“We Paid’em; Everybody’s Happy.”
April 2nd, 2021
Market value is a funny thing.
Every player wants to be paid accordingly for his services (except Tom Brady).
Love and brotherhood is nice, but Bucco Bruce Arians (today) and general manager Jason Licht (yesterday) were both very clear that there was no “hometown discount” for anyone on the long list of free agents the Bucs re-signed to maintain their championship roster.
Arians was on local FOX-13 television today and made sure fans knew that money talked last month.
“Nobody’s coming back for a hometown discount, you know, we paid’em; everybody’s happy,” Arians said. “And man, we can’t wait to get started.”
Heck, even kicker Ryan Succop scored a fortune. But if Arians and Licht are being completely forthright, then Joe remains a little surprised that Super Bowl starting right guard Aaron Stinnie and defensive tackle Rakeem Nuñez-Roches couldn’t score more money on the free agent market. Joe is not complaining, just noting those guys didn’t get anywhere near starters’ cash.
And when it comes to money, that’s exactly why bicycle-throwing, furniture-tossing Antonio Brown remains on the street.
The Bucs want him but he doesn’t like their offers. If Brown does return, then Joe sure hopes he’s in the “happy” crowd of Bucs. An irritated Brown is not a guy Joe would want on a roster.
April 2nd, 2021 at 1:54 pm
Even without AB, we still have a strong WR group. I’ve always felt AB was the lowest priority. Tyler Johnson and Scotty Miller picking up those extra snaps can only help their development, and they have futures with the team. AB doesn’t.
April 2nd, 2021 at 2:03 pm
I completely agree with WB Tyler Johnson and Scotty Miller are our future and we really don’t need an unhappy AB!!! Time to move on and let the Bucs be a happy unit!!!
April 2nd, 2021 at 2:15 pm
This focus for this year is not developing players for the future, it is about winning another Super Bowl. AB gives this team a better chance of achieving that goal.
Pay him enough so that he feels appreciated!
April 2nd, 2021 at 2:24 pm
They should keep him if they can, injuries are creeping up on mike and Chris knock on wood
April 2nd, 2021 at 2:27 pm
How are Miller and Johnson supposed to do what we drafted them to do if they aren’t getting any snaps? It’s not like I’m asking for one of them to be the #2 receiver, just the #3 and #4. I don’t think that’s too much to ask…
unless it’s Larry Fitzgerald!!!!!!!!
You’re truly,
Self-Aware Hypocrite
April 2nd, 2021 at 2:37 pm
AB needs to realize that his off the field antics is costing him fair market value. No team wants to offer an aging AB tons of money – to include the Bucs and then him make a fool out of the team by doing something stupid off the field.
I seriously doubt any team is going to offer AB much higher than the veteran minimum. I see the Bucs offering him slightly more than 1m with an opportunity to earn a few more $ millions via incentives for off the field and on the field performance.
April 2nd, 2021 at 2:52 pm
Bucs gave all the FA’s a bump why not AB? Brady went to Gronk and AB to close out the SB. Why screw with him he’s pretty damn good. Tyler & Scotty, give me a break. That’s like comparing Jamais & Brady.
April 2nd, 2021 at 2:53 pm
While the Bucs will be fine without Brown if it comes down to that, neither Johnson nor Miller has Brown’s ceiling. Not even close.
April 2nd, 2021 at 3:19 pm
In December AB has court trial and maybe a suspension.
Teams aren’t gonna be too thrilled with that.
He has only himself to blame.
April 2nd, 2021 at 3:22 pm
Mid December trial.
Right when he’s needed most.
April 2nd, 2021 at 3:26 pm
Bingo Fred.
April 2nd, 2021 at 3:27 pm
Apparently Fred, you have him as guilty. The NFL isn’t that stupid to suspend a player on a team that maybe a SB contender, why do you think Hill was swept under the rug. Plus he was already suspended, they would most likely wait until trial results.
April 2nd, 2021 at 4:09 pm
I am all for due process in the courtroom (civil or criminal) but given AB’s history I can see the stress of that trial taking a bad turn, and it becoming a mess for the bucs organization.
