San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
Brady’s a bit too big for Bucs’ britches
Sez Me …
Tom Brady going to the Tampa Bay Bucs is Joe Dimaggio going to the Tampa Bay Rays.
It doesn’t fit. Tampa’s store doesn’t have his size, or style. It’s kind of like Shaq shopping at Gap Kids.
But this is the NFL today. And, during a crazy time, we’re coming off a crazy week. Because rarely have so many established quarterbacks become available, and there have been a blizzard of trades and free agent signings creating Groucho Marx eyebrow lifting.
That Philip Rivers signed a one-year deal with the Colts basically was expected. If he was going to continue to play, Indianapolis, where he is familiar with Frank Reich, who coaches a team with one of the best offensive lines and a fine tailback, was the best fit.
From what we know, Brady had two major suitors — Tampa, and The NFL Team That Used to Be Here — you know, the Judases/l.a. Lodgers. And the money — $50 million guaranteed, plus some Hershey’s kisses — was about the same.
Both teams have good, similar skill, with suspect offensive lines. The Lodgers have gone down the free agent aisle to improve their line (too late for Philip). The Bucs really haven’t, and 43-year-old Tom wasn’t mobile when he was 18.
But of course everyone is getting a false start on the Bucs, jumping them to Super Bowl contenders, because of Tom. But even with him, Tampa isn’t the best team in its division. New Orleans is, and Atlanta is making strides.
But I think Brady didn’t like what he saw in the AFC West, with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. He had a two-decades-long road to himself in the AFC East.
And, did he embrace the savior role?
Winning the West with Patrick healthy is going to be a labor difficult for Hercules. Getting to the Super Bowl out of the AFC — with Mahomes/chiefs and Lamar Jackson/ravens not going away — will be even more of a hair pull.
But Tampa is playing for a wild card.
Insiders are reminding us how many close games the Bucs lost last year with Jameis Winston throwing 30 interceptions — including a remarkable half-dozen pick-sixes.
But stop with the close-game crap. How many close games have the Lodgers lost over the years with a splendid quarterback?
Bad teams find ways to lose. Good teams win most of the close ones.
Tampa coach Bruce Arians has a history of doing well with the better, veteran QBS. But he’s never dealt with a 43-year-old he must protect, and Bruce likes the vertical game. With Tom, it’s not a matter of arm strength. It’s a matter of strength, of remaining upright.
Tampa’s going nuts and the franchise will sell tickets, which no doubt is what the Judases had in mind if indeed they are allowed to play this fall in their new Inglewood rental.
But the best thing that’s happened to the J’s lately was Brady turning them down. He might have sold some tickets, but he, too, was going to be a basic, two-year rental. A quick fix, maybe. But I’m not about to say Brady’s any better than Rivers right now, and Philip has five years on him.
Brady isn’t Lebron. Basketball doesn’t need as much as the Bucs do.
The novelty would have worn off in Hollywood, and it’s hard to tinsel-up Tampa.
He’s too big for that franchise’s britches. …
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Including playoffs, Brady and
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