Antonio Brown “Sealed Bucs’ Fate”
January 5th, 2022
Life without Antonio Brown.
A long-time NFL writer and columnist now typing for NFL.com thinks the Bucs’ Super Bowl chances ran out of the tunnel of MetLife Stadium right along with topless former Bucs receiver, furniture-tossing, bicycle-winging, tantrum-throwing quitter Antonio Brown.
Jeffri Chadiha noted that if the Bucs still had a healthy Chris Godwin and a healthy Leonard Fournette and a healthy Lavonte David, the Bucs could have found a way to get around the loss of Brown. But with so many injuries, the Bucs were leaning heavily on Brown to keep the offense dangerous.
Now that Brown is gone, Chadiha thinks the Bucs chances went with him.
A wise old coach once said that everything has to go right in an organization in order to win a Super Bowl. You need career years not just from the players and coaches, but from the front office, trainers, support staff, literally everybody in the building. Now imagine how hard it is to replicate that type of good fortune two years in a row for teams that are trying to repeat as Super Bowl champions. This is why Antonio Brown just sealed the fate of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with his epic meltdown. …
It says a lot that wide receiver Mike Evans appeared to be the only Bucs player to try to calm Brown down before he erupted. More people on that team had probably lost patience with Brown than we knew. He surely understood how critical he was to whatever offensive success the Bucs hoped to enjoy in the postseason, as he and quarterback Tom Brady have an undeniable chemistry. Brown’s implosion speaks to how little he appreciated the role the team was asking of him.
Yeah, from what Joe heard through the grapevine, Brown didn’t exactly endear himself to his teammates other than possibly Tom Brady. Joe heard Brown even had a spat with a fellow Bucs receiver. Of course, Joe cannot prove that but Joe’s source has never steered him wrong.
Brown’s teammates tolerated him if not welcomed him because he gave the team a real threat to win.
Joe is almost of the mind that if Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich can somehow turn the Bucs in the next two weeks into a smashmouth team, the Bucs might be able to pull off the unthinkable. It’s unreasonable to expect the immortal Cyril Grayson and Tyler Johnson to be able to match the skillset or production of Brown and/or Godwin.
Hall of Fame receiver Cris Carter, who has been a special co-host this week on “Good Morning Football,” is convinced teams will be able to shut down the Bucs offense unless it drastically changes. Because Brown and Godwin are gone, Carter thinks defenses will play more guys in the box, which will likely cut down on Playoff Lenny’s production.
You can see the “Good Morning Football” gang discuss the impact of Brown’s absence in the NFL Network video below.
How much will the #Buccaneers miss Antonio Brown in the playoffs?
@criscarter80 says “ultimately you can’t replace his speed.” pic.twitter.com/X368xBgZvF— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) January 4, 2022
January 5th, 2022 at 7:12 am
If a team’s fate hinges on just one man, you don’t want him to be Antonio Brown…
January 5th, 2022 at 7:20 am
I feel for AB to a certain extent. I am a Bucs fan 1st, but I can’t help but think BA baited him. Thinking from that perspective, and that he was already fired……well let him sign elsewhere. Me thinks the blame is on AB and BA.
Good luck AB…..hope we don’t see you in The playoffs.
January 5th, 2022 at 7:21 am
ONE person doesn’t make a team.
You know what would be the ultimate F you, winning another Super Bowl!
Go Bucs!
January 5th, 2022 at 7:27 am
Don’t accuse BA of something for which there is no proof. Uninformed speculation is useless.
January 5th, 2022 at 7:27 am
Chadiha can blow it. This “incident” can galvanize the team and make them much better. A fired-up team can go places. The Rams, WFT, and Saints (second game) all won because they were more fired-up than the Bucs. If the Bucs have this, there is no stopping them.
January 5th, 2022 at 7:28 am
I hope stuff like this gets plastered all over the locker room. Brady’s one of them all time greats that will use this to go that much harder.
January 5th, 2022 at 7:29 am
You may have a point about the Bucs needing to step up the power game. Especially in Green Bay, although I hear that LA is having an unusually cold (for them) and wet winter. I wish I could trust OJ Howard to play fullback.
January 5th, 2022 at 7:39 am
This sounds like a different guy from last year. Didn’t the majority of the locker room love him last year? That was a big part of why I liked Brown so much.
