Bucs Part Of The Dirty (And Happy) Dozen
March 1st, 2021
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
Ah, sweet stability.
While an unprecedented number of NFL teams search frantically for a quarterback to build around, the Buc brain trust sits blissfully in the executive suite, knowing Tom Brady is returning for another championship quest.
To say that’s reassuring is a bit of an understatement. That’s like saying someone’s going to pay Shaq Barrett top dollar in 2021.
The Bucs have evaded a large NFL circus
Yes, the quarterback carousel appears to be rotating out of control at the moment. It’s all a blur. You can see the images of Ben Roethlisberger, Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson, but don’t blink because the wheel is in spin.
It’s quite a relief for Buc fans that they have certainty at the game’s most demanding position. Brady may not be ready to resume workouts until mid-summer, but he’ll soon be hitting the playbook and the film room in an effort to improve.
That’s just the way he’s wired. Don’t try to figure the man out, just marvel at Brady’s pursuit of perfection.
While Bruce Arians and Jason Licht sleep soundly during the offseason, the vast majority of NFL clubs aren’t confident they have the right guy under center.
We’ve already seen the Rams ditch Jared Goff in favor of Matt Stafford — and many more shake ups are on the horizon. By my count, only 12 teams are really excited about their quarterback situation.
Who are the Dirty Dozen?
Start with the Bucs and Brady. Then move on to Kansas City (Patrick Mahomes), Baltimore (Lamar Jackson), Buffalo (Josh Allen), Cleveland (Baker Mayfield), Cincinnati (Joe Burrow), Tennessee (Ryan Tannehill), the Chargers (Justin Herbert), Arizona (Kyler Murray), Green Bay (Aaron Rodgers), the Rams (Stafford) and the Cowboys (Dak Prescott).
Notably, Burrow (knee) and Prescott (ankle) are rehabbing from serious injuries.
This could be a record offseason in terms of quarterback makeovers. In 1999, 16 of the league’s 30 teams opened the season with a different starter under center. That 53 percent overhaul rate might be surpassed this year.
Watson and Wilson are looking for a change in scenery while Pittsburgh is contemplating life without Roethlisberger. Those are two Hall of Famers and another (Watson) who may be on his way to Canton.
There are a ridiculous number of starting quarterbacks who are simply holding the fort until a better replacement comes along.
The Falcons are stuck with Matt Ryan. The Bears can’t be thrilled with either Mitch Trubisky or Nick Foles. Carolina isn’t sold on Teddy Bridgewater. The Broncos would like to upgrade from Drew Lock. Don’t be shocked if there’s some shopping around in Motown if Goff struggles.
Derek Carr is one bad game away from entering Jon Gruden’s doghouse for good. The Dolphins aren’t convinced Tua Tagovailoa is the answer. A bulky contract is all that’s keeping Kirk Cousins in Minnesota.
The Giants are giving Daniel Jones one last look. Jalen Hurts will need a big year to silence the Philly skeptics. Is John Lynch truly all in on Jimmy Garoppolo?
The Bucs have no such qualms about their quarterback. Brady exceeded all expectations last season, raising the Vince Lombardi Trophy aloft after throwing 22 TD passes and only four picks during the closing 8-game winning streak.
A year ago, the Bucs were one of those franchises scrambling for stability under center. Jameis Winston had one cleat out the door and Brady had yet to emerge from Door No. 2.
As long as Brady remains healthy and wants to play, Tampa Bay is set at quarterback. Arians and Licht can sit back and watch 20 other teams scramble for stability.
It’s a circus out there, but the Bucs are merely happy observers, thankful to be outside the tent.
Ira! … Ira’s good friend Sean Sullivan, the Bill Currie Ford general manager, is ready to help you personally. Just call, email or stop in, one mile north of Raymond James Stadium.
March 1st, 2021 at 10:08 am
How SWEET it is Ira, how SWEET it is!
March 1st, 2021 at 10:10 am
Dirty dozen
Great movie. Lee marvin, charles bronson, and dont forget jim brown
——
Ira – where did you get that great photo of ndog at the top?
March 1st, 2021 at 10:10 am
Enjoy this while it lasts because I’m pretty sure we’re not getting 20 years out of Brady like the Patriots did. Before we know it we’ll be back to the never ending search for a quality QB.
March 1st, 2021 at 10:27 am
I love it when you get all optimistic like that Ira. Almost makes me forget that behind our 43-year-old starter we have, oh ya, NO ONE. There is no ‘QB-in-waiting’ nor do we even have a backup under contract.
Blaine Gabbert is a 32-year-old journeyman who’s played for 5 teams in his 10 year career & who sports a 56% career completion percentage. Ryan Griffin is a 32-year-old career backup who has played in a total of 2 games in his 7-year career. BOTH are FAs right now.
