The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were without wideouts Mike Evans(hamstring) and Chris Godwin(ACL) against the Carolina Panthers(5-10) Sunday, but fortunately, they got back Antonio Brown, who missed the past eight games with an ankle injury and suspension due to allegedly misrepresenting his vaccination status.
The Buccaneers went on the road and routed the Panthers 32-6 to win their seventh division title in franchise history. At 11-4 with two games left, Tampa Bay is one game behind the Packers(12-3) for the best record in the NFC.
Back to Brown, in his return, he came up big! Brown had 10 receptions for 101 yards. Since entering the league in 2010, Brown has recorded 23 games with 10-or-more receptions – the most-such games in the NFL during that span. In addition, Brown’s 46 100-yard receiving performances since 2010 are the second-most in the NFL during that span.
However, after the game, the questions shifted to the alleged misrepresentation of his vaccination status, which he did not want to discuss.
When asked about being supported by Bruce Arians after another controversy, Brown said the following:
Next question, next question,” Brown said. “We just want to talk about this game… I don’t want to talk about that. You guys are all drama. It’s all about football. We’re going to talk about Carolina, or I don’t want to talk to you guys.”
When asked about the injury that kept him out, Brown said the following:
“It’s a lot of drama you guys create, a lot of drama that people create who want stuff from me. That’s a part of life, that’s a part of being in the position. I can’t control what people want from me; I can’t control what people write about me; I can’t control what people say about me.”
With Godwin gone for the season, the Buccaneers will need Brown going forward. Say what you want about him, he’s a playmaker, and if the Buccaneers want to repeat, they are going to need what he brings to the table.
Watch below as Brown talks return against Carolina:
Buccaneers wideout Antonio Brown and safety Mike Edwards were suspended three games apiece without pay for violating the NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 protocols, the league announced Thursday.
According to a press release from the NFL, the players misrepresented their vaccination status under the NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 protocols. That review supported those allegations and found that the three players violated the protocols.
Here is a joint statement from the league and the NFLPA on the suspensions:
“The health and safety of players and personnel is our top priority. The protocols were jointly developed, working with our respective experts to ensure that we are practicing and playing football as safely as possible during the ongoing pandemic. The NFL-NFLPA jointly reinforce their commitment and further emphasize the importance of strict adherence to the protocols to protect the well-being of everyone associated with the NFL.”
Here is a statement from the Buccaneers on the suspensions:
“We appreciate the League’s timely handling of this matter and recognize the importance of the health and safety protocols that have been established. We will continue to implement all league COVID-19 protocols.”
Both Brown and Edwards are eligible to return on December 26 against Carolina. Due to an ankle injury, Brown has not played since Week 6 against Philadelphia.
In addition, free-agent wideout John Franklin III has also been suspended three games for misrepresenting his vaccination status. If signed by a team, he is also ineligible to play in the next three games.
Three games in 11 days are rough for any team in the NFL, which was the case for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and on Thursday night, the Buccaneers concluded those three games in 11 days with a 28-22 road win over the Eagles for their third consecutive victory.
Tampa Bay was not at their best against Philadelphia, but they did enough to get the job done. QB Tom Brady, who came in battling a thumb injury, completed 34-of-42 passes for 297 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.
The Buccaneers’ defense also held the Eagles 213 yards of total offense.
“Definitely. It was a good win,” Brady said after the game. “It’s tough to win on the road. Obviously, we didn’t play our best. So we have to get back to work. We have a good little break here – use it – and then get back to work. See if we can get better.”
After the Eagles cut Tampa Bay’s lead to 28-22 late in the fourth quarter, Antonio Brown, who caught nine passes for 93 yards and one touchdown, helped put the game away with a 27-yard reception on the final drive.
“Yeah, [Buccaneers WR Antonio Brown] made a great play,” Brady said. “Just dipped underneath the guy and then found space – kind of what he’s done his entire career. He made a huge play; it was awesome.”
Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians added on Brown’s big catch: “It was huge. Great route and hell of a throw when you’re trying to get out of the pocket. It’s a couple times this year he’s thrown out of the pocket to the right and made a big play down the field.”
Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette also came up big. He accumulated 127 yards from scrimmage, taking 22 rushes for 81 yards and two touchdowns while also contributing six receptions for 46 yards. Fournette has now recorded 100-or-more scrimmage yards in three consecutive games. The five-year veteran, who joined the team late in training camp last season, feels much more comfortable this season.
“I came in two weeks before our first game, so just having that year under my belt makes a big difference understanding it,” Fournette said. “Especially, playing with my guys for a year–trusting them and them trusting me–the lack of trust and accountability is done on both sides.”
Brady added on Fournette: “He’s a great back. He’s big, tough, catches it, runs, blocks, does everything for us. [It’s] great to have him in there. Obviously, when he’s rolling, it’s tough to stop us.”
Tampa Bay is 5-1, and each time they have been 5-1(four times), the Buccaneers won at least ten games, so this is shaping up to be another excellent season for the defending world champions.
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed wide receiver Antonio Brown in the offseason, they knew that he had the potential to make big plays as he’s done throughout his whole career.
