Tag: brady bucs

Fantasy writer Mike Clay picks the Bucs as his most improved team

ESPN fantasy football writer Mike Clay tells you why he thinks the Bucs are the most improved team since free agency began.

NFL free agency started just last week, but already we’ve seen enough moves and been given enough storylines to entertain us between now and the start of the 2020 season. Fans can finally start picturing what the future looks like for their team.

And, we all know the most important team for many people is their fantasy football one, and this free agency period has already given people plenty to think about as they prepare for their own upcoming drafts.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were of course the story of the first week after landing six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady to add to an offense that ranked third in scoring last season despite Jameis Winston’s 30 interceptions. Brady throwing passes to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and O.J. Howard will likely make him a prime fantasy target for people. And, according to fantasy writer Mike Clay of ESPN, the Bucs are the most improved team since the start of free agency, a ringing an endorsement from a fantasy guru.

Per Clay:

“There are teams that added multiple impact players, but no team got nearly as much of a boost from one player as Tampa Bay did by signing quarterback Tom Brady. Brady vaults the Buccaneers from a borderline playoff contender to a strong bet to push for 10 wins and potentially an NFC South crown. The Bucs also did well to re-sign edge rushers Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul.”

You can’t overlook the Barrett and JPP signings. The Bucs defense had a bounce-back year in 2019 under first-year defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, and with rookie linebacker Devin White coming on strong in the second half of the year, Tampa Bay is expecting big things from their D in 2020.

Oh, and they are pretty excited about their new-look offense, too.

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There’s a reason some Bucs players were quiet on social media after the Brady signing

Find out why Tampa Bay Buccaneers players were noticeably quiet on social media following the news of the Tom Brady signing.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans are celebrating the signing of quarterback Tom Brady, as the six-time Super Bowl champion will now call Raymond James Stadium his home.

But with the signing of Brady comes the definitive end to the Jameis Winston era. The 2015 number one overall pick failed to develop into the franchise quarterback the Buccaneers had hoped for when they handed over the keys to the franchise to the former Heisman Trophy winner. Inconsistent play on the field, coupled with trouble off of it, led to just one winning season out of five with zero playoff appearances. Winston now hits the open market for the first time in his career.

And, if you wondered at all why Bucs players weren’t celebrating on social media after the Brady news broke, you can thank their love and respect for Winston for that. According to Jenna Laine of ESPN, several players were “refraining from reacting to the Brady signing out of respect for Winston, who was a valued presence in their locker room.”

Per center Ryan Jensen:

“Battling with Jameis the last two years has been some of the most fun I’ve had playing football. Not only did we become teammates but also good friends over the last two years. This business is always tough and just that — a business. I’m excited to see where Jameis lands. With that, I’m excited to go to battle with Tom and excited to see what he will bring to the organization.”

Remember, too, that Winston was a part of a group of Bucs players who went to former Bucs DT Gerald McCoy’s son’s Senior Night back in the fall when McCoy was in Carolina with the Panthers. Teammates loved Winston, and even though he may not be a part of the Bucs locker room anymore, he’ll still be a part of their lives.

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History shows that Tom Brady plus the Bucs’ playoff drought could be a recipe for a Super Bowl win

See why history shows that the addition of Tom Brady to the Buccaneers could be a recipe for a Super Bowl win.

Tom Brady is officially a Tampa Bay Buccaneer after (finally) signing his contract today. Now that the six-time Super Bowl champion is set to join the Bucs, fans can finally start looking towards the 2020 regular season, and potentially, the postseason.

That may seem like a hard concept to grasp for some, especially when you consider they Bucs haven’t been to the postseason since 2007 and haven’t won a playoff game since their Super Bowl XXXVII victory following the 2002 season. A 7-9 finish to the 2019 season ensured the Bucs extended their playoff drought to 12-straight seasons. But, as the NFL’s research department pointed out, that drought plus the addition of Brady could be a recipe for a Super Bowl win.

Take a look.

If Brady can guide the Bucs back to the postseason in 2020, that alone would be a huge step forward for the franchise and validate the Brady signing. Plus, Super Bowl LV is in Tampa Bay next year. I’m sure Brady would love nothing more than to be the first quarterback ever to play a Super Bowl in his home stadium.

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Adam Schefter reports an ‘unexpected high number of players’ want to join the Bucs and Tom Brady

Now that quarterback Tom Brady is Tampa bound, Adam Schefter reports a high number of players have reached out to the Bucs.

Spring break may be on the back-burner for a number of people due to the coronavirus pandemic, but it seems that Tampa Bay is suddenly becoming the hot destination for NFL players now that quarterback Tom Brady is expected to sign with the Buccaneers.

