The Journal: TOMpa Bay

The biggest news came today in the world of football. TE Rob Gronkowski, previously with the New England Patriots, makes a stunning return to the league. In the same instant he was sent to Tampa Bay to be re-united with future Hall of Fame Quarterback in Tom Brady who was signed just this off-season. The details of the trade include a seventh rounder from New England for a fourth from the Buccaneers, but let’s not get bogged down in those details versus what Tampa Bay is trying to do down in Florida.
The new look Buccaneers who actually went back to an old look, which I approve by the way, seem to be all in for the next two years. What do I think of Tampa Bay and their outlook? I’m glad you asked.

Tom Brady:
A significant upgrade to the one time Pro Bowl selection who will absolutely throw more touchdowns than interceptions for starters. Sure Brady didn’t throw as many touchdowns as Winston last year and definitely far less interceptions, but we all know what we get with Tom Brady and that’s a mass of precision football skills at the most important position on the field as well as a proven field general. Sounds pretty cliché, but that’s what Tom Brady has done all his years with no need to dive into his resume. Has he ever been the most exciting Quarterback to watch since he’s been in the league, no not really, except if the play call is. Half-Back Reverse Pass Option and they send him up the sideline all by himself looking for a catch. Times like those, I really wish there was a smart enough defensive coordinator that new this play was coming and leave a safety lurking in the secondary salivating for a knockout blow. Everyone’s thinking it, I’m just saying it.

Jameis Winston:
If not for Tom Brady, there would be a really great chance Jameis Winston returns to Tampa under the direction of second year head coach Bruce Arians. It’s no secret that Arians has a really solid connection with the quarterbacks that he’s worked with such as, Carson Palmer and Ben Roethlisberger. All quarterbacks who’ve at least reached their respective playoff conference title games and/or a Superbowl birth. Last year Winston threw more touchdowns than he ever has in a single season since being drafted in 2015. Finished the league as the highest in passing yards, only second in passing touchdowns to would be NFL MVP in Lamar Jackson and never mind the league leader in interceptions, he was just missing a few things. He had two top fifteen wide receivers in receiving yards and receptions in Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. Not the worst running game to back him up, but not enough to zero in on the mistake prone quarterback. What he doesn’t have at the moment is the precisive skills that it takes to win games by virtue of not giving it away.

Tampa Bay Outlook:
If anyone thinks that the NFC South is Tampa’s for the taking, let’s just slow it down a bit. Those people are forgetting there are two other teams with two really great quarterbacks that still like to remind everyone what they’re capable of. If you think that Drew Brees and Matt Ryan are just going to step aside as Tampa Bay rolls up with a revamped offensive team you would be mistaken. This is not the AFC East we’re talking about here.

Atlanta is still a formidable offense that can run up some numbers and save for a poorish defense I believe they can bounce back and can beat anybody including the saints. Atlanta is still rolling with Julio Jones and recently added running back Todd Gurley II which I still have some feelings about but let’s carry on. Matt Ryan, a former NFL MVP I believe will have a bounce back year offensively. Given the long term health of Gurley II, they could challenge again for the South Title.

Do I need to mention the New Orleans Saints and what they’ve been able to do to teams at home and on the road. Drew Brees is one quarterback that truly thrives when a contemporary arrives on his turf in any given matchup. He’ll keep passing deep into the fourth quarter even when they’re well ahead. I’ve grown tired of that nonsense but it’s what they do and maybe if they can close out some of those playoff games at home, we could possibly talking about Brees as one of the top quarterbacks of all time, but let’s not, because that book is still being written.

For the new and improved team in the Sunshine State things definitely will be looking up for them. As for Tom Brady and the challenge that awaits him as he’s left the comfort of a town he’s known all his life, built of champions, the competitive heat is about to be turned up. Probably a bit hotter than he’s ever been used to. This is TOMpa Bay.