Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Joe Montana thinks it's a damn shame Tom Brady won't finish his career in New England ... and he's laying the blame for the GOAT's exit at the feet of the Patriots.

"I don’t know what’s going on inside there," Montana said Wednesday, "but somebody made a mistake."

Joe Cool told USA TODAY Sports there's just no way in hell that breakup needed to happen ... saying the Patriots really should have done more to keep their quarterback in the mix.

Of course, Montana doesn't necessarily think Brady's without fault for the dissolution of the relationship ... Joe said when he talked to Tom at the Super Bowl last month, he got the feeling that TB12 wanted to yield more power than Bill Belichick likely wanted to give up.

"He wants control," Joe said. "I mean, he wants a lot of control. I don’t know what Tampa Bay gave him, but at some point in time, you’re just a player."

"You can try to get what you can and do what you want, but in the end, you’re still not in the hierarchy when it comes to hiring people, firing people and all that."

Still, Montana thinks the Patriots should have worked it out ... saying his situation at the end of his 49ers career was not the same as Brady's current one.

“I had a different story, where they had made a decision," Montana said. "He, obviously, they never would have gotten rid of. I still don’t understand how New England let him get away. I don’t understand that.”

Joe believes Tom is going to have a lot more fun in Tampa regardless ... but he's warning Bruce Arians to implement some Patriots philosophies into his offense, or else it could be trouble for Tom.

"He’ll be a good addition to that team, as long as they don’t hold the ball like they’ve been doing," Joe says. "I don’t think he fits into that category to hold the ball."

Donovan Smith -- the man who will be in charge of blocking Tom Brady's blindside in Tampa Bay -- tells TMZ Sports he thinks with the addition of TB12, the Bucs' O is as good as ANYONE'S in the NFL!

"I definitely do like my lineup against anybody," Smith says. "We got a lot of pieces and stuff that play a pivotal part in our game and it's going to be fun."

Smith ain't kiddin' ... Brady, paired with elite wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, to go along with two really good tight ends in Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard, is a pretty stacked roster.

Smith says Ronald Jones in the backfield can't be slept on either ... and tells us he's excited as hell to block for it all at the left tackle position next season.

"It's going to be fun to watch and to be a part of," Smith says ... "Like I said, I like my squad."

In fact, Smith is already convinced there will be no letdown whatsoever for the Bucs this year now that Tom's in town ... telling us, "It's going to be a good year."

As for what Brady's reception will be like in Florida ... Smith -- who's played for the Bucs ever since they drafted him in 2015 -- tells us the GOAT is DEFINITELY going to feel the love!

"Trademark" Tom Brady is BACK -- the new Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback is already rushing to secure some new phrases after switching teams -- this time, it's "TB X TB"

Of course, the media -- as well as the Bucs' very own Twitter account -- ran away with the play on TB to TB when the news broke ... and now TB12 is looking to lock it down. Just last week, his agents filed an application for the trademark, according to the L.A. Times.

The application states the phrase would be used on a bunch of merch -- from jerseys to shirts to sweatshirts ... even sleepwear.

TB12 is no stranger to the trademark game ... but it hasn't always been smooth sailin' for the 6-time Super Bowl winner.

Remember, Brady took a lot of heat when he infamously applied for the "Tom Terrific" phrase (which was Mets legend Tom Seaver's signature moniker).

Brady later explained he filed to prevent people from calling him the nickname, which he hates.

Tom Brady wouldn't say if he's locked up the #12 jersey in Tampa Bay yet ... but it seems the Bucs have already spoken for him -- because they're already selling it on their website!!!

Brady just addressed the media Tuesday for the first time since signing his contract with Tampa Bay ... and it was a master class in deflection.

It was cliche after cliche after cliche followed by non-answer after non-answer ... even when it came to the pseudo-controversy over the #12 Bucs jersey.

As we previously reported, star receiver Chris Godwin has rocked the jersey ever since he got to Tampa ... and it sure sounded like he wouldn't mind holding onto it in an interview with ESPN last week.

But, with TB12 being TB12, of course, it was only a matter of time before he got the uni ... and it seems the Bucs are confirming that news on their own site this week.

As for Brady's take on the digits ... well, like every other answer he gave during his phoner Tuesday, he didn't really talk about it.

Brady said he was solely focused on things of greater importance -- like adapting to his new team.

