A Test For The “Selfless”
October 23rd, 2020
What a coincidence, Bucco Bruce Arians was talking diva wide receivers on national radio this week.
Of course Joe was listening.
Arians found his way to The Dan Patrick Show, where the host asked him about dealing with egos and specifically the big ones that come with receivers.
Arians said he’s worked with multiple divas in his past but noted he can’t smell that stench in Tampa.
“This group is as selfless as I’ve ever been around,” Arians said. “You know, Mike Evans, we win, lose, draw, he catches one or he catches 10, he’s the same guy. Chris Godwin is the same way. We’re very, very fortunate in that regard.”
And now the Bucs have added renowned and successful diva Antonio Brown, who may be the Bucs’ third-best wide receiver while he’s used to being the top dog.
Intriguing times ahead, especially the high-pressure games of the season near.
As for the selflessness Arians mentioned in Evans, Godwin and the pre-Brown receiving corps, Joe wonders if there’s a limit to their selflessness. Godwin is angling for a new contract, and Evans is playing through injuries and will own a very special NFL record if he can get to 1,000 yards receiving this season.
Man, Joe sure hopes Brown can behave, or that Godwin and Evans can deal with it if he doesn’t.
October 23rd, 2020 at 10:35 pm
I hate this with the heat of a supernova.
October 23rd, 2020 at 10:36 pm
Go Bucs… and by Bucs I mean the logo, the uniforms, and the fact they represent the area. But I can’t get behind this dude Brown. Management looks really bad here. Even if he plays All-Pro, we already have receivers capable of that.
October 23rd, 2020 at 10:37 pm
Months ago when this was floated about I was 100% against it. However as injuries show that any stud laden receiving corp is vulnerable to injuries and how it can profoundly affect the offense. I think all will agree that AB is a diva with baggage that most airlines would deem unworthy. His talent is upper stratosphere and if TB can keep him manageable well…
October 23rd, 2020 at 10:38 pm
Accountability, leadership is in the locker room in 2020. They cleaned up the crap that has been around for to long. The Brady affect was in full bloom against GB. The cleanest game I can remember going back 44;years. AB will fall in line here, like malcontents did in NE. The lost decade is over. The stench of the den of depression is over. At least until Brady rides off into the sunset. GO BUCS!!!!
October 23rd, 2020 at 10:48 pm
I just hope he has the tightest leash ever.
If he gets even close to raising his voice at a coach, send him to the locker room. If he gets upset about that and even tweets about it, cut him.
I hope we made it clear at signing: “There ain’t gonna be any bullsh** here. You better be a f***ing angel, because only a selfless team is getting us to the Super Bowl. We won’t allow anyone’s pride to get in the way of that.”
October 23rd, 2020 at 10:50 pm
Hey look – I love those two. But the reality is they’re starting to be a bit, dare I say injury prone. Gone the last 4 games of the yr last yr and ha e yet to be 100 percent this yr. It has officially reached the point of annoying. Going out and getting this horrible person wouldn’t have happened if they were, yannow, healthy. (Not to mention OJ Howard) They have a Super Bowl to go after. No time for friends and feelings
October 23rd, 2020 at 10:53 pm
Both are hurt. Along with Miller Watson also OJ Howard is done for the year.
If those two weren’t playing on half a left between the two of them AB wouldn’t be here right now. Thing is it’s iffy if those two should be playing at all right now with how beat up they are.
October 23rd, 2020 at 11:00 pm
I think they just lost Godwin to free agency.
October 23rd, 2020 at 11:13 pm
Brown is a bad person, plain and simple. He’s going to be a terrible influence on everyone else.
October 23rd, 2020 at 11:14 pm
Win the game against the Raiders. Score another 38 and hope the stoopid guys who made this call will have a change of mind once they meet this jack wagon. I just hope to goodness i run into this clown in town.
October 23rd, 2020 at 11:17 pm
Yikes. They got rid of VHIII, McCoy, and Winston because they were cancer.
October 23rd, 2020 at 11:39 pm
I hope to see Evans, Godwin, Gronk and Brown all on the field at the same time, with McCoy as the back. Some is going to be wide open. No defense wants any of that.
October 23rd, 2020 at 11:45 pm
No risk. High reward. If he acts up cut him. No problem. Brady will keep him in line.
October 23rd, 2020 at 11:52 pm
You know, having season tickets since 1978, I have seen a lot of great guys and positive community role models come through Tampa who couldn’t play a lick of football. And the reward we fans got was to sit in the Sombrero or Ray Jay and watch opposing fans (much of whom lived here) show up at the stadium once every 3 years and ridicule diehard fans for supporting this team.
