Antonio Brown Will “Be A Relatively Cheap Signing”
March 21st, 2021
Bargain bin free agent.
If the Bucs decide to re-sign furniture-tossing, bicycle-throwing wide receiver Antonio Brown, one BSPNer believes they will get a discount. Why? Because NFL teams don’t want him.
Clearly Brown has had many hassles with his past teams. The Bucs are the exception. Throw in his legal problems and he’s pretty much toxic, so Kevin Seifert of BSPN typed.
In ranking the top remaining free agents (as of midnight last night), Seifert has Brown at No. 14, though he will come cheap ($4.5 million for 2021?).
A touchdown in the Super Bowl reminded the football world that Brown had in fact returned to the field as a productive player. Fulfilling his desire to play with quarterback Tom Brady, Brown caught 45 passes in eight regular-season games for the Buccaneers. Even after that success, his off-field history ensures that he’ll be a relatively cheap signing — for someone — if he wants to continue playing.
Joe has a hunch that retaining Brown was one reason a reworked contract is now in the hands of park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting, handshake-stiffing, jet-ski-losing, biscuit-baking, tequila-shooting, waffle-grilling, trophy-throwing Bucs Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady — to have money for Brown.
For some reason, those two guys are tight. And we know from experience that for reasons not quite clear, Brown has behaved himself with Brady as a teammate.
There is no question in Joe’s eyes that Brown is the best No. 3 receiver in the NFL.
Enjoy The Ira Kaufman Podcast, presented by Bill Currie Ford.
March 21st, 2021 at 8:07 am
Great news. Hope we hear about the signing soon.
March 21st, 2021 at 8:15 am
I keep hearing Julian Edelman rumors… They aren’t going away.
Could we see Edelman in Tampa over AB?
Who would you prefer Joe?
March 21st, 2021 at 8:18 am
People grow. Good friend, TB12, and AB are trending UPWARD in Tampa Bay. Arrows UP! Enjoy the show!
March 21st, 2021 at 8:24 am
MAGA Make Antonio Great Again
March 21st, 2021 at 8:27 am
I just pray he can go 1 more season w/o acting like a Goober Smooch
March 21st, 2021 at 8:33 am
NO to Edelman. AB proved himself last year in turning around his bad attitude. If he can be signed at a good price, sign him up.
March 21st, 2021 at 8:42 am
@ Senor
I agree. Would rather have AB back if he can continue being a good citizen and teammate…
March 21st, 2021 at 8:49 am
Bring AB back
He is clearly not a #3. He may be here, but he is much better than that. It cost him a lot of money being a me first guy. He seems good now.
March 21st, 2021 at 8:54 am
Where else is he going to make $4.5mil? Joe, seriously #3 WR? He would be #1 if Evan’s wasn’t a homey. The guy is freaking good, stop jerking around and get it done. If he acts up then cut him. He won’t because Brady is his boy and the only guy that had his back. As much as I like Edleman, he’s no Brown and doesn’t fit on Bucs. He is a great return guy but he’s going to want $5 to $7 mil. Brown at $4.5 is the best signing in league.
March 21st, 2021 at 8:57 am
“Brown is the best No. 3 receiver in the NFL.”
Easily.
Actually – Evans, Godwin and AB are the best trio of WRs on the same team in the entire 100+ year history of the NFL…..
Add Gronk, OJ Howard and Brate to the mix – and Tom Brady is throwing to more receiving talent than any QB EVER HAS in NFL history…..
And if they bring in James White? – man – that’s just kind of piling on….
March 21st, 2021 at 9:06 am
Evans and Godwin are injury prone and it’s nice to have AB who is still good enough to be a number 1 WR if needed.
March 21st, 2021 at 9:29 am
We need AB back here. Let him move back in with Tommy. Hell, maybe they should let him sleep in between Tommy and Giselle so Brady can continue to watch his every move. AB remains a loose cannon. He was able to hold it together last year. Let’s hope he can go for two.