Tom also dodged other questions about his Pats departure throughout the 30-minute convo with media ... evading the Qs like he was Lamar Jackson!!!

Sorry, Bucs fans -- Tom Brady almost certainly ain't bringing Rob Gronkowski to Tampa this season ... Gronk's bro tells TMZ Sports he thinks the TE is officially DONE with football.

"I can't say anything for him," Chris Gronkowski says. "But, I think that he might be moving on ... I would be surprised for sure."

Of course, rumors have flown about a possible Gronk-Brady reunion in Tampa this past week ... with some thinking, the move is in the best interest of both parties now that TB12 is the Bucs' new starter.

Remember, Gronk's had a year off to get his body right after retiring suddenly in March 2019 ... and he'd certainly be a big weapon for his old pal in the new Florida digs. Also, Chris tells us Rob DID use to own property in the area.

But, Gronk just signed a deal with WWE to be a part-time personality for the org. ... and when we spoke with Chris on Monday, he said he thinks that should officially signal the end of Rob's football days.

"Man, it looks like it after this deal," Chris says. "But, I'm not him, so I have no idea what he's thinking. But, as of right now, it looks like a pretty cool position that he's in."

As for how Chris thinks Gronk's Wrestlemania-hosting gig will go next month ... big bro has all the confidence in the NFL legend, telling us, "I expect good things."

"I think it's going to be entertaining and I hope he gets in the ring at some point as well."

How does Tampa Bay Bucs superstar WR Mike Evans feel about his new 42-year-old QB, Tom Brady?!

"I've been on that Hennessy. Oh, I'm drinking!"

That's what the 26-year-old told gamers during a Fortnite stream on Twitch (he's a huge gamer) -- explaining why he's already thinking PLAYOFFS, BABY!

"He's about to be my quarterback, bro ... I've played 6 years in the NFL and I haven't been to the playoffs yet. Tom Brady has won 6 Super Bowls."

Evans continued ... "Bro, I've been on that Hennessy. Oh, I'm drinking. I got Tom Brady. You know what I'm saying?"

The 6'5" wideout is already considered one of the best WRs in the league -- in fact, in 2018 the Bucs signed him to a 5-year, $82.5 million contract extension!

Brady must be stoked about the situation as well -- he reportedly only had one major demand in his contract negotiations with the Bucs ... he wanted all of the players' personal cell phone numbers.

Antonio Brown is fully campaigning to be the next Tampa Bay Bucs WR -- saying he's already been texting with Tom Brady ... and praising head coach Bruce Arians.

"He's one of those guys that have befriended me," Brown said about TB12 during a radio hit Friday on "The Mike Calta Show" ... "One of my close friends around the NFL."

Of course, Tom was a big reason the Patriots signed Brown for the 2019 season -- though he was released after a bunch of horrible off the field issues.

But, they've stayed close ... Brown says he shot a few texts Tom's way after the Bucs signing -- "I congratulated him, wished him well."

Remember, Tom even let Antonio stay in his house with Gisele when he first came to Foxborough -- will he make the same offer in TB??

There could be one big hurdle ... earlier this year, Arians poo-pooed the idea of bringing Brown to TB back in January, saying AB was "too much diva" for him.

"I've heard so many stories -- I like Antonio -- he plays as hard as anybody on Sunday, and he practices hard. He's just gotta make better decisions off the field, be on time, do some of those little things," Arians said on "The Adam Schefter Podcast."

AB, however, doesn't see any problems ... telling Mike Calta he feels he could work very well with Arians.

"I think when I played with him in Pittsburgh, man, I was averaging like 16 yards a catch," Brown said of Arians. "I think he likes me. I think we had a lot of fun together, man."

Of course, Brown has a LOT of hurdles to jump over before the Bucs can even think about signing him ... AB is still under league investigation for multiple incidents -- including allegations he raped his former trainer. He was also arrested in January 2020 for assaulting a moving truck driver.

There will be no drama in Tampa over the #12 ... Buccaneers star receiver Chris Godwin says if Tom Brady wants his jersey, he can have it!!!

"Just out of respect to everything that he's accomplished and everything that he's done, I would kind of have to defer to him," Godwin said on ESPN on Friday. "He's the GOAT, you know?"

It's got to be a breath of fresh air for Brady to hear his new teammate say those words ... Tom's been rockin' the 1-2 for 20 YEARS -- and has built his whole TB12 brand around the number.