April 2nd, 2021 at 4:20 pm
The Bucs retained key starters that would have been very hard to replace in this draft. As for Antonio Brown, we do have players ready to jump in should he want to move on. If he wants to go, go. We will be fine. More importantly this draft will build some valuable depth and hopefully provide a few future starters. A roster only gets older and more expensive. It has to turnover some starting positions every year. Right now we are in a Super Bowl window and want to get at least one more run. In the mean time build the bench. We will need them sooner than we think.
April 2nd, 2021 at 4:47 pm
Well those are nice words, but I assure you Shaq Barrett could have received more on the open market. Consensus was he was a $20M man. I thought if the Bucs could get within $2M of that (a 10% discount), he’d be back in a Bucs uniform. I know $2M is a lot of money, but you’ve got to put some value on the working environment – camaraderie with team mates, a great defensive scheme and coaching, opportunity to win another SB. Put that against the unknown and 10% seems like a bargain.
April 2nd, 2021 at 5:18 pm
Tyreek Hill was investigated for domestic issues but never charged. AB is being sued for sexual assault and rape, tho not charged criminally bc the case is outside of the statute of limitations. Plus, since that incident he’s had additional legal issues compounding his troubles. Apples and oranges.
The NFL has been very clear that further action could be taken simply if more information comes to light. So AB doesn’t have to be “guilty” of anything in a civil trial; could be ugly evidence or credible testimony shedding ugly light. Let alone him going off the reservation in yet another way.
Love the football talent, but let’s not shed crocodile tears for AB that he’s not having the Brinks truck backed up for him. You don’t get that privilege when you’re literally on your last strike.
April 2nd, 2021 at 5:21 pm
That bicycle-throwing, furniture-tossing schtick is getting old and I’m entitled to my damn opinion like it or not.
That said, I think the NFC South is in for the same torturous pain once inflicted upon the AFC East for the better part of 20 years by maa-maa bleat-bleat, maa-maa, bleat-bleating Tom Brady – at least for one more year. I’m an old guy myself so I’m rooting for the GOAT to go as long as he can and make us over-the-hill farts proud. And more impressive, I can see who ultimately wears the pants in the Gisele’s house. GO BUCS 2021
April 2nd, 2021 at 6:01 pm
I’m remembering pre-2020 when AB was a train wreck. I think the Bucs got lucky. We got AB on his best behavior because he needed back in the league. I don’t think they get as lucky next year. I vote pass.
April 2nd, 2021 at 7:47 pm
There will be nice WR options available on Day 1 & 2…No reason to (over) pay for AB to return, before seeing how the draft shakes out, IMO.
April 2nd, 2021 at 8:12 pm
You guys are fine without AB. He’s a great talent but he had to humble himself in order to get back to playing football. Hell I’d play football on my current pay. Why not? You’re playing something you love to play and part of that is kind of why TB12 wasn’t gouging for more money ever. He was making way more money than I’ll ever make in a lifetime but he hates losing more than he likes winning. it had to be tough for AB to humble himself but hopefully he looks at its benefits (a ring) and another shot at winning another and being a part something bigger than himself. Mo money mo problems.
April 2nd, 2021 at 11:21 pm
Ab should be to he highest priority!
He and Brady have great chemistry and we DO NOT
win the Superbowl without him !!
April 3rd, 2021 at 12:36 am
I think Stinnie and Nacho are back because a lot of teams are hurting due to the Covid impact of the salary cap.
As for AB, I think they offered him about the same as last year and he was looking to double it or more. They simply can’t afford any more. So it’s a take it or leave it situation for them. He’s a total luxury.
I would like to see him back but at the same time, I will be pretty excited to see Johnson get a lot more playing time
April 3rd, 2021 at 1:39 am
Give the man a raise make him happy. I love Godwin and ME13 but they are both injured often and AB has the ability to take over the game when need b.
April 3rd, 2021 at 1:43 am
David there’s always a way to free up money. Greenburg could find a way to free up money. Just take someone’s contract and make some of the money a bonus add on a avoidable year to defer some of the base salary and boom you just came up with 3 more mil no problem. It’s what Greenburg does.
April 3rd, 2021 at 2:10 am
AB can let the back door hit ya where the good Lord split ya. He’s probably going to be suspended towards the most important part of the season. He’s haggling over money. He can go sign somewhere else. Bye Felicia!!! He’s got it twisted we don’t need him. He was a luxury signing. I would much rather have a guy who is dying to be here to be a part of greatness then some diva who doesn’t realize his worth.