AB is not coming to my house or yours for dinner. You don’t have to deal with him. If he continues to be a A-hole, they cut him. If I want to see a good man on Sunday, I’ll go to church. If I want to see winning football on Sunday, I’ll go to Ray Jay.
October 23rd, 2020 at 11:54 pm
Ugh. Please release him the moment our guys are healthy.
October 24th, 2020 at 12:46 am
I just watched the youtube video of AB’s livestream of his incident involving the police, his kids and the mother of his kids. That video makes me sick honestly. Just plain disgusting. I really hope that he has since been diagnosed with a mental illness that he has been medicated for and has gone through some therapy etc. and is not going to behave that way anymore. A condition of him joining the bucs should include an apology for his behaviour and a detailed description of the things he has done to help himself address whatever mental illness he has.
October 24th, 2020 at 12:50 am
Question: Do the Bucs win in Chicago if they have AB starting instead of Scotty Miller?
Answer: YES
That’s why he was signed.
October 24th, 2020 at 12:53 am
Tom Brady got the guy he wanted. Evans and Godwin are studs, but they’re both injured and playing with pain. Miller isn’t 100% also.
I don’t want Antonio Brown to marry my daughter, I want him to play Football.
He’s angry, he’s hungry and he’ll make the Bucs even more scary.
He came to win a ring, because he knows the Bucs have the talent to win the SB.
And our QB is THE most smart guy to play this sport ever, above all, he controls the locker room.
AB’s a diva, he’s a troublemaker, but he’s HOF material. To cover Evans, Brown, Godwin and Gronkowski is an impossible task, specially with RoJo and Fournette ready to make the defenses pay if they underestimate the running game.
The concerns are understandable, but the upside is huge. This year, the Bucs are thinking big, for a change. Don’t be afraid, relax and enjoy the ride.
October 24th, 2020 at 1:01 am
He may be the third best or he may be the best. No outcome from this would surprise me. From a football standpoint though, I think that the Bucs have now forced team to play zone against Tom Brady. Are you really going to man up a S or 3rd CB with any of the 3? If he’s anywhere close to what he was, which by the way is probably one of the top 3 WR since Jerry Rice. Ask Ira about the OTB he was on. Made Michael Thomas look like Mickey Mouse
October 24th, 2020 at 1:04 am
Do any of you reject the Bucs SB win because Sapp wouldn’t sign an autograph and hated the fake news media — or because Keyshawn was a ‘locker room cancer’ who wouldn’t practice with the team in Tampa…
The 2002 Bucs had quite a few a-holes on the team, including a diva WR.
I don’t care about any of that crap, I want W’s.
Brady wants W’s.
October 24th, 2020 at 1:09 am
the linemen should haze him like a rookie when he first comes in…
so he knows who’s running the show…
while tom stands off to the side cheering on the big boys as they rag doll him around…
also if he gives cam brate any issues over jersey #84 let him go right away…
cam’s had the number for at least 5 years – do not give brown your number cam…
don’t do it cam…
man up…
in fact join the haze-fest…
brown should thank his lucky stars the bucs are giving him this opp
October 24th, 2020 at 1:14 am
i initially figured brady year one would be an everyone getting familiar type year with an 11-5 record…
and in 2021 everything would really come together with a 13-3 or 14-3 type record and a superbowl win…
the bucs are so all in this year…
i’m beginning to think the bucs might actually believe brady might only be here this one season…
tom might be one and done here after this year…
so they are ultra all in now…
#FearOfLosingBrady
October 24th, 2020 at 1:15 am
so basically we swapped out:
oj howard for antonio brown
and…
vita for mclendon
October 24th, 2020 at 1:20 am
when the bucs got mclendon, they might have actually inquired about reacquiring perriman…
perriman at his best, was being sorely missed here in the third receiver role with the injuries to evans and godwin…
now with brown, everyone can go back to their normal receiver slots…
miller can fall back to a #4
watson to a #5
tyler johnson to #6 but moving up the depth charts quickly…
mickens…i don’t even know what to say
grayson…like seriously bruhhh
October 24th, 2020 at 1:31 am
Say goodbye to arguably the leagues best receiver next season – Mike Evans. Arians senile moments have ruined the team. Go Raiders!