And, in even more good news for Brady, it sounds like he might not even have to part ways with a huge chunk of cash for the digits either.

"If he's willing to give it up, then perfect," Godwin said. "But, I mean, if not, then I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get there. But, I'm not too worried about it."

Of course, the number does mean a hell of a lot to CG ... he's been rockin' it since back in high school -- and has become one of the NFL's best receivers in the uni.

It's official ... Tom Brady is a Tampa Bay Buccaneer -- and he says he's "excited, humbled and hungry" to get started on the next chapter of his football career.

"If there is one thing I have learned about football, it’s that nobody cares what you did last year or the year before that," Brady said Friday. "You earn the trust and respect of those around through your commitment every single day."

He added, "I’m starting a new football journey and thankful for the @buccaneers for giving me an opportunity to do what I love to do."

News of Brady's commitment to Tampa broke on Tuesday ... but it wasn't until he took a physical in NY later in the week that he was able to officially put pen to contract paper.

His new deal with TB is reportedly a two-year contract worth roughly $30 MILLION per season ... and the Bucs said Friday they could not be happier that the move is now official.

"I've known Tom since we drafted him in New England 20 years ago and through this process it became very clear that his desire to be a champion burns as strong today as it ever has," GM Jason Licht said. "He possesses the type of rare natural leadership qualities that will immediately impact our entire organization."

Brady added in his statement, "I have always believed that well done is better than well said, so I’m gonna not gonna say much more - I’m just gonna get to work! #Year1."

NFC South ... heads up!!!

"It was so exciting, almost as much as when I kissed my wife for the very first time 49 years ago!"

That's Dick Vitale SO pumped about Tom Brady joining up with his favorite Tampa Bay Buccaneers team ... he could hardly contain his excitement on a phone call Wednesday with TMZ Sports!!

"I was really ecstatic," Vitale says ... "I mean, Tom Brady coming here is the best medicine!"

If you weren't aware ... Dickie V is one of the Bucs' biggest fans -- he's had season tickets for years -- and he believes TB12 heading south is going to do big things for Tampa Bay.

"They got the weapons," the legendary college basketball analyst says. "They just need leadership, and he'll provide that. He's the greatest of all-time, I don't think there's any doubt whatsoever!"

Vitale says ticket demands for the Bucs have gone up so much since the news of Brady's decision broke this week ... he's been offered free meals in exchange for some seats!

The troubling story about Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches allegedly abandoning his Cane Corso has a happy ending ... because the sweet pooch has found a new forever home.

TMZ's learned the dog, whose name is Jitterbug, has been adopted by a woman named Andrea Johnson and her husband, Keith. Andrea tells us they already have a Cane Corso, and when they heard there was another at a Tampa rescue they drove to meet the pup and interview to adopt her.

Andrea says she explained to the rescue that Jitterbug would be in loving and caring hands because she and Keith are familiar with the breed ... and they have a large home with a big backyard and a pool.

Plus, Jitterbug will have a new canine pal in their other Cane Corso, whose name is Addi.

The rescue group approved and the Johnsons picked Jitterbug up on New Year's Eve after she was spayed. We're told she's doing great ... and enjoyed her first meal of 2020 -- steak and sweet potatoes.

More positive news -- Andrea tells us she reached out to Rakeem's wife about Jitterbug to learn more about her temperament and what she likes, and she was very helpful.

Andrea says the wife filled her in on all the commands the dog knows, what food she prefers, her love of walks and car rides and that she's a great house dog and very chill.

We're told Rakeem's wife claims they had to give Jitterbug away because they are expecting a child, but it's still unclear how the dog ended up abandoned on the side of a busy road.

As we reported ... the Tampa Bay Bucs are looking into the situation.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have launched an investigation into allegations defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches abandoned his Cane Corso on the side of a busy road, where it sat for 36 hours.

An animal rescue group found the dog on December 8, whose name is Jitterbug -- sitting on a Florida road tired, hungry and alone. The dog was also missing some teeth.

Turns out Nunez-Roches is also a dog breeder. In case you're unfamiliar, Cane Corso's are a form of pit bull.

The animal rescue group took Jitterbug to a shelter and an official there says they contacted Nunez-Roches to say they had his dog. The official said, "He had responded back that he would pick her up on Sunday, which I thought was odd because they played Detroit on Sunday and they had a 4:25 game, so how would he get back in time to pick her up at 7? Was football more important?" He never picked up his dog.