On Sunday, that big-play ability was on full display. Brown, who became the fastest player to 900 receptions, caught seven passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns, including a 62-year touchdown reception as the Buccaneers defeated the Dolphins 45-17 at Raymond James Stadium.
“That is something I am very grateful for, but you know, I couldn’t do it by myself,” Brown said about being the fastest player to 900 receptions. “I’ve been able to play with some great quarterbacks – Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady. It’s a blessing to play with guys like that and be able to get the ball and be on that trajectory.”
The 33-year-old Brown(20 receptions, 325 yards, three touchdowns this season) has had his share of issues off the field, and according to Brown, those issues have made him a better person today.
“In life, we all need conflict,” Brown said. “We all need to go through things to shape our purpose and make us better. If we always sat here and didn’t go through anything, we would not appreciate life, or we wouldn’t be able to grow. I think the things I went through were able to prepare me to grow and make me a better person. I’m glad to be here today.”
Tom Brady, who threw five touchdowns passes on Sunday and developed a close bond with Brown when the two were in New England, gave Brown a lot of credit for keeping his focus on football during the tough times.
“So much, I think since the day we met – obviously I’ve admired him and watched him for a long time and obviously played with him briefly in New England, and [we] just struck up a great relationship, and [I] really wanted to see him get things,” Brady said. “Sometimes things take us away from what we really love to do in football – I think he’s done an incredible job personally of putting a lot of those things aside and just focusing on football and just showing everyone how great he is.”
The Buccaneers have many weapons on the outside in Brown, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin. According to Brady, Tampa Bay has the best wide receivers in football.
“Mike [Evans] is a great player, Chris [Godwin] is a great player, Tyler [Johnson] made some plays,” he said. ‘”So, everybody is really contributing, and it’s fun to see from my standpoint, all these different guys of different ages all kind of coming together as a group and being, I think, the best group of receivers in the league.”
Brown is playing at a fairly high level, which could be bad news for rest of the league.
Last season, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown got an opportunity to resurrect his career when he signed with the team last October after he missed most of the 2020 season due to suspension.
Brown, who reunited with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay after the two spent time together in New England in 2019, took full advantage of his opportunity with the Buccaneers. In eight games for Tampa Bay last season, Brown had 45 receptions for 483 yards and four touchdowns. Ultimately, he helped the Buccaneers win a Super Bowl.
After recovering from knee surgery in the offseason, Brown re-signed with the Buccaneers as he agreed to a one-year deal.
Brown has been impressive at training camp. According to Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians, the 33-year-old Brown looks like the guy he saw four or five years ago in terms of his speed.
“This is the healthiest he’s been in a few years,” Arians said on Monday. “He probably needed that procedure, but he wouldn’t do it. That first surgery is always tough. It’s amazing – I was actually talking to Emmanuel Sanders last night about [it]. That’s his first surgery is amazing. It’s remarkable how he takes care of himself. Yeah, he’s playing at a speed I saw four or five years ago.”
Brown added: “I’m putting my hand in the pile and putting my conditioning on display. I don’t take for granted being here. [I’m] thankful I have great health. I thought that [Dr. Neal Elattrache] did a great job along with the team doctors, team staff, and Alex Guerrero. I’ve got the best training guys here. I’m just happy to be here right now and do what I love and play football.”
The 11-year veteran was asked how long he expects to play in the NFL on Monday, and he said the following:
“We’ll see. I’m still having fun, still an explosive player, and still love to play the game,” Brown said. “So, hopefully, it’ll be a long time.”
With Brown, Tom Brady, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Rob Gronkowski, O.J. Howard, Leonard Fournette, and more. Tampa Bay has many weapons on offense, and if that offense can stay healthy, they will be tough to stop in 2021.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have re-signed wide receiver Antonio Brown, the team announced on Tuesday. The deal was reportedly agreed upon for weeks, but Brown recently underwent a procedure on his right knee, and on Tuesday, he was able to pass his physical.
According to Tom Pelissero, it’s a one-year deal worth up to $6.25 million with $3.1 million fully guaranteed, including a $2 million signing bonus.
The 32-year-old Brown was suspended eight games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy in 2020. After missing most of the 2019 season following his release from the Raiders and Patriots, the Buccaneers gave Brown a second chance when they signed him last October.
In eight regular-season games with the Buccaneers, the 11-year veteran had 45 receptions for 483 yards and four touchdowns. Throughout Tampa Bay’s 2020 postseason run to a 31-9 win in Super Bowl LV, Brown hauled in eight receptions for 81 and two touchdowns over three games played.
Brown’s return is huge for Tampa Bay, and with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay has one of the best group of wide receivers in the NFL.
Leonard Fournette is back with the Buccaneers after he agreed to a one-year deal, the team announced on Wednesday.
According to espn.com, the deal is worth $3.25 million with incentives that would push it to $4 million.
In his first season with Tampa Bay in 2020, Fournette appeared in 13 regular-season games, making three starts. He rushed 97 times for 367 yards and six touchdowns while adding 36 receptions for 233 yards in the passing game.
