Bucs Assistant Coach: “A.B. Is Just Like Tom Brady”
February 28th, 2021
Antonio Brown
Great insight here from Buccaneers outside linebackers coach Larry Foote, a former teammate of Antonio Brown.
Yes, Foote counts himself among those who had “reservations” about Brown joining the Tampa Bay roster midway through last season.
But Foote was sold quickly, he said, after he heard a little chirping from Brown in his first game about wanting the ball more. Following that, Brown wasn’t just “a model citizen” (Foote’s phrase), Brown was a catalyst in turning the Bucs into winners.
“He changed the culture,” Foote said of Brown on the All Things Covered podcast. “When I say that, A.B. is just like Tom Brady as far as when he hits that grass he’s all business. And all of a sudden you see about 10 guys over there warming up with him. Because he does a dynamic stretch, like warmup. He’s got the bands on he’s running 100s and he’s serious. All of a sudden you see two guys over there with him, three guys, and then before you know it there’s a couple of defensive players over there. Them young guys seen what it takes and how he works. Every day he was out there he was working.”
As Joe has noted, Brown averaged more targets per games played this season than Chris Godwin. It’s a surprising but true stat.
Joe’s confident Tom Brady would like free-agent-to-be Brown back in 2021, as well as Godwin. But that’s like Joe shopping at Whole Foods with $20.00 and hoping to put together a classy dinner for two.
And as Foote said, “Every team should want Antonio Brown.”
Foote added that Brown worked so hard before practice that Foote would tell himself that he wouldn’t make it through the actual practice.
February 28th, 2021 at 3:48 pm
Well, every team except the Steelers and Raiders. I hope that AB stays a Buc!
February 28th, 2021 at 3:51 pm
Production this coming up year would be similar between the two, given they both played. The real issue comes in 2-5 years. Anyone genuinely believe when AB is 35 he will produce on the same level as a 27 year old Godwin? And that is given AB keeps his off field issues away. That is way too big a risk for me.
February 28th, 2021 at 4:05 pm
AB seems extremely chill in his interviews. Hope he stays on a good path because there is no doubt he is a special talent.
February 28th, 2021 at 4:10 pm
Brown will be back. But it’ll be a summer signing.
February 28th, 2021 at 4:19 pm
We will end up with more money than you think with pro rated deals.
Kick that can down the road.
More like shopping at Whole Foods with $75.
February 28th, 2021 at 4:24 pm
Antonio Brown is the exact opposite of lazy . He works his tail off , has no fear , and doesn’t get tired . Dare I say that he rubs off on those around him . Lol
February 28th, 2021 at 4:33 pm
On a completely different note – what happened to that plague outbreak that the fake news St Pete Times promised us after the SB and the boat parade? I was just looking at the numbers and we should see a huge spike by now and there’s literally nothing.
February 28th, 2021 at 4:36 pm
If he’s cleared after his trial to play, I can not wait for the Bucs to resign him and place him in the slot. That 4 WR set with Evans, Godwin, Miller, Brown was hell on the opposing defenses.
February 28th, 2021 at 4:36 pm
Godwin did not have a very good year this year, he dropped a bunch of passes and was injured for most of the year and not able to practice seemingly most of the time, well beyond the 4 games he missed.
I do believe in Godwin and think he’s a top tier WR, not in the class of Evans, but still very very good – but this was not a good year for him. I hope they can figure out how to bring him back, but they really should try to keep AB since I don’t think he’s going to break the bank (I don’t think, I could be wrong). Most teams, I believe, are going to take AB off the board, unless they have a strong veteran top flight QB to keep him in check, and that should keep his price well below market value.
February 28th, 2021 at 4:41 pm
AB had a lot of incentives based on personal stats. We all know Tom was aware of that. Also, most teams were game planning for Mike and Chris and hoping AB, Scotty, or our TEs didn’t go off.
But, to ABs credit, he’s got such a burst off the line and a twitchy first move that he instantly can be open on any given play. He is hands down the best press cover WR we have. I was shocked he was in football shape from day 1. Credit to his work ethic. But, he’s still an unknown as far as his ability to stay out of trouble. Plus, his case is ongoing.
CG ain’t going anywhere unless he feels the money is just too much to pass up somewhere else. He’s already said he’d play on the tag. So, I really don’t see him going anywhere for at least one more season and a chance to repeat.
February 28th, 2021 at 4:53 pm
Brown was off most of the year…hangover from being out. But towards the end…starting coming on. He is one of the best WRs in the NFL. He’ll deserve double coverage this season. Should be fun to watch.
February 28th, 2021 at 4:59 pm
Joe — LOL!
“But that’s like Joe shopping at Whole Foods with $20.00 and hoping to put together a classy dinner for two.”
Awesome. You’d have trouble getting hot dogs, chips and pickles for $20 at Whole Foods.
