A.J. Green Deal Could Shed Light On Antonio Brown
March 17th, 2021
How many NFL receivers can say they opened their careers with seven consecutive Pro Bowls nods?
A.J. Green can.
After 10 years in Cincinnati, Green is officially on the move today, per Adam Schefter of BSPN. Green, 32, is now a member of the Arizona Cardinals with $6 million guaranteed and another $2.5 million in incentives.
Why does Joe care? Well, pending free agent Bucs receiver Antonio Brown also has seven Pro Bowls to his name and is 32 years old.
Joe believes what Green is now earning to be a complementary piece to DeAndre Hopkins in Arizona is a window to what Brown will want to be happy for another season with the Bucs.
Brown likely is better than Green, who declined last season but also didn’t benefit get the stellar quarterback play Brown did — and Green didn’t have an array of weapons around him as he came back off a 2019 injury. But Green also doesn’t carry the looming-civil-rape-trial baggage held by bicycle-hurling, furniture-throwing Brown.
So what will it take to keep Brown happy and willing to behave in Tampa for another season? $6 million plus incentives?
Joe would rather spend the cash on a proven rotational pass rusher, but Joe understands that Brown at a discount price represents superior value.
What a day ahead @BigStormBrewing Clearwater!
• Grouper Fish & Chips in an Oats in Hose Batter
• Corned Beef & Cabbage
• $5 Jameson
• Red Ale, Dry Stout and Oats in Hose on tap!
• Live music starts at 5 p.m.
Gorgeous outdoor setup, indoors, too. https://t.co/vGcehHQRHu pic.twitter.com/0rZpnXKW1J— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) March 17, 2021
March 17th, 2021 at 2:33 pm
First the Bucs should concentrate on Suh and Succop.
March 17th, 2021 at 2:34 pm
It’s another one of those things where if we want either brown or a situational pass rusher we would need to free up more room first,and likely only after we sign both succop and Suh… Unless they are just asking too much
March 17th, 2021 at 2:35 pm
AB is a great insurance policy, I love his ability, but I’d rather have Suh and Succop back, if we have to chose. Of course, if you want to play for a true super Bowl contender, Tampa is the place to be.
March 17th, 2021 at 2:37 pm
Shocked that the 2021 version of AJ Green got 6 million guaranteed with this lower Salary cap.
The skill positions at Cincy were not like the Buc’s but they weren’t bottom 5 last year.
March 17th, 2021 at 2:38 pm
Green wasn’t kicked off 2 teams and doesn’t have civil charges pending. Talent wise Brown may be worth it but his character will cost him millions.
March 17th, 2021 at 2:38 pm
Green looked washed last year. Maybe he just needed a change. He’s nowhere near ABs level. Salary wise maybe when u subtract for ABs off field issues.
March 17th, 2021 at 2:53 pm
Joe, not sure why you down play AB’s value. He came up big every time they asked him to, more so than Evan’s and Godwin who were virtually invisible in the playoffs. Help me understand, is it just the character issue?
March 17th, 2021 at 3:02 pm
The brown situation is nothing like green. Green has not been let go by multiple clubs, green is not facing a civil sexual assault trial in December like brown and thus subject to nfl discipline. What brown is though is a great weapon, insurance policy and someone for at least 4 months with Brady was better off the field then anywhere else. If he is back here he will be here on a low money, low guarantee, low risk deal to Bucs. I am not convinced that any other team in league would sign him (except Seattle) and the receiver market is currently flooded. I want him back here because what if Mike, Chris or Scotty get hurt
March 17th, 2021 at 3:07 pm
SC bucs
Yah. I think that is why he will be back. To much baggage and counting. Somebody like the slimy saints may make a run at him (just to try and stick it to bucs too) but AB knows better
Appears saints interested in sherman. The saints will kick the can down the road indefinitely until loomis /and or payton fired
March 17th, 2021 at 3:08 pm
Lost in all this is the bond Brady and Brown have. AB may legitimately not had intrest from any of the 32 teams last year if it werent for Brady. I see Brown staying loyal to Brady at a fair price. I think they both still got more to proove. Brown wanting to show what he can do for a little loyalty(looking at you Big Ben). And Brady wanting to show Billicheck what hes missing.
March 17th, 2021 at 3:09 pm
I was soooo in favor of the AB signing last year. I refered to him as a “luxury piece”. Think about it: Evans, Godwin, Scotty, Gronk…AB for good measure. Dang – get it done Jason.
BTW Joe – that plug for Big Storm Brewing has me heading home.., south on I95 from Richmond VA – SICKNESS BE DAMNED!!
