A New Antonio Brown
August 11th, 2021
Bucs WR Antonio Brown.
Joe knows only a select group of Bucs season ticket holders and members of special interest groups have been allowed to watch a Bucs training camp practice.
Yeah, as a reward to the fans for sticking with the team and putting up with the untold barrels of nonsense through The Lost Decade, locking out the general public months after winning the Super Bowl was a low-rent stunt by the Bucs.
Sorry if that bunches up some people’s briefs. Then demonstrate where Joe is wrong?
Regardless, Joe is wondering if those who have been able to attend practice if we are seeing a new, almost fatherly Antonio Brown?
Tom Brady’s former tenant is out there having a blast. Whenever he makes a play, you can easily hear Brown woofing and hollering. Maybe he realizes how fortunate he is to still have a football career and be on a loaded, championship team?
Before Brown signed last season, the image Joe had of Brown was a guy who damn near ran himself out of the league.
Brown had quit on the Steelers, fully wigged out in Oakland in order to get away from Chucky and got dropped by the Belicheats when it surfaced Brown had had run-ins with the law.
Earlier this week, Brown stood before the Tampa Bay pen and mic club and came across as a humble veteran looking forward to helping out young players.
When Brown was asked about rookie receiver Jaelon Darden, Brown came across like a warm father figure willing to show Darden the NFL ropes.
“He’s a young and excited kid,” Brown said of Darden. “He loves football. It’s a pleasure to be around him. He has the fire in his eyes and I’m excited to help him.”
Does that sound like the same guy who freaked out so badly in Oakland that even oily Drew Rosenhaus severed all ties with him?
Joe isn’t sure what has changed Brown. Maybe thinking the Bucs are his last shot to stick in the NFL, or Brady has some hex over him, or if Brown realizes Father Time will only allow him just a few more years to play.
Whatever it is, Joe really likes this version of Brown.
August 11th, 2021 at 10:06 am
Defenses are gonna have night terrors worse than last year w/ a better version of AB & the addition of Bernard at RB
August 11th, 2021 at 10:14 am
Your headline is truly scary. For opposing Ds.
August 11th, 2021 at 10:23 am
I’m glad AB turned it around for my fav team! Go Bucs!
August 11th, 2021 at 10:27 am
He absolutely does not sound like the same guy. And of course that’s a good thing. Let’s hope his attitude remains that way. The past usually informs the future. Let’s hope this isn’t one of those cases. Certainly Brady is a big part of this as is our coach. But as the elder statesman of the WR corp, he can still play lights out. Helping our rookies is a bonus.
August 11th, 2021 at 10:38 am
Someone got this dude on some meds that work. I think that’s all there is to it. Total speculation on my part, but that’s what most clearly explains the past behavior and the turnaround.
August 11th, 2021 at 10:42 am
Finally, its about time @Medicated Pete made an objective, sensible comment on this site. No popcorn needed for this one. Carry on!
August 11th, 2021 at 10:45 am
Nashville could be right … some people need some meds to even out their state of mind from day to day. And maybe that is part of it. In any case, glad to hear he seems to have turned a corner. Sometimes it is just a matter of growing up.
August 11th, 2021 at 11:10 am
Just returned from watching today’s morning practice. first, AB does look like a different person. everything Joe said is apparent. While his change may not be related to medication, it is difficult to believe he would be a prima donna when he got to win a Super Bowl surrounded by players on his level. He is not the stand-out. He has been humbled by the fact that no one, not even his biggest fans, could argue the team is winning solely because of him. That was his problem in Pittsburgh and Oakland.
On a different note, there was hardly a dropped pass. in fact, the incompletions were mainly due to Griffin overthrowing or a random player being ‘over-covered. Our offense is insane, but you can tell the defense is holding back.
August 11th, 2021 at 11:13 am
Prozac
August 11th, 2021 at 11:24 am
Let’s just hope everyone stays upright. FYI, I hate veterans playing preseason games. Lose, lose situation.
