Tampa Bay Buccaneers

"I think he's matured, and I believe in second chances,"

That's Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians explaining why he approved of the team signing Antonio Brown ... despite his problematic history.

As we previously reported, the Bucs locked up AB in a 1-year contract -- reportedly worth up to $2.5 million if he hits all of his incentives.

Brown is suspended through Week 8 for a variety of reasons -- including an off-season arrest for attacking a moving truck driver, allegations of rape and sending menacing text messages to a woman who accused him of sexual misconduct.

Arians had previously said the Bucs were not interested in Brown -- but clearly had a change of heart. Many people speculated Tom Brady played a role since they appeared to get along during AB's short stint in New England last season.

But, on Sunday, Arians said that just isn't true.

"Everybody wants to say that Tom picked him. Tom didn't have anything to do with it," Arians told the media.

"This was something [general manager Jason Licht] and I had been talking [about] for a couple weeks, ever since the injuries to our other guys."

"When the time was right, would we see if we could pull the trigger and fit him in to what we want to get done? And we'll see. If Antonio does what I think he's gonna do, I think he's gonna be fine."

Arians was also asked what he would say to female fans about the move to sign Brown.

"I think you just let the court system do its job. Allegations -- I've been around a lot of players that have had allegations that weren't true, some were -- so let the court system handle it. If it's found out to be true, he won't be with us."

Tom Brady also weighed in on the signing ...

"He's a tremendous football player ... I played with him for a brief period of time. Looking forward to working with him again, to see what role he can come in [and play]. He's a very hardworking guy."

No "Sunday Night Football" for Tom Brady this week ... the NFL has MOVED UP the Raiders vs. Bucs game to daytime in the wake of a possible COVID outbreak in Las Vegas.

The strategy makes sense ... at least one Raiders player has tested positive for COVID and there are concerns several more players may have been exposed.

So, for now, the league has shifted the game out of the prime time slot -- instead Raiders vs. Bucs will kick off at 1:05 PM PT.

That frees up the league to move another game into prime time -- Seahawks vs. Cardinals ... Russell Wilson vs. Kyler Murray!

Here's the logic ... there's a chance more Raiders could test positive and the league may have to make a last-minute decision about moving the game to another date.

But, they still want to have a game in that prime time Sunday night spot. Get it?

There don't seem to be any COVID concerns with the Seahawks or the Cardinals at the moment -- and there are big stars on both teams. It's a safe move. Smart.

Barack Obama is congratulating his pal, LeBron James -- saying the NBA superstar is a legend both on and off the court ... despite what Trump thinks.

"Proud of my friend @KingJames for his fourth title, fourth Finals MVP, and for not only living up to the hype after seventeen seasons, but surpassing it as an extraordinary leader both on the court and in the public arena fighting for education, social justice, and our democracy."

Obama and LeBron have been friends for years -- with Barack reportedly counseling LeBron on how to speak out against social injustice during the NBA restart.

And, with Donald Trump recently going after LeBron as "nasty" and a "hater" ... Obama made it clear he couldn't disagree with POTUS more.

LeBron also got some love Monday from Tom Brady -- because insanely accomplished old guys gotta stick together!

"Congrats to my brother @KingJames on winning his 4th championship," 43-year-old Brady said to the 35-year-old Lakers star ... "Not bad for a washed up old guy!"

But, the self-deprecation didn't stop there!

Check out the picture Brady posted along with the caption -- it's a meme of the Bucs QB holding up 4 fingers during his "what down?" blunder on "Thursday Night Football" last week -- but with LeBron's head on his body.

Haaaaaa.

It's nice to see TB12 can laugh about it now ... considering the mistake went on to cost Tampa Bay the game against the Chicago Bears.

Did Tom Brady forget what down it was in a crucial moment during the Bucs game Thursday night???

It certainly seems so ... 'cause cameras caught the QB asking refs what down it was after he had just thrown a game-losing incompletion on 4th down!!

Here's the deal ... after the Chicago Bears kicked a field goal to go up 20-19 on TB12's Bucs late in the 4th quarter -- Brady took the ball with less than 90 seconds left in the game.

Tom looked poised to lead Tampa Bay to its 4th win this season and was driving ... when, suddenly, his offense started to sputter.

On 1st down, Tom missed Mike Evans. On 2nd down, #12 hit his running back for a short gain. On 3rd down, Brady's pass to Rob Gronkowski was broken up. And, on 4th, the QB threw another incompletion.

But, as his whole team was walking off the field -- Brady looked dumbfounded, held up 4 fingers and appeared to ask the ref, "What down?!"