February 28th, 2021 at 5:00 pm
It is much more important to keep brown over Godwin.
February 28th, 2021 at 5:01 pm
Coaches keep talking up our players…..jacking their FA prices…..thanks.
The only way we afford Brown is if we can’t sign Godwin…..and we still would need Brown at a good price.
February 28th, 2021 at 5:24 pm
There you go again Rod munch!
Chris Godwin had a 77.4 catch percentage this year name another receiver that was that good. I’ll wait!
So you only focus on the two bad games he had when he had a broken finger with tens in it.
Why do you insist on showing ignorance so often?
February 28th, 2021 at 5:25 pm
‘Pins’ Dam auto correct
February 28th, 2021 at 5:30 pm
SB, watch out or you will be instructed in a middle school fashion to go find the closest bridge and commit suicide. That used to be his go-to. Haven’t seen it as much lately. I guess the Super bowl win helps with the assisted suicide trope. :/
February 28th, 2021 at 5:35 pm
Devante Adams at 77.2 is the closest I have found yet.
DeAndre Hopkins 71.9%
Larry Fitzgerald 75.0%
Juju Smith Schuster at 75.8%
Stefon Diggs at 76.5%
Those are just some scrubs that I threw out there For comparison
February 28th, 2021 at 5:37 pm
Lol Steven. He is rather ……………..opinionated and his opinions are……….um………let’s just say suspect and not fact based.
February 28th, 2021 at 6:24 pm
I hope he stays too. Licht will try.
February 28th, 2021 at 6:28 pm
Steven007,
So true and now with 65% less anywhos…..
February 28th, 2021 at 6:29 pm
DaBux
Isn’t AB’s trial in December?
We’d need to sign him soon and roll the dice
February 28th, 2021 at 6:29 pm
Comparison of some free agents available at WR:
I will give catch percentage 1st and yards per target 2nd.
Chris Godwin – 77.4 and 10.0
Will Fuller – 70.7 and 11.7
Rashard Higgins – 71.2 and 11.3
Corey Davis – 70.7 and 10.7
Curtis Samuel – 79.4 and 8.8
Is Godwin worth twice as much as the other 4?
February 28th, 2021 at 6:54 pm
Def keep AB !!! He is better than all of them talent wise….ME13 and CG are great guys and players props to ME13 going for a pay cut to keep the band together if CG cost a fortune I would trade him to have depth so.ewhere and keep AB for a better price and ME13 for sure. Itclooks like CG will stay hopefully but to have a well balanced team all the cap space cant be ate up by one player…he is injury prone also…def need our front 4 DL back!! Lets run it back for real not like the chiefs ha ha TAMPA BAY ALL THE WAY
February 28th, 2021 at 6:59 pm
Munch, I rarely agree with you, but I agree with you here wholeheartedly. We can’t sign all our guys. Godwin, to me, is not a great priority because of the amount of money we’ll have to tie up and the strength of the WR position on this team. Brady will keep Brown in check. Resign Brown and not Godwin. Spend all the money we save on letting Godwin walk to sign our other free agents.
February 28th, 2021 at 7:06 pm
AB is not going anywhere. He only wants to play with Brady.
February 28th, 2021 at 7:21 pm
AB is a helluva guy for a the young secondary to learn from and practice against.
February 28th, 2021 at 7:22 pm
Godwin had 840+ yds, 7 td in 12 games…..that’s a 1,000yd+ season and he didn’t have a good year?
February 28th, 2021 at 7:22 pm
It’ll all work out. Of that I’m sure. After years and years of losing, very few players are going to chase a few more dollars unless that team is a proven winner. The core will stay intact.
February 28th, 2021 at 7:28 pm
Every one take note. Tom Brady will thrive in Tampa. Do we know how many great receivers would love to play in the warmth of Florida? Warm weather will put years onto your careear. Football teams that play in the cold should pay more. You got tons of receivers that would beg to play in Tampa. Any receiver leaving Tom Brady is also leaving the Sun. I bet Brandon Marshall would come out of the booth to play in Tampa.
February 28th, 2021 at 7:39 pm
I am a C Godwin huge fan but I may be mistaken but didn’t he injure his finger celebrating a TD? He obviously played through it but isn’t that how it happened?
February 28th, 2021 at 8:03 pm
BillyBucsFan…Yeah I don’t think Licht is just sit here with his thumb up his but with all these guys on the board. Some strings might need to be pulled with reconstructed contracts or a big trade. Note a big trade, but don’t hate me for saying Scotty needs to be traded while he was hot this past year. With Brown and Johnson, he barely had anytime in the playoffs except for the end of the first half TD heard round the world. Don’t lie to yourselves. The guy is a one trick pony behind multiple trick ponies (at the moment).
