Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Willie McGinest tells TMZ Sports he understands why Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski left the Patriots for the Bucs ... saying straight-up New England is a GRIND!!!

"You work your ass off," the former Pats superstar says. "In that system, in that organization, you work hard. And, there's a lot of pressure put on you."

Don't get it twisted ... Willie says that's why the Patriots are so damn good -- they treat every player the same way and expect results all across the board.

But, the Pats legend tells us that can be taxing ... and he gets why Brady and Gronk wanted to see a fresh perspective down in Tampa Bay at the end of their Hall of Fame careers.

"It's a tough atmosphere because there's a lot of pressure on winning," Willie says. "Everybody is held accountable."

As far as any animosity between Bill Belichick and his former superstars over the way things ended ... Willie says there's no hate there, telling us the guys still have a ton of respect for each other.

"What they did in New England together, as a duo -- as a trio," McGinest says, "will never be duplicated ever in football history again."

Willie tells us he expects Gronk and Brady to be at Patriots reunions as soon as their careers are over ... and even says ceremonial retirements in New England for both dudes are on the table.

"Holy f**king sh*t! Tom Brady is in my f**king house!!!"

That's how one Tampa Bay resident described an accidental trespass visit from Tom Brady earlier this month ... and the story is absolutely hilarious!!!

Here's the deal ... David Kramer is next-door neighbors with Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich in the Tampa area -- and he says back on April 7, Brady was set to meet the coach at Leftwich's place for the first time since signing with TB.

The problem? Kramer and the Tampa Bay assistant coach's houses look super similar ... and the G.O.A.T. apparently got them mixed up!!!

Kramer says he was sitting in his kitchen on the phone ... when Brady straight-up barged in through the front door with duffel bags in hand.

"I literally was just sitting here and I watch this tall guy just walk into my house," Kramer says ... "He didn't even look at me. He just like dropped his duffel bags down on the floor and just kind of like looked up at me and I'll never forget the look on his face."

"He just goes, 'Am I in the wrong house?!'"

Kramer, who's got a side hustle as a comedian, tells us when he realized what was going on ... he was in complete shock -- and Tom couldn't have been more apologetic over the mixup.

"He was like, 'I am so sorry! I am so sorry!'" Kramer says. "Grabs his bags and just is gone. I don't think I've seen someone leave a house faster!"

Kramer says Tom was super nice, super genuine and flashed a big smile throughout the whole ordeal ... and says he doesn't blame the QB at all for the error.

In fact, Kramer says he thought the whole situation was funny, and had no issues whatsoever with the accidental break-in!!!

As for Brady, it's been a rocky transition to Tampa when it comes to moving around the city ... remember, he was also booted from a local park this month for trying to work out during quarantine times!!

By the way, we're told the QB at least followed social distancing guidelines at Leftwich's -- a Bucs source tells us the trip was just a quick one to pick up materials from his new coach.

Welcome to Tampa, Tom!

"It's not the easiest place to play but it gets you right."

That's Rob Gronkowski being brutally honest about his 9 years with the New England Patriots -- admitting it was tough, but worth it.

"I'm very thankful for the 9 years I had with the New England Patriots," Gronk said during a call with reporters on Wednesday ... "I've learned so much under that organization."

Gronk shouted out both Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft -- saying he will ALWAYS have respect for those guys for drafting him and growing him into the NFL champion he is today.

But he was honest about the experience in New England -- saying, "I'm not going to sit here and say its an easy organization to play for."

"I've also never played for another organization. I haven't even been down to Tampa yet."

"I know that the NE Patriots, hands down, it is not the easiest place to play but it gets you right. It gets you mentally right, it gets you physically right ... but I'm definitely going to take what I've learned ... and apply it to my daily life, big time."

Gronk didn't get into details about why it was a tough place to play but it seems obvious -- it was an all work, no play kind of a job.

During Wednesday's call, Gronk also explained how influential Tom Brady has been in his decision to come back to the NFL.

"Tom is like the appetizer of the whole meal. He got me hooked when he went down to Tampa."

"Playing with Tom is special," Gronk said ... "We have a great chemistry out there and every time we get together, its just like the old days. It doesnt matter if we take a month off or 6 months apart, we just go out there and we're throwing the ball just like its a normal practice."

After Tom selected Tampa Bay, Gronk says he started looking into the Bucs roster and was impressed with what he saw.

"I saw what was down there. Just the opportunity to go down there and play with that type of offense. I mean they got some special wide receivers out there, they got other great tight end and let me tell you, I love working with tight ends too so I'm definitely looking forward to that, working with [OJ Howard and Cameron Brate]. That's definitely going to be a special opportunity. Just blessed to be in this situation."

