Chris Godwin: Antonio Brown = Different Training camp
August 4th, 2021
Yes, there really is something different about this Bucs team when it comes to the grind of July and August football.
He’s the little receiver with massive energy, and Joe’s not talking about rookie fourth-round pick Jaelon Darden.
Antonio Brown is the sort of the Energizer Bunny of Bucs practice. That’s been his reputation for years, and it hasn’t waned at 33 years old. Joe sees it and heard about it privately. Bucco Bruce Arians has talked publicly about Brown’s fire and it’s not lost on his teammates.
Pro Bowl receiver Chris Godwin says it’s changed Bucs training camp.
“It’s definitely different. It’s different, like, energy,” Godwin said of Brown’s impact.
“The competition raises. The expectation level raises. But it’s also more fun,” Godwin said of Brown. “You know, we get to talk shop; I try to pick his brain as much as I can about some of his experiences and the things he’s had success with. Like he’s a master at sideline catches; they call him Tony Toetap for a reason. And so like little stuff like that, try to pick his brain on his mentality and his approach. … The overall competition level and us pushing each other is probably the biggest difference.”
Remember, Brown showed up in October last season. It’s easy to be a spark when you’re a new guy walking in off the street. It’s different when you’re a veteran who recently had knee surgery.
Joe can’t wait to see what kind of season Brown turns in; Joe doesn’t have great expectations and simply wants to enjoy watching it unfold.
Godwin added that Brown is so eager to help young players and share all his sage wisdom.
If Brown had a strong year and continues to play deputy mentor-in-chief at One Buc Palace, then he’ll turn out to be one of the great Bucs free agency steals of all-time.
August 4th, 2021 at 11:28 am
Joe doesn’t have great expectations this year for Brown – but I do. I think he is an incredible talent and will have an incredible year! Along with the other WRs. But AB will stand out with the brilliance he will have with TB.
August 4th, 2021 at 11:30 am
Sounds like Scooter is getting in on the AB tutoring, too.
AB the mentor.
Who would have guessed?
August 4th, 2021 at 11:31 am
I personally have very high expectations for brown this year. I think Tom has an insane chemistry with him that is hard to match as he has helped him so much off the field.
August 4th, 2021 at 11:34 am
I think Scooter sees all the love Darden and AB are getting and realizes you have to be more than the over the top guy.
August 4th, 2021 at 11:36 am
Lost in the glory of last season was that AB played a critical role in the offense the moment he walked in the door. There were several weeks where either Evans or Godwin were out or were limited due to injury, but the offense never skipped a beat because AB stepped right in. He was a great relief pitcher down the stretch of the season, and it allowed for extra rest for Godwin and Evans and ensured they were 100% for the playoffs.
August 4th, 2021 at 11:44 am
I think AB will have a great season this year. I have high expectations for him. Too be honest I was skeptical at bringing him in. His contract made it easy to welcome him to see how he could contribute. Looking forward to seeing him play. He changed my mind for sure. I went from skeptical to excited he is playing for Tampa. He is a legit No. 1 receiver in this league. Tampa has Crazy depth at Reciever.
August 4th, 2021 at 11:50 am
SlyPirate called it. Who would have guessed? AB must be striving for a yellow blazer now.
Only problem I see is keeping our young WR’s head straight with limited snaps available.
I’ve suffered with team since 1979 so wont complain about the stacked roster.
August 4th, 2021 at 11:52 am
What a difference a year makes. I was not a fan of AB in any way, shape, or form. This AB, that is quite, full of energy, and working well with his team has been great to watch. Is this a redemption story? AB, under the radar, and the number 3 receiver is very dangerous, and a solid x factor. Yet another receiver with a nose for the end zone on a team stacked with these types.
August 4th, 2021 at 12:28 pm
TBBF has great expectations of Antonio Brown ……looking for MAGA…..Make Antonio Great Again.
I predict he will be a terror on the field vs other defenses…..
My choice for this year is AB, OJ & Gio…..breaking out.
August 4th, 2021 at 12:39 pm
Like others here, I didn’t like the signing of AB either. Really wrong. What a find.
August 4th, 2021 at 12:52 pm
Let’s Go!!!! 20-0💥👍🏻🍻
August 4th, 2021 at 12:54 pm
Remember when the casuals swore Brown would be a “cancer?”
August 4th, 2021 at 12:58 pm
I never watched AB outside of what I saw on Shport Center because I don’t care about any other team but the play of his that will forever be my favorite of mine will be when he drop kicked that kicker in the head who even thought he would even think about tackling AB, ICE COLD !!!!!🥶🥶🥶
August 4th, 2021 at 1:00 pm
I also think AB will have a great season this year.
And, I think our offense will be even better this year as well.
Try as I might, I can’t see any NFC Team that is gonna stop us this year, and I see a rematch of us vs the Kansas City Chiefs in the next Super Bowl.
I think we beat them again, but it will be a whole lot closer game then last year.
August 4th, 2021 at 1:08 pm
Hall of Fame talent on the field.
