Nothing To See Here
February 24th, 2022
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
It’s open season on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The shrapnel is flying from every direction in the national media, suggesting trouble was lurking in the corridors of One Buc Place last season.
Buc fans don’t know what to believe because this drumbeat of negativity is growing louder by the day.
According to some of these “insiders,” Tom Brady doesn’t want to play for Tampa Bay anymore. They claim to have scoop that Brady is planning to end his retirement abruptly and finish his career with a different team.
Baseless attacks on Bucco Bruce Arians, writes Ira Kaufman.
There are hints that Brady isn’t convinced the Bucs can contend for a championship this fall, citing the long list of free agents who may depart due to salary-cap ramifications.
And now we have the most damning report of all — a serious rift between Brady and Bruce Arians weighed heavily in Brady’s decision to retire.
All in all, very juicy stuff.
The problem is I’m not buying it … any of it. It must be a slow news cycle in the NFL when this claptrap is considered rock-solid information.
Let’s try to dismantle these assertions, piece by bloody piece.
The fuel for these reports is an unwillingness to believe Brady has played his last game. These media personalities jump on the “never say never” line by Brady and skip over the part where he says he’s very comfortable with his decision to retire.
Philip Rivers didn’t play in 2021. Drew Brees has thrown his last pass. Peyton Manning doesn’t miss the game enough to consider a comeback, yet when Brady says it’s the end, it’s only the beginning of the speculation.
The Bucs certainly don’t believe Brady will play again. They are busy making other plans, as they should. Family concerns and multiple business interests fueled Brady’s decision. Why do some people have such a big problem accepting the man at his word?
One reason is any story attached to No. 12 generates huge interest and maximum clicks. And one report begets another in a twisted version of Can You Top This?
Now we come to the manufactured theory that Brady intends to play in 2022 — but not for the Bucs. All of a sudden Tampa Bay’s roster isn’t deemed good enough to compete at the highest levels.
Have we forgotten that the Bucs were four points away from advancing to the NFC title game a month ago?
Strong Core, Strong Relationship
Mike Evans, who caught 27 TD passes from Brady in the past two seasons, is in his prime and he isn’t going anywhere, except the end zone.
Rob Gronkowski would likely be lured back to Tampa Bay if Brady decides to return and the offensive line is so solid, Brady had one of the best seasons of his majestic career in 2021.
Vita Vea, Shaq Barrett, Devin White and Lavonte David are returning to anchor the front seven on defense, along with Todd Bowles to design game plans. Where’s the problem?
Free agency will be challenging for sure, but Tampa Bay’s front office has proven to be savvy and creative. The Bucs will find a way to keep most of the players at the top of their priority list, and Brady knows that.
The most disturbing of these reports is the suggestion Brady has lost faith in Arians. That’s news to Arians, who has been flexible enough for two years to provide Brady with all the organizational clout he could hope for.
Brady doesn’t run the franchise, but Arians was smart enough to run important things past him. And let’s not hear another word suggesting Brady was pissed off at Arians for his handling of the Antonio Brown situation. Brady, the ultimate pro, can’t possibly stomach Brown’s antics, quitting on his teammates on the brink of the postseason.
And now, it appears Brown has turned on No. 12, his former roommate and confidante. Anyone surprised?
Some of these reports would have us believe Brady is eyeing the 49ers because they have far more talent than the Bucs.
Nonsense.
Let’s stick to the facts — Brady says he’s done as a player. Until we hear otherwise, the rest is just background noise.
He’s gone, baby, gone. Nothing to see here.
February 24th, 2022 at 11:00 am
+1
February 24th, 2022 at 11:15 am
I approve Sage’s message.
February 24th, 2022 at 11:20 am
Geez Ira, you’re taking away all Joe’s click bait stories. Thanks for talking some sense about Brady. As much as Joe, and it seems most of Buc nation is against this, circumstance, and logic would point to Gabbert being our best bet to start the season. Some fans seem to think you just go to the QB store, and trade for, or just get off the shelf, Wilson, Watson, insert your favorite QB here. Than there’s yesterdays garbage, Jimmy, Teddy, Carson. Most fans would rather see that garbage, than their own garbage in Gabbert. Only thing is, Gabbert doesn’t have to be taught the offense, and someone in the media might want to point to that reason he’s our best, only option. Anyway, nice to read some fact instead of fiction.
February 24th, 2022 at 11:23 am
“The fuel for these reports is an unwillingness to believe Brady has played his last game. These media personalities jump on the ‘never say never’ line by Brady and skip over the part where he says he’s very comfortable with his decision to retire.”
