Antonio Brown had ‘Fantastic’ First Buccaneers Practice
Following his team’s risky decision to sign wide receiver Antonio Brown, Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said Brown “looked fantastic” in his first workout with Tampa Bay, per ESPN’s Jenna Laine.
“He looks fantastic. I think we had really good conversations today, he and I,” Arians said Wednesday. “He was in the meetings and everything. And he’s working with Anthony Piroli and the strength staff. He looks in great shape. Yeah, ready to go next week.”
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Brown’s eight-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy ends after this week. As a result, he is eligible to play in the Bucs’ home game on Nov. 8 against the Saints.
Arians’s decision to sign Antonio Brown raised some eyebrows around the league after the coach had previously said such a pairing would not happen back in March. Then, Arians shot down the idea that the Bucs would sign Brown, saying, “I just know him, and it’s not a fit in our locker room.” In January 2019, Arians said Brown had “too much diva” going on during an appearance on ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter’s podcast.
A lot of people have wondered why Tom Brady has not only befriended Antonio Brown but gone to bat for him and others like him, who have troubled pasts and baggage. So I asked Brady how he navigates those relationships.
I think this answers a lot of questions. pic.twitter.com/KcvboiwCg5
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) October 28, 2020
A key factor in the team reversing its course is Brown’s relationship with quarterback Tom Brady. Brady, who was briefly teammates with Brown in New England, was asked by Laine to expand upon his relationship with Brown, and why the six-time Super Bowl champion has actively vouched on his behalf.
