinct positions in the NFL hierarchy, but Brady looms as a common target.
In Tampa Bay’s case, we don’t have to speculate about the organization’s interest in a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Asked to reveal his choice for a quarterback potentially standing behind Door No. 2, Bruce Arians didn’t hesitate.
He immediately mentioned Brady by name, which was a breach of league protocol.
Shame on you, coach. Arians couldn’t help himself. He couldn’t contain his excitement about possibly signing a quarterback who needs both hands to display all of his Super Bowl rings.
Silence Of The Champs
San Francisco’s objectives aren’t as clear.
What we do know is John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan haven’t attempted to dispel the Brady rumors. That could be telling, or it may just be the organization’s preference to not comment publicly on rampant speculation.
But let’s remember one important fact. In 2017, after SF was initially rebuffed by the Patriots about acquiring Jimmy Garoppolo, Lynch called Bill Belichick back and asked if Brady was available.
Was Lynch serious? Darned right he was.
And at that point, the 49ers would have had to trade assets to New England for Brady. If Brady becomes a free agent next week, San Francisco won’t owe the Patriots a thing — except a thank you.
Some would argue Brady-to-the-49ers doesn’t make any sense. After all, Garappolo just helped San Francisco reach the Super Bowl, where the 49ers led KC 20-10 midway through the fourth quarter. You can’t blame Garappolo for allowing the Chiefs to score three touchdowns down the stretch.
What you CAN blame him for was a shocking overthrow to Emmanuel Sanders with 93 seconds remaining and the 49ers trailing 24-20. Sanders somehow beat double coverage for what should have been a 49-yard touchdown, only to have his quarterback misfire badly, despite solid protection.
“He had him too, Joe,” Troy Aikman said to Joe Buck after the ball skipped harmlessly through the end zone.
Then the FOX cameras shifted to Lynch, standing forlornly on the sidelines, watching the incompletion with arms folded. He never changed his expression, but Lynch might have been thinking to himself: “Brady would have completed that pass.”
We’ll never know, but Garappolo didn’t distinguish himself in the moments leading up to that critical miss, either. On first down, his pass was deflected by defensive lineman Chris Jones. His second-down throw was almost intercepted. After he failed to connect with Sanders, Garappolo was sacked on fourth down.
Game over.
Sales Challenge
That sequence weighs heavily on the minds of Lynch and Shanahan as they shape the 2020 roster. Brady is 42 and Garappolo is 28, but this isn’t about the future. San Francisco is built to win right now and Brady has proven himself to be the ultimate winner under center.
Buccaneers co-chairman Joel Glazer
Brady grew up in San Mateo, 30 miles northwest of San Jose, and the 49ers could move on from Garappolo without suffering a massive salary-cap hit. The Bucs offer far more accomplished weapons in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and an opportunity to turn around a forlorn franchise without Belichick’s input.
Arians can be a heck of a salesman and the Glazers have been known to close a deal. If Brady hits free agency and signs elsewhere, that won’t be a good look for One Buc Place.
Arians wants Brady and the Glazers want to keep Arians happy. Lynch is still thinking about Brady, three years removed. He’s still contemplating the overthrow to Sanders that could have put the 49ers up 27-24.
Lynch will always consider himself a Buccaneer. He’s proud to be in Tampa Bay’s Ring of Honor, but this is Tom Brady we’re talking about.
It’s not personal, Joel, it’s strictly business.
Click on Ira’s nose to start shopping at Bill Currie Ford, Tampa’s first family of Ford for the past 60 years.
March 13th, 2020 at 3:03 pm
Go get him then.
Just get rid of Winston.
March 13th, 2020 at 3:08 pm
tom or teddy….either one would do…
i would go teddy….
brady was once considered a dink and down game manager himself…..lol….
GO BUCS!!!!
March 13th, 2020 at 3:21 pm
Its gonna be Bridgewater.
March 13th, 2020 at 3:29 pm
Ira, do you know we want Brady by any other source besides Arians? Are we to assume Stroud is accurate in his report?
In the season of smoke I see a lot of inhalers and even new people blowing smoke. I just feel like this Brady to Tampa thing is not in the realm of reality whatsoever. It would be cool though.
March 13th, 2020 at 3:30 pm
If Brady goes to SF can we have Jimmy G please?
March 13th, 2020 at 3:34 pm
How old is this ahole? 50? You have got to be kidding me! Let’s start Ryan Griffin. He won’t die from an old age stroke.
March 13th, 2020 at 4:05 pm
So Ira will just say this, how many times have the Bucs been used as negotiating tools by a coach or player who ends up signing somewhere else instead. Parcells, Bret Farve and I know there have been others. I just cant see Brady coming here and the Bucs better get more serious about Bridgewater so we dont screw that one up too.
March 13th, 2020 at 5:47 pm
Tired of all the Teddy talk. They guy is brittle and fragile.