Gronk says his decision to retire from football in 2019 was motivated by real injury concerns -- saying his body felt beat up and he needed a break.

"I was in a very painful situation. Even my very last game, I couldn't for four weeks. I couldn't walk that well after the last Super Bowl game we won from my quad contusion."

Rob continued ... "That's what I did the last year. I took care of myself. I let my body heal, I let my body rest, I let my body get the treatments that it needed. I feel like I broke up all the scar tissue that's in my body. Got rid the inflammation in my body that was holding me back my last year, I feel like. It feels good."

Gronk also admits, "I had no fire last year" -- but as time rolled by, "my body started feeling good."

"THANK YOU BILL!!"

That's Dick Vitale's message to the New England Patriots -- after his Tampa Bay Bucs locked down Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady!

You think Dickie V's fired up?! OH HELL YEAH!!!

"Brady to Gronkowski! Super Bowl here we come!"

"Mr. Belichick ... THANK YOU! THANK YOU! From the bottom of my heart for making us get these two guys to wear Bucs uniforms!"

The legendary sportscaster says Gronk and Brady bring real "hope" to his city -- and says they're taking a talented Bucs roster to the next level!

"Let me tell you this, we weren't a team without talent. That [2019] team could have won I believe 10 games last year ... They lost heartbreakers."

"Missed a chip shot field goal to win the game against the Giants, so many times marching to wrap the game up and there's a pick 6 the other way that psychologically breaks your team down. So getting a guy like Brady and Gronkowski, I think you change that."

HE'S SO FIRED UP, HE JUMPED INTO HIS OWN POOL WITH HIS CLOTHES ON, BABY!!!

Rob Gronkowski, Aldon Smith ... now Percy Harvin!?!?

The former-Super Bowl champ and ex-1st-round pick is gunning to become the next surprise NFL un-retirement ... saying he's training with an Olympian for a 2020 comeback!

"I'm ready to return to the NFL," Harvin told ESPN's Josina Anderson. "I thought I was done, but that itch came back. I’ve been training w/a former Olympian. My body is feeling good. Mentally I’m better. My family is good. The timing is right.”

31-year-old Harvin last played in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills in 2016 ... retiring after the season due to severe migraines and other injury issues.

But Harvin, who had also famously retired and unretired just before that year with the Bills, claims he's ready for another run at the league ... possibly even with Tom Brady and Gronk in Tampa.

"I had a dream a while ago when 12 was with the #Patriots, that I would play for Tom Brady," Harvin said. "That was well before the pandemic & he went to the Bucs, my comeback was already in the works."

Harvin added, "But I’m ready for any offense that'll just let me go."

Harvin's agent, Alvin Keels, says he's already fielding calls from teams interested in bringing in the former star WR for workouts this summer.

Rob Gronkowski AND Tom Brady?!?!

Bucs legend Ronde Barber is STOKED ... telling TMZ Sports his squad just became serious Super Bowl contenders!

Of course, Ronde is one of the all-time Bucs greats -- spending 16 seasons in Tampa and winning a Super Bowl in the process.

But, the former defensive back admits his beloved squad hasn't exactly been relevant on a national level in years ... UNTIL NOW, BABY!!!

"You don't sign Tom Brady to a team that has this much talent ... without the expectation that you wanna win a Super Bowl," Barber says.

"They have talent on this football team. And, an emerging defense. I would say the expectation is to win this year."

Ronde also points out how bringing in Gronk and TB12 will ensure the Bucs get a chance to thrive on the national stage!

"When has Tony Romo ever been here? Has he done a game here in Tampa? Best analyst in football and I think he's been here one time. Those types of things will change."

"'Monday Night Football' will come here. 'Sunday Night Football' will come here. These types of things are gonna drive the energy for the Bucs franchise here in 2020."

By the way, Ronde's only 45 years old -- just 3 years older than Tom. So, has he considered dusting off the cleats and getting back on the field?

Terry Bradshaw says there's NO WAY Tom Brady is the greatest QB of all time ... citing -- and this isn't a typo -- Dan Fouts in his explanation.

Of course, there's been a bit of TB12 on TB12 negativity as of late ... with Bradshaw saying Brady's move to Tampa Bay was more about ego than winning.

The Steelers legend hasn't let up on Brady 2 weeks later ... saying the 6-time Super Bowl champ isn't even close to being the top QB in NFL history.

