Tom Brady Effect Already In Effect
May 26th, 2021
Steals from best teammates.
Joe has already written how Tom Brady will leave a lasting footprint on the organization for years to come.
The standard for practices and the standard for play for everyone was greatly elevated the moment a Bucs contract was signed by home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting, handshake-stiffing, jet-ski-losing, biscuit-baking, tequila-shooting, smartphone-phobic, waffle-grilling, trophy-throwing, roller-coaster-scared, numbers-rules-peeved, Bucs-Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
Just think about it: guys not even yet in high school, who the Bucs will draft 10 years from now, will have guys like Antoine Winfield and Tristan Wirfs sharing wisdom they learned from Brady being their teammate as rookies.
Well, in a way, that has already begun to play out with running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn.
Yesterday after OTA practice, Vaughn was asked what he can do to improve his lot on the Bucs. Currently, he’s looked at as the Bucs’ No. 4 running back.
Vaughn said he wants to be a thief. In a good way.
He wants to thieve what works for guys like Brady and other superstar teammates and try to incorporate those traits for his own use.
“You’ve got so many future Hall of Famers on this team,” Vaughn said. “There is nothing you can do but learn and steal parts of their game and put into your toolbox.
“That’s the biggest thing. Take what’s around you. Use your resources. Tom Brady. Chris Godwin. Mike Evans. Whoever is on the field, whoever is around.
“They are future Hall of Famers. Just being around those guys make me want to work harder. Makes me want to be that future Hall of Famer.”
Well, Joe isn’t sure Godwin is a Hall of Famer yet. He’s got to string together quite a few more years like he’s had the past two seasons. Evans? Yeah, Joe suspects he’s on his way.
There’s also another guy in the offensive huddle that will be in the Hall of Fame: foot-rubbing, car-littering tight end Rob Gronkowski.
Vaughn makes a good point. Who better to learn from and emulate than guys who have been the best at their craft in the history of the game? Something should rub off, no?
So maybe, the Brady Effect has already taken hold in the 2021 locker room?
Yeah, you know, aside from that Super Bowl win a few months ago.
May 26th, 2021 at 9:19 am
I wonder how many passes Vaughn has caught in the off season…I bet he watches TV flipping a football end for end in one hand…I am guessing he will perform his role in a very high standard this coming season
May 26th, 2021 at 9:23 am
I think Vaughn will blossom into an excellent RB as he matures and gets some chances. Not much chance this year though. His future is bright.
May 26th, 2021 at 9:30 am
good answer
May 26th, 2021 at 9:37 am
I like Vaughn….I believe he’s got Lesean McCoy potential. Compact back, very quick/shifty and solid receiver. Unfortunately for him, this team is focused on making a deep run in the playoffs which will likely limit his opportunities in 2021 if everyone stays healthy.
May 26th, 2021 at 9:58 am
I kind of feel like not so fast that Vaughn won’t see the field this season. I’m not sold on playoff Lenny and Rojo doesn’t catch the ball consistently. Vaughn could sneak into that lineup and “thief” a lot of playing time. If he can figure out how to eliminate the turnovers, I think he is our back of the future.
May 26th, 2021 at 9:59 am
The jury still out on Vaughn. So far unimpressed.
May 26th, 2021 at 10:20 am
BA is impressed with K Vaughn, so we will see. GO BUCS!!!
May 26th, 2021 at 10:23 am
I thought he had some juice in those legs and looked pretty natural catching that TD pass from Tom. As long as he doesn’t put the ball on the ground again he should get his opportunities over the season.
May 26th, 2021 at 10:26 am
Bucs have NEVER been deeper @ RB
This is insane
May 26th, 2021 at 10:39 am
Don’t forget about AB maybe JPP and if numbers count, Lavonte David. As to the transformation of the team, Tony Romo said during the Super Bowl that Tom Brady has elevated this franchise permanently. I agree
May 26th, 2021 at 11:42 am
In a world of hyperbole and sarcasm, all Brady has to do is spend 1 year on each team in the league, which will elevate them all permanently. OK back to reality – and what we know for sure is each team Brady has been on are always the best versions of their potential. I am so excited for this season and the talent, drive, and motivation seen on this team! GO BUCS!!
May 26th, 2021 at 11:45 am
KSV is electric, he will get a fair work load that will allow him to steal snaps away from Lenny.
Lenny in my opinion is the insurance policy to RoJo. For everyone cracking on RoJos hands. Go back and watch the KC game during the season and tell me which play shifted the momentum the most. Was it not a RoJo catch and run that is perhaps the most beautiful catch and run we have ever seen from a RB in Tampa.
Just saying. Don’t kill the guy for not making EVERY catch, cause when he does catch it. LOOK OUT
May 26th, 2021 at 12:02 pm
Vaugn and Cam Gill will be the surprise studs of 2021.
May 26th, 2021 at 12:18 pm
Why I’m so excited about Hainsey’s future. They need to keep stacking up future starters in the place it all begins. The oline. The GOAT of reading and changing. The fact Darden will be practicing with these receivers and working with these coaches. It’s the Brady sponge effect. Even vets gotta continue to soak up Brady’s brain.
May 26th, 2021 at 12:29 pm
SlyPirate…I hope you’re right about Vaughn. He might not get a lot of carries because we don’t run the ball often and it sounds they brought Bernard in for a reason. Myself and the Bucs think he has potential. He will be tested this year, hopefully more than less.
May 26th, 2021 at 12:34 pm
Vaughn will get snaps, and his role could expand based on injury or mental meltdown from two guys that have struggled from confidence issues in the past. Im hoping the offense features the run a bit more this season, and look forward to watching all these rbs take the field. The talent alone in the backfield makes them more than a rb by committee. The front five do have the ability to get push on the line. Getting spoiled here.
May 26th, 2021 at 1:23 pm
@AtlBuc … “As to the transformation of the team, Tony Romo said during the Super Bowl that Tom Brady has elevated this franchise permanently”.
‘Permanently’ is such a loooong time AtlBuc. Brady spent 20 years with the Pats and compiled an unbelievable 219-64 regular season record (plus a few playoff wins). Those 20 years would seem like a loooong time, and yet the year after he left (after the 2019 season when the Pats went 12-4 with Brady at the helm and made the playoffs) they went 7-9 and missed the playoffs.
Apparently 20 years of Tom Brady’s influence wasn’t enough to ‘permanently elevate the Pats franchise’?
And BTW, Tony Romo was the Cowboys QB for 10 years & ended with a very respectable 78-49 starters’ record. His last full season the Cowboys went 12-4 and made the playoffs. He started the next season 3-1 then got hurt. Cowboys finished 4-12 that season. Guessing that he didn’t ‘permanently elevate’ the Cowboys franchise either.
My impression of the NFL is that ‘permanently’ lasts roughly about 5 seconds. That’s about how long it took the Super Bowl trophy to travel from 1 boat to another. After that celebration Tom Brady started focusing on the 2021 season and a whole new ballgame started taking shape.
May 26th, 2021 at 1:40 pm
Cool for Vaughn, he has potential. That last sentence just puts a stupid grin on my face.
May 26th, 2021 at 2:11 pm
Vaughn is like J. Watson. fell out of favor with Brady early on. Vaughn will be here next year, Watson won’t.
May 26th, 2021 at 2:33 pm
Good post defense rules very true