More Unique History On The Line For Tom Brady
July 4th, 2021
What may become the most-watched game in NFL regular-season history will be played Oct. 3, when the Belicheats host the Bucs.
One stat nugget that has nothing to do with the passing-yards record will be heard often during the massive hype for the game.
If Tom Brady can beat his former team in front of a wildly hostile crowd, Brady will become the fourth QB in NFL history to beat every NFL franchise.
The other three have darn good resumés: Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Brett Favre.
When Favre returned with the Vikings to face the Packers in 2009 (a couple of small-market teams), FOX Sports issued a statement after the game saying their doubleheader ratings that Sunday were their best in 13 years and “other than Super Bowl Sundays, November 1, 2009, goes down as the biggest day in the history of FOX Sports.”
So now imagine what happens in October when the most-popular and best QB in the world from the 12th-largest TV market squares up in a historic setting against his old team in the No. 9 TV market.
Joe admits to drooling at the thought of the Bucs entering that game 3-0 after beating the Rams in Los Angeles, then bludgeoning New England and picking up tens of thousands of new fans.
Regardless, Brady will have a shot to put his name in yet another rare category reserved for the all-time legends at his position.
July 4th, 2021 at 2:52 pm
I just wonder that if in Brady’s mind this will be known to him as a revenge game. The game he can finally put all the Belichick vs. Brady schtick to rest. A game where the pupil proves himself betters than the master. This will be the most anticipated and watched game in this decade. The game that settles it all.
July 4th, 2021 at 3:22 pm
All the coaches need to be on their toes, too. The QB doesn’t get to go against Belichick, actually..
July 4th, 2021 at 3:40 pm
I guarantee you that the crowd will not be wildly hostile. When Brady runs out onto the field, he’ll receive a thunderous, standing ovation.
July 4th, 2021 at 5:33 pm
I’m even going to stay up late for this game. Other than the SB it’s usually halftime for me. GO BUCS!
July 4th, 2021 at 5:40 pm
Wildly hostile? You are smoking something. A large percentage of fans will be cheering for the Patriots icon who brought 6 Super Bowl titles to NE and who is on loan to the Bucs.
July 4th, 2021 at 6:24 pm
I’m pretty sure everyone there is hip to the fact Brady was disgusted with the talent (or lack thereof) he had to deal with
July 4th, 2021 at 7:21 pm
dont forget, pats are getting a bunch of guys on defense back that opted out. they wont be an easy game, imo
July 4th, 2021 at 7:37 pm
“If Tom Brady can beat his former team in front of a wildly hostile crowd”
I am sorry, the crowd will not be wildly hostile. It goes beyond that. This is the GOAT who brought the nobody Patriots from irrelevance to dynasty over 20 years. Even the die hard Patriot fans know that Brady is the GOAT who transcends team loyalty. Expect a huge cheer for Brady, win or lose.
July 4th, 2021 at 7:38 pm
These two know each other very very well but in the end I see the Bucs winning, Bill will do his best to make Tom miserable but he gambled wrong and it’s time to pay the piper.
July 4th, 2021 at 7:50 pm
@Beej
True, but the other factor was Belichick chasing Brady out:
1. Belichick backed off supporting Brady during Deflategate,
2. Belichick was wary of Alex Guerrero (note: I would be too),
3. Belichick wanted to move on from Brady due to age, as Belichick wanted to cement his own legacy by creating championship teams without Brady. Plan A was drafting and grooming Jimmy Garappolo, and trading Brady. Kraft intervened and killed Plan A. Plan B was transitioning the Patriots to a heavier, run-oriented offense, which explains why Belichick allowed the TE and WR positions to age and atrophy. The only notable draftee was N’Keal Harry, a blocking WR who lacks any other discernible talent as a pass-catcher.
4. Years of Belichick’s intimidation players and assertion of dictatorial control had strained his relationship with Brady.
5. Sitting and humiliating Malcolm Butler contributed heavily to the Super Bowl 52 defeat. Brady put up historic numbers on offense, but the New England pass defense was so porous that a 3rd string QB like Nick Foles had a field day. Brady reportedly tried interceding on Butler’s behalf but failed.