The debacle cost the Buccaneers the game ... 'cause the Bears took a couple knees and ended the contest.

Afterward, Brady was asked about the down-counting disaster -- and he claimed he actually knew it was 4th.

"I knew we had to gain a chunk," Brady said, "so I should have been thinking more 1st down instead of chunk in that situation."

Added his head coach, Bruce Arians, "Yeah, he knew."

Sure, guys. Suuuuuuuuuuuuuure.

Tom Brady has his sights set on a Tampa Bay-area mansion -- a $7.5 million waterfront estate in a private community, TMZ Sports has learned.

We're told Brady is in the final stages of a deal and it's expected to close later this week. He'll become the proud new owner of a 5-bedroom modern crib in a gated community in Clearwater, Florida that was custom built in 2015.

Remember, Brady and his family had moved into Derek Jeter's mansion in the Tampa area back in April after TB12 signed with the Bucs.

But, since Jeter is selling the place for $29 mil -- and Brady can afford his own spot -- the QB went house hunting and has apparently decided to pull the trigger.

The new home -- listed by real estate agent Sophia Vasilaros -- is 8,548 square feet with 5 full baths and 3 half baths (8 toilets in all!) and it's right on the water with its own private dock.

Inside, the home has a private gym, theater room, billiard room, media center ... oh, and it also has an elevator!

And, if Tom's looking to expand, there's an empty lot next door that's also for sale.

Again, we're told it's not a done deal at this point but it's expected to wrap up real soon.

It's good to be rich.

Leonard Fournette just threw some MAJOR shade at Blake Bortles, Gardner Minshew and Nick Foles ... saying he loves being in Tampa Bay, 'cause he FINALLY gets to play with a quarterback!!!

The new Buccaneers running back spoke to reporters on Tuesday about becoming Tom Brady's newest teammate ... and straight-up dogged his former Jacksonville Jaguars QBs in the process.

"For the first time in my life, I really have a quarterback."

Of course, Fournette's time in Duval was filled with ups and downs -- including a trip to the AFC Championship game in 2018 -- and ended when he was abruptly cut last week.

And, it's no secret ... the Jags weren't the strongest at QB during Fournette's 3 years with the team

Now that LF has found a new home in Tampa ... he couldn't hide his excitement about playing with the 6-time Super Bowl champ.

"I'm happy to be back there with one of the greatest, or the greatest that played this game," he said.

There's a huge buzz surrounding the Bucs offense now ... with TB12, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Rob Gronkowski and more expected to make noise in the NFC.

It's now official ... Cam Newton is THE starter in New England!!!

The Pats announced the move in a team meeting Thursday ... finally crowning a successor to Tom Brady.

Of course, it's not exactly shocking -- even if Cam had to wait to sign with the team until June ... he's a former MVP and the rest of the Pats QB roster, well, isn't.

The Patriots also announced Newton is a 2020 team captain -- alongside RB James White, center David Andrews, safety Devin McCourty, corner Jason McCourty, linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley, DL Lawrence Guy and special teamer Matthew Slater.

Newton comes at pretty good value for the Pats now ... he's one of the lowest-paid starting QBs in the league -- slated to earn just $1.75 mil this season.

Newton has said repeatedly this summer he's on a mission to prove he's still elite after several injury-plagued down seasons ... even saying back in July he's "about to motherf***in' ROAR!"

Seems he's already got the stamp of approval from his top wideout ... 'cause just a few days ago, Julian Edelman said the two were like Batman and Superman now.

Tony Gonzalez is predicting BIG THINGS for Tom Brady's squad in 2020 -- telling TMZ Sports he's already got 'em pegged as early Super Bowl contenders!

Of course, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are pretty loaded on offense -- with TB12 at the helm and stars like Rob Gronkowski, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin catching passes.

"I think that whole team is gonna be AWESOME," Tony told us on his way out of Erewhon market in L.A. ... "They're gonna be real good."

The "NFL on FOX" star clearly believes the guys in "Tompa" have insane potential -- and he's super geeked to do the pregame breakdown for their season opener against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 13.

By the way, props to Tony for putting on his mask on the way out of the market ... NO ONE WANTS COVID TO RUIN FOOTBALL!!!!!

Tom Brady says he'll look to his teammates to help him address social issues ... saying he'll "listen and learn" from their experiences to face them head-on.

TB12 was asked about the protests, boycotts and other actions taking place around the league and throughout the world of professional sports ... and Brady did his best to give the safest answer he possibly could.

Brady didn't offer his opinion on the Jacob Blake shooting -- nor did he reveal his personal feelings about superstars like LeBron James refusing to take the court for NBA playoff games this week.

