The Bucs And Antonio Brown
April 21st, 2021
Have Bucs moved on?
So what the heck is going on with Antonio Brown and the Bucs? Perhaps Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht will shed light on the subject today?
Licht is scheduled for his pre-draft press conference this afternoon, which for him is the equivalent of a groundhog in February, as Licht crawls out of his draft war room hole to check on the sunlight before disappearing until spring arrives (or in Licht’s case, the draft arrives).
One man who has his pulse on the goings-on behind the scenes in the NFL like few others is the creator, curator and overall guru of Pro Football Talk, the great Mike Florio.
Florio admitted recently the more he thinks about it, the more he gets the sense that the Bucs are moving on from Brown, who was an important cog in the Bucs offense in the second half of the season, and he caught a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl.
“You know, the fact they signed Giovani Bernard as an outsider, that tells me they have closed the door on Antonio Brown,” Florio told his audience, which can view his weekday morning show on Peacock. “. I’d be concerned — and I have said this a few times — about bringing Antonio Brown back because of that looming civil lawsuit and the reality that he is going to be questioned under oath at some point, probably sooner rather than later.”
So why would Florio think that civil lawsuit Brown is facing would all of a sudden be too troubling for the Bucs? It wasn’t like the Bucs or the NFL weren’t aware of this last year?
Florio, judging by Brown’s antics of the past years, thinks Brown testifying under oath will get in his head and the result seen will be less than stellar play on the field.
“I have a feeling he is not going to perform very well and it is potentially going to jeopardize his ability to play in 2021,” Florio said. “And [the Bucs] may just be better off looking elsewhere to round out the depth chart at receiver.”
One way to do that would be replace Brown with a high-end draft pick, Florio noted.
This is where Joe’s good friend Sean Sullivan, draft savant and general manager of Bill Currie Ford, comes in. Sullivan really likes the chances of the Bucs landing Ole Miss receiver Elijah Moore.
Hall of Fame personnel man Gil Brandt recently wrote on NFL.com that Moore reminds him a lot of Tyler Lockett of the Seahawks. So in theory, how cool would it be to replace Brown with a Lockett clone?
Like Lockett (5-10, 182 pounds), Moore’s impact on the field far outstrips his lack of size (5-10, 178). Lockett logged 36 explosive plays in his final season at Kansas State, according to PFF, fourth-most in FBS — a ranking that Moore matched in 2020 (with 27). Since being selected by the Seahawks in the third round of the draft in 2015, Lockett has proven himself as a top-end NFL receiver, averaging 1,025 receiving yards and 79.7 receptions over the past three seasons. Moore and Lockett tested similarly (Moore reportedly registered a 36-inch vertical, 10-0 broad jump, 4.00 short shuttle and 6.65 three-cone at Mississippi’s pro day, while Lockett posted a 35 1/2-inch vertical, a 10-1 broad jump, a 4.07 short shuttle and 6.89 three-cone at the combine). But when you factor in Moore’s superior speed (he clocked a reported 4.32 40, compared to Lockett’s 4.4 40), Moore’s ceiling projects to be a little bit higher than what Lockett has accomplished thus far in Seattle.
Florio may be thinking the same thing as far as how the Bucs could replace Brown.
“The draft is still coming up,” Florio said. “Maybe they can get a young guy there?”
Florio also added selfishly from a media chatter perspective, it would be cool if free agent legend Larry Fitzgerald reunited with Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians.
April 21st, 2021 at 5:05 am
Please resign AB… it was SO fun seeing him in Pewter and Red! Cant we get one more season? Please?
April 21st, 2021 at 5:16 am
“I have a feeling he is not going to perform very well and it is potentially going to jeopardize his ability to play in 2021,” Florio said. “And [the Bucs] may just be better off looking elsewhere to round out the depth chart at receiver.”
___________________
Yes, anyone who has ever had to testify under oath can no longer catch a football.
April 21st, 2021 at 5:51 am
Bucs are in complete control. We have a culture of selfless winning.
AB takes our number, or doesn’t.
As D White said “Waiting on You!”
In BA I Trust!
April 21st, 2021 at 5:55 am
AB and the Bucs in 2020 was a marriage of convenience. Well marriage is a stretch, more like a Cabo romance. Elijah Moore fits the explosive player the offense is in need of. Etienne would be the RB in that category. So many ways to be right on draft day this go around!
April 21st, 2021 at 6:04 am
NOBODY FREAKIN CARES NO MORE JOE
………………..AB is not like megatron or any other receiver that is so impact worthy and running nonstop posts/articles everyday
really…..this is getting old…….like you always saying “America’s QB”……….worst label for a backup starting franchise wannabe QB ever
April 21st, 2021 at 7:11 am
I believe as a vet, if he’s on the roster for game 1 of the regular season the base of his contract has some degree of guarantees. My guess is the Bucs will wait until after week 1, then sign him again to a contract with a vet minimum plus game day bonuses. He’s shown he can perform….he knows the offense….and has chemistry with Brady. Everyone knows he’s a workout warrior, he’ll come in ready to go.
April 21st, 2021 at 7:20 am
I really hate gauging player’s 40 times on their Pro Days. You just can’t trust the numbers as in the combines. For example, I have a hard time believing the 260 lb, 6’5″ Defensive End, Jayson Oweh ran a 4.36 on his pro day. I bet if the combine was not cancelled he would have only run in the high 4.4s or low 4.5s.
