The Reverence Behind The Scenes
January 25th, 2021
Retired wide receiver Torrey Smith won a couple of Super Bowl rings, but more interesting to Joe is that Smith is a friend and a former teammate of Bucs center Ryan Jensen.
During his show on SiriusXM NFL Radio this morning, Smith said he stays in touch with Jensen and that Tampa Bay’s starting center explained to him how Tom Brady brings a much higher level of seriousness and detail than Jensen had ever known.
It was intriguing chatter to Joe for two reasons.
First, Smith and Jensen played together in Baltimore for Super Bowl-winning head coach John Harbaugh. That’s a hell of a successful franchise, and it says a lot to Joe that Jensen shared how impressed he was after his years with the Ravens.
First, the initial conversation was about how Saints backup QB Jameis Winston threw 30 interceptions for the Bucs last season while this year’s NFL leader had only 15 picks (Drew Lock).
Smith also went on to liken Brady to Ray Lewis because he said the mere presence of Lewis in the locker room made a difference daily.
Joe also found it interesting when Shaq Barrett emphasized on FOX television last night how much time Brady goes out of his way to spend time with the guys at the bottom of the roster and work the entire locker room.
There’s a Super Bowl to win, but Joe is still mesmerized by the notion of Brady returning to the Bucs next season. How much better can he make this team?
January 25th, 2021 at 12:40 pm
He will make us back to back Super Bowl Champions
January 25th, 2021 at 12:42 pm
I keep wondering if there is any chance Brady rides off into the sunset if the win? I certainly hope not but I’m thinking I would.
January 25th, 2021 at 12:42 pm
Working with the back end of the roster is true leadership!
You are only as strong as your weakest link!
January 25th, 2021 at 12:43 pm
someone make sure ball sweat has an extra pair of drawers on and a towel for TB to wipe his hands on when they play in Tampa. Can’t afford any slippery balls!
January 25th, 2021 at 12:46 pm
Brady has said he wants to play until he’s 45. Why wouldn’t he?
January 25th, 2021 at 12:46 pm
Anyone notice that when Brady was interviewed after the game, he urged the interviewer to speak to some of his teammates also….This guy is the definition of leadership…..
He has had an influence on our younger players that will last their entire career…
And, for those who loved high draft picks…..this year 31 or 32…..I like those better…..so much for the losing culture.
January 25th, 2021 at 12:47 pm
Brady is flat out amazing. In so many ways.
January 25th, 2021 at 12:47 pm
Well I’m glad he didn’t compare Brady to Lewis because they had both killed someone and covered it up. The short minds of the NFL.
January 25th, 2021 at 12:47 pm
I think 99% of the population would call it a wrap if Brady brings home the title. What’s left to prove. Then again he’s TB and not like….heck even .05% of the rest.
I love how AR is on every commercial out there and you never see TB in commercials. Kind of like Dale Earnhardt Jr. ….on all the commercial, but not as good as people think when it comes down to it.
I think TB should call it a career if the Bucs pull it off as well, but I’d love for him to mentor a new QB or coach!
January 25th, 2021 at 12:52 pm
Less worried about brady retiring. More worried that other players are likely to leave for more money because we made it to the superbowl and possibly win it.
January 25th, 2021 at 12:52 pm
We didn’t even have a full off-season and we made it to the Super Bowl!
Just think about that it’s insane..
January 25th, 2021 at 12:54 pm
Just saw that chiefs will be without starting left tackle and starting right tackle for Super Bowl.
Shaq and jpp can feast again
January 25th, 2021 at 12:55 pm
Culture matters.
Thanks for sharing, Tommy.
GO BUCS!!!!
January 25th, 2021 at 1:27 pm
Its funny I remember earier in the season when we were struggling a bit and the media started acting like there was a problem between Brady and the coaches.
Now that were winning the new narritive is that Tom is having more fun then hes ever had. It just goes to show you how full of hotair these ESPN people are.
January 25th, 2021 at 2:06 pm
I’m going to tell you something I’ve noticed from watching Brady for most of career. Other teams, other QBs, other coaches get anxiety when they play his teams in the playoffs. It’s a real thing.
January 25th, 2021 at 2:56 pm
Building a winning culture that is passed on from season to season would be spectacular, but I’m not sure two seasons is sufficient for it to firmly take hold. Coaches will change. Players will change, and most importantly QBs will change. It would be great to pick up a QB in this year’s draft to learn under Brady and hopefully be the kind of leader who could take the organization far into the future. But it’s a long shot. Brady is one of a kind. His training habits, his fitness routine, diet, etc. are all top notch, not to mention his mental acuity and drive. I’m not sure what he has can be replicated, but at least he’s showing fans what is possible with the right culture.
January 25th, 2021 at 3:44 pm
1% chance Brady retires after the season.
He feels great.
He’s got a great team.
He’s having fun.
He’s behind Brees in total Passing Yards and Completions
TB12 can pass Brees in both categories next year; after which, he’ll own every “good” record for QBs.
January 25th, 2021 at 5:16 pm
Ray Lewis is a drive by shooting piece of garbage. Who cares cos of his play on the field. A lot of us fans do care. Plenty of quality young players coming up who aren’t gbs. Lewis sadly has plenty of company, and some of it is in Canton.
January 25th, 2021 at 8:24 pm
There’s no bigger jerk than the guy who says I told you so…sorry but I can be a real jerk.
There was a spirited debate in the off season about the decision to dump Fameis and sign an old man. Oh the horrors!
And NO…it wasn’t just NDOG. He may have been the leader but he had an army behind him of JW jock sniffers that couldn’t let go.
So let’s see…No JW…but a Super Bowl appearance AND the Glazers got to save Five million from what Jameis “Check yo sheets I be ballin” and his agent thought he was worth. 30 million compared to the 25 million for Brady.
It’s not even I told you so at this point…It’s more like could you JW lovers share some of that impressive weed you must have been smoking?
January 26th, 2021 at 8:31 am
Love people saying Brady SHOULD retire if he wins…. why? It’s up to him, folks. He’s gonna continue doing what he wants to do and that’s not giving an eff what outsiders think. Gronk wants to come back for a reason. That reason is that Brady will be back. Brady could’ve called it a career in New England the last time he won a Super Bowl playing for a team that wasn’t amy fun and a coach who wouldn’t let him be who he wants to be. He was NFL retirement age then. But he kept going. Very little chance he retires if he wins.
January 26th, 2021 at 9:28 am
Brady will be back next year even if he wins this year. I think it would be a real mic drop if he won it all and just walked away, but this cat is different. He liked what he saw, and still thinks he can win with the players we have here in Tampa. Not sure how much better the team will be next year, because we could get a lot of personnel movement. It may be worth being realistic and accepting the fact that we likely only ever had a window of winning it all this year. Does Brady’s presence only give us the boost to win now?
January 26th, 2021 at 11:21 am
Ditto’s about Ray garbage killer Lewis.