August 4th, 2021 at 1:13 pm
Statistically? It will be difficult for any of our skill position players to put up big numbers with so much talent and only one football, IMO.
I think AB is already making an impact elsewhere and I think it has as much value, if not more, than simply “putting up numbers.”
For certain, this will be a fun team to watch!
August 4th, 2021 at 2:23 pm
What I can tell you is that NO Number 3 DB on ANY team is going to contain AB for 60 minutes. He’s going to be good for at least 1 TD per game, if not more. Between him, Evans, Godwin, Gronk, OJ and then Miller and Darden, it’s going to be dudes getting wide TF open all over the field and Brady is going to just have a hard time figuring out who he wants to throw it to.
August 4th, 2021 at 2:39 pm
Brown/Brady will be comparable to Moss/Brady. It’s also the best chance since 2007 that there will be an undefeated team all season. GO 19-0 BUCS!
August 4th, 2021 at 2:41 pm
It was a huge success signing BA….so glad to have him back. …like his explosive-driven reaction in and out the field. He is a great “bad” guy, that every teams need.👍
August 4th, 2021 at 2:46 pm
This will be fun to watch. Statistically, I don’t think anyone but Brady will put up crazy record breaking numbers. There are way too many options to go to, and teams will change who they think they should eliminate. One team may shut down evans, another shut down a.b. some will eliminate gronk and others will shut down godwin. But no team will be able to shut down all targets, unless they commit 7 to coverage. If they do that, rojo and fournette will run wild.
August 4th, 2021 at 3:24 pm
Amen to that joe! Well said!
August 4th, 2021 at 3:42 pm
Three number 1 receivers! AB is a monster at getting open and will catch a lot of passes this season from Brady. The talent we have at WR and TE is just insane. If we have the opportunity to meet the Chiefs again, I think they will be shocked to see how much better this offense has gotten since last season.
August 4th, 2021 at 4:17 pm
AND don’t forget adding Gio..
August 4th, 2021 at 6:47 pm
Talk about building super teams GEE my LA purp and gold LAKERS jus stocked up and my whole BUCC em and leave em there sq
August 4th, 2021 at 6:51 pm
Squadron is back for a repeat performance, and we will do such…. let’s fu#$ing goooooo!!!
August 4th, 2021 at 7:12 pm
Not a good idea thinking about 20-0
August 4th, 2021 at 7:53 pm
“Can’t wait”-Bart Scott
August 4th, 2021 at 9:03 pm
AB will likely lead the team in receptions, with Evans leading in yards and TDs. Godwin will likely end up 3rd, not that it’s a bad thing as there’s only so many balls to go around.
But with Evans and Godwin’s injury history, you have to assume they’re both going to miss games this year, so if AB can stay healthy that’s a big part of the reason why I assume he’s going to get the most receptions.
August 4th, 2021 at 9:04 pm
Best part of this is him not burning Brady. Especially when you think how that cat was on a roll with the goodball stuff. I hoped he’d do well, but I didn’t think he would. Good on him.
August 4th, 2021 at 10:10 pm
Duane Says:
“Is this a redemption story?”
.
.
That would be nice, but I doubt it. Watch his post-game news conference after the Super Bowl. He is utterly self-absorbed and disrespectful to the press. Never takes his face out of his phone or even pay attention to the questions being asked. When he realizes its time to give a response, he just keeps repeating the same canned sentences over and over, none of which have anything to do with the questions asked. All while looking at his phone and talking to whoever is on the other end. He’s a crap person.
I’m glad he’s meshing with the team. I only hope we can get through this season without “bad Antonio” rearing its ugly head.
August 4th, 2021 at 10:42 pm
4 defensive backs can not cover Mike, Goodwin, and AB. They can only double cover one. Add Gronk or our other tight ends and line backers will have to drop back in coverage or be replaced by a 5th db. Multiple receivers will be open. The more the defenses drop back in coverage the more likely Rojo pounds the rock. Add the new pass catching running back and you exploit deep drops by the lbs and dbs. This season should be f…..g electric. Add in a few turnovers and sacks by our defense per game and only the teams with extremely stout defenses will be able hang with the bucs. On paper at least it looks like a dominating Bucs team.
August 5th, 2021 at 7:00 am
He is our tyeek Hill….this offense just went from dangerous to out righy scary
August 5th, 2021 at 7:15 am
There’s so much talent it’s unbelievable we’re very fortunate and it’s about time.
August 5th, 2021 at 8:21 am
If vintage Antonio is back, he is going to shatter all of the Bucs single season marks for wideouts. Mike is one of my favorite Bucs ever, but you’ve got to be realistic about these things. Brown in his prime was as good as anyone outside of Jerry Rice.
August 5th, 2021 at 9:36 am
The perfect scenario for Brady, a game of match ups. It’s almost too easy, depending on how or who the defense focuses on is how Brady will spread the wealth. NO team has that many good corners and safeties that can cover these receivers, not to mention the TE’s.
August 5th, 2021 at 9:08 pm
Bush coke spoon,he just won the Superbowl,mb it was his mother, grandmother,kids,he was talking to on the phone,,no worries here!!