April 21st, 2021 at 7:37 am
Bobby M. makes good points about veteran guarantees considering Brown’s legal issues.
I don’t want the team to rely on Brown too much only to lose him at the season’s end.
April 21st, 2021 at 7:42 am
I want AB wearing the creamsicle. I know there are options and I like all of the above but looking through Bradyś 2020 season highlights… AB is an important part of it.
April 21st, 2021 at 7:50 am
That kid Moore play big time in big moments. He must be a 1st or 2nd rounder no way he falls to the 3rd, that would be xmas for the Bucs.
April 21st, 2021 at 8:24 am
We will see how much AB really wants to play with Brady and the Bucs. Sign right here AB……. He has zero leverage. So either get up off the porch and run with the Big dogs or mope around. GO BUCS!!!
April 21st, 2021 at 8:28 am
As a Bucs and Brady Fan i have to commend Tampa Bay for giving AB the opportunity last year and holding him responsible for his own actions. I enjoyed watching him play as he is so explosive and makes some very difficult catches. He most definitely helped the Bucs to their run to the Super Bowl and earned his pay. I hope he comes back to prove it wasn’t a fluke and he shows the world just how good he is as a player and a human being. Giving him the second chance was an amazing gift from the Bucs Organization.
April 21st, 2021 at 8:29 am
Just reading the comments in this post tells Joe you are grossly inaccurate.
And hey, you cared enough to comment. 🤷♂️🙂
April 21st, 2021 at 8:37 am
AB at his best, is the Best.
I hope he has his head on straight- and we resign him
But Lord Knows, if anyone in the league deserves a chance at a ring- Its Larry Fitzgerald.
And get all the double teams off him, and Larry is still a very good WR.
April 21st, 2021 at 8:38 am
It was merely a 2020 rental deal…
April 21st, 2021 at 8:46 am
AB will sign after the draft…
book it!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
April 21st, 2021 at 8:52 am
813 , not if they draft his replacement
April 21st, 2021 at 9:26 am
SB~LV
they wont….he’ll be back…
GO BUCS!!!!
April 21st, 2021 at 9:29 am
Doesnt seem like the Bucs are hot in the pants to sign AB. And for that matter neither is any other team around the league.
Seems the Bucs are taking the right attitude here. I do wonder what ABs attitude is being an unwanted player thats not worth much contract money. But it does seem like a buy or beware approach is needed.
April 21st, 2021 at 9:29 am
If Antonio Brown wasn’t our own free agent, we wouldn’t be thinking WR in the draft to replace him. We have two starting WRs already, plus Miller, Gronk, Tyler Johnson, and OJ Howard coming off injury.
April 21st, 2021 at 9:34 am
Bucs are already over the cap, moves have to be made just to sign their draft picks, which is why they may even trade up, have less picks to pay. Don’t think AB gonna take that much of a discount.
April 21st, 2021 at 9:38 am
Jeez, we don’t need another receiver already. Yes, AB is great. The Bucs have given him an offer(s) and he hasn’t come back into the fold. So we move on. We’ve got Scottie Miller and Tyler Johnson to complement ME and CG. And, if that’s not enough we’ve got Gronk, Brate and OJ at tight end. Fill the trenches and grab a developmental QB during the draft. We can not only win now with the players we already have, but we can fortify for the future.
April 21st, 2021 at 9:47 am
is that a mink coat he’s in?
that is no longer acceptable any more in 2021
April 21st, 2021 at 10:05 am
what if:
giselle called licht and said:
“dude i’m just not taking the homie in…you want him, then he’s living with you this time!”
#TomIsAlreadyGettingPressedToRetireAsPerWifey
April 21st, 2021 at 10:06 am
i’m sure they can still restructure jensen to free up some more room
April 21st, 2021 at 10:16 am
Sign Fitzgerald!!!!!!
April 21st, 2021 at 10:20 am
The Bucs might take a WR in four or five. I no doubt believe we need another WR for the depth chart but without the return of AB much earlier, I think they have a lot of potential in Tyler Johnson who really looks like Godwin 2.0. I think he has a huge ceiling and they don’t want him sitting on his hands all year. “The draft is still coming up,” Florio said. “Maybe they can get a young guy there?” I like Florio, but sounds like someone that didn’t know TJ was on the roster until the catch heard round the world. Him and Brady had a nice connection when he was on the field that I think will improve as a starter. And he’s another strong blocking WR down field. Especially useful if they plan to go with Bernard a lot.
April 21st, 2021 at 1:22 pm
Johnson is nowhere near as fast or quick as Godwin. Not Even close.
He is a nice receiver with great hands, moxie, grit, and good upside, but a Chris Godwin he is not.
April 21st, 2021 at 1:59 pm
I think the noted draft savant, Sean Sullivan, has an unhealthy obsession with rookie wideouts. Let’s not forget that Sean was advocating for the Bucs to draft Henry Ruggs over an offensive lineman last season, which would have been disastrous.
April 21st, 2021 at 11:10 pm
Antonio is very great player and very close friends with Tom Brady and highly respected by every member of the team. Honestly I sincerely hopes he joins the Bucs very soon because he can help the team win the Super Bowl again!!!!
April 23rd, 2021 at 8:04 am
Love Antonio Brown. Maybe he doesn’t fit in The Bucs plans, but don’t use this distraction nonsense. This guy can still play at a very high level, maybe The Bucs don’t need him, but he can STILL PLAY!