Antonio Brown Is Not A “Luxury”
April 10th, 2021
Crazy labeling.
Since he took to social media to beg the Bucs to re-sign him and taunted Bucs brass by working out with wide receiver-needy Lamar Jackson (and ensuring that video hit social media) Antonio Brown has been rather quiet.
The furniture-tossing, bicycle-throwing wide receiver has been handy for NFL stenographers these days. In the not-so-lively period between free agency season and the draft, Brown has spiced things up with his public desire to play again for Tampa Bay.
Alex Kay of Bleacher Report has a column on one player every NFL team should sign as the draft nears. For the Bucs, Kay suggested AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht buckle and get Brown to put pen to paper.
… Tampa’s next move should be to bring back wideout Antonio Brown. The 32-year-old showed he was far from washed up during his first season with the organization, catching 45 passes for 483 yards and four touchdowns in just eight games.
While this is a bit of a luxury signing given how deep the receiving corps is in Tampa, Brown is one of Tom Brady’s favorite targets—one he recruited to join him when he signed with the club after two decades in New England—and keeping the future Hall of Famer happy should be a top priority for the Bucs.
Joe has no idea where people get this idea that Brown is a “luxury,” or he is like a throw-in player in a trade. Brown had an impact on the Super Bowl champions. Is Brown so hated that folks cannot give him his fair due?
Look, Joe has written several times that Brown was targeted 62 times in eight games of the regular season. That’s fourth-most on the team, and tops in targets per game. If you double that, presuming he could have played a full season, Brown would have had the most targets on the team. That’s not a “luxury.”
And Brown also had four touchdowns in those eight games — after a year off from football at 32.
Double those touchdowns to eight had he played a full season, and Brown would have the second-most receiving touchdowns on a team loaded with excellent receivers.
That’s not a luxury, that’s an impact player!
Joe has no idea where people came up with this concept that Brown is only slightly more valuable than a long-snapper?
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April 10th, 2021 at 12:26 am
If they resign him, he needs to be looked at as a luxury. Mainly because he is not dependable. The issue is not his skill. The issue is whether or not he will be on the team and a positive member of the team. In order to negate that risk, he needs to be the #3 option, at best.
April 10th, 2021 at 12:33 am
Looking at the Bucs cap situation…there are 4 players the COULD be (surprise) releases or trades. Jensen is at 10 million with no cap ramifications if released…( not advised or likely )…Brate could be traded…Golston could be released ( also not advised ) and (Rack &) Pinion at nearly 3 mil. Any of those moves to sweeten Brown’s deal a tad might be worth it. The Bucs will need Brown in clutch situations if they are to repeat.
April 10th, 2021 at 12:47 am
It’s either gonna happen or not. I think Tyler Johnson could come out starting hot in the slot. He’s putting in work this offseason. If AB played outside and Godwin played in the slot sh!t would be lights out. Our WR Corp is so overflowing with talent we can’t make the decision to resign or not.
April 10th, 2021 at 1:11 am
Brown is a luxury. You make him wait, let him know he has no leverage. When he gets leverage, then he could become a pain in the ass. He stayed in line this year because his back was against the wall. Keep it there.
April 10th, 2021 at 1:13 am
Agree 100% with this article and this Joe.
Been saying the same thing on this topic. Well put, well written.
April 10th, 2021 at 1:14 am
As much as I like and admire Mike and Chris, if Brown regains his old form he’s our best receiver. Imho Mike is going to the hall of fame because he is huge, faster than he should be for his size, tough as hell, and a grinder who bullies dudes. Call him a decked out F-350 from Bill Currie Ford who will get overlooked by the bozos up North since he’s not too flashy. He’ll get in, but maybe not on his first try.
Before Brown went apesh!t I don’t think that their was a credible sports journalist who didn’t think that he was easily on the way to the hall of fame. Dude was like a Ferrari and everyone noticed his talent and production. If it comes down to Brown or someone like Ryan Kerrigan for five million per year, I’m going with Brown and loading up on edge rushers in the draft.
