Drama At One Buc Palace
March 11th, 2020
“Jason, just curious, do you think Tom Brady can evaluate kickers?”
Yesterday, when Joe heard that ESPN’s Diana Russini claimed the Bucs told her they are willing to cede full control of playcalling and perhaps even the roster in an effort to woo future Hall of Fame quarterback and expected free agent Tom Brady, Joe’s mind went spinning into orbit.
It brought to mind one of the greatest stories in recent NFL history that was hatched by Team Glazer, which resulted in a Super Bowl win by the Bucs.
Now since Russini’s story aired, Joe is hearing the story is, well, pure ca-ca. Guess we will find out in a few days, won’t we?
But Russini claims she talked to “Tampa Bay,” and the inference is it was someone within the walls of One Buc Palace. But who did she talk to?
Would Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht actually have the gall to suggest to a reporter he would give up roster-building responsibilities to a quarterback, no matter who he is or his resume? Would Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians confess he would give up oversight of his offense to land the same quarterback?
And we know Team Glazer doesn’t talk to BSPN. So who exactly is this mysterious source of Russini’s? A low-level assistant coach? A player? A capologist? And how would they know?
Yes, Bucs fans may not be all-in on Licht’s job over the past six years but willingly allowing a quarterback to have a final say on offensive personnel is a stretch. Arians is a lot of things but a wild-eyed, groveling fool isn’t one of them.
But let’s take away the likelihood that Russini’s story is new fiction. If this story was true, it would have “Glazer” written all over it.
Team Glazer loves splash. What better way to make the NFL as well as the entertainment industry stand up and take notice in unison than the Bucs somehow getting arguably the greatest quarterback who ever lived, a guy married to a supermodel, a guy who just launched his own Hollywood production company, to sign on the dotted line and be a starting quarterback/offensive coordinator/co-general manager?
That would send shockwaves throughout the land.
This story would be everywhere: BSPN, FOX News, CNN, Entertainment Tonight, TMZ, People magazine, Entertainment Weekly and maybe even the BBC.
If this story were true (unlikely), it tells Joe that Team Glazer is directly dealing with Brady’s people. Joe cannot imagine Licht offering to be a figurehead as bait for Brady. Joe cannot imagine Arians offering to give away responsibilities to bring in Brady.
So that would tell you Team Glazer has taken over the hunt for Brady, if this story were true. A similar move was done by Team Glazer before.
Remember after Father Dungy was fired? Then-Bucs general manager Rich McKay went to Team Glazer and offered up Marvin Lewis to succeed Father Dungy. Word is Team Glazer was so shocked, they thanked McKay and took over the coaching search immediately.
And who could ever forget Al Davis’ press conference announcing the deal for Chucky? Davis claimed Joel Glazer called him late at night and wanted to discuss a trade. Davis, rumored to have some ax to grind with Team Glazer, told Joel Glazer he didn’t want to talk and to have McKay call him in the morning.
Then, Davis claimed, Glazer told him he had fired McKay and that Glazer was now handling administration for the team. It was then Davis and Glazer cobbled together a trade for the Bucs to land Chucky.
And we know what happened after that.
Again, from what Joe understands from someone he trusts, this whole Russini story is complete nonsense, and sure smells like fertilizer on the surface. But if it isn’t, it wouldn’t be like Team Glazer hadn’t pulled off a major behind-the-scenes coup on their own before.
March 11th, 2020 at 5:12 am
Two things that wreak about the so-called media. First is they cite “sources” and boldly claim they can’t give that up because they will no longer be confidant with the inside scoop.
That’s total BS. It’s called “Maybe I’m making it up, or not, but I’m so important I can’t tell you.”
The second thing is when another so-called media outlet badmouths another one questioning their sources, but ever claiming to have their own (that they do not reveal).
This is like two worthless skanks fighting over who is less sleazy.
