Minimal Impact… Initially
November 6th, 2020
Antonio Brown chatter.
For those expecting furniture-tossing Bucs wide receiver Antonio Brown to torch the slimy Saints secondary Sunday night, you may want to temper expectations.
Who says that? Father Dungy, that’s who.
In a Zoom version of a sitdown with WFLA-TV Channel 8 sports anchor Dan Lucas, Father Dungy said he expects big things from Brown with the Bucs. But not Sunday night.
And why is that? Well, it’s too early.
“I think this week is going to be tough,” Father Dungy said of Brown having any major impact in the Sunday night showdown for first place in the NFC South. “Now I would look for him down the road to really start making an impact.”
Why would that be? Well, as Father Dungy pointed out, what were people saying early in the season? “What’s wrong with Gronk?” Nothing was wrong with Gronk other than he had to find his sea legs since he was out of football for a year.
Father Dungy sees the same thing for Brown, who hasn’t played in an NFL game in some 14 months.
“Tom is such a precision passer, that chemistry just has to build,” Father Dungy said. “I don’t expect [Brown] to have a 10-catch, 200-yard game this week, but down the road, that will come. And he’ll get that chemistry going with Tom I am sure.”
Timing is an element but Joe thinks it is just not being on a football field for over a year, similar to Gronk.
Oh sure, people are saying all the right things about Brown. “He’s in shape. He’s worked out. He’s hungry.” Well, working out in a gym or on a high school track or catching passes from high school or college quarterbacks in shorts is one thing.
Going out in live battle and trying to shake Marshon Lattimore as he jams you at the line is a whole different animal.
November 6th, 2020 at 5:27 am
I agree, but the Saints will account for him and that should free someone else up. Go Bucs!
November 6th, 2020 at 5:36 am
Many different ways to have ‘impact’ on the football field. Oh wait, I forgot we’re not talking about Shaq anymore. My bad.
November 6th, 2020 at 6:00 am
He will have an impact immediately. Evans will benefit with more targets and catches because of AB being on the field.
November 6th, 2020 at 6:20 am
Huh..huh..huh.
That’s my weird fake Dungy laugh.
No one is saying he’ll catch for 200 yards. It his impact will be felt immediately when Evans is wide ass open
November 6th, 2020 at 6:41 am
I’ve watched this dudes antics since he was being an ass in Pittsburgh and I have zero expectations of him producing anything positive for us. I’d dump this guy at the slightest hint of trouble, but I do hope that he has turned the page, because he’s the best wideout since Randy Moss. Sorry Mike, you’re still solidly number 3, just ignore Simms and Ira and their strange fetish for lesser receivers like Tyreek, Julio, et al. 😜
November 6th, 2020 at 6:50 am
Brady distributes the ball so much that the impact can be limited simply from that. He’s going to take what the defense gives him….if the mismatch is Brown, its going to Brown….just like it goes to Miller and Johnson. If you step on the field, Brady expects you to execute.
Wont shock me if we spread the Saints out and just run the ball to death on them.
November 6th, 2020 at 6:55 am
AB could get 8 targets and 2 be for TD’s, we will see. But AB will definitely attract attention. Time off or not, if the DB’s sleep on AB, he will roast them. 1 thing for sure, AB is the healthiest receiver the Bucs have. Yes thanks Tony but again if they sleep on AB, Tom will exploit them. GO BUCS!!!!!
November 6th, 2020 at 7:01 am
Brown is the hardest working player most coaches and players who’ve been around him have ever seen. If anyone can have an impact in his first game back it’s him. I expect something like 5 catches for 75 yards or thereabouts.
With Evans up to full speed now, Godwin not limited anymore with his hamstring (even with a finger brace), Miller basically 100% healed from his hip issue, Gronk finally back in football shape and Brown as eager as a player could possibly be to show he’s back, this team should have no problem sustaining drives and scoring points.
I only have a single concern for this game…if Marpet is out the Saints might be able to get pressure up the middle. That would be very bad for the Bucs as Brady doesn’t cope very well with that type of pressure. I’m hoping Marpet gets off the concussion protocol quickly enough to play.
November 6th, 2020 at 7:04 am
Going out in live battle and trying to shake Marshon Lattimore as he jams you at the line is a whole different animal.
I hope he’s in a battle with Lattimore…..that will mean Evans isn’t…..if AB does nothing but attract extra attention from NO DBs……it will be worth it…..
And, who will cover Godwin if he’s healthy.
November 6th, 2020 at 7:09 am
So Dungy knows how to evaluate an offense now. Lol. Ya ok 👌
November 6th, 2020 at 7:10 am
Flboy in Dallas – I 1000% agree on Marpet. I understand the “next man up” mentality but I’ve read other comments on here like it was no big deal as if there would be no material difference. Actually it IS a big deal and may even change game plan a bit. I should be a bigger concern and something to keep an eye on. I also think AQ Shipley makes more sense at guard than Haeg, not sure why it’s widely assumed it’ll be Haeg as it might not be
November 6th, 2020 at 7:33 am
Je lives with TB12, I am sure at home a football or 2 and a route or 2 get ran on their free time. Just a hunch.
