Interesting Responses To Tom Brady’s New Contract
March 13th, 2021
What made Shaq so happy?
Bucs fans had a collective sigh of relief yesterday morning when Tom Brady reworked his contract in order to give the team 2021 salary cap relief.
The hope is that doing this will help keep the Super Bowl champions together, including their park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting, handshake-stiffing, jet-ski-losing, biscuit-baking, tequila-shooting, waffle-grilling, trophy-throwing Bucs Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
So on Brady’s Instagram page after the signing, two very interesting comments were by players whose checking accounts could directly feel the impact of Brady’s good deed. That would be free agents Bucs sack king Shaq Barrett and furniture-tossing, bicycle-throwing receiver Antonio Brown.
Shaq, who goes by the handle of “@Moochman6” on Instagram, replied to Brady’s Instagram post. Pictured signing his new contract, Brady wrote “In pursuit of 8…LFG @buccaneers we’re keeping the band together.”
Shaq replied, “Yessir.”
So if Shaq is leaving the Bucs, as some fear, why would he seem happy that Brady said the Band of Bucs will be back together? Remember, Shaq is a key player in the Band of Bucs on defense, maybe second only to Devin White, for his ability to chase quarterbacks.
Shaq combined for five sacks in the NFC title game at Green Bay and at home in the Super Bowl — three against the Packers, two against the Chiefs. The Bucs likely do not beat the Packers without Shaq. Against the Chiefs, Shaq chased Mahomes all over west Tampa in the only NFL game a Mahomes-led Chiefs offense did not score a touchdown.
Some people believe Shaq could pocket as much as $20 million a year if he gets on the open market.
Did Brady’s move give the Bucs just enough Team Glazer loot to keep Shaq, hence Shaq’s delight at the Brady news? Reports suggest Brady’s new contract frees up some $19 million of cap space.
Then there is Brown. His Instragram username is “@AB.” He too replied to Brady’s comment. Brown didn’t really write anything; he just posted four bomb emojis.
So why would Brown be happy? See above.
Joe has no idea if Shaq and Brown are just happy for their teammate or because they see dollar signs flashing in their eyes with a better chance to stay with the defending Super Bowl champs.
Feel free having fun letting your imaginations run wild.
(Thanks to various readers of JoeBucsFan.com who pointed out Shaq and Brown’s responses.)
March 13th, 2021 at 12:17 am
Joe i hope you and myself are right
“If loving the lord is wrong..then i dont want to be right”
Team deals buc fans
Man its good to be a buc fan right now
March 13th, 2021 at 12:22 am
Just waiting for the announcement- The Big Shaq attack coming BACK!!!! ….WITH Shaq, they have a devastating front 7 when all healthy. Just ask Mahomes and Rodgers, and every fan of KC and GB. GO BUCS!!!!
March 13th, 2021 at 12:29 am
Schefter will break the news on Monday between 9am & Noon i says. The good vibes coming from this team is special
March 13th, 2021 at 12:45 am
Howard is starting his 2nd Tom Brady recommended Mexican self help book tomorrow. The 1st book was great.
Howard has figured out the exact formula for success in the NFL:
Have Tom Brady on your team.
Howard wants to be here on JBF when they announce the Shaq signing since he. like Brady, is the greatest of all time, JBF commenter.
March 13th, 2021 at 12:52 am
Howard thinks the awesome Bucs Dline starts with Vea and Suh, but especially with Vea. Vea creates the lanes that Shaq and JPP use to make sacks.
That said, Shaq and JPP are utterly superior pass rushers and the two positions compliment each other but it starts with Vea.
March 13th, 2021 at 12:53 am
With the news that the Chiefs just released there 2 starting tackles, I dont see how theres any way Licht lets Shaq get away.
The only way to take down the “mighty” Chiefs is to expose their Oline.
March 13th, 2021 at 1:07 am
Who has fear that Barrett is leaving ? I haven’t heard that anywhere.
He will be signed before FA starts . You guys are ridiculous. I quit going to your site for about a year now and you don’t realize how negative this site is .. give me pewter report . Ira is the only good thing .
