Tompa Bay: Tom Tom club

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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AB couldn't have asked for a better situation. Nice city. Great team. Already won a SB. Has the trust and favor of a HOF quarterback who personally fought to have AB on the team. Gets thrown to a ton. Was going to get his incentives.

And he threw it all away. Completely needlessly. I mean....what is WRONG with this guy?
 

Deathofthebambino

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Pretty much all of this was true about AB going into last year though, and yet he still signed with TB (after Arians had flatly stated he'd never be a Buc) and was a meaningful contributor to a SB winning team. I find it hard to believe that he was much of a locker room cancer when they decided to bring him back this year; especially the second time post vax-BS.

I imagine that there are at least a few teams that look at him like the Pats did with Legarrette Blount - just because it didn't work with one team doesn't mean another won't think they can fix/work with him. If you can help a team win, that's all that matters and he is still an undeniable talent.

That said, I'm right with you on AB. Fuck him and more importantly, fuck Tyreek Hill.
Honestly, I think AB isn't playing football this season (or last season) if Tom Brady doesn't convince BA and Tampa to bring him in. If other teams wanted him, I have to believe there would have been someone out there willing to give him more than the 3.1million that TB gave him this year, and the 1.6 million they gave him last year. AB has been there for the taking by other teams prior to right now, and well, nobody took him, except Tom Brady.

Blount didn't work with one team. AB hasn't worked with 4 teams in 4-5 years. This isn't an unhappy player, this is a player that for all of his talent, is a detriment to his team and is on the back 9 (maybe back 4) of his career. He's done. If he's not, I'll be truly shocked.
 

Marciano490

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If AB was clever enough to fake texts, I can’t imagine he would’ve let Guerrero look so nice nor would he have leaked his bank info. It’s the NFL so I imagine everyone will end up looking bad and nothing will change.
 

JCizzle

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It looks like Arians texts him on Thursday "be ready tomorrow". No response from AB. Fast forward to Friday, Arians needs to text him again because it sounds like AB no-showed practice or whatever they had going on: "call me". Two hours later AB responds with a weird picture and that he rolled his ankle (likely something every NFL player is dealing with by Week 17).

AB is simply always a victim despite countless examples of him fucking people over. I don't trust a word that him or his lawyer put out there, nor do I think the texts make him look sympathetic.
 

radsoxfan

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If AB was clever enough to fake texts, I can’t imagine he would’ve let Guerrero look so nice nor would he have leaked his bank info. It’s the NFL so I imagine everyone will end up looking bad and nothing will change.
This was my favorite part of the whole IG thing today.

AG was beyond nice, almost as if he knew those texts would get leaked.

Weird AB even posted it.
 

radsoxfan

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If I learned anything from Man in the Arena, it's that AG doesn't seem to turn that persona off, whether fake or not.
Yeah, seems like it. And I still think AG is mostly a charlatan, don't get me wrong.

But but did find the AB post quite odd.
 

Kliq

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What a win for AB's personal chef. AB stiffs him on payment, so he leaks the faked-vaccination card story. AB gets suspended, which puts his incentives in jeopardy, which leads to AB spiraling out of control and perhaps throwing away his entire career, while also missing out on a $1million of incentives. If he just paid his chef, none of it would have happened.
 

Oil Can Dan

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What a win for AB's personal chef. AB stiffs him on payment, so he leaks the faked-vaccination card story. AB gets suspended, which puts his incentives in jeopardy, which leads to AB spiraling out of control and perhaps throwing away his entire career, while also missing out on a $1million of incentives. If he just paid his chef, none of it would have happened.
I hear you, but if it wasn't stiffing the chef it would have been some other thing eventually.
 

Kliq

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Well AB is a lunatic....so something would have eventually happened.

But perhaps not this at this particular time.
Oh he's a ticking time bomb and something would have eventually got him. But it's funny to think of him stiffing the chef and now the chef is directly responsible for him losing at least $1 million in incentives.
 

