Examining Brady’s Alleged Power
May 6th, 2020
Conspiracy theory on Tom Brady and the Bucs.
So last week when BSPN’s Marcus Spears claimed that Bucs quarterback Tom Brady was calling the shots, directing Bucs bigwigs what strings to pull, it sure was a bold statement by the former NFL defensive end.
A quick examination of facts seems to bear out Spears might be onto something, but the suggestion that Brady is ordering Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager and Bucco Bruce Arians what to do, well, that claim just isn’t on solid ground.
Let’s examine, shall we:
In a recent edition of “Stay in Bed,” seen on BSPN weekday mornings, host Mike Greenberg said he senses Brady may have a lot more personnel influence if not responsibility with the Bucs than an ordinary NFL quarterback.
Spears not only agreed with Greenberg, he took the handoff and quickly raced downfield.
Greenberg and Spears came to this conclusion after witnessing Licht (?) trading up to draft Iowa right tackle Tristan Wirfs.
Mike Greenberg: It feels, just sitting and watching it from a distance, like he has to have a hand in this, right? Like these conversations took place and Brady was letting people know in the organization, “This is what I need.”
Marcus Spears: One-hundred percent, “G’.” Look, we talked about the lack of weapons in New England, but to get Tom Brady at his age, would you think he is still a Super Bowl-winning caliber quarterback that can take you there? Obviously, these conversations was had prior to him even signing with Tampa Bay, about the future and how would we approach me signing with you.
Now Joe can’t go that far for a couple of reasons.
Was the signing of Brady a package deal in order to land Gronk? Joe is sure of that. We already know Brady was working out with Gronk before the free agency dinner bell rang and Gronk told Brady he was interested in following him to his new NFL home.
This was before the Bucs and Brady talked turkey. So it is very believable to think at one point in the contract negotiations Brady told Licht and Arians that if they sign him he can bring Gronk on board.
In fact, it’s hard to believe that such a conversation didn’t happen.
As for drafting Wirfs, are we really to believe Brady spent most of the offseason pouring over college tape of, say, a minimum of a half-dozen tackles to find out who he wants blocking for him?
When did Brady become so adept at looking for intricacies of college offensive tackles? Additionally, when have you ever heard of a player doing scouts’ work while still on the roster?
Brady ordering Licht who to draft? That’s a stretch.
Another curveball: quarterbacks love targets. Hell, that’s why Brady is here in the first place. If Brady was telling Licht and Arians who to draft, you don’t think Brady, when the Bucs were on the clock, didn’t call Licht and scream in his ear, “CEE DEE LAMB, JASON! CEE DEE LAMB!”
Besides, Peter King (via a tablet of some sort) was embedded in Licht’s makeshift war room at Licht’s house. King allegedly had access to all of the conversations Thursday night, the first night of the draft.
It would be unconscionable for a reporter on the high balcony where King watches the littles below scatter off to work each day (until The Sickness shutdown the nation) not to document that the Bucs’ starting quarterback was calling the shots on the first round while Licht was just sitting in his home office munching on pizza, swilling beers and playing internet poker and waiting on Brady’s next command. Or perhaps receiving permission from Brady to shut everything down and go to bed.
Though it’s kind of funny to think that the reason why Licht was so gung-ho in trying to trade up for Wirfs was that he didn’t want to be on the receiving end of Brady’s wrath. 🙂
Look, Joe loves a good conspiracy and backroom drama like the next guy. But Licht and Arians being fully subservient to Brady in personnel matters just doesn’t hold water or make common sense.
May 6th, 2020 at 10:12 am
Tom has experience that no other QB in the history of the NFL has had..
Been a part of the winningest team for 2 decades..
Played in 9 Super Bowls..
Won 6 Super Bowls…
So he probably has a good idea as to what it takes to put together a successful winning team at the NFL level…
Is he pulling thebstrings,? Doubt that!
But could Arians and Licht have included him in their draft preparations? If they are wise they did..
Maybe Tom didn’t watch tape or scouted tons but the GM and HC could have given him a list of the player they were looking at to get his opinion on those draft choices…
At least for now they have FINALLY put together a team to expect a winning season to come..
