Bucs getting by without Brady
The mystery continues to deepen with Tom Brady and his absence from the Buccaneers. Coach Todd Bowles said this past week that the Buccaneers don’t have a firm date for Brady’s return, and that “we’ll keep in touch and find out.” Bowles tried to smooth it over on Friday by stating, “I know exactly when Tom Brady is coming back,” but his answer wasn’t very satisfying: “Sometime after the Titans game.”
Most importantly, let’s continue to hope that everything is OK health-wise with everyone in Brady’s large, extended family. But with details in short supply, the suspense around his absence is only natural, and building. The way the Buccaneers are handling it makes it seem as if they are nervously doing whatever it takes to keep Brady happy and wanting to play this year.
If Brady does need to take time off this year, I wouldn’t expect the Buccaneers to make a move at quarterback this late into the offseason. The Buccaneers reportedly were not interested in Jimmy Garoppolo, and would probably just stick with Blaine Gabbert, Ryan Griffin, and Kyle Trask, last year’s second-round pick who has been somewhat of a disappointment in camp. Either Gabbert could keep the team afloat, or the Buccaneers go in the tank and set themselves up to draft a quarterback high next year.
Extra points
One team that certainly understands the advantage of having a young quarterback locked into a rookie contract is the Chargers. With budding superstar Justin Herbert making just $3.034 million this year, the Chargers are spending $28 million cash this year on cornerback J.C. Jackson, $28 million on receiver Mike Williams, $21.25 million for pass rusher
Joey Bosa, $17.75 million for pass rusher Khalil Mack, $16.5 million for receiver Keenan Allen, and $24.5 million for safety Derwin James after agreeing to a new contract this past week. Noticeably, all six affect the passing game. The Chargers are smart to get these players under contract now, and get their big payments out of the way in 2022, because Herbert is eligible for a new contract in 2023 and should get an outrageously big deal . . . Neat gesture by the Vikings as they hosted the 49ers for joint practices. The Vikings paid for the buses for 115 kids on the Marshall Senior High football team to come watch star alum Trey Lance, now starting quarterback for the 49ers. Lance paid for the kids’ meals . . . But not everyone enjoyed the 49ers-Vikings practices. 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk called them “boring” and “a waste of time,” via NBC Sports Bay Area. “It was a little of Day 1 stuff — the basic stuff,” Aiyuk said. “I was getting a little irritated having only touched the ball like three times in the last two days.” . . . COVID19 is still messing things up. The Seahawks’ quarterback battle may have to go to Geno Smith by default because
Drew Lock got the virus and is “really sick,” according to coach Pete Carroll, who also recently had to miss time because of COVID. Cardinals quarterback
Kyler Murray recently had to sit out nearly two weeks of practices, and Vikings QB Kirk Cousins sat out five days . . . You can’t make this up: The American Massage Therapy Association is holding its annual convention this coming week (Aug. 25-27) in, of all places, downtown Cleveland, at the convention center a block away from the Browns’ stadium.