Lichts a smart guy and I don’t think him and the Glazers are planning to flush all this excitement down the toilet. Must have doubled Bolts merchandise dollars (most in nhl) within the 24 hours after the Super Bowl. Hopefully they have a great game plan.
February 28th, 2021 at 8:11 pm
The way I see it the Bucs need one of their recievers back. Either Godwin or Brown. Bringing both back would be great but then we cant afford our defense. I think we might gotta let one of them walk. Sad reality of the NFL.
February 28th, 2021 at 8:29 pm
Shaq contract should be like jpp
Godwin like the one humphries signed with titans or Beasley with bills.
AB should get $4-6m one year.
February 28th, 2021 at 8:31 pm
David. Suh. Gronk. $7-8m yr.
February 28th, 2021 at 8:35 pm
Got to factor, Mike Evan often drew the top CB. Godwin, depending where he lined up (Wide or slot) drew the second or third opposing CB.
February 28th, 2021 at 8:52 pm
Adrnagy im no CAP expert but do know the only number that genuinely matter with these contracts is the guarantees(something most armchair GMs dont seem to understand).
Beasley got 12M guaranteed Hump got 19M. Godwin is going to blow them numbers out of the water. Probably get more then both combined unless he gets slapped with tag. So nah, you a little off on that one buddy. At least thats my prediction.
February 28th, 2021 at 8:56 pm
Funny thing about Hump is he was very loyal to keep his word and signed with the Titans after NE reportedly offered more. 2 years later the Titans dump him like a dirty dog……Its like they say. Nice guys finish last.
February 28th, 2021 at 9:16 pm
If bucs want to resign guys like brown, gronk, suh, succop. I dont see how they can sign 2 of the 3 of godwin , barrett, and david. If they want to keep most of roster it would have to be 1 of the 3
February 28th, 2021 at 9:24 pm
Joe! It’s almost impossible to go into Whole Foods without spending $50
February 28th, 2021 at 9:40 pm
Jets are all in on shaq. Robert saleh needs a impact player to boost and implement his defense. Throw in q. Williams. Cj Mosley. Saleh has something going.
Bucs need to start something this week. With Godwin.shaq. David.
February 28th, 2021 at 9:44 pm
Jimmijack , you think Godwin deserves Jarvis Landry money ? Even thought he hasn’t been feature #1 in offense ?
February 28th, 2021 at 10:33 pm
So Godwin dropped a few. Big f ing deal The guy makes incredible catches of poorly thrown balls, gets pounded over the middle in traffic and still hangs on. The guy has balls of steal, plays hurt and never bitches. If the bucs had three clones of him on the field at the same time they would be unstoppable. Plays hurt, great hands, tough as nails. And he blocks in the running game. Plenty of teams would love to have him.
February 28th, 2021 at 10:43 pm
Also, James White is a low cost free agent who is dam good catching passes out of the backfield. Will Brady push for the Patriots free agent? None of the Bucs backs have been outstanding pass catchers. LF was good at times but not consistent.
February 28th, 2021 at 11:08 pm
Adrnagy….I am predicting Godwin gets over 30M guaranteed. Does he deserve it?……Ummmm I say he deserves whatever the highest bidder offers.
March 1st, 2021 at 2:25 am
I was all in last year with AB. It took a bit, but before that injury we started to see some of that shiftiness and ability that made him arguably(with Moss) the best WR since Jerry Rice. I think, like Gronk, it takes time after more than a year off. Hopefully he can sign and hopefully it’s very short term or has outs in the deal. As long as he’s motivated fully I can see him coming back to his real form. That’s worth any risk.
March 1st, 2021 at 2:27 am
Didn’t mean to leave out Fitz in that argument, but I think the gap between AB & #2 was larger than Fitz and let’s say.. Calvin Johnson
March 1st, 2021 at 6:42 am
ImmyJack says, “Adrnagy….I am predicting Godwin gets over 30M guaranteed.”
What are you smoking? I doubt any team will offer Godwin more than $20 -$22 million, especially with more than half the league in salary cap hell.
March 1st, 2021 at 7:05 am
BillMFL, those drops were in playoff games, and the majority including 2 or 3 were TD’s in his hands. Yes he made up for one in GB after the previous play drop. Those are KEY drops that could of changed the outcome of the game, fortunately it did not. Why do you think Brady went to Gronk & AB is SB? They are proven reliable in big games. No doubt as CG matures he will be an elite NFL receiver but those drops especially in a tight game like Washingotn was evident he’s not a #1 yet.
March 1st, 2021 at 9:19 am
I believe if they can resign AB on the cheap they could let CG walk since they have Scotty & TJ as more than capable backups.
March 1st, 2021 at 3:57 pm
Tom should write a book AB and Me and give insights on having AB living with him. Must have been insanely funny.