March 13th, 2021 at 6:02 am
In this short memory world of ours, let’s take a deeper look at Shaq Barrett:
We all agree that 2019 was a miracle season. Consequently, he was franchise tagged for 2020–and justifiably so.
In 2020, including the playoffs, Shaq played in 19 games.
During his 15 game regular season he recorded eight sacks—not bad, but far from great. JPP had more.
The Bucs beat Green Bay, 38-10 in the game he missed and the team recorded five “Shaqless” sacks in the lopsided win.
During the playoffs, without Vita Vea’s help, Shaq recorded zero sacks and had a total of one tackle in two games. He was damn near invisible.
In the next two games, upon Vea’s return, Shaq had four sacks and five tackles.
Is Shaq a good player? Of course.
Is he a bank breaker? I sure as hell don’t think he’s a 20 million guy.
Finally, the NFL is littered with over priced, cap busting free agents who have their money and play on cruise control. Many only had a great year or two and were not that good in the first place.
Offer Shaq a fair contract, but don’t denude team chemistry in the process. The team wants him back, players too. If he’s truly the team player like he says he is, he’ll bend a little to make it happen.
Granted, many of these facts are decidedly petty as I don’t make player evaluations for the Buccaneers. However, like many of you, whether you be crazed or lucid, I wish I did.
I hope he stays, but I’d prefer to avoid going back to the “same old Bucs” when Brady retires and the team will have mega millions to pay when the piper comes calling for all these restructured, back end loaded contracts.
March 13th, 2021 at 6:33 am
Get shaq and gmac on the roster. With donkey Kong suh and VV and gmac spelling relief/injury backup you won’t see the loss in edge production if VV or suh gets hurt. Gmac would take the vet minimum.
March 13th, 2021 at 6:37 am
@JA … “Offer Shaq a fair contract, but don’t denude team chemistry in the process.”
I think that’s a fair ‘bottom line’ JA. Bucs were very fortunate last season in that our starters & key rotational players stayed amazingly healthy. As a team, it looks like we lost 167 games on the season due to guys being hurt (IR, Out, C19). Previous year that number was up at 204 games lost.
Looked at Tom Brady’s last team for a comparison. In 2020 the Pats lost 317 games due to guys being hurt (IR, Out, C19) and went 7-9. The previous year, with Brady as their QB, Pats went 12-4 and lost 245 games on the season due to guys being hurt. Obviously having Brady as your QB makes a HUGE difference, but so do injuries, especially to key players.
Using too much of the salary CAP to pay 1 player can be devastating IMO if that player gets hurt, especially early in the season (not enough $$$ left over to sign a quality replacement or adequate depth). This is not the year to be paying top-dollar for any 1 player IMO. Restructuring contracts is fine, but eventually it comes back to bite you. Ask Kansas City who just released their 2 starting tackles to get under the new CAP.
March 13th, 2021 at 6:58 am
JA, you need to rewatch the Packers highlights then. Shaq’s first sack was all him, Vea wasn’t anywhere close. 2nd sack was very much a combo Vea & Shaq play, but the 3rd was all edge speed rush and Rodgers was down in 1 second flat.
I don’t disagree that Vea’s impact is tremendous, but as Joe has written before in depth and disproven, Vea does not “make” shaq. The powers combined of all 4 rushers tho are lethal!
March 13th, 2021 at 7:28 am
You forgot to mention gisele. What ever happened to her saying she wants him to retire? Sounds like a load of crap to me. Maybe we should retract that freak out given all the misogynistic posts about women due to those articles from some fans.
March 13th, 2021 at 7:31 am
KC and especially the Packers want the Bucs to let Shaq go. They know his value. Pay the man. 44 years of watching this team play, and watching the losingest franchise in sports during the Tampa Bay franchise’s history. There has been so little winning. So when they have another chance at winning a Super Bowl, there is no time to mess around. J Licht, go for the jugular, pay the man, and keep the Super Bowl express rolling. Again all the losses piling up year after year after year. Go for it, time to repeat. GO BUCS!!!!
March 13th, 2021 at 7:48 am
I think Licht is doing everything he can do to make a deal with Shaq happen.
I have a strong belief that the franchise tag on Godwin was an attempt to buy some time to negotiate a long term contract with him…..that too, could free up some cap space.