March 17th, 2021 at 3:14 pm
I wouldn’t renegotiate other contracts to bring back Antonio Brown. Don’t need him.
March 17th, 2021 at 3:15 pm
I don’t know what will happen next for AB, I just don’t see an $8mill deal with his day in court quietly looming around.
March 17th, 2021 at 3:16 pm
Jaymiss and you mentioned all them names and still forgot Tyler Johnson. I arent no scout but it looks like that kids got the goods. And you couldnt ask for a better situation for a ypung reciever. I think hes gonna make a bigger impact this year.
March 17th, 2021 at 3:16 pm
Deshaun Watson now has civil rape.
This may not be a PC comment in today’s me too flag football NFL world, but I think there should be no such thing as civil rape trials. If rape can’t be proven criminally, then there should be nothing to talk about. Theses athletes and celebs are constant targets and they pay to make it go away. It’s a disgrace. If these supposed victims were so injured, why not file criminal charges?
If I was innocent, I’d say prove it and I’d counter sue for their whole present and future resources. I’d have a media campaign called sleazy gold digging trash. It would be clear. I’d say, “I take these allegations seriously, and therefore I’m going to destroy you just like you’re trying to destroy me. I’d like to see these guys go on the offensive for once in stead of allowing these dark clouds to hang over their careers and lives. Also these NFL alt justice system tribunals are a joke. Anything short of me being proven guilty and put in prison, I‘d sue the NFL so hard their head would spin.
And if they really raped, let them rot in a cage.
March 17th, 2021 at 3:20 pm
Stinnie resigned
March 17th, 2021 at 3:20 pm
AB still has no leverage with the Bucs! He should be grateful for whatever he gets from the Bucs.
AB has as much leverage as Npup and Realisto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 17th, 2021 at 3:21 pm
We Don’t need BROWN..Scooter is better and already on the roster. Plus AB has legal issues that are not resolved so he is probably not worth more than a couple million like last season. Focus on getting SUH back.
March 17th, 2021 at 3:24 pm
Awesome signing of Stinnie!!!
March 17th, 2021 at 3:25 pm
@SC Bucs…Yeah, just saw Stinnie signed too. Over an hour ago now and couldn’t find any details on the deal just yet.
March 17th, 2021 at 3:30 pm
Joe, did you make a software change or something. My name used to remain in the reply section. Now I have to enter it every time or my words of wisdom come up as anonymous.
March 17th, 2021 at 3:31 pm
@ JimmyJack…Asute observation. I didn’t really forget about T. Johnson. It was just his lack of volume. I think he’s an outstanding talent but on this roster he’s numbers probably aren’t going to be like the guys I mentioned.
And for everyone talking about Brown’s legal issues..He’s no saint I know that. But his legal issue is civil which can only reslut in a fine – not a criminal conviction. I know…I slept at at Holiday Inn last night.!
March 17th, 2021 at 3:32 pm
Bucfan81, are you serious. I like scooter but he will NEVER play at the level of AB. He is a 7 time probowler. Other tha Brady he has the highest accolades on this team. If he was a screw up he’d be making $20mil a year. If they can get him for $6 or $8 mil that would be a steal.
March 17th, 2021 at 3:40 pm
Stinnie’s back!
March 17th, 2021 at 3:43 pm
I personally think 4 mil. with incentives…those that mostly involve yardage and production at the end of next year…would be fine…up to 6 or 8 if we win the SB.
March 17th, 2021 at 3:55 pm
Green was great once upon a time…I think it’s one last cash grab/stick a fork in him time. Brown is a difference maker…long td vs WFT and the one before half in the SB. I hope he returns. His market may be softer than Rex Ryan’s boiler.
March 17th, 2021 at 3:59 pm
Many “experts” say that AB is the best receiver that the Buccaneers have who is in his prime. They say that Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and even Scotty are great receivers but when it comes down to pure talent AB is the man above all.
Personally, I feel that with AB the task of preparing to face the Bucs is a difficult one as shown many times last season, just too many damn good targets.
I think bringing him back will bolster the Buccaneer’s deceptive attack and cause mass headaches to the opposition. Most folks have been astonished at how he has settled down and has become a more humble person. I think he deserves to be back.
March 17th, 2021 at 4:06 pm
Bucfan81
Scotty is better than AB? Remove head from arse and hit with pan.
March 17th, 2021 at 4:20 pm
AB isn’t LIKELY better… He is easily FAR better than AJ Green. AJ looked washed up last year when he was on the field. AB was arguably our best and most productive WR last year, and while still learning the playbook. Luckily, when you have Evans, Godwin, Miller, Gronk, and OJ Howard, AB is a luxury. But I still think it’s worth it to bring him back if we can afford him.