That’s exactly what JOE did after Brady retired! LMAO.
February 24th, 2022 at 11:29 am
I’m glad there’s some sanity out there. Well said Ira.
February 24th, 2022 at 11:52 am
Finally, Ira….telling it exactly how it is….
You and I share a 40+ year career in the media…..your’s Newspaper, mine Television….the one thing that is certain is that CONTROVERSY SELLS!!!
To permit Brady’s retirement to be a normal occurrence for a 44 year old. to spend more time with his family and pursue other endeavors would end the story completely.
This is not to cast dispersion on JBF or the media for doing what comes natural to them…..it’s expected and will always be there. Nothing nefarious…..
Brady could end all of this with one tweet…..but why should he….he’s part of the Media now and has been for a while.
February 24th, 2022 at 11:58 am
Ira … ‘Let’s stick to the facts — Brady says he’s done as a player. Until we hear otherwise, the rest is just background noise. He’s gone, baby, gone. Nothing to see here.’
Given that the two Joe’s sign the paycheck, is this ‘Point-Counterpoint’ or is it ‘Good cop, Bad cop’?
LOL. Joe never filters Ira. He writes/says whatever he wants to say. –Joe
February 24th, 2022 at 12:13 pm
Ira…..I’ll throw out a couple of sports media names for you….back in the day…
Salty Sol Fleischman & Andy Hardy….
Wonder what they would be saying about all this.
February 24th, 2022 at 12:28 pm
TB12 is filming a documentary this year about his SB run when he beat the dirty birds. Think he is done.
February 24th, 2022 at 12:39 pm
@TBBF: what would Chris Thomas say about all this?
February 24th, 2022 at 12:40 pm
Well said Ira! 95% of the national sports media are clowns, blowhards, and holier than thou’s, best off ignored. Unless there is a link from this site, I ignore most of it. 😜
February 24th, 2022 at 12:42 pm
Niles,
Ira said that, not Joe.
February 24th, 2022 at 12:46 pm
Brady is heading to Beverly Hills
Swimmin’ Pools. Movie Stars
February 24th, 2022 at 12:56 pm
Cobraboy Says:
February 24th, 2022 at 12:39 pm
@TBBF: what would Chris Thomas say about all this?
One can only wonder……old school broadcasters, all of them….may they RIP.
February 24th, 2022 at 1:04 pm
“DoooshLaRue Says:
February 24th, 2022 at 12:42 pm
Niles, Ira said that, not Joe.”
Yes lol I saw that but it was too late.
February 24th, 2022 at 1:25 pm
I wonder what the Big Dog would say about this ?
Colin Cowherd says he is DONE, finished!
So does Ira, and they are probably right, because Brady left Tampa high and dry with his retirement that we did not see coming.
Remember, we own his rights. If he expects to play next year he must be traded.
February 24th, 2022 at 1:33 pm
Family and business interests, that’s it. He said he was comfortable with his decision, then said he doesn’t know how he’ll feel in six months. It’s unwise to take a man at his word, when said man has made a career out of saying nothing. Of course he’s not going to trash BA publicly. This is how the Brady camp operates. They say nice things publicly, and get the real story out to friends in the media. Brushing aside these reports, from credible reporters, is tantamount to covering your ears and yelling. Ben heard things going all the way back to Brady’s first season in Tampa. Ben asked Joe to investigate, nothing to see here folks, go bucs!
February 24th, 2022 at 1:38 pm
Guy retired
His family and wife played a big role
It’s is right nothing to see here
February 24th, 2022 at 1:50 pm
Brady is going to star in a new movie Road Trip.
February 24th, 2022 at 2:10 pm
Nano, six months off a year isn’t enough time to spend with family? It’s what everyone says. Brady is on the road what, ten weeks a year? It’s nonsense. Come see Ben when he files retirement paperwork. Even if he takes this coming season off, it’s still a real possibility he plays again. His wife and family knows how important football is to him. He’ll be itching to play by training camp. A Man as competitive as he is, isn’t going to walk away after leading the league in every meaningful stat.
February 24th, 2022 at 2:23 pm
IT”S SO OBVIOUS
AB led to TB12’s retirement.
TB12 invested a lot (emotionally and professionally) into AB. When AB turned on TB12 publicly was both hurtful and a PR mess TB12 had to manage.
AB made football not fun for the entire team. You could see it in their body language. Fun was all TB12 was playing for at the end. AB took that away so it was time to move on.
February 24th, 2022 at 2:27 pm
Brady lived up to my old business motto “Make them miss you when you’re gone”
February 24th, 2022 at 4:02 pm
100%. It’s silly to speculate otherwise.