October 24th, 2020 at 1:33 am
our receivers and tight ends have injuries that prolly aren’t going away too fast and can linger all season – thus the signing of brown…
evans – ankle and hammy – there goes his 1k season…he’s been dragging thru the last couple games…(might need to sit a bit)
godwin – hammy – was acting like it was bothering him a bit on the sidelines last weekend too…(might need to sit a bit)
scotty – yoked groin’s can linger and can seriously affect route running…(might need to sit a minute)
oj howard – gone for the year and maybe forever…
gronk – shot right shoulder…he can not spike the ball with right arm – serious issue actually…
(they’ve tried to roll with tanner hudson a bit, doesn’t seem to really be working though)
cam – about to be fighting with antonio brown over #84…
watson – is just watson…whatever that means…
so it was a logical move to bring in AB…
for only 8 weeks…
if you can keep him chill for 4 weeks and get to december all is good…
then the final 4 weeks are december football and the playoff push…(hopefully he’s focused by then)
gives a self centered dude like him time to hone in on his craft and try to shine during the playoff push and get positive media attention…
then come the playoffs and he will be in the spotlight – which he craves…
so the first 4 weeks he is here – weeks 9-13 of the season are key to him lasting the season
October 24th, 2020 at 1:37 am
Arians and (unfortunately) the Bucs team deserve to fail. Mike Evans will not be a Buc next season either. He has been replaced with an uneducated pot head.
October 24th, 2020 at 1:41 am
so essentially this was a oddly good signing if he stays chill in the locker room and all…
if he can last the 3rd quarter of the season, then i see him here during the final month and the playoffs…
let’s just hope he doesn’t get crazy while in town and drag covid into the locker room or something crazy like that…
will he be living in the jeter compound with tom, giselle, gronkie, and the gang…lol
October 24th, 2020 at 1:54 am
Bucs would be smart to let brown return all kickoffs and punt returns. If he’s here for a year let’s max out his talents
October 24th, 2020 at 1:56 am
adam – There should be no way that Tyler Johnson hasn’t passed Watson on the depth chart. Watson is the one who rounded off his route on that INT for TD against SD, and he probably did the same thing in week one as well when Brady threw his other INT for a TD in Waton’s direction. I said it before, but Watson is the Ryan Smith of the offense, nothing good happens if you throw the ball his way. Last year in those two games that Watson started at the end of the year, he was truly terrible, he tripped over his own feet on a wide open TD and ran a wrong route on an INT. He’s just not a good WR.
Scotty Miller is a matchup problem when he’s the #4 WR – so this makes him better as well.
But as for who gets the boot, it’s Grayson, and if they want to only go with 5 WRs, then it has to be Watson who is gone, and I for one won’t miss him.
October 24th, 2020 at 2:07 am
Now imagine the Patriots losing again and deciding to tank and cutting Julian Edelman…
I love this, but the Bucs should have tried to sign Le’Veon Bell as well, he could have been McCoy but a lot better at this point in their careers. In any case this is a great move since the Bucs have to keep up with the Chiefs if they’re legit SB contenders.
…and if it’s not a great move, if AB is an A-hole, then you cut him. But also keep in mind that there were no reports of AB being a locker room issue with the Pats, he had his issues and had to leave the team, then he threw his hissy fit after he was cut. Are you people who have spent the last 15 years saying how much you hate the Glazers really going to be crying when AB is calling them various names on Twitter?
October 24th, 2020 at 2:10 am
of course rod…
just listed him there because of rookie status…
he was quickly becoming our #3…
i should have said #6 and “flying” up the depth chart
October 24th, 2020 at 2:16 am
when watching AB and gruden last year on the first few episodes of hard knocks, you just knew he was a ticking time bomb in chucky’s domain
October 24th, 2020 at 2:20 am
but i really wonder if gronkie and AB rent rooms from tommy at the jeter compound?
lol…what if i’m right…
they could do a reality series out of there !!!
October 24th, 2020 at 2:23 am
how often do you think perriman sits around thinking:
“i should have resigned with the bucs”
October 24th, 2020 at 3:09 am
Adam, Perriman sits around counting his cash. We weren’t gonna pay him, smart life move for the guy.
October 24th, 2020 at 3:17 am
New headline“ A test for the unsullied
October 24th, 2020 at 3:47 am
Yall think ab is a cancer to this team i think otherwise.i believe tb will keep him in check and he will help the bucs produce even better on the offensive side. Yall cant keep thinking a hobbled 70% evans and godwin can win matchups when they are hurt(and the rest of wr group) at least with brown out there with them and the te group there is no double teaming its a defensive coordinators nightmare.
October 24th, 2020 at 3:57 am
I honestly don’t know how anyone who had Super Bowl aspirations for this team isn’t rejoicing.
Antonio’s Brown, warts and all, is 2 years removed from being one of the undisputed best players in football. And Brady has been begging for him to be signed. AND WE GOT HIM CHEAP!
