Here’s Why You Should Be Excited To Watch Tom Brady In Tampa Bay

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – I woke up this morning to a 5.7 magnitude earthquake here in Salt Lake. However, that wasn’t what really shook me. Tom Brady leaving the New England Patriots is the biggest earthquake to rock the NFL in the past 20 years.

The last time something this big happened was when an unheralded Brady took over for Drew Bledsoe and led the Patriots to an improbable victory in Superbowl XXXVI (that’s number 36) against the St. Louis Rams.

In what was at the time an unprecedented move Bill Belichick stayed with Brady after former first pick of the NFL Draft and perennial pro-bowler Drew Bledsoe returned from an early-season injury. Brady nor Belichick ever looked back from that bold and brilliant decision until a conversation a few weeks ago when Belichick informed Brady he would need to take a pay cut to stay in Boston.

.@TomBrady is heading to Florida to play for the @Buccaneers.https://t.co/mv8e9PH77c

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 17, 2020

It’s been a remarkable ride that has placed both Brady and Belichick on the top of the mountain as GOATs at their respective positions.

This recent move by the New England Patriots, Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick is just another reminder that no matter how good you are, there is always an end to any era in the NFL no matter how great.

In fact, many people thought this was done long ago, many never thought Brady would be more than a flash in the pan.  Well, two strong-willed, ego-filled men had other plans. The ego that fueled them to a relentless pursuit of greatness, that may never be matched, ultimately became their demise.

I can only imagine the last meeting. I’m sure it was straight out of a James bond movie. Brady in a traditional black tux, with his super-spy Rolex watch, pulled up in a tricked out Lambo to a super modern all-glass building and sat in a conference room with 40 chairs around a massively long table.

FOREVER A PATRIOT pic.twitter.com/QSBOJBs4uy

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 17, 2020

Belichick sat at the end of the table in a Patriots sweatshirt with the hood, and cut off sleeves, of course. Belichick never looked up and just stared at a sheet of paper.

Then he said, “Tom, you know the drill, we don’t keep players too long, and we certainly don’t pay market value.  Your best days are over, I was here when you got here and I’ll be here when you leave.  Make sure to leave the watch with the equipment guys on your way out. Oh, and you look nice Gisele.  Have a good day.”

Brady, I imagined, leaned into the table, raised one of his eyebrows, and with a stone-cold look, stared at Belichick until he looked up.

“Bill,” Tom said, “You’ll regret this day for the rest of your life. Over the course of my career I’ve developed a certain set of skills if you keep me nothing will happen, but if you don’t, I will find you and when I find you, I will beat you and you will cry!”

I’m sure in that meeting neither gave an inch. So, Tom Left, and oh am I excited to see what happens next.

Most superstar players that leave one team and go to another usually don’t have the same success as they once had. Tom Brady will be the exception for two simple but powerful reasons.

First, he is motivated by rage, a drive, an ego that very few if any professional athletes have ever possessed. His ego to prove Belichick, Kraft and the Patriots wrong will drive him for the next three years greater than any of his years in New England.

Brady was bored, he needed a new challenge and the Pats were wearing on him.  You could see it in his face and in his demeanor.

He will, by this nature alone, change the entire culture of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization just by walking in the door. Everyone will stand at attention when he enters a room, coaches will coach harder and players will play better because they know in their mind that Brady can lead them to a championship, and he will demand it from everyone.

The second reason, he is going to one of the top offensive minds in the NFL in Bruce Arians. This is massively important, even more important that Brady’s lust to crush Belichick and the Patriots.  I don’t care how great you are as a player the system you play in has to fit your strengths.

Tom Brady was very smart in his decision to play in Tampa, not only from a system but from a personnel perspective.  He has better weapons than he had in New England.

LOVE YOU PATS NATION pic.twitter.com/lxSQZmnjPL

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 17, 2020

There is a third somewhat less factor, but still important. He is playing in the NFC south. Why is that important?  The NFC South is a very winnable division all games are indoors or in warm climates. When you are 43 that matters.

Here is the bottom line.  Brady moving to the Bucs will only help one place and that is with the fans.  We are going to get a fired up and highly motivated Tom Brady, who is out to prove that he doesn’t need Belichick. That translates into really good football. Couple that in with a great coach like Bruce Arians and you have a recipe for tremendous success.

I can’t wait to watch this.

Scott Mitchell hosts the Helmets Off podcast. A show about the NFL, life and sometimes other sports. Find it wherever you find podcasts or on the KSL Sports app.