Rumors Of Bucs Heirarchy Miffed At Bryant
December 10th, 2009Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
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Antonio Bryant is the Bucs’ best wide receiver. He’s also the team’s highest paid player.
He’s also arguably the Bucs’ only true playmaker on offense.
And like many No. 1 wide receivers around the NFL, Bryant wants the ball. And he isn’t afraid to talk about his desire for it and question anything that stands in his way. In fact, he’s done that for three consecutive weeks.
Deep in the bowels of One Buc Place, the Bucs’ heirarchy is not happy about Bryant speaking out and is not eager to bring him back next season, says Bucs beat writer Jim Flynn. Mr. Flynn used to write for the defunct, hand-held print magazine Pewter Report, which now operates as an Internet-only news operation with fan message boards, aka PewterReport.com.
Flynn talked Monday on the renowned Spitz on Sports radio show on blowtorch 1530 AM about what his unnamed sources are telling him about Byrant.
“But the issue the Buccaneers have is, for one, they weren’t too thrilled, from talking to people behind the scenes, they weren’t thrilled at all that Bryant came out and vented the way he did to the media earlier in the week leading up to the Panthers game saying he wanted the ball,” Flynn said. “Saying [Bryant] understood the circumstances yet he was still venting about it. For all practical purposes complaining. And the Bucs weren’t thrilled about that given his history. And they’re also very skeptical of how long can Bryant continue performing at this level with a knee that’s just lingered throughout the whole year.
“I know for a fact that the Bucs will not franchise Antonio Bryant next year. …I’ve heard from pretty good people inside of One Buc Place, pretty reliable people, that if it’s this regime in tact, that there’s a very good chance the Bucs are going to let Antonio Bryant hit the open market, test free agency, and unless it’s a really good deal, I would expect the Bucs at this point to pass on re-signing Antonio Bryant.”
Joe has stated repeatedly that he is no fan of blathering rumors from unnamed sources. And Flynn is rather oddly confident saying “he knows for a fact” the Bucs will not franchise Bryant again in 2010.
That aside, if the Bucs are annoyed with Bryant, Joe advises them to deal with it.
If Bryant closes out the season strong, there’s no reason for Mark Dominik and Raheem The Dream not to check their egos and either franchise Bryant again or offer him a fair-market deal.
When your team is a low-spender, and you could lose your top offensive weapon, you step up to the plate, assuming the player’s healthy and you don’t need the money because your soccer team sucked you dry.
December 10th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Continuing to take needless potshots at Pewter Report makes you look jealous of them, just an observation. I totally agree with you about Dominik and Morris needing to check their ego’s. They’ve done VERY little right since taking this team over, and to make decisions based on their personal feelings would, IMO, be the end of the run for these two, at least, it should be.
December 10th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
“if it’s this regime in tact, that there’s a very good chance the Bucs are going to let Antonio Bryant hit the open market”
Who really expects anything else. This regime doesn’t know talent or even have a clue as to how to go about evaluating talent. That has been proved from the flip flop of QBs since before preseason to the strange way they have used the RB to the Receivers to the situation with FLip and some of their LB. Let’s not forget the situation with the OC and the DC. So what is so shocking about them letting go of basically the most dependable or offensive play maker they have. They are an embarrassment!!!
December 10th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Joe here,
Jackson, Can’t find the needless potshot. So really unsure of what you’re talking about.
If Joe was jealous of Pewter Report, he too would launch a similar Web site, although there is certainly no need or demand for that in the marketplace.
And if Joe was jealous of Pewter Report, he wouldn’t continually link to their articles and commentary when appropriate.
December 10th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
It’s a double edged sword. Look the dude is making 9.7 MILLION!
Shut up and be happy!
The reason Bryant is voicing his “unhappyness” is because BRYANT doesn’t want to come to the Bucs next season.
Bryant KNOWS he has a bum knee and he want’s a LONG TERM DEAL with Guarenteed money UPFRONT.
I’m not dissing Bryant’s ability to be a playmaker – he is. He is the Bucs biggest threat.
The problem is that at this stage of his NFL career Freeman isn’t using Freeman as effectively as say Peyton Manning, Drew Brees or Tom Brady would.
Heck it would surprise me if Bryant went to the Pats or the Colts after this season. I know if I were Bryant I would want to get out from under Radio’s thumb where I could play for a contender. Lets face it folks with the team in it’s current shape it will take YEARS for the Bucs to get back to contender status.
December 10th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
To admin:
Regardless of what you THINK about the Pewter Report when you write, “the defunct, hand-held print magazine Pewter Report, which now operates as an Internet-only news operation with fan message boards, aka PewterReport.com” it APPEARS and READS like a disgrunted employee taking pot shots at a former boss.
YOU may not think so. YOU may think you’re being cute.
As a reader – trust me it looks like a potshot and frankly Joe I though JoeBucsFan.com was above the pettiness.