Marciano490

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What a win for AB's personal chef. AB stiffs him on payment, so he leaks the faked-vaccination card story. AB gets suspended, which puts his incentives in jeopardy, which leads to AB spiraling out of control and perhaps throwing away his entire career, while also missing out on a $1million of incentives. If he just paid his chef, none of it would have happened.
Chekhov’s chef came back to get him in what’s looking like AB’s third act.
 

Euclis20

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Oh he's a ticking time bomb and something would have eventually got him. But it's funny to think of him stiffing the chef and now the chef is directly responsible for him losing at least $1 million in incentives.
Didn't he also lose checks for his 3 missed games? It's not a ton, but I believe that was $172k, about 17x what he supposedly owed the chef.
 

glennhoffmania

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yes?

He’s an old white guy texting. It would be more improbable if his texting was grammatically accurate and without eccentricities.

Dude is 69 years old. I’m impressed he didn’t post that text as a Facebook message first, and then need his kids to help him figure out how to delete it
Yeah there were three things in there. Saying that it's expected that his texts wouldn't be grammatically correct doesn't resolve the issue.

Either way, there was obviously more going on here based on what we learned today. I don't believe a word coming out of Brown's mouth or phone.
 

TSC

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Ok now this is getting REALLY weird.

https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3400860/antonio-brown-allegedly-snuck-an-only-fans-model-who-went-viral-for-licking-a-toilet-seat-for-the-coronavirus-challenge-into-his-hotel-room-the-night-before-the-jets-game

NFL star Antonio Brown smuggled the influencer who went viral for licking a toilet seat into his hotel room for a steamy romp the night before he stormed off the field during a game, DailyMail.com can reveal. Brown, 33, snuck glamorous lingerie blogger Ava Louise, 23, into the Westin in Jersey City, New Jersey last Saturday in defiance of the NFL's Covid rules – and filmed a series of pornographic videos during the romp.

Blonde Louise, who shot to fame in 2020 after she filmed herself licking a toilet seat in a bid to catch Covid, told DailyMail.com she spent an hour with the wide receiver and snuck past security to join Brown for the sex session

'So, I was like this is a really weird situation. He kept mumbling and then waking up and saying, "I'm going to give you tickets, I can't wait for you to see what I do tomorrow. I can't wait for you to see me tomorrow.".
 

Deathofthebambino

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The connection between his behavior and the Burfict hit seems overly simple and not based in any science I am aware of.
How would you base it on science? In order to find CTE, the patient needs to be dead. I guess we could cut off his head and check, like they do for rabies or something?

I think the connection is the timing. Prior to that hit, AB had been in trouble with the league for things like running backwards into the end zone, and twerking during TD celebrations. After that hit, he was throwing furniture off a 14th floor balcony, nearly killing a toddler, he was accused of sexual assault/rape multiple times, he's been accused of being a deadbeat by everyone around him that did work for him, he was arrested for reckless driving, had what, a dozen domestic incidents, That's literally not even the half of it.
It could all be coincidence, but even watching old interviews from his college days compared to now, he doesn't seem like the same person to me at all. And not in a good way.
 

slamminsammya

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How would you base it on science? In order to find CTE, the patient needs to be dead. I guess we could cut off his head and check, like they do for rabies or something?

I think the connection is the timing. Prior to that hit, AB had been in trouble with the league for things like running backwards into the end zone, and twerking during TD celebrations. After that hit, he was throwing furniture off a 14th floor balcony, nearly killing a toddler, he was accused of sexual assault/rape multiple times, he's been accused of being a deadbeat by everyone around him that did work for him, he was arrested for reckless driving, had what, a dozen domestic incidents, That's literally not even the half of it.
It could all be coincidence, but even watching old interviews from his college days compared to now, he doesn't seem like the same person to me at all. And not in a good way.
I get why people think its a thing. My understanding of CTE is it comes more from the constant mid level hits that guys get regularly as opposed to the rare vicious hits. If that is true, it would be a leap to point at this single incident as "the" thing that screwed his personality up.
 

