“Tom Didn’t Have Anything To Do With It”
October 26th, 2020
Late February has arrived early at One Buc Palace.
The misdirection smoke now seen swirling usually is the kind reserved for pre-draft chatter when NFL executives and coaches lie regularly.
Joe wrote recently about being very intrigued by the upcoming corporate spin job that would emanate from One Buc Palace regarding the signing of mercurial felon receiver Antonio Brown, and why the Bucs picked a guy everyone knows has a reputation for team-crushing deeds.
Well, the smoke came flying out tonight following the Bucs’ clubbing of an overwhelmed Raiders team in Vegas.
Tom Brady? He didn’t want to talk about Antonio Brown. Asked about Brown, Brady dodged the meat of the question like Joe maneuvering the Sweet Tomatoes (RIP) buffet to load up on chocolate pudding and whatever was the good pasta of the given day.
Bucco Bruce Arians was asked about Brown and Arians quickly said blame/credit GM Jason Licht.
“I think he’s matured,” Arians said of Brown, after saying this year that he thought Brown was a bad fit in his locker room.
“I believe in second chances. You know, Everybody wants to say that Tom picked him. Tom didn’t have anything to do with it. This was something that Jason had been talking for a couple of weeks, ever since the injuries to our other guys. And when the time was right, would we see if we could pull the trigger and fit it into what we want to get done. And we’ll see; if Antonio does what I think he’s going to do, he’s going to be fine.”
So “Tom didn’t have anything to do with it.” … Yeah, ok, and Team Glazer has nothing to do with the overpriced stadium beer and Matt Gay was a hell of a kicker.
What next? Lots of people read the Bay area’s twice-weekly newspaper that sits behind a paywall online?
Joe finds it silly that Arians is trying to shield Brady from potential Brown fallout if trouble arises. Why not just say Brady trusts him and likes him and we’re all-in, baby?
Instead, Bucs fans get a goofy don’t-look-at-Tommy line. Remember, Arians himself said Brady could pick his own No. 3 receiver.
Nobody in their right mind thinks Brown is here without Brady’s desire and blessing.
Joe gets it.
Every other Bucs fan gets it.
But the Bucs want you to believe something else.
October 26th, 2020 at 12:24 am
Hey Joe 5-2 Enjoy the the ride, I sure am. SUPER BOWL OR BUST!!!! GO BUCS!!!!!
October 26th, 2020 at 12:24 am
I swear sports and media are like soap opera’s.
October 26th, 2020 at 12:25 am
Drama sells. The NFL learned that a long, long time ago.
October 26th, 2020 at 12:35 am
The FA we should be talking about is Steve McLendon.
He just joined last week and led all DL in tackles!!!
October 26th, 2020 at 12:36 am
So what?
October 26th, 2020 at 12:36 am
We don’t need Antonio Brown next year if we draft 6’6 MANBEAST wide receiver Warren Jackson out of the best university in the west, Colorado State. Contested catch god, wins 1 on 1’s near every time while also having Mike Evans-like shifty speed.
October 26th, 2020 at 12:38 am
I dunno.
Maybe the purists would rather have the Saints sign AB or something. They have WR issues, too.
October 26th, 2020 at 1:24 am
Sweet Tomatoes Chili with corn bread muffins and butter.
October 26th, 2020 at 1:34 am
Joe — sometimes you just need to recognize, everyone knows and it’s uncomfortable for the alpha coach to admit he has been out alpha-ed. Good for Bruce. What do we really expect him to say?
Just win baby — that sounds good.
October 26th, 2020 at 2:23 am
Maybe Bruce was trying to smooth things between him and AB before he walks into One Buc???
October 26th, 2020 at 3:08 am
damn not halloween yet and my beloved bucs are in first place, usually were out of the running by now, hot damn i’m one happy mofo, LFG bucs!!!!
October 26th, 2020 at 4:26 am
“TB12 will be here long after BA and his golfcart
TB12 and the Glaser boys have a lifetime agreement with each other
Brady will move into the front office after 2 years
Brady has planted his future with the Bucs instead of the Pats after retiring from playing. Belichick will always be in his way between him and Kraft
BA trying to be nice to his boss”
Kobe Faker
October 26th, 2020 at 5:38 am
BA is clearly not telling the truth. Couldn’t help but notice Brady avoided that question. I don’t think he wanted to lie or contradict BA.
October 26th, 2020 at 6:41 am
I could care less, as long as he is held accountable for his actions
October 26th, 2020 at 6:55 am
Tin foil is in short supply at Joe’s house. I want the Bucs to beat the Giants, not add to the distractions that don’t matter in the W column. Next!
October 26th, 2020 at 7:12 am
Yawn.
October 26th, 2020 at 7:36 am
Lmao…
Whining and moaning even when winning. This is getting BORING.
To whine or moan, Joe believes you have to feel annoyed or upset. Joe feels none of those things. If you want to read sanitized cheerleading from non-fans, there are plenty of options out there.–Joe
October 26th, 2020 at 7:59 am
So “Tom didn’t have anything to do with it.” … Yeah, ok, and Team Glazer has nothing to do with the overpriced stadium beer and Matt Gay was a hell of a kicker. – Joe
I honestly do not see why people think Tom actually pushed to get Brown. Brown and Brady barely spent time together, and Brown blew his chance in New England like he did everywhere else.
We’re almost to the halfway point, looking great, and he gets to come in and ride the coattails to a Superbowl ring after being such a problem that every other team has written him off.
I get that injuries can be a concern, and it’s been clear that Evans and Godwin have been playing injured…but that’s what it takes to get a ring. If we need depth, there are lots of options.
October 26th, 2020 at 8:36 am
With all the legal problems, suspension, etc. nutcase Brown is going through, will he even get on a football field this season? Sure doesn’t sound like it. Good riddance.
October 26th, 2020 at 8:47 am
BL will make you happy we have AB….lol…
our locker room is strong enough for AB….
GO BUCS!!!!
October 26th, 2020 at 9:46 am
Joe, you have said publicly that you are a “glass half empty” kind of guy. At least you’re honest about your tendencies. However, you need to be careful with cynicism. Once in a while things simply are the way they appear to be. It is your job to sort things out for each situation.
When BA made his remarks about AB some months ago he was being honest. When he says now that he and JL sought AB as an insurance policy now, I believe him. BA tends to be blunt and most of the time. (He did not hide his desire to snag Brady when it might have been prudent to say nothing for example.)
On the other hand he will go along with the franchise party line and go along with putting the best spin on things in a given situation to a certain degree.
I also believe that Brady’s input was a consideration but he is not calling the shots on personnel decisions.
October 26th, 2020 at 10:46 am
I would rather have AB in our team than Seahawks or Saints acquiring him. I believe AB has done some life reflections and realized that he really screwed up and wants to have a new beginning. He will definitely be a team guy, become humble and knows that this will be his last stop to be respected as a player and human being. JMHO…