“Back-Alley Communications,” “Wink-Nods,” Golf Culture & Bad Coaching
June 11th, 2020
What really were the steps that led to our beloved Tampa Bay Buccaneers signing the greatest quarterback of the modern era?
A legendary offensive linemen has some ideas.
Soon-to-be Hall of Fame left tackle Joe Thomas (11 seasons, 10 Pro Bowls) is confident, so he told The Rich Eisen Show yesterday, that there’s a lot more to the Tom-Brady-to-Bucs story than has been told and it’ll probably take 10 or 15 years for the truth to come out.
Thomas referred to “back-alley communications” and “wink-nods” and the Bucs’ active desire to score Brady while Jameis Winston was still at One Buc Palace. Thomas can’t wait to hear the real story.
As for Brady’s success in Tampa, Thomas says the only thing that should be able to slow down Brady and the Tampa Bay is bad coaching and scheme, but he said that should be zero concern with Bucco Bruce Arians in charge and “an underrated defense.”
Thomas laid a load of blame for the Bucs’ 2019 struggles on America’s Quarterback, backup Jameis Winston.
Regarding alleged Bucs covert dealings, Joe will point to Clyde Christensen telling TheAthletic.com writer Bob Kravitz about the moment the Bucs learned Brady would come to Tampa.
Think long and hard about this. Free agency just opened (allegedly) and, per Christensen, the Bucs’ key decision-makers are on the golf course? The golf course?
What was it like when you learned that Brady had chosen to come to Tampa?
OK, so we were playing golf, we were on the ninth hole at (Tampa’s) Old Memorial, on a hard par 5. Our GM (Jason Licht) gets off the phone and tells us the thing’s been agreed upon. There’s Bruce in his Kangol hat, looking as cool as always, he gets up there, rips a couple of perfect 3-woods and knocks in a 30-foot putt for birdie. Can you believe that? Everything I’ve seen, everybody I’ve talked to, they tell me he (Brady) just makes people better. That’s what the great ones do. The cafeteria gets better. The equipment room gets better. The coaches get better. I don’t know if it’s necessarily a second act as much as it’s a new challenge for him. It’s going to be great to get started. I’m ready. There’s only so much golf you can play.
Perhaps next year Bucs honchos will go bowling at Pin Chasers when the free agency dinner bell rings. Maybe a little fishing or perhaps a pottery class.
Like Thomas, Joe is eager to hear the full story of the Brady signing one day.
June 11th, 2020 at 10:50 am
I have no expectations of Brady other than the man will not give the ball to the other team on a consistent basis. He will help this team be a better team and I doubt his pre-game rah-rah will be something better than the team had to deal with the last QB.
June 11th, 2020 at 11:25 am
It seems obvious to me that Brady made up his mind he was coming here long before FA started, it was up to the Bucs to not screw it up, luckily for us they didn’t.
June 11th, 2020 at 12:21 pm
If you think about Brady’s REAL requirements the Bucs were his only choice.
All the talk we engaged in about the weather, taxes, location, would Gisele like Tampa yadda yadda…Tom Brady did not care about the $$$ or any other outside conditions….only ONE thing was on Brady’s mind…where could he win and which team gave him the best shot at reaching yet another SB.
He needed offensive weapons…a decent defense…and a veteran coach who wouldn’t screw it all up.
Kansas City right? Can you say Mahomes!
San Francisco…although I respect the coach not sure he’s yet in BA’s class and he’s certainly no Andy Reid…but their D is killer and they have some weapons.
Hard for the Niners to give up on a QB who got them to the SB and had his team ahead in the second half.
So what other teams…there are simply not that many and most already have QB’s like the Chiefs.
The Bucs and Brady were meant to be there really is no other match that makes sense.
June 11th, 2020 at 12:21 pm
You make it sound so “cloak and dagger” Joe!
The truth is that I turned down the offer from Licht because I didn’t want to hurt Tom’s feelings!!!
$30 million?! Pffffft! For a farm animal, maybe!
True story!
June 11th, 2020 at 1:07 pm
Two perfect 3 woods plus a 30′ putt is an eagle on a par 5! Clyde must not play much golf or forgot to mention the chunked pitch before the putt!
June 11th, 2020 at 1:23 pm
Most recent ex-Buc QB sycophants: what does Joe Thomas know about football?
June 11th, 2020 at 1:26 pm
I’m trying to think of how we got worse…..
Perhaps the only area is in the defensive front seven depth with Nassib & Allen…
Certainly the oline has improved…..QB, TE……Secondary adding Winfield & younger players more experienced….
RB…..probably not…..WR…..No…..perhaps Perriman loss….but Tyler Johnson may be better.
Kicker……oh well…
June 11th, 2020 at 2:24 pm
Covert? Certainly BA voiced his disappointment with Jameis Winston immediately after the end of the season. The “quarterback whisperer” knew his magic had not worked for the first time.
BA and the Bucs’ brain trust were already aware which QBs would potentially be available in free agency. By the time BA made his remarks about “door number two” he surely was aware of the possibility of acquiring Tom Brady.
When he blurted out Brady’s name publicly did he already have a strong inkling about the realistic possibilities. Had TB sent a signal concerning a real interest in the Buccaneers through a back channel?
June 11th, 2020 at 2:39 pm
The Matt Gay haters need to wait till year two to start the kicking b!thing. He’s probably the one practicing the most right now.
June 11th, 2020 at 4:36 pm
Joe Thomas spent 11 seasons in Cleveland, he knows bad coaching.
He also knows failing QBs. He should also know a QB who lifts a team just by walking in the room.
The Bucs will be fine, they start with the Saints, who start slow, and then have three teams that also have new QBs.
By the time the Packers roll around Brady will be hitting on all receivers.
Worst case as a start is 4-2. Nothing lower and probably higher, maybe even 6-0.
June 11th, 2020 at 4:44 pm
Where in the fook did NDog go ?
June 11th, 2020 at 4:50 pm
@JimbobBucsFan: and all NFL players and agents pretty much have a strong idea who’s in and who’s out on various teams.
If Brady made up his mind No More Belichick, no doubt he knew Jameis Christ was on the outs and the Bucs have a monster O and surging D.
As Hannibal Smith says: “I love it when a plan comes together.”
@SmoothBatRider: playing Fantasy Felching with a Jameis bobblehead?
June 11th, 2020 at 4:51 pm
Joe – we are waiting to hear the story of desean jackson and what he did to bury jameis’ career! why cant we know that already. he was a horrible teammate and people need to know that across the league. just like swaggy baker.
June 11th, 2020 at 4:52 pm
@Cobra Lmao , thanks for the laugh. I needed that .
June 11th, 2020 at 5:36 pm
Knowing DeSean’s reputation he probably did something along the lines of belittling James in the locker room full of players , wold not be surprised if he didnt.
June 11th, 2020 at 5:38 pm
He was always more about his stats than his team. He was wanting to pad his stats for a HoF push knowing he was washed up and planning to retire in the near future.
June 11th, 2020 at 6:58 pm
Does Joe understand cell phones were invented, and they knew they were getting him that day (yay or nay), Greenberg was back at the office with the figures, so might as well have the brain trust out in the links while they waited for a decision (or, Joe wanted them skulking about the office waiting I guess. I thought JoeBucs was about empathy for what the typical fan would think. This is a cool story and Joe’s kinda angry at it? ☺️)
June 11th, 2020 at 7:13 pm
Great deals made on great golf courses who would’ve thought. Oh yeah Arians and everyone else in the business world.
June 12th, 2020 at 9:31 am
The deal was done at the combine…..Feel free to search my previous posts.