March 13th, 2020 at 6:31 pm
Not since the Favre near miss has there been this kind of buzz as it relates to the Bucs QB position. Don’t jump the gun again here, Ira. 😉 I see another swing and a miss happening.
March 13th, 2020 at 6:33 pm
If John Lynch is dumb enough to replace Jimmy G, then we should go after Jimmy G.
However, as I have been saying all along, I do not believe Brady will play anywhere but in New England.
The Pats are not even stressing over replacing him. That tells me they think he will come back.
But if the impossible happens and we do get Brady, then cool.
Though I am thinking Rivers is more likely IF they replace Winston.
March 13th, 2020 at 6:40 pm
I am on record as one who has always wanted Jay Miss replaced. However, I certainly don’t see Brady as a really viable option at 42 or 43. Too F*cking old.
If you force Brady down our throats for 2 years, you better either move up in the draft or at least take a QB early. Same with Rivers.
I would love to see Teddy though.
March 13th, 2020 at 6:57 pm
Can’t believe people are wanting Teddy over Winston.
March 13th, 2020 at 7:43 pm
As a season ticket holder, I say go get Brady. It will fill the stands.
March 13th, 2020 at 7:46 pm
Bucs should do absolutely do anything they can to sign Brady. PERIOD.
Bridgewater would be a fantastic consultation prize. Even Rivers would be a huge improvement over the Human Turnovers Machine, Mr. Pick 6
March 13th, 2020 at 7:58 pm
What is with all this talk about Bridgewater being fragile and brittle?
In literary terms it’s called hyperbole.
He had a horrid knee injury which DID interupt his career. He surely did not look brittle or the worse for wear when he faced the Bucs.
Virtually all NFL QB’s who have played more than a year have injury histories…uh can you say Jameis Winston? Tom Brady?
Let’s go to a site where they actually ANALYZE INJURIES!!!
According to the website Sports Injury Predictor…Bridgewater is a MEDIUM risk.
2.7% chance per game…35% for the entire season. Of course there are injuries and there are missed games.
Aside from this horrid ACL tear he’s not missed that many games!!!
Nov 8, 2015 NFL Head Cranial Concussion Grade 1 Bridgewater sustained a concussion but was cleared for the following week’s game.
Sep 28, 2014 NFL Pedal Ankle Sprain/Pull Unspecified Grade 1 Bridgewater sprained his left ankle and missed 1 game.
Nov 24, 2012 Non-NFL Pedal Ankle Sprain/Pull Unspecified Grade 1 Bridgewater sprained his right ankle but played the following week.
Nov 24, 2012 Non-NFL Hand Wrist Fracture Bridgewater broke his left (non-throwing) wrist but played the next week. He then had surgery before playing in Louisville’s bowl game.
Counting two years of college and the pros aside from the ACL tear Bridgewater had four injuries..two in college and two in the NFL. BUT he missed only ONE game…really really brittle eh?
https://sportsinjurypredictor.com/player/teddy-bridgewater/6956
March 13th, 2020 at 8:00 pm
Keep Jameis and draft Jalen Hurt. Hurt performed better than all the qbs during the combine. All his throws was on time. I think Hurt going make teams regret not picking him and overlooking him.
Let him sit and learn. Then, let him start if Jameis doesn’t pans out.
March 13th, 2020 at 9:03 pm
I’ve been clamoring for Brady since early January! Bring excitement, relevance, and a bridge QB to a young drafted QB for the long haul! Draft OL and RB and bring in a veteran DB along with our current FAs resigning! Couple that with our new-old uni’s and that folks is a Formula for success!!
March 13th, 2020 at 9:11 pm
I think Bringing Brady to the Bucs would be a big mistake. They guy is nearing the end. I don’t think he last an entire year behind out o line. He’s not mobile and has to learn a new system. He’s been under the same system for decades. Stop reaching for straws people. And review our history. We are closer than you think. Bring back the D. And get Jameis a RB from the draft and an O lineman. I can think of like 3 or 4 QB’s who left the Bucs and won super bowls. Let brady ride quietly..out to pasture.
March 13th, 2020 at 10:38 pm
Mike Johnson – I’m a huge Winston backer, and the Bucs should bring him back on a long term deal and just put an end to all of this…
With one exception, that would be Brady.
Yes, in two years we’ll be hating the move, but if you get two years out of Brady, then you take it. The guy would make the team a legit deep playoff run team – and I’m certain it would get others to sign here and probably taker lower deals. The team would suddenly be relevant again, we’d have a packed stadium, a bunch of national TV games, people will be talking about the Bucs, the other NFC South teams will hate us, etc, etc ,etc. It will be great.
Now, with that said, I’ve said this all offseason, the Bucs were 9-7 last year with a competent kicker, and 10-6 if the refs literally don’t rob us of a game. If the Bucs are 10-6, no one except the dumbest of the dumb are saying we need a new QB. In my mind, if Winston is resigned, the Bucs go 11-5 next year and make a deep playoff run. There’s no reason the team isn’t at least one game better than last year in Arians second year, and I think Gay will become a solid kicker if they just let him play and don’t start yanking him.
