“Giovani Bernard Is Like Adding A Nuclear Weapon”
May 29th, 2021
Every offseason, every general manager and head coach everywhere uses the same tired line when talking to media.
It’s often a steaming pile of BS.
It goes something like this. “We’re turning over every rock and sniffing every corner of the football world to improve our football team.”
It’s one of the great lies of the National Football League. Teams always stick with some players, coaches and front office staff that are not the best available at their craft. Often it’s about ego, friendships and laziness.
That’s just how the world works in nearly every business.
This year, the Bucs studied their championship team with clear and candid vision. Their analysis revealed a need to deliver change on special teams and at running back. The latter is the most intriguing since among the Bucs’ top young returning backs are a 1,000-yard rusher and Leonard Fournette, an elite talent who was dominant through the playoffs. (Yeah, Joe considers Ronald Jones a 1,000-yard guy. It’s not his fault Tom Brady cared more about Antonio Brown’s legal bills than RoJo’s feelings.)
So the Bucs recruited veteran versatile running back Giovani Bernard in free agency. And upon deep reflection, Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian is blown away, so he told SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“Giovani Bernard is like adding a nuclear weapon to the biggest nuclear stockpile in the National Football League,” Polian exclaimed this week.
“Golly, what a signing. He provides Leonard Fournette with some down time. And he allows RoJo to be a true running back, which is what his forté is.”
Polian raved about how dangerous Bernard is on third down and how he’s a total James White clone, referring to the Patriots Super Bowl hero entering his eighth season with the Belicheats.
Joe loves the nuclear weapon analogy. The Bucs do have a stockpile, enough proven to obliterate the NFL universe, but it never hurts to have more.
Signing Bernard shows Joe the Bucs weren’t afraid to try and make a truly great team greater, unafraid to bruise any egos along the way.
Enjoy today’s new Ira Kaufman Podcast, presented by Bill Currie Ford.
May 29th, 2021 at 11:52 am
Second Yr for Tom in the system.
AB here at the Start of the season.
All 22 starters back plus key backups
Add in Bernard.
Man! 35 PPG is do-able!
May 29th, 2021 at 11:55 am
Was just commenting on him on the Wirfs thread.
Just gonna be surreal to see what a screen game brings to this team.
Especially with 3 go routes etc.
May 29th, 2021 at 12:00 pm
Also add a healthy OJ…..
Bernard more like a cruise missile.
May 29th, 2021 at 12:02 pm
Good Point TBBF. How long he stays healthy is a mystery but SURE fact is that we should hit the ground running right out of the Gates
I pity Dallas fans right now
May 29th, 2021 at 12:13 pm
Licht has assembled a juggernaut roster for 2021.
Bernard was a very smart move & the perfect complimentary piece to add to the offense… & from a locker-room/team mate perspective – Bucs signed a model citizen/dedicated craftsman that loves the game of football…A true professional’s professional.
May 29th, 2021 at 12:14 pm
If Bernard is working with Brady offsite, there is a reason. No one except Alex Smith likes the underneath RB pass like TB12. Let’s hope Bernard can play up to the hype.
May 29th, 2021 at 12:19 pm
So Brady now has Gronk, and his James White in Gio, what else could we need? I know, slow feet, don’t eat, Darden. A new toy Tom also has Now. He could be really something in the slot for Brady. Remember the old Buc defense saying give us 17 points a game we win, how about 40?
May 29th, 2021 at 12:33 pm
“Making a great team greater.” I like it.
May 29th, 2021 at 12:37 pm
Since he’s a short yardage back, I would describe him more as a tactical nuke.
May 29th, 2021 at 1:03 pm
TB-12 has always been great with Kevin Faulk and James White and now Bernard will join the club.
May 29th, 2021 at 1:17 pm
When this team gets a lead, the Defense is even better because of h and the team becomes one dimensional.
May 29th, 2021 at 1:17 pm
Teams are scratching their heads, trying to figure out how to stop the Bucs. It going to be hard to double team any Bucs players this year.
May 29th, 2021 at 1:20 pm
Do we have ANY 2-back sets? I can’t remember seeing one last year….seems to have gone out of style
May 29th, 2021 at 1:45 pm
Sb
Dont count your chickens its not the start of the season yet. Count AB in already at your own risk. I think 35 a game is more doable without him. But then again I dont care how many they score if it adds up to eating W’s
May 29th, 2021 at 2:10 pm
Capecodder, you forgot Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead, Dion Lewis
May 29th, 2021 at 2:16 pm
Add JR Redmon, Antwaan Smith and Rex Burkhead to the list.