The problem with the Shaq deal is that even if it’s $18 mil or so….that is a huge amount of money against the cap.
Keep in mind, we have to sign a backup QB, kicker…..other depth players and the entire rookie class.
March 13th, 2021 at 7:59 am
Good points TBBF. Of course we also need to (hopefully) re-sign starters like Suh & Gronk, plus several key rotational players like RNR & AB. Could be a few shekels tied up in just those 4, plus our rookie class of course.
March 13th, 2021 at 8:01 am
Love Shaq.
Three Sacks in that Green Bay playoff game.
At 8:23 left in 1st quarter 1st sack.
Very good move from Shaq on outside. Very good pressure from Vita Vea up the middle.
11:32 left in 4th quarter. 2nd sack.
Vita Vea on field but playing over left guard.
Shaq with best move. Power move and then slid off the defender. He was then held and then face masked but still got to Rodgers.
JPP with 2nd best pressure and he was the only one doubled on that play.
Vita Vea with some pressure as well but mostly as a result of the double on JPP.
No place for Rodgers to go.
9:15 left in 4th quarter. 3rd sack.
Vita Vea not on the field.
Shaq with an unbelievable burst off the line. Sacks Rodgers in under 2 seconds. Pure speed rush move. All him. Not a scheme. 1st down after Brady’s 3rd Int. Huge play.
That’s why I tend to agree with the guys who want him back.
Sure Vea is a part of what makes him go. Sure JPP helps make him good.
Sure the coaching scheme helps him.
But he made plays at the biggest moments and is 2nd in the NFL over the last two seasons in QB pressures, QB sacks and QB hits both while working on this Buc’s defense. He also schemes better than JPP on covering guys out in the passing game.
Not sure why people think he is easy to replace.
March 13th, 2021 at 8:10 am
Howard Cosell
Agree with you. Vea collapses the pocket- sending the QB squeling in to the Arms of Shaq and JPP.
Buuuut.
Gerald McCoy was fantastic at collapsing the pocket, but we didnt have the DEs who could catch the QB. Or a cold, for that matter.
I had that argument a thousand times. DTs and nose tackles rarely get the sacks. Their job is to push the pocket back, allowing the DEs to catch the QB.
Shaq is dominant at catching the QB rabbit. So is JPP.
It looks like the Bucs have agreed to let Shaq test the market, and have agreed to match his best offer, with hopefully a long time contract.
Whatever. I know I wont stop sweating, until Shaq is back in the fold.
Id say he is the best pass rusher in the league right now.
You should never tisk losing a player that important to your success!!
March 13th, 2021 at 8:27 am
i hear shaq has pen in hand and ink is oozing out the tip onto the table…
dude is primed and ready to sign off…
#DoItShaqMan #DoIt
March 13th, 2021 at 8:37 am
Chris L Says
“You forgot to mention gisele. What ever happened to her saying she wants him to retire?”
You must be single.
There isn’t a happy marriage in existence where the wife does not want more time with her husband.
March 13th, 2021 at 8:57 am
AB Just Fired the cannons with those Bomb Emojios
March 13th, 2021 at 9:35 am
With Shaq, or rather his agent, it comes down to greed. He is going to be a very very wealthy man regardless of who he signs with. Given our cap situation, it’s going to be hard to fit him in there comfortably with absolute top dollar. Yes, capitalism, get all you can etc. But he would be wise to take a page out of David’s book. Do you think LD couldn’t have gotten more money from the dolphins? The browns? Absolutely he could have. But he chose to say with the team and he’s still going to be a very wealthy man. If the difference with Shaq is 50 mg versus 55 or 60. Well he’s free to make that choice. I’m not comfortable hijacking this team just so his children’s children’s children never have to work. Never understood that concept anyways.
March 13th, 2021 at 9:36 am
With 19M free, there is no way Shaq isn’t a Buc. Everyone knows how important he is to the DL. I’m looking for Shaq, AB, and Succup to get resigned.
Playoff Lenny? Who knows. It all depends on what he prioritizes.
March 13th, 2021 at 9:36 am
50 million guaranteed versus 55 or 60 is what was meant in the previous post.
March 13th, 2021 at 9:37 am
Succop is an automatic sign after the years and years of kicking futility. He’s more a lock than Shaq. LOL.