The 26-year-old Fournette returns to Tampa Bay for a second season after helping the team win Super Bowl LV.
The five-year veteran came to the Buccaneers after he was released by the Jaguars last summer.
Like Fournette, Antonio Brown’s career was in trouble before he joined Tampa Bay in October after serving an eight-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. The 11-year veteran played in only one game in 2019 after the Raiders and Patriots released him.
According to Fournette, he and Brown looked at the Buccaneers as “Last Chance U.”
“I used to try to make a joke out of it,” Fournette said. “I used to tell AB, ‘this sh** feel like Last Chance U.’ We can’t mess up. We on our second go round and things like that. He used to be like, ‘you know what, you gotta look at it like that…’ I think those conversations it carried me a long way throughout the season. We talked every day about it.”
For the 32-year-old Brown, it was “Last Chance U.” If he messed up, his career was probably over. As for Fournette, due to his age, he would have gotten another shot. However, nothing was guaranteed.
Fortunately, for the Buccaneers, Fournette, and Brown, things worked out. Fournette is back, and we’ll see if Brown will join him.
Antonio Brown is a champion. Brown won his first Super Bowl title after the Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 in Super Bowl 55 at Raymond James Stadium.
Brown contributed to his first Super Bowl victory by catching five passes for 22 yards and a touchdown.
The 32-year-old Brown, who was suspended eight games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, was signed by Tampa Bay back in October. Brown played in one game in 2019 after being released by the Raiders and PatrIots.
“Being out for a year without football made me appreciate it more,” Brown said after the game. “I’m just grateful to be at this point right here and to finally be a champion.”
Brown, who caught 45 passes for 483 yards and four touchdowns this season, can become a free agent but expressed a desire to return to Tampa Bay.
If he can stay out of trouble, Brown can help the Buccaneers or any team going forward.
Anytime you have Tom Brady, you have a shot, and down 17-0 at halftime, the Buccaneers outscored the Falcons 31-10 the rest of the way, and behind Antonio Brown’s 46-yard touchdown reception, Tampa Bay(9-5) got a huge road victory over Atlanta 31-27 on Sunday.
Brady completed 31-of-45 passes for 390 yards and two touchdowns. The 390 passing yards were his most in a game this season and the most he had since 2017. In the second half, Brady threw for 320 yards – the most in a half by a Tampa Bay quarterback since at least 1991. Brady’s 320 second-half passing yards are the most by any quarterback in a second-half this season.
As for Brown(five catches for 93 yards, one touchdown), who signed with Tampa Bay in October, he recorded his first touchdown of the season on Sunday, but he gave all the credit to Brady.
“Anytime you play with a guy like Tom(Brady), it’s encouraging,” Brown said. “He’s seen it all [and] done it all. He’s been in so many games, so many situations, so to be in a comeback with him is unbelievable. I’m grateful to be on the receiving side of it. Late in the game, he made a great throw – he hit me right in the numbers. I had the opportunity to put the team ahead, and it was a great play.”
Brady and Brown played together for one week in New England last season, but the two have a solid relationship, so seeing Brown make a play for the team made him proud.
“Obviously, as a teammate [and] someone who knows him pretty well, he’s done a lot of work to get to this point. Just proud of him, his focus [and] how he’s prioritized different things,” Brady said. “A lot of guys in that receiver group have helped him, and he’s making great contributions.”
Watch below as Brown talks game-winning touchdown: against Atlanta:
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have so many weapons on the offensive side of the ball. It’s an offense that can beat you in so many ways, which was on full display on Sunday against the Panthers.
Tampa Bay finished with 544 yards of total offense, which is the fifth-most recorded in a game by any team this season and the third-most in team history. Brady completed 28-of-39 passes in the game for 341 yards and four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing), RB Ronald Jones ran for 192 yards, including a team-record 98-yard touchdown run, Chris Godwin had six receptions for 92 yards, and Mike Evans had six grabs for 77 yards and one touchdown as the Buccaneers defeated the Panthers 46-23.
Even with all the success on offense, Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians believes the team could have scored more.
“The staff – we feel like we left 20 [points] out there, so I’m never satisfied,” Arians said on Sunday. “I was really, really happy to rush for 200 [yards]. I thought that was huge for us, and the O-Line takes a lot of pride in that. The tight ends did a great job and the receivers [in run blocking]. Tom [Brady] played great, and we still see where we can leave things out there and still get better.”
Antonio Brown, who caught seven passes for 69 yards against Carolina, thinks this offense could be special.
“[I’m] super grateful, and it’s an honor to be here around such a great group of guys,” Brown said on Sunday. “Like you said, we were hitting on all cylinders, but we still didn’t put our best effort out there yet. It’s going to be something special when things start to come together, and we could be 100 percent. I’m just extremely grateful for the opportunity and just week-by-week taking it all in.”
Rob Gronkowski is rounding into shape, Brown is getting acclimated to the offense, so this offense, if healthy, should only get better. Obviously, they will not score 46 points and accumulate 544 yards of total offense every week, but with all the talent on offense, expect many more good days for the Buccaneers.