This SHOULD be a good year for drafting a starting QB. Unfortunately Bucs had the audacity to win the Super Bowl so we now get to draft #32. Bummer.
Said it before: Go all-in for 2021. We MIGHT even be able to squeak out another run for the roses in 2022 (that’d be a lot harder). But after that, gonna be tough sledding for several years most likely. But hey, that’s OK, Take our lumps for a couple years while we ‘rebuild’ certain position groups using high draft picks, then maybe we can re-enter the fight. In the meantime … damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.
March 1st, 2021 at 10:28 am
Bird—-Never forget the biggest of all time….Mr John Cassavettes!!!!!
March 1st, 2021 at 10:33 am
Bird, that’s funny. How much must it suck to profess to love a team, but to really love just a player, have that player leave and then have the supposed team you love win the Super bowl and not be able to enjoy it?! Serves the trolls right for loving the player over the team.
March 1st, 2021 at 10:50 am
Yes Ira, you are correct. But GMs don’t rest on their laurels. What probably keeps Licht awake at night now is what comes next. What do we do when Brady gets injured, his unbelievable attributes finally began to fade, or he retires? Who then is under center? Better be putting together a damn good Plan B or the pirate ship sinks to the bottom of the NFL ocean once again.
March 1st, 2021 at 10:50 am
DR
i think K.Trask will be there in the 3rd round…
id say trade back from #32 and get a extra pick or 2….this staff has proven they can develop players….
GO BUCS!!!!
March 1st, 2021 at 11:09 am
How can anyone forget Telly Savalas?
March 1st, 2021 at 11:32 am
Just imagine the angst if the Bucs stuck with the turnover machine instead of recruiting Brady.
March 1st, 2021 at 11:47 am
Cobra
So you’re going to challenge our imaginations eh? OK I’ll play along.
I can imagine JW winning 11 games this past season. Maybe winning a first round playoff game. I can imagine some incredible throws…both great and horrible. I can imagine inconsistency at the worst possible time…aka..choking.
Here’s what I can’t imagine! JW finishing the season on an 8 game winning streak including 22 TD’s against only FOUR PICKS!!!
March 1st, 2021 at 12:08 pm
Perhaps the wild card/baker’s dozen (13th ) is Lil’ Drew Brees. He made an appearance on social media this weekend with a fancy toupee pushing a weighted sled. He couldn’t stand the lack of attention while Brady reached mythical God-like status. I don’t think Brees will retire…even though he should.
March 1st, 2021 at 12:16 pm
813bucboi … I’ve never really warmed up to Trask for some reason. Maybe it’s because I’m a Bama fan & I still think that Mac Jones is gonna be the best QB to come out of this draft … in the right system. Maybe the same can be said for Trask; don’t know.
As far as us developing players, I agree, BUT … not necessarily about QB. Jameis was a #1 pick that the QB Whisperer was gonna ‘fix’ I thought. BA fixed him alright; by mailing him off to New Orleans. Personally I’d rather stay away from rookie QBs & stick with seasoned veterans who understand how to LEAD, even if they’re nearing the end of their career. Tend to think the steal of this season was Stafford going to the Rams. With last year’s #1 defense & with Stafford directing the offense, Rams MIGHT do considerably better in 2021 (and they did go 10-6 in 2020 but lost to Packers in the Division Championship game because their offense fizzled). Rams real problem is that they currently have MINUS $34.5 mil in salary CAP room (after-effect of going all-in for the SB in 2018). OUCH!
March 1st, 2021 at 2:16 pm
DR
dirk was also a qb whisperer that was in charge of getting the most out of JW and he failed….im not putting JW on BA…will sean payton be the 3rd qb whisperer to throw in the towel on JW…i think so…
Trask is still growing…he would benefit from sitting a year behind brady…imo mac jones has reached his ceiling…but ima a GATOR fan lol…
GO BUCS!!!!
March 1st, 2021 at 2:30 pm
@Sage…Why has there been no talk about drafting Brady’s successor? Seems like the prudent thing to do. Let the kid learn at the feet of the master for at least one year.
March 1st, 2021 at 3:55 pm
^ Because we are still enjoying the Super Bowl LV Victory Sir! SMH
March 1st, 2021 at 8:24 pm
No, we need to draft a QB sooner than later.
We’d be foolish not to use Tommy Groomer.
March 1st, 2021 at 9:46 pm
DR – we have one of the youngest rosters starting in the NFL. We gave up zero 1st or 2nd round draft picks. We are not in cap hell.
I think you are relying on an old theory (selling the farm) and applying without lookimg at what we have and how we got here.
Brady is beyond dirt cheap. Alex Smith is a $26M guy for chrisakes.
The NFL is changing, franchise QB’s are being found in the draft and FA at an increasing rate.
All we need to do is bring our own players back for the best chance of a repeat! Screw 2-3 years from now!
Lets Goooooo!!!!
In BA I Trust!