April 3rd, 2021 at 9:07 am
AB is in no hurry. The Bucs are in no hurry now. I doubt AB signs with anyone until after the draft. I can’t see the Bucs withdrawing their offer anytime soon. When the dust settles after the draft day trades, AB will sign, most likely with the Bucs for pretty close to what he’s already being offered. I have no insight, this is just my opinion.
April 3rd, 2021 at 9:30 am
Watch the AB touchdown from the Super Bowl and how the team rallied around him. This is worth more than a thousand words. AB is coming back.
April 3rd, 2021 at 10:08 am
Sly Pirate
Yup. That luck is about to run out.
April 3rd, 2021 at 10:09 am
If AB comes back under the right terms and attitude and plays like he did last year then great he is a major asset. If he wants to flip the script and start being the diva that he’s known to be, there is no problem with Scotty Miller and Tyler Johnson stepping up. Which some think are developmental players…. I think Scotty Miller developed last year, a little bit of time Tyler Johnson got to play everybody got to know his name just from a few plays……. Let Ab walk it won’t hurt us
April 3rd, 2021 at 10:35 am
AB along with that great wideout for Seattle Tyler Lockett are the best (2) receivers talent wise in the game. AB does not drop balls period. In big games a lot of wide outs choke not Mr. AB. Without AB Tampa Bay will not repeat. They will also lose viewership. Pay AB please!!!!
April 3rd, 2021 at 10:37 am
Sure, like most Bucs fans I prefer to see AB back in the fold. But if that doesn’t happen then Tyler Johnson gets his opportunity to shine. Not too concerned either way. Though my gut tells me AB will be back. He has his own process and marches to the beat of his own drum.
April 3rd, 2021 at 10:37 am
Yes you are, Ron, and we are entitled to tell you and those like you to stop being a whiny baby about the nicknames.
April 3rd, 2021 at 11:41 am
Would love to see him back but he does make me nervous. But to say that Bucs don’t win without AB …. WHAT ??? Are you kidding. That’s giving him way too much credit. Think about the plus side of Tom not having to Abysit all every day. Personally if he could hold it together I’d love to see him in Bucs fold but either way we’ll be fine . Cmon season !!!!
April 3rd, 2021 at 1:10 pm
AB is very durable and doesn’t drop passes, he has learned his lesson and will improve his game to warrant a raise!
Stay tuned!
April 3rd, 2021 at 1:28 pm
I listen to a whole lot about AB the man has done some crazystuff but he’s still the best out there i think a whole lot of you need to stop talk with your feeling what if where ever you are working and some how you handed in jail and when you went back to work they said they had to lower your pay grade or walk. How would you feel.we All know AB does stuff.but hay he made it through 8game and the play off.
April 3rd, 2021 at 2:58 pm
Winning or losing another Lombardi hinges only on one man, and that’s Tom Brady. AB is not the difference. No other individual is the difference. I believe the Bucs are at least a wildcard team even without Brady, but Brady is the key to winning it all. We have backup players who would be starters for some other teams. Having AB back would be great, but only at a price and under certain conditions. Even a very tiny turd ruins the punch bowl.
April 3rd, 2021 at 3:01 pm
Make the same offer, they were gonna make to AB, to Larry Fitzgerald. He is just as productive as AB but, a much better with ethic.
April 3rd, 2021 at 3:52 pm
I’d make sure to be competitive with AB with a one year again. But I’d keep my eye on draft stocks of WRs is a heavy draft in that regard
April 3rd, 2021 at 5:02 pm
I’m a quarterbacks fan. It has been Tom Brady for the last 20 years, if he wants AB back, I think it’ll happen, but with incentives like this past season. A commentator mentioned Tom made sure he made one of his more important incentives.
April 3rd, 2021 at 5:17 pm
Give AB the money. Go for super bowl number 2
April 3rd, 2021 at 8:29 pm
Pay AB, give him the max amount you can pay him and let him decide to stay or go! Do not play with a man who was an essential part of helping raise the Lombardi Trophy! Also, if Brady can take less pay, so should everyone else in the NFL! Let’s go Buc’s!!!