This is an all in move! Let’s see how many more defenses game plan yo double Mike for the entire game with Godwin, AB and Gronk all on the field. Not to mention this provides additional depth in a season where Mike and Chris have been hurt most of the season.
If you are a Bucs fan who cares about winning, I don’t see how you don’t at least like this move or at least understand the reasoning behind it.
October 24th, 2020 at 4:50 am
Colin in Canada Says:
“I just watched the youtube video of AB’s livestream of his incident involving the police, his kids and the mother of his kids.”
.
.
That’s the one I’m talking about. The police department returned his PAL (Police Athletic League) donation after that day.
October 24th, 2020 at 5:05 am
“You know, Mike Evans, we win, lose, draw, he catches one or he catches 10, he’s the same guy. Chris Godwin is the same way. We’re very, very fortunate in that regard.”
.
.
This is what we risk losing. Even if AB does and says all the right things, other members of the team may resent his presence, especially given the moves that have been made to improve our culture, and what Arians has said publicly about this very person.
Really, this is what I fear more than AB himself messing up, because he will be easy to cut again, if needed. But what if he does act up, and isn’t cut–because everyone isn’t 100% yet? This could go sideways and cause resentment in several different ways.
Thanks for writing this one, Joe. And thanks for working late!
October 24th, 2020 at 5:10 am
Thank you Jenna “Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans has been hobbled by an ankle injury since Week 4 and has barely been able to practice. Their other Pro Bowl receiver, Chris Godwin, has missed three games because of a concussion and a hamstring strain. Their speedy deep threat Scotty Miller has been hampered by a hip/groin injury. And tight end O.J. Howard — who had become a big part of the screen game — went to injured reserve because of a ruptured Achilles.” It seems people let emotions get in the way instead of uncommon sense. This a very simple decision. Play to win or just continue that same ol, same ol garbage that has been happening in Tampa for most of the 44 year history of the team. SUPER BOWL OR BUST!! GO BUCS!!!!!
October 24th, 2020 at 5:19 am
adam from ny Says:
“the linemen should haze him like a rookie when he first comes in…”
.
.
I would tell all the young guys to show him no deference whatsoever. The first person who asks him to sign a jersey runs laps for the rest of the week.
October 24th, 2020 at 5:22 am
AwShbucs Says:
“I don’t see how you don’t at least like this move or at least understand the reasoning behind it.”
.
.
Oh, I’m clear on that. I just like it about as much as Arians said he liked the idea.
October 24th, 2020 at 6:16 am
Well I’m not a fan of divas but, when you look at the health of our WR corps this season, this move makes sense.
AB is easily better than Miller as a #3, and if he still has “it”, he was one of the best a short time ago.
October 24th, 2020 at 7:23 am
JustMyMobileOpinion Says:
October 23rd, 2020 at 11:17 pm
Yikes. They got rid of VHIII, McCoy, and Winston because they were cancer.
Jameis was far from a cancer but he did lose the confidence of his team.
October 24th, 2020 at 7:36 am
I have lost all respect for Bucs leadership. BAD BAD signing….. sigh
October 24th, 2020 at 7:38 am
August 1976 Buc … “AB will fall in line here, like malcontents did in NE”.
Malcontents? Does that include Brown who was with the Patriots for a whopping 11-days and played in ONE game before they parted ways with him? In all fairness though, he did make 4 catches in that game for 56 yards, out of 8 targets.
If the Bucs are thin anyplace, it’s in DE/OLB. McLendon will help make up for the loss of Vea hopefully, but this Bucs’ team will only go as far as our defense takes us. So now that Brown’s under contract as a Buc, trade him quickly for a quality DE/OLB. Maybe the Steelers would be interested.
October 24th, 2020 at 7:56 am
Rod
We know why he was signed. The list of why not is much longer though. Looks like the gazers missed a page
October 24th, 2020 at 8:01 am
Jenna Laine – “Brady has had success keeping troubled teammates in check when others have failed. Examples include LeGarrette Blount, Martellus Bennett, Corey Dillon, Randy Moss and Aqib Talib” He has been a malcontent for the last 1.5 years. This is what I was talking about. If he even breathes wrong show him the door. SUPERBOWL OR BUST!!! GO BUCS!!!!
October 24th, 2020 at 8:38 am
I say rest whoever needs to ,so they heal properly.In order to make a run in the last half of the season.
What a storyline,Bucs,Brady,make it to their home field Superbowl with three 1000 yard receivers, and #1 ranked defense…to be continued.
October 24th, 2020 at 8:46 am
Brown needs to just show up and do the work and keep his head down. Don’t talk to the press. Just do your job and keep yourself out of trouble. There’s no doubt he has a short leash. Can he make it through the season without getting cut? That’s the question.