April 10th, 2021 at 1:18 am
Thanks Clean!
April 10th, 2021 at 1:38 am
I find it absolutely hilarious that the same guys who whined, cried, bemoaned, and bellyached for the better part of 2 months about how horrible it was that we signed AB are now writing nearly 2 articles per day begging for him to be re-signed.
Incredible.
April 10th, 2021 at 2:16 am
He is a luxury when you have other receivers that are capable. He is a talent. Absolutely. But he didn’t play in the Greenbay game. We won. He had 10yds in the NO game. We won. He had 22 yds and TD in the Superbowl but ran the wrong route. Let’s not forget the reason we won was a team effort not 1 player. Yes I sure would feel more comfortable with him on the team. But by no means over any of our other starting receivers.
April 10th, 2021 at 3:01 am
If Brown has other offers let him explore those offers. No reason to overpay. Even for an impact player. He really doesn’t have any leverage on the Bucs. I agree with windbaggery…keep it that way.
April 10th, 2021 at 3:33 am
What they simply mean is the team already has two pro bowl wrs. And two more good young ones. They also mean Brown was lucky to be playing, so it was a bit of a luxury for Tampa to have him for 8 games. He was only signed because of injuries and Tommy. If Tommy has gotten closer to Scotty or Tyler lately than Brown can take his act to south beach, south central or south sudan.
April 10th, 2021 at 6:14 am
Imagine having the luxury debate should we sign AB or not to sign AB The mans skillset is Remarkable. With the injuries that come during the season with Receiving Corp players it’s a no brainer Sometimes after signing for the Big Money many players have other challenges This AB is no LUXURY. He is a Tom Brady tool and a important part of chemistry of team. He is all in with TB12 What a nice position for the Bucs to be in everyone wants to play with TB12 The man was a magnet for talent for years get used to it Tampa AB will do some very great things for a Super Bowl run Go Bucs
April 10th, 2021 at 6:20 am
Paying as much as he clearly wants when you’ve already got $40MM+ invested in your skill positions is the definition of a L U X U R Y. Would I have him back? Sure. At like 1 yr $3MM+ incentives, and no void years. Not kicking any cans down the road for a 32 y/o with charges hanging over his head.
April 10th, 2021 at 7:08 am
Tyler Johnson, stop it.!!!!! Over Antonio Brown. Most of you people really just don’t want to repeat as champions.. You rather hate on a Hall a fame player. Insult him and real fans, bringing up names like Miller or Johnson. Who??? Are these guys???? Some people really shouldn’t talk sports.. Nither one could hold his cleats. And the Bucs need to pay up and realize the game has changed. Better pay. That Hall A Famer.And go for 1 more while you have Tom.
April 10th, 2021 at 7:15 am
I can recall last year before & just after he signed he was considered a luxury by many……not needed….
But, that has changed….his play on the field proved itself and he is now a proven necessity.
Sign him….
April 10th, 2021 at 7:18 am
Wait until camp is over see how the other guys work with Brady. If your not satisfied then bring him in provided hes not suspended.
April 10th, 2021 at 7:36 am
need to jump the gun on signing AB. JL is still ‘massaging the CAP’ at this point and has us ever-so-slightly back in the green ($0.7 mil for Top-51). Could play with a couple more contracts to free up some $$$ but that’s about it. Plus he’s surely trying to figure out how much we’ll need to sign our draft class.
Could we make the playoffs this year without him? Probably, meaning to me that he’s not a true ‘difference-maker’, although having him on the team certainly provides another potent weapon for Tom Brady (assuming that AB behaves of course).
No rush on signing AB. If he gets a better offer from Baltimore than what the Bucs have already said they have on the table, he’d likely sign with them anyways. If not, we’ll get him for a price that we can afford. Patience.
April 10th, 2021 at 7:37 am
Oh rats, first word missing: ‘NO need to jump the gun on signing AB’.
April 10th, 2021 at 7:37 am
He is a mismatch not a luxury against the other teams 3rd or even 4th best db.