BUT, it’s Tom Brady, if you can get the best ever to play the game, you get him. Again, I’m a big Winston backer and believer, but you still go with the GOAT.
Now, with that said, Brady isn’t coming. I won’t believe it until I see him holding up a jersey so I think this is all meaningless speculation – but that’s what the offseason is for.
Oh, and with the Bucs luck, we all know what will happen if the Bucs did somehow sign Brady. You’d have Winston go to NE, and take them to a SB that is played in RayJay next year (assuming we’re still alive). That would follow in the Bucs tradition of old Bucs QB’s going to the SB with other teams.
March 13th, 2020 at 11:32 pm
What makes anyone think that of all the players that the Patriots have let go that this one will not fail like 99% of the others when they left New England? Also this will be the oldest player they have let leave yet everyone thinks he will be different! My goodness how CLUELESS can you people be. Then don’t even get me started on Mr. Glass who HAS NEVER SUCCEEDED without a terrific running back AND a very very good defense. Yet everyone wants to act like he is going to come in here and succeed with neither. Why you people can’t stand a 26 year old that is on pace to be in the top 5 ALL TIME in passing yards and TDs, plays hurt, doesn’t ever throw his teammates under the bus, works ridiculously hard wants to play for this historical Horrible franchise and has tremendous upside and room for growth his just baffling.
March 13th, 2020 at 11:35 pm
I hope this is the best case of high stakes bluffing the NFL has ever seen. Mortgaging the farm and ceding personnel and play calling to a 43 year old egomaniac soon to be retired player…….
Yeah of course the Bucs will do it. And I will renounce my 34 year old fanship.
March 13th, 2020 at 11:59 pm
I still believe the at the brady and bridgewater qb are a smokescreen. The one they want is Rivers . he signs a three year deal and the Bucs 1st ( love or eason)or second pick ( the Oklahoma qb)will be a Qb
March 14th, 2020 at 5:42 am
Mickman, If they wanted Rivers they could sign him right now. He was released. To my knowledge when a vet is released they don’t need to clear wavers and can be signed immediately ala Josh Norman.
March 14th, 2020 at 8:35 am
^^^^ Rivers was not technically released. Look it up. He’s simply not going to be brought back in 2020 or beyond and will enter the free agent pool like all others at the start of the new league year March 16th at noon the start of legal tampering period.
March 14th, 2020 at 9:13 am
Red86 Says:
March 13th, 2020 at 8:00 pm
Keep Jameis and draft Jalen Hurt. Hurt performed better than all the qbs during the combine. All his throws was on time. I think Hurt going make teams regret not picking him and overlooking him.
Let him sit and learn. Then, let him start if Jameis doesn’t pans out.
——
Couldn’t agree more with these statements. Hurts has seen unbelievable adversity…and fought though it and made himself a complete QB. He’s simply a winner…and an athletic one with all the tools.
March 14th, 2020 at 9:36 am
If Belichick is the seller, you should never be the buyer. His motto is “I’d rather get rid of them a year too early than a year too late!”
Never, I repeat, never, do business with someone like Belichick. He’s too smart and always comes out ahead. Stay away from him!!!
March 14th, 2020 at 9:40 am
@what the Buc: I believe he’s entering free agency. I don’t think the chargers actually let him go. I could be wrong tho.
March 14th, 2020 at 9:48 am
gotbbucs Says:
“Its gonna be Bridgewater.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The more I think about it, man, I just don’t know how comfortable I am with Bridgewater. I just don’t know if I am ready to see us dial down our offense to the degree that I think we would with him. We have so many incredible downfield weapons.
But hey, my brother lives near Louisville, and is a HUGE Teddy Bridgewater fan, and can’t say enough good about him.
So if it is to be….. hopefully it will be great.
March 14th, 2020 at 4:06 pm
Demon
And your brother represents fans wherever Teddy has played. His teammates love him and so do the fans. Louisville, Minn, N.O. He left all the teams with his rep in tact and enhanced.
IF JW leaves us do we believe he will do so with his rep in tact? He be viewed as a #1 pick who busted. He should get a chance somewhere else where perhaps he can change that…but NDOG notwithstanding JW’s rep is not that great.
I respect BA. I just do not believe he’d quit on JW for that pick six to end the season. BA saw something during his film study over the season that concern.
And apologies to D.R. who dislikes conspiracies…Joe has tweaked my interest about something behind the scenes we do not know…whether it’s injury related or off field…or it could even be as simple as a personality clash with BA. Two major egos in a failing endeavor…a recipe for a clash.
At the end of the day BA is desperate to win at his age….he wouldn’t be tossing JW aside for anything minor…in fact if BA though JW game him a chance to at least make a run in the playoffs he would bring him back regardless.