March 21st, 2021 at 9:46 am
What if the Bucs are leaning on him this season do to injury or whatever? And he gets sent to the slammer after his trial in Dec. And he’s not available for the playoffs
March 21st, 2021 at 9:51 am
Remember: Brown was initially signed for “insurance.” Good thing, too, seeing how both Evans and Godwin missed games or were hobbled.
Bring Brown back. It took him half a season to get into mental and physical “game shape” but when he did, and when the O changed at the bye, Antonio Brown was as effective as any top receiver in the NFL.
Plus, Brady likes playing with him.
Evans, Godwin and Brown on the field at the same time is a nightmare for DCs…
March 21st, 2021 at 9:54 am
Such a luxury to have AB in addition to our other recievers..I hope he gets signed before another team decides he’s worth the risk.
March 21st, 2021 at 10:03 am
No one WANTS Brown.
Hes deservedly earned the rep as a ticking head case.
Count on him, and he can destroy your season.
But Tampa is unique. We have 2 of the top ten WRs WITHOUT Brown.
If he comes thermonuclear- he hurts himself. The team wouldnt suffer.
The Bucs dont want Brown, but if you wanna win multiple SuperBowls, the Bucs NEED him. Injuries happen. With 3 outstanding WRs, you can lose one for a couple games- and still be an absolutely dominate Offense. You still have 2 Wrs, that both require double coverage.
And like it or not, Brown is still the best WR in football. Fantastic work ethic, great speed WR. Great possesion WR. Great slot Reciever.
All in one package.
Tom Brady is no fool. Plus, he obviously likes the guy.
I hope Brown keeps it together, and wins a couple more SuperBowls as a Buccaneer!
Good for him, and good for the Team.
March 21st, 2021 at 10:08 am
AB is still relatively young for a wideout and could be the best receiver period this year if he gets back to his old form.
March 21st, 2021 at 10:09 am
Brown does NOT want to go down in history as THE guy who screwed Tom Brady over.
That legacy could stop a HoF vote in its tracks.
Brown is playing for rep rehab and his legacy.
Anyone consider that maybe, just maybe, he’s turned his life around? Not sayin’ he has, but he’s been a model citizen as a Buc. That could count for something come trial…IF no settlement has been made by then.
March 21st, 2021 at 10:09 am
Nice TBF lol. I agree
March 21st, 2021 at 10:11 am
I would love to see both AB and Playoff Lenny back with the Bucs
March 21st, 2021 at 10:12 am
Brown and Edelman definitely, and possibly James White. You could probably get all three for about 10K.
March 21st, 2021 at 10:13 am
AB > JE
March 21st, 2021 at 10:40 am
Waiting on the next team to sign Josh Gordon whilst we discuss this
March 21st, 2021 at 10:43 am
Evans + Godwin + Brown = the best set of receivers in the league. Get this done if possible and pay Brown enough so that he feels appreciated.
James White is a solid receiving back and Gronk can still make key plays.
This group would give Brady the best set of targets in his career. He has the skill set to make optimum use of all these options.
March 21st, 2021 at 10:52 am
During his short stint Brown was a model citizen in New England to. He was great in the locker room but his off field antics cost him. Ironic since at that time Kraft was going through a case of prostitution charges for his run and tug in Jupiter massage parlor. His off field antics have cost him millions in league credibility.
March 21st, 2021 at 10:54 am
Edelman is not a free agent, is not healthy, will be 35 with a surgically repaired knee, has a $6.5 M contract, and the Bucs have Godwin and Tyler Johnson in the slot–I don’t think he’s coming.
AB is very hard for anyone else to sign because he quit on the Steelers, was so outrageous the Raiders and Patriots had to cut him–but he sued them for his big contracts and won a nice settlement from the Patriots. I think most in need of a receiver will go 1) Draft 2) TY Hilton 3) Sammy Watkins. Why beg for trouble? We are the only place that can handle him.
Lenny got $27 M fully guaranteed for his 3 years in Jax, so I’m sure his market price is a shock to him–but is he better than James Conner or Mike Davis?
March 21st, 2021 at 10:55 am
Edleman is still under contract with NE. Licht gonna make a trade? Don’t think so. AB all day.