Brady, the six-time Super Bowl champion who announced his decision to leave New England earlier this week, will undergo a physical in New York today while the language in his contract gets hammered out. And, not surprisingly, now that Brady is Tampa bound, other players are hoping to follow suit, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Tampa Bay, which hasn’t been to the postseason since 2007, is suddenly looking like a formidable NFC contender. Brady brings experience and leadership with him, and with a stacked offense, the Bucs will be one of the most feared teams in the league next year.

Players who sign with the Bucs would not only get a chance to play on the same team as the greatest quarterback of all time, but they get to play in sunny Florida where there’s no state income tax.

It seems one Hall of Fame wide receiver is already on board with the idea.

Maybe I should reach out to the Bucs, too…

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CBS Sports’ latest mock draft has the Bucs finding protection for Tom Brady

See which offensive tackle Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports thinks the Buccaneers will select in the first round to protect Tom Brady.

With news that quarterback Tom Brady is expected to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the question now becomes how do the Bucs protect him? The offensive line was a big issue last season, especially on the right side. Given that Brady will be 43 years old by the time next season starts, it’s imperative Tampa Bay keeps him upright.

Fortunately, the NFL draft is next month, and with the Bucs holding the 14th pick, they have a chance to find a solid offensive tackle to help protect Brady. Chris Trapasso over at CBS Sports put together his latest 2020 mock draft yesterday, and thinks Tampa Bay will use their first-round pick on Alabama OT Jedrick Wills Jr.

Per Trapasso:

“Now with Tom Brady in the mix, the Buccaneers have to prioritize strengthening the offensive line, and Wills is a plug-and-play right tackle.”

While there’s no such thing as a “sure thing” when it comes to the draft, it seems likely that OT will be the route the Bucs go in round one. Now that free agency has gotten underway, we know the Bucs will be bringing back both Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul next season, so earlier mock drafts suggesting the Bucs would take LSU edge K’Lavon Chaisson or DT Javon Kinlaw of South Carolina seem less likely now, especially with the expected signing of Brady.

Protect the Golden Boy at all costs.

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This stat about Tom Brady and Bucs QBs is mind-boggling

Find out just how great Tom Brady is when compared to former Buccaneers quarterbacks.

Pinch yourselves all you want, Bucs fans, it seems the dream is about to become reality.

After witnessing one of the most bizarrely spectacular seasons ever by a QB last year with Jameis Winston — who threw for 5,109 yards, 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions — the Buccaneers are about to land the best quarterback to ever play the game.

Tom Brady announced yesterday that he was leaving the New England Patriots after 20 years, and before the day was over, it was reported that the Bucs were expected to be his new team.

Tampa Bay offers Brady a high-powered offense, an experienced head coach and a team desperate to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2007. And, if you want to know how Brady stacks up against former Bucs QBs, this stat from Schefter will put it into perspective.

Brady to the Bucs will also provide the NFL with its dream scenario: two divisional games next year between Brady and Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints (I got chills just writing that). Oh, let’s not forget, too, the two divisional games between the Bucs and Atlanta Falcons, which will feature Brady going up against Matt Ryan in a Super Bowl LI rematch.

Best of all? Brady won’t have to wear those ridiculous alarm clock jerseys, as the Bucs will unveil their redesigned uniforms next month. The question now is, how much will Brady pay Chris Godwin for that No. 12 jersey?

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Buccaneers, Chargers odds-on favorites to sign Tom Brady

Looking at which NFL team has the best odds to sign QB Tom Brady in free agency, and where he’ll be playing in 2020.

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Future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady announced Tuesday morning he won’t be returning to the New England Patriots after 20 seasons. This means the 42-year-old, six-time Super Bowl winner will be testing the NFL free-agent waters for the first time before he suits up in 2020. Which NFL team has the best shot at signing Tom Brady? We look at the sports betting odds below.

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, March 17 at 1:45 p.m. ET.

Odds to sign Tom Brady: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-278)

The Buccaneers are expected to move on from incumbent QB Jameis Winston and are now the clear favorites to sign Brady with it known he’ll be hitting the open market.

Head coach Bruce Arians is well-versed in working with veteran quarterbacks Kurt Warner and Carson Palmer from his days with the Arizona Cardinals, and the team has two top wide receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

The Bucs finished third in the NFC South last season with a record of 7-9, but landing Brady and moving on from Winston, would drastically improve their 2020 outlook.

Looking to place a bet on Tom Brady’s next team? Place your legal sports wagers online at BetMGM. Bet now!

Odds to sign Tom Brady: Los Angeles Chargers (+200)

The Chargers finished last in the AFC West in 2019 at 5-11. Veteran QB Philip Rivers has moved on (as of this writing he was expected to sign with the Indianapolis Colts), and Brady could help the Chargers return to the postseason following their 12-4 2018 campaign.

