“We Have To Get Creative”
April 8th, 2020
Figuring out a workaround.
If these were normal times, many if not all Bucs skill position players might be gathered together some 2,500 miles away.
The players would be out like a light right now after a long day’s workout at Tom Brady’s ranch in Montana after running play after play after play of Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians’ offense sprinkled between film sessions.
Early mornings come quick in Big Sky country.
Alas, these are strange times when both the feds and state authorities are having us all caged inside our homes, only allowed to go to the grocery store while practicing “social distancing,” which is a fancy phrase for Vernon Hargreaves coverage.
(Thanks to reader @ce113z for the photo demonstrating how disgraced former defensive coordinator Mike Smith and Hargreaves practiced social distancing long before it was hip.)
Recently, Bucs wide receiver Chris Godwin did a video chat with Albert Breer of SI.com and discussed how he and his offensive teammates plan to help get Brady up to speed on Arians’ offense while being unable to gather and practice, in addition to the very real possibility there won’t be any OTAs or minicamps.
“It was surreal,” Godwin said of his recent phone call from Brady. “It was starting out a relationship. If we want to go where we want to go and accomplish the things we want to accomplish, we have to be on the same page. Not just me and him but him and the [rest] of the receivers.
“We have to get creative. We have to make sure we are on the same page mentally so that once we step on the field, we will know what to expect [from each other] physically.”
Just about any player will admit he can do all the film work and chalk talks and whiteboard breakdowns till the cows come home. But that’s all a far cry from being out on the grass and doing it, much less getting ready for gameday.
Joe wonders if Brady and his new teammates are just going to say “Screw it” and fly to Montana where a local doctor checks them out to make sure they don’t have the [national advertisers don’t like that word], so the guys can practice in Brady’s backyard with the buffalo and the elk.
April 8th, 2020 at 12:05 am
That’s the smart move. Get tested, wait the 14 days or whatever and get rolling with the BA book and the Brady book.
April 8th, 2020 at 12:27 am
Joebuc
Did you write …
It was surreal,” Hargreaves said
April 8th, 2020 at 12:29 am
“It was surreal,” Hargreaves said of his recent phone call from Brady. “It was starting out a relationship. If we want to go where we want to go and accomplish the things we want to accomplish, we have to be on the same page. Not just me and him but him and the [rest] of the receivers.
Hargreaves said this?
April 8th, 2020 at 12:30 am
LOL Thanks for the catch in the quote. Was twittering about Hargreaves while writing that story and had Hargreaves on the brain. 🙂
April 8th, 2020 at 12:38 am
We try to keep Hargreaves name to a minimum
April 8th, 2020 at 12:43 am
Hmmmm, Godwin doing all the talking, which is good … Evans awfully quiet, Am I the only one noticing this? Is there something brewing here?
April 8th, 2020 at 1:47 am
Is that allowed by the Bucs or the NFL or the state to go to Montana cus that would be sweet.
April 8th, 2020 at 1:57 am
This has to be one of the funniest things I’ve ever read from one of the Joes. Bless you guys, I needed the laugh:
“ practicing “social distancing” which is a fancy phrase for Vernon Hargreaves coverage.”
April 8th, 2020 at 3:24 am
Joe please I’ve been by Bradys house up here in montana. It’s not what you think it is. Hell google yellowstone club it’s a rich people town with lots of people and not huge lots. The cool thing is edelman and amendola are around a lot up here too. Former buc and patriot player dane fletcher has a amazing gym called the Pitt.
April 8th, 2020 at 5:26 am
Hargreaves on the brain……no cure for that…..
April 8th, 2020 at 7:01 am
That photo is wild! I remember the off-man coverage was bad, but I don’t remember it being 15 yards on 3rd and 2 bad. Good riddance.
April 8th, 2020 at 7:33 am
When he was here, [bucs fans don’t like that name] used to drive me crazy with 10-15 yard off coverage. Him leaving was one of the keys to the other corners late season improvements.
April 8th, 2020 at 9:01 am
Does anyone in Montana have (the name we can not mention)? These guys can take private planes to get there and the last time I looked WR & the QB stay more than 6 feet away from each other.They can all wear N95 masks while practicing and gloves too. Were there is a will there is a way. They need to start practicing. it is tough living in the (name we can not mention) days!!!
April 8th, 2020 at 9:02 am
Does anyone in Montana have (the name we can not mention)? These guys can take private planes to get there and the last time I looked WR & the QB stay more than 6 feet away from each other.They can all wear N95 masks while practicing and gloves too. Where there is a will there is a way. They need to start practicing. it is tough living in the (name we can not mention) days!!!
April 8th, 2020 at 10:32 am
LJS4th………..Yes there are over 120 in my county alone which is the same county as Big Sky where brady has his home. I believe most cases are in Bozeman and Big Sky because of the airport and the ski resort which has been shut down. A Lot of people traveled to the resort up until the lockdown
April 8th, 2020 at 10:44 am
Just test them all, put the negatives on a private jet to MT.
What is the problem?
April 8th, 2020 at 12:19 pm
If saying screw it and flying out there is a option well then why the heck are they not going RIGHT NOW!!!! Do they really want to win a super bowl or not?? I mean if they normally should be practicing right now and travel is available to them then why are they not doing it?? Like seriously I’m asking!?? Can anyone tell me??
April 8th, 2020 at 12:27 pm
Well, given the information Brady gave Howard Stern this morning, Brady and Gisele are currently in Tampa homeschooling the kids.