sezwho

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I get why people think its a thing. My understanding of CTE is it comes more from the constant mid level hits that guys get regularly as opposed to the rare vicious hits. If that is true, it would be a leap to point at this single incident as "the" thing that screwed his personality up.
Not defending AB, he's long since harmed more than his share of people, but I do know people whose lives have been changed by a single severe concussion. I agree w/r/t CTE
 

Deathofthebambino

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I get why people think its a thing. My understanding of CTE is it comes more from the constant mid level hits that guys get regularly as opposed to the rare vicious hits. If that is true, it would be a leap to point at this single incident as "the" thing that screwed his personality up.
I get that. I think we can assume the guy had a ton of constant mid level hits prior to that one by Burfict (he literally did everything in college, kick return, punt return, rushing, receiving). I am obviously not a doctor, but I think there has to be a tipping point where those mid level hits lead to the degeneration. Maybe one big hit doesn't cause CTE, but it wouldn't shock me if it significantly exacerbated something that had already started. That hit happened in January, 2016, and he didn't go off the rails completely for a little while after that, but before that, he wasn't a fucking lunatic like he is now, and I'm just not sure science could ever prove it one way or another.

And believe me, I'm still not excusing AB for his behavior at all.
 

Bergs

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I get that. I think we can assume the guy had a ton of constant mid level hits prior to that one by Burfict (he literally did everything in college, kick return, punt return, rushing, receiving). I am obviously not a doctor, but I think there has to be a tipping point where those mid level hits lead to the degeneration. Maybe one big hit doesn't cause CTE, but it wouldn't shock me if it significantly exacerbated something that had already started. That hit happened in January, 2016, and he didn't go off the rails completely for a little while after that, but before that, he wasn't a fucking lunatic like he is now, and I'm just not sure science could ever prove it one way or another.

And believe me, I'm still not excusing AB for his behavior at all.
CTE doesn't manifest itself immediately, even after a hit like that. The timeline fits pretty perfectly. Watch interviews with him before and then 2 years after. It's a vastly different level of coherence. I have no doubt the Burfict hit was a major contributor to the AB we see today.

I generally cringe at cheap shots and hate the Steelers with a passion, but I was fully on board when JuJu demolished Burfict in 2017. Fuck that guy.
 

AlNipper49

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Let’s be honest - we all harbored a bit of ‘what if?’ when Belichick cut the cord on AB (rightly). It’s very validating getting that question answered for us in such a clear, resounding way.
 

BigSoxFan

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Let’s be honest - we all harbored a bit of ‘what if?’ when Belichick cut the cord on AB (rightly). It’s very validating getting that question answered for us in such a clear, resounding way.
Yes, we probably win a title with him in 2019 and then he would have ruined everything in 2020 :)
 

cornwalls@6

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Let’s be honest - we all harbored a bit of ‘what if?’ when Belichick cut the cord on AB (rightly). It’s very validating getting that question answered for us in such a clear, resounding way.
Absolutely. Especially when Gordon flamed out shortly thereafter. And we were left with a banged up Edleman, and a bunch of jags. I'd like to think I'm better than this, but I'm not. And there is some definite schadenfreude in watching it implode with him down there.
 

RobertS975

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Injured or not, even players at 70% can fill a role. Just a decoy for a play or 2. Remember a crippled Gronl in a playoff game ? Well, in that instance, he probably didn't fool anyone. But AN, even if not 100%, might have served a purpose for a couple of plays, perhaps even drawing 2 defenders.
 

Seels

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Let’s be honest - we all harbored a bit of ‘what if?’ when Belichick cut the cord on AB (rightly). It’s very validating getting that question answered for us in such a clear, resounding way.
No. I detested the signing. One of the biggest mistakes of the era.. Cost them the ability to actually improve the team.
 

boca

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So AB is ok with getting injected with "what he now knows" is a powerful and dangerous painkiller but would rather fake a cert than take the vaccine.