That has been missing for over a decade!
May 6th, 2020 at 10:25 am
I mean, who did we have at right tackle? It was a dream scenario and Licht would have been dumb to not get Wirfs. I don’t think this has to do with Brady, we got the best player available at a position of need.
Side note – I feel bad for the Jags drafting the “jack of all trades” Laviska Shenault out of the second best college in Colorado.
May 6th, 2020 at 10:38 am
Media always think they are connecting dots and end up sounding stupid. So the only reason we drafted a tackle is we signed Brady? Guy was one of the highest rated players on the board at a position of need? Guess we would have rode the back of Haeg if we kept Winston so dumb. Was it in Brady contract that we had to sign a tackle in the draft because bucs could do whatever they want and he didn’t sign for a ridiculous amount so that we could get things done in free agency. Luckily I’ve never felt an urge to watch that show
May 6th, 2020 at 10:48 am
Its already been known we were trying to get Simmons. Licht and the Glazers and now BA (and their scouts) read this site and some of us fans posts. Dont think they dont. Who wouldnt love free input from fans of the team? I was calling for Brady WAAAYY before anyone else! And look what happened.
Marpet? Called it
Godwin? Called it
Rojo? Called it
Big V? Called it
D. White? Called it
yes, ive had a few misses…wanted Spence and OJ and safety Evans (never know, OJ might work out, theres hope). And if Evans can finally get healthy, who knows.
But we almost had Simmons (who will probably be DFROTY). We tried to trade up, but Arizona was smart, is what it is. Thats why you have a draft board and contingency plans B, C, D,E and so forth. I had Wirfs as my 3rd. Simmons/Brown/Wirfs.
There were still some talented RT prospects in the 2nd and 3rd had we landed the very talented Simmons/Brown. But hey, looky here, we got the very talented Wirfs! And actually a much bigger need than D. But Im just one of those guys that thinks outside the box and says best talent available but can also fill a position of need, especially if that player keeps the other team from scoring.
We got VERY lucky to get Wirfs at 13. Athletic freak! Major upgrade on the O line.
May 6th, 2020 at 10:51 am
This is borderline absurd. Other than the Gronk move which was connected to Brady the rest are obviously going to benefit Brady as well. The Bucs want what Brady wants…WIN! Who cares who is making which call as long as they are the correct calls.
May 6th, 2020 at 10:52 am
This is the kind of crazy stuff that somehow keeps people entertained. That, in order to get Brady to join them, the Bucs had to cede control in a way no team has to any other player. Will they try to keep him upright and productive? Of course. Will they craft the offense to suit his strengths and preferences? Naturally. You don’t sign a HOF QB and pretend he’s just another guy. If the moves like signing Gronk and drafting a tackle fuel your insane conspiracy theories… well maybe COVID isolation has made you a little crazy.
May 6th, 2020 at 11:00 am
I bet Tom is in chanrge of everything. I bet he’s even telling Bowles how to run his defense!
May 6th, 2020 at 11:13 am
Known by who (whom)?
May 6th, 2020 at 11:15 am
media are really misleading everybody and I’m happy all the players will be at home and hyped up because of the expectations from them this season is what they’ve never experience before
May 6th, 2020 at 11:31 am
These guys are just bored and need something to talk about. Does/should Tom Brady GOAT, have the ear of his HC and GM? Absolutely! But to say he’s “calling the shots” is just ridiculous.
Boredom, pure and unadulterated!
May 6th, 2020 at 11:31 am
On this one I could not agree with you more.
Being a head coach in the NFL is a profession. Being a general manger in the NFL is a profession. Being the starting quarterback in the NFL is a profession.
Respected enough to accept some input, yes. Calling the shots, hell no! Let’s get real.
May 6th, 2020 at 11:45 am
Man, people post a lot of nonsense in these comments, but @MadMax saying people get drafted because he talks about them here has to take the cake lmao.
May 6th, 2020 at 11:49 am
As far as Brady’s “power” goes. Im not buying it. Gronk was for sure a Brady move. Other than that I dont think he has much say. Im sure they will add some of his favorite plays from NE to the playbook. Thats probably as far as his power goes.