Where are all the other restructured contracts, Joe? Seems weird that Tom has been the only one so far when so many others were willing also. Maybe Licht’s waiting for the right guys in FA he wants to sign??? Sounds like Licht isn’t just giving older Suh and AB the golden pass to come back before scouting others first. Thing I don’t understand is they would probably be one or two years and wouldn’t hurt the cap that hard. But I trust our GM to do the right thing.
March 21st, 2021 at 11:19 am
Cobra
Agree completely with your AB takes.
One thing I haven’t read about is AB’s financial status. Let’s face it if he’s had even a mediocre financial advisor he’s already set for life with more bling than he can ever flash.
So if AB has pisssed away his massive earnings he set and HE gets to pick where he wants to play NOT the market.
EVERYBODY knows where AB WANTS to play. I like our odds unless he’s run up some kind of debt he needs to liquidate quickly.
March 21st, 2021 at 11:35 am
No. 3 receiver? Your top 2 wideouts have a history of injuries. Mike Evans isn’t the most durable WR and Godwin although alot younger appears to have these same issues. Evans has only missed six games, but I cringe whenever he comes up hobbling. AB could be the saving grace of the offense if both or either wrs are hurt
March 21st, 2021 at 11:39 am
Sign him for 2 years with no guaranteed money. No risk to dead money if you need to cut him.
Doon’t want Edelman.
March 21st, 2021 at 11:44 am
AB is going to be a matchup nightmare again this year. Huge X factor in 2021. I posted before the Bucs signed him last year that we would get the church mouse version of AB and that is exactly what happened. The December Court Date is still an unknown situation, but AB is going to have a big year. He had 45 receptions in 8 games, that works out to 90 for 16 games. And it seemed like a quiet 45, which is more than most fans realized. AB gives the Bucs a huge advantage this year, so with AB being a part of training camp and preseason, again advantage Bucs. Brady 50 Tds in 2021 Regular season and right at 5000 yards. Think that is crazy, well Brady threw 50 Tds and 5600+ when you add the Post season in 2020. GO BUCS!!!
March 21st, 2021 at 12:39 pm
stpetebucsfan Says:
Cobra
Agree completely with your AB takes.
One thing I haven’t read about is AB’s financial status. Let’s face it if he’s had even a mediocre financial advisor he’s already set for life with more bling than he can ever flash.
So if AB has pisssed away his massive earnings he set and HE gets to pick where he wants to play NOT the market.
EVERYBODY knows where AB WANTS to play. I like our odds unless he’s run up some kind of debt he needs to liquidate quickly.
Nice to see you, spbf! Where have you been? I was worried!
March 21st, 2021 at 12:41 pm
Pay AB. If it’s 5m-7m. Pay him. Without his off field he’s 10-15m .
March 21st, 2021 at 2:10 pm
This guys insane a No.3 receiever? Im a huge fan of Godwin and Evans but if 1 of them was to go down, Brown could step right in and not much production if any lost.
March 21st, 2021 at 4:05 pm
this might be debatable, but gotta say it anyway…
if we sign AB, we might have 3 number one receivers on the team…
and…
3 number one tight ends on our team…
oj and cam can debatably be the number one starter on a couple handfuls of teams in the nfl…
imagine that…
3 number one receivers and 3 number one tight ends for TB to throw to…sheer madness
March 21st, 2021 at 4:22 pm
I Joe’s correct because AB is an asset and we need him.
March 21st, 2021 at 5:51 pm
Cobra
Thanks for asking. Just did some “minor” eye surgery…Cataracts which slowed my reading a bit. Back up to speed now,
March 21st, 2021 at 6:51 pm
One thing about AB in the lineup, whenever we play Slimy Saints, Evans won’t have to lay awake all the previous night fretting about Lattimore
March 21st, 2021 at 8:29 pm
KEEP AB!!!!!!!!
March 21st, 2021 at 11:52 pm
Not confident AB can contain himself for another season, but since Tom appears to be the only one in football who can possibly make that happen, what is the downside of giving it a chance for AB’s relatively low market value. He is a #1 receiver even on the Bucs