TAMPA (SNN-TV) – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by quarterback Tom Brady, are looking to run it back this season, with the same Super Bowl aspirations. But this time they plan to do it with some fresh, new faces.
“Just having the ability to come down here and just work. Bring what I can to the team, whatever I can to the team to help. Whether its mentoring, a play-style, whatever the case may be. [I’m] just coming out here trying to get better.”
Those were the words of the newest addition to the Buccaneers offense, Pro Bowl and All-Pro WR Julio Jones. This morning Tampa officially announced the signing, as the former Falcon and Titan has signed a one-year, six-million dollar deal with the Bucs.
Jones is returning to familiar territory in the NFC South, where he spent the first ten years of his career in Atlanta. Now, Jones looks forward to being a top target for Tom Brady, the quarterback who kept Jones from winning Super Bowl 51, when Brady led the Patriots from behind to win his 5th Lombardi Trophy.
“When I talk to him [Tom Brady], it’s kind of like I’m talking to myself in a way. Just with the leadership, what we expect, things like that. We’re on the same page, and how we hold ourselves accountable, is to a higher standard than probably most do.” – Julio Jones, Buccaneers WR
Another new face and new weapon for Tom Brady, is veteran tight end, Kyle Rudolph. Funny enough, Rudolph and Julio Jones were in the same draft class in 2011, with Rudolph beginning his career in Minnesota. The former Viking and New York Giant, trades in the pine trees for palm trees in Tampa, but knows he has big shoes to fill in the Buccaneers offense, following the retirement of Rob Gronkowski.
“You are never going to fill those shoes, but with that being said, there is so much ground to make up. I don’t have 10 years of experience with Tom [Brady] to make it up. We play the Dallas Cowboys Week One in September. My goal is to go out there that week and be on the same page with Tom like we have been playing together for 10 years.” – Kyle Rudolph, Buccaneers TE
With two fresh faces on the offense, the Bucs also boast a familiar face, but at a new position, in defensive coordinator-turned-head coach, Todd Bowles. Albeit, with prior head coaching experience with the New York Jets, Bowles says the transition to the new role has been “different, but easy”.
“Understanding my strengths, my weaknesses, understanding everyone around me – it’s different because I’ve been here for three years. I didn’t have to build a staff and get acclimated to the building or anything else like that. So that part, from a camaraderie standpoint, that’s been great. It really feels like it hasn’t changed for me.” – Todd Bowles, Buccaneers HC
After one of the most prolific games in NFL history, last year’s divisional round loss to the eventual Super Bowl Champ Rams, the Bucs look to right the ship this season.
Both Rudolph and Jones arrive to Training Camp healthy and to get the one thing that eluded them their entire career, the Lombardi Trophy. The Buccaneers first preseason game is scheduled for August 13th against the Miami Dolphins.