A Legacy Of Winning
February 2nd, 2022Joe had written long before Tom Brady announced his retirement, or even before there were whispers he was thinking of throwing in the towel, that Brady was going to leave an imprint on the Bucs franchise for years and years to come.
There are several players on this Bucs team that Joe expects will be around in a decade. Devin White, Antoine Winfield and Tristan Wirfs, for example. They saw up close and personal the discipline and the work ethic and attention to detail and exacting standards that Brady brought.
The franchise had little to no clue what it took to win on the NFL level — a team that knew too well how to lose and how to gag in tight moments.
That all changed with one signing: Brady.
Last night, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht spoke on what Brady meant to the Bucs in his too short two years here.
“There are so many [things] to mention, I wouldn’t even know where to begin,” Licht said.
“He is at least in my opinion – and I know the opinions of many, if not all – the greatest player in the history of the league. Just his dedication to winning, his dedication to preparation and his dedication to being a leader and caring for people and everybody that surrounds him is unmatched.
“Like I said, anything is an understatement. I could go on and on. I think over the course of the last couple of years we’ve come from behind in many games and had a penchant for doing that and winning. We’ve won a lot of games over the last couple of years.
“Just the belief in the team, the belief in the system, the belief in each other and the belief in your teammates – it’s been a true team effort in a lot of our success that we’ve had. I think that’s the first thing that comes to mind is instilling that into his teammates.”
For example, don’t you think White has learned how to work day and night on the little things like Brady did?
Winfield will take away having a belief in your teammates is critical. And Wirfs now knows the best way to keep your quarterback upright is, as Brady ordered him, to keep pass rushers outside and refuse to let them inside. Won’t that help keep a clean pocket for whoever succeeds Brady?
Brady set an unmatched standard for Bucs players present and future. They may not match those standards, but striving to reach those lofty goals may win them another championship.
February 2nd, 2022 at 12:31 am
Back to eating W’s!
February 2nd, 2022 at 12:49 am
They just need to have confidence with the next QB and keep believing in each other
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:02 am
Good one, Joe. I totally agree. We have some really, really talented young players and they just had a front row seat to witness and experience what it takes. The blueprint to success. I see it in the workplace all the time. True alpha, true leaders leave a mark on ppl, especially younger ppl, and I’m quite certain Brady has done that.
Those young guys have to act immediately, though. Keep that standard and accountability in place day one when they get back.
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:13 am
I disagree.
The “Brady Mystique” will wear off quickly. Guys like him make others play at a higher level than they usually do. Now that he’s gone, and we’ll have a leader (whoever that is) that won’t be anything close to Brady, the team will drop off a few notches.
I also think a bit of ‘laziness’ will set in since most of the team will already have rings.
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:23 am
Here’s Devin White’s chance to be that $100 million player he said he wants to be. Next year he needs to be Tom Brady of the defense. LVD isn’t here for long and Devin will have to be the guy. Prove it.
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:29 am
the Team culture will always change, when the leader changes. We’re in for a couple of tough seasons during the rebuild-which it is ,now, without Brady.
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:35 am
Licht should ask Lavonte David what he meant during his last press conf when he said ” there was turmoil in the locker room this year”
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:43 am
Obviously Bowels didn’t learn squat. Bowels and Leftwurst went to the movies instead of preparing for the Rams. Tom was Tom.
No Tom is no Tom. The team devolves into the sewer.
2009 is upon us.
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:49 am
Make The Bucs Great Again….use the loss of Brady as fuel to strive for another championship. Media will tell players they can’t win without him. See what these young dudes are made of!
February 2nd, 2022 at 4:56 am
The Bucs should still be the strongest team in the division. Build the team around Trask. The Bengals were garbage two years ago. The Bucs are in much better shape than they were. The playoffs are still a very real possibility.
February 2nd, 2022 at 7:45 am
“For example, don’t you think White has learned how to work day and night on the little things like Brady did?“
White is the LB that just finished his 3rd year in the same defense with essentially the exact same players, whose HC coach wondered publicly if he understands the defense. It would be a good time for Mr. White to emulate Brady sadly, he seems to love the attention he receives from outside of the locker-room more than the time he must spend in the film-room. Unless of course, he doesn’t have the grey-matter to process. Hope I’m wrong.
February 2nd, 2022 at 8:34 am
A legacy of winning takes on a legacy of losing. Brady won a battle or two but lost the war. Lovers win!
February 2nd, 2022 at 8:37 am
The foundation is there to build on, Trask doesn’t have to be TB, just read the defense and hit the open receiver, if not open he has an advantage over TB in that he can use his feet to move the ball.
February 2nd, 2022 at 8:41 am
The offense should be happy, no more Friday night meetings with Brady. Unbelievable he had to do that because of the lack of competence from the coaching staff. They were at happy hour, movies or preparing for their next job interview. What are the Glaziers paying these guys for?
February 2nd, 2022 at 8:48 am
I hope the work ethic stays the same but it comes from the top. Will the coaches continue to work hard when TB isn’t watching? How about the O line ? Only one way to keep it going. Invite him to be a coach on his terms. Only works 5 days? Fine Doesn’t want to travel? Fine. Any influence would help this new team.
February 2nd, 2022 at 9:42 am
Bruce Bla Bla Bla , stop with that $#!÷ no one wants to hear it, that is almost as bad as you daily cup of Joe tantrum.
February 2nd, 2022 at 9:42 am
Your*
February 2nd, 2022 at 10:36 am
Bucs still too close to a disastrous losing history. Two years not enough to heal the wounds. They could have a Bill W. moment at anytime.
February 2nd, 2022 at 12:31 pm
Thanks, Todd! How are those head coaching iterviews going?
February 2nd, 2022 at 8:45 pm
I really do hope that these young Bucs payed attention like you said JOE. Please please please no more lost decades
February 3rd, 2022 at 8:14 am
I think, after reading TB’s retirement speech, and his praise of the Bucs, he will be a mentor and fixture around One Buc Place. Amazing how he really did not thank NE only a mention in context. Tampa Bay is a great place to live and I feel he’s there to stay! This will be good for the Bucs future!