August 11th, 2021 at 11:30 am
It must be all that concussion water Brady made him drink. The cult of Alex Guerrero has certainly gain more followers since the move to Tampa. Belichick had to ban him from the facility because he was telling tight ends they didn’t need to do squats. You can bet your sweet ass that Alex is behind this new and improved AB. This is the guy who once claimed to have a cure for cancer.
August 11th, 2021 at 12:11 pm
Brown needed a calming influence in his life. He found it in The Goat. Giving Brown a different perspective of what matters most. Namely winning some RINGS!
August 11th, 2021 at 12:17 pm
AB hasn’t had a full training camp with his team in a few years. He went to the Patriots in the early part of the season and only played a handful of snaps. He then went to the Bucs during the middle of the season. This is the first year since he left Pittsburgh that he has a full training camp to build on last year. I don’t think Brady fully trusted AB’s grasp of the offense. Now with his knee feeling good, it seems like Brady and AB are on the same page. I wouldn’t be surprised if AB has more catches than Godwin this year.
August 11th, 2021 at 12:52 pm
Glad AB has gotten himself together. Was it the Brady effect? Maybe he was doing his taxes and was informed Florida has no state income tax? Maybe he discovered Mons Venus? Who knows.
August 11th, 2021 at 12:59 pm
Didn’t Brady get the mezmo Tony Robbins to Shallow Hal him🤔🤯🤫
August 11th, 2021 at 1:17 pm
This could be the first time ever 3 receivers get a thousand yards
August 11th, 2021 at 1:22 pm
I get making a profit, but to hang diehard fans out to dry is pretty much unforgivable. Only allowing season ticket holders to watch practice, is a kick to the nutz by the Glazers. The favoritism is deafening!
August 11th, 2021 at 1:35 pm
Beej I think it has happened before.
89 Washington
04 colts
08 cardinals
Also, 2 other teams (80 chargers and 95 falcons) had 3 players, but not specifically wr do it.
Still, it would be rare company for sure if it happened.
It is just awesome to see someone turn around their life while on tampa bay, not leave then turn it around somewhere else
August 11th, 2021 at 6:34 pm
Just a comment, here, but there isn’t really enough “room” to handle all the fans if the practice was completely open.
I try to never prognosticate and judge but, to me, it is easy to see why AB changed. First, he had been fired twice (or was it three times?) and he did not truly know if another team would take him. That alone would humble anyone. Then he did get on a team, so he got happier. THEN he saw that he was surrounded by players just as good (or better) than he was. He knew he had to prove himself. Also, there were Brady, Alex, and coaches that gave him support–not to mention an entire team that embraced him, fully aware of his past. So easy to see.
August 11th, 2021 at 10:01 pm
Take a young black kid with talent. Hand him a wagon load of money. Fame and fortune overload. Glad for him he got his head straight, lost the ego, and focused on his game. The talent was always there. Maturity took longer.
August 12th, 2021 at 7:38 am
I’m a Bucc’s fan I love AB so glad for him the changes he’s made in his behavior was certainly for the best . Yes we all go through life’s ups & downs that’s when you need to take a step back look at the picture of yourself see the reason you were given the talent you have . Nothing that we have is for the blessing of the lord . The old saying here today gone tomorrow is so true I hope and wish AB a good year with the Buccaneers and always give thanks to our Lord for all he has given him . Be that role model for your kids and to others that’s coming up and look at you as one . I’ll be watch again this year rottening the Buccs on again .
August 12th, 2021 at 8:29 am
Antonio is the same young man I met 10 yrs. ago. He was always polite and treated everyone with respect. Somewhere along the way, he met some people that were set in destroying him instead of elevating him. I’m glad he is back to being the humble Antonio I’m familiar with
August 13th, 2021 at 4:32 pm
The limited access and charging over $100 to watch practice, “we talking about practice”, is absolute BS and the Bucs, who normally don’t make classless acts have done one here. What a great time to instead rally behind the greatest team the NFL has seen in a long time and allow fans to return, especially after all the antics last year.