October 24th, 2020 at 8:50 am
Brady, do not like Evans or Goodwin, the entire Packer’s game one pass thrown to Evan and none thrown to Goodwin after the blow up between the two. In comes Antonio Brown, good luck with that. do not buy that injury Sh#t
October 24th, 2020 at 8:58 am
Good, now that the fruitcake is a Buc, let him play and get hit with a nasty cheap shot that won’t get called. That has always been SOP with our team. That is one use I can see for Brown. Tony Dungy did not tolerate head cases. He built an SB team and ended up in the HOF.
October 24th, 2020 at 9:42 am
Yeah but if he signed with Seattle and played great for Wilson and co, many of you would be crying we should have picked him up. Zero risk, immense reward. Nothing to lose just cut him if he acts up. Time to make some moves to get to the playoffs for a change.
October 24th, 2020 at 9:47 am
This dude is a cancer. I tought we got rid of DJax cuz he wasn’t a team first guy. What is a guy 2 years removed from football gonna do when the ball doesn’t come his way every damn time?
Thanks for F-ing up the season. This will kill our WR room chemistry and start to put a rift b/w them and Brady because Brady will show favoritism to Brown for reason’s unknown to anyone with common sense.
Accusing a member of the Buccaneers — or anyone else — as a felon when he has not yet been tried and convicted as a felon can and will get you bounced. Tread carefully. — Joe
October 24th, 2020 at 9:48 am
Ed,
What blow up between the two?
October 24th, 2020 at 10:14 am
Dang man its crazy to see people say they are bucs fans on here and goodwin and eveans stay hurt while great recivers your no good if your not on the field. And its an every year thing…AB may have some issues due to CTE but damn video tape your life and tell me some things wont look crazy when you do them …this is a busines..were here to win so tske your little girl feelings and go cry somewhere else ..its exciting as hell to have AB!!! And this has been planned by him and brady..and btw AB was at bradys house for a bit ..and this is one of the reasons brady left the pats..look at the pats now js…superbowl here we come!!! And i really think this writer is against the bucs like seriously ..go bucs!!!
October 24th, 2020 at 10:34 am
Everyone who is hating on brown please shut up and let them play we need more firepower to counter the chiefs and ravens
October 24th, 2020 at 11:11 am
Here’s the thing. AB f’ed himself. He can Un-F himself and get his S straight and he’s willing to do it for TB12. Tom believes that he can curb AB’s diva attitude. If he can’t then AB WILL BE GONE…… AGAIN! He looked great in his one and only Patriots game 4 for 55 yds and a td right out of the gate and we (Patriots fans) were sold. I think he’s medicated now, for his own good, and he wants to play and win. Again it’s not gonna take much to sway the balance of here or gone. He knows it. As for what he’s done, and been accused of. Only the courts will figure that out and I believe all that’s been settled except for the NFL investigation. If you ask me, the NFL has no business being lawyers judge and jury.
October 24th, 2020 at 11:16 am
Initially, I wasn’t with this, but after thinking about it for a while…This should help ME13 more than anyone else because defenses will have to literally pick their poison, especially if you move Godwin back to the slot and put AB on the outside with ME13. Can’t double everyone..
October 24th, 2020 at 12:26 pm
adam from ny. AB wore #17 in NE. I don’t think there’ll be a problem here.
October 24th, 2020 at 12:26 pm
I’m so sick of this predictable rhetoric about “character” and “divas”…just shut up and say what you really mean…and that’s that opinionated, un-neutered, aggressive, alpha black males scare the living crap out of you and your need to feel better about your own insufficiency as a man is somehow appeased but sitting behind your virus-infected phones and computers typing what you (& your wives & gfs) KNOW that you’d never have the courage ot masculinity to say to another man’s face! Nobody’s perfect, so, unless you can run routes, catch a football or block a DB better than AB…SHUT UP and WATCH someone who’s better at it than you do it!
October 24th, 2020 at 1:03 pm
So I’m for signing the Diva, I don’t care what they do so long as they win, and then to back me up we have this literal moron TJ trying to make it about race. Ugh. These triggered millennials that think everything in the world is about what’s between your legs or the color of your skin are way worse than any diva out there. Go back to doing your race baiting on Twitter, we’re talking football here, not having a SJW parade you d-bag.
October 24th, 2020 at 6:19 pm
I don’t like Brown at all, but if he is even close to his previous form he will allow gwin and me13 the opportunity to get healthy while still pushing us towards the sb we deserve. Low cost possible big reward outcome. Where do we wanna be in FEB is the ultimate question