The reigning Super Bowl champions return nearly every significant player from their 2020 squad. Offensively and defensively the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are loaded once again and had a solid 2021 draft. The team looks to keep the momentum of last year and continue its winning ways. The play of the defense was fantastic all year and did carry them in some big games. But, in the end, it is still about Tom Brady and the offense in Tampa. With this in mind, the 2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers faces are all major offensive players.
2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Faces of the Team
Tom Brady
This is the easy and obvious choice. The greatest quarterback of all time returns for his 22nd season in the NFL. Bolstered by another Lombardi Trophy and another Super Bowl MVP (his fifth), Tom Brady is back for another run. Brady’s first year in Tampa was tremendous as he threw for over 4,600 yards and 40 touchdowns. Brady now entering his second year in a familiar system also should have opposing defenses concerned.
The veteran signal-caller did have off-season knee surgery and even admitted: “it was a pretty serious injury.” The injury was to the same knee in which he tore the ACL in 2008, which caused him to miss the entire season. Fast forward to current OTA’s, wide receiver Chris Godwin said “I think Tom did a really good job, it’s a little weird because you hear about it in the media and stuff like that, but as far as day-to-day, any time we’re throwing with him it doesn’t feel like a thing that he recently had like an operation or whatever.”
Rob Gronkowski
Rob Gronkowski makes the list based on personality just as much as his play. General Manager Jason Licht certainly appreciates this. Recently, Licht said “Man, if you’re having a bad day, I suggest any of you just go spend a little time with Gronk. He just lifts you up just by being him.” Personality plays such a critical role in an NFL locker room. Gronk has this in spades and is often keeping his teammates loose, even on the biggest stage. Fresh off of re-signing for another year with the Bucs, Gronkowski will build off of last year. In 2020, he racked up 623 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, and his body is ready for a 17 game season. The Brady-Gronk connection is primed to inflict more damage on opposing defenses once again.
Mike Evans
Mike Evans is really talented, a staple of the community, and has been a consistent force at wide receiver since 2014. Evans has been everything for Tampa Bay, even in many lean years. He has been widely regarded as a fantastic teammate and consummate pro since he was drafted. With Bruce Arians and Byron Leftwich running the offense again, Evans looks primed to have an incredible eighth straight 1,000 yard receiving season. Evans is locked in with his training regimen and OTA’s in hopes of another boat parade.
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The faces of the 2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers are all key contributing offensive players. The trio of Brady, Gronk, and Evans have the personality and presence to carry the team. They stand primed to continue their run on top. The rest of the NFL is still on notice.
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