Anyone with a brain would know it makes no sense for the Glazers to give Brady that much power and control. I’d believe that with John Lynch or someone else with the business where-with-all and football mind who has a lineage to Tampa Bay football. No, not Brooks…doesn’t have the business sense (nothing on him…outstanding man and football mind; no the Storm is not it). No, not Sapp who looks to me like he can’t even manage his own life. But Brady. No, they’d not hand over the keys like that. But if they did that over keeping Winston, heck yeah.
March 11th, 2020 at 5:13 am
I sometimes wonder what the Bucs’ players must think of these garbage rumors. Guess that this is the only way a team like the Bucs can gain attention on the national scene.
March 11th, 2020 at 5:26 am
Or the more likely source is actually from Brady Camp.
March 11th, 2020 at 5:51 am
more speculative manufactured drama
I’m more concerned this virus will shut down football
March 11th, 2020 at 6:13 am
This reporter’s name has never been mentioned in tabloids before now so has never had any buc sources so had to be the Brady camp, national media are competing for who can come up with the most ridiculous story of the silly season
March 11th, 2020 at 6:39 am
What’s Russini’s track record on inside scoop stories?
March 11th, 2020 at 6:41 am
The whole story is stupid. Non-specifics and no sources. A waste of time.
March 11th, 2020 at 7:05 am
She’s hot and flirty I’m pretty sure she can finesse some insiders out of some info when push comes to shove 🤔😂
March 11th, 2020 at 7:06 am
Although sad, last season had a story book ending with the walk off pick 6 that set the single season record with 7 pick 6’s, and granting membership for the charter 30/30 member.
A storybook beginning would be Tom Brady + new uniforms. Talk about juice!
March 11th, 2020 at 7:08 am
These media-heads are literally pulling sh!t out of their behinds, throwing against the wall to see if it sticks…
I personally think that the only teams realistically in play for Brady is the LA Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, and New England for 1 last hurrah…
Imho these are the only moves that make sense for Brady…
Tom Brady to Tampa Bay is not gonna happen…This franchise is the total opposite of the Patriots top to bottom…Why in the heck would Brady taint his legacy by coming to Tampa…
Besides, his dink and dunk playing style doesn’t fit here…
March 11th, 2020 at 7:20 am
You might want to go back and relisten to that interview Joe because not once did she say Brady would have full control of playcalling or the roster. She said that he would like to be involved much like Roethlisberger was in Pitt when BA was the OC. Get your stories straight before posting please. Joe never wrote that she said that, so get your story straight. –Joe
March 11th, 2020 at 7:27 am
It’s all a smoke screen!
March 11th, 2020 at 7:32 am
Bucs are 100% laughingstock period. You delusional Ba supporters are going to be begging for ray perkins when ba is done screwing this off season up….. BA makes Biden look mentally competent…. counting on washed up has beens that never were is desperate and pathetic at best but the norm for this minor league franchise. There is a reason the bucs will always be proud owners of the worst winning percentage in NFL history.
March 11th, 2020 at 7:33 am
If the owners want to interfere they should resign Jameis and tell their coaches to “do your job”!
March 11th, 2020 at 7:38 am
I’m not sure which is worse…..the “journalist” who first uncovers a story with an anonymous source or those who repeat the story making it more credible than it it should be.
All but one and maybe not even one of these reports will be wrong. Will these people be held accountable?
When this is all over, Joe….it would be great to see an article listing them along with their BS,
March 11th, 2020 at 7:45 am
Arians is a lot of things but a wild-eyed, groveling fool isn’t one of them.
Well joe you might want to rethink that statement based on the actually garbage that spews from BA’s own mouth…. the legend of BA has passed his actual on field accomplishment long ago. Dude has never won anything or built anything on his own yet low standard bucfan drools over this loser like a 10 year old boy with his first crush. BA and his BS is a perfect fit for this gullible uneducated fanbase of fools….
March 11th, 2020 at 7:51 am
I have to admit that I thought the same thing.
Who in the HELL that is with the BUCS organization would tell her such a thing? Certainly not Licht or Arians…. so then who?
I don’t want to call her a liar…. but I have serious doubts about this “source”.
Unless….. as you say, it could actually be a Glazer.