"I don’t think he’s the greatest quarterback of all-time," Bradshaw told 93.7 The Fan’s "Cook and Joe Show" on Thursday.

"He may be the best quarterback we’ve had in the last 30 years. Is he better than [Roger] Staubach? No! Is he better than Dan Fouts? No! Dan Marino? No!"

"I'm talking talent-wise when you're putting all of it together."

Bradshaw says Brady's rings make him the "best" QB ... but not BETTER than everyone else.

"Is he better than Montana? Not in my opinion. Is he better than Drew Brees? Yeah, maybe."

Of course, the most puzzling name Bradshaw threw out was Fouts ... and no offense to the guy (he's a Hall of Famer!) ... but he didn't put up even close to Brady numbers and has zero rings.

For example, Brady has 287 more TDs, 31,000 more passing yards and 63 LESS interceptions than Fouts.

Jameis Winston is finally revealing how he feels about getting booted outta Tampa Bay for Tom Brady ... and he's actually taking the whole thing as a compliment.

"For you to get replaced by Tom Brady in a city that you love so much, I guess that's kudos to me," Winston said Wednesday morning on Fox News.

The QB was originally booked on the network to spread the word on the COVID-19 hotline he developed alongside Dr. Scott Kelley ... but naturally, the question HAD to be asked -- and Jameis handled it like a pro.

"One thing you can learn about me is my faith. I have tremendous faith in the Lord ... and one thing about Tom Brady is it's understood that he is the G.O.A.T," Winston said.

"But, at the end of the day, it's a competitive sport. We all in the business. So, I'm excited for whatever opportunity may hold."

After Winston was released, he thanked Tampa for his 5 seasons with the team and said it was "all love and respect."

Jameis doesn't tip his hand on where he could end up ... but he DID say what his goal is.

What happens if something breaks in Tom Brady's new mansion in Tampa??

HE GETS DEREK JETER'S ASS TO COME FIX IT!!!

"I call and I bitch to him and he gets it fixed," Brady said. "So, he does what he's got to do."

Brady spoke all about being Jeter's newest tenant in Florida with Howard Stern on Wednesday morning ... and TB12 couldn't have been happier with his new landlord.

The Buccaneers QB says he turned to the Yankees legend on super-short notice to get him a proper place ... and he says Derek has more than delivered with his Tampa Bay pad.

In fact, Brady -- who says Jeter even left the place furnished for him -- said of the whole process, "It's nice to rent!"

"I would definitely say you get all of the benefits with none of the responsibility. So I'm totally cool with this."

Brady says the openness of the home is taking some getting used to ... back in Massachusetts, he says it was nearly impossible for fans to drive up to his door.

But, now, he claims boats pull up to his backyard and people are congregating outside on the streets.

"It's a little different," Brady said. But, the QB added, "Derek did a pretty good job of screening it."

As for monthly payments, Brady says he and Jeter had NO discussions of that ... claiming their reps got all the dollars and cents talked out before he moved in.

By the way, that monthly rent check is reportedly somewhere between $75,000-$100,000 ... which ain't much for Tom, who signed a 2-year, $50 MILLION deal with the Bucs.

Yeah, still great to be rich!

Here they are ... the new Tampa Bay Buccaneers jerseys.

In other words ... here's what Tom Brady will be wearing next season!!!

It's gonna be weird to see TB12 suit up in anything other than the Patriots' color scheme ... but now we can officially start to picture it in our minds.

The new-look Bucs finally ditched the dumpster fire of a jersey design that they were stuck with since 2014 -- yeah, not many people liked them -- and it's a big improvement.

It's kinda a bummer ... 'cause a lot of folks were hoping the team would go back to its awesome Creamsicle look ... but it appears that ain't happenin'.

The Bucs debuted the new look on Tuesday ... and the biggest change is eliminating the zig-zaggy number font. They're VERY similar to the Derrick Brooks-era unis.

"This new but familiar look is a direct result of the valuable feedback we received from our fans," Bucs owner Ed Glazer said in a statement.

The funny part -- the Bucs sent out a hype vid for the new threads ... and had to post a disclaimer, considering Chris Godwin was spotted in his #12 jersey, which now belongs to Brady.

Bucs fans have to be happy ... and now they can finally get that #12 Brady jersey, which are already for sale on the Bucs team shop site.

Tom Brady just dropped a very long and very emotional goodbye letter to Patriots Nation -- and while he thanked Robert Kraft by name ... Bill Belichick didn't get the same kind of love.

