Watch Giovani Bernard Improve
April 13th, 2021
Best mustache in NFL.
Less than a week ago, April 7 to be exact, the Bengals cut receiving back Giovani Bernard.
And the Bucs pounced.
It even moved Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians and park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting, handshake-stiffing, jet-ski-losing, biscuit-baking, tequila-shooting, smartphone-phobic, waffle-grilling, trophy-throwing, roller-coaster-scared, Bucs-Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady into action.
Both personally recruited Bernard. This is impressive in that the Bucs, despite bringing back all 22 starters, are not content in their Going for Two quest.
And Joe believes Bernard will improve with the Bucs.
First, look who is his quarterback, the best of all time who enjoys throwing to running backs. And that is where Bernard excels. Bernard is coming off his best season receiving since 2017. That was because he had Joe Burrow throwing to him as opposed to Andy Dalton (what are you thinking, Bears?). Yes Joe knows Bernard caught lots of balls from QB greats Brandon Allen and Ryan Finley after Burrow got hurt.
Additionally, Joe expects Bernard to have a better year at 29 because the Bucs have a fearsome offensive line. The Bengals’ offensive line is a trainwreck that nearly got Burrow killed.
A better line will give Bernard extra time to get open. Last year, Bernard had six touchdowns total, three each on the ground and in the air. Joe expects the South Florida native to improve on that number with Brady and Company.
Man, the Chiefs, who also were recruiting Bernard, are quickly becoming the Bucs’ female dog.
What’s up, Cheetah?
April 13th, 2021 at 12:05 am
Bill Polian & Pat Kirwan both said today this was an upgrade at 3rd Down back. Polian said: now, u have a professional 3rd down back
April 13th, 2021 at 12:15 am
So f-ing deep at RB. The draft? Like everyone else. CLUELESS. Move faster time. We got another draft to knock out of the park.
April 13th, 2021 at 12:15 am
Not a fan of that stache
April 13th, 2021 at 12:18 am
Fournette was a receiving machine in Jax but did poorly here during the regular season. If he gets back to form and GB is in top form, then they will have an unstoppable running game. Yes, running game. Backs who catch make running games better.
April 13th, 2021 at 12:26 am
1st ballot selection on the NFL All-Mustache Team
April 13th, 2021 at 12:35 am
He has a cookie duster on par with LD’s. What’s not to love about the guy? I remember him from Hard Knocks…good young man!
April 13th, 2021 at 12:44 am
We shouldn’t overthink any move to mean any position is off the table in the first round or day 2 picks. If Etienne is sitting at 32 and the Bucs are high on him, I would definitely not rule that out. I don’t think he will be there anyway. Too many teams need a dynamic RB.
April 13th, 2021 at 12:46 am
Everything has its kryptonite and ours is the chance of our QB getting hurt. Was my fear last year and will be the same this year. Remember we have been the bottom feeders of the NFL for a long time. No time for being cocky. It’s time for vengeance! So we shall speak softly….
April 13th, 2021 at 1:49 am
Bernard is a 3rd down receiving back — something the team hasn’t had since Charles Sims, and it’s something that the team has really missed. I love the signing so long as he can block.
Also on NFL com, they say the Bucs tried to sign James White and he rebuffed their offer… I haven’t heard that anywhere else.
April 13th, 2021 at 2:15 am
Amazing offseason for JL. Kudos!
On different topic – NO WAY do the Chiefs compete in same way in 2021 as in prior years, even with QB savant Mahomes. Andy Reid’s kid is facing serious charges. Major distraction for Chiefs in 2021. Sad situation for the victims. And Reid.
As for Bucs – our potential AFC Champion we will beat in SB? Bills? – Toast. Raiders? Repeat. Steelers? – Toast. Ravens? – Toast.
Patriots? Sign me up! Brady vs BB…..best TV ever!
April 13th, 2021 at 3:21 am
Great pickup. I’m not gonna bitch about a lack of running backs this year.
April 13th, 2021 at 4:46 am
Literally no clue who we pick. This draft. Honestly don’t care, I’m good with whoever. Except tight end, we’re good there. WR, sure I guess. CB? Why not. Any side of the the trenches? Go for it. It’s weird, but fun at the same time. I have no idea who these guys are this year.
April 13th, 2021 at 5:37 am
wow this is so solid…
bucs might be shifting a bit more to a ground and pound attack as opposed to a huge aerial show…
like in the playoffs…
less pressure on tom…
less film for teams to exactify… (not a real word but a great word)
thus less need for AB…
also i think they’ve got their eye on the felton kid out of ucla…
he can help a lot in the kick return punt game immediately…
April 13th, 2021 at 6:33 am
Great move! Get some depth in the draft and we are set.
April 13th, 2021 at 6:57 am
Cool stat showing our backs trying to catch balls last season :
Bucs running backs had 17 drops last year on 118 targets (by Fox Sports’ stats) — far too high a number. New addition Giovani Bernard had four drops on 59 targets, so about half as often as the Bucs backs last year.
April 13th, 2021 at 7:21 am
I never understood wasting a late 1st round pick on a RB. We have depth concerns around OL and DL. I would add a ball hawk at CB.
April 13th, 2021 at 7:29 am
And if AB doesn’t sign, I really don’t see the need to draft a WR either. Let the young guys develop. TJ and Scotty deserve more reps. I’m not sure what happened to Justin Watson, but he really hasn’t been able to crack the lineup much. He’s a ST guy at this point.
I think Scotty too Hotty has impressed me the most. I was down on him before last season, but he brings a different element with his speed and he’s a reliable pass catcher. Don’t be lazy and compare him to Edelman or Welker. Scotty has speed that those 2 don’t.
What a difference it makes when you have a QB that can throw a deep ball consistently. Tom doesn’t rely on his guys going and grabbing prayers cuz he’s aware of ball placement, throws receivers open and on time, and he’s deadly accurate.
April 13th, 2021 at 7:42 am
I wouldn’t mind if we went after Larry Fitz, if he were inclined to join another team. His best chance at a SB would be here and he’d be an absolute great insurance play in case of injury.
April 13th, 2021 at 7:45 am
When your first name is Giovanni, a mustache like that is pretty much mandatory.
April 13th, 2021 at 8:09 am
He looks like James Wilder. That’s a good sign.
April 13th, 2021 at 8:54 am
🙂
April 13th, 2021 at 9:12 am
So smart.
When it comes to 3rd down- you want a Vet in the game.
Not a wide eyed rookie.
Arians/Licht/Brady are damn sure on a mission- and they’ve gone an inconceivably great job at bringing in Talent!
Ive never seen anything like it!