January 5th, 2022 at 7:40 am
Couldnt we have just handled him with kid gloves for just a few more weeks? 😂
Not sure arians needed to die on that hill in week 17. Again AB a POS just like TO just like Meyshawn
And AB is cray cray for sure. Diva x 1000. But they are right. With only mike left , he will get safety over the top and our offense becomes a challenge. Cause we are not going to face the jets defense in the playoffs
Wanna bet AB is playing for saints next year. Payton dont care about character
He is a scumbag himself.
Our injury situation this year is like none i can remember ever for bucs. Injuries happen. But what 20 starters? Who are trainers? Maybe walkthroughs arent the answer all the time?
January 5th, 2022 at 7:47 am
Brady has won with less talent around him.
January 5th, 2022 at 7:49 am
We still have some horses on the offense with a healthy oline & Brady….Lenny will be back..Evans and the others at WE……Gronk & Brate.
But, it’s the injuries to the players on defense….LVD, Shaq, JPP…..that concern me…..that is nearly half of our front 7….
January 5th, 2022 at 7:55 am
I am going to assume that most if not all of you was ever a Brady fan until he came to Tampa. Just like I was never a Tampa fan until Brady arrived there. I’ve been a football fan for 6 decades and a career Brady fan. I’ve seen him come through adversity many many times. I’ll use an analogy to try and make any sense about what that cry baby did (TO TOM). You see a thug kill an entire family or a spoiled brat kill his fellow students. What’s the first thing the media, (and lawyers), start talking about? mental illness. If one of those murdered student was one of my kids or Grandkids, I wouldn’t give a flying rat’s a&% if AB Brown’s daddy didn’t love him. Kick his as*& out of Fl.
January 5th, 2022 at 7:57 am
The Bucs should have put out a statement clarifying what the situation is. The AB story is all over the national media with rumors, theories, pics and videos.
Shame on the Bucs front office for letting this drag on.
January 5th, 2022 at 7:58 am
Brady has won with less talent and this year no team stands out. We need to run plays to get receivers open rather than just rely on talent. We need the coaches to step up.
January 5th, 2022 at 8:01 am
Bucsfanman, yes 1 man does make a team, you lose Brady season over. Cannon, not true Brady has not won a SB with 3 back up receivers, but he is known for being the 1st at things. I can’t stand when Carter is on, he thinks his shat don’t stink, all he talks about is him and Moss days. He voiced his AB opinion earlier in the week and trashed him pretty good, a little hypocritical for an ex-junkie. Burleson shut him right down basically saying who are we to judge, we don’t know the whole story. BL cannot turn this O into a ground & pound O, first they don’t have a good enough back that can find holes quick enough and second, what is BL going to do neuter his best players Brady, Gronk, Evan’s in the playoffs? Ya try getting a HC job after that. This is ALL on D now, if they play like they did against Jets it’s one and done. That’s where the focus needs to be.
January 5th, 2022 at 8:03 am
Considering the injuries that this team has had all year, anything beyond the first round of the playoffs should be considered amazing.
January 5th, 2022 at 8:06 am
Cannon, you nailed it. I have a really good analogy to explain our current situation. Many years ago I had a friend that needed money so he sold me an old compound bow for $35. Most of my friends would spend $300-$800. Their reasoning was that their bow shot arrows at 300-400 FPS (feet per second). I killed more deer with that cheap bow than any of my friends. I tried to tell them that if they need a bow that fast, they have their stand in the wrong place. That’s Tom. He uses what he has. he knows how to move players to get the best results. (superbowls) Have a nice day
January 5th, 2022 at 8:10 am
There’s only one player we can’t afford to lose Joe that would be Tom Brady. Tom makes other players stars, not the other way around. Let them load the box Joe, and watch Brady make stars out of Grayson, Perriman, and Johnson. We have plenty of weapons still. Who would you rather not have then AB? Would you swap having AB instead of Wirfs, Marpet, Jensen, Smith? Evans, Gronk, Lenny, David? Let’s put this BS that AB is that important to rest, he’s not. He’s sh#t on your shoe, a cancer that had to be removed. Truth, we’re better off without that head case.
January 5th, 2022 at 8:20 am
I would love to see a Bucs vs Bengals SB-
Brady vs Burrow would be great football !
January 5th, 2022 at 8:26 am
What is wrong with Rick Stroud, claiming a top surgeon said AB was injured and should not have been on the field. Talk about speculation w/o first hand knowledge. Joe how does this guy continue to get a press pass?
