Tag: new orleans saints tampa bay buccaneers

Report: Bucs reach deal with Antonio Brown, to debut Week 9 vs. Saints

The New Orleans Saints will be the first team to play Antonio Brown and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he signs an expected contract there.

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Well, Antonio Brown found a new bridge to burn. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Friday evening that the free agent wide receiver has reached an agreement with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year contract, reuniting him with Tom Brady and his former Steelers coach Bruce Arians. Arians vehemently denied that Brown would play for his team earlier this year, but must have changed his mind.

Brown is currently serving an 8-week NFL suspension after a series of personal conduct policy violations. He’s set to go on trial in December after being accused of rape by his former personal trainer, which could lead to a longer suspension.

But in the meantime he’ll be making his 2020 debut in the NFL against a team that almost gave him a chance: the New Orleans Saints, who visit Tampa Bay in Week 9. Brown’s late-season tryout in 2019 with the Saints started off on the wrong foot when he brought a video crew along with him to the team facility, and it ended ugly when he released a noxious music video dissing Saints coach Sean Payton. Brown later accused the Saints of inviting him as a publicity stunt. So there’s no love lost there.

Brown last appeared in the NFL with Brady as a member of the New England Patriots, catching 4 passes for 56 yards and a touchdown in a game against the Miami Dolphins. When the Patriots released him after sexual assault allegations surfaced, he publicly feuded with Patriots owner Robert Kraft, eventually offering a tepid apology.

It’s been the same story at every NFL stop for the diva. Brown’s selfish attitude got him traded away from the Pittsburgh Steelers and released by the then-Oakland Raiders, and it hasn’t slowed down yet. How he’ll work out with the Buccaneers — if he ever actually plays for them — is anyone’s guess, but Brady is eager to overlook his streak of occasionally criminal behavior if it helps him win a couple of football games. The Saints will get first look at whatever Brown has to offer on Nov. 1.

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WATCH: Baldy’s Breakdowns highlights Saints offensive line vs. Bucs

The New Orleans Saints offensive line earned a shout-out from NFL analyst Brian Baldinger for their efforts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Nobody cuts a better highlight reel than Brian Baldinger. The veteran NFL analyst spent a dozen years in the league before taking a turn into broadcasting with NFL Network, and now he spends his spare time poring over game tape to talk up underrated players and units after each week’s slate of games.

On Wednesday, Baldinger turned his attention to the New Orleans Saints offensive line. While they had a few miscues against a talented Tampa Bay Buccaneers front (and while missing first-round draft pick Cesar Ruiz, expected to start at right guard), Baldinger took time to explain just how special the big men up front in New Orleans can be.

“The execution by the offensive line out on the perimeter, down the field, on this touchdown run, you can’t do it any better. They did it on most of the big plays they had,” Baldinger said, pointing out key blocks by left guard Andrus Peat and center Erik McCoy.

He then pointed out a series of blocks in space by Peat, McCoy, and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk on a screen pass to wide receiver Deonte Harris. The blockers did their jobs and cleared a lane for a 17-yard gain.

“It’s like ‘Bowling for Dollars,'” Baldinger said. “I mean this group, moving this well downfield? Give ’em a game ball, for crying out loud.”

Improving their ability to throw blocks away from the line of scrimmage was a point of emphasis for the Saints this offseason. They picked Ruiz and released three-time Pro Bowl alternate Larry Warford aiming to get more athletic up front, and on paper they have one of the fastest offensive lines you’ll see in the NFL.

That agility is critical for blockers getting to their spots on time to spring Harris or Alvin Kamara free into the open field, gaining chunks of yardage, and we should see more of it once everyone is healthy and practicing together. These early highlights from Baldinger are a proof-of-concept; here’s hoping Ruiz can get on the field soon so we can see the full picture.

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