April 10th, 2021 at 7:47 am
He has leverage, he’s a work out warrior that every one wanted to work out with, I can just imagine him with another year with MillerTime under his wing, teaching route running or giving pointers to all of our receivers, starting in camp thru a preseason. I think another year is not a luxury!!
April 10th, 2021 at 7:48 am
Only casuals think Brown is not that important.
It’s the cap that has to dealt with.
April 10th, 2021 at 8:14 am
Any money given to Brow could be money used to resign Godwin
April 10th, 2021 at 8:25 am
I think the whole lamar Jackson thing is overblown. AB may have had motives but hollywood brown is his cousin so it isn’t odd they were working out together with lamar. My thoughts at least
April 10th, 2021 at 8:35 am
Georger Says:
April 10th, 2021 at 8:14 am
Any money given to Brow could be money used to resign Godwin
It’s really the other way around. Resigning Godwin frees up money this season for Brown.
April 10th, 2021 at 8:55 am
Scotty Miller had 410 yards and 3 TDs in the first 8 weeks and 91 yards 0 TDs in the final 8 weeks after AB was signed. Tyler Johnson is an absolute baller and just rides the bench. AB is talented no doubt, but he is the definition of a luxury when you already have 2 #1 receivers, 2 more capable #2 wrs already on the roster, and zero cap space.
April 10th, 2021 at 9:23 am
Brown is a 7 time pro bowler and 2X SB champ did anyone think they handed him those accolades? He is not a luxury, he is a fricking great WR and makes the Bucs O much better. Brady doesn’t pick players because their buddies, he picks players that can help him WIN!
April 10th, 2021 at 9:31 am
As I posted before, AB had a 45 reception reg season in 8 games, that translates to 90 for a season. That is definately not a luxury. And the post season AB played well when he was in the game. Hope they sign him soon. GO BUCS!!!!
April 10th, 2021 at 9:36 am
I agree with Joe, Antonio Brown is an impact player who is still performing at a top level for NFL wide receivers.
The TD move that he made on the Honey Badger proved that.
But, there’s a HUGE elephant 🐘 in the room that is not discussed by Joe.
AB has been suspended and disciplined by the NFL in the past for 8 games.
The next suspension will be for more games than that.
There’s currently a sexual assault civil suit pending against him.
Even if he settles and nothing comes of it, the NFL will suspend him.
Jamie’s Winston was suspended by the NFL after the Uber case was settled out of court.
Antonio Brown isn’t a luxury, he’s an extremely risky investment.
April 10th, 2021 at 9:46 am
It’s his baggage.
Plain and simple.
Will he even be available in December?
April 10th, 2021 at 9:50 am
Sign Antonio Brown. He can still play at a high level. I think he’s their best receiver. Even as a third option, that man can get the ball and run with it. I hate to think if he goes to Seattle and beats The Bucs in the playoffs. KEEP HIM! GO BUCS!
April 10th, 2021 at 9:50 am
No way I would release Jensen, regardless of his age and contract. He is the attitude on defense that the other guys respond to.
April 10th, 2021 at 9:50 am
^^Offense
April 10th, 2021 at 9:53 am
P.S. Evans and Godwin are fine players, but this nut Brown is even better than them. That’s saying a lot. He fit in, he made plays and he became a team player. SIGN HIM!
April 10th, 2021 at 9:58 am
LoL! Taunting! AB is not taunting the Bucs. He was very productive last year while earning way below his worth, and he was DRAMAFREE! Taunting? LoL Jackson and Brown are friends off the field so working out together has no correlation to his Buc negotiations. Taunting? really? maybe he was just trying to stay in shape, you know most NFL players work out with friends from other teams during the offseason. Narratives are being spun to villianize AB! Taunting? Really? C’mon Joe!
April 10th, 2021 at 10:53 am
@Cobraboy
No, you can’t always get what you want
No, you can’t always get what you want
No, you can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometimes, well, you just might find
That Brown will sign and …..