As far as TB12, never ever count him out. He will have the Buc’s WRs coached up and the D will be on fire. TB12’s midnight Texts to teammates to start after Sunday.
January 5th, 2022 at 8:31 am
I said it before, I’ll say it again: Sure Brady won with less talent, but those lesser receivers had the benefit of working with Brady as starters for one season or more. Brady doesn’t have that kind of chemistry with the WR4, WR5, and WR6. They haven’t much game time with Brady, they only have limited practice snaps with Brady.
January 5th, 2022 at 8:31 am
A.B. is a great player, but the Bucs have the best player at the most important position. I still like their chances.
January 5th, 2022 at 8:32 am
When we first signed AB people were calling it a luxury signing, and we didn’t need him to win a Superbowl.
Now that he’s gone people are saying we have no shot at winning the Superbowl.
People are often wrong.
January 5th, 2022 at 8:38 am
Robert – you blo me. “Feel for Antonio brown.” Are you insane, do you even know how vile of a human AB is even going back to when he was child. He was born a bad seed. F off with your bs opinion. He has no one to blame but himself
January 5th, 2022 at 8:41 am
Why couldn’t the Saints take out AB and not godwin
January 5th, 2022 at 8:47 am
Who is AB? What’s this all about? Are we are talking about a former player who apparently claims to be too injured to play? Good riddance. The Bucs don’t need gimpy crypusses. They need men who want to win.
January 5th, 2022 at 8:47 am
I think the major blow was losing godwin. We are about to see just how important that dude is to this offense. The final nail in the coffin was losing brown. This offense just has not been “clicking” imo for some time.
Perhaps if the defense can get back to being healthy and playing like they did in last years playoffs, then the Bucs have a chance to repeat.
Last year was something special and not easily repeated. But don’t get me wrong, I hope I am wrong and everything clicks from here until the Bucs win the sb.
January 5th, 2022 at 8:48 am
AB has mental issues??? wah wah wah so do i. I have PTSD but you won’t see me slap Jesus up side of his head. He slapped Tom in the face. With friends like AB who the Hell needs enemies?
January 5th, 2022 at 8:48 am
@gofortheface……
He gre up ruff. so what?
enjoy your privelidge
January 5th, 2022 at 8:49 am
It’s unreasonable to expect the immortal Cyril Grayson and Tyler Johnson to be able to match the skillset or production of Brown and/or Godwin.
__________
Man, if we only had a #1 WR this wouldn’t be an issue……..
Oh, wait
ME13
January 5th, 2022 at 8:50 am
we still have gronk, evans, lenny, brate, grayson, johnson, periman, vaughn, barner and a solid O-line and of course Tom Brady.
nope. we not dead yet.
January 5th, 2022 at 8:51 am
I love it when we’re the underdogs !!! SO FREAKING PUMPED TO HAVE A HOME PLAYOFF GAME ! RAYJay gonna be Electric !
January 5th, 2022 at 8:54 am
It seems to me they scored more points and played better after AB left. Is that a coincidence?
January 5th, 2022 at 8:58 am
What is Julius Edelman doing these days? Is he available? Just wondering.
January 5th, 2022 at 9:12 am
Golden Tate just got cut from Titans practice squad, he is a pretty good option.
January 5th, 2022 at 9:13 am
That’s it Joe. The oline is the strength of the team. Change to a run based plan and get healthier on defense and it’s very possible. Not giving in here yet. All teams are 0-0 at the start of playoffs.
January 5th, 2022 at 9:27 am
You guys keep saying brady did more with less
Yes and josh mcdaniels is one of vest in business. Look at mac jones
Oh and “D coordinator” is belichek probably the best in the business
They can scheme guys open. Shut star players down
Sorry i like out coaches. They are ok. But they are not the coaches of those brady patriot teams doing more with less
January 5th, 2022 at 9:31 am
But we have brady so there is always a chance
January 5th, 2022 at 9:31 am
bucschamp Says:
January 5th, 2022 at 8:50 am
we still have gronk, evans, lenny, brate, grayson, johnson, periman, vaughn, barner and a solid O-line and of course Tom Brady.
A lot of teams would love to have that lineup .
January 5th, 2022 at 9:31 am
Would still say the Bucs have a better or equal group of pass catchers to the packers. The #1 seed in the NFL
January 5th, 2022 at 9:33 am
Lstnfrafar
Dang. I would sign golden tate in a heart beat. If healthy? Dude is physical and can block in the slot. And sit into those pockets. Have him and johnson split reps.