Fits.
 

joe dokes

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Same here. Absolutely vicious, bordering on criminal. The ball was so far over his head. Hard to know what, if any, effect that had on AB's life and career the last 3 -4 years. But the NFL is certainly a better place without Burfict in it.
I'm sure I've read over the years that Brown was no angel before the Burfict hit. But he just wasn't high-profile yet. Trying to find the links.
 

kelpapa

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I'm sure I've read over the years that Brown was no angel before the Burfict hit. But he just wasn't high-profile yet. Trying to find the links.
https://www.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/ruic8m/comment/hqzj6v3/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
Hat tip to @tmracht

I believe all of these came before the Burfict hit, although I could be wrong about the week 17.
Kicked out of Florida International University after fighting a security guard

•⁠"Don't touch me. I'm the franchise"

• ⁠His second year in the league he took a personal stretch limo to a charity event, had them open every single expensive bottle of wine, rejected it. Refused to pay for it (charity, remember), then left. -credit Nduguu77

• ⁠Threw fits over not getting enough targets

• ⁠Drove 100 down McKnight Road in Pittsburgh, which has a 45 MPH speed limit

• ⁠Trashed a condo and threw furniture out a window 14th floor window, which almost hit some people, notably a child

• ⁠Killed a home aquarium full of piranhas and refused to pay the man who installed the tank

• ⁠Refused to play week 17 for the Steelers
 

Sox and Rocks

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Let’s be honest - we all harbored a bit of ‘what if?’ when Belichick cut the cord on AB (rightly). It’s very validating getting that question answered for us in such a clear, resounding way.
The problem with this is there would be no "what if" if AB wasn't who he is. The fact that he has issues galore is what enabled the Pats to get him for so cheap, with no compensation, at the beginning of the season, in the first place. It's not like he was some great find by Belichick, who outsmarted the league for an unknown player, who turned into a basket case after the fact.

They played with fire and got burned. It's inevitable. And now TB is getting burned, too, they just were able to profit from the fire first.
 

reggiecleveland

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CTE doesn't manifest itself immediately, even after a hit like that. The timeline fits pretty perfectly. Watch interviews with him before and then 2 years after. It's a vastly different level of coherence. I have no doubt the Burfict hit was a major contributor to the AB we see today.

I generally cringe at cheap shots and hate the Steelers with a passion, but I was fully on board when JuJu demolished Burfict in 2017. Fuck that guy.
Doesn't have to be CTE, a brain injury can change personalities. I have taught students that are completely different people before and after a serious head injury. I am not at ll speculating about AB and a brain injury, but CTE gets a lot of attention, but the risk from single headshots is still large.
 

singaporesoxfan

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Doesn't have to be CTE, a brain injury can change personalities. I have taught students that are completely different people before and after a serious head injury. I am not at ll speculating about AB and a brain injury, but CTE gets a lot of attention, but the risk from single headshots is still large.
Yup I was just about to say the same thing: saying that Burfict’s hit was the kind of traumatic brain injury that can change a person’s personality is not the same as saying that Burfict’s hit gave AB CTE.
 

CarolinaBeerGuy

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Doesn't have to be CTE, a brain injury can change personalities. I have taught students that are completely different people before and after a serious head injury. I am not at ll speculating about AB and a brain injury, but CTE gets a lot of attention, but the risk from single headshots is still large.
Anecdotal, but I had a roommate in college who had a TBI from a motorcycle crash where he was drunk and not wearing a helmet. Once he recovered, his personality completely changed, his hobbies and interests changed and he alienated all his old friends.
 

reggiecleveland

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Anecdotal, but I had a roommate in college who had a TBI from a motorcycle crash where he was drunk and not wearing a helmet. Once he recovered, his personality completely changed, his hobbies and interests changed and he alienated all his old friends.
My experience as a teacher was going to a new school and teaching this kid. She was bubbly, confident, outgoing. She struggled a bit with the mechanics of writing, but really creative and insightful. She was talkative in class discussions, with a really funny, biting sense of humor, and many of her jokes were about preferring English class to math. One of those students that shorten the day.

