Tag: tom brady bucs

Why the Bucs’ game against the Bears in 2020 will be a must-watch

When the Buccaneers visit Soldier Field in 2020, it will be the perfect chance for the Bucs to exact a little revenge on the Bears.

Tom Brady’s arrival in Tampa Bay has the Buccaneers and their fans thinking playoffs for the first time in over a decade. Brady’s postseason experience and six Super Bowl titles have helped make him the greatest to ever play the game. And with Super Bowl LV set to be played at Raymond James Stadium next year, it could be another magical season for the future Hall of Famer.

But another bonus of Brady taking over the Bucs is that he can help exact some revenge on opponents this upcoming season — namely, the Chicago Bears.

Tampa Bay will take to the road in 2020 and visit Soldier Field, where they last played in Week 4 of 2018. That game seemed to mark the beginning of the end for Tampa Bay’s season. Heading into that matchup, the Bucs were 2-1 and had gotten off to a hot start to the season thanks to the dazzling play of Ryan Fitzpatrick, who started the year while Jameis Winston served his suspension stemming from his incident with an Uber driver.

Fitzpatrick began the season with three-straight games throwing for over 400 yards, and helped lead the Bucs to upset wins over the New Orleans Saints and the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. But, Week 4’s game against the Bears brought everything to a crashing halt.

Fitzpatrick struggled mightily, throwing for just 126 yards and an interception before being replaced by Winston, who had just returned from suspension. Winston fared no better, finishing with 145 yards passing with one touchdown and two picks. But, perhaps worst of all, the Bucs defense allowed Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky to throw for 354 yards, six touchdowns with zero interceptions. They made Trubisky look like Brady that day. The Bucs lost 48-10 and would go just 3-9 the rest of the season, finishing with a record of 5-11 for the second-straight year.

Now, with the real Brady on their side, the Buccaneers can take the fight back to Soldier Field next season and look for a little redemption. The good news? Brady is 5-0 against the Bears in his career, throwing 14 touchdowns and four interceptions. Plus, he led the Patriots to a victory at Soldier Field back in that same 2018 season.

Hey, NFL, here’s a perfect prime-time game for you!

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Marc Sessler explains why the Bucs are poised for a return to the postseason

See why Marc Sessler of NFL.com named the Tampa Bay Buccaneers one of three teams poised for a return to the postseason.

The ink has barely dried on Tom Brady’s contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but already there’s excitement and buzz around this team that’s been missing for years. A fan base that has grown used to high draft positions and early offseasons is ready to embrace Brady and his championship ways.

Even if Brady fails to deliver a Super Bowl title to Tampa Bay, a mere trip to the playoff would be a step in the right direction for a franchise that hasn’t made the postseason since 2007, and hasn’t won a postseason game since their victory over the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII.

But, after a strong free agency period, coupled with a veteran head coach in Bruce Arians, the Bucs appear ready to take the league by storm in 2020. Marc Sessler over at NFL.com named the Bucs one of three teams, along with the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers, he thinks will make a triumphant return to the playoffs next year. For the Bucs, it would end their 12-year postseason drought.

Per Sessler:

“Mike Evans. Chris Godwin. O.J. Howard. A fiery defense. Plus a refreshing new companion in straight-talking coach Bruce Arians. On paper, the parts exist to make noise in the NFC South. With the Panthers in transition and the Falcons something of an underwhelming mystery, Tampa looms as a candidate to climb after losing six one-score games during last year’s 7-9 output. That came with ex-passer Jameis Winston hurtling for 30 touchdowns — but also 30 interceptions with a record-setting seven pick-sixes. Imagine if Brady — equaling last year’s numbers — tosses just eight interceptions.”

Sessler’s explanation makes perfect sense, and is why many people are jumping on the Bucs bandwagon. But, he does offer a few words of caution about why the Bucs might stumble. He wonders if perhaps Bill Belichick correctly scouted Brady’s demise, and he also warns about the hype that surrounded the Cleveland Browns last year before they spiraled out of control.

There’s plenty that can happen between now and Super Bowl LV next year in Tampa, but the Bucs and their fans have hope for the first time in a while. And that’s something to celebrate and hold on to.

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Check out these billboards welcoming Tom Brady to Tampa Bay

Billboards across Tampa Bay are welcoming six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady to the Buccaneers.

Tom Brady is a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. Not a New England Patriot, but a Buccaneer. Brady chose a franchise that hasn’t been to the postseason since 2007 and holds the distinction of being one of the few teams to ever have a winless season (0-14 in 1976).

Brady’s arrival to the Bucs ushers in a new era of hope, which has been missing from this fan base for ages. We are all eagerly awaiting Brady’s official introduction at the Bucs’ facility, but given the travel restrictions and social distancing mandate due to the coronavirus pandemic, we will just have to wait a little longer.

For now, though, check out some of these billboards welcoming the Golden Boy to Tampa Bay.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Billboards are so much cooler now that they are digital. Just thought I’d put that out there.

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David Carr’s stat prediction for Tom Brady in 2020 might surprise you

See how David Carr of NFL.com thinks new Bucs QB Tom Brady will perform in his first season in Tampa Bay.