Bucs should make a call
January 5th, 2022 at 9:39 am
That pundit is a jackwagon.
It’s in Brady we trust.
It’s Brady or bust.
Of coarse a little D never hurts.👍
January 5th, 2022 at 9:41 am
I mentioned this yesterday. Defenses will play us differently now. It may very well open up some big play opportunities for our WRs and TEs. The only question is, can they meet the challenge? Also, Brady will need to continue to get time to go through his progressions. Very often with Godwin and AB in the lineup Brady is able to hit his first read. That will change. Thankfully we have a good oline.
January 5th, 2022 at 9:41 am
Robert – so let me get this straight. Privilege is taking responsibility for your own actions, not being a piece of shi? Do you know how many people in this world grew up rough? You are a massive gapping puss my guy. This is why I hate dems like you, what a puss cop out that is. A moronic statement of the highest order. Massive brain you have there dude, I’m sure you’re a professor at MIT or something
January 5th, 2022 at 9:55 am
I would look at bringing in Dez Bryant , Golden Tate , Larry Fitzgerald and would even give TO a tryout.
January 5th, 2022 at 10:16 am
Yes because green bay and the rams have looked amazing .😂 Also the cowboys. The packers have played a bunch of cupcakes.
January 5th, 2022 at 10:29 am
At least Tate was on a team so he shouldn’t be rusty even if it were Titans practice squad. Can someone please tell me when Brady won a SB with less??? 3 possibly 4 backups if Lenny can’t go.
January 5th, 2022 at 10:35 am
@”Antonio Brown “Sealed Bucs’ Fate”
————
Yes indeed; Yes he did.
January 5th, 2022 at 10:54 am
@gofortheface
glad you like facials, but no need to advertise. I’m a Rep for what it’s worth and just baited you easily. Of course, I still wouldn’t hang with the likes of some facialized know it all, no matter their politics.
January 5th, 2022 at 10:57 am
In the comeback against Atlanta in the Super bowl, Gronk didn’t play and Cooks got hurt in the first half. Brady won the game with Edelman, Amadola , a rookie named Mitchell, Chris Hogan and White in the backfield. Tell me our group this year isn’t taller, faster, and a lot better athletes.
January 5th, 2022 at 11:18 am
All of that is BS. We still have the weapons needed at receiver and te to pass the ball. If anything this will make the not so household names more lethal and let them shine. They all have had flashes and shown to have skill. My thing is wtf is Scotty. He can take the top of as well.
January 5th, 2022 at 12:01 pm
bucschamp:
You forgot BELL. Call me optimistic, but, Hell, I think Bell is gonna add a helluva lot. A dark horse on a dark horse team. I like that! We ain’t done till the final whistle blows. And hopefully that will be at the end of the SB with us up by 6!!!
January 5th, 2022 at 12:05 pm
John Rodgers:
Julius Edelman is commentating these days and has gone on the record saying 1) he doesn’t think the Bucs will win the SB, and 2) he’s currently having a spat with TB!!! So that’s a bummer. Be fun if we proved him wrong!
January 5th, 2022 at 12:07 pm
bucschamp:
You forgot BELL. Call me optimistic, but, Hell, I think Bell is gonna add a helluva lot. A dark horse on a dark horse team. I like that! We ain’t done till the final whistle blows. And hopefully that will be at the end of the SB us victorious!!!
January 5th, 2022 at 12:13 pm
I’ve got us going …maybe winning…. 2 games in the playoffs then back to Tampa where the players will be watching the rest of the playoffs on the TV with us.
I’m old guys, a realist and a pragmatist. Usually, my calculations are right. Not always but about 78% of the time
January 5th, 2022 at 12:15 pm
A couple of things. The loss of AB will be felt on the field.
Yes, Brady has won with less talent but there is a HUGE difference. That was with a well-schemed, Belichick coached team. I like BA as a CEO… I like our position coaches. Offensively Brady will make things work on that side of the ball. My concern is on defense. Conceptually, which Bowles defense will show up. Bowles has shown this season that unless nearly everyone on defense is healthy, he cannot implement a coherent game plan.
Honestly if the Bucs are smart they approach it this way: No one now expects on the win based on injuries. It’s them against the world. If they fall short, no one‘s really going to bat an eye. But if they use this as a rallying cry, Brady I can write the next grade chapter of his legacy.