The dog remains in the shelter and she's been pre-adopted.

NFL rookie Devin White is doubling up as Santa off the field in Tampa Bay ... meeting up with kids for a night filled with pizza, bowling and toys at an awesome holiday party!!!

The 5th overall pick in the 2019 draft hosted 50 children from the local Boys & Girls Club for his first-ever Christmas Toy Giveaway with Strikes for Kids this week ... hanging out and showing off his bowling skills.

We're told the kids loved every second of it and were stoked to chill with the 21-year-old stud for an hour and a half.

The best part of the night came when White personally helped each kid pick out their own toy to take home ... and everyone in attendance was thrilled for something fun for the holidays.

White has been a beast when he's on the field this season ... and this makes it all even sweeter.

Good news for Jason Pierre-Paul ... the Tampa Bay Bucs pass rusher says he's all healed up after suffering a neck injury in a May car crash and expects to get back on the field for Week 8.

As we previously reported, JPP suffered a fracture in his neck during a single-car wreck on May 2 at 5 AM in Florida while driving his SUV. He spent the past couple of months in a neck brace while he recovered.

At the time, the Bucs placed 30-year-old JPP on the non-football injury list -- making him ineligible to play for the first 6 weeks of the NFL season.

The player is allowed to receive treatment and attend team meetings -- and JPP has been doing just that. In fact, he was at the Bucs gym on Thursday working out and showing off his 6-pack.

We reached out to JPP's agent, Doug Hendrickson, who tells us Pierre-Paul is ready to go and would play as early as Week 7, but the Bucs have a bye that week.

But, the Bucs play the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 27 (Week 8) ... and we're told JPP is targeting that game for his triumphant return.

The Bucs are probably eager to get JPP back on the field soon since they're paying him a ton of money. He was originally slated to make $13.65 mil in 2019 but amended his contract after suffering the injury and will only make $10.5 mil instead.

Don't feel too bad for JPP, he's reportedly made over $72 mil in his NFL career.

Jameel Cook -- a former Super Bowl champ with the Bucs -- was just convicted of stealing over $100k from an NFL player trust fund ... and prosecutors raked him over the coals afterward!!!

"He stole from the very fund his fellow former players depend on for help," Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said ... "And he has now fallen from professional football glory to the ranks of felons."

As we previously reported ... the ex-Tampa Bay FB was busted back in September after officials say he stole money from the Gene Upshaw NFL Player Plan -- a fund set up to benefit ex-players.

Cook's scheme -- according to prosecutors -- involved him filing 30 bogus claims between March 2016 and September 2017 ... resulting in the 40-year-old illegally obtaining $105,000.

Prosecutors hit Jameel with a felony stealing charge -- and he faced up to 10 YEARS behind bars for the crime.

But, Cook cut a deal this week ... and in exchange for a guilty plea -- he will NOT have to go to prison.

Instead, Jameel got 10 years of probation ... and he was ordered to pay back the $105,000. He was also sentenced to 160 hours of community service and was hit with another $1,200 fine.

Oh, and in addition to getting ripped by Ogg ... Special Assistant District Attorney Jason Horn also threw some major shade on the ex-NFL player!!!

“He earned fame and great accolades in a career most could only dream of, and should have been role model,” Horn said ...

“Instead, he let down everyone around him by defrauding a plan set up for all players and taking money that wasn’t his.”

Jason Pierre-Paul was behind the wheel of $350,000 Ferrari when he crashed into a concrete barrier on May 2 ... this according to the crash report obtained by TMZ Sports.

The Florida Highway Patrol states JPP was driving a red 2019 Ferrari 488 Pista -- a rocket ship on wheels that tops out at 211 mph. The car goes from 0 to 60 in 2.8 seconds.

Officials say the Tampa Bay Bucs superstar lost control of the car around 2:38 AM and collided with a concrete barrier on I-95 in Fort Lauderdale. There were no skid marks or debris found in the roadway.

Despite the curious time of the accident, officials say the responding officers did NOT suspect JPP was under the influence of alcohol or drugs ... and was NOT tested for either.

Instead, cops say they believe "weather conditions" -- specifically wet road surfaces -- caused the NFL star to lose control.