March 13th, 2021 at 9:57 am
Buccaneer Bonzai – i am married. wtf?
People were calling her all sorts of things and blaming her for a non-issue of him retiring. that comment had nothing to do with what she wanted but more the idiots posting terrible things about wives and women ruining men lives etc.
March 13th, 2021 at 10:54 am
“Shaq combined for five sacks in the NFC title game at Green Bay and at home in the Super Bowl’
……………………………..
It is just pure coincidence that he got those sacks in the two games that Vita Vea came back right Joe!
March 13th, 2021 at 10:56 am
Bonzai…As a guy married over 40 years and retired, seeing my wife daily many hours, I don’t know my wife wants to see more of me. But that being said, I don’t know any guys that will let their wives be the final decision maker on their career…unless his career is a sad thing. Tom will make that call… though I’m pretty sure he will consider his wifes thoughts and feelings. He knows what Montana said,…don’t quit until you are done. Basically because you don’t want to be looking back with regret for retiring too soon, when it is over.
March 13th, 2021 at 11:33 am
@Steven007: the difference is David got a fat contract years ago, and except for the franchise year, has yet to cash in long term. I understand his position, but may not agree with it.
Fact is Barrett is financially set for life by the one franchise tag.
March 13th, 2021 at 12:09 pm
Lets get this clear. The Bucs jyst worked out deals with Brady and Davad and cleared up about 30M. I arent no guinness but its danged obvisous they fittin to make a big splash. Shaq Barret is a splash signing and tge only way they didnt clear up 30M for Shaq is if they are gonna bring in Von Miller…….And theres no way the Bucs are bringing in Von. Shaq is our guy we would never disrespect him like that. He will get what hes earned……Gotta live Shaq man, this dude has grinded his way up from the backups role to reach glory!!! He did it the hard way and that builds character. Shaq are the types of guys you NEED to go into battle with. And when the chips was down Shaq put QBs on their asses all playoffs long!! Pardon my frech but the Bucs would be total asses if they let Shaq walk out the door.
GO BUCS!!!!!
March 13th, 2021 at 12:10 pm
@DR
You lost me with the 245 and 317 games the Pats lost in a single season—same big numbers for Bucs. I know you didn’t mean those numbers to be a total in a 16 game schedule. Are you referring to a game lost for an injury to each starter, like five starters out for a game equals five lost games?
March 13th, 2021 at 12:11 pm
**END RANT** My fav part was the 7 typos.
March 13th, 2021 at 12:20 pm
Cobra, I realize David already got his money first time around. But Shaq is getting filthy rich regardless of who he signs with. To me it’s at least somewhat analogous to the David situation. As you astutely noted, shaq’s last contract should be plenty if he plays his cards right.
March 13th, 2021 at 12:22 pm
Jimmy, I assume you’re right. That’s why I’m saying if we don’t sign Shaq it’s on him not the team. There’s no way they try to lowball him. But if he simply must have that extra few million then we know where his head is at.
March 13th, 2021 at 12:33 pm
Steven…..But we are signing Shaq. But, just say, we dont sign him. The Bucs didnt just clear up 30M for no good reason. They are going to make a big play with that money……If not for Shaq its gotta be a passrusher. Right? What else makes sense?
Yall can have you own opinions but if the Bucs just cleared 30M for a passrusher it better be Shaq. No other FA is as good as Shaq…..And wd know what Shaq brings. I dont care what stats them other dudes got. They done zero in Pewter.
March 13th, 2021 at 1:06 pm
If we are indeed able to keep the band together. That should make the draft that more interesting, since we have no holes on the roster
March 13th, 2021 at 2:55 pm
@JimmyJack: agreed.
One thing I really like about Barrett is he did, indeed, grind his way to the top from a nobody UDFA. Gotta love a Joe Lunch Bucket* success story.
(*Different Joe from the Joes here, but maybe those Joes are also Lunch Bucket types…)
March 13th, 2021 at 7:05 pm
Joe, why are you such an asshole to Tom brady! It was funny the first time!
March 13th, 2021 at 7:06 pm
Joe, why are you such an asshole to Tom brady! It was funny the first time!