Bucs continue workouts against NFLPA advisory
Tom Brady and several members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued to work out together on Tuesday despite the NFL Players Association’s strong recommendation against such gatherings.
More than a dozen Bucs players – including new tight end Rob Gronkowski, wide receiver Chris Godwin and center Ryan Jensen – met again at a Tampa prep school Tuesday morning for a two-hour workout, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Also present, per the Times, were backup quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Ryan Griffin, wideout Scotty Miller and defensive backs Mike Edwards, Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean.
Brady, 42, and teammates have been working out regularly at Berkeley Preparatory School since mid-May.
In the wake of several NFL players across the league testing positive in recent weeks, NFLPA medical director Thom Mayer released a statement Saturday imploring all players to stop group practices amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Please be advised that it is our consensus medical opinion that in light of the increase in COVID19 cases in certain states that no players should be engaged in practicing together in private workouts,” Mayer wrote. “Our goal is to have all players and your families as healthy as possible in the coming months."
According to ESPN, the NFLPA declined further comment on Tuesday. However, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told ESPN, “Everyone associated with the NFL should follow the recommendations and guidelines of state and local authorities and medical experts, including the NFLPA. The league is working with the NFLPA to conclude the remaining protocols and finalize arrangements for the safe opening of training camps next month.”
Coronavirus cases are rising rapidly in Florida, and reports last week said multiple members of the Bucs’ staff had tested positive. The team confirmed on Saturday
that some staff have tested positive, though it did not offer a number. ESPN reported that two Bucs players and an assistant coach had COVID-19.
The Bucs are scheduled to start training camp July 21. Head coach Bruce Arians has told reporters he hopes to have quarterbacks and rookie report by the July 15.
Seahawks, Ravens consider signing Antonio Brown
The Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens have had “internal discussions” about signing mercurial free agent wide receiver Antonio Brown, NFL Network’s Mike Silver reported Tuesday.
Silver reported teams have been “sniffing around” Brown recently, saying the Seahawks are “absolutely interested” and that the Ravens are “mulling it over.”
Brown, who turns 32 in July, has been a free agent since September, when the New England Patriots released him after one game following allegations of sexual assault and intimidating text messages sent to an accuser.
Brown has also been involved in numerous incidents over the past two years, both off the field and with two of his former teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders.
If and when he does sign with a team, Brown is expected to be suspended by the NFL as a result of an ongoing investigation into the accusations of sexual assault and threatening text messages. The length of the potential suspension is unclear, but many expect it to be for half of a season or more.
Earlier this month, Brown was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation and enroll in a 13-week anger management course by a Florida court after pleading no contest to assault.
A seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro, Brown has played just the one game with New England since 2018. In his last full season, he had 104 catches for 1,297 yards and a league-best 15 touchdowns for the Steelers in 2018. (Reuters)