Like the Patriots, the Chargers will lean on a multi-headed backfield expected to be led by Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson. WR Keenan Allen is one of the more talented slot receivers in the game, Mike Williams has size and can stretch the field, while franchise-tagged TE Hunter Henry is the big target Brady missed last season following the retirement of Rob Gronkowski.

Odds to sign Tom Brady: Rest of the pack

  • Oakland Raiders +800
  • Miami Dolphins +1100
  • San Francisco 49ers +2000
  • Chicago Bears +2000
  • Indianapolis Colts +2800
  • Carolina Panthers +3300
  • Detroit Lions +4500
  • Pittsburgh Steelers +4500
  • Denver Broncos +4500
  • New York Giants +5000
  • Dallas Cowboys +5000
  • New York Jets +5000
  • Los Angeles Rams +5000
  • Jacksonville Jaguars +5500
  • Everyone else: +10000

Want action on Tom Brady’s next team? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Report: Bucs make strong offer to QB Tom Brady

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have gone all in on their offer to quarterback Tom Brady, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

The Tom Brady era is officially over in New England, as the six-time Super Bowl champion took to his Instagram account today to thank Patriots fans everywhere for the 20 years of memories.

Now a free agent for the first time in his career, Brady will now likely wind up in either Tampa Bay with the Buccaneers or Los Angeles with the Chargers. And, as Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports, the Bucs have gone ahead and made a strong offer to the Golden Boy.

Take a look.

If we are just talking football, then Tampa Bay is a no-brainer in terms of where Brady should go. A two-time NFL Coach of the Year in Bruce Arians would give Brady a veteran leader on the sideline, plus, he’d get to throw to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

However, as many have pointed out, in Brady’s Instagram post he referred to himself as a “California kid,” leading some to speculate he is LA-bound, especially when you consider the glitz and glamour Hollywood provides him and his supermodel wife, Gisele Bündchen.

Time will tell.

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Tom Brady says goodbye to the Patriots on Instagram

Six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady said goodbye to Patriots Nation on Instagram, opening the door for him to come to Tampa Bay.

It’s now official: Tom Brady is ending his 20-year career with the New England Patriots, the only team he has ever played for, opening the door for him to come to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (hopefully).

Brady, the six-time Super Bow champion, took to Instagram today to announce his decision to find a new team now that free agency has begun.

View this post on Instagram

LOVE YOU PATS NATION

A post shared by Tom Brady (@tombrady) on

View this post on Instagram

FOREVER A PATRIOT

A post shared by Tom Brady (@tombrady) on

With the Patriots out, it seems the Los Angeles Chargers and Buccaneers are the most likely destination for the Golden Boy.

The Bucs have a lot to offer Brady, from a loaded offense featuring Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and O.J. Howard, coupled with a strong defense that will have both Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul back next season.

If Brady does decide to make Tampa Bay his next home, the question will be, will Chris Godwin surrender that infamous No. 12 jersey?

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Buccaneers willing to ‘give Tom Brady the things he needs’ to sign him

When it comes to QB Tom Brady, it appears the Buccaneers are ready to pull out all the stops to sign the six-time Super Bowl champ.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven’t been to the postseason since 2007, and haven’t won a playoff game since their victory over the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII following the 2002 season. But this offseason could change all that.

The Bucs have lots of cap room to make a splash in free agency, and the big fish out there right now is quarterback Tom Brady, who has been linked to Tampa Bay thanks to their high-powered offense and veteran head coach. While picturing Brady in a Bucs uniform may be hard for some, Bucs fans are dreaming of seeing him don their new threads in 2020.

While Brady will have plenty of suitors once free agency starts next week, Dianna Russini of ESPN reported last week on “Get Up!” that the Golden Boy has two big “wants” that he’ll be looking for in his new team — control over the roster and making decisions on play-calling. And, according to Russini, the Bucs seem more than willing to comply.

Per Russini:

“I talked to Tampa Bay. They would love to have Tom Brady. They are willing to give Tom Brady the things he needs, he wants.”

John Breech over at CBS Sports points out the fact, too, that next year’s Super Bowl will be played in Tampa Bay, meaning Brady, if he signs with the Bucs, would have a chance at being the first quarterback ever to play a Super Bowl in his home stadium.

While the Super Bowl may be a bit of a reach, if Brady were to get the Bucs back to the postseason that would be a huge victory for the franchise and only add to Brady’s legacy. If you are Tampa Bay, you pull out all the stops to get a guy like Brady.

And, apparently, it seems they are going to do just that.

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