“I Basically Talked To A Different Person Than I Thought I Knew”
February 3rd, 2021
The Antonio Brown experiment/gamble/insurance premium worked out for Bucs officials.
They soothed Tom Brady by signing Brown and at the same time calmed their depth fears when Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Scotty Miller were significantly banged up.
Joe hopes the Bucs don’t gamble again on Brown for next season, but that’s a story for another day. Today, Joe is celebrating the chatter from Bucco Bruce Arians about Brown on CBS Sports Radio.
Back in March, after the signing of Tom Brady, Arians was asked about signing Brown during an appearance on The Tiki And Tierney Show. Arians reply was, to sum it up, “No freakin’ way.”
But then Brown was signed anyway. So the same radio hosts asked Arians about his radical change of heart this week.
First, Arians talked about the early-season injuries to his receivers, but then he went to a private conversation with Brown.
“I talked to him. I basically talked to a different person than I thought I knew,” Arians said.
“He’s been a model citizen the whole time. He’s been fantastic, fantastic, especially with the young guys.”
So there you have it. Brown won his interview with Arians, and the rest is Bucs history.
In the same interview, however, Arians did not sound like a guy who expects Brown’s knee to be healthy enough to play in the Super Bowl. If it is, Joe sure hopes the Bucs use Brown on punt returns — assuming they force a punt or two from Kansas City.
February 3rd, 2021 at 8:58 am
Brown has been great. Superb hands. Terrific pick up. Hope he plays Sunday. Suspect he will.
February 3rd, 2021 at 8:58 am
AB worked out quite nicely…….hopefully,we’ll have him in one more game.
February 3rd, 2021 at 9:04 am
Brown is the joker in the deck. Maybe he doesn’t play but he is the perfect guy to use for a little gamesmanship. You have to game plan differently if AB plays as opposed to Miller and Johnson getting more snaps. Puts more on the d coordinator to prepare for. Every little bit. Also keeps AB away from the media. An angle I haven’t heard mentioned.
February 3rd, 2021 at 9:19 am
Not sure why you wouldn’t want him next year. I think this guy is just scratching the surface. The injury especially if he doesn’t play in SB may secure his Bucs future for next year anyway. Bucs may have to pay a bit more but not break the bank. I doubt other teams are willing to jump in with both feet yet on him until they see more. I hope this is gamesmanship becuase having on the field Sunday would be huge. He’s been there and the moment is not too big for him. I think nerves are getting to Evan’s and Godwin they seem to be dropping more balls in PO’s.
February 3rd, 2021 at 9:47 am
Joe
“assuming they force a punt or two from Kansas City.”
Slow down Joe. Assuming they force a punt or two against us. Super Bowl week in Tampa. Time to keep the faith.
#KEEP THE FAITH!!!
#SUPER BOWL HISTORY!!!
#GO BUCS!!!
February 3rd, 2021 at 9:59 am
Joe I’m curious what’s your problem with him returning nxt year.
February 3rd, 2021 at 10:09 am
Does the name “DeSean Jackson” mean anything to you? If not, feel free to Google Brown’s history the past few years with teams, coaches and general managers. Not to mention, he will likely want more money. Something the Bucs won’t have.
February 3rd, 2021 at 10:28 am
AB knows where the line is BA. Can they afford him ? Who knows. Has he truly matured ? Who knows. You mentioned Desean Jackson. You could also mention Randy Moss and Chris Carter. Guys can turn their life around. It’s up to him which way he goes.
February 3rd, 2021 at 10:29 am
With BA
February 3rd, 2021 at 10:58 am
Godwin will be gone which will free up some $. If Godwin stays, I am not opposed to trading Evan’s it won’t be long before he is on his last legs. Sell while his value is high.
February 3rd, 2021 at 11:21 am
Godwin isn’t going anywhere. That was a ridiculous statement.
February 3rd, 2021 at 11:27 am
I hope Brown is healthy and can be in the mix, especially returning punts.
As for next year…
They don’t have the money
They need to sign Godwin, LVD etc. I anticipate Brown and Fournette being gone and I don’t think it hurts the Bucs at all.
With a full off-season with Brady, I think Rojo and Vaughn get better at blocking and receiving plus they are the better runners.
Then you have Miller and Johnson who are both getting better and better.
Gronk has looked better and better and healthier and healthier all year.
Let’s not forget, Brady seemed to like OJ Howard quite a bit early on and he’s coming back.
February 3rd, 2021 at 11:28 am
Listnfrmafar
You are out of your mind if you think Evans or Godwin are going anywhere.
Brown and Fournette Are going to be gone and it’s not a big deal.
February 3rd, 2021 at 11:29 am
AB is great insurance if we can’t afford Godwin.
This draft is deep at WR. It’s possible the Bucs let Godwin walk, re-sign AB on a 1-2 year deal, bring back the entire D, and draft another big WR in Round 3-4.
February 3rd, 2021 at 12:26 pm
Do not be surprised if AB is signed again, if Brady is the starting QB. Not a good comparison to Deshuan J, he does not have a lifetime suspension hanging over him like AB. I hope he plays, at least as a decoy. Give give KC something else to think about and open up things for other players. King would not have slept on AB like he did Scotty when Scotty burned him for a TD in the NFC title game. GO BUCS!!!!
February 3rd, 2021 at 1:18 pm
David, Godwin is going to be worth $17-$18 mil a year on a multi year deal. Evan’s is a baller no doubt but a healthy Brown sorry to say is better. If he started the season with the Bucs he would be #1 receiver. Take the loyalty out the facts are the facts. If Godwin leaves sign Brown and work Johnson to replace Godwin. Pick up free agent James White as 3rd down back. No need for Howard witj Brate & Gronk. O complete. Fournett has to sign on a team friendly deal or let him go.
February 3rd, 2021 at 8:26 pm
My biggest concern with Godwin is whether he’ll be durable enough to play at a high level for years to come. For a young player he has been hurt a lot. At 100% he is a very dangerous player. .
2020 was a down year for Chris. He has looked very gimpy, his injuries to his legs are more concerning than the finger injury. Does the fearless way he plays, creating and taking contact after the catch, be a warning that it will be hard for him to play at 100%? I think so. His game is like Hines Ward, he dishes out punishment after the catch. Ward was physically much stronger and I don’t recall him getting hurt as frequently as Chris.
From what I’ve seen of Tyler Johnson, he could play his way into a #2 receiver for far less money than what Godwin’s agent’s will be asking.
I’ll be watching how he plays in the Big Game to see if he can hang on to the ball better than he has in the playoffs. I would hate to lose him but the Bucs can plug in other receivers that can work well with Brady for a season or two.