People think Arians, who just came out of retirement, is going to all of a sudden change his offensive scheme. Even tho the ENTIRE coaching staff was built around familiarity with his scheme. Now he is gonns change it after 1 year back because of Brady. I doubt that.
May 6th, 2020 at 11:59 am
At this rate I guess Tom’s personal chef is working with the Bucs chef and telling him what and what not to serve. I hope Tom is enjoying working the phones at One Buc place on his personal time to help with sales since he now has total control of the team. He has moved here, maybe his contract also included the purchase of the team as well. Since hey he is the GOAT and we seem to have given him everything else. LOL
May 6th, 2020 at 12:11 pm
Brady wanted Antonio Brown and the Bucs refused. The organization wants to build around Brady, so he’s an influencer but not a decision maker.
May 6th, 2020 at 12:18 pm
Had to find the article you posted. “19 shot glasses of emojis”
“Great insight from Glazer.
So about that linebacker? Was versatile linebacker Isaiah Simmons their top target? It seems so after hearing Glazer.”
Now, I could be wrong. It still couldve been Wirfs. But I thought Glazer had some great insight and was calling things as he saw them. We didnt try to trade up with anyone else while Wills and Becton were still there. We tried with Arizona, then nothing till pick 13.
May 6th, 2020 at 1:00 pm
Brady deserves the benefit of having input into the offensive side of the ball, but not say so. Prior to coming to the Bucs he had the power of an owner, but now that he signed his deal he’s no more than a player. Light was simply playing the smart gm by drafting Wirfs who was the BPA for our immediate need on the right side of our line. By doing so we also got the best value, a tri fecta so to speak. What good is going after a high pick on a receiver or linebacker when your all millennial star qb is being sacked?
May 6th, 2020 at 1:02 pm
I thought this was going to be about Brady’s arm strength, LOL.
May 6th, 2020 at 1:36 pm
Yeah Joey, you’re right….i guess its just great minds thinking alike…not just me, Joe’s and others too.
May 6th, 2020 at 1:39 pm
Ridiculous
May 6th, 2020 at 2:06 pm
LMAO here. its like my man Mike Tyson once said, Everybody got a plan…Until they get hit.
May 6th, 2020 at 2:56 pm
Joe, “whom”… LOL.
I was one of those aghast at losing a 4th given depth of this draft… if they had given up that AND a 3rd to take Simmons I may have lost my mind. Thank goodness we’ll never know.
May 6th, 2020 at 3:10 pm
smh …you ran a poll to see what the fans wanted with the #1 pick. It was offensive tackle hands down. Even Joe finally seemed to warm up to the fact that if we had a chance to grab one of the top four, they should pull the trigger on an OT. So why would Joe yell “CEE DEE LAMB, JASON! CEE DEE LAMB!” when Joe knew what our plan was from the beginning? So the Bucs picked Wirf according to the plan, except crazy Joe was screaming for a WR that wasn’t in the plan and we haven’t heard the end of it yet. Joe has wrote about this, he has talked about this every chance he had as if he’s searching for an attaboy or something. No Brady didn’t tell Licht to choose Wirf over “CEE DEE LAMB, JASON! CEE DEE LAMB!”
You’re taking this post way too seriously. –Joe
May 6th, 2020 at 4:54 pm
Joe had no knowledge of the Bucs’ “plan.” Jason Licht doesn’t share his draft plans with reporters.
And if someone would have leapfrogged the Bucs to grab Wirfs, what was the plan then at No. 14? Surely not to overreach and draft a tackle who was no better than a late- first-round pick.
(FYI, Joe paraphrased what a quarterback might say to a GM if said quarterback have control of the draft. Joe believed that was all spelled out in the story.)
May 6th, 2020 at 7:28 pm
Good article and I agree. I think that Arians and Licht will and have gone out of their way to make Brady happy to some extent, but Brady is not calling the shots.
May 6th, 2020 at 8:49 pm
We were getting a right tackle regardless of what Tom wants
May 7th, 2020 at 9:42 am
541bucfan You can’t build around a 43 year old quarterback bro .