May 29th, 2021 at 2:51 pm
Excited about Gio, but Polian said JPP and LVD might be a problem if we want to try to get another SB sooo……I’m gonna need those TPS reports and I’ll make sure you get another copy of that memo lol.
May 29th, 2021 at 3:25 pm
Guys, I just listened to the beginning of your podcast. It’s kind of embarrassing. Not the Nesbitts guy but Ira and Steve just sound dumb.
Look, judging by your’all physiques, it’s safe to say you’ve never participated in any organized sports where a coaching staff might have guided you. So it’s natural you couldn’t appreciate what kind of team building gains you can have without any coaches looking over your shoulder. That’s what the off-site workout’s are all about. That, and Brady’s nursing his knee back to health without any cameras being around.
Pretty simple guys. The rest of your conjecture (e.g. Production companies, vaccinations, etc) is just stupid. Like drunk and not particularly clever guys talking. Exception is the Nesbitts guy.
May 29th, 2021 at 3:42 pm
Why did the Bengals let him go?
May 29th, 2021 at 4:11 pm
Ahh Kentucky buc,, good memory 😄
May 29th, 2021 at 4:13 pm
JR Redmond was the beginning of the goat
May 29th, 2021 at 4:24 pm
The first Super Bowl against the Rams Tom Brady won the famous Madden statement Patriots should play for overtime,, check down to JR Redmon on 3-4 plays to get vinaterrie in field goal range,, good memories Kentucky buc
May 29th, 2021 at 5:38 pm
Joebucsfan lmao with the Belicheat comment. Life long Patriots fan that also became a Bucs fan when Brady came here. A little bit of hypocrisy on your part buddy. If I’m not mistaken you were one of many that called Brady a cheater during deflategate correct! How it changes when he brought the Bucs to a SB WIN. As Belicheat says as does Tom it’s a team effort which was what last year was for Tampa. You just had a QB that could use all that talent. Ya the one you called cheater in NE.
May 29th, 2021 at 6:25 pm
Antwon Smith was not a 3rd down back nor were Ben Jarvis Ellis Green, Marion Butts, Stephen Jackson, Fred Taylor, Corey Dillon, Lawrence Maroney etc
May 29th, 2021 at 6:32 pm
Bernard is more like a SCUD missile that takes off slowly and misses its target. You guys thought Shady was washed up? Wait until you get a load of this guy. His tank was empty three years ago.
May 29th, 2021 at 7:13 pm
LISTNFRMAFAR – Indeed, those guys were 3rd down stars.But Faulk and White made me some cake on Super Bowl prop bets. I Love those two!
May 29th, 2021 at 7:17 pm
Green Bay is a train wreck. Rams have a new QB. I just don’t see much competition in the NFC.
May 29th, 2021 at 7:20 pm
Brandon. Look at his stats. He had a better catch % than fournette and rojo. He had his 4th highest yards receiving and highest since 2017. He also had 6 total td, most of his since 2014. He also had 4.5 yards per touch last year, exact same as fournette. And fournette played on the loaded bucs, not the Bengals. He is also only 29.
May 29th, 2021 at 9:43 pm
Slypirate, Rams will be tough Stafford is far better than Goff. If Seattle gets Julio Jones the tandom of Jones & Metcalf would be a nightmare for DB’s.
May 29th, 2021 at 11:43 pm
Belicheats? Don’t be a crybaby..
What are you 12?
May 30th, 2021 at 6:36 am
check his highlight reel …. “Giovani Bernard Full 2020 Season Highlights” pretty impressive
May 30th, 2021 at 11:11 am
Always a big fan of GIO. Filled in great when Mixon was hurt. Mat be the best 3rd down back in NFL. Can’t understand why Bengals let him go. There loss, our gain.
May 30th, 2021 at 12:02 pm
Brandon I don’t know what you are basing your statement on. Gio was not washed up 3 yrs ago nor is he now. Being the genius that he is Zach Taylor couldn’t find away to use him till Mixon went down. The guy is solid and rarely fumbles. The Clown show that is the Bengals wanted him to cut his pay. I think he saw it as an opportunity to get out of Cincy and play for a professional organization.
June 1st, 2021 at 10:58 am
I’m glad that Joe has finally seen the light with RoJo.
And yea he def got screwed on those 1000 yards last year.
June 1st, 2021 at 11:01 am
Ne+ You are not a real bucs fan I can’t wait until Brady retire so fake fans like you can go back where you come from. I hate band wagon fans. It other player I like that’s on other teams but I will never go on there site and act like I’m a fan of their team. I like Russell Wilson , Mahomes, Josh Allen, Murray, and others but I don’t act like I’m a fan of the team. I’m glad the bucs drafted Kyle Trask because I think he’s better than Mac Jones .