November 6th, 2020 at 7:33 am
I HOPE Lattimore jams Brown. That would mean Evans has their lesser CB.
That would mean Brown is a decoy.
(I see tbbf beat me to it.)
I will not be surprised if Brown makes a material impact on the game. Why? It’s Brady who is on the line as much as Brown.
That said, I wish Tony Dungy would go away. I still hear his droning “We just weren’t in sync” excuse.
November 6th, 2020 at 7:45 am
I just gave our reciever group a new nick name “FANTASTIC-4” Mike Evans (Touchdown Maker) Antonio Brown (Tricky-Dick) Scotty Miller (Beam Me Up) Chris Godwin (Hard Hat)
November 6th, 2020 at 8:04 am
In AB’s first game in NE he caught 4 balls for 56 and 1 TD. The Pats beat the Dolphins 43-0, but, as I said it was the Fins. The Pats had a good team, with Edelman, Michel, White, Burkhead, and Josh Gordon. But they were not as talented as the Bucs. Past performance is indicative of future performance. Brady rarely targets one WR a lot.
I agree with Dungy, it is going to take AB a while to get in sync. If I were Dennis Allen, I would keep my doubles on ME. Hopefully Godwin plays. If he does, he and Gronk will have big games; if not, probably Scotty. AB will get his underneath – same type of stats as his first in NE, like 5 for 55. ME will get a few big plays when the Aint’s occasionally take off the double.
The sorry Aint’s can’t cover all these weapons and Brady likes to spread it around. But the Aint’s have players too. Kamara has a good day, not huge.
BUCS WIN!
November 6th, 2020 at 8:19 am
You hit the nail right on the head joe in that last paragraph. He might be in shape but I doubt he’s in football shape. There’s a big big diff
November 6th, 2020 at 8:23 am
Like you did with Tom Brady, Joe, you are underestimating who Antonio Brown is. Like Brady, AB is different! These guys aren’t what we are used to seeing with our Bucs, they are a step above. The elite of the elite!
It’ll be an immediate impact come Sunday night. We were already going to beat up on the Saints and be much more of a problem than we were in Week 1. Even moreover now.
November 6th, 2020 at 8:23 am
The weather is going to be a huge factor on Sunday. Wet balls, wet field. Wind. This is going to turn into a ground and pound game.
November 6th, 2020 at 8:36 am
The weather is not going to be a factor at all Sunday night in Tampa. Not one tiny bit unless it’s by a 15mph weird sudden wind gust on a long fg attempt which I highly doubt because we will be scoring touchdowns. But ya not very wet and not very windy.
November 6th, 2020 at 8:39 am
BlogTalk, your point is well taken. I’m worried about that as well. The latest forecast has a lesser chance of rain though. Will still be messy and some wind. Should have a decent chance to run it well.
November 6th, 2020 at 9:04 am
@#1bucfan: “Football shape” is different for Bug Uglies and guys who initiate contact than it is for WR’s and guys who avoid contact.
A WR has a better shot of coming in and making an impact that a lineman, LB, CB or QB does.
A DB has a more difficult time getting in “football shape” because he has to react, and that takes some time. A WR initiates reactions, so getting up to speed is not as steep…especially for an experienced, talented guy like AB.
Gronk took a few games because, really, he’s a Big Ugly with good hands and decent speed.
I’m not worried about Brown at all. He and Brady had some mojo in the past and both want to re-establish that mojo again.
November 6th, 2020 at 9:34 am
Cobraboy, agree with you 100%! I would add that the “football shape” is something that will come into play after the game. The stress of the game will be felt in the days following the game. But game day, AB should be able to go as close to 100% as possible.
November 6th, 2020 at 10:09 am
His name alone is a threat he will command attention regardless which I think is the plan. Best corner lattimore may have to move to brown which will free Evan’s up….gotta think lol
November 6th, 2020 at 10:41 am
I agree with TBBF and others. The fact that a player with AB’s abilities is on the field will require the Saints to dedicate one of their best to cover hime which should free up Evans and other Buc’s receivers. Considering this is a huge NFC South matchup I hope Godwin is available.
November 6th, 2020 at 11:15 am
AB will do some damage, starting Sunday nite and become full blown “Tricky Dick” in his second game back!!! GO BUCS!!!
November 6th, 2020 at 11:16 am
Like others have said AB being on the field will be a huge impact on other players coverage’s so set back and watch the awesomeness..
November 6th, 2020 at 11:22 am
“Everything will be fine” Dungy is just wrong. If the field and wind are not a factor Sunday night, AB is going to torch NO. If AB is playing in the slot he is going to be awesome.
November 6th, 2020 at 2:47 pm
It wasn’t that long ago that Brown torched the Saints with 14 catches, 185yds and 2TD’s.
Wanna bet Peyton still remembers?
November 6th, 2020 at 6:39 pm
I suspect AB will be used more as bait then a target to keep the defense from doubling up as much on ME and CG, and that alone will be value enough for his first game.
Go Bucs!