March 11th, 2020 at 7:52 am
To up the ante with other teams? Interesting poker. Problem with that is, what if no other team bites?
March 11th, 2020 at 7:58 am
@Tampabaybucfan
Your worried about a reporter releasing a story to drum up leverage????????? The “Real” fans are not bothered by the silly stories during the silly season of the legal tampering season!!!!!!!! If Tampabaybucfan is so concerned about accuracy, Tampabaybucfan should go back and review all of Bruce Arrogance’s interviews and all the BS that was false and lies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Clean up the local house Tampabaybucfan, before whining about national media!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 11th, 2020 at 8:00 am
Bucfan needs to follow to tale so eloquently presented by Charlie Daniels – the Devil Went to Georgia…. selling your soul for short term gains results in 2 decades between meaningful wins…. there are no shortcuts. buying a fluke championship every couple of decades is not contending its pathetic. Luckily Gruden cleaned up the mess McKay and dungy the clown made fast enough that being said 1 good year every 2 decades is not contending it’s gambling.
March 11th, 2020 at 8:05 am
@Joe … “To up the ante with other teams? Interesting poker.”
Makes it sound as if the Bucs are being used as a pawn in the FA game Joe. Wait, come to think of it, we’ve been used like that before. Guess that’s what happens when you’re a perennial cellar-dweller. This is the year that changes.
March 11th, 2020 at 8:09 am
@Tmaxcon … “Luckily Gruden cleaned up the mess McKay and dungy the clown made fast enough”. Tmax, you’re delusional again. Gruden CREATED THIS MESS. And the only reason Chucky even sniffed a SB ring was because Monte Kiffin stayed on to run the #1 defense that he & Tony created. Take a close look at Gruden’s offensive standings for the years he was here. Mediocre at best, thanks to some of the dumbest personnel moves in the NFL at the time.
March 11th, 2020 at 8:21 am
Defense Rules
Selective memory acting up again. i see. I realize it is beyond your mental apacity to understand football is 4 phases team building, offensive, defensive and special teams. Whyche built the defense and the ignorant stubborn one dimensional dungy the clown and his attorney sidekick McKay could not field or build a high school level offensive to pair with it. 2 play off wins in 6 years is laughable not legendary. Bucs were a horrible 500 team with no chance in the postseason under Dungy the clown. The record proves this. You can’t rewrite history soley based your delusional man crush on a hypocrite loser dirtbag.
March 11th, 2020 at 8:24 am
D r
Bucs were pretenders with no post season hope under McKay and dungy the clown the actual results prove that… 500 team with highly ranked defense that lost just as many 10 to 9 games as it won. That is not greatness its pathetic
March 11th, 2020 at 8:36 am
Corona would CRIPPLE THE ECONOMY if it goes into the fall.
Brady would be CRIPPLED in a month behind this o-line. We’d see what that “clean pocket” became with a statue behind center. ALL shotgun. Lol!!!! NONSENSE!!!
March 11th, 2020 at 8:54 am
@Tmax and Defense…
Both of you make really good points but I also have to point out that Bruce Allen factor…Im not sure how much power Chucky really had as far a personnel decisions were concerned here in Tampa but Bruce Allen is about as bad a GM as you’ll find in the NFL…
Love Tony D to death for helping my team turn the corner but some of the personnel decisions he allowed on offense were just horrible…In the case of Chucky, I’ll always be a fan for how he came in and got us over the hump…ultimately, Grudens undoing in Tampa (like Tony D) was imho his inability to find and develop a young QB which still seems to be an issue to this day for Chucky…
Fast forward to 2020… hopefully we dont mess up this QB decision…The talent is definitely there with Jameis, BA and Co. needs to now identify what Jameis does well and do more of it; identify what Jameis isn’t good at and throw it out of the playbook, balance the offensive play-calling a tad…And for crying out loud Jason! Can we please find a field goal kicker that can make a kick when it matters…
March 11th, 2020 at 8:54 am
@ Realisto
You seem to want to attack me no matter what the subject or how reasonable my position is…..keep it up….it makes you look like a fool.