6. And the coup de grâce: Playing hardball during contract extensions with Tom Brady. Belichick refused to offer anything more than a single-year contract. His intent was to show Brady who was boss with a “My way or the highway” hardball negotiation. It worked, Brady took the highway.
7. The weakened influence of Robert Kraft who had served as mediator the previous few seasons when trouble began to emerge.
July 4th, 2021 at 8:15 pm
How much you wanna bet someone goes after his knees in this game? Seen Pittsburgh do it won’t put it past Belicheater.
July 4th, 2021 at 8:42 pm
Talk about a grueling two weeks…all the way to L.A. to play what appears to be the toughest team in the NFC West and a team who beat the Bucs last year with Turn(over) & Goff…followed by the trek to N.E.-can’t even imagine how geeked Brady and The Belicheat’s will be for that game.
July 4th, 2021 at 10:43 pm
DavidBigBucFan99 Says:
July 4th, 2021 at 8:15 pm
How much you wanna bet someone goes after his knees in this game? Seen Pittsburgh do it won’t put it past Belicheater.
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Thus the importance of our offensive “big uglies” and their ability to protect.
July 5th, 2021 at 12:05 am
Hey, from one who knows,, Brady will get a standing ovation and the media narrative will be Patriots fans embarrassed Gillette stadium cheering for the opponent,,who cares,I see 3 quarters of fans cheering on the bucs,,the Patriots players are going to point it out post game how embarrassing it was for home team fans rooting for the BUCS I see 35-17 mark it down,,go BUCS
July 5th, 2021 at 12:27 am
@Crickett Baker…actually brady goes up directly with bb ..who do you think runs pats defense …bb does they have a dc but that does not matter bb is the one on sideline with the defense…and let there be no misunderstanding this is bradys monkey on his back ….the coaches will defer to bradys film study….brady knows his former coach and all thr players old and new…brady has the advantage of continuity…and naking adjustments in real time…bb does not know for sure who qb will be…and i also think this will be like a ” home game” for brady…he is mych loved in NE…go bucs!!!!
July 5th, 2021 at 1:12 am
Always try too stay away from would’ve, should’ve , could’ve but…
Imagine if the Bucs took Brady in 2000🤔
July 5th, 2021 at 1:21 am
At the very least that no talent spineless hack Crissy Sims would not be associated with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Organization 🤔👍🏻
July 5th, 2021 at 6:17 am
I’d be curious to see if joebucsfan.com has a traffic spike in the week leading up to the game. Also curious if Joe has seen an overall increase in the year and half Tb12 has been a Buc. The Brady Effect is real!!!
July 5th, 2021 at 8:14 am
I have always been a FOREVER Brady fan. I am a BUCS fan too. So here goes to a much anticipated game. Go BRADY….
July 5th, 2021 at 9:14 am
@ AllLives
This game might settle it all, UNLESS these two teams meet in the SB this year. Then THAT game would settle it all.
July 5th, 2021 at 9:40 am
Well-said Passing Thru
I’ve always thought that Belichick’s manner of dealing with personnel a detriment to the team–he even tried to trade away Gronk prior to the 2018 draft (Gronk refused, then retired after wining the next Super Bowl) You KNOW he was trying to figure out some way to get rid of Brady so he could go with Garoppolo. I don’t see how he earns any loyalty from his people
July 5th, 2021 at 9:48 am
I hope the Bucs crush the Belicheaters and he never sniffs the Super Bowl again. If we had drafted Brady, Dungy would’ve won all those Super Bowels he could never get to and Gruden would’ve never been hired and those high draft picks would’ve gone to make the team better. Good chance Ray Jay would never get the moniker Den of Depression and the Lost Decade would be Decade of Glory, we would’ve never see the line of loser coaches come thru, maybe even Michael Bennett isn’t allowed to walk for no good reason and we never draft Jameis Winston. Oh how glorious that would’ve been!!!
July 5th, 2021 at 12:05 pm
Chris Boyd pointing out what most seem to be forgetting… the Pats had a ridiculous amount of starters opt out last season. They will be a much better team this year.