Just my opinion.
December 10th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Joe here,
Mr. Lucky, I love you, man. In an anonymous message board kind of way. But you and others are reading way too much into things that aren’t there when it comes to Pewter Report.
But that’s fine. Of course, I get what you’re thinking, but it’s just not there.
To be “petty” you’ve got to feel some mean thoughts or bring some sort of care or baggage. That’s not the case. …We just like to be a little different around here, as regular and first-time readers know.
We’ve chosen to be overly descriptive of Pewter Report when mentioning them. Frankly, the guys over there are probably thrilled that we give them the plugs, the links and the description.
Trust Joe, when he wants to go after someone or something, no one will have to read between the lines.
December 10th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
The only reason the “heirarchy” also known as Glazers are upset with Bryant is because what they are paying him. Look for the Glazerhouses to cut payroll even more next season as long as the “suckers” keep showing up at the stadium on Sunday.
December 10th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
The Bryant situation is a tough one. I think if the Bucs had been winning, his knee issue wouldn’t have been aggravating him during his long plane ride back and he would have been playing more.
That being said, I really hate to lose the guy. He’s a good player with the potential to be great. Does he have issues and is he egocentric.. yes.
I just don’t see how you let someone like him go. If you had a stronger H/C to keep him in check, I don’t even think this issue would have surfaced.
BTW. Didn’t think it was a needless potshot at the PR. Their print edition is defunct. It’s easier to say “defunct” than “no longer in existence”. Plus it sounds better 😀
December 10th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
AB…. is the diarrhea one risks
eating great tasting food and drink having the time of your life
in a 3rd world vacation paradise
seconds anyone ?
December 10th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Joe here,
RastaMon – Excellent reply. I’ve gone back for many more of those Mexican cocktails without the Agua Fresca ice. …If he keeps ballin’ through the end of the season, bring him back for more diarrhea.
December 10th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Jim Flynn no longer writes for Pewter Report?
You mean I don’t have to read senseless articles praising Michael Clayton or saying that because the team did well one particular year that qualifies as Clayton doing well?
It’s almost as if PR just sent me an early Christmas present!
And Joe, I happen to find humor in your description too. There are a certain number of folk who go on that site and their message boards and take PR very personally and get offended if someone has a rational/independent thought that doesn’t put the publication on the pedestal some believes it should be on 24/7. It can be a little cult-like over there at times.
December 10th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Damn you got my hopes up Joe. I read your description of Jim Flynn and thought that saying he “used to write for… Pewter Report” entailed that he no longer did. Imagine my surprise when I looked at a recent article on the site with his name on it. Well, put a handful of coal in my Christmas stocking why don’t you…
December 10th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
WGAS about Pewter Report.. I dont want to pay for rumors and blogs about the Bucs. I want it for free Thanks Joe!!!BTW who gives a sh!t for those who didn’t get the acronym….
December 10th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Joe > Scott
Ha! How’s that for an inflammatory comment?….
…incendiary even…
On Bryant:
He’s basically a perfect clone of TO, a little bit younger,
but almost identical psyche.
The main difference is that AB has been able to see
what happened to TO because of his mouth.
Yeah…I agree he wants to go to a contender…
Maybe we could convince him that the Bucs will be a contender?
December 10th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Good point a bout the knee though, Mr lucky…
…..maybe we should let him go…
December 10th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Malloy and for any other AB supporters – ask yourself this question:
Why DID the Bucs Franchise AB for this season?
A. They wanted AB to prove that 2008 wasn’t a fluke
B. They looked at his history of NOT being a team player in the past and failing drug tests
C. They were concerned about his health problems
D. They were concerned that once AB had a long-term contract he wouldn’t be “hungry” and let-up?
E. All of the above
Let’s face it 2008 was AB’s best year by far. He was out of the NFL in 2007 and he really wasn’t a “team player” on the 49ers prior to that.
Talent? Sure but look at TO and the disruption he’s caused on the 49ers, Philly, Dallas and to a lesser extent Buffalo.
So AB gets 9.7 million and complains – BEFORE THE PRESEASON.
Then his knee needs to be “scoped” – he missed several games – he has less receptions than ROOKIE Sammy Stroughter.
Are we beginning to see a pattern here? Are we willing to pay out 35+ million for a possible slacker/cancer in the locker room? If you’re going to put out that type of money don’t you want a QB who CAN get the ball to the WR in the first place?
If you’re going to go big bucks for a WR how about bringing in A. Boldin from the Cards instead?
I’m just saying that with the health problems AB had this year and that non-team attitude I’d let him test the waters and would NOT be in a hurry to ink him to a deal – especially considering the sack of crap the Bucs are saddled with wearing #80.
December 11th, 2009 at 12:15 am
what’s wrong with wanting the ball?
hell, I WANT him to have the ball.