Players around the league look to Brady as a leader and we know there are people looking to take their cues from him as the most high-profile athlete in football.

But so far, he's not really saying much.

Meanwhile, Drew Brees wore Jacob Blake's name on his helmet during practice this week in a show of support with his New Orleans Saints teammates.

Hell, even Cincinnati Bengals rookie QB Joe Burrow offered a strong opinion this week, saying, "How can you hear the pain Black people are going through and dismiss it as nothing?"

Tom Brady is fitting in just fine as the new guy down in Tampa Bay ... so says his new star wide receiver Mike Evans -- who absolutely GUSHED over the QB on Tuesday!!!

"He's the G.O.A.T. on and off the field," Evans said. "It's crazy. He's a superstar. The most accomplished player in our game in history. And. he's just like everybody else."

"He just works extremely hard. He's always taking care of his body. He loves his family. He loves family time. And, he's just cool."

Evans added, "He's a real down-to-earth guy. And, he's already up there as one of my favorite teammates."

It's huge praise from the 3-time Pro Bowl wideout ... considering the guys just became teammates about 5 months ago and have only had a few official practices as Bucs.

But, Evans says he truly means it ... saying, "I'm learning a lot from him. And hopefully, we tear it up this year."

Seems Brady's having a blast with Evans too ... Tom told NBC's Peter King earlier this week he's "so happy with the decision I made" to bolt from New England to Florida.

Good times in Tampa, huh?!

"They ask my advice, I tell them, and then they don't take it."

Joe Montana says Tom Brady told him that was a real issue in New England ... and Joe Cool believes it's one of the biggest reasons why TB12 is no longer a Patriot.

"I think that was one of his beefs up there," Montana told USA Today Sports on Wednesday ... "I think he would like a little bit of input."

Joe said in another interview Wednesday with SportsMap Radio that Brady broke it all down for him when the two were at NFL 100 ceremonies at the Super Bowl in February.

"I don’t think he was happy with the way things were progressing there and his ability to have input," Montana said.

Of course, Brady has never publicly explained what made him leave New England for Tampa ... but it's clear, Montana believes if Bill Belichick had given the QB more say in the offense, he might still be a Patriot.

Regardless, Joe says he thinks Bruce Arians and Co. will be more than willing to give Brady a big role in play-calling and game-planning down in Florida.

"I think they'll probably let him have that," Montana said, "especially with the success that he's had."

This is NOT good ...

Hundreds of people ignored social distancing guidelines and partied their asses off at Devin White's "Trail Ride" charity event over the weekend ... and video of the scene is alarming.

The Tampa Bay Bucs linebacker -- despite surging COVID-19 cases in Louisiana -- decided to press forward with his 2nd annual "Trail Ride" event in Cotton Valley on Saturday.

The problem? Hundreds -- if not thousands -- of people attended ... and even though White said he'd urge hand-washing, mask-wearing and social distancing, it's clear those precautions weren't followed seriously throughout the evening.

Check out footage from the event ... partygoers can be seen mask-less, dancing amid a sea of people. At one point, you can even see 22-year-old White partying without a mask.

We reached out to Louisiana State Police, as well as the Webster Parish Sheriff's Office, for comment on the event ... but so far no word back yet.

But, reps for both departments had told us last week officers would be at or near the scene of the party to assist in traffic control ... although neither said definitively if they'd help enforce social distancing guidelines.

Meanwhile, the mayor of Cotton Valley, C.C. Cox, told TMZ Sports he was allowing the party to happen because, "That's what he wants to do, he can do it, you know?"

Frightening moment for NFL star Shaq Barrett ... he was forced to evacuate his Colorado home Monday after a wildfire threatened to consume it.

But, fortunately for the Tampa Bay Bucs pass rusher, firefighters were able to contain the blaze ... and saved the 27-year-old's "dream home."

"It sucked," Barrett told CBS4's Michael Spencer shortly after evacuating. "That's our dream home, we do not want our dream home to go anywhere."

Law enforcement officials said the fire -- which burned over 400 acres in the Denver area -- was caused by a malfunction on a power pole ... and took several hours to fully contain.

Barrett -- who's kept the home since signing as an undrafted free agent with the Broncos back in 2014 -- was no doubt grateful to hear his place had been saved.

"For it to go that way would be the worst way possible," Barrett said.

Shaq -- who's been franchise tagged by the Bucs this offseason after a monster 19.5-sack 2019 -- joked Tampa Bay needs to sign him to an extension so he can avoid situations like this going forward.

"Tampa needs to help me buy a house in Tampa with a long-term deal!"