The NFL world was shocked when six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady opted to leave the New England Patriots after 20 seasons and take his talents to Tampa Bay, a franchise that hasn’t been to the postseason since 2007 and hasn’t won a playoff game since Super Bowl XXXVII.

There were signs last year that perhaps Brady’s time in New England was drawing to a close. A struggling offense that failed to find any sort of rhythm, and operated without both Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown, couldn’t get the Patriots back to the Super Bowl. Instead, New England was upset at home by the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round.

Now in Tampa, Brady will command an offense that averaged 28.6 points per game last season and has a bevy of talent on their roster, including Pro Bowl receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, along with tight end and former first-round pick O.J. Howard.

And, given that former Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston had 5,109 passing yards and 33 touchdowns in 2019 (not to mention 30 interceptions), you’d think Brady was in line for a historic season, right?

Well, according to former NFL quarterback and current NFL.com analyst David Carr, Brady may be in for a somewhat tame 2020 season in terms of stats. Carr predicts Brady will finish the year with 4,500 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 60 percent completion rate. It’s a stat line any QB would likely take in a heartbeat, but when you are the Golden Boy operating in such a high-powered offense, you’d think there’d be more touchdowns to be thrown.

Here is part of Carr’s thinking on Brady’s upcoming season:

“In New England, Brady has been in a system that works from the inside out, with a number of dink-and-dunk throws. In Tampa, Brady has the luxury of throwing to some of the top threats on the perimeter in the league, a group that features Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and tight end O.J. Howard. With Bruce Arians’ ‘no risk it, no biscuit’ policy and Brady’s ability to identify and exploit coverages, I expect to see the veteran drop back around 40 times per game. I can actually see this approach being successful in this situation as long as the G.O.A.T. is protected.”

I’m sure the Bucs don’t care what numbers Brady puts up in 2020 as long as it leads them back to the postseason. One thing that seems certain is that Brady won’t throw 30 interceptions like Winston did. At least, we hope.

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This stat shows just how great the NFC South is now with Tom Brady

Take a look at just how great the NFC South is going to be in 2020 now that Tom Brady is a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tom Brady is a Tampa Bay Buccaneer.

I know, it still sounds weird to say, especially when you consider that Brady spent 20 years with the New England Patriots, the longest tenure a quarterback has had with one team.

The future Hall of Famer brings with him championship experience, veteran leadership, and stats that would make any other quarterback jealous. Not only does Brady’s addition to the Bucs make Tampa Bay a legit Super Bowl contender, but he also makes the NFC South perhaps the best division ever.

Take a look at this stat, courtesy of the NFL’s research department.

The odd man out here is new Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who only has 7,652 career passing yards. Granted, Bridgewater has missed significant time due to injury over the years and served as a backup in New Orleans the past two seasons with the Saints. Still, Bridgewater posted a 5-0 record in 2019 when he filled in for injured starter Drew Brees. Nobody should doubt this guy’s skill set.

The fight for the NFC South division crown is going to be one of the most exciting battles in the NFL next season.

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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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Bruce Arians’ offense might make ‘self-preservation’ a challenge for Tom Brady

Find out why Mike Reiss of ESPN thinks Tom Brady may be in for a surprise playing in Bruce Arians’ offense.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their fans may be dealing with social-distancing and a global pandemic like the rest of us, but they can at least celebrate the fact that when football returns this fall (hopefully) they’ll have the greatest quarterback of all time taking the field in a Bucs jersey.

Six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady ended his historic 20-year run with the New England Patriots last week before officially signing his Bucs contract on Friday. Brady will now take over an offense that ranked third in the league in scoring last season, averaging 28.6 points per game.

While the prospect of Brady throwing deep passes to Mike Evans and Chis Godwin has fantasy football owners and Madden gamers salivating, it might not be all sunshine and rainbows for Brady, who will be 43 by the time the 2020 season rolls around.

Mike Reiss of ESPN wrote a piece over the weekend examining the state of the Patriots post-Brady. Reiss talked about how Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is looking to do more of a reboot than rebuild in New England. As Reiss put it, the Patriots will pay off some bills this season (nearly $23 million in dead cap space) before having close to $100 million in cap space in 2021. So, in his mind, the team will be fine.

But, when Reiss examines Brady’s move to Tampa, he has a word of caution all fans should listen to. Reiss thinks Brady will do great things in Tampa Bay, but he notes that quarterbacks in Bruce Arians’ offense often taking a pounding. He worries Brady may in line for such an experience.

Per Reiss:

“Arians’ offenses in Pittsburgh (2007-2011), Indianapolis (2012), Arizona (2013-2017) and Tampa Bay (2019) surrendered 508 quarterback sacks. In that same time period (with Brady’s lost season in 2008 and Arians’ 2018 season on the sideline canceling each other out), Brady was sacked 318 times in New England (also factor in Brady missing four games in 2016 because of suspension). Surely, there will be some adaptation to ensure Brady isn’t pounded into submission, but the point is worthy of note.”

The Bucs’ offensive line allowed Jameis Winston to be sacked 47 times last season, while Brady was only sacked 27 times in New England. Reiss notes that Arians’ plays calling for down-field shots means the quarterback often holds the ball longer than usual, hence the inflated sack numbers.

