Don’t Be THAT Dude!
February 25th, 2021
Keeping Tommy healthy.
For those who think park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting, handshake-stiffing, jet-ski-losing, biscuit-baking, tequila-shooting, trophy-throwing Bucs Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady doesn’t have an aura about him that gets teammates to play above the rim and do what’s right, one only needs to read the “Players Tribune.”
There, athletes are given a forum to sound off on just about anything. Yesterday, Playoff Lenny wrote a column about how tough last season was and how tight the Bucs team is without having a chance to be tight.
The way Playoff Lenny described it, it really does sound like the Bucs are a Band of Brothers.
But here is an example of how the presence of Brady was everpresent, even away from One Buc Palace.
I don’t think people understand how challenging this season really was. I mean, I had my own ups and downs trying to adjust to a new offense and really just finding my role. But we had ups and downs as a team, too. And what made it even tougher was that — and this is something not a lot of people realize….
We had to socially distance just like everybody else. We had league protocols to follow. Family members to protect.
And on top of that … none of us wanted to be the dude who got TOM BRADY sick!
A lot of the things we would have normally done as a team, we didn’t get to do. We didn’t have no team dinners. We couldn’t chop it up and play cards on the plane. We couldn’t go out together when we were on the road. We couldn’t do nothing, man.
Think about it: Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians always told his team if they could beat The Sickness, they could be a special team. And that happened.
And one (the main?) reason why the Bucs remained rather virus-free throughout the season (Devin White tested positive late in the season and the way he played after battling The Sickness, man, everyone should get infected) was fear of somehow infecting Brady.
Talk about respect!
Playoff Lenny went on to type that the first time the Bucs got together for any team function other than practice or a game was the Super Bowl party after the game at the Florida Aquarium.
Pretty cool insight from behind-the-scenes of a Super Bowl season played in a pandemic.
We will find out in a few weeks just how important it is for the players to stay together and make another run at glory.
February 25th, 2021 at 5:25 am
If his name was Full season Lenny not just Playoff Lenny he would’ve had a bigger role, but the playoffs proved he didn’t do his best. If he comes back and he continues his playoff style then he’ll take some touches from Jones. 3 years $8 million I’d sign him maybe even 10 mil
February 25th, 2021 at 5:41 am
Perhaps not socializing as usual (ie, less distractions and no crazy nights out) somehow helped them stay more focused and go on to win the SB?
February 25th, 2021 at 6:09 am
Interesting article from Lenny on The Players Tribune.
He was very appreciative of so many guys. Interesting no mention of Rojo in the whole article.
February 25th, 2021 at 6:19 am
99- Yeah, it took that benching to get his head right. There’s no questioning his contributions in the playoffs. Without him, who knows?
Lenny brings value to this team. The question lingers as to whether the pricetag will be too high. AND, with Rojo lighting it up, he becomes expendable.
Don’t be “that guy” Lenny. Sign a team-friendly deal for the 2021 run to the SB.
February 25th, 2021 at 6:29 am
David, it’s possible that someone will pay Lenny 8 million for one season. I don’t see him signing for 3 years 8 million. Pittsburgh, Atlanta, NYJ, NE come to mind as potential landing spots.
February 25th, 2021 at 6:45 am
I, too, really hope he stays. AB also. They were money in the playoffs and SB.
February 25th, 2021 at 7:02 am
“No one wanted to get tom brady sick”
Thats awesome. Im dying.
Go bucs!
I wish we could keep him. We just have other spots that simply have more value. If he signs that mean shaq or godwin gone and maybe another key contributor
Playoff lenny will always be his name after what he accomplished in playoffs
February 25th, 2021 at 7:12 am
You know at first, I thought 3 years for 8 or 10 mil was a lowball idea. But then I saw the list of available RBs this year, and the fact that most RBs available should earn in the 3 to 8 million range (aside from maybe Aaron Jones).
It will probably take 12 to 15 mil to keep playoff Lenny given that. So if you’re the Bucs, of course 8 or 10 mil is a deal. But will Fournette agree to that? And could the 2 million annual difference be better used to retain one of our other FAs?
If they let Fournette go, there is no shortage of available 2nd banana RBs out there. No matter what, value must be had at the RB position to be able to pay premiums elsewhere.
February 25th, 2021 at 7:14 am
For clarity, that is 3 to 8 mil annually, and 12 to 15 as a total value over 3 years so 4 or 5 mil annually.
February 25th, 2021 at 7:14 am
Well, at least the sacrifices paid off with a SB win….Imagine all that work just to lose?
As for Lenny returning….I’d be very surprised….If he does, it will mean we didn’t bring back some very important players…..
February 25th, 2021 at 7:32 am
All the players seem important. Licht’s job will be to prioritize. Tough.
February 25th, 2021 at 7:57 am
From my perspective , you have not seen even close to the best our defense can be , so you have to prioritize keeping all D together sans Gholston. Just think about our D becoming significantly better , which I am confident they can be , but keeping that chemistry and knowledge together is the key.
Our offense will be just as good and possibly better , even without Godwin and Lenny. Larry Fitzgerald , A.J. Green, and Dez Bryant can all play and would love an opportunity to play with the GOAT. Rex Burkhead and James White are available at RB and they know TB12 and he trusts them , imagine James Whites’ hands catching the ball coming out of our backfield . Bucs can easily be a better overall team next year and I cannot wait to see it.
February 25th, 2021 at 7:57 am
If you look at Lenny’s comments before the season, it seems like he doesn’t want to be the bellcow back. He wants to share touches, and I think he will be back.
February 25th, 2021 at 8:14 am
So Jensen is the worst kind of call of duty player. A sniper.
Even in video games he’s abrasive to his competitors. Haha.
February 25th, 2021 at 8:45 am
Leighroy
Kareem hunt made 6 mil per year last year and he had way more off field issues then Playoff lenny issues. Melvin gordon made 8 mil per year so his number is probably more in line with what lenny will be offered.
I love playoff lenny. He helped win us a championship. That run in green bay game was straight pimpin
But running backs are devalued now. Saquon barkely and mccafrey can barely stay on the field. And i know saints rb is worth everything he gets but he is rare find. Good thing is where we are picking. Najee harris may be there at 32. Dude can run but is great receiving back that can block too. Etienne is best receiving back to maybe come out in years. Or we could trade back and get jovuntae NC qb who is good runner with good hands. Regardless, if we are all in and we have so many studs. I know a lot of draft picks will play behind someone else for at least a year. And you need depth as this player will eventually become a starter. Why not grab a rb that can play right away. And you have locked down for 5 years at very reasonable price …pick 32 cant be over 2 mil a year. Probably around 1
February 25th, 2021 at 9:07 am
people should just get infected? wow what a terrible take
February 25th, 2021 at 9:49 am
Yeah Bird, Najee would be a great choice.
That dude is a straight up weapon.
February 25th, 2021 at 11:18 am
It’s worth the click to go read the full article. That is awesome. I would love to have him back. He’s turned the corner in his head and heart. He’s Buccaneer Lenny (hopefully).
His take on Gronkowski is priceless.
February 26th, 2021 at 3:45 pm
Lenny can definitely go glad for his contribution but would love an actual pass catching back for this offense