January 5th, 2022 at 12:17 pm
*next great chapter
January 5th, 2022 at 12:33 pm
Mike Johnson how did you enjoy the 2019 season when you turned your back on the BUCS and decided to switch to Jaguars fan?
Did you have fun watching them crumble?
I see you managed to drag yourself back onto the BUCS ship. We saved you a seat next to the Mens room. Please do not disrupt the waitresses. Thanks.
GO BUCS!!!!
January 5th, 2022 at 12:40 pm
Rob…..Bowles hasent had everybody on defense healthy for the entire year.
We started losing players before halftime in the Dallas opener and its been an incredibly long list since there. We have been close to fully healthy and are not clise now.
January 5th, 2022 at 12:59 pm
Fact is Brady has won with less talent around him. It’s up to Leftwich to get creative, unfortunately I don’t think he can.
January 5th, 2022 at 1:32 pm
After A.B. walked off field. Buccs responded in a positive way. You might say it “sparked” a comeback. We’ll find a way to win w/o AB
January 5th, 2022 at 3:09 pm
Had we lost to the Jets I think that theory might hold some water but we won.
Totally different story now.
We have talent. Quit sweating it and hope the D can play solid the rest of the way.
January 5th, 2022 at 4:52 pm
Brown woke up a different person after getting knocked out by burfict. The way he treated his kid’s mother was disgusting and the fact he almost killed a little boy when he threw furniture out the window are signs this guy’s need help and probably jail time. Look bucs have nothing to worry about, you have the best football player ever on your side, Tampa Brady is the only one you can’t lose. AB? Pfft a clown.
January 5th, 2022 at 4:52 pm
Personally I think if they were wise they would back pedal a bit. Seems many sources claim they didn’t say he was cut and Brown misunderstood. But seems that Bucs are letting media outlets and social media dictate what is better for the team. They knew AB had his issues. They could easily spin this if they really wanted to. They could use the mental health angle. I am sure Brady could convince AB into a public apology as well. Damn NBA and Hockey players can punch someone in the face and not be let go.
January 5th, 2022 at 5:27 pm
BA sealed Bucs fate, he told him he was done.
January 5th, 2022 at 5:48 pm
AB had become a freaking CANCER in the locker room. Why was Evans the only player near him? He appeared to be jawing with Brady in the first half on the sidelines.
It’s better to just remove the cancer. Can you say TO? Once they get the upper hand and you give in…they RULE until you’re finally FORCED to act.
We were blessed to be able to remove this cancerous distraction two weeks before the playoffs!
January 5th, 2022 at 7:18 pm
When the going gets tough the tough gets going…
January 5th, 2022 at 8:49 pm
The only reason AB leaving sealed the Bucs fate is because of all the injuries on offense. If we had CG, LF, and RJ, and if Tyler Johnson and Scotty Miller had not disappeared for some reason, we would not have needed AB as much.
This is why it is nearly impossible to repeat as SB champs in the NFL.
January 5th, 2022 at 9:37 pm
Attention dummies. The name is JULIAN Edelman. Not Julius. He’s done. He can barely walk. Golden Tate hasn’t performed or produced in years. He hasn’t played a snap tbus year because he sucks. Bryant has been bad for years. You dunces recognize a name and think we should sign him. We signed Leveon Bell and all he’s done is show the world that he’s toast. Our best options are already on our roster. There is no Chris Godwins available.
January 5th, 2022 at 10:16 pm
Super Bowl Lenny and David will be back for playoffs. They will be fine.
January 6th, 2022 at 3:31 am
Ultimately, you CAN replace his speed with Cyril and Scotty. They need to let Scotty out of the witness protection program, though.
And, are we forgetting that Brady won 6 SBs with relatively no-name insurance salesmen at WR? Our roster is still stacked. Who exactly does Rodgers have apart from 1 stud WR and 1 above average TE? Are we that spoiled that we need a pro bowler at every damn starting position?
The playoffs and SB will be won and lost by our defense, not Antonio Cookoo Brown. He was reliable, his stats were good, while he was available. Even if he didn’t have a meltdown, if his ankle is that bad, there’s no guarantee he would have been healthy throughout.
Cookoo Brown is definitely no TO, JPP, or Curt Schilling. That pu$$-e only knows how to jog and jump while quitting on his team.