Still, when you are paying Brady the big bucks, you’re going to want to make sure he stays upright as much as possible.

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A look at Tom Brady’s record and stats against every Bucs opponent in 2020

Take a look now at how new Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady has fared against every opponent he’ll face in 2020.

While the 2020 NFL schedule won’t be released until next month, you can be sure that more than a few Tampa Bay Buccaneers games will be on prime-time. That’s what happens when you sign the greatest quarterback of all time to lead one the league’s best offenses.

With six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady now a member of the Buccaneers, Tampa Bay will find themselves heading into the 2020 season with something they haven’t had to deal with in a while: expectations.

Fortunately, Brady knows a thing or two about winning. With that, take a look below at the opponents the Bucs will face next year and what the Golden Boy’s record and stats are against them.

HOME

  • Atlanta Falcons (5-0, 11 TD, 1 INT)
  • Carolina Panthers (2-3, 6 TD, 5 INT)
  • Green Bay Packers (3-2, 10 TD,  3 INT)
  • Kansas City Chiefs (5-4, 11 TD, 8 INT)
  • Los Angeles Chargers (6-2, 15 TD, 5 INT)
  • Los Angeles Rams (3-1, 8 TD, 2 INT)
  • Minnesota Vikings (5-0, 10 TD, 2 INT)
  • New Orleans Saints (4-1, 11 TD, 3 INT)

AWAY

  • Atlanta Falcons (5-0, 11 TD, 1 INT)
  • Carolina Panthers (2-3, 6 TD, 5 INT)
  • Chicago Bears (5-0, 14 TD, 4 INT)
  • Denver Broncos (7-6, 26 TD, 6 INT)
  • Detroit Lions (4-2, 7 TD, 4 INT)
  • Las Vegas Raiders (4-1, 8 TD, 0 INT)
  • New Orleans Saints (4-1, 11 TD, 3 INT)
  • New York Giants (4-1, 6 TD, 4 INT)

If we only count divisional match-ups with NFC South opponents once –and not twice for both home and away categories — then Brady is 57-23 against teams he and the Buccaneers will face next season, throwing for 143 touchdowns and 47 interceptions in those games. (Those 30 Jameis Winston interceptions from 2019 look even more jaw-dropping now.)

What’s even more exciting to think of is the prospect that Brady will be playing in a warm-weather environment for the first time in his career. No more having to deal with frigid snow and icy rain late in the season, especially come playoff time. If his numbers were gaudy in the northeast, imagine what they’ll be like in sunny Florida.

I’m sure fantasy football owners certainly will.

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This old Todd Gurley tweet should have Bucs fans excited

Does this old tweet from Todd Gurley indicate he could be Tampa bound now that the Los Angeles Rams have cut him?

NFL free agency isn’t even a week old, but we’ve already seen some big moves that will change the balance of power in the NFL next season. Philip Rivers has landed with the Indianapolis Colts, Teddy Bridgewater with the Carolina Panthers, and, of course, Tom Brady with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

But now, the free agent market will add another superstar name to it, as the Los Angeles Rams have announced they have released running back Todd Gurley.

Gurley, the 10th overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, was named the 2017 NFL Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1,355 yards and 13 touchdowns to go along with 788 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns. The Rams made him the highest-paid running back in NFL history prior to the 2018 season by giving him a four-year, $60 million extension that included $45 million in guarantees. Cutting Gurley comes at a cost for the Rams, financially, but for the rest of the league, it’s a chance to grab a running back who doesn’t turn 26 until August 3.

And, if Bucs fans are dreaming of a Gurley-Brady duo, this old tweet from the former Georgia star should have them excited. Take a look.

View this post on Instagram

👀👀

A post shared by NFL on FOX (@nflonfox) on

Sure, it’s an old tweet, but let’s face it, what player wouldn’t want to play with Tom Brady and the Buccaneers right now? Plus, as Adam Schefter reported earlier, several players have reached out to the Bucs saying they want to join the team.

Tampa Bay is the place to be, and I’m sure they’d be more than willing to welcome Gurley into the fold.

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The market for QB Tom Brady is down to these three teams

See which three teams are currently in the market for the services of six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in the market for Tom Brady, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

The news should come as no surprise given that the Golden Boy’s name has been linked to Tampa Bay for weeks now. The Bucs can offer Brady the chance to pair up with an experienced head coach in Bruce Arians and two of the game’s best receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Plus, there’s tight end O.J. Howard, who the Patriots inquired about at the trade deadline in October before being told “no” by Tampa Bay.

The Chargers, of course, can provide Brady with the glitz and glamour of playing in Los Angeles, but let’s face it, it’s the Chargers. They aren’t exactly the most exciting team around. Also, Florida has no state income tax, so if Brady wants to get the most bang for his buck, Tampa Bay is the way to go.

Don’t forget, too, that Dianna Russini of ESPN reported last week that any team looking to sign Brady would have to give him a say in the roster and play-calling decisions. Tampa Bay is apparently willing to do both to sign him.

Stay tuned…

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