What I didn't know is before she was hit by a car she was this quiet, studious, sweet, gentle teacher-pleaser kid. She was known for her meticulously written work, and careful, reticent nature. She was headed to engineering because math was her thing. Before she wore power business suits, and after was getting lectures from female teachers about the dress code. I really liked the kid and one day she told me the only reason I liked her was because I didn't know her before. She told me she remembered everything, from before, but she just didn't feel the same way.

So many people treated her terribly, assuming she had chosen to be different. She wrote something for my class about how she can remember being able to do certain math equations, but could no longer do them. She remembered liking certain movies, songs, but now they gave her no joy.
 
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Bergs

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My experience as a teacher was going to a new school and teaching this kid. She was bubbly, confident, outgoing. She struggled a bit with the mechanics of writing, but really creative and inciteful. She was talkative in class discussions, with a really funny, biting sense of humor, and many of her jokes were about preferring English class to math. One of those students that shorten the day.

What I didn't know is before she was hit by a car she was this quiet, studious, sweet, gentle teacher-pleaser kid. She was known for her meticulously written work, and careful, reticent nature. She was headed to engineering because math was her thing. Before she wore power business suits, and after was getting lectures from female teachers about the dress code. I really likes the kid and one day she told me the only reason I liked her was because I didn't know her before. She told me she remembered everything, from before, but she just didn't feel the same way.

So many people treated her terribly, assuming she had chosen to be different. She wrote something for my class about how she can remember being able to do certain math equations, but could no longer do them. She remembered liking certain movies, songs, but now they gave her no joy.
That is amazing.
 

DJnVa

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Tom Brady Unlikely To Be Happy With Antonio Brown's Latest Rant (nesn.com)

AB taking a flamethrower to EVERYONE now.

“We play professional sports, like, not everybody in sports gonna be your friend. Tom Brady’s my friend because I’m a good football player. He need me to play football, right? These guys call me to win the Super Bowl, not for the toilet bowl. They didn’t say ‘AB, we having problems with the toilet over here in Tampa, you think you could flush the (expletive) down and help us out?’ No, they called me and said ‘Hey, AB, we need you to win the Super Bowl because Tom Brady saw me come to the Pats and run through those guys. The Patriots run a good system with practice and details and he learned that AB is a professional. No matter what you say about AB, AB put his heart on the line. AB knows the play on fourth down because he was up all night (studying). I can count on him. ? But that’s on the football field.”
When asked about Brady’s greatness and his legacy, Brown pushed back, diminishing the quarterback’s achievements.

“We talking about principles, and you talk about what makes Tom so good,” Tom can’t do nothing by himself. He gotta play on a team, and this is a football game.”
“If Tom Brady’s my boy, how come I’m playing for an earning salary?” he said. “(Rob) Gronkowski is his boy, right? How much does he get paid? So why is AB on a prove-it deal? Who’s better than me over there? Let’s be honest. Who is the best guy over there? ? Brady can’t do (expletive) by himself. We all humans. We all depending on someone else to do a job. ? “

Brown also diminished the perceived efforts by Brady to help Brown away from the football field.

“How’d he help me?” he said. ” ? Guys do that to influence you in the public to be like, ‘Oh, he’s a Tom’s house? Then he must be a good guy.’ But I thought I was a good guy. I’m a great football player, that’s why you guys know me, right?”
“Coming off the bench. Does Tom Brady throw me the ball like Ben Roethlisberger?” Brown said on the podcast. “Tom throw me more than Ben? We’re not here to debate quarterbacks, we’re here to talk about AB and production.”
 

Marciano490

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Really going down the Charlie Sheen route. Why the fuck would Tampa call him to fix a toilet? Did he open a side hustle as a plumber?
 

joe dokes

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If they're going to go with speculative psychobbabbly headlines about what Tom Brady might think, they might as well go with speculative psychobabbly headlines like, "AB clogs toilet with bullshit; claims he's not plumber."