You get what you need
Brown does not seem to be getting the interest and high paying offers he thought he would.
This means that we will probably sign him, at our price and our terms.
My only concern is, will he be happy with what we pay him, or sign with us, and Cop an attitude ?
April 10th, 2021 at 1:00 pm
The primary reason to re-sign him is to ensure no other contender for the superbowl signs him. He is also valuable as a backup..or as a decoy.
That being said, AB is , face it, a drug addict. He has mental issues and can be unstable. Brady was not just a calming influence who saved his career…he literally may have saved AB’s life which was spiraling out of control.
Btw, AB is NOT quite a sure fire hall of famer . He was humble and stable for a partial season and a SB win helped get him to the cusp of a being a future possible member of the hall of fame some day… so perhaps 1 more SB season or appearance will get him in. Until then, he has a lot more to prove on and off the field than just this past year. He needs to stay humble…. be stable …and above all, stay Clean. Je is s good blocker who should work on that even more.
If if if …another team makes him an offer , unlikely though that may be, the Buccaneers should match it but not exceed it. AB will want to play with Brady. Florida had no income tax.
If zero teams want to invest in an aging WR who is a known career headache, then imo , the bucs should offer him a tiny RAISE just to allow him to save a little face. That way both sides win with the bucs adding quality depth again with him on the roster and,in turn, he gets a slightly higher weekly paycheck.Case closed.
April 10th, 2021 at 1:16 pm
George Steinbrenner could do stunts like this because baseball has no salary cap. Additionally, baseball doesn’t have “special teams.”
The primary — and only — reason you sign Brown is for him to produce. And he showed he could produce last year.
April 10th, 2021 at 3:05 pm
+1 on AB
April 10th, 2021 at 3:09 pm
I want AB back but they brought everybody but him so I will not complain if they don’t come to terms. I think for AB coming back is the right decision and it makes sense for Bucs so I don’t understand why they are not close on the price tag. AB has pending issues so he has to take the discount but also deserves a juicy bonus if things go well. Maybe Jason is considering drafting a WR who can play special teams? Felton? Kadarius? There seems to be no hurry.
April 10th, 2021 at 8:46 pm
LOL@Chris Apple…
April 11th, 2021 at 2:23 am
If the Bucs can resign him, I still think he’s going to end up leading the team in receptions based on how often Evans and Godwin get hurt or play banged up.
Last year, if you take his stats over a 17-game season, you’re talking over 1000 yards and 9 TDs.
Obviously if Evans and Godwin and OJ can all stay healthy, then sure, in that case, he’s a luxury pick – but when is the last time that happened?
April 11th, 2021 at 7:54 am
If he’s so important… why doesn’t any of the 32 teams agree with all the fan boys clamoring for him? He’s good. He also has a proven track record of destructive at all three of his previous stops. Maybe we got lucky. Doesn’t matter. Only an idiot would think that our next priority is to sign a QB or two familiar with the offense so we can practice this off-season.
April 11th, 2021 at 8:21 am
He behaved in New England, they let him go once his charges became public and he went off on social media. He did act up at Pittsburgh and Raiders. Never heard he was accused of being a drug attic, isn’t he the opidemy of health?
April 11th, 2021 at 9:33 am
Joe he is a luxury because those catches and targets would have been given to other WR’s or TE’s. We have Evans and Godwin best duo in the league. we have have miller and johnson. miller makes defenses play deep which opens everything underneath. we have gronk and oj and brate. best TE set in the game. we also have rojo and fournette. there is only one ball. brown doesnt make us better. keep miller in the game and this offense is more dangerous because the defense is scared of him going deep. they are not scared of brown going deep like they used to
no brown equals better offense and lease dead cap for the future from constantly moving money to future years.
if they are going to push the money to the future then get a 3rd edge rusher because after shaq and jpp we are very weak.
April 11th, 2021 at 10:31 am
Not worried about AB’s attitude if he doesn’t get what he
wants and signs. Because BA and TB12 won’t tolerate it.
He will be gone.