How Lucky Are The Bucs?
February 1st, 2021
Option-B in 2020.
So last year when the Bucs decided they were moving on from high-priced Mr. Entertainment, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, the Bucs all but bought air time on television networks in primetime to say they were interested in two quarterbacks.
Option-A was, of course, Tom Brady, provided he was done with the Belicheats.
Option-B was free agent quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
Man oh man did the Bucs luck out with Brady. Forget that Brady led the Bucs to Super Bowl LV, to be played in six days. That alone is enough to throw a parade down Kennedy Blvd.
But now it seems as if the second NFC South team in as many years is washing its hands of Bridgewater.
In quarterback musical chairs over the weekend with Matt Stafford getting moved to Los Angeles and Deshaun Watson trying to strongarm his way out of Houston, the Stinking Panthers have been awfully busy for a team that has a quarterback the Bucs also wanted last year.
It seems, per Sam Robinson of ProFootballRumors.com, Carolina has inquired about trying to land Watson in addition to the Stinking Panthers putting in a bid for Stafford last week.
So if the Bucs didn’t get Brady last spring, the team likely would have settled on Bridgewater.
And the way the slimy Saints waved goodbye to Bridgewater and how the Stinking Panthers are ready to wash their hands of him, if the Bucs had landed Bridgewater, it is safe to guess the Bucs would not be playing in the Super Bowl in six days.
February 1st, 2021 at 8:02 am
Bridgewater was still a major upgrade over America’s Turnover Machine Joe,
February 1st, 2021 at 8:04 am
In fact it sounds like the Lions did Stafford wayyyy too much of a solid by sending him to LA, because from what I heard – Carolinas offer was more attractive. A first round pick THIS YR, and not needing to take on Jared Goffs albatross contract. Basically – Carolina is trying really reallyyyyyy hard to upgrade from Teddy two glove
February 1st, 2021 at 8:05 am
I believe we would have made the playoffs with Bridgewater…..but not sure we would have advanced. The game is really geared to feature top tier QBs….if you dont have one, you can still have success but at some point, particularly in the playoffs, the caliber of your QB will be in the spot light.
February 1st, 2021 at 8:21 am
tickrdr Says:
March 6th, 2020 at 1:09 pm
……………….
So, as I’ve posted before, if JW3 is NOT “the guy”, then the amount to pay him makes absolutely no difference, even if it is a relative pittance, and therefore hope we move on.
To me, the next question is can the Bucs win enough next year to get in the playoffs? If that answer is NO, then the best option at QB becomes the best available CHEAP option as a “bridge QB” and drafting their next stab at a “franchise QB”. (And moving up in the draft as necessary, and using as much draft capital/players as that takes to get your choice of QB). That allows keeping the rest of the team intact, and below the salary cap. Unfortunately, that likely wastes the next year, waiting for a long-term answer at “franchise QB” to develop.
………………..
tickrdr
February 1st, 2021 at 8:32 am
Teddy doesn’t seem very inspiring. I doubt he would’ve got us out of the mud
February 1st, 2021 at 8:41 am
Think of the run Bucs had to have to make the PO’s. The only teams Bucs lost to were PO teams. I doubt Bridgewater could of bailed Bucs out of Atlanta, Chargrs and Raiders game. Doubt the make the playoffs. Bucs do.need to start thinking about the future, you got to figure Brady has one more year.
February 1st, 2021 at 8:42 am
Watson will cost carolina, or any other team 3 first round picks, minimum. That is a ton to give up, not sure if its worth it.
February 1st, 2021 at 8:43 am
I personally think that our team needed something dramatic to turn around the losing culture. This extends to all facets of the team, not just defense.
Brady was the only correct answer.
February 1st, 2021 at 8:50 am
Plus you have to pay Watson around $40 million a year. So you are stuck without premium draft picks or the ability to sign other high value free agents.
Watson is only an all-in move like Brady. Any team that signs him has to be one QB away with their current roster.
February 1st, 2021 at 8:52 am
I think the Buccaneers have started something here, with teams selling out for a proven veteran to get them over the hump.
February 1st, 2021 at 8:54 am
I know the Saints are really messed up money wise with the cap but they can figure it out; I could see payton and the gm trying to make a run at deshaun if they can figure it out with the money. he should go to the phins though
February 1st, 2021 at 9:01 am
What is the marketplace saying about Jameis ?
February 1st, 2021 at 9:31 am
The only team I see making a real play for Watson is NE. They’re used to picking very late in the first round so giving them up for three years won’t be as big of a shock.