All I said was that reporters should be held accountable when they base their stories on anonymous sources that are never revealed…..
I guess you disagree.
March 11th, 2020 at 9:01 am
Tampabaybucfan
You believing that the glazers actually attempt to field a respectable product each year rendered you a fool long before realists attempts….
March 11th, 2020 at 9:12 am
Tampabay
Journalistic integrity has been extinct for decades how dare you expect sports entertainment bloggers or field bloggers to follow ancient traditions
March 11th, 2020 at 9:31 am
@ Joe..
“Now since Russini’s story aired, Joe is hearing the story is, well, pure ca-ca. Guess we will find out in a few days, won’t we?”
——————————————————–
I’m sure that 99% of bloggers here, don’t know what is true and what is not, all the comments are based on what they like to happen in a week or so…. and I wish that the report is 100% true…. that may be the best thing happening to Bucs since the old man brought JG and won the SB.
The joeJWfan are terrified even when a rumor like this comes around….BUT if it is 1% true, this may be the best news for bucsfan in long long time.
BA = LovieS 2.0
March 11th, 2020 at 9:48 am
Is Russia following football now?
March 11th, 2020 at 10:32 am
Duh.
I told you yesterday it was complete nonsense.
Playcalling? Maybe. Roster control? No fkn way lol.
March 11th, 2020 at 10:50 am
Russini said “control”, not “full control”. He could just want to have a seat at the table regarding roster decisions (probably because BB left his supporting cast in shambles lately) and the ability to call his own plays. Neither sound that far fetched and if Tennessee wants him I’d be shocked if they didn’t offer the same.
March 11th, 2020 at 10:54 am
And then what?
March 11th, 2020 at 11:26 am
BrianDorry55 Says:
“(Brady) could just want to have a seat at the table regarding roster decisions”
~~~
Agreed. It’s not in common for mega stars such as LeBron James. It is not crazy to think that Tom Brady, with all that he has accomplished, would just like “seat at the table”.
March 11th, 2020 at 11:26 am
(not uncommon) – sorry for the typo
March 11th, 2020 at 11:31 am
If bucs had leadership at the top employees aka playetd would not have to make ridiculous demands…. more proof what a dysfunctional minor league franchise this is under the glazers
March 11th, 2020 at 11:48 am
Yea but LeBron is essentially the ONLY example you can find of that. Is there anyone else?
And that’s partially b/c LeBron was playing for teams where had more experience than the coach and/or GM who was in charge… so not really comparable in my opinion.
Sorry I just don’t see this happening.
March 11th, 2020 at 12:10 pm
Gruden had a lot more to work with when the Glazers got him. Brady won’t. Please pass.
March 11th, 2020 at 4:19 pm
“Maybe I’m making it up, or not, but I’m so important I can’t tell you.”
So hopefully Heathrow you are well educated and informed that shouldn’t be a problem at all! That is where we expect YOU to use your good judgement. Anonymous sources are critical to some journalism…either that or give up the story. If people abuse them or worse still LIE…well THEN as the Liar in Chief would point out…that’s fake news.
But…if they’re credible newspeople/journalists/bloggers they play by a dependable journalistic set of rules. Once they’ve master those rules they become “credible”.
I sometimes fear I may be insulting the Joes LMAO but I genuinely respect their journalism as well as their blogging.
I cannot remember a story from Joe where if he was forced to use an anonymous source he didn’t point out where the source came from…OBP…other media…players…etc. Joe’s been pretty scrupulous here journalistically even though the Joe’s are under no obligation. As they say they write about what interests them.
Perhaps old habits die hard…perhaps like many of us the Joe’s do not wish to get a rep as BS artists. And I give them credit….if BS ever appears here the JBF clearly identifies it and qualifies the source.
March 11th, 2020 at 4:44 pm
Get a job Tmaxipad.
March 11th, 2020 at 11:33 pm
There is a story somewhere I forget where I saw it yesterday but it was saying Brady has 2 demands for his new team whoever that may be. 1… To have control over the roster and 2… Control over the playcalling… The day after this here story broke… Coincidence?