It's all in a Player's Tribune article titled, "The Only Way Is Through" -- TB12 reflects on his 20 years in New England and explains why he's so damn "motivated" to succeed in Tampa Bay.

But, one part of the story stood out to us ... this line.

"But more than any one physical place, it’s the relationships I made in New England that I’ll miss the most. Of course, it starts with the entire New England Patriots organization, and Robert Kraft and the entire Kraft family. It extends to countless other individuals who played such a valuable role in my 20 years as a Patriot. Teammates and coaches, past and present."

See that? Kraft got a shout-out by name. But, Bill was just lumped in with "teammates and coaches."

Was it an intentional diss? An oversight?

We know Tom is very calculated when it comes to the media -- and with the reported bad blood between Tom and Bill, we're guessing it was no mistake.

As for the rest of the article, Brady explained why he's so excited for his new squad in Tampa Bay ... but admits, he's got a lot to learn and realizes he doesn't have much time.

"It will be different," Brady says about Tampa ... "that goes with the territory. Different coaches. Different players. Different programs."

"Right now I have no idea how to get to Raymond James Stadium, or where the meeting rooms are, or where everybody sits. It will be a learning curve, in the same way it was remembering that the Atlantic Ocean is always due east."

As for his physical conditioning, 42-year-old Brady feels his body can still perform at a very high level.

"Physically, I’m as capable of doing my job as I’ve ever been. Now I want to see what more I can do. I want to see how great I can be."

Brady also talks about just wanting a change of scenery ...

"Playing for one team for 20 years has been an amazing ride and experience. But doing the same thing year after year brings its own challenges," Brady said.

"A familiar rhythm can be comforting and great. But it can also make you lose sight of other rhythms, newer ones that remind you of everything that hasn’t been done yet."

He ended on this note ...

"At some point, you have to throw your whole body into what you’re doing. You have to say, Let’s ride. Let’s see what we got. I want to show everybody what I got."

No guests? No problem!

Jameis Winston tied the knot to his longtime girlfriend, Breion, in a VERY private ceremony at their home ... despite the chaos from the coronavirus pandemic.

The two were supposed to have a massive, lavish ceremony with a TON of guests from all around the country.

But, with the stay-at-home orders in place, the NFL quarterback and his bride-to-be were faced with a choice ... postpone or improvise.

They chose door #2 ... and on March 27, they decided to move forward with the ceremony with the help of an officiant and a well-decorated back yard!

"A week when nothing was going as planned," Breion said.

"Our initial wedding had just been postponed and I was in a funk. But [Jameis] came through and put together a beautiful intimate ceremony in the privacy of our own home."

"And it seemed it was meant to be this way all along... #MrAndMrsWinston."

The two have known each other since high school and have been dating for years. The former Tampa Bay Bucs star popped the question back in 2018, just a few months before they had their first child together.

Congrats!

If it's good enough for Derek Jeter, it's good enough for Tom Brady!!

The newest Tampa Bay Bucs QB has picked his Tampa Bay-area home, according to the Tampa Bay Times -- and it's the 32,000-square-foot mansion Jeter built!!

TB12 has already begun to move into the sprawling waterfront estate in the exclusive and super private Davis Islands neighborhood.

The home is siiiiick -- 7 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, an entertainment room -- and a billiards room that wraps around a pool! There are also two boat lifts which allow access to Tampa Bay.

Jeter reportedly built the home in 2011 -- and it's the biggest mansion in a celeb-packed area. We're told Brady will have a bunch of famous and rich neighbors including a bunch of players from the Tampa Bay Lightening hockey team.

Fire back up the NFL return rumors for Rob Gronkowski ... after he was cut from "The Masked Singer" Wednesday, he refused to close the door on his football career once again!!

Gronk had been participating on the blind singing show this season ... and it was pretty damn obvious the former Patriots tight end was rockin' the "White Tiger" outfit the whole time.

His dance moves -- even in full costume -- were very Gronk-esque ... there was plenty of twerking, flossing and overall spasming on the stage weekly!!

Surprisingly, only two of the judges were able to correctly guess it was him ... but when Jenny McCarthy was interviewing him after the reveal, she made a comment about his NFL career.

"We hope we see those moves back in the locker room soon," she said.

Gronk's reply?? "Oh. You never know!"

BOOM!!! GET THOSE #87 JERSEYS READY IN TAMPA!!!

In all seriousness, 30-year-old Gronk hasn't given much indication he will, in fact, make a comeback to the league ... with his brother, Chris, even telling TMZ Sports last month he'd be SHOCKED to see Rob return.