Otherwise, I’m afraid Watson may have priced himself out of the market, especially considering the restricted cap next year.
February 1st, 2021 at 9:35 am
The question is if you went with Teddy would you have been willing to fix the offensive line add 3 running backs, trade for Gronk and sign AB even though that was part of the Brady package get a kicker that can make kicks and still bring back your defense? I honestly believed that option B was Winston. Those stories about other QB was smoke screen to drive down the price. So you got Brady and Tampa is in the Super Bowl not because of one man but the team improvements. I honestly don’t think if they would have got Brady they would have gotten all the other additions to the team. You can say what you want but there is no way Teddy was better than Winston. I know folks will say Hill started over him in New Orleans but come on they were paying him 16 million so he had to start. Lets not overlook that the entire offense is run totally different and is very similar to what New England runs. Overall I’m glad they hit on Brady and History is about to be witnessed Sunday.
February 1st, 2021 at 10:02 am
I don’t think Teddy is the problem in Carolina. Teddy is a solid QB who can and will win in this league. He would have done very well here. He would have limited the turnovers and we would have done much better than last year. I don’t think we would be playing in the Super Bowl because I don’t think he would have changed the entire team like Brady did. Brady hasn’t only been the QB, but he’s been another coach for these guys to look up to. The advantage Teddy has is that he’s young. He’s going to be good for a long time. I see him as the next starter of the Saints….not ATM.
February 1st, 2021 at 10:16 am
Bucs go 9-7 with Teddy B and lose in the first round.
February 1st, 2021 at 10:26 am
So our guys wasn’t good until Brady got here? Or we needed Brady to teach them how to win? Makes me wanna puke
February 1st, 2021 at 10:51 am
Thisisyouryear – ya well Carolina and their coach/gm feel differently and they’re trying to offload Bridgewater. Why so many people here feel so earnest with defending Bridgewaters honor or something – it’s kinda weird, he has no connection to Tampa, whooooo cares. He is not a franchise quarterback, he also doesn’t put butts in the seats, simple as that.
February 1st, 2021 at 10:51 am
Perhaps. But two teams in two years have apparently given up on him. That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement.
February 1st, 2021 at 11:13 am
OK Teddy won’t turn the ball over. Guess who else is conservative with the ball. Alex Smith and Tyrod Taylor are the same as Teddy. You can win games and make the playoffs with them, but you have a hard ceiling with them. You have to be a play maker to win big in this league. Yea there will be picks, but you have to make plays.
February 1st, 2021 at 11:17 am
Joe: I wouldn’t say the Saints gave up on Bridgewater. He was a free agent and the Panthers overpaid ($24 mil per is steep) for him. I’d compare it to Adam Humphries and the Bucs. The Bucs would’ve liked him back on a decent contract, but he got good money from the Titans.
February 1st, 2021 at 11:27 am
If Bridgewater gets cut, he could take Winston’s place in NOLA.
February 1st, 2021 at 11:29 am
Did the Saint really give up on Teddy, they did not, Teddy had a chance for a starting position at QB which he would not have gotten in New Orleans this year with the return of Brees. I agree, Teddy is not the future in Carolina, because they have nothing but a hurt McCaffrey, i other words he had nothing. Bucs would be a playoff team with Teddy (just don’t turn the ball over), we obviously would not have Gronk, maybe not Fournette, the question would be if Suh and JPP would’ve re-signed. What I understood in Minnesota and New Orleans, his teammates loved him, “Brady-like”, maybe not, Tom chose Tampa Bay’s weapons over other teams, would the Panthers be a layoff team with Brady this year, doubtful
February 1st, 2021 at 11:30 am
Joe must be the only guy in America that thinks Tyrod Taylor is a friggin’ joke (unless he’s playing a Mike Smith defense). Personally would take Teddy Bridgewater in a heartbeat over Taylor.
February 1st, 2021 at 11:44 am
There are more qualities to a quarterback than pure passing ability. Cousins is a very good passer but he doesn’t win. Brady has all those qualities
February 1st, 2021 at 12:15 pm
I still don’t buy Teddy as a viable option. Either BA was blowing smoke as a negotiating tactic, or he has completely lost his mind. I respect Teddy, but Id take another 30 int season before supporting 2 Gloves dink his way to 13 tds a year. We apparently had Rivers on that shortlist ahead of JW too. I think BA lost it after that final pick 6. No other way to explain it.
February 1st, 2021 at 1:45 pm
How is America’s QB not Brady? Winston has become a punchline
February 1st, 2021 at 4:50 pm
I still can not believe how much LA gave up for Matthew Stafford lol.