FA priorities:
1) Suh
2) Succop
3) AB
4) RB (James White would be nice!)
March 17th, 2021 at 4:20 pm
Scotty and AB are different players. And I like both their games. Scotty is the speedster that can open up the field, more than anyone else. AB is the cagey vet, that can leave a defender scratching their heads about his route and his moves. I want both on our team.
March 17th, 2021 at 4:31 pm
Suh and Succop
Or Nacho and Succop
Then AB if possible.
Also…. damn! AZ is loading up.
March 17th, 2021 at 4:33 pm
I’d love AB back but I don’t mind utilizing Johnson and Miller more either. Especially Johnson, I think he could be pretty damn good.
As for Miller, need to start using him more than just running deep
March 17th, 2021 at 4:46 pm
Brown is much much better than Green, who is completely washed up at this point. Brown’s issue is there’s only a few teams that should be willing to sign him, you need to have a strong veteran QB who is completely locked into his job and in control of the team. What QBs fit that description….
Brady
and…
– The Packers drafted a guy to replace Rodgers
– Mahomes is obviously the guy in KC, but doesn’t come across to me like a guy who could keep Brown under control, plus there’s no talk of KC wanting him.
– Wilson has said he wants out of Seattle, it’s possible they would try to sign Brown since Wilson wanted him last year, but Wilson and the team seem to be on different pages
– Stafford is on a new team, Watson is a crybaby who will be on a new team, Big Bend is on his last leg and Pitts hates Brown…
Ryan isn’t a top tier QB. Allen and Murray are still kids who can’t control him. He’s already told the Pats and Vegas to kiss his grits…
I don’t know who else would really be in the market for him. Obviously teams love the talent, but he’s a huge risk. The Bucs should try to do another deal, very incentive based, maybe per game bonuses for all 16 games, something like that.
March 17th, 2021 at 4:49 pm
David…Scotty isn’t a big guy. I think they want to use him carefully to keep him fast and healthy. Too many big shots from safeties, and we might lose him for a few games.
March 17th, 2021 at 4:53 pm
And if Scotty opens the field thirty years from scrimmage for Evans, Godwin, and AB, I’m fine with the deep plays he runs.
March 17th, 2021 at 5:06 pm
Scotty better than AB has got to be the laugh of the day. I love the kid but he’s here to take the lid off the defense. I’ve yet to see him make the 1st tackler miss and take a screen or slant to the house. He could learn a lot from AB and be great down the road but he’s no where near AB status on the field at this point of his career.
March 17th, 2021 at 5:17 pm
AB IS the best receiver on the Bucs, and if he sticks around he will be more of a dominant force now that he’s fully prepared in the passing game. Not sold on the idea that he will remain calm and responsible, though, and I’d certainly sign Suh before I gave him any serious consideration.
March 17th, 2021 at 5:43 pm
There is more risk with AB, so although the age and role are the same AB still shouldnt be valued as high as Green at this point due to obvious reasons. I think the Bucs are wise to keep the door open by communication, but the priorities should be with Suh and definitely with Succop. Regardless, Godwin needs to sign to a longterm extension to free up more cash.
March 17th, 2021 at 6:03 pm
You kidding me hoe AB is likely hetter? The dude is 19 times better AB needs to come back due to injuries of me and cg..AJ is washed up..not even a comparison.
March 17th, 2021 at 7:10 pm
AB is coming back to Tampa. Gronk is coming back and so is Shaw Barrett and other free agents. Gronk and AB both said they won’t play for any other QB than Tom Brady
March 17th, 2021 at 11:13 pm
AB could be the redemption of the decade. Give him a base of six and bonus based on catches and behavior. Scott is a true deep threat role player. But won’t last the season running across the middle. Might do good on screens one good block and gone but Bucs did not do that well with screens. Maybe a full preseason can improve their tricky plays.
March 17th, 2021 at 11:20 pm
AB probably will return to play with TB12 because he has a bond with not only Brady but Arians. He definitely has a chip on his shoulders after all he has been through. He has his demons to deal with but he won’t have but so many people stand with him through it.
March 18th, 2021 at 12:26 pm
You’re forgetting that we have no backup QB, Joe. Or that our starting DT is unsigned. Suh and Gabbert are next two priorities.
March 18th, 2021 at 6:46 pm
I think there’s a pretty solid chance that Julian Edelman could be released or traded for a low draft pick. I would much rather have him than brown since he specializes in the slot receiver position. For the same reason I’d like to get running back white on the team. Those are quick pass options for Brady who could chew up the NFC with short passes as well as the vertical game